Happy Wednesday!
To answer your questions, everyone here is still alive. There are a lot of work and projects which House Andrews are putting all their time and energy into, which we will hear about very soon.
In the meantime, I require your collective entertainment wisdom, please.
What have you watched lately that put you in the mood for autumn and joy?
The average human body may be made of 60% water, but the average Mod R body is made of 60% anxiety – so I usually have a curated routine of TV shows and movies that I know by heart playing in the background, which helps me keep a cozy homeostasis. The first hint of autumn means the Gilmore Girls and Agatha Christie’s Poirot marathons start, and I enjoy sipping my PSLs with dashes of Lorelai and Hercule sass.
This year, the old faithfuls are not hitting the spot. My brain wants more escapism and new things to watch, and that’s where you come in. Tell me of your favourites!
My requirements are simple: cozy is excellent, funny is even better, and lovable characters are a huge bonus. What I don’t want is a show where relentless drama, heartbreak, misery or gore is the point. No staring hollow-eyed into the middle distance contemplating the injustice of existence after each episode. We have that at home.
One of the recent things I thoroughly enjoyed was Season 2 of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, which was even better than Season 1, imho.
It is Guy Ritchie, so the usual warnings apply: this is very much not something to put on while the kids are around, and I would give it a miss if profanity or violence bother you. There are criminals, drugs, and people who meet exceptionally sticky ends.
But it’s also very funny, and the characters are ridiculously entertaining, lovable, and stylish while they go around making terrible life decisions. It has a soupçon of P. G. Wodehouse in the 21st century, if you imagine PG writing his stories after playing a lot of GTA: posh fools + criminal chaos + immediate affection for the characters.
Then, like every self-respecting witchy Millennial woman, I have of course booked tickets to see Practical Magic 2 this week.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as Sally and Gillian Owens, the aunts are back, the Owens family magic is back, and apparently an old family curse is still demanding attention.
I will be there, putting the lime in the coconut after 28 years.
There’s also Widow’s Bay, which my algorithm is convinced I have to watch, based on how desperately it’s shoving it at me.
It’s a horror-comedy set on an isolated New England island where the mayor is desperately trying to convince everyone the town is perfectly normal while the locals insist it is cursed. It certainly sounds perfect on paper, but something about it is holding me back. It’s also won loads of Emmys, so I imagine a lot of people here have seen it. Let me know whether I should pounce!
Please feed my watchlist, BDH!
First?!
I thought the app was not showing comments so went to the website to check!
Certified 🙂
2nd
Second?!
Ope! Third! Closest I’ve ever been to first.
3rd 😜
I love having big bang, schitt’s creek, or modern family on it I want something funny and mindless to take my mind off of things. Or literally any baking show.
+
Mod R, are you like Murderbot, who defaults to the Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon when it is stressed? Speaking of which, I hear the show is supposed to be pretty funny, but since I don’t have Apple TV, I haven’t seen it yet. I’m waiting for a free week when I can sign for the 1 week free trial, binge Murderbot and the new Jackie Chan/Tonu Leung movie, and then cancel, lol! I really want to see how they adapted it since I love the books.
Just don’t go into the tv adaptation expecting the books. It is an adaptation and the characters have changed a bit. Mensah still has her essential Mensah-ness, which is absolutely crucial for the story and Murderbot’s development, but the adaptation really plays up the “space hippy-ness” of the rest of the crew.
I will also say that the roughly 20-30 minute episodes (minus credits at the beginning and end) drove me nuts. Waaaay too short. There are 10 episodes, so you get roughly 4 hours of content
I felt like the characters were all a little less experienced than the books, which I think made sense from a storytelling perspective. I actually thought the space hippie thing was quite clever because it aligns the audience closer to Murderbot’s opinion of them initially.
That’s a good point.. I did not appreciate the increased goofy quotient but will have to rethink that
Murderbot is not a comedy. It’s angsty and caring and we love it (although for me the book’s more than the show) but it’s not a comedy.
I binged it on an Apple TV free trial and enjoyed it because I could watch with my other half who still hasn’t read the books but felt similarly. Have you listened to the GraphicAudio adaptations? I loved them so much, don’t mind me just walking around listening to Murderbot…
loved Furious on prime – very intense!
waiting to see the end!
For cozy and funny I suggest Schitts Creek. That show got me through the beginning of Covid times. The first season is a bit uneven, but it gets better as it goes.
While Widow’s Bay doesn’t really fit with your request, it is a fantastic show! Not cozy, but it’s absurdly funny throughout.
Saw another rec elsewhere for Widow Bay. Might check it out
I haven’t watched much traditional TV lately. I listen to Reddit podcasts to distract my brain. Mostly what I watch is Anime because even if it is Drama it doesn’t hit hard. It just feels more absurd which can be cathartic.
Based on the given examples, I am not sure my favorites would mesh.
Ascendance of a Bookworm is fun. I can relate to the main character. She died in an avalanche of books in a minor earthquake after being saved from truck-kun by her friend. She is reborn as a sickly child in a world where books are rare. And her trying to improve her living situation.
Same! Fluffy K-Dramas and anime are my cozy comforts right now when watching regular sitcoms is too much. There’s inherent whimsy baked into the genre that seems missing in western TV lately. Granted, it does require a willingness for subtitles.
Other lighter anime I’m loving right now:
Apothecary Diaries (our girl just wants to study weird plants and get asked to solve mysteries because she’s reliable)
Spy x Family (supposedly cool spy adopts a child and is trying to be a good dad while keeping his job secret)
That time I got reincarnated into a Slime (salaryman becomes a slime, decides to develop an equitable society by inventing civil engineering)
I always come back to Friday Night Lights (fall football). Getting ready to rewatch Dept Q and The Diplomat in advance of the series returns. Because, who doesn’t love snark.
And finally, just rewatched Steel Magnolia ( Dolly is hilarious) and Practical Magic— in anticipation. Just a couple of my favs. That is of course until I get a new Andrew’s book 😉
Dept Q is SO GOOD! Can’t wait for season 2.
And the Diplomat actually, I loved it!
Yes! Love Dept Q. The Diplomat is also amazing and was a good sub when Netflix took away Madame Secretary one of my comfort shows!
I was going to say Friday Night Lights too – such a good autumn show. Yes, some drama and sadness, but an absolute heart of gold, sense of place, and humor to soften the emotions.
I’m so excited!!! I received an email saying the vellum is on its way!!
Sorry Mod R, I don’t watch TV on time, I’ll get a month of NetFlix later or get the DVDs. You’ll be overwhelmed with suggestions, I’m sure.
When I am feeling down or simply not feeling well, my go to tv show is Doctor Who (2005), not original or Disney version. I re-watched it many times and I still enjoy it.
i too enjoy the doctor who reboot! i got the dvds thru my library.
Hmmm. I’m in the part of Texas that simply WILL NOT cool down. I’m tired of 95-105 degree weather. It’s September. Cut it out, weather. So yes, please. Bring on autumn.
Have you ever watched Eureka? It’s a fun series from Syfy from 2006. It’s based around a town of geniuses and the everyman sheriff of the town. Part of what I love is that “genius” is not limited to scientific types. Colin Ferguson’s comedic timing — including physical comedy — is brilliant. I’d put it close in vibe to USA Network’s Blue Sky programming (Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, White Collar, etc.).
Leverage is also a great feel-good show . . . especially if you’re a heist fan. Soooo great to watch terrible people get taken down. Great plots, excellent banter.
oooh if you love Eureka you should watch Warehouse 13. there are some great crossovers that happen between Warehouse 13 and Eureka
+1
+1
++ for Leverage and then Leverage: Redemption! “Bad guys make the best good guys” ❤️
Actually ++ to everything Tempest recommends. Psych is one of my go-tos as well!
+1 for Eureka. Loved watching that show!
And +1 to Warehouse 13
+1 for Leverage (&Redemption)
+1 for Eureka
+1 for warehouse 13
And also +1 for original seasons of The Librarians (but not the newest 2 seasons with new characters)
Also
Wednesday if you haven’t watched it. ESP Season 1
and
The Goes Wrong tv shows. Also Peter Pan goes Wrong and the 2 Christmas Goes Wrong longer productions. Here in the US we need Britbox to watch these. Maybe in the UK it is easier.
i loved eureka! i’ve been thinking about doing a rewatch, its been so long since i last saw it. and i agree if you like eureka, warehouse 13 is wonderfully awesome too.
leverage is one of my absolute favorites. the bad guys always get what’s coming to them, and that makes me feel good. its got a good sense of humor too, and a reboot leverage: redemption is great as well.
