My Favourite Comfort Shows

Emilia Kettle

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After a long day of hard work, there’s nothing better than settling down and catching up on the newest TV show that everyone is talking about. But every so often, instead of watching the latest big hit, all I want to do is watch that one show that I have already watched an unimaginable amount of times because no matter what, it always happens to bring me a sense of comfort.

More often than not, those shows typically tend to not take themselves too seriously and have a simple but effective production. In a better word, sitcoms – those iconic shows that, much like Marmite, you either love or hate.

Rather than focusing on those shows that I’m not so much of a fan of, I want to share those special ones that always seem to brighten my mood.

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The Office (USA)

With 9 seasons and numerous awards, the American remake of the Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant classic is arguably more successful than its British origin. Although the classic aired back in 2005, I didn’t discover it until autumn 2018 during my first semester of university, when I found myself in a city hundreds of miles away from my friends and family, feeling excited for what was to come yet slightly scared and lonely. It was also the time when I needed a show that was fun and easy to watch and to help me get through this massive new chapter of life. That show just happened to be The Office.

The Office is unique in that, unlike other sitcoms, it breaks the fourth wall. The entire show is formatted as if it were a documentary, resulting in some iconic scenes. From nerdy Dwight (Rainn Wilson) having a disguise for every employee to lovable Kevins (Brian Baumgartner) dramatic chilli pot fall.

But it’s not just the show’s brilliant direction that makes it one of my top comfort shows – the heart of the classic is its array of oddball characters. Childish boss Micheal Scott (Steve Carrell) constantly causes mischief, while employees have their own storylines, from Jim and Pam’s blossoming relationship to Creed’s mysterious lifestyle.

The show really does manage to create a group of what could be considered misfits and make every single one of them likeable in their own unique ways. In some ways the group of employees has a family feel to it, albeit a dysfunctional one.

So if you ever happen to move away from everything you’ve ever known and are feeling lonely then maybe watch The Office, but be prepared to want to watch it over and over again.

The Office (USA) is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

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Ghosts

Not many shows include a caveman, a Georgian noblewoman, a 70s scout leader, and a World War Two army officer – and that’s not even half of the ghouly gang. Created and starring the original cast of CBBC classic Horrible Histories, Ghosts is a breath of fresh air in the world of sitcoms.

Set in a derelict stately home, Ghosts sees a couple move into Button House, after Allison Cooper (Charlotte Ritchie) inherits it from a relative she never knew she was related to. But with the ghosts of Button House displeased at their new housemates, they hatch a plan to haunt them out. When their plans don’t succeed, it forces deceased Conservative MP Julian Fawcett (Simon Farnaby) to make some drastic decision concerning Allison and a window, resulting in her now seeing her new ghostly housemates. What follows is a lot of mischief from the ghosts as Allison and her husband Mike (Kiell Smith-Byone) struggle to afford the grand renovation of Button House.

Although Ghosts is a sitcom, it manages to accomplish something that not every comedic show can. It provides some heartwarming moments that remind you of the importance of life, from Caveman Robin’s (Laurence Rickard) simple yet beautiful perspective of life, to The Captain’s (Ben Willbond) bittersweet backstory that reminds you how lucky we are to live in modern times.

Of course, the story and originality of Ghosts are fantastic, but there is one thing that makes it stand out to me and land in my comforting list more than any other show. Like many others my age, I grew up watching this cast in the well-known children’s show Horrible Histories. Now nearly 12 years later, I’m lucky enough to be able to watch that same cast but in a more adult-toned comedy. Thanks to that same cast, when I watch Ghosts, it reminds me of my younger self and brings back all the memories that although might seem small to someone else, mean the world to me.

So with its heartwarming moments, stellar cast and excellent script, Ghosts has everything you would want in a sitcom, making it the perfect show to watch after a long hard day at work.

Ghosts is available to watch on BBC iPlayer 

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Motherland

You might not think that a show that follows a group of school mothers would be funny, but the hidden gem Motherland manages to make something that might seem mundane into a hilarious sitcom.

Following the main group of mothers and one dad, they cover all stereotypical mums, from stressed-out Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin) to the woman with the perfect life, Amanda (Lucy Punch). The show lends itself to some cliches, with it seeming as if every mother bar one is battling the attention and the approval of popular girl Amanda. In reality, all they want is her babysitting connections.

Though I don’t think I am the intended audience for this cult show, it has a spot on my list. Not only due to its cleverly written script, but also because it brings a whole new light into understanding my own mum’s experience as she balanced work with the drama that was the school run and all the commitments attached to it.

Motherland helps bring understanding to a lot of things, but one thing it makes clear to remind viewers is that not everyone is in the same boat. Some might seem perfect but in reality are having marital issues at home, whilst others may appear happy being single but just want someone to share their life with.

I also found that like other shows on this list, Motherland is the perfect show to watch when you might be missing home or your family. With specific heartwarming moments reminding you of that memory you might have forgotten, bringing a whole new light to something so mundane as the school run.

Motherland is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and Netflix 

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This was really just a peek into the comfort shows that I think everyone should watch at least once in their lifetime, knowing full well that if I had discussed all of them this article would have quickly become a full-blown book.

Nevertheless, if there is one thing I hope you go away with, it’s to work out those shows that you always go back to, they don’t need to be groundbreaking they just need to mean something to you.

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