Remote Control: Here Are the Shows We Can’t Stop Watching

From House Hunters, to The Real Housewives, to Law & Order: SVU, these are the shows we will always be obsessed with.

Photo: Zach Dilgard/NBC

You had plans. You were supposed to do housework, run errands, go to the grocery store and renew that subscription. But suddenly there’s a Law & Order marathon on—because there’s one on every day—and your plans are shot. It happens to the best of us. There are some TV shows that we are just powerless to resist. It doesn’t matter that they’re on all the time, or that with streaming we can watch whenever we want. They’ve hooked us and we’re obsessed. Take a few minutes away from that binge and check out the shows we can’t stop watching.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

House Hunters – HGTV, Max

Everything you need to know about relationships can be learned from studying House Hunters. I really need HGTV to give me a “Where Are They Now” edition so I can see if those couples I thought would break up, did in fact split.

Law & Order – NBC, Peacock, Multiple Channels

The thing about Law & Order is that even when you know who the killer is, once you’re 10 minutes into an episode, you’re in and there’s no turning back. Also, the Briscoe and Green years are the best hands down.

Law & Order: SVU – NBC, Peacock, Multiple Channels

Here’s a tip: The bad guy is the seemingly innocent, but totally creepy white guy the cops interviewed in Act I. He’s the friend/cousin/random witness, but he’s also the perpetrator.

Chopped – Food Network, Max

I love how a show like Chopped instantly turns all of us into world-class chefs. “Come on Robyn, how did you not know those lamb testicles couldn’t be fried in panko!? And for the love of God, you cannot cook risotto in 20 minutes!”

New Amsterdam – Peacock

The thing about hospital shows is you become so invested in the life and death situations, you lose all track of time and next thing you know, you’re six episodes in.

Game of Thrones – Max

Yes, the ending was disappointing, but that doesn’t mean we’re still not obsessed with the backstabbing politics and family feuds that drive the Seven Kingdoms. Plus, classic episodes like “Hardhome” and “The Winds of Winter” will always ruin whatever plans we have scheduled.

Dateline – Oxygen, Peacock

Much like our favorite police shows, true crime turns us into detectives and instantly hooks us into the wild, sordid motives of the criminals.

The Real Housewives – Bravo, Peacock

Beverly Hills; New York; Atlanta; Potamac, it really doesn’t matter which version it is, the drama is straight up addicting.

The Golden Girls – Hulu

When this ridiculous world gets too be too much, there’s something comforting and familiar about hanging out with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia. Don’t act like you don’t sing along with the theme every time.

House Hunters International – HGTV, Max

Let’s be honest. America is a dumpster fire. When we need to dream of a better place, House Hunters International lets us imagine a world where we can pick up and move to Paris, New Zealand or Australia. Plus, it lets us know that relationships are just as complicated in other countries.

The Great British Baking Show – Netflix

It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert baker, just average or completely inept. Five minutes into The Great British Baking Show you feel like you absolutely could enter the competition and crush your cake show-stopper depicting your favorite childhood memory. Shoutout to Netflix for giving us a full six seconds to decide whether we’re going to get up and have a life, or sit on the couch for seven more hours.

Bluey – Disney Junior, Disney+

Sometimes when the kids are watching their shows, you find yourself becoming unexpectedly invested in them. There’s a sweet, entertaining quality to Bluey that makes it more fun than Peppa Pig.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Actors Who Have Great Chemistry On Screen But Allegedly Didn't Get Along In Real Life

Actors Who Have Great Chemistry On Screen But Allegedly Didn’t Get Along In Real Life

With rumors of a “Euphoria” set feud swirling around Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, here are more co-stars who played nice on screen but allegedly did not like each other behind the scenes …
Everything You Need To Know About Fredi Washington, The Black Hollywood Star Who Refused To Pass As White

Everything You Need To Know About Fredi Washington, The Black Hollywood Star Who Refused To Pass As White

Here’s everything you need to know about Fredi Washington, the Black woman who refused to pass as White in a time when it would’ve benefited her …
Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive the Care They Need

Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive the Care They Need

Black mothers are disproportionately affected by postpartum depression, but often go without proper diagnosis or care. During Black Maternal Health Week, we highlight the urgent gaps in maternal mental health support …
The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

Even after a death sentence forced former Congolese President Joseph Kabila back into exile, his story is not over yet …
Why Parents of the 'Black-ish' Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

Why Parents of the ‘Black-ish’ Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

As more parents rethink what college readiness looks like, historically Black colleges and universities are emerging as a preferred path in today’s shifting educational landscape …
Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Greg Mathis told his fans and followers that he was going to do whatever it took to get his wife back. Now, it looks like his efforts have finally paid off! …
NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

As President Trump’s approval rating continues to drop, there is a growing call for his removal from office from both sides of the aisle …
Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

The Las Vegas Aces guard made history as the league’s first seven-figure player …
Video of Black Houston Mom Wrongfully Held at Gunpoint by Police Will Make You Angry

Video of Black Houston Mom Wrongfully Held at Gunpoint by Police Will Make You Angry

A Black woman in Houston is raising alarms after she was wrongfully detained in front of her kids. Police, however, are telling a different story …
New Updates on Rapper Offset After FL Shooting Incident, Here's What We Know

New Updates on Rapper Offset After FL Shooting Incident, Here’s What We Know

We’re keeping our eye on the latest news about Offset, Cardi B’s Ex, who was shot at a casino in Hollywood, Florida …
The Real Story Behind Why Marques Houston Left 'Sister, Sister'

The Real Story Behind Why Marques Houston Left ‘Sister, Sister’

‘Go home, Roger!’ may be a beloved cultural phrase now, but for Marques Houston—it holds bittersweet memories. Let’s get into it! …
Meet the Black Women Responsible for Launching Artemis II

Meet the Black Women Responsible for Launching Artemis II

Black women have played “hidden” roles at NASA since the 1940s. Now, their work is finally being recognized with the Artemis II mission …
Coco Gauff Responds To The Hate She Received For Her 4c Hair In Viral Miu Miu Campaign

Coco Gauff Responds To The Hate She Received For Her 4c Hair In Viral Miu Miu Campaign

After receiving criticism for her hair in a recent Miu Miu campaign, Coco Gauff is calling out the haters for being insecure …
R&B Royalty Usher and Chris Brown Announce a Joint Tour, and Fans are Losing It!

R&B Royalty Usher and Chris Brown Announce a Joint Tour, and Fans are Losing It!

Is Usher or Chris Brown the King of R&B? We’re all about to find out thanks to their upcoming joint tour and fans can’t get enough! …
Trump Under Fire from Former Republican Allies as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens Call for New Leadership

Trump Under Fire from Former Republican Allies as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens Call for New Leadership

Former GOP allies Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens blast Donald Trump, calling for new leadership …
Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Alleged Racial Bias that Led to a Black Man on Death Row

Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Alleged Racial Bias that Led to a Black Man on Death Row

A now-retired Mississippi DA is at the center of the case before the Supreme Court alleging racial discrimination …
The Truth About the New Stage in Trump's Immigration Crackdown

The Truth About the New Stage in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Bombshell headlines surrounding DHS and ICE have quieted… But is that all a part of Trump’s greater plan? …
Professor: Why Jay-Z Is Wrong. Black People Need More Than Just A Seat At The Table.

Professor: Why Jay-Z Is Wrong. Black People Need More Than Just A Seat At The Table.

OPINION: Jay Z Says a business that Black people own 1% of should be called Black owned. That sounds good until you realize it buys you almost no power …
New Report Shows Less Support for Black Nonprofits Since 2020 Racial Reckoning

New Report Shows Less Support for Black Nonprofits Since 2020 Racial Reckoning

According to a new report, promised funding for Black-led nonprofits ended sooner than expected, and the consequences are alarming …
Black Pastor Charged With Manslaughter After Deadly Backyard Baptism

Black Pastor Charged With Manslaughter After Deadly Backyard Baptism

British Pastor Cheryl Bartley was charged Wednesday after 61-year-old Robert Smith drowned during a backyard baptism …