+1 for Eureka and Warehouse 13! I have rewatched them multiple times. Eureka especially gives me feel good/comfort vibes. ^_^
And Warehouse 13! It coincides with Eureka a little. And I second Leverage. That’s one of my comfort shows for sure. Love me a good heist.
A favorite funny comfort watch for me is Spaceballs (the movie). It doesn’t really fit what you asked for, but it’s funny, over the top, and ends happily.
Golden Girls (a tv series) is always a good call too. Sophia is sassy and my favorite, but overall it’s a fun, feel good show.
Hope you find something that you enjoy! 🤗
I just thought of one you might like, but I haven’t watched it in a while. McLeod’s Daughters. It’s more of a drama, but has the same women feel to it, if that makes sense. An Australian tv series about estranged sisters who inherit a cattle ranch.
I’m not sure if it really fits what you want. I don’t watch TV at all, but this time of year my husband and I watch classic horror movies (little to no gore). Universal from the 1930s-1950s and Hammer from the 1950s through the 1970s.
The classics are all[or most] available on Peacock TV right now!
OMG!! Right before I got to this blog post my son was asking me if I saw The Thing, The Fog, Escape from New York, all John Carpenter’s movies ( he’s gobbling them up before football takes over his life😂) I knew this wasn’t what ModR is looking for so I wasn’t going to reply and then, viola your post appeared🤗 So cool knowing another BDHer is a horror fanatic.
My go to is Mythbusters reruns. I watched it with my kids and it never gets old. Especially when they blow stuff up.
Older movies – Ladyhawk, older musicals.
I forgot to add that I watch a lot of youtube cross stitch and knitting videos.
Mythbusters is such a nerdy go-to for me
And Adam Savage’s TESTED videos if I need random new content
Their old and on BritBox, but when I want that escapism I go for “Rosemary and Thyme” which are cozy mysteries, and “New Tricks” which is police show, but hysterical at points.
Sitcoms.
They always have holidays themed episodes that have feel-good feelings to them. And most of the time they make them so you don’t need context of the general season to enjoy them.
Just google “Sitcom Name” + “Thanksgiving /Halloween /Christmas episodes ” and you get a short list.
Seinfeld, Friends, TBBT, Two And a Half Men, Mom, etc etc.
I recommend “The Good Witch” its so sweet and cozy and I just love it. It’s feel good and perfect for a lovely fall day and PSL!!
Absolutely!
+1
My favorite comfort show!
+1
I would love to visit her store😂
Although it is not new and it covers all seasons, not just fall, Netflix’s “Anne with an ‘E'” has been refreshing for me.
Just ran across Nobody Wants This on Netflix and the repartee between the main characters has pulled me back in again.
An oldie, but Hart of Dixie fulfills the cozy, funny heartfelt vibe! The season cover most of the year, not all autumn like gilmore Girls. I think you’d like it!
The Owl House.
I have no idea why, (maybe the whole whitchy theme) is but is such a comfort show for me during the holidays.
It’s a kids show, so even if as an adult I can get the nuace of it, It’s still pretty chill and I always know that no matter what, everything will be fine.
I have been watching Anna Pigeon, a story of a widow who changes/escapes her old life becoming a National Park Ranger. She is still haunted by her husband’s murder, and her commitment phobia. The scenery is amazing and the story lines are interesting. Also I taught a class on Stress, something we need to keep spice in our life but too much and we are overwhelmed. The final question in a stressful situation is: will/did you die from the situation…Thanks for your always interesting posts.
Since you don’t seem to be put off by dark humor, I have two recommendations for you. Schitts Creek is both hilarious and heartwarming and is a completed series. If you like that, one of the main characters just dropped season one of a new series on Netflix called Big Mistakes—also hilarious but with a slightly darker setting (brother and sister get blackmailed into mob activity). Season two is in production.
Also, two of my favorite murder series are Shetland and Vera. Murder calms me 🤪
Hope something in here lifts your spirits!
Death in Paradise and the spin-off Beyond Paradise are both good.
I was going to recommend these also, although I always end up with island envy 😎. But my real go to is anything from David Attenborough, there’s just something about his voice that is music to my ears.
I actually recommend Hallmark movies for this. Some are better than others, but they do fall themed movies and they are cozy and zero percent depressing.
Some suggestions:
Haunted Wedding
3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost
Adventures in Love and Birding
Autumn at Apple Hill
Autumn in the City
Field Day
Much About Love
Notes of Autumn
October Kiss
The Real West
Haunted Harmony Mysteries (currently a 4 movie series)
Ah, yes! Can’t go wrong with a Hallmark movie for coziness!
Ride or Die on Prime is my current favorite! It’s got Hannah Waddingham (she is goals, I aspire to be like that when I’m 50) and Octavia Spencer and they are both excellent as best friends! It’s funny, emotional, and at times had me yelling at my tv but in a good way! (Requesting a season 2, please!)
Oh, Ride and Die was great, I loved it! I should rewatch that!
YES! Ride or die is awesome!! I second your request for season 2!
(and since I’m a huge Hannah Waddingham fan I’d say Ted Lasso)
I, too have been doing a Poirot watch lately. Something new, I loved loved loved The Sheep Detectives movie!
A couple of things I enjoyed this year have been Murder Mindfully (about a lawyer who takes a mindfulness workshop and decides a certain client is better off dead), Dept Q (there is some drama, as it’s about solving a cold case, but there’s also a lot of humour), and The Residence. All of them are on Netflix, I believe. They aren’t super new, but if you haven’t seen them yet, I recommend giving them a try!
Well I did a re watch of Discovery of Witches on Netflix because they were removing it. All three series.
Then they changed their mind so it’s still there. A fun time.
Are you okay with reading subtitles and watching Kdramas? I really enjoyed “Lovely Runner” when it was airing, and it’s one of my comfort watches among quite a few other kdramas and cdramas.
It’s a romantic-fantasy/time-travel drama that is cheesy and funny in a good way. Doesn’t take place in seasonal fall but definitely is cozy and will give you the feels. You experience a sense of nostalgia with the characters and will be kicking your feet in delight!
Just my opinion: It might be available dubbed, but I always recommend watching it with the original audio language and reading English subtitles. The emotional acting/voices as well as the accurate translation gets compromised in dubbing.
I should also add that it’s completed and only 16 episodes so not a huge commitment
Have you seen the Canadian series, Schitt’s Creek? It checks all your boxes and is available free in the UK, I think.
Ride or Die was really good to watch and for reality I like Great British Bake Off, the British Sewing Bee, Great Pottery Throwdown
I second that.
one of my go to shows is Red Dwarf. brilliant humor. there is 12 UK seasons (6 to 8 episodes).
Can we say Smeghead here? 😂
I loooooove that show.
Completely different track, but i recently binged Slow Horses while pet-sitting (Sweet! No sign up for me necessary), it’s frickin excellent.
And I just found out about Mr. Inbetween. It’s intense but the guy who plays Ray is outstanding.
Widows Bay is soooo good! Can also highly recommend Brokenwood – which has similar high kinks to Midsummer Murder Mysteries!
+1 Brokenwood is so much fun. quirky characters and interesting mysteries
If you don’t mind French language w/subtitles, there’s a series “Agatha Christie’s Murder Games”. (Many are “loosely inspired by” Christie. Very loosely.) Actually three “seasons,” the first takes place in the 1920s; the second and longest, the 1950-60’s; and the third the 1970s. (I recommend Seasons 2 and 3 – there was just something about S1 I couldn’t get into.) They stream in the US on Mhz. They’re gore-free murders and comedic.
There’s also a short series of Nero Wolfe mysteries produced in Italy (Italian w/ subtitles) that are kind of light and fluffy – maybe 8 episodes?
we just binged the 12 episodes of Chad Powers (which is about football, but not in the same way shawshank is about jail. but not) and we laughed out loud many times. 🙂 Up next for us is Resident Alien
My husband and I are watching Resident Alien and we love it! Alan Tudyk is brilliant physical comedian.
