When you need something, unabashedly, positively joyful
1. “The Carol Burnett Show”
(Amazon) There are a multitude of series from the mid-20th century available to stream, when TV was a positive affair across the board. We’re partial to the timeless sketch comedy of Burnett, an American treasure.
2. “Fixer Upper” (Hulu) Chip and Joanna Gaines, their kiddos, pets and can-do attitude may just give you the confidence you need to get through a tough time.
3. “Gilmore Girls” (Netflix) Although the Gilmore family has plenty of trials and tribulations, the world of quaint small-town Stars Hollow is usually upbeat in this beloved dramedy.
4. “The Great British Baking
Show” (Netflix) Warm, friendly and with a focus on decent people doing their best. 5. “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (Disney Plus)
A farcical mockumentary about a high school putting on a production of “High School Musical,” the stakes are low in this Disney Plus series, though they seem very high. 6. “Making It” (Hulu) The closest thing the USA has to “Baking Show,” the series manages to find sweetness in its crafting. 7. “Parks and Recreation”
(Netflix, Hulu or Amazon) Nothing can stop Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), not even a pandemic. NBC’s workplace sitcom is an inspiring stalwart in this genre, full of good people trying to do good things. 8. “Puppy Prep” (Hulu) A shortform documentary series about service dogs in training.
9. “Queer Eye” (Netflix) Inspiration, triumph, overcoming obstacles; all those heartwarming attributes are here when the Fab Five swoop into someone’s life.
10. “Schitt’s Creek” (Netflix)
Full of beautiful romance, sunny settings and plenty of humor, Pop TV’s sitcom about a rich family that loses it all but gains a little perspective is always a mood booster. (New episodes on Pop Tuesdays, 9 EDT/ PDT; series finale airs April.)
When you want to travel to a new world
11. “Battlestar Galactica” (Syfy)
A bold, breathtaking space opera
that is one of the best shows made in response to 9/11.
12. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
(Hulu) The story of a 16-year-old charged with protecting the world from supernatural evil is a genuine classic.
13. “Charmed” (Netflix) The late ’90s/early 2000s fashions alone makes “Charmed” a nostalgia trip, but the sweet family stories and (slightly silly) demons also help.
14. “A Discovery of Witches” (Sundance Now) A quick, immensely satisfying binge-watch for fans of “The Vampire Diaries” and “Outlander,” the series.
15. “Doctor Who” (BBC America
and BritBox) With more than 50 years of time-and-space traveling episodes, there is no limit to where (or when) the Doctor (currently embodied by Jodi Whittaker) can take you.
16. “The Expanse” (Amazon) Set in a slightly nearer future than many sci-fi epics, “Expanse” marries politics and space battles in the story of a future when we populate the solar system but remain culturally divided.
17. “The Magicians” (Netflix and
Syfy) Something of an R-rated hybrid of “Harry Potter” and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” the fantasy series follows a group of adult magicians who discover a fictional world from popular children’s books is real – and dangerous.
18. “The Mandalorian” (Disney+)
The first live-action “Star Wars” TV series lived up to the storied franchise, and not just because of Baby Yoda.
19. “Outlander” (Starz, Netflix) The sweeping, time-traveling romance verges on the melodramatic with its century-hopping plot, but it barely matters as the central love story never loses its chemistry or verve.
20. “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (or any “Trek”) (CBS All Access , Netflix, Amazon, Hulu) A combination of great science-fiction storytelling and a sense of hope and optimism.
21. “Wynonna Earp” (Netflix and
Syfy) If you’ve already seen “Buffy,” try this similar story of a super-powered young woman protecting her town.
When you want to watch a comedy with the whole family
22. “Black-ish” (Hulu) Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross do some of their best work as the parents in an upper-middle class black family.
23. “The Big Bang Theory” (local stations and TBS, available to buy
digitally) The hangout sitcom starring Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco was TV’s most popular show for a reason – its big, broad humor and nerdy characters are comforting and familiar.
24. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Hulu) If you’ve already seen “Parks and Recreation,” try this similar workplace comedy.
25. “Community” (Hulu until
March 31; Netflix April 1) This slightly zany comedy about a group of diverse friends attending a local community college has its ups and downs, but its funniest, most ambitious installments are among the best episodes ever made.
26. “Friends” (local stations, TBS;
available to buy digitally) The hugely popular sitcom isn’t streaming anywhere until HBO Max debuts in late spring, but catch it on TV.
27. “Golden Girls” (Hulu) They don’t make them like they used to, right? A visit from Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia is always funny and calming.
28. “Jane the Virgin” (Netflix) The telenovela-style story of a virgin who’s artificially inseminated by accident started strong and rode high for five excellent seasons.
29. “The Middle” (IMDb TV) Never as flashy as its ABC family-sitcom cousins, “Middle” is a stalwart, sweet comedy with great performances and nine long seasons to binge-watch.
30. “Modern Family” (Hulu; ABC, Wednesdays, 9 EDT/PDT; local stations and USA Network) The Emmywinning series has an incredible cast and relatable laughs for families and married couples.
31. “The Office” (Netflix) There is just no getting sick of the ultimate workplace sitcom.
32. “One Day at a Time” (Netflix)
Like the Norman Lear original, this family sitcom, about a Cuban-American family in Los Angeles, is expert at combining a frank discussion of social issues with hilarity (new episodes on Pop TV, Tuesdays, 9:30 EDT/PDT).
33. “Speechless” (Hulu) Gone too soon after just three seasons, this comedy about a family in which one son has cerebral palsy is representation of disability like you’ve never seen before.
34. “Superstore” (Hulu; NBC) This series, about employees at a big box store, is something of a modern day “Cheers,” a workplace comedy set outside a traditional white-collar office.
When you want to watch a comedy after the kids go to bed
35. “30 Rock” (Amazon, Hulu) Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey and Tracey Morgan make an endlessly appealing trio in this award-winning series about a “Saturday Night Live”-style sketch comedy series.
36. “Catastrophe” (Amazon) For fans of dry British humor who feel stable in their marriages, this sitcom from Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan is a beautiful portrait of a relationship that begins with an unplanned pregnancy but becomes so much more.
37. “Cheers” (Netflix) You can’t visit a real bar right now, but you can still go where everybody knows your name in this classic NBC comedy.
38. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (Netflix)
CW’s poignant comedy about one woman’s (Rachel Bloom) mental health struggles has a tune for every emotion.
39. “Don’t Trust the B **** in Apt.
23” (Hulu) This series about a nightmare roommate didn’t last long on ABC, but made great comedy while it was on.
40. “Happy Endings (Hulu) One of the many “Friends”-like hangout sitcoms to emerge over the past two decades, “Endings” is on the quirkier, more heightened side, following five 30somethings in Chicago.
41. “High Maintenance” (HBO) Because there’s only one recurring character – a New York weed dealer – in every episode, you can start anywhere in this HBO anthology series and always know you’re going to get a tight episode that shows a slice of life with authentic dialogue and gorgeous cinematography.
42. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (Hulu) If you like crass, cringe comedy, there are more than 150 episodes that lovingly poke at Philly, with a lot of mishaps along the way.
43. “Key & Peele” (Hulu) If you’re more interested in morsels of comedy rather than long narratives, this Comedy Central sketch show, which jumpstarted the careers of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, is perfect.
44. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
(Amazon) With mile-a-minute dialogue, impeccable costumes and an incredible cast, this dramedy is a treat.
45. “Mom” (CBS All Access, Hulu)
Anna Faris and Allison Janney deliver comedy about family and addiction.
46. “Seinfeld” (Hulu) If you’ve never seen Jerry Seinfeld’s landmark show about nothing, it’s a great time to start.
47. “Veep” (Amazon, HBO Go/HBO
Now) Some of the political satire’s bite has faded as our world has become more absurd and shocking, but that doesn’t dull Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ performance.
