39 Shows To Watch If You've Felt Like Crap Lately

    HELLO, ESCAPISM.

    Anna Borges
    by Anna Borges

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the Buzzfeed Community what they were watching to distract themselves from the crazy world outside.

    From heartwarming and lighthearted to badass and empowering, here are some of their suggestions for shows that might bring a little light into your life right now.

    1. Black-ish

    ABC / Via giphy.com

    "I really love Black-ish because it does handle the heavy topics, but in a way that provides comic relief while still communicating the serious things different people feel about them. It never feels hopeless or preachy, but it doesn’t dismiss the issue entirely."

    —Sahvana

    Watch it Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC or watch the most recent episodes here.

    2. Parks and Recreation

    NBC / Via s58.photobucket.com

    "The day after the election, I spent the entire day watching Parks and Recreation. I can always count on that beautiful tropical fish of a show to cheer me up. Leslie's optimism is contagious, which is definitely what I need right now. If she was able to deal with the citizens of Pawnee and still make the city better, then we can get through anything as well."

    —Amairani Gonzalez, Facebook

    Watch it on Netflix.

    3. Whose Line Is It Anyway?

    ABC / Via imgur.com

    "Colin Mochrie just cracks me up! Whether I’m having a bad day mental health-wise or just need a laugh, Whose Line gets the job done."

    —superheroautismgirl

    Watch past episodes here.

    4. One Day at a Time

    Netflix

    "Perfect TV show to start 2017. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and it'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It's all about family and being there for one another no matter how the world changes around you."

    —Mitchell Finlay, Facebook

    Watch it on Netflix.

    5. Supergirl

    The CW / Via imgur.com

    "Kara's story is always inspiring, but most recently — especially after the hell of a year that 2016 was for LGBT representation — it's been the exciting potential of Alex and Maggie's relationship. Alex's coming out story was done amazingly, and now they've started on the relationship, which is so far looking promising."

    —Sarah Piper, Facebook

    Watch it Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW or catch the five most recent episodes here.

    6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

    FOX / Via sandandglass.tumblr.com

    "Diverse, funny, and heart-warming all at the same time. Love it."

    —Broadroad Photography, Facebook

    Watch it on Hulu.

    7. The Bachelor

    ABC

    "The show is hilarious and each week I watch, I can't help but live for the pointless drama all the girls have among each other. Seeing Nick having to deal with it all is the icing on the cake. Corinne is an absolute fave of mine, she has all the girls SHOOK."

    —Nandi Bryan, Facebook

    Watch it Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC or watch past episodes here.

    8. Yuri!!! On Ice

    Crunchyroll / Via giphy.com

    "It's an iceskating anime that is so heartwarming and beautiful while also showing darker issues, like anxiety. It also has a gay relationship in it, which is an amazing relief from the homophobia of the real world and that really makes me smile."

    —lostmyhead

    Watch it on Crunchyroll.

    9. Terrace House: Boys and Girls in the City

    Netflix

    "Netflix revived (what I'm led to believe is) a popular Japanese reality TV show this year. I can't describe how healing it is to watch normal people resolve boring-ass conflicts in a respectful way. This show is the opposite of The Real World. The cast (six mostly-kind, hyper-ambitious 20-30 somethings) will resolve dramatic issues such as getting their driver's license, cleaning the kitchen, and coming home too late. It is addictive. It is perfect. And I love it. Please. Someone watch this show. I need to talk about Mizuki with someone."

    —Anne Jaconette, via email

    Watch it on Netflix.

    10. The Joy of Painting

    PBS

    "I've been watching Bob Ross. His soothing voice and insistence that it will all turn out alright in the end is the television version of comfort food. Plus I still smile any time he mentions happy little clouds or making friends for the trees. He calms my frazzled nerves and gives me a sense of peace that I'm not finding anywhere else."

    —Maranie Lin, Facebook

    Watch it on Twitch.

    11. Nostalgia Critic

    Channel Awesome / Via channelawesome.com

    "[It's] been my go-to for web comedy when I'm feeling in desperate need of a laugh. Not only does he hilariously review stuff from my childhood, but lately he's added some commentary to his work that is really insightful."

    —Colleen Deitrich, Facebook

    Watch it on Channel Awesome.

