When the world feels overwhelming, putting on your favourite TV show can be a necessary balm for the soul
There is so much uncertainty in life and bad news at the moment that it is not uncommon to go to bed wondering what terrifying headline we’re going to wake up to in the morning.
Even watching new television series can be tense, as we try to guess what plot twist or shock tactic the writers will insert to keep our attention amid a vast sea of streaming choice.
That’s why, every now and then, it’s important to give your nervous system a break. Take a step back from the true crime and Baby Reindeer of it all, let your shoulders drop and switch on your ‘comfort watch’. This is the show you know like the back of your hand, the one you can dip into at any season, any episode and know that it will make you smile and forget about your troubles – even if only for 22 minutes.
Here are some of my top choices:
Gavin and Stacey – BBC Player and NOW TV
If your opinion of a certain cast-member-turned-talk-show-host has put you off this, I implore you to move past it. Gavin and Stacey is hilarious, joyful and utterly brilliant and if you haven’t seen it already, I am deeply jealous. This is a trailer for the last Christmas special – it doesn’t do it justice – but it’s advised to catch up on all three seasons now before the final ever episode coming this December.
Schitt’s Creek – Netflix
Perhaps the most universally agreed upon comfort watch of them all, Schitt’s Creek is a TV series that has transcended it’s very humble beginnings to become the show that launched a thousand memes. The global phenomenon cocoons and cossets its viewers in a warm embrace as they find even more nuance and genius to giggle at during each subsequent viewing.
The US Office – Netflix
It’s possible that the only thing better than watching an episode of The US Office is going onto Youtube and watching one of the many Blooper Reels from the show. We only wish we could have been on set too.
Friends – Netflix
Say what you want about how it has aged and the discourse surrounding it’s lack of diversity etc. but if this show is on in the background, all is right with the world. There may be a tinge of sadness to your viewing after the untimely passing of Matthew Perry, but there is always comfort in knowing that his greatest role will be celebrated by Friends fans all over the world for decades to come.
Frasier – Channel 4 and Paramount +
What can we say about the stuffy, snobby but totally loveable Seattle shrink with the permanently woeful love life and live-in parent? Frasier is pure entertainment and, luckily for us, he’s surrounded by even more hilarious characters – Niles and Roz being two of them. Here’s a recap of some of their best zingers.
Scrubs – Disney+
Scrubs is that very rare show that combines reality and fantasy so seamlessly and with such humour and empathy that it doesn’t matter how ridiculous the premise, it just works. Be warned, it doesn’t shy away from tough topics in later seasons but it will always leave you with a smile on your face.
The West Wing – Sky TV
If you’re feeling despair at the thought of the upcoming US presidential election, take your mind off it by bingeing seven series of The West Wing – a show about a utopian White House where only the greatest of humanity are in power. They’re also ridiculously erudite to boot, thanks to Aaron Sorkin.
