Whoa, the world is a hot mess these days, isn’t it? So it makes sense that we all seem to be seeking refuge in the comfort of what we perceive as familiar, stable, and reassuring. Whether it’s a favorite book, a trusty food recipe, or a fun hobby, we all crave the warm and cozy. And as pop culture aficionados here at Bored Panda, there’s nothing quite like rewatching the wholesome TV shows that bring us back to our happy place!
You know the feeling — when you have a favorite show, it’s like spending time with an old friend. You already know the characters like the back of your hand, you can predict their every move, and you feel so at home with them. These comfort TV shows might be a nod to a bygone era, but they’re still just as loved and adored today. But which feel-good TV series truly embodies the epitome of wholesomeness? Why do we always turn to them in our time of need?
To answer these questions, we went on a quest to find the ultimate comfort show, and let’s say Reddit never fails to deliver! We scoured the web and stumbled upon these threads (here and here) where people spilled the tea on their favorite feel-good shows to snuggle up with, and some went even beyond by explaining why their favorites are la crème de la crème of comfort shows. Trust us when we say these threads are packed with all the good and warm entertainment from the past few decades.
We could all use some good old-fashioned escapism right now, and there’s no better way to get away from it than with some good shows to watch and enjoy to the fullest. If you’re not up for a serious dose of nostalgia with a side of laughter and tears, then this list probably isn’t for you. But if you’re ready to indulge in the best comfort TV shows, keep scrolling down!
#1 M*A*S*H

"We've watched it over and over with my mom once my dad left us, it will forever be the comfort series for me. Hawkeye and Radar got me through hell."
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44points
#2 Futurama

xitehtnis replied: Right there with you. I started falling asleep to it around 2002 on adult swim. These days I play episodes on my phone when I go to sleep. Usually, Hulu will play around 8 episodes per night for me, and the next night I repeat a few episodes. Go through the whole show about once a month. I also turn it on if I'm going to take a nap."
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36points
#3 Star Trek: The Next Generation

ProtocolPhilosopher replied: "Each episode is so self-contained it makes it easy to pick up and watch."
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33points
#4 Dr. Who

"Specifically the older ones. Even as a kid, it gave me a glimmer of hope that I could step into a police box and time travel away from all my problems."
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31points
#5 Parks And Recreation

no-coriander replied: "Last time I re-watched 'Parks and Rec' in its entirety I was pregnant and ended up naming my child based on the show."
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30points
#6 The X-Files

GizmoSled replied: "Yes, my DVDs have seen so much use."
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30points
#7 Frasier

DonJonSon replied: "I love 'Frasier' but watching all 264 episodes twice in one month comes down to an average of over 3 hours of watching every day, 7 days per week."
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30points
#8 SpongeBob Squarepants

"When my dad passed the last gift I had from him was a huge SpongeBob plushie. I religiously watched the series while trying to cope with my loss. And, as stupid as it sounds, SpongeBobs happiness and dorkiness often took me away from my dark times. He will always be my favorite."
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29points
#9 IT Crowd

The_Volpone replied: "In the episode where they all go to the musical, the three minutes where Jen talks to disabled Roy and then turns to the bar and asks for a drink from bartender Moss might just be the hardest I have ever laughed at any show ever."
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29points
#10 Brooklyn 99

"They basically don't stop talking the entire time. This show distracts me from whatever is going on in the real world and makes me laugh."
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29points
#11 Supernatural

averagejoe1997123 replied: "'Supernatural' holds a very special place in my heart as I was going through a very very dark time in my life. 'Supernatural' was the thing that kept me going."
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29points
#12 Modern Family

Rock_And_Stoneeee replied: "It's so funny and witty. It has jokes that are multi-layered and sophisticated, as well as slapstick goofy comedy. It has something for everyone."
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29points
#14 Great British Bake Off

cptmorgue1 replied: "This is the only competition show I actually enjoy watching because it's just so wholesome."
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28points
#15 Buffy The Vampire Slayer

kurtney_ replied: "I rewatched that around 13 times (and that's just this year).
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27points
#16 House M.D

"When I was in grad school it was 'House M.D.' No matter where I was - dorm room, library, memorial union - if I was writing I also 'House' up on Netflix. During my year and a half, I bet I watched that series 5 or 6 times. Such a great show."
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25points
#18 The Office

dont_shoot_jr replied: "It’s a good reminder that people never tell you when you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them."
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24points
#19 The Good Place

stressedstudenthours replied: "Same, except I always end my rewatch at the episode BEFORE the finale. It's a great series closer, but man does it make me cry."
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24points
#20 Malcolm In The Middle

BlueChamp10 replied: "Phenomenal from the first episode to the last."
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24points




