,

During Crazy Times, Here Are the Shows We Binge When We Need Comfort

Insecure, Psych, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Living Single are the shows we dive into when we need a positive pick me up.

Photo: Raymond Liu/HBO

Let’s be honest, it’s rough out there right now. The news is pretty much all bad at the moment. You need to be informed, but you also need to protect your mental health. To help you find balance in these uncertain times, we’ve put together a helpful list of comfort TV shows that will keep you entertained and centered while we work through heartbreaking world affairs.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Peacock

The detectives of Brooklyn’s 99th precinct frequently find themselves caught up in over the top nonsense. When the world is falling apart, getting lost in Nine-Nine shenanigans will be like a fresh bowl of chicken soup.

Psych – Peacock

Shawn and Gus are friendship goals. Through all the ridiculous absurdity of their cases, these lifelong friends never doubt one another. Even when one of them is completely going off the rails, the other has their back. They’re hilarious and inspiring.

The Mandalorian – Disney+

Nothing on TV is more comforting than watching Baby Yoda discover his force abilities for the first time and bond with Din Djarin.

Sister Sister – Paramount+

Tia and Tamera Mowry’s coming of age comedy takes us back to our own teenage years. We are instantly thankful they are over.

The Good Place – Netflix

Never has death been as funny as it was in this superb comedy. Through four seasons we followed six friends across the most absurd version of the afterlife we’ve ever seen. It never failed to make us feel better after we watched.

Sanford and Son – Prime Video

When you need a pick me up, nothing will work better than Fred calling his son a “dummy,” then telling Elizabeth “it’s the big one.” Redd Foxx is a comedic genius who makes it look effortless.

The Golden Girls – Hulu

No matter how bad your day has been, the instant that theme song kicks in, it makes all your problems go away. Plus, it’s hard to stay down once Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia start slinging those classic one-liners.

Living Single – Max, Prime Video

We will never get tired of Max’s digs at Regine, Synclaire and Overton’s sweet love story or Max and Kyle’s undeniable chemistry. This show is truly special and was ahead of its time.

Black-ish – Hulu

It’s always fun to revisit the comedic brilliance of Tracee Ellis Ross, Marsai Martin and Jenifer Lewis.

Abbott Elementary – Hulu

Photo: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Abbott Elementary is just flat out hilarious. No matter what sort of mood you’re in, this new classic will make you fall off the couch laughing.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – Paramount+, Prime Video

What’s fun about The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is watching Will Smith grow as an actor, and enjoying how the chemistry of the cast evolves into something truly special.

227 – Hulu

Yes, everyone on 227 is amazing, but let’s be honest, it’s Jackée Harry’s genius portrayal of Sandra that keeps us coming back to this ‘80s classic.

Insecure – Netflix

Photo: Raymond Liu/HBO

There’s something really comforting about the idea that Issa and Molly’s lives are just as messy as ours. It’s also inspiring to find their way out of the chaos.

The Bernie Mac Show – Prime Video

Bernie Mac’s genius takes us back to a simpler time, reminding us of our own childhoods.

The New Edition Story – Paramount+

This unflinching miniseries following the R&B supergroup is unquestionably one of the best music biopics ever made. NE chose a warts and all version of their story and we’re all the beneficiaries of something special.

Good Times – Amazon Freevee

While Good Times is not what anyone would ever call “feel good” TV, checking in with the Evans feels like putting on your favorite pair of pajamas. It just feels right.

A Different World – Max, Prime Video

Don’t act like you’re not still deeply invested in Whitley and Dwayne’s love story.

Scandal – Hulu

Watching Olivia Pope eviscerate men who think they can hang with her never gets old. It provides the extra boost you need to deal with your incompetent co-worker.

Family Matters – Hulu

Yes, there’s way too much Urkel nonsense, but let’s never forget how groundbreaking the Winslow family was.

9-1-1 – Hulu

Obviously, Angela Bassett is fantastic. But what makes this show work is that even when the first responders can’t save the day, there’s still an emotional payoff. It’s like a warm hug.

