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).

When my husband died I had no concentration span at all. I just couldn’t focus on anything. All I watched was repeats of things I’d seen before. Looking back I wonder if it was because I needed the comfort of knowing what was going to happen next when I couldn’t do that in my real life. If that makes sense.

Sorry for your loss, OP.

Father Ted is a great shout. Also on channel 4 is Spaced which is wonderful.

Maybe Derry Girls?

I'm sorry, it must be a painful time.

The Detectorists is just lovely. Lots of ambling in the countryside with gentle humour. Great soundtrack. It's quietly uplifting, so might be the right sort of tempo for what you need now.

When I've been through some hard times I still take a lot of comfort in watching Friends. It makes me feel less lonely.

Sorry I've just realised I've said exactly the same as someone else! So count me as seconding that :)

I’m sorry for your loss, I lost both parents in the last few years, I watched comfort tv like All Creatures Great and Small, then burst into tears when a poorly animal died, so stopped. Found quizzes and stuff like the Detectorists fairly comforting. Look after yourself 🌹

Canal Boat Diaries is lovely gentle viewing.
I'm sorry for your loss 💐

We watched Ghosts having never seen it before. Much like seemingly only watching things with people giving birth when I was pregnant I think I managed to choose all the programmes and films with dead/dying parents in. Not on purpose obviously, but not flinching too much from it does seem to help a bit, it being part of life.

Ghosts and Detectorists are both gently funny as well as being comforting and full of kindness. They're balm for the soul.

Doc Martin was warming and comforting when I was going through a very tough time (not bereavement though).
Sorry for your loss, OP.

Afterlife

I lost my dad a few months ago

Strangely, Wallace and Gromit was my go-to for relaxed watching. Wouldn't choose it normally!

Makes perfect sense to me, the familiar in a new scary unfamiliar world x

Detectorists.
Frasier has stood the test of time well.
Gone Fishing

Not exactly comfort TV , but I watched Extras (with Ricky Gervais) pretty much on repeat after a significant loss. Its just stupid, not to be taken seriously at all, and even managed to make me laugh.

I also bought the dvd box set of Beauty and The Beast, the programme that was out in the late 80s and watched them back to back as well. That's my confort show, and I still watch it pretty often now.

I'm so sorry about your lovely Mum 💐

I'm so sorry for your loss.

What would take your mind away from it depends mostly on what you like.

If I want to get away from "the world" sometimes, I'll watch Slow Horses", but you don't have Apple tv, so I'd go for Fallout on Prime TV.

Both involve death in different ways,but not the kind of death you are experiencing.

When someone important to me died, I wanted to be taken somewhere else in my reading and watching. Some other type of world. I found that in these two programmes.

I'd suggest investigate YouTube, there are some lovely peaceful lifestyle and travel vlogs on there that are very calming and peaceful.
Some suggestions for YouTube channels to check out -
Nami
Choki (both of these are very peaceful no talking Japanese home life vlogs)
Beryl Shereshewsky (cooks dishes from around the world from suggestions from viewers)
Itchy Boots (solo woman motorbiking around the world)
Of moor and mountain - life on an Orkney island
Rewilding Jude - one person making a life in the Scottish countryside
Bernadette Banner - recreates vintage fashion
Frankie off grid - young couple off grid lifestyle in Portugal
The Traditional Life - beautiful Indian family lifestyle vlog, really peaceful

I'm very sorry for your loss, and I hope some of these suggestions are helpful

I recommend Friends, Frasier, the king of queens, will and grace....
All the light comedy sitcoms.
So sorry OP. Lots of love and light x

Sorry for your loss, I found what I could cope with to watch changed when grieving , so it was really familiar programmes like Masterchef or something on ITV3. I also found some of the American reality shows like 90 day fiancé a good watch under the circumstances.

My DH died recently. I’ve found TV difficult to concentrate on. I’ve been watching Midsomer Murders, which basically has the same plot every episode.

I’m so sorry for your loss @firebrand123 💐

I ended up watching things I’d seen before like CSI.

And then I could only cope with mind numbing reality tv (which I don’t normally watch)
like The Apprentice (available on bbc iplayer)
or some ridiculous dating shows on CH4OD

I’m very sorry for your loss

Sorry for the loss of your mum

Id recommend the channel 5 version of All creatures agreed and small but don't watch the last episode 7 ( as that is the xmas special)

Its happy, non confrontational and easy viewing

I was ill before Xmas and wanted something easy to watch on Netflix - so binge watched Potential, its a cleaner turned police consultant for murders, but light hearted and mildly funny

I’m so sorry you lost your Mum. I lost my Dad just before Christmas.

I can only cope with things I don’t have to think about like Four in a Bed or anything with Kirstie & Phil!
Ive found Schitt’s Creek weirdly comforting as it’s so warm and gentle.

I attempted the Night Manager but haven’t a clue what’s going on as my brain doesn’t work atm. So maybe not that 😆

I can cope with, and really enjoy, podcasts though,

Condolences to you

I watched all of Downton Abbey when I was going through a difficult time, 5 times through!

Hugs, OP. 💐

A few years ago when I was having a really bad time, I watched back to back episodes of Come Dine with Me. I found it oddly soothing, and it really helped.

My condolences to you and your family on your loss.

If you can face subtitles, I’d say Seaside Hotel. Just beautiful and light, slightly comic, with characters you get to know. All ten series are on Channel 4. It’s in Danish.