Most Calming TV Shows

Life can get hectic. During stressful times, we all need a break from the real world. And what easier escape is there than turning on the television?

If you're looking for something to soothe your nerves, check out these shows. All of them are available to stream and can help you unwind.

40. The Good Place

Genre: Fantasy/comedy

Starring: Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Ted Danson

Years aired: 2016-2020

Number of seasons: 4

Number of episodes: 53

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, NBC

Bottom line: For a show about death and the afterlife, "The Good Place" is an unusually happy show. It's a bit difficult to discuss without getting into major spoilers, but the premise revolves around Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), who is sent to a utopian afterlife, seemingly by mistake.

The show is very straightforward and easy to watch, but there are also intriguing themes of philosophy and morality.

The show ended on its own accord in early 2020 with the fourth season, which is a good thing for "The Good Place." The show was able to wrap things up as intended and not forced to drag on. 

39. Hart of Dixie

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Rachel Bilson, Jaime King, Cress Williams

Years aired: 2011-2015

Number of seasons: 4

Number of episodes: 76

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: A classic "finding yourself in a small town" story, "Hart of Dixie" is a charming portrayal of a New York doctor moving to a rural Alabama town to become a general practitioner. 

The Southern charm is more authentic than what you find on most shows, the love interests are actually interesting, and the dialog is surprisingly very good.

38. Jeopardy!

Genre: Game show

Starring: Alex Trebek 

Years aired: 1965-1979, 1984-present 

Number of seasons: N/A

Number of episodes: Over 8,000

Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix (select collections)

Bottom line: "Jeopardy!" takes all the good parts of trivia night at the bar but removes the embarrassment of getting five wrong answers in a row.

Alex Trebek has hosted the show for 35 years, and an average of 10 million Americans watch the show each week. It's a relaxing way to engage with trivia on the couch and with no stakes. 

It goes without saying that everyone loves Trebek, too. He revealed that he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019.

37. Home Town

Genre: Lifestyle

Starring: Ben Napier, Erin Napier

Years aired: 2017-present

Number of seasons: 4

Number of episodes: 49

Where to watch: HGTV, Hulu

Bottom line: A couple improves their small town of Laurel, Mississippi, by fixing up old but charming houses in "Home Town."

This show benefits from its calm and measured hosts who are really good at renovating historic houses for modern buyers while preserving their charm.

36. Mystery Science Theater 3000

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Joel Hodgson, Michael Nelson, Jonah Ray

Years aired: 1988-1993, 2017-2019

Number of seasons: 12

Number of episodes: 217

Where to watch: Multiple places (original series), Netflix (reboot)

Bottom line: Looking for a bad movie but want to remove the drudgery of actually watching it? Let Joel, Michael, or Jonah and their robots riff over truly awful movies and finally make them worth watching. 

"Mystery Science Theater 3000" has gone through three incarnations since its debut in 1988 and is now a show on Netflix. If you're looking for a list of episodes on where to start, Paste has an extremely in-depth review of almost every single MST3K episode ever made, minus the Netflix show, which was canceled in 2019. 

35. Escape to the Country

Genre: Reality/Real estate

Starring: Ginny Buckley, Margherita Taylor, Steve Brown

Years aired: 2002-present

Number of seasons: 20

Number of episodes: 655

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Bottom line: Ever dreamed of trading your stuffy urban apartment for a cottage in the English countryside? Then "Escape to the Country" is the Sunday afternoon show for you. 

Unlike American real estate shows, there is no forced first-time homebuyer drama or unrealistic budgets here. What you see is what you get: Charming real estate agents showing cottage homes to prospective buyers surrounded by amazing landscapes.

Part history lesson, part insider tours, and oodles of quaint charm.

34. Gavin and Stacey

Genre: Comedy/drama

Starring: Matthew Home, Joanna Page, James Corden, Ruth Jones 

Years aired: 2007-2009

Number of seasons:3 

Number of episodes: 21 (including two specials)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Bottom line: Before James Corden had his late-night talk show in America, he co-created "Gavin and Stacey," a comedy/drama that won two BAFTA awards. "Gavin and Stacy" is about two people who fall in love and how both of their families interact after they get married. 

Despite the premise, "Gavin and Stacey" is practically drama-free. Sure, there's some interpersonal conflict, but it's all handled in a realistic way. The people talk realistically, too. The dialogue doesn't exist to advance the plot, and much of the show is just people talking.

