What to Watch When You’re Feeling…Literally Anything
It takes most people a while to figure out what they’re good at in life. Some can go their whole lives searching without ever finding it. Me? I knew at 15 years old, sitting on my couch watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta. My gift? I was made to watch TV. Doesn’t matter the genre, the network, or the target audience, if it’s got a semi-decent plot, I’ll watch it.
But here’s the thing: as any true television connoisseur knows, what you watch has everything to do with your mood. If I just crawled through bumper-to-bumper traffic after work, the last thing I want to do is get home and sit through an episode of a show that requires serious brainpower. That’s Love Island or Bravo territory.
And because I know picking what to watch isn’t always easy, I made a little “Mood Quiz” to help you out. If you’re not sure what vibe you’re in, take the quiz below and it’ll match you with some show suggestions that are on your wavelength.
If your TV taste is anything like mine, here’s what I’d recommend:
Mood: Focused
When you’re in the mood to actually follow a plot.
You
One of those shows where if you look away for even a second, you’ll miss something. Joe doesn’t talk much out loud, instead, he narrates his thoughts, so you’ve got to keep up or you’ll get lost in the creepiness.
Silo
Girl, I cannot prepare you for the ride this show takes you on. Nothing is what it seems, and you have to pay close attention. Not just because the show is literally dark as hell (I wish they’d turn up the brightness), but because the payoff is worth it. Trust me.
Abbott Elementary
The camera looks, the subtle non-verbal comedy, the quick 30-minute episodes…if you blink, you’ll miss the best parts. Abbott is one of the few shows where I actually put my phone down.
Mood: Happy/Cozy
When you want comfort, feel-good shows, and background warmth.
Ted Lasso
What I imagine a warm hug would feel like if it was disguised as a TV show. It’s funny, wholesome, and unexpectedly emotional. Like a therapy session you didn’t know you needed.
Shrinking
A show that somehow manages to be heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time. It’s about grief, family, and healing, but there’s also tons of lighthearted moments too.
Bones
Brennan & Booth forever! Their chemistry carries the whole show, and even after a million episodes, it never stops being a comfort watch.
Mood: Lazy/Low-Energy
When you want to watch something but don’t want to think.
SNL
There’s something about the chaos of the skits, the rotating celebrity hosts, and the live performances that’s the perfect recipe for turning your brain off. Truthfully, I don’t know that I’ve ever “laughed out loud” at anything yet but I do enjoy watching!
Black Lady Sketch Show
A sketch show that is actually funny. Just turn it on, sit back, and laugh. No instructions needed.
Reno 911!
The most ridiculous fake cop show you’ll ever watch. It’s chaotic, dumb, and genius all at once. The kind of comedy that makes you laugh just because it’s so unserious.
Mood: Anxious/Overstimulated
When you’re on edge and need something familiar, comforting, or distracting.
Girlfriends
A show about black female friendship that makes me wish I was an honorary fifth member of the group. Joan, Toni, Maya, and Lynn will have you laughing, judging, and nodding along to their drama.
Sex and the City
Four women navigating love, friendship, and questionable life choices in New York. It’s messy, it’s iconic, and it somehow still feels relatable decades later to a new generation.
Law & Order: SVU
Benson & Stabler. Need I say more? It’s wild that this is my comfort show, but there’s something so satisfying about the formula. Even after all those reruns, I still feel like I don’t know how an episode will end.
Mood: Missing My People/Craving Company
When you want a “friend hangout” type show.
The Bold Type
Ever wonder what it’d be like to work at one of the biggest fashion magazines with two of your besties as you take on love, your career, and New York City? Well you don’t have to wonder anymore! It’s basically Sex and the City for a younger millennial crowd.
Insecure
What I would give to have a BBQ salmon taco with Issa and Molly! This show nails the highs and lows of a friend group navigating adulthood, careers, and love in LA but in a hilarious, and relatable way.
Platonic
Watching two old friends reconnect and stumble their way through adulthood together is as awkward as it is heartwarming. It’s like third-wheeling with that funny friend duo you know.
Rap Sh!t
I’ve never wanted to visit Miami like I have after watching this show. Imagine watching the City Girls before they became the ✨City Girls✨. It’s loud, vibrant, and has the energy of a girls’ night out.
Mood: Nostalgic
When you want to rewatch something familiar for a throwback.
90210 (including the original!)
Peak teen drama. The fashion is questionable, the storylines are ridiculous, and yet you’ll get hooked every time. And I’m not even preferential to the original or the reboot!
One Tree Hill
The first high school teen drama show that really had me in a chokehold. I’m Team Brooke & Lucas forever, don’t @ me.
One on One
A sweet, lighthearted sitcom about a single dad raising his daughter. It’s easy to binge, easy to rewatch, and the father-daughter dynamic is actually so adorable.
That’s So Raven
This is what nostalgia it to me: Raven Symoné. The comedy, the fashion, the over-the-top psychic visions, everything that makes this show pure early-2000s joy.
The Parkers
“Heyyy Mr. Oglevee!” Nikki Parker might be one of my favorite sitcom moms ever. The show is loud, silly, and completely addictive, exactly the kind of comfort watch that never gets old.
Mood: Dramatic/Intense
When you’re in the mood for drama, mess, and want to be in someone else’s business.
Love Island
“I’ve got a text!” Absolute chaos in a villa. Flings, drama, and sometimes accents I can barely understand, but that never stops me from watching.
Ginny & Georgia
A mother-daughter duo that’s complicated, endearing, and dramatic all at once. I’ve never seen Gilmore Girls, but I imagine it’s similar, just with crime and secrets.
The Real Housewives (or anything Bravo)
Low-stakes drama at its finest. Bravo basically runs on a constant loop of people fighting over nonsense, and I can’t live without it.
Sweet Life: Los Angeles
This show deserved more seasons. A reality series about a group of young black friends balancing ambition and friendship drama? We don’t get enough of that, and I miss it.
Mood: Tired/Checked Out
When you just need background noise while scrolling (or in my case knitting).
Friday Night Lights
Oldie but goodie. I’ve always found the pace of this show to be quite slow, which isn’t a bad thing! It just means you have to be in there mood for it. Bonus points: Michael B. Jordan shows up.
Desperate Housewives
Suburban drama, secrets, and deception. Perfect for when you want TV that’s juicy but doesn’t require too much brainpower.
Master Chef
Watching Gordon Ramsay scream at people while they attempt soufflés is oddly soothing. The stakes are high, but the commitment from the contestants makes it feel comforting.
Mood: Over It/Done With Everyone
When you want a show that matches your grumpy “don’t talk to me” mood.
Scream Queens
Chanel Oberlin is Regina George cranked up to 100. Petty, mean, and fabulous. There’s a bitchiness here that just feels right.
Black Mirror
Dark, twisted, and unsettling. The perfect mirror (pun intended) for when you’re fed up with the world.
Lie To Me
A crime drama where people are constantly lying and getting caught by a human lie detector? Yeah, something about it just hits different when you’re in a cynical mood.
Veronica Mars
This show has a dark, gloomy feel to it that I can really appreciate when I’m feeling moody myself. Extra points for it being based in San Diego [insert imaginary Padres emoji].
Hopefully this list (and the quiz!) gave you a few new ideas to add to your queue. Whether you’re in the mood for cozy comfort, a good laugh, or a little drama, there’s always a show out there waiting to keep you company. Now grab your snacks, scoot into the comfiest spot on the couch, and let the binge begin! 🛋️🍿
