What's your comfort media? February 24, 2021 6:47 PM Subscribe
What do you watch/listen to/read when you need a pick-me-up?
Could be something you love or just something that brings you a brief sugar-rush when you need it.
Could be something you love or just something that brings you a brief sugar-rush when you need it.
The Anne of Green Gables books!
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:57 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:57 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
I always return to my favorite three Star Treks - Next Generation, Deep Space 9, and Voyager. Those characters feel like old friends to me. I've been watching them a lot lately as world events give me more and more reasons for anguish, outrage, and horror.
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 7:07 PM on February 24, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 7:07 PM on February 24, 2021 [7 favorites]
The Muppet Movie
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 7:07 PM on February 24, 2021 [10 favorites]
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 7:07 PM on February 24, 2021 [10 favorites]
My wife and I have been getting a lot of mileage out of old Cartoon Planets on Youtube over this past year - both of us watched them back when they first aired, and they're just the perfect mix of goofy and repetitive for us.
We've pretty much always used Frasier for this as well.
posted by DingoMutt at 7:16 PM on February 24, 2021 [3 favorites]
We've pretty much always used Frasier for this as well.
posted by DingoMutt at 7:16 PM on February 24, 2021 [3 favorites]
Usually, any one of Cradle Will Rock, The Martian, or Scott Pilgrim vs. the World will do it for me.
posted by bixfrankonis at 7:34 PM on February 24, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by bixfrankonis at 7:34 PM on February 24, 2021 [3 favorites]
I’ll reread various sections of Riddlemaster of Hed trilogy.
Nowadays I also just restart the Murderbot stories.
posted by curious nu at 7:36 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
Nowadays I also just restart the Murderbot stories.
posted by curious nu at 7:36 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
(I also very much appreciate the irony/synchronicity of rereading Murderbot as comfort media)
posted by curious nu at 7:39 PM on February 24, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by curious nu at 7:39 PM on February 24, 2021 [2 favorites]
Murderbot Diaries
Bob's Burgers
Ted Lasso seems to be going that way for me as well.
posted by later, paladudes at 7:45 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
Bob's Burgers
Ted Lasso seems to be going that way for me as well.
posted by later, paladudes at 7:45 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
TV: Ballykissangel, first two seasons only
Film: That Thing You Do!
Music: The Sundays
YouTube: The Dog of Wisdom
posted by armeowda at 7:47 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
Film: That Thing You Do!
Music: The Sundays
YouTube: The Dog of Wisdom
posted by armeowda at 7:47 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
4/4, emphasis on the one. Powerful horns section. James Brown or JB-adjacent.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 7:48 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 7:48 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
YT videos of planes taking off and landing
AM radio from the 1970s
My Travis McGee collection
posted by sundrop at 7:49 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
AM radio from the 1970s
My Travis McGee collection
posted by sundrop at 7:49 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
1995 Jennifer Ehle Pride and Prejudice. I have watched that so many times and it's become our family quotable- "is that my nephew??" When I met my nephew for the first time, etc.
posted by freethefeet at 8:22 PM on February 24, 2021 [17 favorites]
posted by freethefeet at 8:22 PM on February 24, 2021 [17 favorites]
The TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender.
posted by Quonab at 8:48 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by Quonab at 8:48 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
Anything that has Monty Don in it.
posted by msali at 9:29 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by msali at 9:29 PM on February 24, 2021 [5 favorites]
Will Patton reading Denis Johnson writing. Jesus' Son and Train Dreams especially.
posted by dobbs at 9:34 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by dobbs at 9:34 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
The Goblin Emperor is my comfort read. Also, the Aubrey Maturin series, depending on what kind of mood I'm in on any given day.
posted by Alensin at 9:38 PM on February 24, 2021 [10 favorites]
posted by Alensin at 9:38 PM on February 24, 2021 [10 favorites]
Starting an early game in Civ 5.
Optimising traffic in Cities Skylines.
I’ll listen to a podcast during this playtime, such as We Hate Movies, Office Ladies or something else equally light and silly
posted by iamkimiam at 11:00 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
Optimising traffic in Cities Skylines.
I’ll listen to a podcast during this playtime, such as We Hate Movies, Office Ladies or something else equally light and silly
posted by iamkimiam at 11:00 PM on February 24, 2021 [1 favorite]
We'll see if it remains so after a experiencing a much milder non-fictional pandemic (I imagine it will), but The Stand is a comfort read for me, particularly Book 1: Captain Trips.