Also, for all the Firefly/Serenity fans in the BDH, Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk have a podcast called “Once We Were Spacemen” and it is hilarious!
+1000000, the humor in both series is just wonderful. If only Firefly had more than one season, I’d be so happy…
I also really enjoyed Chad Powers, especially season 2. It’s really funny but also tender and sweet in places. I love the cast and characters. There are some crass lines and f-bombs in places, but it’s still a feel-good type.
Try Jilly Cooper’s RIVALS tv show if you liked The Gentlemen. Ilona Andrews mentioned Midsomer Murders a few years ago back so we watched it and loved it and there are lots of episodes.
Midsomer Murders is one of my favorite go-to shows to toss in the background! Death in Paradise, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and Murdoch are some other good “comfort watching” 🙂
Not Criminal Minds. Bad idea. I binged that one once… had nightmares for days afterwards 😀
I was really enjoying Best Mecicine.. about the boston doctor who goes home to his quirky coastal town in Maine to try and keep practicing medicine after he develops an aversion to blood. I bet the original British version was likely better!! But I found it funny and nothing too perilous or upsetting. For paranormal I liked Discovery of Witches, and Good Omens. Really loved Department Q (broody genius crime drama but it’s ok, not too horrible unless you have claustrophobic triggers). Oh and Nobody Wants This (cute romantic comedy).
Doc Martin is the original British show set in Cornwall. The lead actor shows up on Best Medicine as the doctor’s Dad! I have all the seasons on DVD’s. The last season was really fun!
Doctor who, Lewis and the Derry Girls are amongst my favourites. Derry girls is hilarious!
Derry Girls is a great rec!
I really adore My Life is Murder. It’s a murder-lite show about a retired detective turned sourdough baker who keeps getting roped into solving unusual cold cases
+100. I love My Life is Murder. Lucy Lawless is so great. I’ll have to resubscribe to Acorn just to watch the latest season. Acorn also has the Miss Fisher Mysteries and a bunch of other light detective / crime series.
Since you mentioned Wodehouse — I recently binged Jeeves & Wooster (early 90’s UK series) on You Tube. Hugh Laurie and Steven Fry are absolutely perfect. The period details are fabulous. And then you can queue up House on Peacock, or stream Hugh Laurie’s blues albums.
And someone else mentioned Nero Wolfe above. You Tube also has videos of the A&E series from about 20 years ago, with Timothy Hutton (also of Leverage) and Maury Chakin. Video is not great, but DVD’s are available on Amazon for most regions, although pricey. Again, wonderful period details.
Resident Alien. Set in the Pacific Northwest. Heartwarming and funny with enough depth to engage and beautiful scenery. . Second the Schitt’s Creek recs. Ted Lasso. I care nothing about soccer and it’s still the best show I’ve seen in the last decade.
Agree on The Gentleman season 2!
Mod R, our taste might be different because while I did think characters were funny, I didn’t finish season 1 of the Gentlemen because seemed answer to every problem was blow someone’s head off.
That said, my cozier autumn favorite to just play in background while crocheting is Good Witch.
yes good witch! so cozy!!
The Libarian (s) mostly on Amazon Prime, both incarnations of Leverage. The original series and the follow up series. A Place to Call Home, and finally Murdoch Mysteries. All very similar to the general feel of Agatha Christie stories.
i very much enjoyed the librarians tv show, and the librarian movies.
I honestly was going to suggest Widow’s Bay. It is slightly a little of a horror show, but I laughed so much during the series. It was so good. I’m thinking of watching it again since we too are between shows.
Maybe rent the old movie Cold Comfort Farm? Cozy and funny with a brilliant cast. I go for the old, screwball comedies like Bringing Up Baby or Arsenic and Old Lace (can’t go wrong with Cary Grant). This time of year I go for pre-Halloween. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Fantasia (Night on Bald Mountain) with multi-colored pegasus families, too. If you find something great, please share!
I love Cold Comfort Farm!!
I saw something nasty in the woodshed!
New is Blue Murder Motel, Chelsea Detective, rewatch is Brokenwood and Ludwig.
Unfortunately I don’t have time right now for any tv (although my friend told me that Great British Bakeoff starts soon). Although when I do get a few minutes, my tv gets turned onto old episodes of Forged in Fire. I have two teenage boys who love watching people make bladed weapons out of random scraps. Its low stakes for me and fun to watch them enjoy it.
Is there a particular email to use for questions regarding the store (aka, the vellum orders)? Sorry for putting this here, but it wouldn’t let me post on the last vellum update blog entry.
My first recommendation was going to be Widows Bay. I just finished watching it and it was an amazing time. Spooky and funny. Great for October! My other recs are more general and based on beautiful, fun, cozy vibes. They are Frieren and Owl House. Enjoy!
I would vote for giving Killjoys a chance. Sci-fi show from back a decade or so. Six seasons. Centers around a bad*** space bounty hunter and her two side kicks. Don’t worry, one is a nerd and the other is a jock as it should be. Everyone gets a happy ending. I love it.
Oh! I loved Killjoys while it was on and never got to finish it. Where can you stream it now?
I second Killjoys, Eureka, Psych, Warehouse 13, Good Witch, Resident Alien, Leverage and Hallmark Murder Mysteries. I especially enjoyed the Mystery 101 series on Hallmark.
For K-dramas, Business Proposal, Love to Hate You, Doom at Your Service, Beauty Inside, Boyfriend On Demand (pretty fluffy, not a lot of angst), King the Land, An Incurable Case of Love, and The Potato Lab on Netflix are fun watches. I’m also enjoying Spooky in Love but I haven’t finished it yet. I also recommend original audio with English subtitles. The emotional resonance is greatly diminished by the English dubbing.
Kdramas on Amazon Prime: See You at Work Tomorrow, My Roommate is a Gumiho, True to Love, and So I Married the Anti-fan. Non K-drama: Everwood, Farscape, and Stargate.
Lots of good recs from everyone! Now I’m making a list for myself too. 🙂
Did you see Ride or Die on Amazon? I think it is badass middle aged ladies do buddy comedy ala Jason Bourne and it sounds like it may be your speed ModR!
Don’t watch regular TV, just do streaming so a lot of my favorites have been around awhile.
From Netflix: Virgin River, Romantics Anonymous, Bon Appetite your Majesty and of course periodically rewatch Stranger Things, Bright, Dumplin
From Prime: Project Hail Mary, Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them plus the follow up to that one, Hunger Games
From Britbox: Miss Potter, Death in Paradise, The Hardacres,Vera, A woman of Substance (the new one), the other Bennett sister, Seeking Persephone
I tend to cycle thru all of these when I am knitting with side trips to Disney for the Marvel offerings
Loved Bon appetite your majesty. Ending was awesome
have you watched a show called Happy Endings?
Omg, I LOVE Happy Endings! i got to meet Adam Pally and I told him how much I loved Max on that show!!!
Another I adore is Cougar Town.
But my husband and I’s go-to is Bob’s Burgers. They have some of the BEST Thanksgivings episodes (though we really watch the show anytime of the year).
Give Leverage a try, its a suprisingly feel-good monster-or-the-week format about a group of criminals who take on scammers, evil corporations, and corrupt politicians. You can pretty much jump in wherever, in the original run, though I reccomend starting near the beginnig of any of the seasons, because each season has an overarching subplot. Warning- a few of the episodes show their age with regards to some of the gags and terms used.
I just watched the sweetest cozy romcom with my kid #2 (22 btw and some adult content). It is called Voicemails for Isabelle and it is on Netflix
Nancy Drew (2019-2023)! Distributed by CW in the US when it was broadcasting. It has some dark moments but overall is very scooby-doo-esque with great funny dead pan deliveries. “I can’t go to the library. I have enemies there.”
I already have my Practical Magic 2 ticket booked for tomorrow afternoon at my local theater! I can’t wait!!
Two fun movies we watched because of our grandsons are The Sheep Detectives and Hoppers. Both are enjoyable for adults
Right now, my favorite movies to rewatch are “Burlesque”, “The Wrong Paris” (Netflix), and Brendan Frasier’s version of “The Mummy”. The current TV series I rewatch often are “Apothecary Diaries” and “Frieren” (Netflix). The Sci-Fi series “Firefly” has great moments of humor in it but it does get intense at times.
