Comfort Shows to Binge-Watch for a Mindless Day

Comfort Shows to Binge-Watch for a Mindless Day

Are you thinking too much? Or not thinking at all?
Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos? Or just longing for a sense of calm?
Looking for something to alleviate the mind?

Comfort shows hold the answer to those questions. With fictional characters and timeless humour portrayed on the screen, they signify an escape from the surroundings that contribute to our tension. While new TV shows may spike records and evolve pop culture, there are certain familiarities we always return to for comfort, for they guarantee a sense of contentment and joy. Whether you are rewatching for the umpteenth time or diving in for the first, here are five comfort shows you can turn to at any time for a pocket of happiness in your day.

  1. Friends

Starting off with a classic, and there is a reason it is crowned as number one—Friends is the ultimate go-to for feel-good humour and a dose of 90s charm. Its timeless appeal resonates with a diverse range of viewers, bridging the generational gap by offering a common ground of humour that never loses its spark. This sitcom features the lives of six friends, embodying the intriguing perks of each character that blend perfectly together as they navigate life, love, and laughter in New York City. Whether it is Phoebe’s eccentric songs or Ross’s awkwardness, every episode is packed with memorable lines that pop culture still quotes today. The witty dynamics between the characters create moments that stifle echoing laughter even after rolling its final post-credit scene. Can this show be any more iconic?  

“Welcome to the real world. It sucks. You’re gonna love it.” Monica Geller, Friends

       2. Modern Family

This Emmy-winning mockumentary comedy showcases the lives of the Pritchett-Dunphy clan, with the characters’ antics bouncing off each other in family situations. It is a sitcom that hits close to the heart as it addresses relatable family dynamics, especially some heartwarming instances that we tend to overlook. This show is the medicine of laughter, produced by funny writers who just wanted to document the small chaos happening in a household. Modern Family thrives on its heartwarming portrayal of family relationships, from hilarious misunderstandings to tender moments that will make you tear up, for there is so much intangible beauty in familial chaos.  

A PHILosophical quote: “Dance until your feet hurt, sing until your lungs hurt, act until you’re William Hurt.” 

      3. Derry Girls

Located in a small town in Northern Ireland, this coming-of-age comedy follows a group of teenage girls (and one awkward English boy) as they navigate school, adventures, family, and growing up during The Troubles. This delightfully hilarious sitcom stems from the attention-grabbing Londonderry accent that scratches a part of your brain and niche Irish slang that introduces viewers to the authenticity and charm of Ireland. The witty banter among the characters, often laced with uniquely regional humour, outstands the show with a distinctive and refreshing voice in its cultural richness. The fascinating lives of the group also draw you to the stillness of time in adolescence as they perfectly emulate the angst and nerves that riddle young adults as they grow up.   

“And if our dreams get broken along the way…we have to make new ones from the pieces.” Erin Quinn, Derry Girls

      4. The Office

Welcome to Dunder Mifflin. In a seemingly insignificant mundane office life, this mockumentary-style sitcom captures unpredictable chaos within the four walls of an office. This series offers a peek into the lives of the employees at a paper company led by the outrageous Michael Scott. The fusion of the perfectly curated cast delivers the antics and quirks of vastly different yet relatable figures found in a typical office, evoking a sense of relatability and understanding that comforts viewers. These characters balance absurdity with genuine moments that will have you root for them, as if they are your colleagues or friends. It serves as a reminder that even the most ordinary settings can be extraordinary because something as bland as paper is capable of building hilarious office interactions. The success of this show has been imprinted in modern-day pop culture, proving its timelessness in delivering a good laugh for all audiences.    

“There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?” Pam Beesly, The Office 

 

After a long day, we all succumb to resting and blanking out. In those serene silences, tuning in to a familiar and repetitive show feels like a warm hug filled with smiles and laughter. Comfort shows are the euphoric antidote to stress, eliciting lightheartedness and familiarity. These shows offer the unique pleasure of rewatching the same episodes and still laughing at jokes we have already heard, reminding us that there are remnants of warmth in those screenplays and feelings that we are never tired of revisiting. 

Words to learn:

Alleviate – make something less severe, intense, or burdensome

Umpteenth – an informal term used to describe an indefinitely large number or an occurrence that has happened many times before, often to the point of frustration or exasperation

Eccentric – someone or something that is unconventional, unusual, or deviates from the norm, often in a quirky or charming way

Mockumentary –  a type of film or television show that mimics the style of a documentary but is fictional and often comedic or satirical in nature

Antics – playful, silly, or ridiculous behaviors or actions, often intended to amuse

Intangible – something that cannot be touched or physically measured, often referring to qualities, emotions, or abstract concepts

Emulate – To strive to match or imitate someone or something, often out of admiration

Serene – calm, peaceful, and untroubled; free from disturbance

Euphoric – intensely happy, elated, or overjoyed

Antidote – a remedy or solution to counteract or neutralise something harmful, such as poison or a negative feeling

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.