Law & Order – NBC, Peacock

You always know what you’re going to get with the Law & Order. The well-worn formula feels like a familiar pair of slippers. Plus, once you get to a certain point in the episode, you’re hooked and must finish it.

Key & Peele – Paramount+

The absurdity and comedic genius of Key & Peele will instantly take your mind off of any outside chaos currently invading your life.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

If You Thought You Knew Everything About Prince, Here Are Some Things That Will Shock You

If You Thought You Knew Everything About Prince, Here Are Some Things That Will Shock You

June 7 would have been Prince's 67th birthday. Here are a few things few people know about the legendary rocker ...
Father's Day 2025: Fave Black Dads in TV and Film

Father’s Day 2025: Fave Black Dads in TV and Film

From films like "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "Daddy's Little Girls" to shows like "Family Matters" and "Black-ish," we're celebrating our favorite dads in media ...

You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But  You Don't Know What 'The Harlem 'Hellfighters' Did to Win The War

You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But You Don’t Know What ‘The Harlem ‘Hellfighters’ Did to Win The War

There are many Black people who served in the U.S. Army with honor. Let's give them their flowers ...
Sole Survivor Explains How He's Alive After Air India Crash

Sole Survivor Explains How He’s Alive After Air India Crash

An Air India flight crash that claimed over 240 lives had one remarkable sole survivor. Viswashkumar Ramesh, 40, was one of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad about half a minute after takeoff on Thursday. While recovering ...
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

The Very Short List of Black Celebs Speaking Out Against Trump’s ICE Raids

Although the list is short, folks like Doechii, Vic Mensa and Ava DuVernay are not happy with Trump's handling of anti-ICE protests ...
White George Floyd Advocate and Husband 'Target of Political Assasination' but It Gets Worse

White George Floyd Advocate and Husband ‘Target of Political Assasination’ but It Gets Worse

This is a sad day for America. But we all knew something like this coming ...
The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar's First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar’s First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

Lamar touched down in Drake's hometown for his Grand National Tour and let's just say things went off-script in the most hilarious way ...
Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That's Not The Scary Part

Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That’s Not The Scary Part

Father’s Day weekend might be met with a side of anti-fascist chaos… across the country ...
Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the 'Cowboy Carter Tour' Until They See ...Jay-Z

Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ Until They See …Jay-Z

“Beyoncé’s youngest daughter was among the crowd during the latest ‘Cowboy Carter’ show in London.” ...
Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here's What We Know?

Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here’s What We Know?

Minaj took aim at Sharpe in a new song and now that he's gotten wind of it, he's a got a whole lot to say! ...
Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a <i>Huge</i> Price For What He Does to a Fan

Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a Huge Price For What He Does to a Fan

DeMarcus Cousins catches a steep penalty from his basketball team for very unsportsmanlike conduct caught on camera ...
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Behind Florida’s Sheriff’s ‘We Will Kill You’ to Anti-Trump Protesters

With Sheriff Ivey basically giving the green light for violence against Americans using their First Amendment right, Black folks took it all in ...
What Black Men Secretly Want For Father's Day

What Black Men Secretly Want For Father’s Day

It's not socks. Nor is it cologne. What Black men want for Father's Day is simple and free ...
How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly's Legal Mess, Explained

How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly’s Legal Mess, Explained

The once beloved R&B singer is pulling out all the stops to try to get out of prison and his latest attempt just might involve the president! ...
Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Turns out you can't make PB&Js during a court hearing, even if it's on Zoom ...
Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Lattimore, a popular singer, has remained out of the headlines as of late. But this new development has now changed that! ...
Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti's New Reality Show Trailer

Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti’s New Reality Show Trailer

If reality TV wasn't already starting to get juicy with the comeback of Love Island USA, it's definitely going to get interesting with a new show everyone is talking about. Spin the block couple, Nelly and Ashanti, are coming out with a reality TV show, "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong ...
Wait...Who's Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Wait…Who’s Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer, has been trying to get out from under his 31 year prison sentence. But this latest attempt might be the wildest ...
Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

After a new Marvel comic introduces a white Black Panther, fans discuss whether Ryan Gosling should take on the role ...