I just wrote an article this week for The Hollywood Reporter ("Shows That Heal") about TV shows that made me feel physically and mentally better while I was recovering from a recent illness. I’d like to know what shows you watch that make you feel better?
I belly laugh every time I watch Sean Evan's hot sauce challenge show on YouTube called Hot Ones. He's starting his 10th year! Kevin Hart returns for Round Two. Hilarious. Silly. In-depth. Connecting.
Recently rewatched remember the Titans , Hoosiers , coach Carter , macfarland USA , & Unstoppable - we all have challenges and watching people overcome feels good .
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Northern Exposure. I wonder if Kareem remembers getting a birthday card from the UC Irvine Anteaters when he was at UCLA and the plucky young woman who asked him if he’d gotten it.
During lockdown, we made our way through these shows again: NewsRadio, Flight of the Conchords, The Larry Sanders Show and The Nanny. We needed hilarity to help us through a sick time. I’m afraid I broke my TV news ban after the election through inauguration day and subsisted on MSNBC and makeup declutter YT videos. Creating order out of chaos, I suppose.
As a family we watched completed shows like A Series Of Unfortunate Events (our favorite), Veronica Mars (love your episode) and the more recent Disney+ shows Big Shot ( the basketball gets a D but the show is otherwise well done) and High School Musical, The Musical- The Series. After the kids are "in bed" but not sleeping we have watched Ted Lasso (soccer gets a D- why can't all sports shows be like Friday Night Lights and get the game right?) and Dave where we were so surprised and enthralled with your episode!
Barney Miller, probably my favorite show of all-time. Only sad part is the intro as they show the twin towers. I loved the way they all worked so well together even though they were all so different. Reminds me of my own work place.
After I had a nasty back operation a few years ago, students in my Crim Pro class (I was teaching law at the time) sent me a care package with a bolster-pillow to keep my legs elevated and DVDs with the first two seasons of The Wire. (We had had a debate all semester where I insisted NYPD Blue was the most realistic cop show they could see on TV and they told me I only said that because I hadn't seen The Wire.) Anyway, I devoured both seasons in about three days and ordered the last three seasons immediately after. The Wire is hardly uplifting -- far too realistic for that -- but it was exactly what I needed just because it was so brilliant (I'm on Team Wire when it comes to TV GOAT). When a TV show (or other work of art) actually manages to express something true about being human, I've found it's uplifting even if it's subject matter is completely depressing (as The Wire mostly is). I enjoy the old shows too but I do think starting with The Wire (or I guess The Sopranos came first), this really is the Golden Age of television -- it's finally reaching its potential as art/literature.
So many great shows mentioned here. But leaving aside an oldie but incredible goodie like TWIN PEAKS, I have to say that TED LASSO is absolutely brilliant. It’s tonic for the soul in these troubled times.
I love how so many of you named old shows. They are the "comfort food" of TV watching. Whether it's old sit-coms like "Mary Tyler Moore" or "The Jeffersons," there is a cheerful optimism that you feel watching them. Keep 'em coming. I'm loving your suggestions.
I am sorry to say that If shows like "Mary Tyler Moore" or "The Jeffersons" bring you a cheerful optimism, you might be too easily distracted from reality. As I am sure it has happened to you countless times, people have conjured up a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in their own mind to suit their biases. Ever since you signed the letter of intent in May '65, I have done the same. However, this is not the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar that I "remember."
I'm a "newsie" so it would be the PBS News Hour for mental stimulation. For sheer mindless entertainment - Everybody Hates Chris and Family Guy for newer shows, and All In The Family, Sanford and Son and Barney Miller/Welcome Back Kotter for old school. I would have loved an episode where Archie Bunker meets Fred Sanford. Plus, I loved the way Sanford and Son would bring in some AWESOME guests - B.B King, Scatman Crothers, Herb Ellis... and no one beats Aunt Esther...Grady is close, but Esther is the best! RIP Lawanda Page!
A few shows come to mind. Night Court never fails to make me laugh, no matter how many times I've seen it. Same for Seinfeld. Episodes is also a go-to to cheer me up, same with Party Down. Dramas don't really do it for me when I need to feel better, but the West Wing holds a special spot for me.
I am almost 60, and lately I have been reminiscing about the 1970s TV shows. I find myself enjoying The Waltons,Little House on the Prairie to comedies like Good Times, All in the Family, and The Jefferson’s. So wholesome snd funny. What a great time for TV.
