Going through a horrible time. Need shows that engage and distract that aren’t dark

For absurd distraction.. weirdly, a game show -all series available on YouTube [Taskmaster UK](https://youtu.be/rwKYWuVluJc?si=QpITfaoleJaBtarQ)

Star Trek! I can't recommend The Next Generation, Deep Space 9, and Voyager enough. You get to follow and grow with each cast over 7 seasons and 170+ episodes each. It is uplifting as you watch competent individuals work together across their differences to solve problems, each series with a different but fantastic captain representing what it means to be a leader. The idealistic nature of Star Trek is uplifting to me personally when I navigate personal challenges and heavier times as well. It may take a bit to 'get into' each series, but once you do, it's some of the best television out there. There are active sublistnooks to engage with other fans if you get into it, even though the shows are 30+ years old.

Ted Lasso ! If you just want to feel good - Such a wholesome show

Eureka

The Good Place has somewhat dark themes to it, but I feel like it has enough “feel-good” to even it out. 

Psych, though to be fair there was a few episodes here and there that got pretty scary for a procedural comedy show.

Have you tried Stargate? It’s got action, adventure, sci-fi, time travel, drama. There 3 different series that tie together so if you like it you’ve got a lot to watch.

Taskmaster UK. I recommend people start with season 4 as they often know Mel and/or Noel from Great British Bake-Off. Avoid 16 (which features Sue) and 7 until you've seen a few others, they're so bananas the others can look a bit dull in comparison.

Watch Community. It has been my comfort show when i'm down

Ted lasso is always a feel good show. Sorry for the hard time your going through, just remember you made it this far, and not all those days were sunny either, better days are around the corner and every day brings you closer.

Doctor Who There's also a mountain of Star Trek out there that fits your restrictions.

One Piece. The live action version on Netflix.

Parks and Recreation got me through my brother dying. You never have to worry about the storyline all of a sudden becoming too real and everything is wrapped up nicely by the end of the episode.

Throwing out Firefly Especially since they announced they are trying to get an animated series off the ground. Let's get the serenity flying again!

Letterkenny (despite your preference for non comedy recommendations, figure it out). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_tfwZxC9joY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tfwZxC9joY)

Mrs. Davis sounds right up your alley

Station Eleven Resident Alien Doctor Who Battlestar Galactica (later seasons drop off in quality, but first few are great) The Wilds West Wing P**** Face Mad Men

you might like “the librarians” or “eureka” since they’ve got that light sci-fi adventure vibe without getting too heavy or dark

Wonderman is actually a goid Marvel show that isnt really about super powers

Detectorists

Elementary is great and fits this bill! Ponies is new and fun.

The Expanse!

The Good Place

The West Wing

For all mankind.

Ted Lasso

All creatures great and small

Stargate SG-1 has lots of shooting in it, but I wouldn't call it grim, dark, or ultraviolent. Very little actual blood, no gore. It's very pulpy, adventure oriented, and has consistent humor without being a comedy. And if you need a distraction, good news, there's 10 seasons of it and 5 seasons of a spinoff show.

Mythbusters. I know it’s old, but a full series marathon that was running on tv basically kept me afloat during the worst week or so of my life.

If you liked Travelers there's 10 seasons of Stargate SG-1 and 5 seasons of Stargate Atlantis by the same executive producers. I was trying to put my finger on why it felt so familiar all through season 1 until I recognized their names.

Frasier! It’s so good and cozy and warm

I know exactly what type of show you mean and these are all shows that helped me keep my mind off things without being too dark or violent. 12 Monkeys Humans The Lazurus Project The OA 3 Body Problem Counterpart

Andor is extremely f****** good. Both seasons.

