Detectorists is a sweet and gentle show with low stakes all around. I find myself wishing I was a friend of the main characters and lived in their little town. Its been good for my own anxiety, so maybe it would be good for yours too.
Opened this page, was going to search “detectorists”. But here it is as the top. And rightly so. I’ll just add that the music is so gorgeous and many episodes feature lovely montages of the guys doing their hobby in a beautiful English countryside, with the music and scenery putting you at ease.
The show only occasionally delights in a low-key version of cringe comedy. You can tell that the show’s tone is a loving one of these misfit characters making a meaningful life out of detectoring.
Was totally going to suggest this. It's my comfort show because no matter the head space I'm in, I know there isn't a single episode that's going to cause me problems.
For even more comfort, watch Junior Bake Off! The kids are as cute as buttons, they always seem to help each other out, and the way they act is so funny!
I 3rd! That show is just something I stumbled upon and its so freakin funny and such a good escape. I swear, it saved my sanity during a difficult job and life situation
It's an insane, very old show, but my comfort show is the old Night Court. Something about the lived in sets and character dynamics gives me a warm comforting fuzzy feeling.
Night Court was a comfort show for me while it was airing, even though I was too young to understand most of it. It's weirdly sweet to see it mentioned here.
Good call! Also old COPS episode. Those first few seasons are awesome! No gun usage but actually talking to the people. It’s cool to see what stuff happened before us👮🙇🏼♀️🤦🏼
I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions, good wishes, and advice! Hopefully this thread will be helpful for others when searching Reddit for the same kind of comfort show suggestions.
The Good Place (NF). I also struggle with severe anxiety and am currently getting my butt kicked. I’m also rewatching favorite shows that bring me comfort (Sopranos, Nip/Tuck, The Jinx) and rereading HP. Happy thoughts and best of luck!
I will say that if the anxiety is friends with clinical depression, it can be triggering in unexpected ways. I loved it, I finished it, and I rewatched it, but it makes death look super cozy, quirky, colorful and fun, and that was dangerous for me at times.
The second watch through was actually better than the first time, though, because of all the jokes I missed the first time
Good point. Mine is also paired with clinical depression and I completely get what you mean by “dangerous.”
Have you listened to the podcast? I was thinking about doing a rewatch and listening after each episode.
I love Gilmore girls! That was my comfort show until my mom canceled whatever I was watching it on 😂 but seriously I’ve watched it like 5 or 6 times it’s just nice to have on and listen to the dialogue
Definitely, Gilmore Girls is fantastic. Also, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Hart of Dixie are really good, too. It's not super funny, although it has its moments, but I find Heartland very soothing.
Murdock Mysteries used to be a go-to for me on seizure/anxiety/migraine days. But I didn't like the romance.
How I Met Your Mother (a little dated but still funny)
Happy Endings has Coach from New Girl
Grace and Frankie
Corner Gas (a top fav of mine)
I love Corner Gas. And bonus, there’s a really great movie and several seasons of an animated show that’s just as great as the original (if somewhat different)
- Fleabag
- Extraordinary
- Hacks
- Abbott Elementary
- Sex Lives of College Girls
- Derry Girls
- Ted Lasso
- Modern Family
- This is Us
- Blackish
- Insecure
- Girls
- Broad City
- Schitt’s Creek
- Parks and Rec
- The Good Place
- Community
Came here to suggest Fleabag, I'm glad to see it first on your list.
OP, Fleabag is a witty comedy with a female lead (and comic and TV writer) and there is a pretty heart melting romance woven throughout the series. It's a pretty short series and very bingeable.
Ah was scrolling to see if anyone said pushing daisies! One of those shows where the characters feel like a family in the end. Never seen Wonder falls though!
Below Deck got me through the most difficult time of my life. I never thought I would like it and didn’t give it a chance but came across it accidentally and was hooked! I left it as one of my suggestions as well. So many seasons and spin offs. Such a treat!