TV-wise, the last great multi-camera sitcom, NewsRadio, though it's harder to take the conspiracy thinking of Joe Rogan as comedic considering his influence 21 years later.
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 11:30 PM on February 24, 2021 [2 favorites]
TV-wise, the last great multi-camera sitcom, NewsRadio, though it's harder to take the conspiracy thinking of Joe Rogan as comedic considering his influence 21 years later.
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 11:30 PM on February 24, 2021 [2 favorites]
Series:
Queer Eye
Samurai Gourmet
Tokyo Diner
The Repair Shop
Podcasts:
I love listening to Critical Role - just the vibe of good friends playing D&D together is really soothing
Nothing Much Happens (supposed to be a sleep aid, but it's just nice and soothing too)
Mystery Show
Kermode and Mayo's Film Review (also has that good friends who care for one another chatting together vibe)
This is Love
Books:
The Goblin Emperor
Murderbot
The Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers
Anything by Elizabeth Enright
Anything by Tove Jansson
Anything by Arthur Ransome
posted by Zumbador at 11:35 PM on February 24, 2021 [2 favorites]
Queer Eye
Samurai Gourmet
Tokyo Diner
The Repair Shop
Podcasts:
I love listening to Critical Role - just the vibe of good friends playing D&D together is really soothing
Nothing Much Happens (supposed to be a sleep aid, but it's just nice and soothing too)
Mystery Show
Kermode and Mayo's Film Review (also has that good friends who care for one another chatting together vibe)
This is Love
Books:
The Goblin Emperor
Murderbot
The Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers
Anything by Elizabeth Enright
Anything by Tove Jansson
Anything by Arthur Ransome
posted by Zumbador at 11:35 PM on February 24, 2021 [2 favorites]
One more comfort watch: Yacht Rock.
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 11:46 PM on February 24, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 11:46 PM on February 24, 2021 [4 favorites]
I think I’ve read The Goblin Emperor four times in the last two years. It definitely makes me feel better. I think it’s because it’s a combination of being really emotional but so solution-based and has the happy ending. Rhys Bowen’s royal books make me feel better. Also books like Lee Child’s Reacher series and tv series’ like Burn Notice are really comforting because they are about smart, funny people with good problem solving skills.
posted by gt2 at 12:33 AM on February 25, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by gt2 at 12:33 AM on February 25, 2021 [5 favorites]
Weirdly, I guess it's the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel for me.
I could have sworn I wasn't a fan. The writing is not great; the balance between narrative storytelling and scientific dissertations about the ice age landscape, flora, and fauna is way off. The many sex scenes start off exciting, then become repetitive and boring.
But I keep going back to the books. I find comfort in reading about the adventures of the characters, however unrealistic they may be, and I skip ahead over dissertations and yes, sex scenes to where the adventures continue.
posted by rawrberry at 1:09 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
I could have sworn I wasn't a fan. The writing is not great; the balance between narrative storytelling and scientific dissertations about the ice age landscape, flora, and fauna is way off. The many sex scenes start off exciting, then become repetitive and boring.
But I keep going back to the books. I find comfort in reading about the adventures of the characters, however unrealistic they may be, and I skip ahead over dissertations and yes, sex scenes to where the adventures continue.
posted by rawrberry at 1:09 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Mine are all movies: Big Hero 6, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, WALL-E, Beaches, Booksmart, Clueless, Now And Then and recently added Barb & Star Go to Vista del Mar!
posted by ellieBOA at 1:40 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by ellieBOA at 1:40 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Parks and Rec
posted by thivaia at 5:08 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by thivaia at 5:08 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Oh and “The Philadelphia Story”
posted by thivaia at 5:10 AM on February 25, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by thivaia at 5:10 AM on February 25, 2021 [7 favorites]
Downton Abbey is my go to, to get more spoons. It always makes me feel better after watching an episode.
posted by edmcbride at 5:57 AM on February 25, 2021
posted by edmcbride at 5:57 AM on February 25, 2021
The "Queer Eye" TV series.
posted by NotLost at 6:21 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by NotLost at 6:21 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
A lot of mine is Peanuts cartoons. I have the Fantagraphics complete set, so sometimes I'll just grab a volume and open it to a random page. Listening to Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts soundtracks also works.
