27 Brain-Off Comfort Shows People Say Are "Pure Gold To The Tortured Soul In Need Of A Break"

I'm sorry, but these are not premium TV times.

Let's face it: Life is a lot right now. Between intense news cycles, social media stress, and more, sometimes it can be tempting to just zone out completely. In other words, not every day is a good day to watch that challenging new psychological drama your friend keeps recommending.

Fox

Thankfully, Reddit user u/Future_Line_4253 understands. They asked the r/AskWomen community which TV shows they watch when they just want to zone out and feel good — here's what they said:

1. The Office

NBC

"The Office is forever on in the background while I surf the internet on my phone. I bet I can quote every line at this point."

—bitchimtryin102 

"When I was suffering from intense anxiety, I watched it every damn day to stop my panic spiraling out of control."

—tu/thislinkisdead______ 

"Correct. The last two seasons got me through a long night in the hospital when I was in pain and the person in the next bed was snoring like a ship’s horn. They are probably the two worst seasons, but I have this unconscious feeling of deep gratitude to Dwight for being there when I really needed someone."

—u/Radiant_Risk_393

"The extended episodes on Peacock give me life. "The Dinner Party," "The Injury," and "Office Safety" are just pure gold to the tortured soul in need of a break." 

—u/CriticalShare6 

I'm just saying, it's a classic for a reason:

youtube.com

2. Gilmore Girls

The WB

"It's pretty much on a permanent rotation here! I think I’m on my fourth rewatch. Maybe fifth? The reboot is kind of depressing, though."

—u/sex_candy_rocknroll 

"THIS! Although it's only my second time re-watching it since I only discovered it last year. I especially love watching it during the fall."

—tu/thislinkisdead______ 

"I have Seasons 1 to 6 on loop..."

—u/stupidbuttholes69 

I'm sorry, but tell me just hearing this song doesn't instantly unclench your jaw:

youtube.com

3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Nbc / NBCU

"An old partner of mine mentioned it, and I didn't think I'd like it. We watched an episode, and then I got hooked!" 

—tu/thislinkisdead______ 

"It’s got to be one of my favorite comedies I’ve ever watched." 

—u/drowningjesusfish 

I have to admit, I haven't seen the show yet. But I just might after watching this intro clip:

youtube.com

4. Bob's Burgers

Fox

"I always feel better when Bob's Burgers is on. I'm watching it right now, and it's making me happy."

—u/Punkinprincess

"It’s such a comforting show! We need more happy families on TV." 

—u/MomentFun4233 

"That show always puts a smile on my face! It's definitely my current go-to." 

—u/goatofglee 

"Yes! Love their antics."

—u/postcardmap45 

"They're so wholesome and make me feel instantly happier."

—u/toastii816

I don't know how they manage to make meat grinding so wholesome, but here we are:

youtube.com

5. Schitt's Creek

Netflix

"I'm on my second watch."

—u/ADashofDirewolf

"Same here, fourth or fifth time around now."

—u/unusualbutton 

"It was such an easy, funny watch, right from the beginning — lighthearted, but still satisfying. A dream 'I don't know what to watch' show, IMO." 

—Amy Glover

I mean, who could fault the show that created this iconic scene?

youtube.com

6. Parks and Recreation

NBC

"I just love all the characters in this — it's hard to pick a favorite because they're all so enjoyable to watch. It's also that perfect mix of smart and funny enough to stay engaging, but not so intense or troubling that it stresses me out." 

—Amy Glover

"My absolute go-to."

—u/JustFiguringIt_Out

"Bye byeeee lil Sebastiannnnn..."

—u/IrritatedMango

See what I mean about, uh, unforgettable characters?

youtube.com

7. Community

NBC

"This choice of TV show is streets ahead."

—u/dawson203 

"Yes! Can’t believe no one has upvoted this. Kind of like in The Office, something about their life seeming 'meaningless' but actually having lots of meaning makes me happy."

—u/HappyPuff-02

"It is my safe place."