While none of these are season-specific, I’ll continue to rewatch them at any time of the year. And since I don’t get regular TV and must stream… The Great British Baking Show” is excellent as a background show.
I enjoyed Sci-fi series Firefly as well.
If you’re looking for slightly edgier Gilmore vibes, try Younger. 6 seasons on Hulu. You’ll still get some of the mother/daughter dynamics AND it’s all about the publishing world. 😊
Ted Lasso season 4
+1 loved Ted Lasso
Just watching Season 4 of Ted Lasso, Football Coach from Kansas City Coaching a british « Football » (Soccer) Team.
I love the characters, it’s really funny and has a cozy vibe. I hardly watch any TV, but was so looking forward to the new episodes.
My sister and I laughed all the way through “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” and then we watched a couple of the episodes again and laughed again. It is only 6(?) Episodes so far but we have it flagged for when there are more (fingers crossed)
Even the opening credits are hilarious.
I used to watch “Keep Up with Appearances” with Patricia Routledge. I have them on disc when I want to watch something extremely hilarious.
Right now, I’m watching Ina Garten’s “Back to Basics” on HBO. I like watching cooking shows when I need my brain turned off. 😁
I really loved “Return to Paradise” – an Australian-British crime-comedy series, with two seasons so far, season 3 currently filming. Cosy, quirky, funny and lots of loveable characters + gorgeous scenery!
I know they are straight sitcoms, but Ghosts and Best Medicine are light, easy watches.
If you want funny I go for Golden Girls. Each episode is its own. It’s hysterical if old.
This fall I’m watching the new episodes of Apothecary diaries, it’s anime and not exactly cozy but I identify with the apothecary personality wise and I encourage everyone to give it a chance… Think feudal China, politics and tea, a hint of romance too but be aware it will touch on sensitive subjects (slavery, kidnapping, war, child marriage)
Project Hail Mary (movie) I truly enjoyed.
+1
Shits Creek – a must; and Leanne (US comedy show that just released its 2nd season). I too am not finding comfort with GG, but if you can Supernatural is a good investment and so is Charmed (ties in with Practical Magic which I too have pre-brought tickets). Have not watched but wd a Discovery of Witches fill that void?). Another classic is House (medical drama but I get bored very easily after a few episodes and pick up put down often). Tried to re-watch ER but it does NOT hold up well.
Yes to House, I always love some snarky Hugh Lawrie (I think that is the actor). The tag line ‘patients always lie’ (well more like omit or fail to mention pertinent facts, lol). I think he has a good band that he plays and sings in too…Nurse Jackie is a good one too, albeit a bit depressing in its look at addiction. Community was good the first few seasons some it was comedy gold. I haven’t seen any re-runs. Oh and there’s always Parks and Rec which Amy Poheler stars in and had several really good seasons and some outstandingly fun episodes! the budget battles with the animal shelter.. LOL.
schitt’s creek! I actually got hooked on a a show my kiddos found, The Owl House. very fun and cute.
An oldie, but a goodie: the TV adaptations of Jeeves and Wooster.
V soothing! There were four series, as I recall.
With the (relatively young) Hugh Laurie excellent as the good-natured, but brainless Bertie, and Stephen Fry as a peerless Jeeves.
It was broadcast by ITV in the 1990s, so the film quality itself is obviously not up to modern digital film standards, but the in-period sets, scenery, clothing etc make up for that (in my case).
I understand that it can be streamed on Amazon (from where I bought the DVDs many moons ago). I also understand that many episodes are on YouTube.
Apologies, I see that Sandra (above) has already recommended this.
Jeeves and Wooster is one of my heart shows! It’s always in rotation!
Hmmm….it was broadcast around the same time, so you probably have already watched it, but if not – Northern Exposure was quite fun.
It was re-reviewed in the UK Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/27/northern-exposure-disclosure-podcast-prime-video-reruns-morrow-turner.
For those that don’t know it – very quirky and 90s. And as it is based in rural Alaska, it seems appropriate for colder weather.
I don’t know if this fits your definition, but I loved the anime Kuroko’s Basketball on Netflix. I don’t know if it’s still there or in your region, but it was a fun series to me. I also fall back to Psych when I want escapism.
I forgot to mention, I just re-watched You Got Mail the other day. It starts out in the fall so it always gives me those autumn vibes.
My default is Downton Abbey and skip the overly dramatic/strong tension and bad things happening episodes (there are a few).
I LOVE The Gilded Age (HBO) – it’s got good drama (ex: “she’s divorced?!” vs “pit of my stomach dread”).
If you like whimsical we’ve just finished watching Season 2 of the live action “Avatar” on Netflix (some people may hate it but I think they’ve stayed pretty true to the cartoon).
We’re watching Season 2 of “One Piece” which is also so far very fun (Netflix).
If you like car drama (ex: Can my Kei car make it up Pikes Peak mountain!?) the new The Grand Tour (Amazon) trio is very fun.
Miss Scarlet on PBS is a fun romp into Victorian England – She’s a lady detective in a time that frowned severely upon Lady Detectives.
Enola on Netflix is also a fun romp into Sherlock Holmes’ England. Also P.S. Sherlock in this series is HENRY CAVILL!! (squee).
Oh, One Piece is awesome! And Enola Holmes!
When I want to be dropped right into the middle of Fall, watching When Harry Met Sally does the trick. It’s an oldie but the best. Almost the entire movie is shot in the middle of Fall in New England.
Modern family and friends. Honestly there’s been so much stress lately I might stick modern family on next week and begin a rewatch
Brokenwood Mysteries on prime is a great show that reminds me of Poirot a little. It is set in a small New Zealand town that has a lot of mysteries deaths. There is a lot of funny chats and it doesn’t usually get terribly dark.
I just discovered Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and am having so much fun watching it. It has music and dancing balanced by real life pathos to bring some contrast to the plot craziness. There two seasons and a movie that wraps up the loose ends. Give it a try, you may have fun with it too. Wait until Mo really starts signing. He is one of my favorite characters. Have a great day.
+ Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist loved that show but it was a rollercoaster, though it was funny and joyous at times, it broke me too. And I agree Mo is the best, though I loved Zoeys mom too. Might not be as good a singer as Mo but she definitely got the emotion, especially that one song in season two.
I love the Anne of Green Gables mini series, the one with Megan Follows, for the fall.
if you like Poirot, you will also like Lovejoy. Very funny mystery series. I also liked the Sherlock! series with Benedict Cumberbach. He made it funny.
I will absolutely second Widow’s Bay. Not cozy, but definitely funny. I don’t watch horror as a rule, I don’t need more nightmares, but it didn’t give me any, and it’s not like anything else on TV. Give it a shot definitely, it has many Emmy nominations for a reason.
Someone else mentioned Murderbot, which is also funny, although I will always prefer the books.
Chad Powers is ridiculous, and yet hilarious…
Schitt’s Creek is a must! Very heartwarming and funny, you’re going to love the whole cast. Ted Lasso always puts me in a good mood and Widow’s Bay was amazing and hilarious. Honestly, the horror is not too bad if that’s what’s holding you back. There’s a lot of comedy to balance it out.
The Gentlemen was top tier this season. I can’t wait for season three and have never been more grateful that it just started filming.
I’m really enjoying for new/current shows:
HBO’s “Lanterns” – Kyle Chandler and the whole cast really, including Aaron Pierre and Kelly MacDonald are mesmerizing. Show is relatively lighter on sci-fi (good, since I don’t know all the DC stuff though there are Easter eggs for those who do), but complex characters.
Netflix’s “The Diplomat” – again whole cast delivers, but I’m not too tense at the end of each episode, and there are funny moments. 3 seasons to binge on currently.
Paramount’s “Strange New Worlds” – yes I love all things ST (and Star Wars) related, and this season 4 has been bringing fun and serious themes to each week’s episode, including a ghost-ship, and recently Muppet themed (!), and soap opera (Deirdra Hall guest starred as a psychologist).
Old stand bys:
Parks and Rec. Leslie Knope and team crack me up every time (esp after seasons 1-2, when Adam Scott and Rob Lowe joined the cast)
The Wire. Opposite of above in lightheartedness, but seriously good stuff.