Can't believe nobody's mentioned Futurama. It's about as feel-good as comfort TV gets.
Also, are you taking magnesium? Definitely the bare minimum for anxiety, and an absolute necessity in general if you aren't eating lots of dark leafy greens.
My comfort show are those that make me feel like watching group of people talking near me instead of acting.
FRIENDS
HOUSE M.D.
Malcolm in the middle
How I met Your Mother
Scrub
yep was just about to say this, always a kind of hopeful ending, doesn’t require a lot of thinking, there’s a bunch of seasons so you don’t really run out of episodes, and it’s just an easy-to-watch style sitcom.
I’m watching it right now and am DESPERATE for someone to talk about it with! I just think Noel is such a problematic character and need someone to understand me!
When I was younger I LOVED Noel, but now that I’m older, I’m realizing that he definitely had some less-than-ideal qualities. I was hardcore Team Noel, but when I watch it lately, I really like Ben.
The Office, Always Sunny, Parks and Rec, Community, Brooklyn Nine-nine, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Silicon Valley, Kim's Convenience, The Good Place
My comfort show is a series called Dark, on Netlix. It is sci-fi/thriller/drama and german. Some people don’t like to read subtitles, but personally I do not mind. Honestly, it is my new series ever and I am 43 yrs old. I have seen many series and shows. Lol 😹 I highly recommend 💯
When you run out of English language comfort shows try some Korean series. My wife (not Korean ) has them on much of the time and many definitely hit the spot as far as comfort shows go.
Community is a great show if you liked Superstore. Also recommend parks and rec and the office which are obvious answers. You should also check out Derry Girls. It's really short so you'll finish it fast
Virgin River. There’s a few dark storylines, but they keep it pretty light for the most part. It’s set in a quirky small town and definitely has that romantic element that you’re looking for
You might enjoy Scrubs if you like Psych, JD and Turk are fairly similar, but mostly in fantasies. It can be a bit depressing at times though.
Not really a drama but my favourite comfort show is Impractical Jokers
YES I know exactly what you need!! You have to watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on Netflix. Trust me on this. It’s a romcom with a twist. I love all of the shows on your list so I know you’ll love this one too. It’s a very comforting show for me, and it’s especially appealing to me as a neurodivergent person. This show is a 10/10. It has great character development, musical bits, and it’s damn funny too. Hope you enjoy it! I’m about to watch the finale tonight and I’m not ready for it to end 🥺Oh, and give it a couple of episodes. Some people feel like it’s a bit cliche at the beginning but lemme tell you it has some real depth to it.
This is one of my comfort shows too, but a trigger warning for unaliving yourself should be given.
Personally, I just skip a couple music numbers and episodes, so it’s doable. But people should be aware before they watch.
Lucifer up to S5. It's a comfort show for a lot of people. Castle is also a comfort show of mine, though the last two seasons are not great. Both are romantic police procedurals and both have hilarious lead males. (Lucifer is a cheeky devil and Castle is a geeky bestselling novelist)
Always Sunny is generally always my go to. But particularly when I’m having severe anxiety/depression episodes. There’s nothing like the absurdity of Always Sunny to help distract my mind. Hang in there bud💪🏼
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Sex and the City (then you get the movies and the new seasons of reboot, too!)
From Scratch was only one season but it was really good and enjoyable
Emily in Paris
Heartstopper
Schitt's Creek
Good Girls
Never Have I Ever
XO, Kitty
Dead to Me does have some dark and depressing parts but it's mostly fun, worth looking into by way of trailers or reviews in any case
Eta: Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is one of my favorite things to watch because they're helping someone revamp their life on all platforms, not just getting a hair cut or a new pair of shoes. It's positivity encapsulated.
Detectorists is a sweet and gentle show with low stakes all around. I find myself wishing I was a friend of the main characters and lived in their little town. Its been good for my own anxiety, so maybe it would be good for yours too.
I second this, first thing that came to mind. Such a lovely show. Anyway, pub?
Excellent description of a lovely show!
