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Is my obsession with old TV a form of self-soothing?

111 replies

Journey1234 · 12/08/2026 05:34

I feel a little embarrassed and I’m not sure how common this is, so I wondered if anyone might be able to shed some light on it?

I watch a lot of old game shows, sitcoms, and lately I’ve become obsessed with watching old Crimewatch programmes on YouTube. I do occasionally watch new things, but I always seem to default back to older programmes. I’ve watched some of them over and over again for years, and I even have them playing when I go to sleep.

It’s almost like a comfort thing. I genuinely enjoy what I watch, but I do sometimes wonder if it’s a little strange that I return to the same programmes so much.
I had a mother who was emotionally detached from me when I was growing up, and I had to learn to self-soothe from quite a young age. One of my biggest comforts was Alan Robson’s Night Owls, so I’ve wondered whether there could be some connection between that and why familiar voices and old programmes still feel so comforting to me now.

perhaps the familiarity and predictability are soothing, and I don’t have to concentrate as much as I would with something new.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar? I’d be really interested to hear other people’s experiences, or whether anyone with a psychological/therapeutic background has any thoughts on why this might be.

p.s with the crime watch programs I like watching the reconstructions particularly in the late 80s early 90s when I was a child as I like to see the old decor,shops,cars etc.

OP posts:
TorroFerney · 13/08/2026 07:30

Journey1234 · 12/08/2026 22:15

Did you see my earlier post when I uploaded a picture from last week of me visiting the keeping up appearances house? I loved it ha ha.

My husband found hetty wainthrops house on google street maps (we live near ish) and I’m sorely tempted.

Applepe · 16/08/2026 12:21

Journey1234 · 12/08/2026 05:34

I feel a little embarrassed and I’m not sure how common this is, so I wondered if anyone might be able to shed some light on it?

I watch a lot of old game shows, sitcoms, and lately I’ve become obsessed with watching old Crimewatch programmes on YouTube. I do occasionally watch new things, but I always seem to default back to older programmes. I’ve watched some of them over and over again for years, and I even have them playing when I go to sleep.

It’s almost like a comfort thing. I genuinely enjoy what I watch, but I do sometimes wonder if it’s a little strange that I return to the same programmes so much.
I had a mother who was emotionally detached from me when I was growing up, and I had to learn to self-soothe from quite a young age. One of my biggest comforts was Alan Robson’s Night Owls, so I’ve wondered whether there could be some connection between that and why familiar voices and old programmes still feel so comforting to me now.

perhaps the familiarity and predictability are soothing, and I don’t have to concentrate as much as I would with something new.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar? I’d be really interested to hear other people’s experiences, or whether anyone with a psychological/therapeutic background has any thoughts on why this might be.

p.s with the crime watch programs I like watching the reconstructions particularly in the late 80s early 90s when I was a child as I like to see the old decor,shops,cars etc.

I love old telly and now, thanks to this post, I’ve found old episodes of Crimewatch. DNA is such a marvellous discovery.

likelysuspect · 16/08/2026 12:23

I dont know if anyone watched this mornings 'Tales of the Unexpected'

Absolutely petrifying and not soothing at all!!!

Journey1234 · 16/08/2026 12:37

Yes, I love all the reconstructions. I can’t believe how nasty some of these crimes were back then. As a child, I always thought it was a much safer place, but I think social media and worldwide news make everything seem a lot worse now. Certain crimes, such as bank robberies and robberies involving security guards, also seem to be less common these days.

rapes are unbelievable common it’s sickening how many sex offenders they are.

OP posts:
Journey1234 · 16/08/2026 12:38

likelysuspect · 16/08/2026 12:23

I dont know if anyone watched this mornings 'Tales of the Unexpected'

Absolutely petrifying and not soothing at all!!!

Iv not seen this. I will check it out. 😀

OP posts:
likelysuspect · 16/08/2026 12:42

Journey1234 · 16/08/2026 12:38

Iv not seen this. I will check it out. 😀

Do you mean the entire series or just today's?

Today's that I saw was an episode with John Mills relaying a story about being at boarding school, then an episode with Joan Collins, then an episode with Timothy West and Susan Penhaligon. If you find them, watch them!!

Journey1234 · 16/08/2026 12:53

likelysuspect · 16/08/2026 12:42

Do you mean the entire series or just today's?

Today's that I saw was an episode with John Mills relaying a story about being at boarding school, then an episode with Joan Collins, then an episode with Timothy West and Susan Penhaligon. If you find them, watch them!!