When you want a taste of reality
48. “The Bachelor/Bachelorette”
(Netflix, Hulu) If the bachelors and bachelorettes of ABC’s reality franchise can find love in a hopeless place (like in front of millions of TV viewers), then there’s hope for the rest of us, too.
49. “Blown Away” (Netflix) Watching artists blow glass might seem like watching paint dry, but it’s a fascinating and soothing sight to behold in this competition show.
50. “Chopped” (Hulu) If you need inspiration on how to turn random pantry ingredients into a delicious meal, Food Network’s competition series might get you to zest up your pasta.
51. “The Big Family Cooking Showdown” (Netflix) The positivity and focus on good, old fashioned home cooking makes this show, with British families competing to be named the best, stand out.
52. “House Hunters” (Hulu) If you prefer reality TV that’s less sappy and more voyeuristic, HGTV’s real estate series lets you judge the choices of homebuyers across the country.
53. “MasterChef Junior” (Hulu) Almost any reality series is improved by swapping out boring adults for adorable (and talented) children.
54. “Project Runway” (Hulu) The first four seasons of the original fashion reality show are a perfect mix of artistry and drama, although later ones, with help from mentor Christian Siriano, are almost as wonderful.
55. “Survivor” (CBS All Access) It’s hard to travel or escape the news while social distancing, but CBS’s survival series offers far-off landscapes and peeks into the human psyche.
56. “Top Chef” (Hulu) There are dozens of food shows and chef competitions on the air, but this Bravo staple remains the best.
When you want to bond with the teens (and still be entertained)
57. “American Vandal” (Netflix)
The rare series in which teen problems are taken seriously, “Vandal” also is a hilarious mockumentary that pokes at overly serious true-crime documentaries such as “Making a Murderer.”
58. “Beverly Hills, 90210” (Hulu)
With big drama and even bigger hair, the 1990s high school staple has inspired many shows, but nothing beats the original (or Luke Perry’s sideburns).
59. “Derry Girls” (Netflix) This Irish series, best watched with subtitles, follows Catholic teens in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, a period of religious violence in the region.
60. “The Fosters” (Netflix) The series follows an interracial lesbian couple with a mix of biological, adopted and foster children, and the challenges that come with that kind of family.
61. “Friday Night Lights” (Hulu)
The drama on NBC’s acclaimed high school football series is undeniably one of the best shows to binge-watch.
62. “My So-Called Life” (ABC.com,
IMDb TV) This short-lived 1994-95 Claire Danes series is one of the best portraits of teen emotion and angst.
63. “The O.C.” (Netflix) Travel to California and spend some time with Summer, Seth, Ryan and Marissa.
64. “Pretty Little Liars (Netflix) Although this soapy thriller sometimes goes off the rails, early seasons are gripping and addictive.
65. “Riverdale” (Netflix; CW,
Wednesdays 8 EDT/PDT) “Riverdale” mixes murder with teen hormones.
When adult animation beckons
66. “Archer” (Hulu) Spy games are never funnier (or sillier).
67. “Bob’s Burgers” (Hulu) Heartfelt, offbeat and full of visual humor, the series about a family and its burger joint is the model of modern adult animation.
68. “BoJack Horseman” (Netflix)
Not the cheeriest comedy, but one of the most affecting, Netflix’s showbiz satire found unexpected depths by juxtaposing animated, bipedal animals dealing with serious contemporary issues.
69. “The Simpsons” (Disney Plus;
Fox, Sundays, 8 EDT/PDT) Disney Plus isn’t all princesses and Pixar – the entire library of this seminal comedy is ready for you.
When you want to hang with detectives and lawyers
70. “Alias Grace” (Netflix) A stunning miniseries based on Margaret Atwood’s historical fiction novel.
71. “American Crime Story” (Netflix) Whether you tune to the O.J. Simpson or Gianni Versace season, you’ll find sharp writing and a dissection of recent historical events.
