Series that really tugged at your heart or mostly heart-warming

[Anonymous]

If you can get past the silly premise, Chuck is a very heartwarming show with lovable characters and a great soundtrack. I love all the shows you listed and Chuck hit the same emotional sweet spot for me.

[Anonymous]

I binged Chuck when I found out I had cancer a couple years ago. I hadn’t watched it when it originally aired. It got me through a very difficult time. It was the right mix of action and comedy with quirky but likable characters that you just care about.

PS I had a tumor removed by surgery and just spent a month home recuperating. I was so damn lucky. But hearing the c-word at 41 was pretty damn terrifying.

[Anonymous]

I keep trying Psyche. And I like the actors and premise but it just seems like it’s the same show over and over each episode.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schitt's Creek, if you stick with it

Older shows: Northern Exposure, Thirtysomething, I'll Fly Away, Brooklyn Bridge

I literally just felt the blast from my past reading I'll Fly Away. I loved that show so much when it first aired!! I'm going to find it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call the Midwife is both heartbreaking and heartwarming in every episode.

Love love this show.

Yes! I wasn’t expecting to love it so much but it is literally the definition of heartwarming! Still find myself thinking about the characters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep trying Psyche. And I like the actors and premise but it just seems like it’s the same show over and over each episode.

Psych fan here. I totally get that, PP! Lots of repeated (and for fans, beloved) running gags and pop culture references in every episode could make it seem the same, I can see that, and I always understand when other viewers aren't fans. I know people who find the jokes tiresome and others who love them.

Have you tried any of the "themed" or homage episodes, where the show riffs on other movies and TV shows? Those definitely are not the same as other episodes. They did episodes lovingly parodying/paying tribute to "Twin Peaks," "The Shining," "Friday the 13th," Hitchcock films (all packed in one Hitchcockian episode), "The Blair Witch Project," "The Hangover" and more. These weren't recreations but homages, and in many cases used exactly copied shots or other touches that show the "Psych" folks really knew and loved their source material. If you can't get into the regular show, try those episodes, if you're into films and TV generally.

https://screenrant.com/best-psych-episodes-pay-homage-to-other-shows-movies/

There's also an episode about an "American Idol" type of talent shows, called "American Duos," which a lot of people like even if they're not into the show as a whole. Also -- if you got stuck on season one, the first season has some great episodes and sets up a lot of the show's future but the show really hits its stride in season two onward, though you'll want to watch to understand developments with the characters.

The thing with "Psych" is -- there's more emotion/character development there if a viewer wants to watch for that, but there's also just jokes, pop culture and goofiness if the viewer prefers that. It can work on a couple of levels. But the mysteries themselves aren't why most fans are watching. Still, I don't push it at my friends because it just doesn't work for everyone!

[Anonymous]

I’m surprised no one seems to have mentioned Ricky Gervais’ “After Life.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised no one seems to have mentioned Ricky Gervais’ “After Life.”

The first season was such a pleasant surprise of emotions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep trying Psyche. And I like the actors and premise but it just seems like it’s the same show over and over each episode.

Psych fan here. I totally get that, PP! Lots of repeated (and for fans, beloved) running gags and pop culture references in every episode could make it seem the same, I can see that, and I always understand when other viewers aren't fans. I know people who find the jokes tiresome and others who love them.

Have you tried any of the "themed" or homage episodes, where the show riffs on other movies and TV shows? Those definitely are not the same as other episodes. They did episodes lovingly parodying/paying tribute to "Twin Peaks," "The Shining," "Friday the 13th," Hitchcock films (all packed in one Hitchcockian episode), "The Blair Witch Project," "The Hangover" and more. These weren't recreations but homages, and in many cases used exactly copied shots or other touches that show the "Psych" folks really knew and loved their source material. If you can't get into the regular show, try those episodes, if you're into films and TV generally.

https://screenrant.com/best-psych-episodes-pay-homage-to-other-shows-movies/

There's also an episode about an "American Idol" type of talent shows, called "American Duos," which a lot of people like even if they're not into the show as a whole. Also -- if you got stuck on season one, the first season has some great episodes and sets up a lot of the show's future but the show really hits its stride in season two onward, though you'll want to watch to understand developments with the characters.