    12. Ugly Betty

    ABC / Via uglybettymemories.tumblr.com

    "It's honestly one of the most heartwarming shows I've ever watched, and anybody that hasn't seen it yet, should.

    Some pluses:

    * The protagonist is Latina, and the show strongly features her family life, which includes her gay nephew.

    * It was the first network television show to regularly show a transgender character

    * The main character, Betty, is a plucky optimist who never fails to make me feel better."

    —Alana Hoehner, Facebook

    Watch it on Hulu.

    13. Big Cat Derek

    BigCatDerek / Via youtube.com

    "BigCatDerek on YouTube volunteers at a big cat sanctuary and has webcasts twice a week. Very relaxing and you get to see tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, and lemurs!"

    —melissaw4baac4c8a

    Watch on YouTube.

    14. The Ellen DeGeneres Show

    Telepictures / Via buzzfeed.com

    "I like watching the segments on the Ellen show where she does nice things for people who are helping out their communities or have done something incredible. It's a nice reminder that not everyone in the country is horrible."

    —Callie Goldfield, Facebook

    Watch it weekdays at 3 p.m. ET on NBC or watch old clips on YouTube.

    15. Jane the Virgin

    The CW / Via kepnerrrd.tumblr.com

    "It just warms my heart. It’s funny, melodramatic, and the characters are amazing. I also love the diversity on the show. I highly recommend it!"

    —emce13

    Watch it Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on The CW or watch Season 1 and 2 on Netflix.

    16. Shadowhunters

    Freeform / Via gbdreamers.tumblr.com

    "It is taking everything good from the books and fixing all the bad things. It also has an out bisexual character who calls himself bisexual and whose sexuality is not his whole character. I love it so much!"

    —elizabethm4c685924b

    Watch it Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform or watch recent episodes here.

    17. Voltron: Legendary Defender

    Netflix / Via buginette.tumblr.com

    "When things seem really bad, it’s nice to look back on how childhood seemed so full of hope and grand adventures. Voltron: Legendary Defender is literally this feeling incarnate. It’s amazing escapism, but it has some hard-hitting moral ideas brought about in a gentle, cared-for way."

    —Rachel Claire, Facebook

    Watch it on Netflix.

    18. American Grit

    FOX / Via hulu.com

    "I binge-watched American Grit over the weekend and I would definitely recommend it. Even though it’s a competition, because of what they go through the teams grow really close and the support they show the opposing teams by the end was just really uplifting to watch."

    —Acegs1

    Watch it on Hulu.

    19. Sweet/Vicious

    MTV / Via waverlyyearp.tumblr.com

    "While not very well known, Sweet/Vicious is a well-written dark dramedy that doesn’t circle around the topic of rape. The two female leads decide to take matters into their own hands when campus rape is being pushed to the side, so they team up and become vigilantes for rape victims of any kind."

    —pricesuzanne27

    Watch it on MTV.

    20. The Flash

    The CW / Via weheartit.com

    "There’s really only one show that I constantly look forward to and that’s gotta be The Flash. I immediately connected with Barry’s personality since it reminded me so much of my own. Of course, it helps that Cisco’s constant movie references and comedic interjections are never left out of an episode and brighten my Tuesday nights."

    —ashalaaylay

    Watch it Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW or catch the five most recent episodes here.

    21. Once Upon a Time

    ABC

    "[It] got me through so much! It’s a show about hope, magic, family, and love. It has totally brought light and happiness into my life when I needed it most!"

    —Caitlinitia

    Watch it on Netflix.

    22. Bob's Burgers

    FOX / Via buzzfeed.com

    "I have rewatched the whole series on Netflix more times than I am willing to admit in public, but it always cheers me up. All the characters are wonderful and the Belcher family is goals."

    —siobhanj

    Watch it on Netflix.

    23. This Is Us

    NBC / Via buzzfeed.com

    "Even though pretty much every episode is ugly cry-worthy, This Is Us is my favorite new show. But it’s a good, cathartic, let-me-go-hug-my-mom-and-dad cry."

    —taylorjacquelynng

    Watch it Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC or watch the most recent episodes here.

    24. Pretty Little Liars

    Freeform / Via reddit.com

    "I love all the simple teenage psycho stuff with all their problems so I don't have to focus on mine."

    —sabrinal49eae9bae

    Watch it on Netflix.