Since I see most people are just ignoring the not too dark or too violent requests, I'm gonna go in the opposite direction and recommend Raising Hope as a very fun lighthearted show. Cougar Town too. I guess Community could fit the bill as it at homages all of those genres you want, there's people who say it went dark, but I don't see it. Oh, if you're open to cartoons there's Solar Opposites, it has everything you want, sci-fi, time travel, action and drama; I don't consider it goes dark in a depressive way, it can go dark in a wacky way, and the violence is over the top funny and cartoony (there's an action sequence in an episode with healing weapons, so a ton of ass kicking and attacks that should be deadly, but in fact every hit heals people). Having mentioned Solar Opposites, I should mention Lower Decks, by one of the same creators of Solar Opposites. If you had no issue with Fringe, then you can absolutely enjoy Farscape, which is pure sci-fi. It gets weird and campy and I compare it to Fringe for because of the creature designs.

My top suggestion is 90s Star Trek (obviously with my username heh). TNG/DS9/Voyager will provide something like 500 episodes of classic escapist sci fi. There is some sex but its very tame, definitely family friendly. Two people kiss and the camera fades, that's about it. The violence again is not absurd or exploitative. If you want something of similar quality but with a lighter/more comical tone (while still also taking itself seriously) I would recommend Stargate SG1. It's another true classic. My only note with that is while 99.9% of the show was made for regular television (hence no nudity etc) the pilot episode was made for Showtime and has a brief full frontal nudity scene thats completely out of place with the tone of the rest of the show, so you can look up where that is if you dont wanna be embarrassed watching with your mom or whatever. Anyway I hope your situation improves. I know what its like to feel like everything is crashing down and need to just get your mind into a refuge. Wishing you the best, truly!

sci fi battlestar galactica for all mankind mystery lost

Avatar The Last AirBender 2006

Stargate. Get well soon!

If you liked Fringe and you haven’t already seen it, you should watch The X-Files. 90s nostalgia, monster of the week episodes, and an overarching plot to keep you hooked.

The Good Place

When my dog died unexpectedly and i was deep in grief, my partner put The Orville on and it was a great comfort. Its thoughtful and fun, but also moving. Dont let the promos for this show fool you, it has moments of comedy but overall is very well rounded.

Foundation and Dark Matter on Apple if you like Sci Fi. If a history buff like me, it doesn’t get better than Rome on HBO.

sanctuary, warehouse 13, haven, battlestar galactica, any of the stargates. anything that was on syfy channel between 2005-15 would be the light, pulpy action adventure show youre looking for. also marvel agents of shield. all of these are "fringe-like" not prestige tv, but procedurals that have an over arching plot. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_programs\_broadcast\_by\_Syfy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programs_broadcast_by_Syfy) if what youre going through has nothing to do with plane crashes, i would also recommend lost.

Search party

The Librarians on Prime Video is pretty good.

Shrinking is a good one.

The good place Stargate sg1

Stargate, Stargate Atlantis it does take a couple seasons for them to find their grove and stop taking themselves so seriously but once they land on just running with the absurdity it's spectacular and has eventually everything you You're asking for. It's a given You've seen Firefly if not watch Firefly 

Person of interest 12 monkeys

Shrinking can be a bit heavy, but it makes me laugh and cry and think about how I can get my life back on track. Binged the c*** out of it. Warehouse 13 is a sci-fi procedural that's generally lighter in tone but not outright comedy. Eureka is very fun sci-fi (small town cop deals with life in a town of geniuses). Ted Lasso is just straight up feel good and will still make me cry. Letterkenney and then Shoresy are comedy, but surprisingly engaging. Mythic Quest is comedic chaos around video game development. Person of Interest is a great procedural but it can feel really dark with how pervasive AI is today. I loved the show, but it really might not be what you're after right now - maybe later. Santa Clarita Diet and iZombie are dark funny (someone becomes a zombie and tries to live their life without anyone finding out they are a zombie). Harley Quinn is lighthearted animated from the view of usual and unusual batman villains. *edit: I had accidentally called Mythic Quest Epic Quest.