When that doesn't work, and I'm at my darkest, I have one secret weapon. It's mysterious; I don't know how it works, or why, but it's "Two Princes" by the Spin Doctors. I smile every time.
posted by kevinbelt at 6:22 AM on February 25, 2021 [5 favorites]
When that doesn't work, and I'm at my darkest, I have one secret weapon. It's mysterious; I don't know how it works, or why, but it's "Two Princes" by the Spin Doctors. I smile every time.
posted by kevinbelt at 6:22 AM on February 25, 2021 [5 favorites]
Taskmaster
posted by jacquilynne at 6:22 AM on February 25, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 6:22 AM on February 25, 2021 [8 favorites]
I started making different lists for different approaches--when I want to get outside myself, when I want to tuck right into a plate of comfort reading, or when I need a good cry first--but most of the media I turn to is on most of these lists anyway.
Youtube videos of Korean street food candymaking (e.g.)
Arnold Lobel, Frog and Toad or Owl at Home
Miyazaki movies
Sherlock Holmes stories
LA punk from the 80s, esp. Minutemen
The Good Place
Marvin Gaye, What's Going On
Kelly Link, esp. Get in Trouble
Blue Planet
posted by miles per flower at 6:24 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Youtube videos of Korean street food candymaking (e.g.)
Arnold Lobel, Frog and Toad or Owl at Home
Miyazaki movies
Sherlock Holmes stories
LA punk from the 80s, esp. Minutemen
The Good Place
Marvin Gaye, What's Going On
Kelly Link, esp. Get in Trouble
Blue Planet
posted by miles per flower at 6:24 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Another vote for Tokyo Diner... that show is a warm hug.
posted by somanyamys at 6:27 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by somanyamys at 6:27 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Books: Anthony Trollope and Jane Austen
Movies: Big Trouble in Little China
TV: youtube videos of beaches and trains
Music: I just bought a Herb Alpert box set that is very enjoyable
Also lots and lots of old-time radio
posted by JanetLand at 6:31 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Movies: Big Trouble in Little China
TV: youtube videos of beaches and trains
Music: I just bought a Herb Alpert box set that is very enjoyable
Also lots and lots of old-time radio
posted by JanetLand at 6:31 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Baseball on the radio
Escape to the Country
Stardew Valley
posted by Gray Duck at 6:50 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Escape to the Country
Stardew Valley
posted by Gray Duck at 6:50 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
WALL-E! Usually just the first half, but sometimes the whole thing. Or sometimes just the part where WALL-E is following Eve around and they finally speak to each other in the light of the explosion she just made by blowing stuff up.
Moonstruck, My Neighbor Totoro, My Favorite Year (but it's been ages, need to find that one)
The Repair Shop (British master craftspeople show on Netflix)
YouTube: Reaction videos, mainly people hearing Angelina Jordan for the first time. I have mentioned this before. I love them.
posted by Glinn at 6:51 AM on February 25, 2021
Moonstruck, My Neighbor Totoro, My Favorite Year (but it's been ages, need to find that one)
The Repair Shop (British master craftspeople show on Netflix)
YouTube: Reaction videos, mainly people hearing Angelina Jordan for the first time. I have mentioned this before. I love them.
posted by Glinn at 6:51 AM on February 25, 2021
Books:
Nicobobinus by Terry Jones
All of the books featuring Lewis Barnavelt by John Bellairs
Anything by Ellen Raskin, but particularly The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues
Movies:
Willow
Troll 2
They Live
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Housesitter
Jumpin' Jack Flash
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 6:59 AM on February 25, 2021 [6 favorites]
Nicobobinus by Terry Jones
All of the books featuring Lewis Barnavelt by John Bellairs
Anything by Ellen Raskin, but particularly The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues
Movies:
Willow
Troll 2
They Live
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Housesitter
Jumpin' Jack Flash
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 6:59 AM on February 25, 2021 [6 favorites]
Oh, I forgot to mention jigsaw puzzles -- a jigsaw puzzle, the radio, and a coke and I'm good.
posted by JanetLand at 7:09 AM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by JanetLand at 7:09 AM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
Mine is simple: this video of Captain Marvel singing Metric's Black Sheep in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World .
posted by signal at 7:24 AM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by signal at 7:24 AM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
The West Wing, mostly for the nostalgia factor of how I felt when I was first watching it.
