CLEVELAND — If you’re anything like me, you could probably use a break from reality right about now in the form of distracting entertainment,
But modern day television can often be too bleak or heavy. For example, I hear that Chernobyl series on HBO is fantastic but this just doesn’t feel like the right time to tackle it, ya know?
This is a good time for uncomplicated, comfort television, with nostalgic appeal that takes us back to a simpler time when generous laugh tracks helpfully alerted us that something funny had just happened and all of life’s problems were resolved within 30 minutes, if you include commercials.
With that in mind, here are some classic sitcoms that are currently available on streaming platforms to distract you for a little bit:
CHEERS
Oh man, do you guys remember bars? They were the best. Well, you still can’t go to them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pull up a stool to Netflix and hang out for all 11 seasons of the all time classic, “Cheers” where everybody knew your name and was still allowed to sit within 6 feet of you.
THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW
Also on Netflix, no sitcom better captures the concept of “simpler times” than the Andy Griffith Show where the most harrowing issue each week was whether or not Aunt Bee would win the blue ribbon for her pickles at the county fair. And that is about the level of adversity I’m looking to experience right now.
THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES & GREEN ACRES
If you’re looking for a classic fish-out-of-water sitcom Amazon also offers both The Beverly Hillbillies where poor people enter the world of rich people, and Green Acres where rich people enter the world of poor people. In both cases, as you might imagine, shenanigans ensue.
They also have The Cosby Show which is a great program but probably just skip that one because things are complicated enough right now.
WHO'S THE BOSS
IMDB recently got into the streaming game and they offer sitcoms like “Who’s The Boss” where you can watch Tony Danza and and Judith Light charmingly attempt to establish who is, indeed, “The Boss”.
BEWITCHED
You can also stream the classic Bewitched in which an advertising executive marries a witch and, perhaps unsurprisingly, shenanigans ensue.
The show also features an impressive amount of day-drinking. Which is obviously very relevant right now.
GROWING PAINS
Finally, ROKU TV now has a free streaming service where you can check out “Growing Pains” the ONLY show in TV history brave enough to feature a character named “Boner Stabone”
THE FACTS OF LIFE
And finally, you can watch Blair, Tootie and the rest of “The Facts of Life” girls grow up right before your eyes over the course of 9 seasons with a little help from a young, mulletted George Clooney and the incomparable Mrs. Garrett, whom I actually do a pretty solid impression of.
So there you have it. Some sitcom comfort food from yesteryear to help you escape for a while. And you can do it WITHOUT escaping from those pajama pants. Stay safe folks.
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