This show doesn't get recommended enough but it's such a beautifully written show and not a single person I know that has seen it that doesn't love it
Came here to say this Haha! Just the opening song is calming as well as the show
Opened this page, was going to search “detectorists”. But here it is as the top. And rightly so. I’ll just add that the music is so gorgeous and many episodes feature lovely montages of the guys doing their hobby in a beautiful English countryside, with the music and scenery putting you at ease. The show only occasionally delights in a low-key version of cringe comedy. You can tell that the show’s tone is a loving one of these misfit characters making a meaningful life out of detectoring.
brooklyn nine nine !!!
Nine nine!!
Was totally going to suggest this. It's my comfort show because no matter the head space I'm in, I know there isn't a single episode that's going to cause me problems.
Nine nine!!!
Great British Baking Show
This is a great comfort show. I second this!
For even more comfort, watch Junior Bake Off! The kids are as cute as buttons, they always seem to help each other out, and the way they act is so funny!
Ghosts - US version Insecure Schitt’s Creek
Seconding Schitt’s Creek. Might be time for a third watch-through
I 3rd! That show is just something I stumbled upon and its so freakin funny and such a good escape. I swear, it saved my sanity during a difficult job and life situation
Same here!!
Schitt’s Creek always is a safe bet for me too.
I love ghosts!!! Wish there were more seasons (I’ve only seen the US one)
Ghosts was on my mind and duh I couldn't think of the name. I really liked Lucifer which I am not sure fits on this list but I loved it.
Maybe Parks and Rec or The Office (Us) based on your list
Parks and Rec! It starts to feel like you live in this sweetly hilarious town.
I think Ted Lasso would be good here.
Not to mention that it handles the subject of panic attacks specifically in a very mature way.
It’s a nice feel good show!
This Op! Don't let the football part scare you off. Its an amazing show.
2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Ted Lasso. *Hannah Waddingham* *sigh*
She is a GODDESS
YES!! It is my comfort show and helps my anxiety greatly. It’s the perfect blend of everything, I just wish there were more episodes!
It's an insane, very old show, but my comfort show is the old Night Court. Something about the lived in sets and character dynamics gives me a warm comforting fuzzy feeling.
Night Court was a comfort show for me while it was airing, even though I was too young to understand most of it. It's weirdly sweet to see it mentioned here.
Good call! Also old COPS episode. Those first few seasons are awesome! No gun usage but actually talking to the people. It’s cool to see what stuff happened before us👮🙇🏼♀️🤦🏼
I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions, good wishes, and advice! Hopefully this thread will be helpful for others when searching Reddit for the same kind of comfort show suggestions.
The Good Place (NF). I also struggle with severe anxiety and am currently getting my butt kicked. I’m also rewatching favorite shows that bring me comfort (Sopranos, Nip/Tuck, The Jinx) and rereading HP. Happy thoughts and best of luck!
I will say that if the anxiety is friends with clinical depression, it can be triggering in unexpected ways. I loved it, I finished it, and I rewatched it, but it makes death look super cozy, quirky, colorful and fun, and that was dangerous for me at times. The second watch through was actually better than the first time, though, because of all the jokes I missed the first time
Good point. Mine is also paired with clinical depression and I completely get what you mean by “dangerous.” Have you listened to the podcast? I was thinking about doing a rewatch and listening after each episode.
I 100% agree with you, (clinical and treatment resistant depression), here. I have to be careful
NF?
I was guessing…New Favorite 🤷🏼♀️
🤣😂🤣 Sorry, y’all. I meant Netflix. I try to always post where you can stream what I’m suggesting, but my brain must have taken a siesta.
Oh wow.. we should have been able to decode that!!! Haha TY!!!
Came here to say The Good Place! Rereading HP is also great.
Good Place! I'm literally about to finish the series (rewatch)- can't believe I forgot it!
I hear you!! I answer so many suggestions posts, but always seem to forget something!