—u/suzybhomemakr

I challenge you to name a better TV duo than Troy and Abed:

youtube.com

8. The IT Crowd

Channel 4

"Absolutely love this show. The episode with them learning how to speak football lingo lives in my head rent-free."

—u/nerdgirlnay 

Here's the bit they're referring to:

youtube.com

9. The Great British Bake Off, or The Great British Baking Show

Channel 4

"GBBO is truly relaxing. Watching fundamentally good people making beautiful, delicious food and supporting each other is so wholesome and reassuring."

—u/VisitRomanticPangaea 

"Yes to GBBO! It’s so light and fun, and the judges are kind."

—u/rageycita 

"My husband and I always pick our favorite by the end of the second episode of The Great British Baking Show, see if our person ends up winning it. LOL, such a good show to watch with others. Gotta pick a guy and a girl, give yourself two chances of winning, LOL."

—u/BoBaHoeFoSho_123 

"Great British Baking Show is a great one to zone out to but also to start your day! I’ll turn it on as I buzz around the house getting ready, drinking my coffee, etc. It's a cheery start to the day."

—u/ellefrmhll·

I mean, it's usually not this intense, but just so you know: This is one of the most extreme dramas the show has had:

youtube.com

10. RuPaul's Drag Race

WoW TV

"This show got me through a breakup."

—u/BrownCurlGirl 

"This is mine! Endless rewatchability. I always find something new to appreciate each time." 

—u/mathsnail 

"This 100%. I always come out feeling so much better."

—u/athousandfuriousjews 

How can you think about The Horrors when this song is drowning them out?

youtube.com

11. Guy's Grocery Games

Food Network

"I like silly cooking shows when I'm trying to zone out, and this is perfect. Absolutely no brain needed, just good vibes!"

—u/Zephyr_Bronte 

Sorry?? Is that GUY FIERI?? Why did nobody tell me about this??

youtube.com

12. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

"Yessss!! This is my go-to show when I need a pick-me-up."

—u/lovelyyyrose1993 

"Same! Should we be worried that this is our comfort show?"

—u/abandonedgreenhouse 

Another new one to me, but I'm sold:

youtube.com

13. How I Met Your Mother

CBS

"The ending will always disappoint, but I still love it, and it's so comforting. I love Marshall and Lily so much."

—palpitatingspnach54 

Here's the kind of high-stakes mystery HIMYM fans love:

youtube.com

14. Anything from The Real Housewives franchise

Bravo

"It’s the perfect escapism for me. But that’s my opinion!"

—u/kombucha_taco 

"Hard agree! There's something about watching people with problems as small as which handbag to bring."

—u/DrKorsakov 

"Oh yes — nothing makes me feel like I've got my shit together like these shows. I may be broke as fuck and struggling to pay my bills, but at least I do not treat people like that."

—u/holster 

This, from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, is basically required reading at this point:

youtube.com

15. Golden Girls

BBC

"That show never fails to make me laugh. If I’m sick or in a bad mood, it always makes me feel better. It’s definitely old, but it hasn’t lost its charm."

—u/msphelps77

"I sadly just finished Golden Girls. But I’ll probably just rewatch it along with The Office."

—u/looseylewinsky

I mean, who could say no to this?

youtube.com

16. Star Trek

NBC

"Yessss! Next Generation and Voyager are so good and comforting."

—u/trashpocketses 

"My husband and I watch the original series and Next Generation every night. Still amazing." 

—u/frieswelldone 

"I've seen all the '90s/2000s series through multiple times, so I don't have to pay close attention. But I like the future of humanity that Star Trek has created. It helps me distance myself from the current dystopia."

—u/littleorangemonkeys

Hello, space suspense:

youtube.com

17. The Good Place

Netflix

"So clever, but so watchable. It has the same things a lot of these shows have: an instantly-lovable cast and a lightweight approach to its own intelligence. TBH, just reading that someone entered this has encouraged me to rewatch it ASAP." 

