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For Sale Mar 30, 2026 at 8:17 PM

Shows without love?

Posted by Sea-Lettuce-8252


I am rewatching the first seasons of Futurama right now and it really bothers me that almost every other episode is about one of the main characters falling in love/having sex with someone or going through romantic troubles. I don't care for that, it's tiring and way too much for me. I end up skipping almost half of all episodes due to this excess of romantic themes. (The ones I don't skip are usually great though. Futurama's early seasons hold up really well). So now I'm looking for sitcoms (animated or not) that don't focus on romantic relationships. I don't mind characters being in a relationship, as long as it's not a focal point of the plot. For example, I don't mind watching most Simpsons episodes even though Homer and Marge are married. The ones I don't watch include Lisa falling in love with Ralph/Nelson or Bart falling in love with Jessica Lovejoy/Laura Powers/etc or Homer and Marge having sex in public/solving their billionth marriage crisis. This means that I can't watch most sitcoms. Obviously something like Two and a Half Men, HIMYM or Modern Family is completely off limits to me. I can tolerate many episodes of Scrubs or even The Office, despite both focusing heavily on romantic plots during big portions of the show (which I end up skipping). I think the show I had to skip the least episodes of was Malcolm in the Middle. Maybe something like that? (Ideally with even less romantic plots/subplots).

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Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +10
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has almost no love in it whatsoever. There \*is\* mention of sex, trying to get men/women, mention of relationships, - but I'd say almost none of it is actually romantic or trying to pull at your emotions. One of the characters (Charlie) is interested in The Waitress, but this is always played for laughs, the show doesn't try to get you invested in it. There is one "Valentines day" ish episode, I usually skip that one lol. S8E4
10
zachblabbath Mar 30, 2026 +3
What about Maureen Ponderosa? She made Dennis have feelings again!
3
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +2
He had feelings for half an episode, then her rotting tooth became noticeable and she started acting like a cat.
2
floridorito Mar 30, 2026 +1
Remember feelings?
1
mrgoodnighthairdo Mar 30, 2026 +4
What about Roxy? She serviced not only Frank's crank, but his heart
4
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +2
Besides the "Charlie and Dee find love" episode, the most romantic scene in this show might actually be Frank proposing to a crack-addicted w****, wearing a jacket thats tighter than d***-skin. God this show sounds so bad without context.
2
Troldann Mar 30, 2026 +1
Context doesn’t do much to make it sound less bad. But that’s why it’s funny.
1
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 -2
Plenty of episodes are still about sex or the characters trying to have sex though. The boat episode, the Dennis system, Mac and the trans woman, even the very first episode is abput Dee wanting to have sex with some dude. I don't really want to see these topics in a show I watch.
-2
tultommy Mar 30, 2026 +4
If you need it to be that restrictive you'll probably need to stick to older children's programming.
4
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 +2
Older children's programming is full of love, unfortunately. Almost every single piece of Disney media has a romantic plot point.
2
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +1
The only exception I can think of would be Moana. But yeah, like every other Disney movie has romance as a major plot point.
1
tultommy Mar 30, 2026 +1
If it's really that big of a deal that cartoon romance is too much you should probably go all the way to shows like Ozzie and Harriet, My three sons, Mr, Ed, when sex was taboo for tv, and younger children's programming like sesame street and Mr. Rogers. Unfortunately the vast majority of the planet doesn't share in your opinion nor do the shows they write for the masses.
1
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +1
I brought it up because Its not romantic at all. But it does mention casual sex a good amount. If that disqualifies it, then yeah its not for you.
1
NeedsToShutUp Mar 30, 2026 +1
She also played his daughter in “Renaissance Man”
1
CrestonSpiers Mar 30, 2026 +1
She was a good hoor
1
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 +1
Great recommendation, thank you. I like the show but many episodes still focus on sex or trying to have sex, as you said. Unfortunately, I don't care for this stuff either. Id love to watch a fun show about asexual and aromantic people or something that gets really close to that.
1
MuffinMatrix Mar 30, 2026 +21
Most sitcoms and dramas are about life. Life has relationships. Thats why most involved them in some way. And relationships offer a lot in the way of comedy. You may need to look into your issues, not your show choices. Scifi shows would have less of it. Supernatural Stargate SG-1 The Pitt
21
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +1
Does Star Trek have much romance in it?