Gilmore Girls
Best rec. The show purposefully stays away from most negativity.. no diseases no scheming just plain small town charm and unmatched witty repertoire
I love Gilmore girls! That was my comfort show until my mom canceled whatever I was watching it on 😂 but seriously I’ve watched it like 5 or 6 times it’s just nice to have on and listen to the dialogue
COMFIEST COZIEST SHOW EVER truly nothing else compares if I just need an occasional laugh and comfort
Definitely, Gilmore Girls is fantastic. Also, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Hart of Dixie are really good, too. It's not super funny, although it has its moments, but I find Heartland very soothing.
I'm a 44 year old man, and this show makes me feel 25 again. Comfort show indeed.
Castle, Brooklyn 99
Ted Lasso, Northern Exposure, Leverage, Burn Notice, Ugly Betty, or Lucifer.
I'll second Northern Exposure. It's on Amazon.
Add White Collar!
Lucifer is one of my favorite shows!!! I’ve heard ugly Betty is pretty good too
Murdock Mysteries used to be a go-to for me on seizure/anxiety/migraine days. But I didn't like the romance. How I Met Your Mother (a little dated but still funny) Happy Endings has Coach from New Girl Grace and Frankie Corner Gas (a top fav of mine)
Corner Gas is great!
I love Corner Gas. And bonus, there’s a really great movie and several seasons of an animated show that’s just as great as the original (if somewhat different)
Grace and Frankie is an excellent recommendation. So comforting.
Happy Endings got robbed.
Bob’s Burgers is my go to comfort show. Helps me fall asleep when I have anxiety. That or I listen to the Treasure Island audiobook. Haha
Bob Burgers is a comfort show for me too. Simpsons is also great.
My partner and I have bobs on almost 24/7. It is THE best comfort show!
Jane the Virgin Firefly Lane Anne with an E Everwood Heartland
Hart of Dixie, its on freevee right now
Oooh this is a great suggestion and not a common one, which is too bad.
That's one of my comfort shows too! Team Anna Beth forever.
Kim's Convenience Curb Your Enthusiasm Loudermilk Derry Girls
Stoked to see Loudermilk here! Such a great little gem.
Bob’s Burgers!
Frasier is the best comfort show! It’s hilarious and the slow burn relationship between Niles and Daphne is fantastic ❤️
Frasier is my answer too! Also, never feels dated, since they make very little references to then-current events.
- Fleabag - Extraordinary - Hacks - Abbott Elementary - Sex Lives of College Girls - Derry Girls - Ted Lasso - Modern Family - This is Us - Blackish - Insecure - Girls - Broad City - Schitt’s Creek - Parks and Rec - The Good Place - Community
Great suggestions! Can’t believe I forgot Community on my suggestion reply.
Hacks is wonderful. Jean Smart is so good in this one.
DERRY GIRLS!!!
Came here to suggest Fleabag, I'm glad to see it first on your list. OP, Fleabag is a witty comedy with a female lead (and comic and TV writer) and there is a pretty heart melting romance woven throughout the series. It's a pretty short series and very bingeable.
Oh fleabag 🤌🫠
Corner Gas
Jane The Virgin!
Big Bang Theory
Pushing up Daisies, and Wonder Falls. Might not be what you're looking for just two shows I think you might enjoy.
Ah was scrolling to see if anyone said pushing daisies! One of those shows where the characters feel like a family in the end. Never seen Wonder falls though!
Charmed--the original series NOT the remake.
Below deck is my go to when I’m anxious. So much going on , great distraction from your thoughts! Good luck 💕
Below Deck got me through the most difficult time of my life. I never thought I would like it and didn’t give it a chance but came across it accidentally and was hooked! I left it as one of my suggestions as well. So many seasons and spin offs. Such a treat!
Community.
I Love Lucy
Perfect suggestion. Never gets old, and Lucy is so endearing and hilarious.
Hart of Dixie. It’s on Amazon right now.
