Comfort Shows are special. These shows are a response to how we experience and escape from the world. With constant notifications on our phones and content overload, sometimes we deserve a break. Instead of intense dramas, there are times when we want low-intensity and emotionally safe storytelling.
Nowadays, streaming platforms such as Netflix urge viewers to watch shows that are similar to programs they have already seen. Therefore, we are typically unlikely to step out of our comfort zones when it comes to our viewing patterns.
But what does the term ‘Comfort TV’ even mean?
What ‘comfort show’ actually means
Comfort Shows are defined by programs that people watch as a way to wind down from reality. For TV watchers, our comfort shows end up in a variety of different sub-sections. Each show that you watch in this manner will resonate with one of the following categories in some way, but everyone’s Comfort Shows are different.
To start with, Comfort TV shows are shows that you can half-watch and still understand what is going on. For example, these shows are ideal to have on in the background whilst you are doing other activities. A great show to highlight this is Family Guy, where the comedic tone continues throughout each episode, but each one is also unique. Having a show that you can put on whilst doing something else can also boost your motivation levels, as it provides some great background noise, so it’s a win-win situation.
Furthermore, people find comfort in shows that they can rewatch again and again. This is due to the simplistic storylines that viewers can follow, making them easy to process. Plus, shows like these are created to ensure that they will not emotionally drain you. Therefore, comfort shows are generally less about plot twists and instead focus on predictability, warmth, and a calming atmosphere. However, this is not always the case. Some people also find unpredictable and dramatic shows perfect for winding down. Shows such as “Criminal Minds” are a great example of this.
But why are Comfort TV shows so popular at the moment?
Why Gen Z is driving this trend
There are many ways that we categorize more shows underneath the ‘Comfort Show’ ideology. Here are just a few examples of how we discover our comfort programs:
Burnout and anxiety culture
Generally speaking, we tend to consume a significant amount of intense content online. This includes breaking news, social media, and political conversations. As a result, comfort shows act as spaces for people to wind down and take a break from the real world. It is not escapism in a dramatic sense. Instead, these comfort shows are more used for emotional regulation from the real-life issues everyone is going through.
Second-screen watching
Typically, we like to watch TV while also doing things on our phones. The majority of the time, people will scroll through social media or even play games whilst there is something on their TV’s. Therefore, shows that are easy to follow, episodic, and quite light-hearted fit perfectly into this category.
Rewatch culture
This concept is what most people surround themselves with when the term comfort zone ” is mentioned. We all have that one show we’ve rewatched more than once. This is because the familiarity of these shows is incredibly comforting, as we have high levels of knowledge when it comes to the plot and the characters. Examples of these types of shows are “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
Plus, there are some people who treat these types of shows as the perfect background sound when they are doing something else.
Sub-genres of cozy TV
There are also a variety of different sub-genres that our comforting shows slot right into. Let’s deep dive into these categories.
Honestly, any show that is out there can be classed as cozy and comforting. If you truly think about it, with everyone’s viewing tastes being completely different, there is a comfort show out there for every single person. But here is some of the most popular genres that are classed as ‘comforting’:
Cosy Crime
These are generally crime shows that don’t contain a high level of graphic violence or heavy trauma. As a result, these types of shows give you the satisfaction of solving mysteries and murders whilst also being in a safe, yet sometimes humorous, world.
A great example of cozy crime is “The Rookie.” This American policing show follows John Nolan (a man in his 40s), who has become the oldest rookie in the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Nolan moves states after his recent divorce to pursue a new career and have a fresh start. After graduating from the academy, his determination is what gets him through the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the job.
With a mix of romance, emotion, and comedy scenes, “The Rookie” is a must-watch for those who love cozy crime dramas that are fantastic to have on in the background. It is also super addictive and a perfect show to binge-watch!
You can stream all episodes of “The Rookie” on Now TV (UK), Hulu, and Disney+ (US).