Anne of Green Gables (1985 and Anne of Avonlea) have lots of pretty seasonal colors, and great childhood/teen nostalgia for me. Anne with an E on Netflix good too.
All creatures great and small (the remake) on BBC, is my go to series for a dose of humour and cosyness.
It tells the story of a budding vet in rural Engeland during the 1940’s.
For whodunnit on Netflix
– The thursday murder club movie
– The first 2 Knives Out movies
– Absolutly not cosy, but good of you want suspense: Inside Man (the older movie about the bank robbery) The newer series is also good, but the opposite of cosy)
More comedy than cosy, but a good fix if you need a complex free laugh, on YouTube you can find the full episodes of the 2 seasons of The goes wrong show. It’s about a fictional theatre group, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, as they attempt to perform different plays.
Everything goes hilariously wrong—props break, actors forget lines, and sets collapse—creating chaotic and ridiculous situations.
https://youtu.be/OSVf3vQFWCs?si=Yr0Md_LSsh9a_RSz
In a similar vein, an oldie but a goodie :
Allo, Allo : a British sitcom set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, following café owner René as he secretly helps the Resistance.
He constantly gets caught up in absurd schemes involving hidden airmen, stolen paintings, German officers, and mistaken identities.
An oldie but goodie is Luciefer in Netflix. Funny, sexy, adult humor with a good heart. The devil goes to LA for a vacation. The show is complete so you can binge watch and not have to wait.
A second is FarScape. Older, goofy SciFi but so much fun
Lucifer is so good! Tom Ellis is just delicious aa the devil…
It is the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, so I’m planning a marathon of all the movies!
Absolutely try Widows Bay, it’s so good! It’s like Parks and Rec meets Stephen King meets Jaws! It’s a perfect blend of funny and suspense and it’s not really scary scary. Patricia is my hero!
Only Murders in the Building is one I have watched with a friend.
For my comfort watching, I generally turn to cooking shows… and I love GBM [Great British Menu]. The more recent seasons are hard to find here in the States, and I have to get off some website after much googling and swearing.
if you enjoy podcasts I would recommend midnight burger lots of fun in a diner traveling through space and time. My first thought was – is it bigger on the inside? 😄
Call the Midwife (BBC One)
Wee babies and excellent writing.
If you want a fantasy I would recommend shadow and bone on Netflix. The characters are amazing. It is based on two book series that are just so good.
Stuart fails to save the universe on hbo max is a great fun light silly show.
Do you like Anime? We are currently watching You and I are Polar Opposites, which is sweet and hopeful. A Gentle Nobleman’s Vacation Recommendation is a mix between a slice of life and an isekai-ish adventure. I also love the Apothecary Diaries on repeat.
+1 Anime.
Currently watching Bleach -Thousand year blood war.
Nowadays not much on TV is exciting anymore & my favorite late night talk show with Stephen Colbert got cancelled.
I recently binge-watched Firefly & Agents of SHIELD again.
Lanterns & Paradise (season 1)
The Old Man (Season 1&2)
Expanse (Amazon)
the tv show Psych. So much sass, heart and physical comedy
Just did a rewatch of “Trying” on Apple TV. Content warning for infertility. It’s primarily a comedy about building and dealing with family (with some dramatic storylines, but heartwarming HEA resolutions) and with great performances of quirky/usually lovable characters.
I found Deadloch (2 series, Prime, from Australia) to be both hilarious and a genuinely good mystery.
A couple of shows not mentioned:
Deadloch is set in Tasmania and is a send up of all the detective shows with a feral man as the lead detective, in this case the feral person is Madeleine Sami and she’s extra feral (for reasons) and her by the book unwilling partner is a very sensible lesbian who has moved to a gentrifying small town to save her marriage. It’s hilarious and somehow moving. Also beautiful (because Tasmania is beautiful)
Over the garden wall is peak autumn viewing and just lovely.
Killjoys – sci-fi about bounty hunters & seems a little campy but turns into a series with heart & depth of characters. It’s also a found family delight & a little more serious storyline later but still with sweet & funny moments. A complete series too!
Sr. Boniface mysteries, set in the 60s with a nun chemist/forensic scientist. very lovely, cozy vibe despite the murders! XD
love the anime Apothecary Diaries! We prefer the case of the week & noticing stuff so the overarching secret plot (especially in S2) dragged a little for us, but it is a brilliant series!
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D!
Oldie but goodie, the Vicar of Dibley. Also love the Cornetto trilogy with my favorite being Hot Fuzz. I have watched that way to many times!
I love Practical Magic!! I bought the movie soundtrack cd right after seeing the movie!
Love it and I’m so excited to see #2.
I’m gonna go get some tickets now!
🥰
I got my ticket!!
And I’m so excited! Thanks for the reminder that it was opening this week!
For recommendations…
I still have kids at home, and I’m a kid at heart, so I thoroughly enjoy Disney Original movies like
Girl Vs Monster
I also love watching Mickey Mouse cartoons (the classic and the updated) with autumn and Halloween themes.
Gotta watch Donald Duck’s “Trick or Treat”!
Oh, we also watch Curious George’s Halloween Boofest!
Rewatching The West Wing for the first time since it aired. Their politics isn’t my politics, but that doesn’t matter. The writing is incredible. The dialog snaps, and the actors deliver it perfectly. The characters are real, with their faults, their blind spots, and their tempers, right along with their brilliance. You can wish that your country was governed by people as passionate and committed as these, and I can be jealous that the writing is three times as good as I could ever have been, and I love it.
The West Wing had indeed an amazing scriptwriter. Aaron Sorkin also worked The newsroom (series) and several movies of which Netflix has a few like Molly’s Game, The trial of the Chicago Seven and The American President.
The last one is an older movie with Michael Douglas and Anette Benning, more romcom than politics and would also fit in the cosy category.
Agree with you
If you like anime, I second the earlier comments about Ascendance of a Bookworm and Apothecary Diaries. I think you (and Ilona) would really enjoy the playful poisons and general mystery solving in Apothecary Diaries. I also really like Secrets of the Silent Witch.
For real world shows, I enjoy the manufactured drama of the cooking competitions. 24 in 24 and Tournament of Champions are both worth watching. Otherwise, I’m not up to date on what else is out there. I was looking at the list of the Emmy nominees today and I realized I’ve heard of maybe two… LOL Happy watching!
I just got done watching spooky and love. It’s like K drama kind of Halloween ash, as she sees ghost was a little disappointed because the ghost stopped being helpful about 3 fours of the way through the show. Now we’re binging reacher, violence, not really much gore, but hey, alan Ritchson shirtless, at least every other episode. and i’ve been watching project runway, not for the drama, but for the comedy.
Ghosts, Small Prophets, Dinner Ladies?
Another vote for Brokenwood Mysteries (fun vibes and GREAT music, check out Tami Neilson if you’ve never heard her) and My Life Is Murder, both set in New Zealand and on Amazon Prime. It requires an additional subscription to Acorn, but worth it to us because there are plenty of other cosy mysteries on Acorn.
And yes, Ride Or Die is fantastic!
There is a playlist on Spotify called The Brokenwood Mysteries – I consider it a cozy listen!
My perennial comfort watch is The Mummy. It’s cheesy and fun and the good guys win except those poor bookcases. Not exactly autumnal, but I like it.
The Korean TV Series “Legend of the Kitchen Soldier.” If you’ve ever read a comedic manga/manhwa, you’ll recognize the skits they do as being faithfully replicated in live action, and it’s absolutely hilarious to watch.
Slow Horses on Apple+. Gary Oldman at his best, with a cast of reject MI5 agents. Excellent writing and pacing. Surprising amount of dark humor in the Brit style. New season is about to start. Jump in!
+1
In the fall, I rewatch all of the Harry Potter movies, all of the Lord of the rings and hobbit movies, and my old favorites like the British TV show from the 1990s called as time goes by. I own the DVDs for the entire season that has already been released here in the USA so I enjoy re-watching escape to the Château also.
I watched the 1st season of Seeking Persephone. It was a bit of a cotton candy of a show. Tropes where a little exaggerated but it was sweet.
