One of life's simple pleasures.
Comfort television might be one of our favourite genres. One of the simplest pleasures in life is getting cosy on the sofa and putting on an easy-watching show that makes you feel good about yourself. after each episode? Whether you're feeling like a warm hug or simply don't know what to watch, turning to old favourites is always a win.
From Gilmore Girls to The Good Place, these are the shows we revisit, time and time again when we’re in need of a pick-me-up.
1. Gilmore Girls
Where can I watch it? Netflix
As the song goes: How long will we love Gilmore Girls? As long as the stars are above us. This show, which first premiered in 2000, continues to hit the comfort viewing mark year after year. The story of a tight-knit mother and daughter, and the strained relationship between the mother and her own mother, follows three generations of Gilmore girls as they move through life. There’s romance, there’s laughter, there’s lessons and through it all, the power of family. A beautiful show we will never tire of revisiting.
2. Pride and Prejudice
Where can I watch it? Stan
For years, whenever we are in need of a pick-me-up, we have turned to the original 1995 BBC miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice. It’s supremely comforting viewing, telling an iconic romantic comedy tale – our lead characters hate each other! Or do they? – in the Regency era, with all of the wit and spirit that Jane Austen brings to her stories.
3. Ted Lasso
Where can I watch it? AppleTV+
This might be a newcomer to the television landscape, but we predict we will be leaning on Ted Lasso for comfort viewing long into the future. We have revisited this show already, even though it only premiered a few years ago, and it holds up on rewatch. The cosy, warm-hearted tale of a kind football manager who relocates from the US to the UK and is plunged into a lost in translation culture shock, is at its heart about what it means to be a good person and try to do good in this world. And don’t we all need a little bit of that message in our lives right now?
4. The Good Place
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Another future classic, The Good Place stars Kristen Bell as a woman who dies suddenly and believes she has mistakenly found her way into heaven. There are a few more twists and turns along the way, courtesy of a stacked supporting cast including Manny Jacinto, Jameela Jamil and the one, the only, Ted Danson, as this story explores the meaning of life, the existence of something beyond, and the place of morality and ethics in our world. It’s cosy, comforting viewing that will reassert your belief in the goodness of people. We love this show.
5. New Girl
Where can I watch it? Disney+
They just don’t make rom-com television like New Girl anymore. This ‘00s series starring Zooey Deschanel followed a teacher who has to move out of her flat and into a share house with a group of guys, all while navigating their friendship, their clashing personalities and maybe her feelings for Jake Johnson’s gruff bartender. The chemistry between all the actors on this show makes for sparky, warm television and it still features some of the best writing and jokes in recent television.
6. Grey’s Anatomy
Where can I watch it? Disney+
Yes, this series is still on the air, well into its 18th season. But we really recommend diving back into the early seasons of Grey’s Anatomy if you’re in need of comfort viewing. This show is perfect for a re-watch, especially in those early seasons which were all about the burgeoning friendship between Meredith and her fellow interns, as well as some McSteamy/McDreamy action in various hospital lifts. The writing on this show is so smart, the casting impeccable and revisiting those early seasons is like a phone call with an old friend. What a joy.
7. Friends
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Nothing is better than spending time with old Friends. This beloved sitcom remains some of the best comfort viewing, given its simple premise and sweet comedy, the familiarity we have with each of the main six cast members and their storylines, and how easy it is to dip back into the story time and time again. With all episodes available to stream on Netflix, there’s never been a better time to revisit.
8. Sex and the City
Where can I watch it? Binge
Similarly, there’s something so easy about a Sex and the City rewatch. It’s like catching up with your most fun girlfriends, the ones with the best stories, the best gossip and – it must be said – the best wardrobe. We don’t have to include And Just Like That if we don’t want to, but the original six seasons of Sex and the City are such fun comfort television. So breezy to watch at 30 minutes per episode and so enjoyable. We’ve never regretted a Sex and the City re-watch.