Robin Hobb's novels for the same, but also because they're so good and deeply emotionally stirring. Rereading them feels like going home in the best way.
posted by fight or flight at 7:36 AM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
Robin Hobb's novels for the same, but also because they're so good and deeply emotionally stirring. Rereading them feels like going home in the best way.
posted by fight or flight at 7:36 AM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
I like to lose all sense of time and place with a good game of Civ VI that lasts all day.
For emotional comfort TV, it's GBBO or, more recently, Nadiya Hussain's shows on Netflix. Plus cooking shows on YouTube - Chef John, Babish, Sam The Cooking Guy.
I like any music I can sing along to in the car.
posted by briank at 7:48 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
For emotional comfort TV, it's GBBO or, more recently, Nadiya Hussain's shows on Netflix. Plus cooking shows on YouTube - Chef John, Babish, Sam The Cooking Guy.
I like any music I can sing along to in the car.
posted by briank at 7:48 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Any time I'm sick I watch Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. It just makes me feel better about my sinuses/life/the world.
posted by phunniemee at 8:06 AM on February 25, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 8:06 AM on February 25, 2021 [4 favorites]
When life is stressful and sad and I am having trouble sleeping I'll re-listen to the Discworld audiobooks. I started at the beginning last summer, am on the 40th one now. There's only one more to go. Next up is the complete works of Jane Austen.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 8:16 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 8:16 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
If I totaled up all the books I have re-read, I might be horrified to see Fatherland, Robert Harris, at the top.
posted by thelonius at 8:31 AM on February 25, 2021
posted by thelonius at 8:31 AM on February 25, 2021
By now, it is a cliche, but Cornell 5-8-77 2nd set. Scarlet -> Fire.
posted by AugustWest at 8:42 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by AugustWest at 8:42 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
For movies, Young Frankenstein never disappoints.
But here are a few things that I've kept around for years and find myself returning to, usually when I'm sick and want something familiar to re-read:
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Flatland
A Rudimentary Treatise on Clocks, Watches and Bells by Edmund Beckett, Baron Grimthorpe.
The last one came to my attention after I saw a youtube video that showed a simple (and ingenious) single-pin escapement made out of lego. Also, how can you not want a book written by Baron Grimthorpe?
posted by jquinby at 8:48 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
But here are a few things that I've kept around for years and find myself returning to, usually when I'm sick and want something familiar to re-read:
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Flatland
A Rudimentary Treatise on Clocks, Watches and Bells by Edmund Beckett, Baron Grimthorpe.
The last one came to my attention after I saw a youtube video that showed a simple (and ingenious) single-pin escapement made out of lego. Also, how can you not want a book written by Baron Grimthorpe?
posted by jquinby at 8:48 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Friendship/family: Schitt's Creek is my first watch but wow, this will be an eternal pick me up for me. I'm crying with joy over their bonds at most episodes of a hilarious comedy. I will get sucked down the rabbit hole of friendship watching The Office, Parks and Rec or The Good Place too if I happen to start them.
Improvement: The Repair Shop show to see people fixing old beloved things. It's basically competency porn.
We can be better: Star Trek: TNG like someone else said always makes me be inspired and hopeful.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:59 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Improvement: The Repair Shop show to see people fixing old beloved things. It's basically competency porn.
We can be better: Star Trek: TNG like someone else said always makes me be inspired and hopeful.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:59 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
does a mix of good craft beer and locally grown marijuana combined with mostly spaced out instrumental music and old black + white movies (with the sound muted) constitute a medium?
posted by philip-random at 9:45 AM on February 25, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 9:45 AM on February 25, 2021 [4 favorites]
I mostly just go to youtube and watch whatever comes up from travel presenter Susan Calman, historian Lucy Worsley, food historian Annie Gray. I don't know why British docu-tv is the thing that soothes me, but it's been true since back in the Extended Cable days when I'd flip between Travel, Discovery, History, Food Network, and A&E to find something similar.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:51 AM on February 25, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 9:51 AM on February 25, 2021 [6 favorites]
Most of my go-to reads (Anne of Green Gables) and watches (80s-00s era Star Trek) have been covered; for gaming it's the Pokémon core series games. Every couple of years I play through generations I-IV at least (sometimes V too but I have max nostalgia for I-IV), usually on a phone emulator. Lockdown has taken me a step further this time round, and I'm currently playing the gen VI games for the first time (Y is very, very strange in places), which is fun and uncanny in equal measure.