In 2019, the BBC released a Christmas special set 10 years in the future.

33. The Simpsons

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer

Years aired: 1989-present

Number of seasons: 31

Number of episodes: 684

Where to watch: Disney +

Bottom line: Putting on a  familiar season of "The Simpsons" is the perfect background noise. 

The show's golden age, generally considered Seasons 3 through 8 or 9, has the series' most popular and endlessly rewatchable episodes. They are also episodes more likely to have a heartwarming message, and not the ones where jerkass Homer runs amok. 

However, "The Simpsons" has been running for 31 years, so there's a season that feels familiar for any fan, old or new. 

32. The Dick Cavett Show

Genre: Talk show

Starring: Dick Cavett

Years aired: Various times from 1968 until 1995

Number of seasons: 12

Number of episodes: About 200

Where to watch: Shout Factory TV, YouTube

Bottom line: "The Dick Cavett Show" is a treasure trove of interviews with fascinating people such as George Orwell, Janis Joplin, Lucille Ball, Muhammad Ali, Norman Mailer, Tennessee Williams, Marlon Brando and Bette Davis.

 The best thing about it? Guests just simply talk to one another. Sometimes they'll argue a point, but the show is wonderfully devoid of an audience that erupts in applause at everything it agrees with. It's just the guests and host Dick Cavett, whose unassuming persona, wry humor and progressive values moves the show along at a thoughtful pace. 

Cavett hosted several talk shows, all titled "The Dick Cavett Show," throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, so there's an era for everyone. 

31. Moving Art

Genre: Documentary

Starring: Louie Schwartzberg

Years aired: 2014-present

Number of seasons: 3

Number of episodes: 19

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: "Moving Art" is literally just a show that focuses on cool looking things in nature and a soundtrack.

There's no plot or dialogue, but there are soothing music and fantastic locations. Most episodes focus on a single place, like Iceland or the Galapagos, while a few focus on certain things, like patterns in nature or whales. 

Expect beautiful shots of wild animals, waterfalls, beaches, islands and all sorts of stuff that can soothe your nerves. 

30. Queer Eye

Genre: Reality

Starring: Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk

Years aired: 2003-2007 (original series),  2018-present (Netflix reboot)

Number of seasons: 5 (original series), 5 (Netflix reboot)

Number of episodes: 100 (original series) 47 (Netflix reboot)

Where to watch: Netflix (reboot), Bravo (original, requires TV provider)

Bottom line: There are two different "Queer Eye" shows.

In the 2003 series, five gay men — the Fab Five — give a person (usually a straight man) a total makeover. In the Netflix "Queer Eye," a different Fab Five pick a person and give their entire lives a total makeover. The original series was groundbreaking, while the 2018 Netflix series took the idea and created a much more wholesome and touching show. 

"Queer Eye" certainly has a few gut-punch stories, but it's all balanced out when the Fab Five work their magic and help their subject out with genuine care and affection. Seeing people's lives take a turn for the better is always welcome. 

29. Jake Whitehall: Travels With My Father

Genre: Reality/travel

Starring: Jack Whitehall, Michael Whitehall

Years aired: 2017-present

Number of seasons: 3

Number of episodes: 13

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: British millennial comedian Jack Whitehall takes his wealthy, conservative father, talent agent Micheal Whitehall, on a gap year holiday to Thailand and other places around the world. There's mishaps, many awkward moments, a life-sized child doll, and a very posh old man at a rave. 

No matter the situation or joke, there is never any intended malice, just some good-natured ribbing.

If only all travel shows could be this good. 

28. Nadiya's Time to Eat

Genre: Cooking

Starring: Nadiya Hussain

Years aired: 2020-present

Number of seasons: 1

Number of episodes: 7

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: Nadiya Hussain, one of the most lovable stars from "The Great British Bake Off," teaches you how to cook quick and easy meals in "Nadiya's Time to Eat." 

The show is designed around stress-free meals, which translates into a relaxed, conversational cooking show. It's one of the few shows out there where every recipe actually is replicable.

Truffles are thankfully absent. 

27. Charmed

Genre: Fantasy/drama

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs

Years aired: 1998-2006

Number of seasons: 8

Number of episodes: 178

Where to watch: Netflix

 

Bottom line: The relationships are endearing, the storylines are entertaining, and there's cheesy late-1990s/early-2000s CGI demons. What's not to love? Well, maybe the last two seasons, which slipped in quality after Shannen Doherty's departure.