1
MuffinMatrix Mar 30, 2026 +1
I was gonna add ST:TNG, forgot haha.. Theres a little, but minor compared to the run of the show.
1
Sonichu- Mar 31, 2026 +1
There’s a decent amount of banging. It’s very PG though. Like one of the officers will flirt a bit with an alien, they’ll kiss, then you’ll cut to a scene of them hanging out in bed or another character commenting that they’re in a good mood. Characters will pair up and date too.
1
kinisonkhan Mar 31, 2026 +1
Yes, but from The Next Generation to Enterprise, the relationships are tame and take several seasons to establish. When Trek hit Paramount+, thats when they added sex scenes, one of which shows off a Klingon b***. Discovery had a gay and trans couple, but were very tame, the odd kiss and a lot of hand holding. Picard had a lesbian couple, but it was only because Robert Bertran (Chakotay) turned down the role. End of Voyager had Chakotay and 7of9 start a relationship, which they wanted to continue in Picard, but instead they made the 7 of 9 gay and still, the relationship was very tame. Strange New Worlds cranked this up a notch with Captain Pike dating Captain Batel. Spock dating Nurse Chapel. Una Chin-Riley having a uncontrollable desire for a Vulcan played by Patton Oswalt. And theres more in Starfleet Academy.
1
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 -3
> Life has relationships Yeah and I don't want to be constantly reminded of this. That's why I'm specifically looking for shows that don't depict this topic, I'd rather avoid thinking about it. Thank you for your recommendations. I agree with you on Sci Fi, which is why I found it even more strange for Futurama to focus on this so much.
-3
Deserana12 Mar 30, 2026 +3
Watch The Penguin, can’t think of much love in that. But I get what you mean, sometimes you just want to avoid certain things depending on the mood. Chernobyl is great too.
3
cyborgsnowflake Mar 30, 2026 +7
Beavis and Butthead.
7
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 +3
Thank you
3
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +1
If Beavis works, would South Park work? I haven't watched that much, but I can't imagine romance is toooo big of a theme. Smiling Friends has almost no romance. I wonder about other Adult Swim shows that are "weird", but haven't watched them: Venture Bros, Harvey Birdman, Aqua Teen Hunger force. This forum also seems to have some people with the same wants as you. [https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/96563-tv-shows-without-romance/](https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/96563-tv-shows-without-romance/) [https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/262290-moviestv-shows-without-romance/](https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/262290-moviestv-shows-without-romance/)
1
Few_Pride_5836 Mar 30, 2026 +6
Who hurt you? 
6
[deleted] Mar 30, 2026 +12
[deleted]
12
Kind-Shallot3603 Mar 30, 2026 +8
Yeah romance is usually a plot point in almost everything. You seem really disturbed by this and might want to talk it out with a professional.
8
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 -7
> Yeah romance is usually a plot point in almost everything Which makes it so tiring. I don't want to spend my free time thinking about love and relationships, that's all. I don't like that stuff as a topic.
-7
Kind-Shallot3603 Mar 30, 2026 +3
Yeah I really think you are going through things. Hope you find peace
3
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 +1
Alright thanks
1
Apprehensive-Handle4 Mar 30, 2026 +3
Try Community
3
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +1
Nah, Community would have far too much romance and sex for OP. the "will they/won't they" with Britta and Annie is constant.
1
Apprehensive-Handle4 Mar 30, 2026 +2
But it's not romance! It's just chemistry and Jeff has it with everybody!
2
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026
I honestly completely disagree lol.
0
Few_Pride_5836 Mar 31, 2026 +3
Yeah. The finale has all the Jeff and Annie drama. 
3
BenderBenRodriguez Mar 30, 2026 +2
I’m going to be honest and say that if you’re having this much trouble with such a fundamental part of the human experience you’re going to have a hard time finding shows that don’t at least touch on it and something is going on that finding the right TV show is not going to solve for you.
2
No_Guitar7903 Mar 30, 2026 +6
The Wire
6
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026
Never realized this but you're on point. The Wire is a perfect show that keeps focus on love down to a minimum. Is there something like The Wire but as a sitcom?