Another every-couple of-years comfort watch for my household is the Lord of the Rings extended editions and all the making of documentaries. I've just finished watching the original run of X Files for the first time and can easily see the earlier seasons becoming a future one of these for me.
posted by terretu at 9:54 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Another every-couple of-years comfort watch for my household is the Lord of the Rings extended editions and all the making of documentaries. I've just finished watching the original run of X Files for the first time and can easily see the earlier seasons becoming a future one of these for me.
posted by terretu at 9:54 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
The album “out of sorts” by atta boy. The album “the weatherman” by Gregory Allan Isakov. The poem “Stopping by the Woods” by Robert Frost (is that the title?). The poem “I’m Nobody” by Emily Dickinson. The poems are not uplifting but I have them memorized and saying them, out loud, to my daughter has comforted us both a lot. It’s like a lock fitting into a key.
posted by CMcG at 10:04 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by CMcG at 10:04 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Books: Discworld, Murderbot Diaries, the Wayfarer Series by Becky Chambers.
TV: The Good Place, Parks & Rec, Psych
Movies: Captain Marvel, The Princess Bride, Oceans 11 and 12
posted by cooker girl at 10:22 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
TV: The Good Place, Parks & Rec, Psych
Movies: Captain Marvel, The Princess Bride, Oceans 11 and 12
posted by cooker girl at 10:22 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
A lot of mine have already been mentioned. Here are a few others:
TV: The Middleman
Movies: Bringing Up Baby; The Matchmaker
Book: Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly
Podcast: A Way With Words
posted by gudrun at 10:25 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
TV: The Middleman
Movies: Bringing Up Baby; The Matchmaker
Book: Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly
Podcast: A Way With Words
posted by gudrun at 10:25 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Oh! Lyn Never reminded me of a new favorite on YouTube: LesleytheBirdNerd. She talks about all kinds of backyard bird things, including the blue jays she has befriended.
posted by Glinn at 11:10 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Glinn at 11:10 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Honestly, Jenny Nicholson Youtube videos.
posted by all about eevee at 11:28 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by all about eevee at 11:28 AM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Ted Lasso again and again
posted by capnsue at 11:41 AM on February 25, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by capnsue at 11:41 AM on February 25, 2021 [4 favorites]
Nthing Ted Lasso. Watched it twice in the last 6 weeks. Also on the Bob's Burgers train (mostly the early seasons) and some Parks & Rec/Good Place as needed.
For books, I go back to the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. Not without it's issues, to be sure, but lots of it is just good fun.
posted by that's candlepin at 11:47 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
For books, I go back to the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. Not without it's issues, to be sure, but lots of it is just good fun.
posted by that's candlepin at 11:47 AM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Discworld, good romance novels, ridiculous paranormal podcasts like Mysterious Universe, the band Ghost, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and... uh... Hannibal.
In conclusion I am a land of contrasts.
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:05 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
In conclusion I am a land of contrasts.
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:05 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
music: skatellites, da whole thing (see/hear) and ska generally, bob marley, gil scott-heron, nina simone, max roach and (familiar) bebop generally, chopin nocturnes, beethoven string quartets and piano sonatas
books: anathem, the VALIS trilogy, selections from stross "laundry" series or banks "culture" -- especially "excession" -- series, tao teh ching, fox in socks
tv: treks (except TOS), lasso (working lately), band of brothers, the wire, maybe sagan's cosmos.
youtube: something ... scholastic about cosmology/inflation.
posted by 20 year lurk at 12:37 PM on February 25, 2021
books: anathem, the VALIS trilogy, selections from stross "laundry" series or banks "culture" -- especially "excession" -- series, tao teh ching, fox in socks
tv: treks (except TOS), lasso (working lately), band of brothers, the wire, maybe sagan's cosmos.
youtube: something ... scholastic about cosmology/inflation.
posted by 20 year lurk at 12:37 PM on February 25, 2021
Flatbush Cats, kitty rescue stories with chill beats.
posted by emjaybee at 12:45 PM on February 25, 2021
posted by emjaybee at 12:45 PM on February 25, 2021
The West Wing, esp. during the last 4 years, because Sorkin is such a good writer, and listening to his dialog was soothing. He shows off sometimes, but, even so, always a pleasure.
Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien.
Any of Laurie Colwin's novels. I'm overdue to read Happy All The Time. Her food books, too, even if you don't cook, but especially if you do.