The thing with "Psych" is -- there's more emotion/character development there if a viewer wants to watch for that, but there's also just jokes, pop culture and goofiness if the viewer prefers that. It can work on a couple of levels. But the mysteries themselves aren't why most fans are watching. Still, I don't push it at my friends because it just doesn't work for everyone!

Thanks for this. I’ll keep Psyche in my rotation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised no one seems to have mentioned Ricky Gervais’ “After Life.”

The first season was such a pleasant surprise of emotions.

DP. I'll have to check it out. I don't like Ricky Gervais much as himself but I surprisingly do like him a lot in "Extras" and in a strange and sweet show called "Derek." The show centered on what we'd call an assisted living home and the focus was more on another character who was realistic and touching, but Gervais wa both funny and moving, as a developmentally disabled man who works at the home. Of course he was great in "The Office" too (and I think his David Brent actually had a germ of self-awareness, about his own ridiculousness, that Michael Scott lacks--though I like both characters!). So I'll give "After Life" a try. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised no one seems to have mentioned Ricky Gervais’ “After Life.”

The first season was such a pleasant surprise of emotions.

DP. I'll have to check it out. I don't like Ricky Gervais much as himself but I surprisingly do like him a lot in "Extras" and in a strange and sweet show called "Derek." The show centered on what we'd call an assisted living home and the focus was more on another character who was realistic and touching, but Gervais wa both funny and moving, as a developmentally disabled man who works at the home. Of course he was great in "The Office" too (and I think his David Brent actually had a germ of self-awareness, about his own ridiculousness, that Michael Scott lacks--though I like both characters!). So I'll give "After Life" a try. Thanks.

You will love After Life (season 2 got a bit too caustic for me). I especially loved the simple park bench scenes with Gervais and the older actress who played Isobel on Downton Abbey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep trying Psyche. And I like the actors and premise but it just seems like it’s the same show over and over each episode.

Psych fan here. I totally get that, PP! Lots of repeated (and for fans, beloved) running gags and pop culture references in every episode could make it seem the same, I can see that, and I always understand when other viewers aren't fans. I know people who find the jokes tiresome and others who love them.

Have you tried any of the "themed" or homage episodes, where the show riffs on other movies and TV shows? Those definitely are not the same as other episodes. They did episodes lovingly parodying/paying tribute to "Twin Peaks," "The Shining," "Friday the 13th," Hitchcock films (all packed in one Hitchcockian episode), "The Blair Witch Project," "The Hangover" and more. These weren't recreations but homages, and in many cases used exactly copied shots or other touches that show the "Psych" folks really knew and loved their source material. If you can't get into the regular show, try those episodes, if you're into films and TV generally.

https://screenrant.com/best-psych-episodes-pay-homage-to-other-shows-movies/

There's also an episode about an "American Idol" type of talent shows, called "American Duos," which a lot of people like even if they're not into the show as a whole. Also -- if you got stuck on season one, the first season has some great episodes and sets up a lot of the show's future but the show really hits its stride in season two onward, though you'll want to watch to understand developments with the characters.

The thing with "Psych" is -- there's more emotion/character development there if a viewer wants to watch for that, but there's also just jokes, pop culture and goofiness if the viewer prefers that. It can work on a couple of levels. But the mysteries themselves aren't why most fans are watching. Still, I don't push it at my friends because it just doesn't work for everyone!

Thanks for this. I’ll keep Psyche in my rotation.

You're welcome! Realized one tip just in case -- that excellent Hitchcock episode (mentioned in the article I linked) is the middle episode of a trilogy. Though you can see it on its own, it makes vastly more sense (well, "Psych" sense!) if you see the first episode in the trilogy before watching the second, Hitchcockian episode. The trilogy is the three final episodes of seasons 3, 4 and 5. The third episode isn't as strong as the first two but does conclude the storyline. The trilogy has much more serious moments than other "Psych" episodes, BTW. OK, done now!

[Anonymous]

I loved Jane the Virgin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised no one seems to have mentioned Ricky Gervais’ “After Life.”

The first season was such a pleasant surprise of emotions.

Agree. It was really good.

[Anonymous]

For the grieving Ted Lasso fans ….