As you know, you’re supposed to drink lots of fluids, eat chicken noodle soup and get plenty of couch time when you’re under the weather. But if you’re like me, you’re going to be thinking about all the stuff you could be doing for your business during your recovery time.

To help you get through the cold and flu season, I created this list of movies and TV shows that will not only keep you entertained, they can also teach you something about business! And they’re all available through Amazon Video On Demand!

Hopefully, you won’t get sick… but if you do, you can get some rest and relaxation AND get your biz on at the same time!

In case you haven’t noticed the publicity storm, Lionsgate is releasing a new film on Friday by the name of New In Town. In fact, you might be going to see it this weekend….

The film stars Renee Zellweger as a corporate climbing woman in Miami who, in an effort to land a promotion, takes on the task of restructuring a failing manufacturing plant. When she arrives in what the film calls “the middle of nowhere,” or as I like to call it, Minnesota, she is faced with small town life, snow, ice, and freezing temps for the first time.

Don’t worry. Harry Connick, Jr’s character is there to keep her warm. Yep. It’s a romantic comedy.

When the publicist for the film originally contacted me, I think she thought I would be able to relate to Zellweger’s character, and that as my reader, you would be able to, as well. But that isn’t the case…. at least not for me.

I don’t own any shoes that cost more than most people make in a week. I don’t own any power suits. And I’m not after any corporate promotions…

I haven’t seen the film yet, but I bet I can relate to the townspeople in this movie. I mean, I’m from Flint, Michigan. “Failing Manufacturing Plant” is our middle name. I know exactly what it’s like to live in a small Midwestern town. I’ve got snow, ice, and freezing temps.

I’ve never rode in a limo, but I have been on the back of a snowmobile. I’ve never been to a super-fancy nightclub. You may actually be familiar with my favorite bar already. You know the scene in SemiPro, near the end of the movie, where they all pile in to that little bar called The Torch that sits in the back alley? Yep. It’s a real bar here in Flint and that’s where I like to go. (they even have veggie burgers for you veggies / vegans out there. and the fries are the bomb!)

Like I said, I haven’t seen this movie yet. But I’m sure it will have a nice, happy ending. The main characters will fall in love and somehow, everything is going to work out just fine.

So when you go see this movie, will you do me a favor? Try to remember that the  ‘middle of nowhere’ town they’re showing really isn’t the middle of nowhere. (I’ve lived in Alaska. I know where the middle of nowhere is located.)

There are lots of little towns all across the Midwest with failing manufacturing plants. We actually do exist. And we’re not all a bunch of hicks.

So go see the movie and have a good time…. and then go home and write your Senator and tell them you want to see all of these failing manufacturing plants thriving again! (yeah, I’m trying to make you laugh. but it would be awesome if you really did that.)

(P.S. One of the big reasons I think the Midwest Is Best is because of the MUSIC! The phrase rock n’ roll was coined by a dj in OHIO for cryin’ out loud. The Midwest is home to Motown, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Madonna, Liz Phair, Eminem, just to name a few… and what about the modern rock bands, including Fall Out Boy, Plain White T’s, Hawthorne Heights, The Academy Is, and many more, including my personal favorite Motion City Soundtrack. Honestly. The Van’s Warped Tour could practically change it’s name to the “Hey, Most Of These Bands Are From The Midwest Tour.” Seriously! See? Not all of  us are hicks!)