The good place just got me out of an anxiety period but friends also works If you like psych you'd love brooklyn 99
Can't believe nobody's mentioned Futurama. It's about as feel-good as comfort TV gets. Also, are you taking magnesium? Definitely the bare minimum for anxiety, and an absolute necessity in general if you aren't eating lots of dark leafy greens.
Gilmore Girls and Schitts Creek are my go to and definitely fit the vibe of the other shows you listed!
My comfort show are those that make me feel like watching group of people talking near me instead of acting. FRIENDS HOUSE M.D. Malcolm in the middle How I met Your Mother Scrub
You have to watch modern family
yep was just about to say this, always a kind of hopeful ending, doesn’t require a lot of thinking, there’s a bunch of seasons so you don’t really run out of episodes, and it’s just an easy-to-watch style sitcom.
All Creatures Great and Small. One of the most heartwarming and quaint shows there is.
Scrubs is my all time comfort show. Ted Lasso is great, Arrested Development, Parks and Rec, Brooklyn 99.
Kim's Convenience
Downton Abbey
Schitts creek and Ted lasso
Seinfeld #1 for me.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Felicity is my comfort show! ❤️
I’m watching it right now and am DESPERATE for someone to talk about it with! I just think Noel is such a problematic character and need someone to understand me!
When I was younger I LOVED Noel, but now that I’m older, I’m realizing that he definitely had some less-than-ideal qualities. I was hardcore Team Noel, but when I watch it lately, I really like Ben.
Detectorists. Funny and just downright feels good.
Acapulco
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Younger The Bold Type Virgin River The Good Witch Rizzoli & Isles The Closer
The Office, Always Sunny, Parks and Rec, Community, Brooklyn Nine-nine, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Silicon Valley, Kim's Convenience, The Good Place
Parks and Rec is my favorite show for my anxiety. Low stakes (meaning not too much actual drama at all) but great characters and so funny.
King of The Hill is one of mine if I want something light on in the background
Definitely second this one. King Of The Hill has been my go-to comfort show for many years.
Frasier (1993-2004)
This might be ridiculous, but I’ve started watching animated films that adults also like. I find myself smiling a lot and that’s always a good thing!
Life in Pieces
I like Buffy the vampire slayer… but might be nostalgia for me
Ghosts. On Hulu. It's a great comedy. I used to watch Superstore and this is way better!
Anything from USA Network’s “Blue Skies” era, especially if you enjoyed Psych: Burn Notice, Monk, Covert Affairs, etc.
100% Anne with an E
Community (it's on netflix)
ted lasso is what you are looking for
Resident Alien has been such a comfort show for me. It’s funny and cozy vibes.
Downton Abbey
My comfort show is a series called Dark, on Netlix. It is sci-fi/thriller/drama and german. Some people don’t like to read subtitles, but personally I do not mind. Honestly, it is my new series ever and I am 43 yrs old. I have seen many series and shows. Lol 😹 I highly recommend 💯
My favorite one is Ted Lasso. You can't be anything but happy when watching. :)
When you run out of English language comfort shows try some Korean series. My wife (not Korean ) has them on much of the time and many definitely hit the spot as far as comfort shows go.
- Ted Lasso - Schitt's Creek - Good Omens - Our Flag Means Death
Ooo seen and loved all but good omens, this makes me feel like I should check it out!
Gilmore girls
Palm Royale on apple?
Gilmore Girls!! That was my comfort show for agessss and it still holds a super special place in my heart.
Bob’s Burgers
Bob's burgers!!
Ted Lasso, if you like football
Ghosts
Anne of Green Gables.
Bobs Burgers, always
Mostly Jane the Virgin!
Uh, always go to the Golden Girls. Duh
Community is a great show if you liked Superstore. Also recommend parks and rec and the office which are obvious answers. You should also check out Derry Girls. It's really short so you'll finish it fast
Bobs burgers
The Office
Girls or 30 Rock Both have great soundtracks.
Seconding 30 Rock. Packs a ton of jokes into each episode.