This summer my wife and I have enjoyed watching episodes of Coach, starring Craig T Nelson, Shelley Fabares, and Jerry VanDyke. Lots of laughs from this 90s comedy.
Mr Jabbar for me it great moments on TV this s my brother earl this im other brother earl. Ed re yo drunk on national TV i might have had a little Johnny sit back an lt dady. drive the are the best pintobeans. I have ever tasted.. you go in there mr Custer and the entire Indian nations going o kill you
Its moments for me When mr Lee pulled the hair off chuck I laughed cause I have a hairy cest.
The West Wing and the Newsroom!! Excellent civics lessons, and great examples of how politics and media should work, and creative solutions when they don't.
For sheer storytelling delight: Bosch, Evil, the Good Fight, the Blacklist and Mrs Maisel always exceed expectations.
My dear fellow Sherlockian, how could you overlook Jeremy Brett as the definite Holmes? By the way, have you ever found an edition that includes the missing question in The Musgrave Ritual? I've been looking for years. . .
Please continue to take care of yourself. We need your voice of civility and sanity!
Love the murders in the building series also... Have missed Steve Martin and Martin Short together... Let's not forget Dave... Especially season two episode four... You were great Kareem!!
I belly laugh every time I watch Sean Evan's hot sauce challenge show on YouTube called Hot Ones. He's starting his 10th year! Kevin Hart returns for Round Two. Hilarious. Silly. In-depth. Connecting.
Somebody Somewhere makes me laugh, cry, and admire the humanity portrayed in this TV series. Ditto Ted Lasso. I loved Pose.
Recently rewatched remember the Titans , Hoosiers , coach Carter , macfarland USA , & Unstoppable - we all have challenges and watching people overcome feels good .
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Northern Exposure. I wonder if Kareem remembers getting a birthday card from the UC Irvine Anteaters when he was at UCLA and the plucky young woman who asked him if he’d gotten it.
Transplant… It addresses current societal concerns in an educational and empathetic way.
During lockdown, we made our way through these shows again: NewsRadio, Flight of the Conchords, The Larry Sanders Show and The Nanny. We needed hilarity to help us through a sick time. I’m afraid I broke my TV news ban after the election through inauguration day and subsisted on MSNBC and makeup declutter YT videos. Creating order out of chaos, I suppose.
I enjoy old shows like The odd couple and Taxi on hulu
My go-to is almost anything that makes me laugh until I cry like old Key and Peele or you tube videos of classic SNL skits.
As a family we watched completed shows like A Series Of Unfortunate Events (our favorite), Veronica Mars (love your episode) and the more recent Disney+ shows Big Shot ( the basketball gets a D but the show is otherwise well done) and High School Musical, The Musical- The Series. After the kids are "in bed" but not sleeping we have watched Ted Lasso (soccer gets a D- why can't all sports shows be like Friday Night Lights and get the game right?) and Dave where we were so surprised and enthralled with your episode!
The Cosby show, Different World, Bernie Mac show, Dave Chappelle show and Shaq's All-Star Comedy show to name a few😁.
Andy Griffith Show. The town of Mayberry and all the citizens make me laugh.
Barney Miller, probably my favorite show of all-time. Only sad part is the intro as they show the twin towers. I loved the way they all worked so well together even though they were all so different. Reminds me of my own work place.
After I had a nasty back operation a few years ago, students in my Crim Pro class (I was teaching law at the time) sent me a care package with a bolster-pillow to keep my legs elevated and DVDs with the first two seasons of The Wire. (We had had a debate all semester where I insisted NYPD Blue was the most realistic cop show they could see on TV and they told me I only said that because I hadn't seen The Wire.) Anyway, I devoured both seasons in about three days and ordered the last three seasons immediately after. The Wire is hardly uplifting -- far too realistic for that -- but it was exactly what I needed just because it was so brilliant (I'm on Team Wire when it comes to TV GOAT). When a TV show (or other work of art) actually manages to express something true about being human, I've found it's uplifting even if it's subject matter is completely depressing (as The Wire mostly is). I enjoy the old shows too but I do think starting with The Wire (or I guess The Sopranos came first), this really is the Golden Age of television -- it's finally reaching its potential as art/literature.
Well said. Art that articulates what we feel and think--even if dark--offers a sense of relief that we are being heard.
Detroiters is pure happiness and good vibes
I love the Good Fight.
None right now, with the state of things in our country.
Original series Star Trek.
So many great shows mentioned here. But leaving aside an oldie but incredible goodie like TWIN PEAKS, I have to say that TED LASSO is absolutely brilliant. It’s tonic for the soul in these troubled times.