Based on your shows you listed and the genre maybe..recently I can think of Severance

The OC

Similar situation, and since Silo hasn’t released the new season I am currently watching (or watched): Dark Winds (AMC/NetFlix) Severance (Apple TV) Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV)

30 Rock. It’s just so silly and fun and really makes me laugh

Lost And some of the good Marvel shows would fit: Wandavision Loki Wonderman

All creatures great and small!

Here’s a fun weird campy answer: The Librarians! It was a TNT show that ran for like 4 or 5 seasons, based on a set of movies starring Noah Wylie (Dr. Robbie). It’s action, a little history, kind of “The Mummy” vibes if you like those movies

Detectorists is a great comedy show from Mackenzie Crook. He writes some really great shows, and I cannot recommend them enough

The Mentalist I'm not typically a procedural drama kind of person and from your examples maybe you aren't either, but it captured me the first episode and kept me through every single season. No sex scenes, not gruesome, not very dark. The overarching plot is a little dark,(serial killer kills guys family and it's his mission to catch him) but will keep you on the edge of your seat and the main character has a way of lightening the mood in any situation. My mom and I watched it together and it was great.

* Baskets * Severance * Mad Men * Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The new Game of Thrones show fit this exactly. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Shorter and less serious than the main shows. The main lad and the kid are great together.

Have you tried The Expanse? It does have a sex scene in the beginning of the first episode, so don’t let that throw you, there’s only like one more in the whole series, I think. I’d also suggest Firefly, Buffy, and Dollhouse. I think those hit the window you’re looking for. Also, yay for another lover of Timeless! Such a great show. Hope you find something distracting and helpful.

Definitely the Mentalist Charming protagonist. Its a crime show but has moments of hilarity. My comfort show : )

Any comedy show? The office, the good place, I’m currently watching Malcom in the middle for the first time

Based on those shows I think you'd like Supacell. Only one season so far.

BETTER THINGS. you need this show. this is the show you need.

oh yeah, and the Durells in Corfu absolutely beautiful

Stargate SG1 or Doctor Who (starting with the '05 reboot or any subsequent Doctor that catches your eye). Hits the scifi, timetravel (Doctor Who specifically, but comes up in SG1) and action notes, various shades of serious (action movie serious in SG1 mostly, little darker/heavier in Doctor Who) and an enormous amount of content in either. Good luck to you my friend. It is hard to believe but things can get, if not better, at least not as difficult to bear.

Star Trek. Tons of episodes. Some are dark but there is fundamentally a hopeful message.

The dark crystal on Netflix!

Shrinking

3 Body Problem?

Ted Lasso

Star Trek: Next Generation, then Deep Space Nine, and Voyager after that. It can take a while to get through all that.

Modern family, fringe

Kims Convenience and Superstore are highly underrated and you will love them

Monk

Ted

The Expanse

Whimsical with an edge: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. If you like hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, this was from the same author. Similar tone but possibly not edgy enough: Dispatches From Elsewhere. The concept comes courtisey of Jason Segal, so how you feel about him will be how you feel about the show. I find both comforting without being cloying. The themes and events have enough adult in them that it's dark if you think about it too hard, but not outwardly violent. Dirk Gently has basically no s*** in it.

Based on the shows you mentioned, I think you’d enjoy Station Eleven Last Man on Earth is also such a great show (mid first season, in my opinion — but the rest of the show is just funny, hopeful, fun

The IT Show and the Office. I know you said no comedies, but The Office does get real down to the end. Honestly, same with Adventure Time. The Last Air Bender. Do you could doctor shows as violent? You have a whole swath of things to choose from here. Murder Mindfully is fantastic and I cannot wait for season 2. Star Trek is a must. I was the entire show. All series all seasons once a year. I never get sick. There was also a recent show with Ted Lasso that I found really funny. Was about a retirement home.

Outer Banks

The Orville. It’s classified as a comedy but it basically becomes the Star Trek show that Star Trek shows should be. Light but with some deeper themes, fun, funny moments, and put together well.