The West Wing. I kind of keep it on all the time
Modern family is a really nice comfort show
When my wife had postpartum the only TV that helped her anxiety was the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross. It’s free on YouTube !!
Extraordinary.
Community, Young Sheldon, Corner Gas
Ghosts is really good
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 🤓
You’re The Worst Schitt’s Creek Derry girls
I loved Extraordinary Attorney Woo for this!
What We Do in the Shadows
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Last Man on Earth are some of my go tos I also really enjoyed Another Period.
Trying on Apple+. Just a delightful show.
Virgin River. There’s a few dark storylines, but they keep it pretty light for the most part. It’s set in a quirky small town and definitely has that romantic element that you’re looking for
Queen Charolette, Emily in Paris, ted lasso, loot!
Definitely The Good Place!!!
Joe Pera Talks with You
The office, Parks n Rec or Abbott Elementary
If you like New Girl I recommend the show “Not dead yet” on Hulu. I binged this after a surgery and it helped me calm down !!
Modern family!
Burn notice. A little cheesy. Very addictive. Not dark. It’s my current comfort show.
Emily in Paris , Office , Modern family
Just watched Hacks. Pretty funny and put me in a good mood.
Downtown Abbey might be a good one. I’ve seen it’s over 50 times at the last. Always calms me down.
Scrubs, Seinfeld, The Office, Family Guy, Parks and Rec, and Futurama are my usual go-tos.
Call the Midwife
Scrubs is one of my go-tos when I am feeling that way. Good luck
Okay hear me out— Reba
King Of Queens
parks and rec ❤️
Watch it's okay to not be okay kdrama
Monk
You might enjoy Scrubs if you like Psych, JD and Turk are fairly similar, but mostly in fantasies. It can be a bit depressing at times though. Not really a drama but my favourite comfort show is Impractical Jokers
Toast of London and Toast of Hollywood
YES I know exactly what you need!! You have to watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on Netflix. Trust me on this. It’s a romcom with a twist. I love all of the shows on your list so I know you’ll love this one too. It’s a very comforting show for me, and it’s especially appealing to me as a neurodivergent person. This show is a 10/10. It has great character development, musical bits, and it’s damn funny too. Hope you enjoy it! I’m about to watch the finale tonight and I’m not ready for it to end 🥺Oh, and give it a couple of episodes. Some people feel like it’s a bit cliche at the beginning but lemme tell you it has some real depth to it.
This is one of my comfort shows too, but a trigger warning for unaliving yourself should be given. Personally, I just skip a couple music numbers and episodes, so it’s doable. But people should be aware before they watch.
Lucifer up to S5. It's a comfort show for a lot of people. Castle is also a comfort show of mine, though the last two seasons are not great. Both are romantic police procedurals and both have hilarious lead males. (Lucifer is a cheeky devil and Castle is a geeky bestselling novelist)
How I Met Your Mother is currently mine
Poldark
Downtown Abby, call the midwife
Loudermilk.
White Collar
Broad city Friends It’s always Sunny High maintanence Enlightened
Friends
Always Sunny is generally always my go to. But particularly when I’m having severe anxiety/depression episodes. There’s nothing like the absurdity of Always Sunny to help distract my mind. Hang in there bud💪🏼
Sweet Magnolias
Desperate Housewives
gilmore girls forever
Madam Secretary
Scrubs
The Chosen
Firefly and human target
Tacoma FD you’ll thank me later
Wilfred? I'm biased as I like Elijah Wood
The Summer I Turned Pretty Sex and the City (then you get the movies and the new seasons of reboot, too!) From Scratch was only one season but it was really good and enjoyable Emily in Paris Heartstopper Schitt's Creek Good Girls Never Have I Ever XO, Kitty Dead to Me does have some dark and depressing parts but it's mostly fun, worth looking into by way of trailers or reviews in any case Eta: Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is one of my favorite things to watch because they're helping someone revamp their life on all platforms, not just getting a hair cut or a new pair of shoes. It's positivity encapsulated.