Mod R, I don’t know if you ever watched Cheers the sitcom? I somehow completely missed it out when I was younger. Me and husband are happily watching it, especially on the days where the dreich Scottish rain is dragging our moods down and we always end up smiling after watching a few episodes.
We also love The Gentleman (halfway through series 2).
Absolutely seconding the recommendation above for The Goes Wrong Show (as well as the holiday specials Peter Pan Goes Wrong and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong). Every re-watch there’s another absurd error I notice and I laugh through the whole thing.
Additional recommendations – my friends and I have a weekly watch time we call “Cozy Monday” wherein we rotate through The Repair Shop (very talented craftspeople repair and refurbish old cherished items), The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge (very talented miniatures makers fill rooms in a 1/12 scale dollhouse per classic styles), and the Great British Sewing Bee (very talented amateur sewers make clothes). I don’t suppose these meet your brief entirely, but for feel-good and watching people be competent, it’s spot on.
I would recommend Downton Abbey, it does have drama and heartbreak, but it also has a lot of comedy and funny social commentary. I just adore the dowager duchess, played by Maggie Smith. Another good and super long British show is Doc Martin, and I also recommend Monarch of the Glen. But for super funny you can’t go wrong with Keeping Up Appearances or As Time Goes By with Judy Dench. Also Father Ted, Mr. Bean.
If you enjoy space opera sci fi, you really can’t go wrong with Red Dwarf, a comedy classic
We’ve been watching the new series “Anna Pigeon” on USA. It’s so good.
Best Medicine on Netflix. It’s about a doctor that develops a blood phobia and ends up moving to a small town in Maine.
Tho it’s a lesser remake of Doc Martin….
cozy Anime – Farming Life in another world. Campfire Cooking in another world.
Both are shows I watch every couple of years.
I’m late to the party here, but I wanted tell you how much I loved Widow’s Bay. I don’t like horror at all. but this show lacks the gore that I don’t like. It is smart and funny with characters behaving in ways that sometimes makes you groan. It is dark, but it is tempered with mystery and humor.
I’ve been watching Miss Fishers Muder Mysteries and My Life is Murder. Both are excellent!
For feel good fun movies The Pacifier, The Whole Nine Yards with Bruce Willis, or Red and Red II, they also have Hellen Mirren and Jon Malcolvitch
My brother just referred me to Amazon Prime to watch Vicious with Ian McKellan and Derek Jacoby, but since it started in the UK in 2013, you have probably already seen and loved it.
Young Sheldon
Leanne
Mom
Golden Girls
Schiz Creek (Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy are hilarious!)
Call the Midwife
Great British Bake Show
All on Netflix except Golden Girls on Hulu
Also really like the Black Adder series, especially the one with Hugh Laurie. So funny!
Have you watched the other Bennett sister on the BBC. I loved it – was kicking my feet in delight
Absolutely recommend Schitts Creek and Deadloch, +++
Northern Exposure came out in 1990. A young New York Dr is sent to work in Alaska, a small town big on quirky personalities. Think Doc Martin, etc. funny, low stakes, beautiful scenery.
Currently on free to air in Australia, but it pops up all over regularly. I’m off to check out some of these other suggestions, thanks all!
Don’t watch a whole lot lately but some old favorites are Lovejoy, a mystery series involving an antique dealer/appraiser/forger and Blott on the Landscape, a miniseries about a German groundskeeper preserving the lady landowner’s property by turning it into a wildlife sanctuary.
Highly recommend ‘Somebody Somewhere’ on HBO. Ran rom 2022 to 2024 so 3 seasons of 30 minute episodes. Funny, endearing at the heart of it a love letter to friendship and found family. About a middle aged woman who moves back to rural Kansas and finds home again – it was laugh out loud funny, profane and just different enough from everything else I typically watch to be a lovely break. Finishes in a complete story arc too so satisfying in that way.
Witches of Eastwick is always fun. The scenery swoon
Chocolat – the scenery swoon
Beetlejuice
Wicked
LOVED widows bay!!
Elsbeth – my favorite trope of the non-neurotypical (comes off as ditzy) solves murders by seeing things that others don’t.
Great pottery throw down – seeing people make ceramic is so freaking cool, and the vibe is supportive, when they’re selected to leave “everyone here is so talented, it was my time to go” wholesome dopamine
Please share what you watch and what you think of it!!
Murderbot got a series but I havent watched it yet. The book is my cozy reprieve
The books are the best, I was very unhappy with the series and only watched the first episode. They have turned the team into ditzy hippies and changed the narrative too much
The Librarians. Not sure if it is cozy but it is escapist
Ted Lasso and Ludwig are shows that I enjoy. Ted Lasso is a show about a soccer coach that’s not really about soccer, it’s about the humans in that soccer world, and has an excellent feel-good quality to every episode. Ludwig is a British show about a puzzle master who starts to investigate his twin brother’s disappearance by impersonating said twin, with hilarity ensuing, and he also solves murders for the police using his puzzle mastery.
Sorry can’t you as I don’t own a TV , I listen to audiobooks and knit or read books
It’s time again to watch my perennial favorite, Roxanne. A modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, as written and played by Steve Martin. We were able to spend some time in Nelson, B.C., where much of it was filmed, and took the walking tour of filming sites. It always makes me hapoy.
I can’t wait to watch Practical Magic 2!
The other 2 are a big no from me.
For pure shenanigans and goofiness, I highly suggest Galavant! It’s a sort of medieval fantasy parody comedy and also somehow a musical. Alas it only got 2 seasons, but they were hilarious ones.
+1 for Galavant! I feel like this is a fluffy horde approved show!
Also, good eats, great British pottery show, Bones!
My favourite light entertainment go-to is Taskmaster UK – any series – will watch repeats again and again. I always belly laugh at some point of the show.
Second is The Brokenwood Mysteries – NZ crime show – quite kitschy and quirky. It’s up to season 12 now.
Liz, have you watched Taskmaster New Zealand? I was in TEARS from laughing so hard at Season 6 Episode 1. And I laugh EVERYTIME i rewatch it even when I know what is coming?!?!?!
My sister and I binged that whole season in 1 weekend together.
yes, I do, will have to re-watch that one !
I agree comfort watches are a necessity sometimes. one of mine is Poirot and I also enjoyed
Miss Marple, especially with Geraldine McEwan
Father Brown is all light village murders. The side characters are wonderful.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a great Australian series set in the 20s. Great stories and costuming.
The Brokenwood Mysteries is set in New Zealand and has some wonderfully quirky murders.
Tongue in cheek spy movies I like, funny how Jason Statham is in most of them…
Operation Fortune Ruse de Guerre
Fast & Furious Hobbs and Shaw
Spy
Red & Red 2 (Bruce Willis)
And feelgood, it all comes right in the end ones
One Hundred Foot Journey
Ever After
Never Been Kissed
Being from Australia, I am not sure what is available over your way. Hopefully there will be enough suggestions from everyone that you are spoilt for choice.
If you like detective/mysteries with a bit of humour, I enjoyed “The Residence” — It was on Netflix in Canada.
Also, you could check out “Jury Duty” and their Season 2 of “Jury Duty Presents Company Retreat”. In Jury Duty, all of the people in it are actors except for one guy, who thinks he’s a juror in a real court case. It’s priceless.
Will Ferrell has an 8 episode show called The Hawk on Netflix. It gave me Ted Lasso vibes kinda. It’s an old golf pro who wants to make a comeback. Funny with a nice edge of sincerity and love from the MC who comes across as crass and oblivious. Also liked Jury Duty on Amazon Prime. A mocumentary that was hilarious. Also Elle on Amazon based on Legally Blonde movies. 8 episodes and sooooo good. Light hearted each rec.
I recommend watching Bad Sisters! A brilliant show, beautiful Irish views. Fun and well-written.
Well, personally, I like Elementary. The Sherlock Holmes series that’s got funny, smart and intrigue with just a smidge of action in a decent balance. Not every episode is ‘perfect’ but for a series that spanned 8 seasons, it’s as close to a perfect series as it comes IMO. Castle would be one except it slides off the rails after like Season 5 or 6..
Anne of Green Gables? I haven’t watched it, hence the question, but maybe?
The 1985 series is the one to watch.
It’s the only time, for me, where the book’s character and description was perfectly matched by the actor
My go to comfort show is Leverage. I have the first five seasons on DVD. Listening to the DVD commentary tracks while crocheting got mW through the first 90 days if the Covid shutdown.
