Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Streaming, the cord-cutters guide to the week that was—without a cable subscription. This week, we're drastically improving our Netflix experience with a few Chrome Extensions and watching Bill Hader and Fred Armisen satirize the documentary genre with a brilliant first season from IFC's Documentary Now.

'Netflix Party Extensions' 

Recommended dosage: A pint of Nyquil with an orange juice back

I was sick all week. The sort of sick that after spending a few days losing your voice and coughing up all of your insides you can't help but think, Well, I had a good run. I should probably come up with a baller epitaph. My roommates had me quarantined in my room and after about 72 hours removed from having any social interaction, I stumbled upon what basically amounts to a Chrome Extension for socially active shut-ins. 

Netflix Party is a fantastic little plug-in that allows you to watch shows and movies on Netflix at the same time without having to share a couch or a blanket—so essentially, Netflix and Chill, at home, alone.

The program generates a sharable link then synchronizes the show or movie you're watching with other viewers so you can all watch at the same time. There's even a basic chat embedded so the people you're watching with can join in and skewer everything on screen Mystery Science Theater 3000 style.

It's a newer app and it got buggy on me a few times, but I'm really excited for updates. It really is the perfect Netflix software companion for the homesick or for someone stuck at home, sick.

Over the past two days I have watched television with people that are literally thousands of miles away from me. I tore through a half dozen episodes of House of Cards with my mom, started up 30 Rock with my best friend from high school and suffered through most of an episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! with my nephew. (That show is terrible, by the way, I gotta get him into Voltron ASAP. I mean, how dope does that look?!)

Another incredibly useful plug-in I found for Netflix is called Flix Assist. Well, I say useful. It's useful in much the same way that a bag of crystal meth is useful for someone who hates having to brush their teeth. It gets you to your goal faster, whether or not that's the best path to take isn't really the point. 

This extension removes the countdown between episodes and eliminates the perpetually annoying and seriously judgmental, "Are you still watching?" screen that always seems to pop up the second after you've settled into a perfectly comfortable position. 

'Documentary Now!' 

Recommended dosage: One of those variety 12 packs of craft brews

Portlandia is one of those shows that seems aimed right at me, like, I can imagine a swarm of scientists in lab coats mixing together a perfect show for me based on all of my comedy specifications. It has a great mix of satire and silliness, plus great cameos, but for whatever reason it just never really caught on with me.

I've watched a few episodes here and there and have liked every sketch and bit I've seen. I just can't get into it. I honestly don't know why.

I think Fred Armisen is funny. For instance: 

That's nothing short of brilliant. Every time I've seen some of Portlandia I think Carrie is funny and I realize I want more Fred in my life. I guess I was just waiting for him to have a better vehicle, and now that wait is over.

If you're familiar with this column then you know I'm a huge fan of Bill Hader. He's one of those guys that makes everything funnier just being around the set. Now I'm happy to report that these two guys have put together an incredibly entertaining and original concept called Documentary Now! with IFC.

Season One is now streaming on Netflix and I can't recommend it highly enough. Every episode is solid, but my favorite is their take on Vice, which follows a series of intrepid reporters on the search for the notorious El Chingon, the Head Honcho Mexican Cartel.

It's great to watch these two progressively up the ante in each portrayal of a character throughout the series. Each episode of the series perfectly replicates a specifically stylized type of documentary and Bill, Fred and their guest stars push it to the absolute breaking point while getting every ounce of funny out of the concept.

I'm not sure what other documentary examples they have left to skewer, but they're going to have to dig deep because IFC has already green lit two more seasons.

I can't wait.