Iconic Comedies
This genre is what it says on the tin. These are comedy shows that have been around for years, yet are still popular, and new episodes are still being released. You may have grown up watching some shows like this, thus becoming a staple in your comfort TV show viewings.
“Family Guy” is a great show for this sub-genre. This animated sitcom follows the Griffins, a dysfunctional family with an anthropomorphic pet dog. Set in a fictional city in Rhode Island, “Family Guy” displays its humor through cutaway gags that often portray American satire and culture.
You can stream all episodes of “Family Guy” here!
Nostalgic franchises
These specific shows are part of a well-known franchise that we have grown up following and watching. Although you may not have watched anything from these specific franchises, you know they exist. Take the “Game of Thrones” franchise as an example of this, with the series influencing two spinoff series that follow the original HBO show.
A recent example of the nostalgic franchises is the “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” series. The animated show takes place after “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” by following Sith Lord Maul during his reign over the Galactic Empire. Viewers experience Maul rebuilding his criminal enterprise by seeking a new apprentice. The 10-episode series is visually similar to “The Clone Wars” but is more focused on Maul’s character and the planet Janix.
You can stream season one here, with a second season currently in development.
Key features of Comfort TV
But what truly makes TV comforting? Here is a list of some of the key features that Comfort TV includes:
One way that television shows are comforting is a result of the predictability that each show maintains. This element ensures that people can essentially guess what is going to happen throughout each episode. And this is somewhat reassuring when wanting to watch something lighthearted and easy to follow. “Gilmore Girls” is an excellent example of this, where Stars Hollow is a cozy town filled with calm friendships, but is also aesthetically pleasing.
Also, Comfort Shows generally include small and soft levels of conflict. Although problems occur throughout these shows, they are easily solved and rarely traumatic. But, in crime/policing shows, there are some episodes and scenes that can be much more difficult to process than others. Subsequently, TV shows are comforting because of the characters and tone throughout. This is because some shows can be an emotional rollercoaster—take “Grey’s Anatomy” as an example of this, which is very dramatic and unpredictable.
In addition, shows that have likable characters typically tend to be the most comforting. By having a lack of anti-heroes, viewers actually enjoy seeing the way that the characters progress throughout each episode. In turn, people end up finding comfort in these fictional people, making these storylines feel like an escape.
Finally, comfort shows typically have an easy episodic structure for viewers to follow. Shows like this make it simple for people to drop in and out of without having to completely keep track of the plot. Subsequently, shows such as these are the perfect ones to have on in the background whilst doing other tasks. “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” follows this strategy.
But a lot of these shows have ended up becoming popular as a result of social media. Especially TikTok.
The TikTok effect
Comfort TV shows actually thrive on TikTok. This is a result of a variety of different things.
By having a social media platform that is commonly used to upload videos, some users start uploading scenes from shows onto TikTok. As a result, these clips are much easier to share between other users. Plus, these scenes are typically either funny, wholesome, or popular and well-known. Here is an example from Family Guy, where this scene is quite popular as a result of social media:
Subsequently, this leads to some of the more popular scenes being used within fan edits. So the more people who see the edits (who are new to the specific shows) may be more inclined to watch them. Therefore, more people may end up finding their next watch and comfort show as a result of TikTok. This is typically done through compilation edits that highlight some of the funny moments.
In relation to the previous point, some fans even begin to romanticize small yet significant moments. Take this edit based on two characters from “The Rookie” as an example. Fan edits highlight moments that are lighthearted and make viewers smile—or they are emotional and highly intense. It’s a great way to express creativity whilst sharing viewers’ favorite moments throughout their comfort shows. This is down to the fan culture, where the small moments are significant to the main plot.
Our generation will always go back to one specific show for a multitude of different reasons. Everyone’s Comfort Show is unique to them, and we tend to stay close to that type of genre throughout our viewing habits. But maybe it’s time to step out of the comfort zone. What Comfort Show should you start watching now?