I won’t say there isn’t pathos or good people suffering, but there are also people stepping up to help out in extraordinary ways, and a strong sense of justice runs through. Bad guys get caught and their just desserts.
I recently discovered The Librarians- the tv show, reboot, and the movies. Totally in love! Cozy, warm, libraries, great characters, history, mythology, and adventures!
‘Ludwig’ for a short series of cosy crime
‘Make it at Market’ where people have a go at turning their hobby into full time work, thus ‘living the dream’ of enjoying work!
I rarely watch tv (read books)and only have Prime. Recently watched all 3 Hangover movies with a group because someone is getting married which made Prime suggest I watch tv show “Bored to Death”. I grew up with Cheers so I clicked it.
I have smacked my leg laughing at it.
If you like Poirot, you might enjoy the Dame Joan Hickson Miss Marples if you haven’t already seen them. She’s a delight.
Based on Hercule Poirot, my brain immediately went to Don Mateo and Father Brown: mystery solving good doers in cassocks. Also in the mystery vein, Monk: Obsessive Compulsive Detective. For funny I would go with Red Dwarf or Red Green.
All older shows. I don’t have any reckies for new shows. The last new show I tried to watch was GoT, and halfway through the first episode I was like, noooooooope! and I haven’t really wanted to watch any new shows since then.
Movies, eh, I liked Sheep Detectives. It was cute. Sue me. Also Masters of the Universe. It was kinda dumb, but kinda funny. The talking green tiger needed more screen time.
“Keep your stick on the ice.”
Ride or Die is great
Ride or Die is really good if have not watched it yet. Got some action violence and sad moments but I think it leans more into the buddy comedy feels enough to balance it out.
Kath and Kim! An Australian comedy 🙂
Haven’t read all the comments yet but anyone mention Resident Alien?
Alien comes to Earth with a view to ending us all. Kills and takes over the body / look of the town doctor (who has a whole separate story lint himself, coming out way later). Learns how to “human” from watching episodes of Law and Order and how to do doctoring from the internet. Begins to get feelings and becomes more and more pro-humanity over the various seasons’ episodes.
Consistently funny. Characters all likeable. Smart fun.
Oops! Also forgot Cunk on Earth and Cunk on History.
Philomena Cunk, the interviewer/presenter of the series is soooo deadpan funny doing one of those British documentaries about how the earth evolved or history happened. And when she interviews real experts / talking heads and throws them for an hysterical loop.
Mark Harmon is coming back to NCIS (Origins, that is). My world is complete.
For fall, I like The Replacements, a fairy tale of a football movie with Keanu Reeves.
My comfort watches,
Dad with George Cole & Kevin McNally, Murder She Wrote, Ellery Queen series 😁
Brokenwood Mysteries based in New Zealand, no gore/’unique’ murders, small police force, quirky town, repeating characters who grow and change over seasons to make it more like a real town. Shows are 90 minutes long so they can really develop.
Murder in Paradise is another one that’s relaxing to watch.
Time Team re-runs on YouTube are always good as well ;).
oops I meant Death in Paradise about murder in paradise 😉
Ok so my suggestion has definitely got your cozy, funny lovable characters but you may be hesitant because it’s a show about soccer lol I know I never thought I’d be into a show about soccer either but trust me if you have not tried Ted Lasso just give it a go because I promise you, this quirky coach from Kansas will charm his way right in into your heart and you will be addicted almost immediately!
My comfort watches are Taskmaster and Great British (or Australian) Bake off 🙂
I also really enjoyed How to get to heaven from Belfast.
Sterling Point is a coming of age comedy set in Ontario lake country that reminds me of the beauty of nature and is quite funny. Canadian content for the win!
I just rewatched all 5 seasons of Slow Horses. The next season kicks off next week. In my humble opinion, worth a month’s Apple subscription to watch. It’s a spy show, but the characters are great, including Jackson Lamb. His hygiene is bad, but the sarcasm is great.
Not too heavy, but it’s a spy show.
Are you watching Ludwig? Very low key and the main character is so lovable. BBC?
I also just rewatched Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. Lesley Manville was great. And the clothes at Dior were beautiful. I’m not describing well, but it’s, overall, a sweet movie.
Widow’s Bay was very good. Deserving of all the recognition. Part creepy, part funny (the people are real characters).
Love this topic. Now to dive in to the comments for some ideas!
Brokenwood or My Life Is Murder perhaps.
Ted Lasso . it’s heartwarming and funny. Sports may not be your cup of tea, but the sports part is not the focus. it’s on Apple TV.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Hilarious and entertaining with a dash of murder.
Currently watching my life dive head first into a deep, crushing downward spiral. Highly recommend for that nice crispy autumn feel.🫠
I’ve rather enjoyed Seeking Persephone.
I generally devolve to reruns of Great British Baking Show. Roku also has the American and Canadian versions (I love the Canadian show). I’m also currently working to catch up with Only Murders in the Building to prep for the London based series coming up in December.
Ted Lasso!!!
If you haven’t seen it yet you could try Wednesday (built on the Addams Family). Is gothic humor a thing? Also the Miss Fischer mysteries is entertaining.
My go to is Alias. Kick ass female lead (Jennifer Garner), good friendships, and great fight scenes. I wanted to be Sydney Bristow when I grew up.
Fall nostalgia calls Buffy and Firefly to mind. As well as both the Colin Firth and Kiera Knightly Pride and Prejudices. And The Princess Bride.
I have been enjoying Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. Cozy and great friendships. The drama is all interpersonal.
Wanda Vision and Agatha all along on Disney. Very fall.
The Darth Mal animated show is also excellent
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. Very quirky
Strange New Worlds (Star Trek) is mostly fantastic
MI5 is a little darker, but another good British spy show
The Witcher (dark, but great fights and cool world)
Castle Impossible- couple restoring a French chateau and running a wedding business. Super cosy, great designs, and very low drama.
+1 for Leverage (&Redemption)
+1 for Eureka
+1 for warehouse 13
+1 the good witch
+1 the sheep detective
+1 slow horses
+1 widow’s bay
+1 resident alien
+1 firefly
+1 good omens
+1 doctor who
+1 the librarians, though I like the movies better
+1 Sherlock
+1 the expanse
+1,000 the west wing
Thanks everyone for all the recs. I am going to enjoy watching them!
Widow’s Bay is excellent, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I started, the horror is good, but by the end I think the comedy aspect really is genius.
I have quirky tastes but some I love:
north of North (1 season so far)
ghosts (uk and us)
people of earth
recipes for love and murder
enlisted (1 season)
raising hope
sprung (1 season)
better off Ted (1 season)
wonderfalls (1 season)
the finder (1 season)
animal control
pushing daisies (2 seasons)
Candice Renoir (French)
a few of them are fall-ish in setting, but all of them are funny and/or feel good shows with low angst.
I love GG too! It doesn’t have quite the quirky characters, and it’s a drama, but McLeod’s Daughters is what made me fall in love with Australia, beautiful landscapes and the masculine eye candy is yummy☺️
Many of my favs are fantasy/paranormal shows-
Dark Comedy:
Charmed 1998
Lucifer 2016, Tom Ellis
Dark Comedy, a little darker:
Preacher, Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga
The Umbrella Academy
The Magicians 2015
Orphan Black 2013
Sitcom:
The Good Place 2016
Ted Lasso
Monty Python
Star Trek, the next generation…Make It So!
Leverage is my comfort show! SO smart, funny, and wholesome. every episode is a feel good episode that makes you think, and the bad guys always get their just desserts. So satisfying in today’s world! And the sens of humor and pop culture references would really vibe with you I think. The 5 seasons are on Prime, and then there’s also the sequel show, Leverage: Redemption which is also excellent and on Prime!
Some of my favorites are:
Brokenwood on the Acorn channel. I would call it a cozy mystery/cop show.
My Life is Murder; also on Acorn.
Damsel on Netflix was a surprisingly good movie. Not at all what I expected.
I hope you find something new to enjoy and share with the rest of us.
