To be clear, when I say sitcoms I can watch I repeat, I mean sitcoms that are available on streaming services that I could sit through from start to finish and then start all over again.
Sometimes these are shows that I’ll turn on for background noise when I’m finishing paperwork or when I’m cleaning house or doing laundry. They’re the kind of shows I don’t have to necessarily pay attention to or think about because I’ve seen them again and again, so it’s likely I have a good grasp on what’s going on without really focusing on what’s happening on the television. But when I hear a funny line, I can still get a good laugh.
So what are those sitcoms that I’m comfortable getting redundant with? I’m glad you asked. These are in no particular order…
How I Met Your Mother
For nine seasons, we came back week after week to find out exactly when Ted was going to admit he has always been in love with Robin finally meet the mother of his children. Honestly, though, for me the show about Ted was less important than the show about Marshall and Lily. I know I’m single for life, but if I were lucky enough to meet a Lily, then that fictional couple would be relationship goals.
New Girl
For this one, I particularly love the first three seasons. Not that I don’t like the final four years, but I’m just drawn to those earlier years for some reason. I really find myself identifying with Nick as a character. I think it’s that he’s basically an old man trapped in the body of a 30-something.
Community
Arguably the most brilliant comedy of the 21st century. The writing is incredibly clever and there are so many episodes that pay homage to various pockets of pop culture. There’s a Law & Order episode. There are several documentary episodes. There’s a G.I. Joe animated episode. I mean… what doesn’t this show have? And, really, how beautiful is the friendship between Troy and Abed?
The Office
Sure, the first season is a little cringeworthy, but this show really came into its own in the second season. I’m going to share an unpopular opinion here… While I do ultimately enjoy the Jim and Pam relationship and am, of course, glad that they got together and stayed together, I kind of think of early Pam as kind of the worst. I know she’s engaged to a guy who doesn’t appreciate her and she’s in denial about how poorly Roy treats her, but you can’t tell me she isn’t fully aware of Jim’s crush the entire time. You can’t tell me she doesn’t enjoy the attention and you can’t tell me she doesn’t lead him on while choosing to stay with Roy. I fully expect the torches and pitchforks in the comments. But as someone who has dealt with my share of crushes on women I’ve been friends with, there’s not a single one of them who didn’t know how I felt the whole time and revealed that they knew when I finally shared how I felt. Not that sharing how I felt ever did any good. But that’s a story for another time…
Parks & Recreation
Sure, the first season is a little cringeworthy, but this show really came into its own in the second season. And with this one, I know that Leslie and Ben are probably supposed to be the favorite couple to watch, but for me it’s Andy and April. But leaving those couplings aside, this show gave us the wit and wisdom of Ron Swanson, a true American hero.
Friends
Because of course Friends is the kind of show that can be watched over and over again. For nearly 30 years… and I’ll still laugh like it’s the first time.
Ted Lasso
And this one has a lot of really serious moments. I feel like I cried during season two almost as much as I laughed. If you have Apple TV+ and haven’t given Ted Lasso a chance, I encourage you to do so. It is brilliant and there are only 22 episodes to get through in two seasons. It’s the kind of show that almost makes a soulless cynic like me regain hope and faith in humanity.
So those are the shows that make my list. What shows could you watch repeatedly? Let me know what you think in the comments below! Even if you disagree with me about Pam being the worst, I’m up for the debate.
Feature Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
I love most of those too. Especially Friends and The Office, yet, I would add Seinfeld to my list!
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Oh, and why did you say you will remain Single forever? You never know.
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I mean, if it happens it happens… I’m just not rushing out to give it a go. I just don’t have the motivation for it.
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That’s me, too. But I believe if God doesn’t want me to be alone, I will meet someone. Who knows? Maybe I already have and don’t know it. Right now, being alone is fine.
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I can only take Seinfeld in small doses. Hilarious, sure… but it just strikes the wrong nerve after a while.
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Community is laugh out loud funny…I don’t think I could have that in the background. I need it front and center.
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Totally agree with all of these EXCEPT HIMYM. I watched it all once and that was enough. I just didn’t enjoy it as much as the rest of them. Although I haven’t seen Ted Lasso but now I think I need to?
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Ted Lasso is a new favorite. If you have access, definitely watch it. Keep a box of tissues handy because I can almost guarantee you’ll cry as much as you laugh. Or maybe that’s just me…
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I checked and its on apple tv for free but I dont have apple tv haha
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Oo I loved HIMYM but the ending was a bummer! They had such funny episodes! Another comfort show!
I’m now in s4 of New Girl lol, so I don’t know what it is in store for me. But I did enjoy the first 3
Community has been on my list for a while now!!
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You already know my eternal love for Community. ❤ Have you tried The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)? It's New Girl-esque and I rather enjoyed it. I will watch HIMYM when it's on tv, but haven't seen it all the way through. And I could never get into The Office or Park and Rec; they're just not the humor I enjoy.
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I adored the first season of Kimmy Schmidt… but it lost me in later years. I watched all four seasons, but never liked it as much as that first season. And then I tried watching the interactive movie they did and just couldn’t get into it. Never finished it.
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I forgot about the movie! I think we finished it. It was a cool idea, but ultimately underwhelming. I think Black Mirror had a similar experience, but we never gave it a go.
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I love Parks & Rec! Community is actually on my list of shows I want to binge watch this year.
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Would you believe that I have only seen 1 of those…Friends
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