Iv not seen any but will check it out tonight. Thankyou 😀

OP posts:
Applepe · 16/08/2026 13:01

Journey1234 · 16/08/2026 12:37

Yes, I love all the reconstructions. I can’t believe how nasty some of these crimes were back then. As a child, I always thought it was a much safer place, but I think social media and worldwide news make everything seem a lot worse now. Certain crimes, such as bank robberies and robberies involving security guards, also seem to be less common these days.

rapes are unbelievable common it’s sickening how many sex offenders they are.

I’m quite obsessed now. It’s like a violent ‘How We Used To Live’. And I know Nick Ross keeps saying, “Don’t have nightmares”, and violent crime is very rare, but the 80s was violent, missing kids, women. Stranger rapes on women is something that seems quite rare now, but bloody hell!

NooNakedJacuzziness · 16/08/2026 13:06

I’ve had a very stressful week and the only thing cheering me up are episodes of You Rang M’Lord (least said soonest mended)

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 16/08/2026 13:12

NooNakedJacuzziness · 16/08/2026 13:06

I’ve had a very stressful week and the only thing cheering me up are episodes of You Rang M’Lord (least said soonest mended)

Oh I love You Rang M'Lord. I had a huge crush on Sissy.

SuperSharpShooter · 16/08/2026 13:21

I rewatch all 7 seasons of Gilmore Girls every autumn. Gets me through the horrible slog to xmas.
Its deffo self soothing and perfectly normal 😆

Journey1234 · 16/08/2026 13:27

Applepe · 16/08/2026 13:01

I’m quite obsessed now. It’s like a violent ‘How We Used To Live’. And I know Nick Ross keeps saying, “Don’t have nightmares”, and violent crime is very rare, but the 80s was violent, missing kids, women. Stranger rapes on women is something that seems quite rare now, but bloody hell!

It’s crazy how brazen these people were walking in banks to rob with their faces in plain sight/ I think you could get away with alot more back then. These days we are tracked everywhere we go.

OP posts:
JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 16/08/2026 13:27

Corianda · 12/08/2026 07:54

The tv series used to be one episode a week over months. I think they probably stay in your memory more due to that.
Also many based on good books.
Poldark, the first one, Upstairs Downstairs, The Jewel in the Crown, The Onedin Line (was a series then a book). I don't remember any decent American historical series.

Roots? I was a kid when it was aired was it good for adult viewers as a series as that whom it was aimed at.

Journey1234 · 16/08/2026 15:29

@JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul i started to watch roots a couple of years ago it was too upsetting to continue.

OP posts:
Pinkfluffypencilcase · 16/08/2026 15:43

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 12/08/2026 16:09

How are you all watching? Any specific TV channels or packages?

Was it Bob Mortimer who said he’s now become a person who watches ITV3 or something? 😆

I’ll watch stuff like New Tricks and Castle on Drama. They’ve also got classic neighbours. Which is lovely to watch.

op I agree it is self soothing and comforting. But nothing wrong with that.

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 16/08/2026 20:42

NooNakedJacuzziness · 16/08/2026 13:06

I’ve had a very stressful week and the only thing cheering me up are episodes of You Rang M’Lord (least said soonest mended)

Where did you see this please love you rang M'Lord❤️

camerontucker · 16/08/2026 20:55

I'm currently working my way through Cell Block H. I love it and it's my programme of choice when I want to chill.

Justaquestionplease · 16/08/2026 21:10

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 16/08/2026 20:42

Where did you see this please love you rang M'Lord❤️

They show it on the that's TV channels...it's a gorgeous show

Kevinbaconsrealwife · 16/08/2026 21:13

I have Keeping Up Appearances and Minder on series link my lovely so don’t worry x

canuckup · 16/08/2026 21:38

Oh God yeah do this all the time

Especially the Carry On films, heartbeat, etc

Fawlty towers

So nostalgic

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 16/08/2026 21:46

I like As time goes by.
the older stuff is so much more gentle.
Even only going back to 2010-15 the pace is different.

perimumma · 16/08/2026 21:51

I love to watch The Waltons! The theme music reminds me of being young.

my mum used to work Sundays and we’d - me and my brother be up early with dad and go for a huge walk over the Mendip a with the dog. Home for lunch - always a cucumber sandwich, and packet of monster much.

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 16/08/2026 22:14

Justaquestionplease · 16/08/2026 21:10

They show it on the that's TV channels...it's a gorgeous show

Ohh thank you l will look it up 😁👍

NooNakedJacuzziness · 16/08/2026 23:07

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 16/08/2026 20:42

Where did you see this please love you rang M'Lord❤️

I’ve got the box set on DVD still! Like a PP said though hopefully you can see it on That’s TV, be a bally shame if not

8TinyToeBeans · 16/08/2026 23:09

My comfort watch is the first two seasons of Last of the Summer Wine. 😅