Every day from Monday through Thursday, members of our staff give recommendations based on a theme. Today: web series. 

Up at Noon

While plenty of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” knock-offs have come and gone, one of the most enjoyable is “Up at Noon.” Hosted by Greg Miller, the show runs down some of the biggest stories in pop culture each week, as well as an interview with voice actors, game designers, TV actors and more. Perhaps the highlight of each episode, however, is a segment involving the show’s writer, Brian Altano, who usually appears on camera under the guise of a fake profession. These segments are often the funniest of the show, as Miller and Altano work well together — even when Miller takes on the role of the straight man, the two consistently deliver big laughs. The show just hit its 100th episode milestone, so catch up on classic episodes or start watching every Monday at noon.

‘Celebrity Bowling’

Of the many Nerdist series, perhaps the most enjoyable is “Chris Hardwick’s Celebrity Bowling.” Each episode, Hardwick and a group of his extended Nerdist family bowl against a group of actors or comedians from a TV show or film. From bowling against the cast of “Mad Men” to Jimmy Fallon and Questlove, each episode provides plenty of laughs and a lack of bowling prowess. Hardwick may have the advantage in most episodes, as his father was a professional bowler. But the chance to see celebrities upstage the Nerdist crew, or for the assembled comedians to talk trash about one another, is always a joy.

‘Cooperatives’

Finishing up its second season, Polygon’s “Cooperatives” is ostensibly a show in which Chris Plante and Russ Frushtick discuss a game they have recently been playing. But really, it’s an excuse for the two to bounce pop cultures references off each other while stuck in what they claim is an alternate plane of reality. The show is enhanced every week by hilarious editing, cutaway gags and great riffs on game and entertainment culture. Whether you’ve played the game or not, each episode is worth a watch thanks to Frushtick and Plante’s fantastic chemistry.

‘Bringing Up Nick’

Despite being from the crew at Rev3 Games, “Bringing Up Nick” is actually a film-based series. Critic Adam Sessler introduces his co-worker Nick Robinson to a show from Sessler’s life that Robinson was either too young to see in theaters or simply missed. Videos so far have ranged from “Die Hard” to “Videodrome.” Each episodes strikes a great balance of humor and interesting discussion about these films, in part thanks to the behind-the-scenes work of Scott Bromley. Whether you use them as an excuse to rewatch old favorites or cross off entries on your must-watch list, “Bringing Up Nick” is a great way to revisit some classic films.

– Jonathon Dornbush