Stream both these funny and poignant shows on Netflix if you can spare the time this long holiday weekend.

From L to R: Celeste Barber in Wellmania and Rob Lowe in Unstable, photos: Netflix

I love a good series that refrains me from checking the remaining episodes and making time breeze by. Furthermore, I’m all in when the pacing, dialogue, and scenery are just right. Let’s not forget the superb acting mixed in, contemplating the characters’ actions long after the show has ended.

First Up — Wellmania

The Celeste Barber-driven comedy follows Liv Healy, a lifestyle journalist and food critic — living and playing hard in NYC, heading back to her native Sydney, Australia, for her best friend’s birthday party, only to suffer a health scare that leaves her stuck in the country. The eight-episode series chronicles her journey back to the States while trying to get healthy. The show is one misadventure after another, with family members and friends grappling with their issues, making Liv examine some childhood trauma. Barber is enigmatic in this role — from rocking wild funky outfits to her lousy decision-making and outright funny quips, she’s effortlessly funny and worth watching.

If you don’t know Celeste Barber, she’s the social media content creator that gained a massive following after recreating and parodying ridiculous celebrity and influencer posts like the one below:

From L to R: Kendall Jenner and Celeste Barber recreating the viral image, photo: Barber’s Instagram

Before poking fun at prominent personalities, Celeste Barber got her start in entertainment in the Australian medical drama All Saints as paramedic Bree Matthews and as a writer-performer on The Matty Jones Show. Celeste has since become an internet sensation with 9.5 million followers on Instagram. She’s funny and unapologetically herself. And indeed, why audiences respond to her.

Next up: Unstable

From L to R: Rob Lowe and son John Owen Lowe in Unstable, photo: Netflix

Veteran actor Rob Lowe assumes the role of Ellis Dragon, an eccentric CEO and founder of a biotech research firm acting erratic and on the verge of being ousted by board members. Anna Bennet, his reliable and whipsmart CFO, played by the talented English actress Sian Clifford (Fleabag), tries to remedy the situation by enlisting his son Jackson, who lives in New York, to prevent his father from spiraling further and save the company. The father/son relationship is strained. The most important person in their lives, wife to Ellis and mother to Jackson, recently passed, and they are coping as best as they can — but not in the healthiest way.

Unstable is refreshing, especially in a sea of contrived wannabe comedies recently released. The dialogue is punchy and quick-witted. Although, the father-son duo doesn’t go below the surface and could dig deeper into their grief. Rob Lowe is kooky and unpredictable, similar to his memorable Chris Traeger character in the series Parks and Recreation. Lowe’s real-life son, John Own Lowe, lands the socially awkward Jackson, who makes an impression and stirs up trouble between workplace besties scientists Luna (Rachel Marsh) and Ruby (Emma Ferreira).

Wellmania (created by Brigid Delaney and Benjamin Law) and Unstable have interesting premises and feature diverse, dynamic characters — a big step in Hollywood casting initiatives. Hopefully, Netflix will return these shows for a second season and beyond. Follow me for more fresh takes on amazing entertainment stories.