23 Stress-Relieving TV Shows To Watch As The Election Results Come In
And make sure you have a Lorelai and Rory amount of show-watching snacks by your side.
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Well, it's officially Election Day. Hopefully by now, you've been able to cast your ballot or have a plan to before the end of the day.
We know 2020 has been stressful enough and waiting for the election results to come in is only adding to that stress. So if you're looking to take a breather from the news right now and watch something that'll help take your mind off everything, we understand. Here's a list of easy-watching, stress-relieving shows you can stream right now:
1. Parks and Recreation (2009–15)
Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is the deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. As Leslie and her team try to make their town a more fun and healthy place to live, they often find themselves getting caught up in hilarious shenanigans.
Where to watch: Peacock
2. Gilmore Girls (2000–07)
This top-notch comfort show will make you feel like you're a resident of the fictional town of Stars Hollow from the very first episode. You're bound to love what each character brings to the show — especially iconic mother/daughter duo Lorelai and Rory. (We could easily do without Taylor Doose, though.)
Where to watch: Netflix
3. Everybody Hates Chris (2005–09)
4. Rick and Morty (2013–Present)
5. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020–Present)
Imagine if you could hear people's inner thoughts. Now imagine if you could hear people's inner thoughts but in the form of them singing and giving you an elaborate performance. Well, that's a reality for Zoey Clarke, who has to learn to balance life with her newfound superpower, working at a male-dominated tech company, dealing with romantic feelings for her best friend, and taking care of her sick father.
6. A.P. Bio (2018–Present)
This hilarious show follows Jack Carson Griffin, a former Harvard philosophy professor who ends up taking a gig as an Advanced Placement biology teacher when he doesn't get his dream job. Instead of teaching his students the curriculum, he uses them to get revenge on his own enemies. Now, that's a class I would gladly take. (You can read my full review here.)
Where to watch: Peacock (the first two seasons are free, and the third season is for premium members only)
7. Dream Home Makeover (2020–Present)
If you're someone who can easily spend countless hours watching HGTV, then you'll probably love this show. Shea and Syd McGee provide dream home makeovers in each episode, and may even inspire you to treat your own home to a little makeover along the way!
Where to watch: Netflix
8. Friends (1994–2004)
If you look up "binge-worthy television show" in the dictionary, Friends will probably be the first result you find. Once you get wrapped up in the lives of Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Ross, you'll understand why.
Where to watch: HBO Max
10. 30 Rock (2006–13)
This workplace comedy series featuring Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Alec Baldwin, and more is set behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy show that airs on NBC. It makes sense considering that its executive producer is the creator-producer of Saturday Night Live, none other than Lorne Michaels.
11. Queer Eye (2018–Present)
While this show definitely touches upon topics that may be emotional and hard to watch, the Fab Five are a reminder that there is still good in this world. From learning to cook, to carving out time for self-care, to incredible home makeovers, seeing the positive impact they bring to each "hero" is incredibly uplifting, especially at a time when everything feels so dark.
Where to watch: Netflix
12. Full House (1987–95)
A feel-good classic — whether you're someone like me who has watched the entirety of Full House a million and one times, or you've never seen it before, it's always a great time to watch. The characters are lovable, and you basically feel like you're a member of the Tanner clan from the second you start watching the pilot episode.
Where to watch: Hulu
13. Fuller House (2016–20)
And while we're on the subject, Fuller House is also worth a watch, if even just for the nostalgia aspect. The plot takes place after the original show — this time D.J. is widowed and has three young children. Stephanie, Kimmy, and Kimmy's daughter, Ramona, all move in to help D.J., and of course, there are appearances from classic Full House characters throughout the series.
Where to watch: Netflix
14. Hollywood Game Night (2013–Present)
15. Nailed It! (2018–Present)
Who doesn't love a good baking show? Especially one that may be relatable for some — or many — of us. Nicole Byer hosts this show where amateur bakers have to try and replicate desserts for a cash prize. Hopefully they taste better than they look?
Where to watch: Netflix
16. Saturday Night Live (1975–Present)
Chances are you've heard of, and hopefully have watched, the late-night weekly sketch series created by the legendary Lorne Michaels. Each episode features a celebrity host, a musical guest (sometimes the host and the musical guest are the same, aka Harry Styles), and hilarious sketches.
17. Superstore (2015–Present)
18. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–Present)
The NYPD 99th Precinct is filled with an eclectic team of detectives — there's the talented Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), whose lack of taking anything seriously causes conflict with the stern new commanding officer, Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher). There's the lovable Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), the clumsy but hardworking Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), the smart and tough Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz), and the sarcastic Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti) — just to name a few.
Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock (only the first six seasons, available to premium members only)
19. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–96)
Chances are, if you haven't actually watched this show before, you know all the words to its iconic theme song. If you know the theme song, you'll probably understand the gist of this wonderful show — a teenager (Will Smith) moves from his neighborhood in West Philadelphia to live with his wealthy aunt, uncle, and cousins in Bel-Air.
Where to watch: HBO Max
20. The Big Bang Theory (2007–19)
Sheldon and Leonard are introverted, geeky physicists/roommates. Penny is a waitress/aspiring actor who moves into the apartment across the hall from theirs. What happens when their two worlds collide? Hilarity ensues in this beloved sitcom.
Where to watch: HBO Max
21. Young Sheldon (2017–Present)
And if you love The Big Bang Theory (Sheldon specifically), you may want to also add Young Sheldon to your watch list. As you may have guessed, it's a spinoff series about the early years of Sheldon's life that shaped him into the man he is in The Big Bang Theory.
Where to watch: HBO Max
22. Sex and the City (1998–2004)
Carrie Bradshaw is a thirtysomething single woman exploring the challenges of dating in NYC with her three best friends by her side. Not to mention, the experiences they have make for great stories for her weekly column.
Where to watch: HBO Max
23. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019–Present)
Calling High School Musical fans. Take a trip back to East High with a new generation of students who are honoring their fellow Wildcats by putting on their own musical performance of High School Musical. Throughout the series, there's perfectly cheesy teen romance, drama, and best of all, nostalgia for the iconic movies.
Where to watch: Disney+