 But as a whole series, "Charmed" is a fun and campy show with enough plot and mythology to sink your teeth into if you feel like it. 

26. QI

Genre: Quiz show

Starring: Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Alan Davies

Years aired: 2003-present

Number of seasons: 18

Number of episodes: 254

Where to watch: YouTube, Tubi, BritBox via Amazon Prime

Bottom line: Love unusual trivia and good jokes? Then "QI" is the show for you. A panel of guests (which always includes Alan Davies) tries to answer questions from the host (Stephen Fry and later Sandi Toksvig).

Like most British shows, "QI" is presented in a relaxed format, and the guests frequently go on tangents. Unlike most American game shows, the "winner" is mostly a formality, as the scoring system makes absolutely no sense and nobody knows how it works. 

"QI" is a show that's equally good to fall asleep to or binge when you're in for the night/day/week/month. 

25. The Big Flower Fight

Genre: Reality competition 

Starring: Natasia Demetriou, Vic Reeves

Years aired: 2020-present

Number of seasons: 1

Number of episodes: 8

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: Ten pairs of contestants must manipulate all kinds of flowers, vines and shrubbery to win Best in Bloom in "The Big Flower Fight." The British made-for-Netflix show is very relaxing and quiet. The contestants don't argue and the show's main focus is cool creations. 

And those creations are really cool. These contestants are supremely talented and create stunning works of art out of flowers, like a seven-foot-tall orangutan.

It's not quite as relaxing as actual gardening, but "The Big Flower Fight" is a good way to chill out and be wowed by living art. The only downside is the series currently only has one, eight-episode season. 

24. Sweet Magnolias

Genre: Romantic drama

Starring: JoAnn Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliot, Heather Headley

Years aired: 2020-present

Number of seasons: 1

Number of episodes: 10

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: This Netflix original follows a recent divorcee and her two childhood friends in their small, idyllic Southern town.

Part Hallmark Channel, part CW, this is an easy win for both fans of good dialogue and feel-good shows — even if it sometimes borders on the saccharine. 

If you're looking for something calming, you can rest easy knowing nothing bad will happen in this strangely perfect town. 

23. Bob's Burgers

Genre: Sitcom

Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Larry Murphy, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal

Years aired: 2011

Number of seasons: 10

Number of episodes: 194

Where to watch: Hulu

Bottom line: Sure, it can get a bit loud with the shouting, but "Bob's Burgers" is a cartoon about the Belcher family, their burger shop and its regulars. 

At its core, "Bob's Burgers" is a show about family, and it's a show with a lot of heart. It stays consistently grounded in reality, and nothing ever goes truly wrong.

Plus, it has H. Jon Benjamin voicing the lead character, Bob Belcher, and his voice has a strange soothingness to it. 

22. The World's Most Extraordinary Homes

Genre: Reality

Starring: Caroline Quentin and Piers Taylor

Years aired: 2017-present

Number of seasons:2

Number of episodes: 12

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: You might get a little envious of these incredible houses, but they're still marvelous to look at.

Unlike your boxy McMansions, the homes on "The World's Most Extraordinary Homes" have been crafted into striking styles by accomplished architects. The 747 Wing House, for example, transforms the wings of a decommissioned Boeing 747 into rooftops. Often, they're set in extreme locations, like the side of a cliff or buried under soil. 

It's a British show, so expect a leisurely pace and casual dialogue. Hosts Caroline Quentin and Piers Taylor stay overnight at each house, exploring its features and talking with the home's owner. It's superbly relaxing. 

21. Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Genre: Improvisational comedy

Starring: Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Wayne Brady

Years aired: 1988-2007, 2013-present

Number of seasons: 16 (American version), 10 (British version)

Number of episodes: 348 (American), 136 (British)

Where to watch: CW Seed (free with commercials)

Bottom line: It's the show where everything's made up and the points don't matter. "Whose Line is it Anyway?" is an improv show that originated in the U.K. and lasted from 1988 until 1999. The show was then brought to the United States, where it aired for another nine years, was canceled in 2007, and was brought back on The CW in 2013. 

Even though all the show's revivals and adaptations, "Whose Line" has kept the same format and its main two stars — Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie — throughout most of the show's 32-year-run.

Which means that whatever episode you feel like turning on, there's bound to be some laughs. 