72. “Damages” (Hulu) Glenn Close plays a high-powered lawyer, with Rose Byrne her young protégé, and each season deals with a different case.
73. “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight” (Amazon, CBS All Access) Whether your lead character is Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) or Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski), these dramas are enthralling.
74. “Law & Order: SVU” (Amazon; NBC, Thursdays, 10 EDT/PDT) There’s a comforting sameness to the hundreds of “SVU” episodes.
76. “NYPD Blue” (Hulu, Amazon)
So many cop shows are derivative and basic that it can be hard to remember series such as “Blue,” which transcended the genre.
When you want to finally figure out what all the fuss is about
77. “The Americans” (Amazon)
The best show of the 2010s is a delicate portrait of two Soviet spies.
78. “Atlanta” (Hulu) Donald Glover’s audacious series about a collegedropout father trying to climb the economic ladder is proof of the multi-talented artist’s creative prowess.
79. “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” (Netflix; “Saul” also on AMC, Mondays, 10 EDT/PDT) “Bad” is the quintessential antihero tale. Spinoff prequel “Saul” is just as good.
80. “Fargo” (Hulu) FX’s superb anthology crime series captures the spirit of the film in each distinctive season.
81. “Fleabag” (Amazon) Hilarious, emotional and utterly surprising, the comedy from Phoebe Waller Bridge deserves the hype (and all those Emmys).
82. “Game of Thrones” (HBO Go/
HBO Now) If you have resisted the pull of the blockbuster fantasy series, now is the perfect time to decide for yourself if it was worth the buzz.
83. “The Good Place” (Netflix,
Hulu) The recently ended afterlife sitcom feels like a dose of palliative care with its colors, puns and visual gags.
84. “Halt and Catch Fire” (Netflix)
What started as as a “Mad Men” knockoff about the 1980s computer industry morphed into a complex story about communication, connection and women’s struggles to achieve power.
85. “Insecure” (HBO) Issa Rae crafts a distinctly millennial series.
86. “Justified” (Hulu) Timothy Olyphant is at his absolute best in this cowboy tale of a U.S. marshal with his own code of justice.
87. “Mad Men” (Netflix) Full of metaphor, gorgeous 1960s costumes and set design, and fine performances, “Mad” was so much more than catchy ad copy.
88. “The Sopranos” (HBO Go/HBO
Now, Amazon) The New Jersey mobster drama that launched a thousand antihero knockoffs still has punch.
89. “Twin Peaks” and “Twin Peaks: The Return” (Netflix,
Showtime) ABC’s mystical murder mystery from director David Lynch was a phenomenon in the 1990s and returned on Showtime in 2018.
90. “The West Wing” (Netflix) The simplicity of politics in Aaron Sorkin’sdrama feels almost quaint in 2020.
91. “The Wire” (HBO Go/HBO Now,
Amazon) Touted by many as the best TV show of all time, writer David Simon’s meticulous crime drama is gorgeously wrought and acted.
When you need soapy drama to keep you glued to the screen
93. “Downton Abbey” (Amazon)
The period drama dresses up soapy drama in high-class clothes.
94. “Homeland” (Hulu or
Showtime)“Homeland” is full of twists,
turns and cliffhangers.
95. “Power” (Hulu, Starz) “Power” is so melodramatic it rivals some daytime soaps.
96. “Scandal” (Netflix) Shonda Rhimes’ series became a sensation with its quick plot and relationship drama.
97. “True Blood” (HBO Go/HBO
Now, Amazon) HBO’s vampire series has everything you need.
98. “You” (Netflix) Penn Badgley is at his creepy best in this Netflix drama.
When you want to learn
99. “Country Music” (PBS) Ken Burns turned his documentarian’s eye to a distinct piece of Americana.
100. “O.J.: Made in America” (Hulu
, ESPN) This epicdocumentary tells Simpson’s history and the history of race in 20th-century America.