What are your ultimate comfort escapism box sets?

[TheFirstOfHerName]

When things are a bit more shit than usual, one of the things that cheers me up is watching escapism TV for comfort, especially feel-good American dramas.

Ally McBeal got me through a lonely and tiring pregnancy when I was commuting 2 hours each way across London and had moved away from all my friends and knew nobody in the new area.

Parenthood got me through the uncertainty and stress of DS2's assessment and diagnosis (also helpful that there is a character in it with similar problems).

I am facing the first Christmas since my brother died, and recovering from a shit year (mental illness in one of my children, another was a victim of crime) and I have just discovered my new comfort box set: Gilmore Girls. It completely ticks all the boxes: quirky, feel-good escapism.

What box sets have got you through less-than -ideal times?

Brothers and sisters.

30 Rock
Parks and Recreation
The Big Bang Theory

YY to Brothers & Sisters!!! That's exactly the sort of thing I mean.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I came on here to recommend Gilmore Girls. Just coming to the end of series 1 myself. Just the kind of thing I need at the moment.

My go to standard for difficult times is Buffy. It's like my security blanket

The west wing. Spent most of second pregnancy watching it. Ds2 is actually named after one of the characters.

I did enjoy the West Wing, but it was a bit serious for true comfort viewing. Also, you sometimes have to concentrate.

I just can't believe how perfect Gilmore Girls is for what I need right now. It's like I've found the DVD equivalent of "the one"
Have only watched a third of Season 1 so far.

West Wing is a good call. I've seen the first few series about a million times.

Friends. An oldie but a goodie. I can switch my brain off and watch ten in a row.

Bit different, but when things are a bit shit, there's something very comforting about the BBC adaptation of pride and prejudice (the one with Colin firth as mr. Darcy)

All bonnets and balls and men looking dashing.

Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm. Both cheer me up no matter what, and Gavin & Stacey has a bit of a special place in mine and DP's hearts, as it reminds us of how we got together

Gray's Anatomy
Private Practice
Orange Is The New Black

Gilmore Girls is perfect comfort viewing. Am now mid-way through Parenthood after binge watching all of GG on Netflix

Jam and Jerusalem. Simply Perfect.

Weeds
Californication
Buffy

Buffy
30 Rock
Arrested Development
Pushing Daisies
Father Ted

YY to Grey's (although can sometimes be a bit harrowing) and Private Practice.

Buffy and Angel
Ally McBeal
Desperate Housewives

I need a new box set, was considering Breaking Bad? Any thoughts?

Community. That got me through the scary journey to visit DH for the first time, first time travelling abroad on my own and a hellish scary 8 hour journey!

I love Parenthood. I am dreading/can't wait for the finale which is coming out on 30 December I think? Looking forward to it but don't want it to be over :( (won't say any more for DoctorSand's sake! :))

I think Modern Family will become a comfort series for me too.
Doctor Who is also good.

Drop the Dead Donkey as well

And Friends of course. DH and I often watch Friends when we feel down :)

Ugly Betty
Modern Family

I love scandal, greys anatomy, bones, modern family

Cold Feet.

Cold feet and Gavin and Stacey. I have a very British sense of humour, really don't get American humour. I could live off these 2 for years though

I have bought myself S5 of Parenthood for Christmas.

Friday Night Lights (after reading a recommendation on here) is fantastic, don't let the American Football setting put you off. I wept buckets at the end just because I had finished the box set!

Also enjoyed Game of Thrones, The Vampire Diaries and spin off series The Originals, and Sons of Anarchy.

The top rated box set on Amazon is Firefly - has anyone watched it and is it still good? Looks a little dated.