TV shows with complex and thought-provoking storylines are often held up as the best of the medium, butthere’s something special about series that enable viewers to turn their brains offwhile they’re watching them. Prestige television likeBreaking BadandSuccessionrequires audiences to pay attention to every little detail, as even the smallest one can come back later in the story — and it won’t necessarily be spelled out for viewers. And it’s no secret that fantasy and sci-fi series demand effort from the people watching them; there’s no other way they’d remember all the world-building elements.
It’s great to experience TV shows that force viewers to put work in, butsimpler series are just as important to the television landscape. When audiences want to unwind in front of their televisions, it’s these shows they’ll turn to. Most of them still tackle important or serious subjects, but they do so in a way that’s easily digestible. This makes them great to watch and rewatch, even when viewers are tired or juggling multiple tasks at once.
10Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
7 Seasons & A Revival
Gilmore Girlsis the ultimate comfort show, and it’s so easy to relax and turn one’s brain off when watching the characters of Stars Hollow — whether it’s for the first time or the 100th. The series has no shortage of clever one-liners or drama, but neither of these things require viewers' undivided attention to work.Gilmore Girlsis easy to throw on when you’re tired after a long day or in the middle of another task. The entertaining banter still lands, and it isn’t hard to keep up with the relationships that drive the series forward.
The world of Stars Hollow is comforting and delightful to immerse oneself in, making it the ideal show for someone hoping to unwind.
As long as viewers are familiar with Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, everything else falls into place, no matter what episode ofGilmore Girlssomeone is watching. Even Lorelai and Rory’s backstory comes up often enough that viewers can dive in anywhere. And although the beloved series raises fascinating questions about generational trauma and parenting,it never gets too dark or requires too much effort for viewers to follow. The world of Stars Hollow is comforting and delightful to immerse oneself in, making it the ideal show for someone hoping to unwind.
Gilmore Girls
Cast
In the fictional town of Star’s Hollow, single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her high-achieving teenage daughter Rory. Mother and daughter rely on each other throughout their own life changes, romantic entanglements, and friendships.
9Parks & Recreation (2009-2015)
7 Seasons
Parks and Recreationis another TV show that elicits joy more than any other emotion, and its episodic storytelling ensures that viewers don’t need to watch too closely to follow the sitcom. There are overarching narratives when it comes to Leslie Knope’s career and the central relationships that form overParks and Rec’s seven seasons. This makes watching the series in order much more satisfying, but it doesn’t mean viewers can’t tune in and out while working through it.
It’s totally possible to turn one’s brain off when watchingParks and Rec,andthe show’s lighthearted storylines actually make it easy to do so. The sitcom’s running gags and relationship payoffs are well worth picking up on, but they don’t require the level of attention that a series likeBreaking BadorGame of Thronesdemands. LikeGilmore Girls,Parks and Recreationis a comfort show first and foremost. That’s precisely why it’s a top series to turn one’s brain off to.
Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation is a television series that premiered in 2009, focusing on Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana. She encounters various challenges from bureaucrats and citizens while striving to beautify the town through her role in the Parks and Recreation Department.
8New Girl (2011-2018)
Comfort shows are the easiest ones to turn one’s brain off to, andNew Girlis another great option for viewers looking to relax and keep things light. As with any sitcom,New Girlrequires some knowledge of the characters and their circumstances to understand. However, once audiences are in the loop when it comes to the main characters' relationships with one another, they can watch on autopilot and still get plenty of enjoyment out of the Fox comedy.
Everything fromNew Girl’s impressive performances to its clever dialogue makes it easy to fall into, and its short runtimes make it less of a commitment than a comfort show likeGilmore Girls.
Everything fromNew Girl’s impressive performances to its clever dialogue makes it easy to fall into, and its short runtimes make it less of a commitment than a comfort show likeGilmore Girls.The series boasts humor and plenty of heart, and it focuses on topics that are relatable and easy to understand. It doesn’t need overly complex storylines, andits simplicity is exactly what many viewers seek out after a long day.
New Girl
New Girl is a television series that debuted in 2011, centering on Jessica Day, an eccentric young woman. Following a breakup, she moves in with three single men, navigating her quirky personality and forming unexpected friendships in her new living situation.
7The Office (2005-2013)
9 Seasons
IfParks and Recreationis ideal for winding down, the same is true ofThe Office.The other workplace comedy is also episodic in nature, and it boasts a cast that’s easy to recognize and follow. Additionally, it capitalizes on a brand of humor that doesn’t require much effort to understand.The Officeis the perfect show for someone looking for a laugh, and its storylines hardly ever get too intricate or emotional.
LikeParks and Rec,there are some great moments betweenThe Office’s charactersover its nine-season run. But those are built towards throughout the series, and even the least engaged viewer can keep up with them. There’s also plenty of clever commentary, but it’s relatable enough that viewers will easily grasp what’s being said. All of these things makeThe Officethe perfect comfort show. There’s a reason the series has a reputation for being rewatched repeatedly.
The Office
This mockumentary comedy series observes the mundane and humorous daily lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It offers insights into office dynamics, personalities, and the eccentric behavior of both management and staff, depicting an ordinary workplace with extraordinary characters.
6Friends (1994-2004)
10 Seasons
Friendsis the quintessential sitcom, and it aired at a time when viewers were catching random episodes of TV shows on Cable rather than binge-watching series from start to finish. For this reason,Friendskeeps its premise incredibly simple, ensuring anyone can jump in at any point of the series. This was necessary at the time it came out, but it also proves useful today. There’s no easier series to wind down to, asFriendskeeps its focus primarily on the same six characters and never gets too convoluted.
