When you're feeling down or just need a break from the everyday hustle, there's nothing like settling down with a TV show that feels like a warm hug; these shows are the ones that Reddit users can't stop recommending because they have that special mix of humor, heart, and characters that feel like old friends.
From quirky small-town tales to families that stick together through thick and thin, each show on this list has its own way of making viewers feel right at home, no matter how their day went; they're perfect for those nights when you just want to unwind and escape into a world where the biggest problem might be a missing cat or a funny misunderstanding between friends.
1. "Joe Pera Talks With You" (2018)
Joe Pera, a soft-spoken choir teacher in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, shares his mundane yet oddly profound observations on life, covering topics from breakfast foods to geological formations, in a series that blends slow-paced comedy with life's simple joys and curiosities.
2. "Ghosts" (UK) (2019)
A young couple inherits a dilapidated country estate, only to find it's haunted by the many eccentric ghosts of its former residents; the living and the dead learn to coexist and form a unique, if not chaotic, household dynamic.
3. "What We Do in the Shadows" (2019)
This mockumentary follows the nightly misadventures of four vampire roommates in Staten Island as they attempt to navigate the modern world, deal with vampire hunters, and maintain the delicate politics of the undead community, all while trying to assert their dominance over the New World.
4. "The Orville" (2017)
Set 400 years in the future, it follows the crew of the U.S.S. Orville, a not-so-top-of-the-line exploratory spaceship in Earth's interstellar Fleet, dealing with cosmic challenges and quirky interpersonal relationships, under the command of Captain Ed Mercer who seeks to prove his worth despite his ex-wife serving as his first officer.
5. "Taskmaster" (2015)
Comedian Greg Davies, as the Taskmaster, with assistance from Alex Horne, challenges five comedians to complete bizarre, creative, and hilarious tasks, with their efforts judged in a studio setting, leading to competitive antics and unexpected collaborations.
6. "Comedy Bang! Bang!" (2012)
Host Scott Aukerman blends celebrity interviews with comedy sketches in a mock talk show format, often leading to surreal and offbeat hijinks, with bandleader Reggie Watts (later Weird Al Yankovic) adding musical comedy, creating a show that defies conventional television norms.
7. "Veep" (2012)
Former Senator Selina Meyer finds her new job as Vice President of the United States nothing like she imagined and everything she was warned about; she navigates the treacherous waters of Washington politics with her dysfunctional staff as they stumble through crisis after crisis.
Eleanor Shellstrop finds herself in the afterlife's Good Place by mistake; realizing she doesn't belong, she tries to hide her morally imperfect past and become a better person, with the help of her soulmate, a philosophy professor, amidst revelations that challenge their understanding of what the Good Place truly is.
9. "Schitt's Creek" (2015)
When the wealthy Rose family suddenly goes bankrupt, they are forced to leave their luxurious life behind and rebuild their family dynamics while living in Schitt's Creek, a small town they once bought as a joke, learning about love, loyalty, and family values.
10. "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" (2005)
Chef Anthony Bourdain travels the world, exploring diverse cultures through their culinary traditions, local delicacies, and the stories of the people he meets, often venturing off the beaten path to reveal the heart and soul of various cuisines and communities.
11. "Fringe" (2008)
FBI agent Olivia Dunham teams up with a mentally unstable scientist, Walter Bishop, and his son, Peter, to investigate unexplained phenomena that lead them into a series of dark, complex conspiracies involving parallel universes and a mysterious corporation, pushing the boundaries of science and morality.
12. "Cougar Town" (2009)
Recently divorced Jules Cobb, a 40-something woman living in Florida, decides to re-enter the dating scene, navigating relationships with her teenage son, ex-husband, and friends, all while embracing the humorous challenges of aging and friendship in a close-knit community.
13. "The IT Crowd" (2006)
Set in the offices of Reynholm Industries, the socially awkward IT department, comprised of the geeky Maurice Moss, slacker Roy Trenneman, and their technologically inept manager Jen Barber, embark on a series of comedic misadventures, highlighting the clash between their secluded world and the corporate environment.
14. "Bottom" (1991)
Richie Richard and Eddie Hitler, two socially inept and perpetually broke flatmates living in Hammersmith, London, engage in a series of crude, violent, and failed attempts to achieve success, happiness, or just a good night out, often resulting in slapstick mayhem and discomfort.
15. "Father Ted" (1995)
Three Irish priests, Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal McGuire, and Father Jack Hackett, along with their housekeeper, Mrs. Doyle, live on Craggy Island; their daily misadventures range from attempting to win a song contest to dealing with a visiting bishop, often resulting in comedic chaos.
16. "Peep Show" (2003)
Mark Corrigan and Jeremy "Jez" Usbourne, two dysfunctional friends with contrasting personalities, navigate life's challenges in London, including disastrous love affairs, awkward social situations, and career stagnation, all seen through their internal monologues and point-of-view shots.
17. "Bob's Burgers" (2011)
Bob Belcher runs a struggling burger restaurant with his enthusiastic wife Linda and their three quirky children, Tina, Gene, and Louise; the family faces various challenges, from health inspections to competition with a neighboring pizzeria, while trying to keep the business afloat.
Set aboard the space station Babylon 5 in the mid-23rd century, it serves as a diplomatic hub designed to prevent wars between various spacefaring races, with Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, and later Captain John Sheridan, overseeing the delicate balance of peace, facing threats from ancient races and political intrigue within their own governments.
Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his eclectic crew aboard the spaceship Serenity navigate the aftermath of a civil war in a new solar system, taking on various smuggling jobs while evading a totalitarian regime, dealing with the mysterious past of their psychic passenger, River.
20. "Community" (2009)
A diverse group of students at Greendale Community College, including a disbarred lawyer, a single mother, and a former drug addict, form a study group that becomes the center of their life-changing adventures and misadventures, both in and out of class.
21. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (2013)
The detectives of the 99th precinct of the New York City Police Department, led by the serious and stoic Captain Raymond Holt, tackle crime in Brooklyn while engaging in various comedic antics and forming a close-knit, albeit eccentric, family.
Leslie Knope, an eternally optimistic and hardworking mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks Department of Pawnee, Indiana, dedicates herself to improving her town through government service, facing bureaucratic hurdles and quirky townsfolk alongside her colleagues.
After a bad breakup, quirky teacher Jess Day moves in with three single men, Nick, Schmidt, and Winston; together with Jess's best friend Cece, they face life and love in Los Angeles, dealing with their personal and professional entanglements in humorous ways.
24. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000)
Semi-retired television writer and producer Larry David, playing an exaggerated version of himself, gets into various predicaments with both fictional and real-life characters in Los Angeles, often resulting from his many faux pas and his stubborn refusal to adhere to social conventions.
25. "The Great British Baking Show" (2010)
Amateur bakers from across the United Kingdom compete in a series of rounds, attempting to impress a group of judges with their baking skills, with each episode featuring different themes and challenges, leading to weekly eliminations until the best baker emerges victorious.
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