—Amy Glover

"I love it. All the philosophy."

—u/Apprehensive-Page-96 

Here's one of those clever-but-watchable gems:

youtube.com

18. Taskmaster

Channel 4

"Watching British comedians fail miserably or succeed gloriously at completely pointless tasks is always fun/distracting, and it's very easy to jump in at any point in the series. You don't need to remember or keep track of anything."

—u/ai_egg 

If you aren't already addicted, I reckon this should convince you:

youtube.com

19. Ted Lasso

Apple TV

"I loveee Ted Lasso, but have been scared to rewatch as sometimes when you love a show and rewatch it, it’s not as good."

—u/mattisonditter 

"I find it even better each time I watch, knowing what they’re going through. "Rainbow" makes me ugly cry."

—u/msstark 

Bullseye, in our opinion:

youtube.com

20. The West Wing

NBC

"It’s my comfort show."

—u/littlescreechyowl 

"Yeah, I’ve been there, too. Love that show. I’m 44 so I watched it the first time around. I was pretty young and thought Josh was a hottie. Now, it’s all Toby!"

—r/cookingismything 

Look, some of us find high stakes soothing:

youtube.com

21. Supernatural

Warner Bros TV

"The case-based, one-episode storylines are so easy to watch."

—u/lickmysackett 

"Special place in my heart for monster-of-the-week stuff with no real overarching plots or storylines. Just give me my one-hit eps and let me sleep, good Lord."

—u/destructivecoat 

"It’s been my comfort show for the past 10+ years, and it always, without fail, makes me feel better."

—u/asmigo25

They've definitely got the ~dramatics~ down:

youtube.com

22. Kitchen Nightmares

Fox

"Can't tell you how many times I've watched through every season LOL. When the last episode of the last season ends, I just go back and start over from the first season."

—u/amwhise89 

Why is there something so comforting about his rage?

youtube.com

23. Arthur

PBS

"I’m well into my 20s now, but one day, I found myself watching an episode of Arthur that happened to be on TV, like I used to watch after school, and it made me so happy! So, I’ve been going back to some childhood shows now and then, the Magic School Bus is another one."

—u/RollLongjumping9627

"Honestly, going back to shows from childhood is so soothing for some reason."

—u/wixkedwitxh

Sorry to double down on the theme songs, but TRY not to sing along to this:

youtube.com

24. Criminal Minds

Paramount +

"CSI: NY falls into this bracket, too — basically, any of my favorite crime procedurals. Something that if I fall asleep or really zone out to the point that I miss an episode, I don’t really need to worry about missing integral parts of the season’s plot."

—u/wolfj2610

Well, looks like they're right — I'm a complete newbie to the show, and I'm already invested in this:

youtube.com

25. How It’s Made

Discovery UK

"I like watching technical shows like How It’s Made or car flipping shows because it’s non-triggering, LOL. If I watch something that’s too sentimental, it could trigger tears if I’m feeling sad."

—u/vibevibes

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is my fave answer. They'd better ASSEMBLE those toothpaste caps!!! 

Sweet, sweet relaxation:

youtube.com

26. Expedition Unknown

Discovery UK

"Josh Gates is the host, and he's really charismatic (and cheesy at times but in a lovely way), and he's really fun to watch. He's an archaeologist who travels around the world investigating legends and myths and also immerses himself in local culture."

—u/elaboratebootychaos

I get it — it's sort of like a calmer Parts Unknown:

youtube.com

27. New Girl

Fox

"Sometimes, seeing Schmidt screw up with Cece, Winston struggling to find his way, and Jess and Nick experiencing so many near-misses with each other helps me to disconnect from my own problems for awhile and breathe."

—u/GalaxiGazer

I'm sold:

youtube.com

And while you're here, I'd like to make *my* case for Ugly Betty, Superstore, The Floor Is Lava, A Stitch in Time, and of course, Selling Sunset. Share your favorite comfort shows in the comments below!

Some responses were edited for length and/or clarity.