If you have Apple TV, honestly just go down the list bc there’s some absolute gems. Dark Matter was a fantastic one. For All Mankind is also amazing and the new season just came out. Foundation is great if you like Sci Fi. And Shrinking is my cute comfort show right now as well. HBO you should watch Neighbors, Task, and of course The Pitt!!! Hope things get better for you. Just take it a day at a time! Sometimes even just an hour at a time.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Jane the virgin, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, The Comeback, Hacks (my fav comedy with lots of heart!), Will & Grace, Malcolm in the Middle.  

Futurama

Anything from USAs blue sky era, maybe not Burn Notice, but Psych or White Collar for sure

Pluribus was pretty good. Wasn't any darker than Silo. Only one season out though. I second the For All Mankind recommendation. Wonder Man was a recent fun one. I don't think Slow Horses is too dark. Hmm. Lots of Apple shows. I think all the other ones I watch are dark, violent, or just straight up comedies.

Counterpart is great and I think s**** well into your list

You will absolutely LOVE Ghosts -The US version. Have i think 5 seasons and then episodes are 20-40 minutes long. Super funny too. But I know you arent looking for comedy. =( Its dry humor that is subtle a lot.

Community

Scavengers Reign. That series played a part in pulling me out of a dark place. I can't recommend it more.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. a classic hero tale or TNG/DS9/Voyager/DS9 again

Parks and recreations. I've heard it's a good comfort show, even thou being totally comedy based.

Fargo

Once Upon a Time is very fairytale escapist with dark themes and violence but all in a light way, not gory or heavy, and has an engaging storyline, from some of the people who worked on Lost. Includes dozens of fairytale characters but reinterprets the stories. On Hulu. The Mandalorian S1. Fun but engaging. May your path become more smooth and peaceful.

Pose

Burn Notice

Justified. Terriers.

You might like The Good Place. While technically a "funny show," its got brilliantly deep themes.

For All Mankind

bro , or girl i got you, dm me for more stuff or just to chat. Small Prophets This comedy was written by Mackenzie Crook and, like his previous creation, the utterly sublime Detectorists, it looks for magic in the mundane. The series centres on Pearce Quigley’s gently eccentric Michael Sleep – a man who works in a DIY store, hangs out with his dad Brian (Michael Palin) and pines after his beloved partner Clea who disappeared seven years earlier. Then Michael tries to create a homunculus and things start to get weird. Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing and Lauren Patel also star.

Haven!

Honestly? Time to binge the MCU. If you follow one of those release order Canon guidelines, in between the big stupid fun tentpoles like Iron Man and Guardians, you'll get great gems like Agents of Shield, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, and WandaVision. Low stakes, never too dark, easy to digest.

+1 for Psych. Hope your situation improves. /ehug

I think these are shows similar to your list Sense8 Seeet Tooth Severance Star Trek TNG/DS9/Voyager From the Earth to the Moon The Orville I also recommend Bobs Burgers. It’s literally my happy place and it’s only on for about 20 minutes so I watch about 2 episodes before bed to make me feel better 😂

Ted Lasso

I know you said no comedies - but Ted Lasso is just in a class all by itself. Full caveat - haven't watched any of the shows that you mention Other shows off the top of my head - The Crown (not time travel, but historical!), Wednesday, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Only Murders in the Building, Pokerface Movies: Knives Out series, Gosford Park, Enola Holmes series Now - for some really out there suggestions, some documentary or nonfiction recommendations. Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix) - the guy who co-created Everybody Loves Raymond travels the world, meets people, and eats. Each episode focuses on one city or area. He is delightful. He got me through the pandemic. Great British Baking Show/Bake Off (Netflix in the USA) - relaxing, and people are just happy to be there. Great Pottery Throwdown - same concept as GBBO, but with POTTERY! Absolutely delightful and creative and the people are always so lovely. If you are in the USA, you can get the first five series/seasons on HBO Max. I love it so much that I've actually gotten a VPN to watch the later series. Escape to the Chateau (Peacock in the USA) - a couple and their small children from England move into a old, dilapidated (sp?) chateau in France and live in it as they slowly repair/renovate it and make it a BnB/wedding venue. I love her whimsical style and he actually knows what he's doing, unlike some renovation shows. Narrow Escapes - again, if in the USA, the first season is on Prime. I discovered it through the aforementioned VPN, because it is on the same channel in the UK as Great Pottery Throwdown. It follows people around who live and work on narrow boats in Great Britain. It is fascinating, but calming at the same time. Edit - oh, and Traitors! There are multiple versions - I'm going to check out the other countries, but I'm hooked on the USA one!