0
Xanto97 Mar 30, 2026 +1
I think dramas have the benefit of not \*always\* dealing with sex/romance as plot points. Chernobyl came to mind. But with sitcoms (situational comedy) there's comedy and lightheartedness. And that does often have romance roped into it. Hm. Maybe Batman the animated series? I don't remember if Bruce ever gets romantically involved in that.
1
Geobead Mar 30, 2026 +2
Fisk, Better Off Ted, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, Veep, My Name is Earl, Reno 911, Ab Fab - there of course is some dating/sex content but it’s generally less serious and played for laughs. I’d say look for workplace sitcoms where personal lives aren’t as much of a focus.
2
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 -2
Thank you for the list. I think Arrested Development and 30 Rock both focus a bit too much on romance/love/sex which is a shame because they are both amazing shows. It hurts to skip episodes of those shows. I love My Name is Earl too. Will check out the other shows you mentioned. Thank you
-2
runadss Mar 30, 2026 +2
Better Things - limited romance, show is more of a dramedy Broad City - limited romance, not whole dedicated episodes IIRC, but some scenes here and there Curb Your Enthusiasm - A bit of romance/love plots but easily skipable since it's mostly episodic show Deli Boys - very limited, crime/action/comedy Detroiters - very limited, some scenes here and there Reno 911 - very limited, if not almost zero South Side - almost zero romance IIRC Tacoma FD - almost zero The Studio - only one episode revolves around a date, otherwise "romance" is pretty much non-existent
2
_PM_ME_PANGOLINS_ Mar 30, 2026 +5
Father Ted, Black Books, Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Yes Minister, Keeping Up Appearances, Porridge, Red Dwarf, The Young Ones, As Time Goes By, One Foot In The Grave.
5
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 +2
Wow, thank you so much for the list. Looking forward to enjoying these shows!
2
not_falling_down Mar 30, 2026 +1
Elsbeth. Matlock (the new one) P**** Face
1
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 +1
Thank you
1
Randeth Mar 30, 2026 +1
Kevin Can F*ck Himself is all about hate, not love. 🙂 And it's an absolutely fantastic deconstruction of the Sitcom Wife Trope. I love it.
1
Sea-Lettuce-8252 Mar 30, 2026 -1
Thank you, sounds interesting
-1
spinereader81 Mar 30, 2026 +1
The Bob Newhart Show Barney Miller Early seasons of Ellen (the sitcom) Father Ted King of the Hill Bob and Margaret Newsradio (minimal romance) You're also safe with most murder mystery shows. Monk, Murder, She Wrote, Rosemary and Thyme, and Midsomer Murders.
1
phantombrick22 Mar 31, 2026 +1
Law and Order (original) is pretty damn close
1
RelationRealistic Mar 30, 2026 +1
Olive ewe OP.
1
faultysynapse Mar 30, 2026
Love is such a bummer right? If you're looking for sitcoms, you might be hard-pressed. It's a pretty standard source for conflict and comedy. Because most people find it fairly relatable. I honestly don't know what to suggest.  Maybe Kevin can f**k himself. Weird show, I only caught the first season but I liked it.
0
Sloppykrab Mar 30, 2026
What's wrong with romance?
0
VegetableEvidence245 Mar 30, 2026 +1
People like (or dislike) different things, why does every piece of media need to be the same?
1
patricksaurus Mar 30, 2026 -1
Seinfeld. They’re incapable of love for anything but themselves. It’s refreshing.
-1
King_Misanthrope Mar 30, 2026 +6
But dating is a constant topic.
6
[deleted] Mar 30, 2026
[deleted]
0
MuffinMatrix Mar 30, 2026 +2
Um, theres a ton of relationship stuff all through out the show.
2
the-magnetic-rose Mar 30, 2026 +1
The Pitt is one of the most romance-less shows I've ever seen. Even the romantic relationships that exist between the cast are subtle and not talked about that often. Elementary is a modern take on Sherlock Holmes that focus on male Holmes and female Watson's platonic friendship. Doesn't have much romance. Early seasons of X-Files doesn't have romance, although the two leads do eventually get together. MASH has some romance, but it's not really a priority in the show.
1
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