20. Interior Design Masters

Genre: Reality competition

Starring: Fearne Cotton, Michelle Ogundehin

Years aired: 2019-present

Number of seasons: 1

Number of episodes: 8

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: "Interior Design Masters" is a competition show in the same vein as "The Great British Bake Off" and "The Big Flower Fight." Contestants who already have skill in an area are set against one another to see who can create the best interior design given the parameters set by the show. 

"Interior Design Masters" is a nice little show where the biggest drama comes from Frank, a 22-year-old interior designer who likes to make a few snarky remarks. Other than that, this show is a quick and easy one to relax to.

Here's hoping for a second season. 

19. Gilmore Girls

Genre: Comedy/drama

Starring: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson

Years aired: 2000-2007 (original series), 2016 for the Netflix miniseries

Number of seasons: 7 (original series), 1 for "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life"

Number of episodes: 157 (161, including "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life")

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: They talk a mile a minute, but nothing about "Gilmore Girls" is stressful. There's drama, sure, but it's all rather wholesome drama about interpersonal relationships. Most scenes take place at a diner, inn, house or the streets of Stars Hollow, the coziest fictional town ever made. 

The dialogue is rapid-fire, witty and stuffed with jokes, making "Gilmore Girls" great for rewatches when you're ready to pay more attention.

Both the original series and the Netflix final season/wrap-up, "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" are available on Netflix.

18. Would I Lie to You?

Genre: Comedy panel show

Starring: Rob Brydon, David Mitchell, Lee Mack

Aired: 2007-present

Number of seasons: 13

Number of episodes: 138

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Bottom line: "Would I Lie to You?" is a British panel show hosted by Rob Byrdon with David Mitchell and Lee Mack acting as team captains for four other guest stars.

Each episode consists of panelists reading a statement about themselves. Then the other team asks questions and decides whether or not the statement was true. If the question is false, the statement was pre-written by the show's staff and the person has to make up a story about why it's true during the opposing team's questioning.

"Would I Lie to You?" is a good-natured talk show/quiz show hybrid that is funny and easy to watch when you're in an anxious mood. 

17. Murder, She Wrote

Genre: Crime/drama

Starring: Angela Lansbury

Years aired: 1984-1996

Number of seasons: 12

Number of episodes: 264, plus four TV movies

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Bottom line: There's a murder in just about every episode. But "Murder, She Wrote" might be the most unharrowing detective show ever made.

Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is a best-selling author of mystery books and an amateur detective who regularly schools the local police on who's actually done it. 

Every episode of "Murder, She Wrote" is comfortably formulaic, and Fletcher is constantly underestimated but always comes out on top. Nothing very bad ever happens to Fletcher, and there's a seemingly unending number of cameos of future stars. 

16. Terrace House

Genre: Reality

Starring: Yukiko Ehara, Yoshimi Tokui

Years aired: 2012-2020

Number of seasons: 4 (Netflix collection)

Number of episodes: 15 (Netflix collection)

Where to watch: Netflix

Bottom line: "Terrace House" is a Japanese reality show about six strangers who move into one house. It is strangely absorbing and addictive, and lacking all the hated hallmarks of American reality TV shows.

There's barely any drama, and the producers don't seem to instigate any drama whatsoever. It's more akin to a nature documentary than what most Americans would consider reality TV, and that's what's so amazing about it.

Just skip the fourth and final season, since one of the contestants committed suicide after being heavily bullied on social media by "Terrace House" fans. The show was subsequently canceled. 

15. The Vicar of Dibley

Genre: Sitcom

Starring: Dawn French, Emma Chambers

Years aired: 1994-1998, 1999-2007

Number of seasons: 3

Number of episodes: 20

Where to watch: BritBox via Amazon Prime

Bottom line: If you're a British comedy fan and haven't seen this one, you need to.

"The Vicar of Dibley" stars comedic legend  Dawn French as a female vicar (that's a priest, for us U.S. folks), who moves to a small village in the English countryside full of English eccentrics. 

Filmed in the late 1990s, this classic has a warm, cozy feeling while also managing to be downright hilarious. 

14. King of the Hill

Genre: Comedy/drama

Starring: Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Brittany Murphy

Years aired: 1997-2010

Number of seasons: 13

Number of episodes: 259

Where to watch: Hulu

Bottom line: The long-running cartoon by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels about a propane enthusiast and his family is smart, funny and chill.