I don’t think anyone’s mentioned this, so – “My Brilliant Career” – the recent TV show, not the movie (or the book). Those might be great too, but I haven’t experienced them. I just finished watching the show and really enjoyed it. Set in 1900 Australian outback – smart, funny female lead, great older female characters, a little spice, gorgeous scenery.
Watch very little tv, but I’m waiting for the next season of Only Murders in the Building. A little bit slow of a start the first season, but I’m really invested in the characters and oddball plots now.
All of my go tos have been on Apple TV lately:
Slow Horses: dark comedy action spy drama centered on a small spy division that takes the rejects
Murderbot: scifi with plenty of humor, I loved the books and I think this is a great adaptation
Sugar: detective serial with a twist towards the end of season one. The protagonist’s love of classic film lends a lot of warmth to the series.
Widow’s Bay: one of the few shows everyone in the family loves. We’ve watched it through twice. Great blend of comedy, horror, and quirky small town characters.
Silo: probably too serious / gritty but we’ve really enjoyed it. It’s set in the future where humanity is residing in underground silos due to some past event that rendered the surface uninhabitable. Lots of very complex characters with one season’s villains becoming the next season’s semiheros once their motivations are revealed.
right now my guy and I are watching Justified on Hulu. there are some quirky moments and some violence. but the interaction between the characters is worth it. makes you want to not go near the county( if there is one )of Harlan Kentucky.
I’m really enjoying the Magpie Murders (followed by series 2 and 3, Moonflower Murders and Marble Hall Murders, all on PBS). Death Valley on Britbox is also just delightful.
Cozy, funny, lovable for all of these. Check, check, check. I also really enjoy the conceit of each.
Totally agree! 😁
Since you’re in the UK, you probably know of Lark Rise to Candleford. I also realized that two of my favorite comfort-watch films begin in autumn/winter and end in spring/summer: You’ve Got Mail and Meet Me in St. Louis.
I love both Eureka and Warehouse 13 (mentioned by some others in earlier comments.) Both are so much fun!
I also like The Librarians. I prefer the original series rather than the current spin-off (is it considered a spin-off if it’s a continuation of the story and the characters from the first series show up in the current one?) I do like the new series and it’s definitely growing on me, I’m just not sold on the characters (and in one case the casting/acting in my opinion just doesn’t live up to the original, which was a lot of fun!
Oh who am I kidding? Now that school has started I don’t have time to watch tv! Too busy learning Spanish, reading about the origins of humans, creating art, etc. TV can wait until the winter break! 😂
For something with no stress and just funny try Leanne on Netflix. I watch it when I need a few giggles.
kingdom with Stephen fry, warning tho, it’s only 3 seasons
1. SuperStore (prime video)
2. Nos vemos en mi vida 19 (netflix)
3. Sr. Reina (netflix)
4. Diarios de una boticaria
Ghosts
Derry Girls. Absolutely hilarious, smashing take on the Ireland troubles as felt, in the complete background, by a group of teens whose troubles really are more serious. The accent and language alone is perfection. So is the music.
Pride and prejudice and zombies. Spunky and sass mixed with martial arts with a dash of leather trench coat clad true love.
For a cozy show with delicious food and warm and supportive female friendships, I recommend The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House
I also recommend Perfect Days by Wim Wenders. It follows the life of a toilet cleaner in Tokyo and his routine life.
Mrs Harris Goes to Paris is also a great comfort watch, about a widowed house cleaner who falls in love with a couture Dior dress and goes to Paris to get one and in the process makes friends with everyone. It’s very sweet.
Resident Alien. Just got into it. Binged. Alan tudyk is phenomenal and it has a dry sense of humor that I think you might enjoy.
Whiskey Galore. It is in black and white but well worth watching!
I always return to The Story of Ming Lan.
It doesn’t scream Autumn, and cozy, but when I want something familiar, with happy ending it is my go to series. Extra Bonus the 72 episodes!!!!
I watch Father Brown. It’s nothing special. It’s a cosy drama about a nosey priest who finds the bad guy. set in the 1950s.
The residence on Netflix is worth a watch
2 old ones. There’s the New Zealand series Brokenwood and, of course, Midsumer Murders.
My comfort shows are murder mystery/ cop shows. Midsomer Murders is my all time favourite comfort show. Midsomer-esk shows are the Marlow Murder Club and The Brokenwood Mysteries (its a New Zealand show, 12 seasons and its great) Also Death in Paradise and its spin off Beyond Paradise. (Oh wow thats a lot of murder) And my all time favourite to play in the background, The Muppet Show.
Try Ludwig with David Mitchell. The second series is currently on BBC 1, with the first available on iplayer.
This is clearly a time for comfort movies, i.e. disaster movies. Think Dante’s Peak, The Day After Tomorrow, Deep Impact. And (not a disaster movie but) the best feelgood movie of all time – Apollo 13.
I highly recommend Dark Winds. The series are based on the Navajo detectives novels written by Tony Hillerman and continued by his daughter Anne. Although my opinion is that the supernatural element is a bit over emphasized in the show, the peek into Dine culture and language is very well done. Filmed in the 4 Corners area of the US, the landscapes are stunning. The books are also a fantastic read.
Ted Lasso. Little Voice.
Huge +1 for Ted Lasso! Ignore the fact that it looks like a football show – it’s not. It’s my go to feel good show ever since I finally got around to watching it.
Ted Lasso and Hocus Pocus!
If you want to go old school cozy New England, try Murder, She Wrote. Who doesn’t love Angela Lansbury?
I really enjoy Reacher on Amazon prime – its very silly but there is a fair amount of violence.
Also, I am watching Ludwig on the BBC. I am really enjoying that.
See also Sewing Bee.
Bake off is back soon too.
I also find watching old Location, Location, Location really relaxing too, if property shows are of any interest.
If you’re looking for something gentle and witty try ‘Detectorists’ – it’s a BBC4 comedy that started last decade and follows two metal detectorist friends in North Essex, UK. It’s written by Mackenzie Crook (which may mean nothing to you!) and has won a BAFTA for best comedy. Not sure which screening service in the US will have it, and in NZ it’s on Prime, if that’s any help.
And if you like it, then also try ‘Small Prophets’.
“The Haunting of Hill House” on Netflix. A ten episode series and one of the best I have watched. I highly recommend it! It’s about a family who moved into a fixer upper for the summer with the intention of flipping the house when renovations were finished. Unbeknownst to them the house is practically sentient, very haunted, and doesn’t want to let them go. This is a psychological horror story of the repercussions of living in Hill House and this family’s struggle to escape a house (even years later) that did untold damage to every member of this family. One of the main characters is an author who wrote about his experiences as a child in Hill House.
If you are in the mood for a more witchy vibe I would recommend “A Discovery of Witches.” It has an academia, witches and vampires falling in love storyline that is pure fun. Diana, a witch at Oxford University working on a thesis, is able to pull up an ancient manuscript that has not been seen for centuries and now every paranormal creature wants to get their hands on it.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0237123/
Coupling! funny, witty, great British comedy.
Try Magpie Murders on Masterpiece. For cheerful background and yummy stuff, Great British Bakeoff never disappoints.
Thank you for your stories.
How to get to Heaven from Belfast
Very funny, great watch 🙂
Sometimes I just need to go to an old school rom com in the fall, like You’ve Got Mail (oh the times have changed and I LOVE trying to explain internet to the younger generation) and When Harry Met Sally just reminds me of the fall too. In case that hits the comfy spot!
And While You Were Sleeoing!
I don’t watch very much TV, I am a reader.
But when I do I love Monk, he is funny, whimsical and relatable.
And f I want something to listen too it has to be Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter!
The Outlaws on prime –
I wouldn’t binge per se but I definitely enjoyed the humour and I haven’t seen it mentioned yet.
Dearest Mod R,
You have an exacting list of standards, which I (and Caldenia, if she were real) appreciate. Lately, I have been enjoying “SkyMed,” which is pretty much St. Elsewhere with airplanes and moose. It is the saga of the remarkably pretty young people who supply air ambulance service to Canada’s far north. And in case that wasn’t a spicy enough setup, there’s a communal house for all the unattached crew. (I mean, seriously, are their HR smoking something?) Each episode features a daring rescue and some personal growth and … they’re all of a muchness, so they can be background or foreground.
And being Canadian they’ll be polite about it.
Good Omens.
Definitely, yoy cannot do better.