Friends’best running gagsand character arcs can be more easily enjoyed by an attentive watch from beginning to end. However, this certainly isn’t required to get enjoyment from the beloved sitcom. There are plenty of people who are well acquainted withFriendsbut haven’t seen every episode. The show isn’t hard to follow, even with such gaps.This is a large part of the reason viewers can turn their brains off toFriends,though the familiar and comforting relationships between characters also help in this regard.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
5Ginny & Georgia (2021-Present)
2 Seasons
Ginny & Georgiaoften gets compared toGilmore Girls,with the caveat that its adult lead is a con artist and killer. This makes the Netflix series more fast-paced and exciting. But even with Georgia’s antics requiring more attention than a show likeGilmore Girls,it’s not hard to follow the drama that unfolds overGinny & Georgia’s first two seasons. The series is gripping enough to demand a person’s attention — even if they’re winding down or half-engaged — but still remains straightforward.
Despite tackling some serious and dark subjects,Ginny & Georgiastill has many hallmarks of a standard comfort show.
Despite tackling some serious and dark subjects,Ginny & Georgiastill has many hallmarks of a standard comfort show. Even when it gets serious, the Netflix series often feels refreshing in its candor. Its honest approach to parent-child relationships and growing up makes it stand out. Given that most people can empathize with such challenges,Ginny & Georgiastrikes a solid balance that makes it easy to fall into. Its lovable cast of characters also helps immerse viewers.
Ginny & Georgia
Ginny & Georgia is a television drama series that follows fifteen-year-old Ginny Miller as she navigates life feeling more mature than her vibrant thirty-year-old mother, Georgia. Set in picturesque New England, the series explores themes of family, identity, and the shadows of Georgia’s past threatening their quest for normalcy.
4Abbott Elementary (2021-Present)
3 Seasons
Medical dramas and legal procedurals are series many viewers turn their brains off to, andthe same can be done withAbbott Elementary. It uses a different profession to immerse viewers in its story, but one could argue that following teachers is even more relaxing than doctors or lawyers. After all, saving lives and convicting criminals is often darker and more dramatic than teaching.Abbott Elementaryhas all the strengths of episodic network shows, but its premise allows it to be more lighthearted and fun.
That’s not to sayAbbott Elementarydoesn’t deal with serious subjects, but it often does so in an endearing way. The passion of its main characters shines through, giving viewers hope and joy while watching the ABC show. Such positivity is often needed when viewers are unwinding, andit makesAbbott Elementarya perfect choice for such a scenario.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary comedy series centered around a group of dedicated teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show highlights their efforts to overcome bureaucratic challenges and underfunding, while showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on their students' lives.
3House (2004-2012)
8 Seasons
There are several great medical dramas that viewers can turn their brains off to, butHouseis undeniably the best of them. With a powerful lead, a compelling cast of characters, and humor that’s often difficult to pull off,Houseexcels at sucking viewers into its world. As the series is episodic, it’s easy to leave on in the background or watch while feeling drained. And the diagnoses are often incredibly rare and outlined by Hugh Laurie’s lead as he’s solving the case. This makes even the most complex medical jargon simple enough to absorb.
In addition to delivering medical information in an easily digestible way,Housestrikes just the right balance when it comes to personal drama between its medical professionals. The friendships and relationships don’t take up a lot of the show, but they’re present enough to invest audiences in the characters' lives. And the fact that there isn’t a ton to remember when it comes to every relationship makes these dynamics easier to follow as the series continues.
House
House is a medical mystery drama in which the villain is typically a difficult-to-diagnose medical malady. It follows Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), a world-renowned disabled diagnostician with a notorious substance abuse issue. With his team of world-class doctors, House has built a reputation as one of the most brilliant doctors in the world - an especially impressive feat when taking into account that he rarely actually sees his patients.
2Scrubs (2001-2010)
Perhaps humor makes medical dramas easier to unwind to, butScrubsis another one that requires very little effort for viewers to enjoy. The nine-season sitcom is incredibly character-focused, even as it tackles various medical cases and larger themes surrounding the medical profession. The characters are what makesScrubsso easy to immerse oneself in, though the show’s signature humor also does a solid job of selling it.
Like most medical shows,Scrubsis very episodic, and its shorter episodes make for an enjoyable and relaxing binge-watch. Even whenScrubsgets serious, it returns to its hopeful tone soon enough. The show’s lengthier storylines also give viewers a reason to keep hitting play, as it’s difficult to avoid getting invested in the romances and character struggles that unfold across seasons.
Scrubs
Scrubs is a Sitcom and Medical Comedy/Drama created by Bill Lawrence that follows a group of medical students throughout their daily lives at the Sacred Heart Teaching Hospital. The series stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison, as they work their way up from Medical Interns while juggling all sorts of hospital shenanigans.
1The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Supernatural shows often demand viewers' full attention, as they depend on complex magic systems and world-building details that audiences must remember.The Vampire Diariesstands out in this regard, as its fantasy elements feel easy to digest and follow over its eight-season run. The heart of the CW show is its characters and their relationships with one another. This means viewers won’t want to miss too many episodes ofThe Vampire Diaries,but it also makes the show feel more like a teen drama than a complex fantasy story.
This actually works inThe Vampire Diaries’favor, as all the drama is entertaining and easy to follow. It’s well-balanced with the overarching supernatural storylines, and even those never get so complex that they require too much energy to follow. Anyone looking for a fantasy series they can unwind to should consider this one. It’s another TV show that fans rewatch regularly, and it’s not hard to understand why.
The Vampire Diaries
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another’s affection.