Margaret Drabble. her novels are generally about smart, interesting women. Drabble is so intelligent and her writing is really good but not ostentatious.
I went through a long reading drought, for reasons, and am hankering to read TH White's Once and Future King, as well as John Steinbeck's The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights but am worried that they may disappoint.
I recently bought DVDs of the 1st 2 seasons of 30something, because it's closely entwined with a period of my life. I find myself uneasy about starting it.
posted by theora55 at 12:55 PM on February 25, 2021
Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien.
Any of Laurie Colwin's novels. I'm overdue to read Happy All The Time. Her food books, too, even if you don't cook, but especially if you do.
Margaret Drabble. her novels are generally about smart, interesting women. Drabble is so intelligent and her writing is really good but not ostentatious.
I went through a long reading drought, for reasons, and am hankering to read TH White's Once and Future King, as well as John Steinbeck's The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights but am worried that they may disappoint.
I recently bought DVDs of the 1st 2 seasons of 30something, because it's closely entwined with a period of my life. I find myself uneasy about starting it.
posted by theora55 at 12:55 PM on February 25, 2021
If I'm having a really terrible time, putting on Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit never fails to cheer me up a bit.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:46 PM on February 25, 2021
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:46 PM on February 25, 2021
TV:
Columbo (over the course of the last 30 years or so of comfort watching, I've seen every episode except the execrable "Last Salute to the Commodore" at least six or seven times, probably more)
The Golden Girls
Star Trek, but only TOS
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
Books:
Almost any audio nonfiction read by MacLeod Andrews
Please Kill Me, by Legs McNeil & Gillian McCain (opened more or less at random)
Music:
Spoon
Elvis Costello, but only his stuff from before 1990
posted by holborne at 2:47 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Columbo (over the course of the last 30 years or so of comfort watching, I've seen every episode except the execrable "Last Salute to the Commodore" at least six or seven times, probably more)
The Golden Girls
Star Trek, but only TOS
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
Books:
Almost any audio nonfiction read by MacLeod Andrews
Please Kill Me, by Legs McNeil & Gillian McCain (opened more or less at random)
Music:
Spoon
Elvis Costello, but only his stuff from before 1990
posted by holborne at 2:47 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
I'm mostly a long walks or naps for comfort person, but if I really, deeply need catharsis, I need Follow that Bird (link to movie's muppet wiki page at fandom.com).
posted by the primroses were over at 3:44 PM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by the primroses were over at 3:44 PM on February 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
I'm slowly crawling my way through these links:
http://www.my-time-machines.net/astro_index.htm
...with occasional forays into the accompanying videos, which I recommend to anyone interested in unbelievably complex machinery that's being built to perform a task that literally nobody in the world needs any longer, but which is perhaps all the more amazing for that [previously].
posted by aramaic at 3:59 PM on February 25, 2021
http://www.my-time-machines.net/astro_index.htm
...with occasional forays into the accompanying videos, which I recommend to anyone interested in unbelievably complex machinery that's being built to perform a task that literally nobody in the world needs any longer, but which is perhaps all the more amazing for that [previously].
posted by aramaic at 3:59 PM on February 25, 2021
I went through a long reading drought, for reasons, and am hankering to read TH White's Once and Future King, as well as John Steinbeck's The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights but am worried that they may disappoint.
(Just as a heads-up, The Once and Future King includes a passage with a cat that I found really disturbing when I read it (granted, I read it when I was in middle school, but on the other hand, it's stuck with me as the thing I remember when I think of this book). It's not very long and is easily skippable so maybe it's not a reason to avoid the book, but it definitely was not a "comfort media" scene.)
When I was younger I used to read and re-read collections of comics - Bloom County, Far Side, Garfield - for comfort, to the point where they're all burned into my brain. I still have most of those books and now I'm thinking maybe I ought to dig them out again. I also re-read Pratchett's Discworld every few years, though I still haven't worked up the emotional wherewithal to read the last one (so long as I don't read it, Terry's still out there getting ready to write his next book ... right???).
posted by DingoMutt at 5:12 PM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
(Just as a heads-up, The Once and Future King includes a passage with a cat that I found really disturbing when I read it (granted, I read it when I was in middle school, but on the other hand, it's stuck with me as the thing I remember when I think of this book). It's not very long and is easily skippable so maybe it's not a reason to avoid the book, but it definitely was not a "comfort media" scene.)