Ted Lasso every time.

One Piece live action on Netflix! Heart warming show

Peep Show The Office Father Ted I'm Alan Partridge

Succession. Engaging and distracting for sure. You'll be gripped by these horrible people right to the end

Counterpart! Mature Sci fi, super involving and somewhat cerebral.

Ooooh it’s my time to shine! MRS DAVIS

Stargate SG1

Loki, Jury Duty, Alone, Manhattan, Mandalorian, Resident Alien (I'm only a little in so not sure about the sex part), Anne with an E, Schitt's Creek, Billion Dollar Wreck, The Circle, Wednesday, Masked Singer, Cocaine Cowboys, The Seven Five - (bad cop documentary), Young Sheldon, Early Edition, Man vs Bee, Amazing Race, Yukon Gold, The Curse of Oak Island, Down To Earth With Zac Efron Border Security, Catfish, Lost in Space, Nova, Murdoch's Mysteries - I'm not a fan but it's supposed to me enjoyable, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Tiger King,

Ripples on Netflix

LOST. Watch Lost.

The Spiderman movies starring Tom Holland are incredibly light and innocent, really charming. I’m going through a dark time too and they’ve helped a lot.

Try 8 out of 10 cats does countdown. Amusing, no bad stuff. Lots of swearing, though. It is British.

if you are looking for something to escape into, old network shows will keep the sex/violence down, especially compared to streaming shows Lost - especially since you liked fringe Quantum Leap Manifest ER - more time capsule than time travel, but has tons of eps

How about House MD? Supernatural?

The Good Place

The OA on Netflix. It's moody and weird, but not really dark. There's underlying optimism throughout it.

Kim's Convenience. Simu Lou before he was big, basically all comedy.

Adventure Time

Veep

Pushing Daisies! Bryan Fuller creates wonderful worlds and everyone in the cast is amazing.

Watch The OA! Sounds right up your alley

Resident Alien!

You like episodic sci-fi, so I'll recommend Stargate: SG-1. The same people who made Travelers also made SG-1.

Lost, 24, Star Trek TNG/Voyager, 12 Monkeys, Mr Robot, Firefly.

Bobs Burgers

Severence 

Battlestar Galactica

Dropout TV is hilarious. Not sure how much a sub is for but it gives ya good feels.

The detectorists

Dharma and Greg

***The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon***

Sherlock (2010) with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Andrew Scott is amazing in it as well.

We have similar taste! I recommend Station Eleven. Different vibe, but very good. It’s definitely not happy, but there’s something very special about it

The West Wing for sure, Mad Men (skip S2Ep12 and S6Ep8 to avoid SA topics), or Empresses in the Palace (on youtube with English subtitles) would fit the bill imo. Can I also suggest downloading and playing Stardew Valley?

Loved fringe! Named our dog Walter after that show. Supernatural has a ton of seasons. I think yall would enjoy it. I believe it's on prime. The outer limits is on prime as well. And ray Bradbury theater. Both of those are sci fi from the 80s and 90s. The magicians is good as well. The it crowd is funny and the three stooges. Sorry these are all on prime if you dont have access to that. i was looking through it for ideas. You might also try a classic comfort show like the office. Thinking of and praying for yalls comfort and time together.