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Toast of London
I really think Toast of London is Matt Berry’s best work. It’s hilarious. The plots are daft, the cameos are often left-field but work well, and it has loads of great nonsensical gags. It’s a shining example of a sitcom with an unlikable protagonist that you can’t help but root for anyway. I must have watched it from beginning to end at least 15 times. Every friendship and relationship in my life eventually reaches a crossroads: will they like Toast or not? Rhys, 24, Cardiff
Lark Rise to Candleford
I discovered Lark Rise to Candleford just in time to take me away from the nightmare of living in the current political climate. I avoid all news programmes, reality shows, and prefer to settle down with a much simpler, kinder world. Tim K, 60, Brooklyn, New York, US
Mapp & Lucia
The 1985 adaptation of EF Benson’s novels have a cast that is impeccable. The location, sets and costumes are immaculate and the story so disconnected from modern life that it’s a perfect place to retreat to. I first watched it with my husband to be and we introduced it to friends. We must have seen it a dozen times over the 38 years we were together. Watching with a friend was comfort when I lost him to cancer two years ago. It still holds up. A perfect fictional retreat. Ben, Bedfordshire
Saving Lives at Sea
I find watching the RNLI docuseries Saving Lives at Sea strangely relaxing. It’s the combination of jeopardy – people underestimating or overwhelmed by the power of water and weather – with the bravery and commitment of the volunteer lifeboat men and women who, at least in the series, always dash there just in the nick of time to pull them out of the waves. The comforting sense that there are people out there ready to rescue you in extremis must be what appeals about all those hospital and ambulance reality programmes. The difference with SLAS is that I’m unlikely to find myself on a boat out in a storm any time soon! Maddy Paxman, 67, London
Detectorists
Every winter, my wife and I rewatch Detectorists religiously. When it’s bitterly cold and wet outside, it promises us the sights and sounds of long hot summer evenings in the country that seem so far away right now. It’s hard to analyse but the detail and humour is so rich, layered and nuanced that we often notice new visual gags and strands each time. It’s based on a slow humour that gently teases rather than abuses the eccentrics who pursue the escapist hobbies and eccentricities that we all have. The Suffolk countryside is a beautiful backdrop to Andy and Lance’s adventures and the brilliant Johnny Flynn’s theme tune alone always brings a lump to my throat. Sam, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Schitt’s Creek
Schitt’s Creek is my perfect comfort show. I knew I would love it; Catherine O’Hara is always amazing. I started watching her and Eugene Levy in Second City Television (SCTV) in the 70s. I was in tears at the end of it, but good tears. I am amazed that none of the Guardian writers picked this gem. Meg, 58, Sussex
Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin
Michael Palin’s Around the World in 80 Days brings together a sense of adventure and nostalgia. When I first saw it 30 years ago, it held out the prospect to see places I had not yet visited or may never get to. Watching it now there is an obvious nostalgia for how travel was before the ubiquity of smartphones. The shot that captures it all for me is Palin watching the sunset over the Bay of Bengal trying to catch the football scores on BBC World Service. The beauty of the world and its mundane pleasures. A travelogue that feels more spontaneous than all of the imitators it spawned. Robert Smith, 59, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Perry Mason
Perry Mason (the original TV series, 1957-1966) is the template for most television legal dramas (especially Law & Order): suspects and murder in the first half-hour, courtroom drama in the second. The stories are generally intelligent and engaging, if formulaic, but the cast is wonderful. All had careers as supporting players in noir and B-movies and play their roles that way; that is, as though they’re all supporting players in an ensemble. All performances are in service of the story. And it doesn’t hurt that the truth always wins out and justice is always served. You know: a fantasy world. Phil Hundley, Chicago, US
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls arrived in my life, as many things do nowadays, via its relocation to Netflix. Snappy, sassy and only just past its prime despite some outdated references (though certainly fewer than Friends) it has strong yet brilliantly flawed women at its impossible-to-believe Connecticut heart. Pumpkins, picturesque winters, then the hopeful bright American sunshine take us through the years. Male leads waiting for these women to notice them are not diminished either. Fair, romantic and sure, it brings joy to both my daughter and I who are not remotely like the mother-daughter duo depicted but probably wish we were a little bit. Jayne Stead, York
Poirot
We have watched all the series of this TV adaptation of the investigations of Agatha Christie’s detective at least twice and are watching them again. There is always something else to look out for – Miss Lemon’s hairstyles, Hastings’ Shetland jumpers, Poirot’s moustache. The sets are wonderful. We can never remember who committed the murder, probably because sometimes that’s the least interesting part of the programme. Carol Bloomfield, 67, Durham
Superstore
As I mainly work from home, I have the luxury of being able to take a midday nap. I always put on Superstore and follow the pattern of watching one episode, sleeping through the second (about 20 minutes) and waking up in the third. Hearing those beloved characters talking in the background is so comforting and almost feels like having family close by. I wonder what the folks at Netflix would think if they found out there’s someone who has rewatched a show more than 60 times? Elisabeth Kaplan, Vienna, Austria
The Planets
I’m a sucker for any documentary about space, but find myself repeatedly going back to Brian Cox’s series. I think it’s the sense of wonder, that every time we learn more about these places we find that they’re more incredible, more diverse. They’re also tantalisingly out of reach. There’s also a contrast with nature documentaries (which I also love), which necessarily come with a sense of loss and guilt about what we’ve done to those habitats. The planets remain perfect and our exploration of them (at least so far) highlights the best of humanity – working together to reach out and to learn. Tom, 48, Brighton
How to With John Wilson
How to With John Wilson is a really original, unique and interesting documentary series that’s at times hilarious, philosophical, sad, whimsical and utterly bizarre. It’s never boring, despite its mundane, everyday topics. It looks so breezy and simple, but I should imagine there are hundreds of hours of footage to edit, and a lot of hard work to bring every single different topic to our screens. I’ve recommended it to everyone I know. I love it. Matthew Grundy, Manchester
First Dates
I love watching Fred Sirieix’s dating show. It has the essential feel-good factor – it’s always such a relaxed and happy show, set in nice surroundings. You get to meet lots of different people from different backgrounds, and it reminds me of when I was younger and found my own first dates so exciting and happy. Not many activities match the excitement of a first date and the show captures that feeling, for me at least. Plus, you have the brilliant Fred and Merlin to take you through it. Laurie, West Midlands
Friends
I don’t usually rewatch TV shows (or films) but I make an exception for Friends. Over the years I have caught re-runs on TV, and last year when I was going through a low time in my life, I rewatched all seasons from episode one on Netflix. I remember the first time I watched the pilot and thought it was silly, but I soon became a fan. Decades later, it made me feel less lonely, like having real friends around. Vanessa, Dorset
Time Team
I’ve always followed archeology. I discovered Time Team in the US during the pandemic and watched them all – thank you, YouTube. The programme is still my comfort: Tony, Carenza, sweet Mick with his jumpers and wine and Phil, my hero. My husband is very indulgent and knows Time Team is my happy place. For an American facing going home, I do need a happy place. Patti Powell, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Richard Osman’s House of Games
Richard Osman’s House of Games is where “minor” celebrities gently compete against one another for an awful trophy. Richard is very good at reading the room and encouraging those trailing in the points. It’s so nice to see such good tempered contestants who are never brash or shouty. A perfect end to the day. Pamela Leemeijer, 78, Buntingford, Hertfordshire
