4 Netflix shows that are perfect for killing time in the school pickup line

Published Nov 14, 2026, 11:00 AM EST Tyler is an journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive and tech industries. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology that they use everyday. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Waiting in line to pick up your kids from school can be excruciatingly dull. Many people spend the time scrolling through social media, but there is a ton of content out there that you could be watching that doesn't demand all of your attention or much of your time. Rather than doom-scrolling, these series are the perfect way to kill some time. Netflix has some pretty fantastic short-form shows that you can pop on while you're waiting in the pick-up zone. Whether you're into reality TV, ridiculous workplace comedies, or late-night-style talk shows, this list brings together some great content to keep you occupied. They're all shows that you can also pretty easily pick up and put down without using too much brain power. Minimum Wage Workplace mockumentaries reign supreme What started as a viral web series on YouTube and TikTok created by America High has now become a full-length series on Netflix. The first half of season one has just hit the streaming platform, and it is the perfect low-effort, low-commitment show to watch while waiting to pick up the kids. There are currently 14 episodes to watch, with a second batch of 14 on the way. Episodes are super short and self-contained, making it a great show to stop and start. The show depicts an underperforming pizza chain restaurant called Slice Club, with a group of goofy and chaotic teens at the helm. It brings a new chaotic vibe to the workplace mockumentary genre. Other than Grace Reiter and Randall Park, a lot of the cast is new to mainstream TV, but you wouldn't be able to tell from their performances. It is hilarious and extremely fun to watch, and I'm really looking forward to the next batch of episodes. Minimum Wage Release Date October 26, 2026 Everybody's Live with John Mulaney Late night in the early afternoon I love a good talk show, and they're one of my favorite ways to kill time. I find that many mainstream options are not for my taste, but there are plenty of options on the fringe that break the formula, bringing something more interesting to the table. John Mulaney definitely achieves that with Everybody's Live, bringing some unscripted chaos to a format that has become a little predictable. The result is a talk show with more substance than you'd expect, from deep, personal conversations with celebrities to grounded stories from the streets of Los Angeles. I've always been a big fan of John Mulaney, and Everybody's Live shows the stand-up comedy veteran at his best. He mixes chaotic comedy with surprising sincerity and really captures the vibe of talk shows from the 1970s. While it was originally broadcast live on the streaming platform, there are currently 12 episodes out on Netflix, showcasing stars like Michael Keaton, Conan O'Brien, Pete Davidson, and David Lettermen, just to name a few. Selling Sunset Big houses and expensive cars I can't deny the massive success of Selling Sunset. It is one of the biggest reality TV shows on Netflix, following a group of real estate agents working at The Oppenheim Group in Los Angeles. The show focuses as much on the multi-million-dollar houses that the group sells as it does on the ridiculous workplace dramas that unfold. The agents butt heads over everything from listings to outfits. The series launched all the way back in 2019, with there being nine seasons and 90 episodes to watch to date. It also spawned numerous spin-offs, including Selling the OC, meaning that you're pretty set for every drop-off and pick-up from now until the end of time. Hats off to Jason and Brett Oppenheim for building one of the biggest streaming hits on Netflix.​​​​​​​ Norm MacDonald Has a Show The world is worse without Norm To round out our list, we have another talk show from one of my favorite comedians of all time. Norm MacDonald's dry and raunchy humor is fantastic, and one of the places it shines brightest is on Norm MacDonald Has a Show. Norm is very unserious on his show, and he elects to have candid conversations with his guests and his talented co-host Adam Eget. The show feels like friends shooting the breeze instead of a formal conversation. It is refreshingly simple and comes loaded with Norm's iconic wit. It is a sad thing that the world lost Norm, but his talk show feels like a celebration of everything that he was about. It is chaotic and unscripted and beyond unpredictable. Most of his celebrity guests were personal friends, or just people he found interesting, including the likes of David Spade, M. Night Shyamalan, Jane Fonda, Drew Barrymore, Billy Joe Shaver, and even Judge Judy. Subscription with ads Yes, $8/month Simultaneous streams Two or four No better way to kill time than watching some easygoing TV Whether you're into reality TV, talk shows, or some good old-fashioned sitcoms, there is plenty on Netflix to keep you occupied in the pick-up line at school while you wait for your kids. The platform also has some great content if you're looking to keep your kids occupied, be it on the way home or on a long road trip.