    25. The Life & Times of Tim

    HBO / Via Submitted by caitlinm18

    "This hilarious show has gotten me through some dark times before and I’m sure it will again! I can always count on Tim having a waaaay worse day than me."

    —caitlinm18

    Watch it on HBO.

    26. Gravity Falls

    Disney / Via noyoureoutoforder.tumblr.com

    "FABULOUS show. Every episode is an adventure-packed with a lot of heart, humor, and sly references for kids and adults alike. I haven’t genuinely missed a show once it was over in a long time, and this one definitely had that impact on me."

    —0Paronomasia0

    Watch it on Hulu.

    27. Leverage

    TNT / Via kingofwallpapers.com

    "[It] is my go-to cheer up show. It’s like The A-Team meets Ocean’s Eleven and it’s funny and warm. It is awesome to watch the Leverage crew take down white men (and occasionally white women) who abuse their positions of power and who exploit people and the system that privileges them. It’s just a really enjoyable show that’s getting me through 2017."

    —AnnebjorgBCS

    Watch it on Netflix.

    28. The Office

    NBC / Via reddit.com

    "It helped me so much through my depression. The series became a comfort to have on even in the background. It reminded me things weren’t so bad."

    —parismariet

    Watch it on Netflix.

    29. Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Grey's Anatomy

    ABC / Via Twitter: @scandalabc

    "If Shonda Rhimes' name is attached to a TV show, then it’s one of the ones that’s getting me through. Strong women who go after what they want is saving my sanity over and over again."

    —jessicam64892

    Watch them on Netflix here, here, and here.

    30. Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

    NBC / Via Netflix

    "After the election, SVU gives me hope that the power of love, strength, awareness, and resilience will persevere and allow for a national dialogue on the prevalence of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. I see tragedy every day, but nonetheless, I have hope that when we come together, we are unstoppable."

    —lydiam4ba541902

    Watch it on Netflix.

    31. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

    The CW / Via buzzfeed.com

    "[It is] filled with amazing women and [is] endlessly entertaining."

    —MrsH810

    Watch it on Netflix.

    32. Steven Universe

    Cartoon Network / Via gaygenesis.tumblr.com

    "I’ve been recovering after getting my wisdom teeth removed and Steven Universe has been keeping me company. It’s my second time watching the show all the way through. The short episodes just make it so ripe for binge sessions."

    —Bespectacled Heroine

    Watch it on Hulu.

    33. Please Like Me

    Pivot / Via van-goghe.tumblr.com

    "It’s so refreshingly funny and awkward and not shy of any topics. Great characters that make you empathize and like you’re part of the crew. It makes you feel like it’s really OK not to have your shit together."

    —mayaAbeysekera

    Watch it on Hulu.

    34. BoJack Horseman

    Netflix / Via welcometoyouredoom.tumblr.com

    "I feel like it’s so underrated. The characters and the name are both very wacky, but in reality it’s got so much depth. The storyline is so raw — they’re legitimate problems that humans go through but somehow carry a lighter tone because of the characters. It’s a great coping mechanism because it’s both funny and deeply relatable."

    —krystynw2

    Watch on Netflix.

    35. Gilmore Girls

    Warner Brothers / Via rebloggy.com

    "I know it’s like a decade old now, but I’ve been watching Gilmore Girls with my mom and it always cheers us up. It’s something for us to laugh about and discuss together, and an easy way to catch a break from the drama of our personal lives."

    —kellis0806

    Watch it on Netflix.

    36. The Magicians

    Syfy / Via syfy.tumblr.com

    "Makes me feel like I’m not alone."

    —codyb9

    Watch it Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy or watch the most recent episodes here.

    37. Broad City

    The CW / Via buzzfeed.com

    "A joyful celebration of women’s power and NYC’s diversity and struggles."

    —annaleam

    38. Supernatural

    The CW

    "Even the show is about fighting supernatural beings, the emotions of the characters really mean a lot to me. I struggle with a lot of mental problems and seeing both Sam and Dean go through horrible things and persevering really inspires/motivates me."

    —BriannaCatalinotto

    Watch it Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW or watch past seasons on Netflix.

    39. The West Wing

    NBC / Via Netflix

    "It’s comforting to immerse myself in an alternate reality where the President makes me feel warm and fuzzy rather than feeling like I need to take a bleach shower."

    —Jesstos

    Watch it on Netflix.

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