In today’s global digital economy, people have access to hundreds of thousands of shows, movies, and songs at their fingertips. Yet, despite the endless options, many purposefully consume the same content repeatedly. These “comfort shows” are reliable, consistent, and, for many, essential.
There are two types of comfort shows. The first is “ambient television”—shows people watch while doing something else more demanding of their attention at the same time. This type of entertainment was originally welcomed by women in the 1930s, who saw it as a distraction from their domestic labour. But why do people watch these shows if they don’t care what happens? It’s about creating an atmosphere for the viewer to dive into. No one cares if the multi-million dollar house they’ll never be able to afford is refurbished and sold, but it’s nice to imagine the renovations you would do if you were calling the shots instead of the Scott brothers. These shows aren’t ground-breaking, nor do they intend to be. Instead, they transport viewers to a scene of their choosing. Emily in Paris doesn’t have much of a plot, but it offers an idealized version of a fictionalized yet beautiful Paris, where pretty people can work in France without speaking French.
Social media platforms like TikTok reinforce this passive form of entertainment with For You pages that recommend content you’ll probably doom scroll through. In contrast to any streaming service that offers a variety of content, these applications have eliminated the choice of what to watch through their algorithm’s curation of endless content streams. This sensory overload makes ambient television the perfect complementing background noise. They allow you to focus on something else entirely. However, if you look too closely, you might not like it as much.
In a world of constant options, the stress of decision-making leads people to revert to familiar favorites so they won’t have to guess.
The second type of comfort show is the one people watch because they know exactly what will happen. In a world of constant options, the stress of decision-making leads people to revert to familiar favorites so they won’t have to guess. People do this because if they know what will happen, they also know they’re not going to be disappointed. House follows the same formula with every episode. No matter whose life is being threatened by an unheard-of disease, somehow Doctor House will figure it out with moments to spare. These shows have clear boundaries where the conflicts are resolved quickly, and the emotional moments are usually predictable. Sometimes, they become comfort shows through the mere exposure effect—the more we’re around something, the more we like it. Overtime, characters may become more than a fictional persona, and become linked to childhood, specific memories or a time in your life.
However, some psychologists warn of the dangers of becoming too invested, suggesting these shows are a break rather than a solution to a hectic life. Just like indulging in your favourite comfort treat all the time, watching something you are not a part of has its limits.
Although comfort shows may seem inconsequential or that they don’t challenge the opinions of their viewers, they can be deliberately progressive over time. However, their message works because it is embedded into the story but doesn’t need to be revealed in full force. An example is Cam and Mitchell from ABC’s Modern Family. The writers of the show knew that to attract the largest audience, including those less inclined to watch shows with LGBTQ+ characters, they had to start slow. Since this couple shows much less affection on screen than the straight couples in the show, the writers explain that Mitchell is uncomfortable expressing affection. Over time, Mitch and the real-life viewers get used to the daily live presence of emotionally “expressive” Cam and literally break barriers with him. Since viewers stick with their comfort shows like Modern Family over the long run, these shows have the power to make people more empathetic, more knowledgeable and more hopeful.
Comfort shows are capable of evolving alongside their audiences, and their meanings can change for the viewer, filling different gaps at different times.
Comfort shows are capable of evolving alongside their audiences, and their meanings can change for the viewer, filling different gaps at different times. Any list of comfort shows must include Friends, the 90s show that centers on the lives of young unmarried adults in New York City. It premiered to meet this new crowd of young folk who could and only wanted to be reliant on their friends. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air filled a gap for a show that would genuinely address race and class dynamics while remaining a comedy show, forever influencing hip-hop culture. The list goes on.
Ultimately, comfort shows matter because they have a consistent influence on viewers in meaningful ways. People spend a lot of time learning about who the characters really are even from just routinely listening to the background soap opera. By watching characters from entirely different backgrounds or those who reflect the viewer’s life, people learn how to adapt to crazy circumstances, find humour in sad situations and remain true to themselves.
