this post was submitted on 04 Apr 2025
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[Moved to Piefed] Television

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I am someone who always enjoys having something on in the background, helping me focus.

I love me some Andor, GoT, a lot of newer stuff that is made with really high production quality - but I sit down to watch those.

What shows do you watch that just sit running in the background, ones that aren't going to win any Emmys but you just enjoy?

For me my last two are Home Improvement and Everybody Loves Raymond. Both were fine in their heyday, but now they are noise filler. Not terrible, not great. So what are yours?

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Family Guy is textbook "very lame show that I wouldn't mind watching in the background".

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

It is... but I do fall off around season 7, then it just becomes annoying for me. Before then was a ton of fun. I've found American Dad holds up better for me, fun but not the annoying side

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Trailer Park Boys. Especially as it has a soothing intro so it's peak night watching.

30 Rock has the opposite of that for an intro, but its writing is so good that you don't need to be tuned in long to catch a punchline.

Cheers is a throwback but it holds up well. Also checks the box for a intro that's comfort food.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

All three are go-tos for me! Have never finished Cheers, on Season 9 I believe, but I should probably finish

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

Michael Schur stuff. I’ve seen those shows so many times I don’t need to pay attention and I tune in when I need a little bit of sunshine in my life.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

UK Panel Shows that I've already seen. They're great because there is no plot to lose, just a lot of off-the-cuff jokes and nonsense. QI and its podcast No Such Thing as a Fish work really well. Cats does Countdown and WILTY are also good contenders. And there's one from New Zealand (and now Australia) called Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont Spelling Bee that makes good background "watching."

Taskmaster always draws my attention, so that's no good.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Would I Lie To You when Bob Mortimer is on, or that blind German comedian, are probably my favourites!

Edit: wait I confused 2 there. The German guy isn't blind. The blind guy's great too (forgot their names)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Good news everyone! Futurama is great for this

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Well except for a few episodes anyways. His dog and brother's episodes come to mind as ones I can't 'tune' out.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah, it's like we feel the same way about junk and stuff or whatever.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

How I Met Your Mother is goated for this pupose

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

HIMYM is one of my go-to shows for 8 seasons of background noise now

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Red Dwarf, but it may have won awards I'm not aware of.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Back when I first developed depression I'd put on How I Met Your Mother when the brainfog got too bad

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

HIMYM is a good one for that, for me I like the shows that put you in the middle of a friend group. During depressing times it has really helped. Healthy? Not sure, but it made me feel better.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

2 broke girls, COPS.

Perfect for background watching (if I am not in the mood for music).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Taskmaster. At least once you've seen them all, it's a great show to tune in and out of.

Mystery science theater is another.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

NCIS Los Angeles is the silliest show I enjoyed watching for quite some year. The finale was surprisingly decent and emotionally a little touching. It's a very self-aware show and, if not taken too seriously, can be good fun

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

The Tom Green Show