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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.

Samantha Wieder
by Samantha Wieder

BuzzFeed Staff

We hope you love the shows and movies we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of revenue or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — platform, prices, and other availability details are accurate as of time of posting.

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)

A still of Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation
NBC

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)

A still of Lorelai and Rory in Gilmore Girls
The WB

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)

A still of Rochelle, Tonya, and Chris in Everybody Hates Chris
CBS

Chris Rock directs and narrates this period sitcom based on his own life growing up as a teenager in Brooklyn in the '80s. This includes living with his eccentric family members, having to work multiple jobs to support his family, and attending an all-white school.

Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock

4. Rick and Morty (2013–Present)

A still of Rick and Morty in Rick and Morty
Adult Swim / Courtesy Everett Collection

What happens when your grandfather who has been missing for 20 years shows up at your house, uses your garage as his own personal laboratory, and brings you and your sibling along for his out-of-this-world adventures? Rick and Morty is what happens, that's what.

Where to watch: Hulu and HBO Max

5. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020–Present)

A still of Zoey Clarke and Max in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
NBC

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.

Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock

6. A.P. Bio (2018–Present)

A still of Dr. Jack Carson Griffin and Principal Ralph Durbin in A.P. Bio
NBC

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)

Various images of a house that got a makeover
Netflix

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)

Rachel Green, Chandler Bing, Monica Geller, Joey Tribbiani, Phoebe Buffay, and Ross Geller from Friends
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

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

9. New Girl (2011–18)

A still of Jess and Cece in New Girl
Fox

Jessica Day is a bubbly teacher who moves into a loft with three guy roommates after her boyfriend cheats on her. What comes next is unbreakable friendships, relationship drama, and lots of shenanigans — making it a perfect sitcom.

Where to watch: Netflix

10. 30 Rock (2006–13)

A still of Liz Lemon and Pete Hornberger in 30 Rock
NBC

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.

Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock

11. Queer Eye (2018–Present)

A still of Bobby, Karamo, Antoni, Tan, and JVN in Queer Eye
Netflix

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 still of Steve, D.J., Kimmy, Stephanie, Danny, Michelle, Jesse, Becky, Joey, Nicky, and Alex in Full House
ABC

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)

A still of D.J., Stephanie, Danny, Joey, Becky, and Jesse in Fuller House
Netflix

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)

A still of Jane Lynch in Hollywood Game Night
NBC

Jane Lynch hosts this fabulous game show that features two people and a group of celebrities in each episode competing in a series of party games and quizzes that test their pop culture knowledge. What are they playing for? The chance to bring home $25,000.

Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock

15. Nailed It! (2018–Present)

Netflix

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)

A still of Harry Styles hosting Saturday Night Live
NBC

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.

Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock

17. Superstore (2015–Present)

A still of Amelia Sosa in Superstore
NBC

This beloved sitcom takes viewers along on the day-to-day adventures of Amy (played by America Ferrera), her clueless boss, and her coworkers at a St. Louis big-box store called Cloud 9.

Where to watch: Hulu and Peacock (for premium members only)

18. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–Present)

A still of Charles Boyle, Jake Peralta, and Amy Santiago in Brooklyn Nine-Nine
NBC

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)

Will Smith, Philip Banks, Vivian Banks, Carlton Banks, Hilary Banks , Ashley Banks, and Geoffrey Butler from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
NBC / Getty Images

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)

A still of Penny, Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, Amy Farrah Fowler, and Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory
CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

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)

A still of young Sheldon Cooper in Young Sheldon
CBS

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)

A still of Charlotte York, Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, and Samantha Jones in Sex and the City
HBO / Courtesy Everett Collection

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)

A still of Nini and some other East High students in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Disney+

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+

Of course, there are so many more stress-relieving shows to watch as we wait for the election results to come in. We'd love to hear what your favorite show is in the comments below!