Despite being a cartoon, "King of the Hill" is a realistic show, and that means no ridiculous and zany adventures. It's a quiet, thoughtful series that ran for 13 years before its cancellation in 2009.

Disney now owns the show. Judge and Daniels have said they have an idea for a reboot if the mouse house wants to revive the show. 

13. Antiques Roadshow

Genre: Lifestyle

Starring: N/A 

Years aired: 1997-present

Number of seasons: 24

Number of episodes: N/A (but there's a lot)

Where to watch: PBS, YouTube

Bottom line: If you haven't seen "Antiques Roadshow," it's kind of like "Pawn Stars" without the idiot family, staged encounters and low-ball offers. This long-running PBS show visits cities throughout America, attracting people with antiques who get their items appraised on camera. 

Many cool items and pieces of history have been appraised on "Antiques Roadshow," and some of them are worth a whole lot of money, like a $2.2 million Diego Rivera painting.

Second-hand excitement is the biggest thrill that this show has to offer, but it's great to veg out to while reading your phone.

12. 30 Rock

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski

Years aired: 2006-2013

Number of seasons: 7

Number of episodes: 138

Where to watch: Hulu

Bottom line: You can turn on any episode of "30 Rock" and enjoy it without needing to know what happened in the previous episodes. That's not to say there isn't an overarching plot (there is), but each episode is so crammed with jokes that anyone can tune in and enjoy. 

"30 Rock" takes place in a universe where everything is absurd, but nothing is dangerous. The jokes are smart, and there's enough of them to find a new one during each rewatch.

Grab some night cheese, and turn this show on if you're feeling tense.

11. Planet Earth/Blue Planet

Genre: Documentary

Starring: David Attenborough

Years aired: 2006

Number of seasons: 4

Number of episodes: 16 ("Planet Earth" I and II), 15 ("Blue Planet" I and II)

Where to watch: Soon to be streaming on a yet-unreleased Discovery Channel app. Otherwise, you'll have to buy episodes and seasons.  

Bottom line: The world is an incredible place, filled with unusual animals and breathtaking locations. "Planet Earth" and its sister documentary "Blue Planet" are perhaps the best nature documentaries ever made. And it's all set to the rich, inimitable voice of Richard Attenborough. 

The only caveat with these series is that it frequently talks about the changing natural world due to human interference, which is quite disheartening.

Though there's always hope for a better tomorrow.

10. Parks and Recreation

Genre: Mockumentary sitcom

Starring: Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Aziz Ansari

Years aired: 2009-2015

Number of seasons: 7

Number of episodes: 126

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime

Bottom line: The town of Pawnee is quaint (and built on the bloodied grounds of American Indians), but it's not as cozy as Stars Hollow from "Gilmore Girls."

Still, the governmental crew of "Parks and Recreation" are generally a happy bunch (except for April), and Leslie Knope's endless optimism is endearing.

"Parks and Rec" manages to be smart and funny while keeping an upbeat tone that never falls into cynical territory. It just feels nice to watch. 

9. The Office

Genre: Mockumentary sitcom

Starring: Steve Carrell, Rain Wilson, John Krasinksi, Jenna Fischer

Years aired: 2005-2013

Number of seasons: 9

Number of episodes: 201

Where to watch: Netflix until end of 2020, then NBC's Peacock

Bottom line: When the theme song hits, it's like going home after a long day at the office. 

"The Office" is endlessly rewatchable and utterly soothing. While this primarily has to do with the stellar scriptwriting and perfect casting choices, the hum of the office itself and the fluorescent lighting create a comfy and safe atmosphere.

It's been the most-watched show on Netflix for a reason. Once you discover "The Office," one viewing just isn't enough. Good thing you can rewind this show and see Pam at the front desk and Prison Mike whenever you want. 

8. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Genre: Science fiction

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes

Years aired: 1987-1994

Number of seasons: 7

Number of episodes: 178

Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, CBS All Access

Bottom line: The show has silly alien creatures, uncomfortable-looking uniforms, terrible low-budget special effects and laughable fight scenes. Despite all of this, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is a great show.

It's also a very safe show. We know the crew will always be fine, and every episode is just a little space adventure. In TNG, there's never any interpersonal conflict, and nearly every threat is defeated by the crew working together. 

Episodes are formulaic and sometimes don't work, but there's something just so nice about being aboard the Enterprise on its continuing mission. Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard carries the show as the ship's noble captain who has an endless well of hope for humanity.

