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Original poster

TV that's comforting but not utter rubbish

127 replies

MarkWithaC · 30/08/2023 13:04

I have Covid. I'm finishing off some work and then am going to take to the sofa with a duvet. I need cheering, comforting but diverting things to watch.
I've just binged Last Tango in Halifax (well, I have two more to watch, but am going to need more!). I'm looking for things along those lines; TV that pulls you along and makes you feel a bit cosseted without insulting your intelligence.
TIA!

OP posts:
dioramadrama · 30/08/2023 15:19

The US Office
Another vote for Schitts Creek
Motherland
Catastrophe - I watch this on repeat 😆

Hope you feel better soon.

dioramadrama · 30/08/2023 15:21

Also another vote for

Original Gossip Girl which I dismissed for years as a load of teenage twaddle but ended up loving it

and

Virgin River - ultimate comfort TV

FoghornUnicorn · 30/08/2023 15:23

Freaks and Geeks on Prime is wonderful. So funny but warm and cosy as well. I don’t know why it isn’t more well known/loved.

R4ID · 30/08/2023 15:26

This is Us - honestly one of the best series ever!

Afterlife - Amazing

FFSWhatToDoNow · 30/08/2023 15:30

R4ID · 30/08/2023 15:26

This is Us - honestly one of the best series ever!

Afterlife - Amazing

Edited

Yes and yes!

LittleMrsPretty · 30/08/2023 15:30

This is us Was on Amazon prime now on Disney I think

KaarijasBowlCut · 30/08/2023 15:33

cathyandclare · 30/08/2023 15:11

If you haven't seen Call my Agent ( the French version) we all absolutely loved that.

It's wonderful, isn't it? A great recommendation for fun with substance.

I didn't have much hope for the British remake, Ten Percent, but it was still very enjoyable albeit in a different way. It's on Amazon Prime Video.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 30/08/2023 15:34

I first discovered The Masked Singer when I had Covid: I had it very badly and thought the programme was part of some bizarre fever dream 😂

My go-to TV recommendation is The Mentalist - can’t be beaten as a series. But proper old-school comfort TV, I second The Durrells and the new All Creatures Great and Small. Both heart warming, joyful series.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 30/08/2023 16:01

Detectorists is lovely.

theleafandnotthetree · 30/08/2023 16:06

Shodan · 30/08/2023 14:51

I really enjoyed Grace and Frankie, for lighthearted-yet-moving entertainment.

And Outlander, for Sam Heughan in a kilt being all manly and stuff 😁

Yes to Grace and Frankie, I binge watched it while sick recently and while there are escapist elements to it - the beach house, the fact that money seems to flow all the time, the clothes- it is also very funny and smart on all sorts of issues around ageing, sexism, family dynamics etc.

Riverlee · 30/08/2023 16:10

PerkingFaintly · 30/08/2023 13:30

I've got hooked on Shakespeare & Hathaway.

It looks like it's going to be complete rubbish – and TBF the storylines are pretty weak – but the characters are a lot of fun and I'm a little bit in love with Lou and Sebastian.

Came on to say the same. You get drawn into the characters, humour, storylines, scenery etc. Love Sebastian and surprised we don’t see the actor on more programmes.

FFSWhatToDoNow · 30/08/2023 16:14

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 30/08/2023 16:01

Detectorists is lovely.

YES!!!!

twoastars · 30/08/2023 16:38

Bad Sisters on Apple TV with Sharon Horgan. An easy watch with a good storyline and quality production. Also, Only Murders in the Building on Disney. Classy and funny drama.

CaveMum · 30/08/2023 16:40

MissInterpretation · 30/08/2023 15:01

Pride & Prejudice 1996 BBC series. It's on iplayer now ( I think it's still on, it was up to a couple of week ago.) I'm not a telly watcher at all, but I love love love it and spent a brilliant day in hospital a few years ago watching the whole series in one go. I've been watching it again recently when I've had time, also on holiday with my kids in a country cottage, and it's just a lovely wrap you up warm kind of show. Love it! Get well soon Flowers

I read that the BBC put it back on iPlayer because there was a reference to the series in the Barbie movie (still haven't seen it!). I'd highly recommend getting the remastered BluRay though, the original version looks very dated and "tired" now, especially when watching on an HD tv!

RoyKentFanclub · 30/08/2023 16:42

“This Is Us” is just wonderful -watch it if you haven’t

RosemaryDill · 30/08/2023 16:42

Annika on alibi. Season 2 on the go but start with season 1. It's a witty and entertaining crime drama.

Lionoso · 30/08/2023 16:44

Detectorists
Ghosts (all series)
Colin from Accounts
Schitts Creek
Fisk
Mum

All good shouts. Detectorists is especially warm and lovely. Mum if you haven't seen it is similar and a gentle and really heart warming slow burn love story in it.

Original poster
MarkWithaC · 30/08/2023 16:47

I’d forgotten about Grace and Frankie! Been trying to get round to it for ages.

I read that there’s going to be a second season of Bad Sisters <crosses fingers>

OP posts:
RoyKentFanclub · 30/08/2023 16:56

I really disagree about bad sisters. I found it quite stressful and had to stop watching it. The complete opposite of something gentle and comforting

Lucy377 · 30/08/2023 16:59

Enlightened starring Laura Dern.
2 seasons.

HerculesMulligan · 30/08/2023 17:04

I packed in Bad Sisters at about episode 4. Instead, I read the Wikipedia episode synopsis to DH in my most dramatic voice. We both laughed a lot, and didn't spend a further four hours of our lives watching something that managed to be stressful and silly without actually being very funny.

Lentilweaver · 30/08/2023 17:07

Can't read the whole thread but
Grace and Frankie
Ugly Betty
Fisk
Only Murders in the Building

Mammyloveswine · 30/08/2023 17:07

I've been rewatching "Gavin and Stacey"!

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 30/08/2023 17:15

I like a bit of Morse. I know it's a little dark, but Oxford is so pretty and it reminds me of watching it as a teen.

The Crown is visually rich and mentally untaxing, which I like in my comfort viewing.

merryhouse · 30/08/2023 17:18

There's a series of tv films on iPlayer with Johnny Vegas (and a fair few other people) which I quite enjoyed
Murder on the Blackpool Express
Death on the Tyne
Dial M for Middlesbrough

Apparently there's more in a series, but I haven't seen that (it's on Gold)