When I was younger I used to read and re-read collections of comics - Bloom County, Far Side, Garfield - for comfort, to the point where they're all burned into my brain. I still have most of those books and now I'm thinking maybe I ought to dig them out again. I also re-read Pratchett's Discworld every few years, though I still haven't worked up the emotional wherewithal to read the last one (so long as I don't read it, Terry's still out there getting ready to write his next book ... right???).
posted by DingoMutt at 5:12 PM on February 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
As a child, I found the unicorn hunt far more upsetting than the spell with the cat. That didn't stop me from reading The Once and Future King to pieces. I feel like my mother deserves some sort of medal for taking me to the library every Friday afternoon knowing that I was going to check out Camelot and My Fair Lady. Every single weekend.
posted by betweenthebars at 5:30 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by betweenthebars at 5:30 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
I also re-read Discworld. The Rincewind centric ones I like to read in print, the Witches & Watch ones I prefer in audiobook. The Death heavy ones really depend - sometimes I need to hear that ponderous voice, others I prefer to imagine it.
I also like to re-read Niven's Known Universe novels.
And I've re-watched the entire run of The West Wing nearly a dozen times.
There are times when sad songs or sad movies are just the thing; so extra double bonus points for The Mission. Honourable mention for the pathos of Dead Like Me.
When all else fails I try to find make someone new listen to cortex' 1 minute magnum opus.
posted by mce at 6:01 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
I also like to re-read Niven's Known Universe novels.
And I've re-watched the entire run of The West Wing nearly a dozen times.
There are times when sad songs or sad movies are just the thing; so extra double bonus points for The Mission. Honourable mention for the pathos of Dead Like Me.
When all else fails I try to find make someone new listen to cortex' 1 minute magnum opus.
posted by mce at 6:01 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
I love this Dog Needs a Kitty video.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:23 PM on February 25, 2021
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:23 PM on February 25, 2021
I still read TS Eliot's Four Quartets, aloud, once a year in the spring sometime. I have read all of Carlos Castanedas books at least seven times, the last time I did a read through, it was aloud. That was last year. I binge watched all of Star Trek, over the last 2.5 years. It was only after watching Voyager all the way through, I realized I had sat next to Commander Chakotay, in a coffee shop in Bakersfield. There was something so oddly familiar in that character, so I looked him up on wikipedia, and he is from Bakersfield, and has a classic accent from here. Now I do puzzles like I used to when I was a kid. It is time to read Gravity's Rainbow again, I already made a dictionary for it, so I will have it handy when I need to know what a mullioned window is. Oh, and come back The Expanse!
posted by Oyéah at 8:08 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 8:08 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Oh, and I also enjoy this lego stop-motion animation about moving a piano and drinking tea.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:19 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:19 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Starting last summer, The Goes Wrong Show. My wife and I rewatched the whole first series repeatedly during a few particularly difficult months.
posted by biogeo at 8:40 PM on February 25, 2021
posted by biogeo at 8:40 PM on February 25, 2021
This is the dumbest thing, but early in the Trump administration I started writing a story that made ME feel safe and comfortable, and kept retreating into it as my comfort media, and eventually I wrote 700 pages and now I read it when I feel stressed.
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 9:59 PM on February 25, 2021 [17 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 9:59 PM on February 25, 2021 [17 favorites]
I find the Murderbot audiobooks to be soothing enough that I use them to fall asleep.
posted by Pronoiac at 11:00 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Pronoiac at 11:00 PM on February 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Terry Pratchett. I try to leave long enough between re-readings to forget to recite them by heart, I've read them so much.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 4:33 AM on February 26, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 4:33 AM on February 26, 2021 [6 favorites]
Books by Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine, mostly not the Inspector Wexfords but the long standalones, like A Fatal Inversion or King Solomon's Carpet. The material can be disturbing but the tone is comfortable and reassuring. They should be rereads so I can slow down and notice little things.
TV: things on PBS or Netflix that are either familiar or based on familiar books. I actually enjoyed Behind her Eyes on Netflix, having read the book and being familiar with the supposed big twist.
posted by BibiRose at 4:59 AM on February 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
TV: things on PBS or Netflix that are either familiar or based on familiar books. I actually enjoyed Behind her Eyes on Netflix, having read the book and being familiar with the supposed big twist.
posted by BibiRose at 4:59 AM on February 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
Napoleon Dynamite
posted by Morpeth at 5:18 AM on February 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Morpeth at 5:18 AM on February 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
Depending on how I parse the question: pick-me-up for give-me-energy, it's probably stuff like Lab 4, Tidy Trax (I think Hardhouse or Nu-NRG), some Happy Hardcore, and not films.