And the soothing sound of the ship is present in almost every episode. 

7. Friends

Genre: Sitcom

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer

Years aired: 1994-2004

Number of seasons:10

Number of episodes: 236

Where to watch: HBO Max

Bottom line: They'll be there for you when you need them. "Friends" is a proven juggernaut for any streaming service, as people hit the "play again" option every time the gang leaves Monica's empty apartment in the last episode. 

Yes, we all know that Ross and Rachel will eventually be together. No, there aren't any surprises. And that's what's so good about it.

We know exactly what happens in this little world, and we're always willing to watch Ross pivot one more time. 

6. The Wonder Years

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Starring: Fred Savage, Danica McKellar, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, Olivia d'Abo

Years aired: 1988-1993

Number of seasons: 6

Number of episodes: 115

Where to watch: Hulu

Bottom line: "The Wonder Years" is a coming-of-age drama that takes place from 1968 to 1973 starring Fred Savage and narrated by Daniel Stern.

There's something to be said about narrated entertainment that feels more comforting than it should. Maybe it's because the narrator gives a sense of control and order in a usually unpredictable world. Or maybe it's because we'd all like to reflect back on our life and narrate it, highlighting the good parts and knowing what we should have done if we were any wiser. 

"The Wonder Years" is a classic series wrapped in nostalgia, and the intro will hit you right in the feels every time. 

5. How It's Made

Bottom line: Ever wonder how gummies are made? How about carpets and fiberglass boats? Or what about the mysterious ball bearing?

"How It's Made" is a long running Discovery show that is exactly what the title suggests. A narrator makes subtle puns and talks about how something is made over some soft, generic music. 

This is a wonderful show to put on in the background or while you wait to fall asleep. 

4. As Time Goes By

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Starring: Judi Dench, Geoggrey Palmer

Years aired: 1992-2002, plus a 2005 reunion special 

Number of seasons: 9

Number of episodes: 67

Where to watch: Britbox via Amazon Prime

Bottom line: Possibly the most beloved BBC show, Lionel (Geoffrey Palmer) and Jean (Judi Dench) met and fell in love as young adults. Separated by the Korean War, they lost touch for 30 years before bumping into each other again. 

The relationship is realistic, the family interactions are heartwarming, and the dialogue is top-notch.

This whole show feels like a hug, as does the theme song. 

3. Joe Pera Talks With You

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Joe Pera

Years aired: 2018-present

Number of seasons: 2

Number of episodes: 22

Where to watch: YouTube, Adult Swim app

Bottom line: Describing "Joe Pera Talks With You" is difficult. It's what happens when Adult Swim produces a show that is a mix of surrealness and wholesomeness. 

In each episode, Joe Pera talks directly to the viewer about completely mundane topics, like eating breakfast, minerals and sleep. It's not all random, though. Pera gives the viewer insights into his personal life, and we meet some of his friends, relatives and neighbors along the way.   

It's mesmerizing, contemplative and comforting, and best watched with a blanket and lots of pillows. If you finish this show, check out its predecessor, "Pancake Breakfast Critic with Joe Pera" on YouTube.

2. The Joy of Painting

Genre: Educational

Starring: Bob Ross

Years aired: 1983-1994

Number of seasons: 31

Number of episodes: 403

Where to watch: YouTube

Bottom line: What more can be said about Bob Ross? He was one of the nicest guys on TV. Nothing goes wrong in Ross' world. There are only happy accidents. 

While "The Joy of Painting" is about learning how to paint, there's no actual need to have a canvas and paintbrush ready.

Just watching Ross create majestic landscapes one brushstroke at a time is enough to calm the most frayed of nerves.

1. The Great British Baking Show/The Great British Bake Off

Genre: Reality competition 

Starring: Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins

Years aired: 2010-present

Number of seasons: 10

Number of episodes: 94, plus 28 specials

Where to watch: Netflix, PBS

Bottom line: Do enjoy cooking shows, but dislike all the manipulated drama and unlikable contestants? Then "The Great British Baking Show" is for you.

Known as "The Great British Bake Off" in the U.K., this show gently places about a dozen contestants — all of whom can already bake — in a large tent and tells them to go bake the best and most inspiring thing they can. The drama here is simply the stress of making the best darn dessert or cake that's possible. 

There's practically zero drama and contestants are encouraged to help one another out. It's totally absorbing, and there are lots of episodes to binge.