Top Ten TV Shows to Watch When Stuck on the Couch
Hey you loyal readers! April is here, which brings sunshine, flowers, smiles…and more time on a couch? Ugh. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I became best friends with two pillows and a remote when I was “couch-ridden”. We all know TV gets more and more ridiculous as the years go by. Admit it! You have all snuck in an episode of The Hills at least once. What about that one time you watched The Real World when you thought no one was in the room? We have all done it. Well, I am here today to give you a list of the top ten TV shows I have found to be therapeutic during my couch adventures. Watch and enjoy!
Cash Cab- I have never been to New York, but if I ever go, I will wave down cabs until Ben Bailey pulls up. For those of you unfamiliar with the show, it is a hidden camera trivia show. Ben (the driver) quizzes the passenger(s) until they get to their destination, and each correct answer wins cash! But watch out! He kicks you out after three strikes. This show is on Discovery Channel.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation- Not New York or Miami, but Las Vegas! I’ll be the first to admit it; I have a crush on Nick Stokes. I am a diehard CSI fan, and nothing settles my symptoms more than Grissom, Warrick, Nick, and Catherine during CSI reruns on Spike!
House- Everyone loves hospital drama. And let’s be honest; most of us can appreciate hospital humor more than others. House is a sarcastically funny doctor who just hired a new crew! Since this is a primetime show, it is perfect for those nights that you stay in while the rest of your friends are out. It’s on Fox right after Tuesday’s American Idol!
America’s Next Top Model- Guys, before you get totally turned off, I have to tell you some important information. My boyfriend, BOYfriend, enjoys this show. He may never admit it, but he does sit down every once in a while and watch it with me. It is actually one of the few tasteful reality shows left on television. VH1 does all day marathons over the weekend!
American Idol- Oh yes. Everyone’s favorite original reality competition! I think we are all familiar with this show. However, how many of you jump in and watch one or two episodes a season? I discovered if you follow it from day one to the finale, it is actually exciting to see your favorite singer make it to the top 5! And who doesn’t like booing Simon or making fun of Ryan’s fo-hawk?
America’s Best Dance Crew- The first season of this show just ended, but I got hooked! Anyone who has ever pretended to be a hip-hop dancer or dreamed of being part of a dance crew would enjoy this show! It is very similar to American Idol because there is a host, three judges, and your vote picks the winner. It is even produced by Randy Jackson! MTV does reruns on most days. Check it out!
E! “101 Most…”- The E! Channel has a ton of “101” lists. From 101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments to 101 Best Celebrity Bodies, they have it all. Everyone appreciates a little “celeb gossip” once in a while. Why not take it from the experts?
Friends- I hate to say it...ok I LOVE to say it…I am a Friends fanatic! I own all ten seasons on DVD and I know everything there is to know about the infamous group of 6. TBS plays reruns all the time, and this show has definitely cheered me up on my lowest days.
Lifetime movies- Corny, I know. However, sometimes they are really interesting, and most of them have a moral to the story. Recently, I saw a commercial for “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter”, starring Dermot Mulroney. If you read the book, you know it is a moving story. Check out the movie in April.
Whose Line is it Anyway- Who doesn’t love comedy? ABC Family definitely houses one of the funniest stand-up comedy shows on television. Some of the content may be a little mature for younger audiences, but it is definitely a way to crack up when you’re feeling down. It is usually during weekday evenings.
Article written by Caitlyn Pilkington, © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com
Comments
I agree completly with the 'Whose Line?' suggestion! I record the reruns every week night and keep them for when I need some cheering up.
I also suggest Gilmore Girls, my mom and I watch it every week day and it's really great!
Posted by: lauren | April 5, 2008 10:25 AM
I love Law & Order! It's on at least one channel all day and night, and if you fall asleep in the middle you can wake up at the end of the show, and they'll sum up what you missed in the court scenes!
Posted by: Stephanie | April 14, 2008 10:58 PM
I submit Golden Girls... this is the single show that never ever gets old to me and is always comforting.
Posted by: Lindsay | April 17, 2008 01:55 AM
Christine, I am so glad you included "Friends" because that is my favorite show. I watch re-runs all the time. I happened to catch the pilot the other day. The guys used a "spoon" analogy about Ross and his need to get back into dating. (All he ever tried was vanilla ice cream; his friends told him to "grab a spoon" and try the other flavors). At the end, Ross flirts with or hits on Rachel and then proudly says "I just grabbed a spoon."
