TV for someone who's grieving

[firebrand123]

I lost my mum just after Christmas and I'm struggling. I need a TV series to watch to try to distract myself and wind my brain down in the evenings. Does anyone have any suggestions for comfort TV? The most comforting TV for me usually is Bake Off but I've seen them all, apart from the most recent festive specials which I don't want to watch because thinking of Christmas just hurts. If I hadn't seen the Good Place about 4 times I'd probably watch that (possibly an odd choice, I know).

Mortimer & Whitehouse Gone Fishing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b0b7r2k6/mortimer-whitehouse-gone-fishing

It’s lovely. Not really about fishing at all, but about the relationship between two friends and their lives. Often very funny.

What about The Sewing Bee or Pottery Throwdown - similar vibes to Bake Off.

I’m so sorry that you have lost your mum. Sending hugs to you. I’ve have been comforting myself recently with the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version of Pride and Prejudice. It’s the biggest comfort TV for me.

What did your Mum die of, if you don’t mind saying.

I know there are people who have lost relatives to cancer who found The BigC a helpful watch but it might also be completely the wrong one for you.

Have you seen Ted Lasso? It’s lovely and comforting. Definitely a feel good sort of programme. And often very funny.

What about Interior Design Masters if you like the competition format, plus Designing the Hebrides if you get into the interiors theme. Very light viewing.

The Great Pottery Throwdown is nice and gentle and Keith is very open with emotions which can help.

And I'm really sorry about your mum

These are great suggestions, thank you.
I can't watch Ted Lasso as no Apple TV currently and I'm definitely not in the right place for the Big C, but the others all sound like what I need. I think I'll try the Pottery Throwdown or Mortimer & Whitehouse first.

Thank you all ❤️

I'm very sorry for your loss OP.

Great Canal Journeys with Pru Scales and Timothy West is a beautiful programme. Gentle, soothing and interesting.

Also Timothy and Shane Spall with Somewhere at Sea and All at Sea. Or how about the old version of All Creatures Great and Small? Joanna Lumley's In The Land of the Northern Lights is wonderful.

There's the Great B & B Challenge, that's gentle (apart from the Barnsley couple!) and has lovely scenery.

If you like a podcast, Julie Andrews narrating Pride and Prejudice - that's so calming to listen to.

If you're struggling at night, do try listening to Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai; it's a virtual handhold and she really makes you feel like everything will be ok. All the very best to you.

I forgot to say sorry for your loss.
I thought The BigC would either be the right one or completely wrong. I hope you’re not offended by the suggestion.

I would say don’t watch something that you might want to watch properly as a) you may associate with your mum and b) you won’t concentrate fully and that might make it harder to rewatch.

Schitts Creek on Netflix is a funny feel good programme. The first episode is a bit rubbish though.

Sorry, I should have also said, I’m very sorry for your loss x

I'm so sorry. I would choose Father Ted. It is on the Channel 4 site.

Shakespeare and Hathaway Investigates got us through. It’s very undemanding but really draws you in!

I’m so sorry for your loss@firebrand123and know exactly what you mean about needing gentle distraction. When I was feeling similar I watched Gilmore Girls and Detectorists back to back for a few weeks and they did help distract me without being emotionally demanding.

Sorry for your loss. I’ll recommend the metal dectorists. It’s Sweet and funny.

I found light hearted feel good comedies help me when I'm grieving. Friends, Young Sheldon, Scrubs, Peep Show. Sort of light fluff I suppose. I'm so sorry about your mum x

I ended up watching motherland with a grieving friend
It's silly and light
Just don't watch the Xmas special last episode

I’m so sorry to hear about your Mum. I have always found Gardener’s World to be very soothing, but not sure if gardening is your thing!

So sorry for your loss.

The West Wing is my comfort blanket show, though there are a couple of storylines that could be triggering around loss.

Gentle comedies - The Good Life, Yes Minister/Prime Minister, Porridge, etc are always easy to digest.

Agree with the recommendation of Mortimer & Whitehouse Gine Fishing. Maybe try Detectorists or the first few series of Motherland (avoid the final Christmas special given the theme)

I'm so sorry, I hope you're taking good care of yourself.

Downton Abbey is my go to comfort tv. And Schitts Creek is a good shout.

Sorry for your loss.
Detectorists is just the loveliest comedy. Plus gorgeous music and shots of the countryside.

I’m so sorry for your loss. My mum died almost 2 years ago from a rare form of blood cancer. The only thing I could watch was, as others have suggested, the Detectorists and the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I still have days where I can only watch those. All the best to you - it’s a horrible time and a huge loss.

It's almost 20 years old but perhaps Boston Legal that you can download via Channel 4. It is a weird mix of unbelievable silliness mixed in with very clever legal summations. Very odd but distracting.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/boston-legal/on-demand/77247-001

If you like seeing renovations and like the Pottery throwdown - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/our-welsh-chapel-dream

I'm very sorry for your loss.