AFTER a long, tiring day of work or school, sometimes, all we want to do is stay home, eat our favorite dishes, and lay comfortably while watching a perfect feel-good show. With the variety of genres, show selections, and streaming platforms, one can instantly watch a program with just a few clicks, but picking the perfect one can be overwhelming.
For a comforting show, one can never go wrong with sitcoms. Situational comedies, better known as sitcoms, typically run for 20-30 minutes and tackle familiar circumstances, ultimately offering a feel-good vibe for its viewers, giving them a chance to relax and take in good energy.
Family and comedy go together like peanut butter and jelly, a delightful treat for people of all ages and walks of life. Family sitcoms feature characters with a typical family background; a standard formula often includes a goofy dad, a busybody mom, a rebellious older sibling, and a cute baby that glues the family together.
Although latched with the word comedy, family sitcoms offer more than just joy and entertainment; the story includes thought-provoking lessons that will surely tug at their viewers’ heartstrings.
In loose terms, family is not just bound by blood, and many sitcoms also consider the found family trope wherein a group of friends find comfort and a family in each other. This list features a mix of family and found family genres people can enjoy when they need their daily dose of good vibes.
Full House (1987)
Whatever happened to predictability? This timeless classic is not like your typical family. Full House offers a fresh storyline for viewers as it tells the story of a widowed sportscaster, Danny Tanner, who raised his three daughters with the help of his best friend, Joey Gladstone, his brother-in-law, Jesse Katsopolis, and their life living in a house full of love.
Like many sitcoms during their time, Full House was filmed in front of a live studio audience at their main set. The widely renowned success of Full House led to the creation of a spin-off show called Fuller House, which follows the original concept, this time featuring the once-young daughters of the famous Tanner family.
Modern Family (2009)
Modern Family stands tall as an audience favorite with 11 seasons under its belt. It follows the story of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan, featuring three different family structures, a blended, a nuclear, and a same-sex family, and their close ties as a large extended family.
The unique relationship these characters have built was showcased through a mockumentary style, with the leads often speaking to the camera as if they were interviewed. The close-knit relationship among the characters successfully sparked interest among viewers who wished they were a part of this modern family.
Friends (1994)
Friends revolves around a group of friends, namely Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, and Joey, as they explore what it means to be twenty-something adults living in New York City. The nature of their friendship was anchored on the love and support the six had, often being there through each other’s ups and downs.
From a surface-level bond as roommates and neighbors, the group eventually found a family in each other as they celebrated the achievements, holidays, and milestones together like a real family.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a police comedy series starring Jake Peralta and his co-workers turned family. A big chunk of the sitcom revolves around their job at the 99th precinct as detectives in New York City, offering a great mix of comedy, family drama, and detective work that occasionally touches on the social issues related to the perception of the police force.
As the group often spends time at the precinct, it is only natural for them to establish good ties with their co-workers. What makes the Nine-Nine bond unique is the characters’ significant impact on each other’s lives. With each triumph, failure, and annual heist, they have proven that one can find a family in their workplace over time.
The Good Place (2016)
The sitcom takes place in a world where there is no heaven; in its position, The Good Place is reserved only for those who lead a life of good. Eleanor Shellstrop and her friends, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason, soon realize The Good Place isn’t what it seems.
Not like typical sitcoms where each episode stands alone, The Good Place episodes are often connected, thus allowing viewers to see the progression of the characters’ bond from strangers to friends to, eventually, a close-knit family trying to be their best selves in the afterlife to enter the real Good Place.
There’s always something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for a good laugh, a plot that will keep you on your toes, or a mix of both. These five sitcoms can surely end your day with a smile. From the classic family trope to the found family bond, these shows can show viewers the importance of family. So, when the moment comes, give these sitcoms a chance to comfort you and feed you your daily dose of good vibes.