Posted by: sonia (jd2005) | June 3, 2008 11:37 AM
There is a new series on Biography channel I think it is called "I Survived". It is about these people who survived amazing situations. It is inspiring and helps me realize things could be worse!
Posted by: Lilly | August 6, 2008 06:46 PM
I love Golden Girls, Little House on the Prairie, I Love Lucy, Whose Line, and of course the old cartoons ( Bugs Bunny, popeye, flintstones, tom and jerry, etc ) >
Posted by: Margie | October 11, 2008 02:36 AM
I like to watch Mystery Diagnosis on Discovery Health. I believe my doctors that I have fibromyalgia, but I always wonder if somebody will be on it that found an interesting way to deal with similar problems. At any rate, it is encouraging to me to see other people make it through way worse things.
Posted by: Sandi | October 28, 2008 01:28 AM
I'm so embarrassed. I watched 3 episodes of Paris Hilton's "My New Best Friend".
Posted by: Wendy | December 12, 2008 06:17 PM
The Soup is on E on Friday nights, it is a really funny recap of the week in television. I love love love it. Ghost Hunters is interesting and fun to watch.
The best investment we have made for my sanity has been digital cable, and a DVR. It makes being stuck on the couch a lot less boring.
Posted by: Tricia | December 17, 2008 09:34 AM
Shows... Ok so I will add a few:
Regenesis
love it but not sure if it is there for the US people. It is on TMN up here but a few other stations have picked it up from time to time. I want Norback to test my stuff damn it!
Sopranos
I know... Re-run city now days but tell me you don't love the ones where they are offing EVERYONE and you have mental pics of various people whom you think the scenario fits.
Big Love
Polygamy at it's best with Bill Paxton... Good for a chuckle and if I wasn't so against sharing my amazing hubby I can see how 3 wives might help when I am on a "low spoons" day so to speak.
NCIS.
Naval Criminal Investigation Service or whatever... It rocks. I LOVE Abby's character and damned if I don't wish I had someone like her working a lab!
Heroes.
Save the Cheerleader... Save the world! Enough said!
Prison Break.
Wentworth Miller is just too darn cute to pass up!
Ugly Betty.
If you can get a chance to watch this... It is so absolutely absurd that it gets your mind on anything but being sick.
Uh... I have more but they are now slipping my mind. I do have to say I watch most of the ones above as well though!
Posted by: Shelley | December 18, 2008 02:29 AM
I try to always watch Ellen so I get at least one laugh a day. Plus she is my exercise program, when Ellen dances, I get up and dance. It's the law. LOL
Posted by: Diane | December 23, 2008 04:19 AM
I must admit I am a Lifetime Movie Network fanatic. I love when they do weekends with different themes like "Women with a Vengeance" or something like that, it's hysterical, but so interesting.
I also LOVE 24 which will be starting this Sunday.
I Love The Hills, I know, bad me. And the City will be starting soon too, woohoo.
I also hate to admit this but I also watch Rock of Love-the Bus. I've watched all 3 of them. Although they are totally cheesballish, it's so funny, it's good for a good laugh on Sunday nights when I can't sleep.
Nip Tuck is a guilty pleasure to watch for me. I love it.
And I agree with alot of the ones already listed especially American Idol of course, and then I also frequent TLC and watch Little People, Big World.
Wow, it looks like I watch tv WAY WAY too much, bad girl.
Posted by: Jen | January 11, 2009 05:10 AM
I find that comedy really helps bring me out of my funks.
Pushing Daisies: It has been cancled (stupid abc) but it's a wonderful show and has great characters.
The Big Bang Theory: This is my new obsession. It makes you realize just how big of a nerd you really are.
Psych: On USA is my favorite show in the whole world. It's on USA Friday nights at 10 after Monk. I know it's late, but it's worth it!
Then there are the Geeky shows.
Doctor Who= 53+ minutes of awesomeness. It's great and it's a doctor I don't mind seeing. Ok sorry, I know, very bad joke.
Torchwood: Spinoff of doctor who. It's just crappy enough to be brilliant.
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Stupid show where a guy and his robot friends make fun of very very bad old movies like "Squirm".
those are my tricks to getting through everything. Laugh your way out. Oh and a juice box never hurts.
Posted by: Kali | January 18, 2009 03:14 AM
Another one to check out is NCIS. It is a mystery type with a sense of humor. My daughter and I are hooked.
Posted by: Angi | June 7, 2009 05:55 AM