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).

After my OH died I binged watched "Community" for the first month. It was funny and easy to watch and while not requiring much brain power.

Two Netflix series that might help, both with lots of episodes and storylines of candy floss - Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing. Both based on romance novels by a writer called Robyn Carr.

Complete tosh, but beautiful scenery (US and Nova Scotia, Canada) and generally pretty well acted.

sorry for your loss. Do you have Disney +?
Once upon a time is good

Very much support the recommendation of Bob & Paul’s Gone Fishing. Don’t be put off by the fishing bit, it’s really not about that. It’s gentle, warm and friendly, and I always laugh in it so it’s very uplifting too.

Yes, I would recommend this too.

Emily in Paris is light and fluffy watching

I second both these choices, I found them very calming after DH died last year. I would also add Chesapeake Shores, also on Netflix, very similar to the other two with beautiful scenery.
I’m very sorry for your loss x

Deffo Afterlife. Mum and I watched it shortly after dad died unexpectedly.

its so sad in parts but most of it is hilarious and uplifting

This time last year when I was in the early stages of grief I watched Shrinking (but I think that's Apple) & the renovation programmes with Alan Carr & Amanda Holden. They wouldn't normally be my cup of tea, but their friendship is lovely and it's gentle TV, which is what you need.

Detectorists, definitely!

Modern Family
Man on the inside
Arrested Development
Schitts Creek
NCIS
Criminal Minds
Hart of Dixie
Desperate Housewives
Only murders in the building
Good Girls

I'm sorry for your loss. I've been through the loss of my mum and I 100% relied on comfort telly. The Detectorists is gentle and easy; Schitts Creek, Superstore, Our Country. They're the ones that immediately spring to mind.

Also, the first series of Schitts is not representative of how good it gets. Stick with it.

I’m so sorry for your loss OP.

Another one for old All Crestures Great and Small (and the new one too, I love that too, just suggesting old as well as there’s a LOT of it if you fancied getting a box set that would keep you going for a while). Gentle, cosy, amusing in places (a little bit sad in places when an animal dies, but not for long, never too heavy), gorgeous scenery.

The Detectorists - very gentle comedy.

I don’t know your tastes, but we also like Brooklyn 99 - ok not gentle slow TV like a lot of these suggestions, but comedy which personally I find very funny - but always with a warm heart, so one my DH and I like to turn to when we want something easygoing, funny, feel good to switch off to. Also the advantage of having quite a lot of series (on Netflix).

Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing is lovely. The Repair Shop can be too (although it is often about restoring things in order to remember loved ones)

For drama, The Detectorists is very gentle, and if you like cosy crime, Madame Blanc Mysteries is pure escapism, really old-school. I got fond of Beyond Paradise (set in 'Devon' but filmed in Cornwall) for escapist cosy crime too.

I forgot Superstore. That is a good, gentle one with a LOT of episodes.

So sorry OP

The Detectorists - it's hilarious but gentle and cosy, too

Apologies - cross posted with this one. I second Gone Fishing, too. Like a hug and I have no interest in fishing!

Whilst Shrinking is amazing, I’m not sure I would recommend it at this stage, as there are some really emotional scenes and a lot of them are related to grief.

First, I want to send lots of love to everyone who made recommendations based on their own experiences of grieving. I'm sorry you went or are going through that too and thank you for finding the energy to reply, I know how tough it can be 💐

And then massive thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I started the Detectorists last night and it was just right, but I'm glad to have lots of other options to try as my mood inevitably changes. Suggesting a TV show may seem like a small thing to do but you've all made a big difference to me ❤️

Im grieving.I can manage Modern family, Schitt's Creek (rewatching), Detectorists (rewatching)and not much else .Sorry for your loss. It is so hard. Nothing bad happens in any of these series.
Edited for typo

Hi OP, i forgot to add to my post that these shows i mentioned helped me through grief! I'm sorry for your lost and I hope you find something that can help take your mind off things xx

I was going to suggest The Detectorists as well.

The marvellous Mrs Maisel on prime

I loved watching Sex & The City episodes when I was going through a shit time. It's so far removed from my world/life.

Im so sorry for your loss OP. Grief is so visceral. I know the feeling of wanting comfort and have a list that I fall back on. I’m sure some have already been suggested but I’ll pop in just in case:
The Detectorists
Gardeners World
Jeeves and Wooster (heaps available on YouTube)
Schitts Creek
Stanley Tucci in Italy
The Golden Girls
Poirot
Miss Marple

On the radio (BBC Sounds)
Liza Tarbuck got me through some very dark days and you can listen back to episodes.
Ed Reardons week
In and out of the kitchen
A Room with A View Audiobook

Sure there’s loads more I could add if you need.
Sending you a virtual hug 🤗 x

Those could be either good or bad.. but upload on prime.. I love it. . If u liked the good place you might like it.