Finding Your Roots
CBS Sunday Morning
I love how so many of you named old shows. They are the "comfort food" of TV watching. Whether it's old sit-coms like "Mary Tyler Moore" or "The Jeffersons," there is a cheerful optimism that you feel watching them. Keep 'em coming. I'm loving your suggestions.
I am sorry to say that If shows like "Mary Tyler Moore" or "The Jeffersons" bring you a cheerful optimism, you might be too easily distracted from reality. As I am sure it has happened to you countless times, people have conjured up a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in their own mind to suit their biases. Ever since you signed the letter of intent in May '65, I have done the same. However, this is not the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar that I "remember."
Ted Lasso, because it is wonderful, and Midsomer Murders because the inspector always gets his man (or woman). I also love CBS Sunday mornings.
I'm a "newsie" so it would be the PBS News Hour for mental stimulation. For sheer mindless entertainment - Everybody Hates Chris and Family Guy for newer shows, and All In The Family, Sanford and Son and Barney Miller/Welcome Back Kotter for old school. I would have loved an episode where Archie Bunker meets Fred Sanford. Plus, I loved the way Sanford and Son would bring in some AWESOME guests - B.B King, Scatman Crothers, Herb Ellis... and no one beats Aunt Esther...Grady is close, but Esther is the best! RIP Lawanda Page!
Sanford and Son, the Simpsons, Brooklyn 99, Avatar the Last Airbender, Seinfeld
And for best movies of all time that express American Spirit, I forgot: DO THE RIGHT THING. Prophetic
"Do the Right Thing" is still a powerful indictment of racism as well as a celebration of Black community.
TED LASSO
My all-time favorites are Survivor and M*A*S*H. More recently, Ted Lasso and the Good Fight from you list and The Good Place and Brooklyn 99
I like westerns and old treasure hunt adventures. I like History of black people.
A few shows come to mind. Night Court never fails to make me laugh, no matter how many times I've seen it. Same for Seinfeld. Episodes is also a go-to to cheer me up, same with Party Down. Dramas don't really do it for me when I need to feel better, but the West Wing holds a special spot for me.
I am almost 60, and lately I have been reminiscing about the 1970s TV shows. I find myself enjoying The Waltons,Little House on the Prairie to comedies like Good Times, All in the Family, and The Jefferson’s. So wholesome snd funny. What a great time for TV.
This summer my wife and I have enjoyed watching episodes of Coach, starring Craig T Nelson, Shelley Fabares, and Jerry VanDyke. Lots of laughs from this 90s comedy.
Stay well!!!!
Columbo re-runs on YouTube!
The 3 Stooges, original Law and Order, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock, and the Twilight Zone.
I actually prefer to watch old variety shows like Sonny and Cher, The Flip Wilson Show and The Ed Sullivan Show.
What’s Happening
Mr Jabbar for me it great moments on TV this s my brother earl this im other brother earl. Ed re yo drunk on national TV i might have had a little Johnny sit back an lt dady. drive the are the best pintobeans. I have ever tasted.. you go in there mr Custer and the entire Indian nations going o kill you
Its moments for me When mr Lee pulled the hair off chuck I laughed cause I have a hairy cest.
The Office, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Barney Miller, The Andy Griffith Show (b/w episodes only), and the gritty realism of Green Acres.
Scrubs and SportsNight
Scrubs!
The Mary Tyler Moore Show is a wonderful oldie.
The West Wing and the Newsroom!! Excellent civics lessons, and great examples of how politics and media should work, and creative solutions when they don't.
For sheer storytelling delight: Bosch, Evil, the Good Fight, the Blacklist and Mrs Maisel always exceed expectations.
Totally forgot about Bosch. Fantastic show!
All those shows are great.
My dear fellow Sherlockian, how could you overlook Jeremy Brett as the definite Holmes? By the way, have you ever found an edition that includes the missing question in The Musgrave Ritual? I've been looking for years. . .
Please continue to take care of yourself. We need your voice of civility and sanity!
Sending virtual chicken soup.
The Big Bang Theory. Only show that makes me laugh out loud no matter how many times I’ve seen the episode.
Love the murders in the building series also... Have missed Steve Martin and Martin Short together... Let's not forget Dave... Especially season two episode four... You were great Kareem!!
Schitts Creek
Lucifer. Funny, relevant, and thought-provoking.
At the moment, it's all about Ted Lasso.
The Good Place