Pick-me-up for bad-brain grumpiness is like 60s-70s WWII movies of various (unserious pap) stripes (Kelly's Heroes, The Devil's Brigade, The Dirty Dozen, Where Eagles Dare etc). For music: Stereolab, early The Cure (yes, I find Faith more pick-me-up than Wish - thank fuck I don't have to discuss that with a therapist).
posted by pompomtom at 6:09 AM on February 26, 2021
Pick-me-up for bad-brain grumpiness is like 60s-70s WWII movies of various (unserious pap) stripes (Kelly's Heroes, The Devil's Brigade, The Dirty Dozen, Where Eagles Dare etc). For music: Stereolab, early The Cure (yes, I find Faith more pick-me-up than Wish - thank fuck I don't have to discuss that with a therapist).
posted by pompomtom at 6:09 AM on February 26, 2021
OMG If only I had a penguin that dog needs a kitty video is amazing. I was having a sad day and it's cheered me right up. Thank you!
posted by Zumbador at 6:31 AM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Zumbador at 6:31 AM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
The only good thing that's happened during the pandemic is that I've found that I can read e-books on my phone! Reading books has always been my comfort activity and my must-have genres are fantasy and science fiction, so I've been devouring as much of the catalog my local library system has available during "these parlous times" online, since we weren't allowed into the library for so very long. For stressful and/or upsetting things I run across on the intertubes, I rely on this site which I found out about from someone on Metafilter!
posted by Lynsey at 7:59 AM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Lynsey at 7:59 AM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
reading in general
the first Kushiel trilogy by Jacqueline Carey (I know, I'm weird)
Watership Down
anything by Michael Gruber
ditto Elizabeth Hand
lord help me, Peter Watts
posted by supermedusa at 8:54 AM on February 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
the first Kushiel trilogy by Jacqueline Carey (I know, I'm weird)
Watership Down
anything by Michael Gruber
ditto Elizabeth Hand
lord help me, Peter Watts
posted by supermedusa at 8:54 AM on February 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
Early Beatles (up to about "Help!") and for a quick video, the Age of Steam by the Maple Mountain Sunburst Triolian Orchestra.
posted by Rash at 9:06 AM on February 26, 2021
posted by Rash at 9:06 AM on February 26, 2021
Definitely Taskmakster has lifted my spirits. It's very silly, available for free on YouTube here in the US (by the Taskmaster account), has fun comedians in various configurations of comedy types, and it's just plain old anarchy when the contestants realize (about halfway through any particular series) they can just cause chaos instead of, you know, trying too hard to get the task right.
posted by xingcat at 10:32 AM on February 26, 2021
posted by xingcat at 10:32 AM on February 26, 2021
White noise, playlists of rain sounds, and sometimes the early albums of Low.
posted by pipeski at 10:53 AM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by pipeski at 10:53 AM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Definitely Taskmakster has lifted my spirits. It's very silly, available for free on YouTube here in the US (by the Taskmaster account), has fun comedians in various configurations of comedy types, and it's just plain old anarchy when the contestants realize (about halfway through any particular series) they can just cause chaos instead of, you know, trying too hard to get the task right.
We have started FanFare-ing Taskmaster, season by season. I'll probably slow the posting rate down a little when we start with the longer seasons.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:59 PM on February 26, 2021
We have started FanFare-ing Taskmaster, season by season. I'll probably slow the posting rate down a little when we start with the longer seasons.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:59 PM on February 26, 2021
The Paddington films, Wes Anderson movies (odd, because they're mostly quite sad, really), Michael Moorcock's The Dancers at the End of Time, used to be a long time ago, and if I still read books probably still would be, as would everything by Terry Pratchett.
George Clinton and Funkadelic, and Django Reinhardt: I discovered that I couldn't listen to them and stay in a bad mood. Though they're like peppermint and strawberry jam, delicious things that don't really mix.
Steely Dan.
Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left.
Cardiacs' Sing to God.
Hirokazu Kore-eda's After Life
posted by Grangousier at 3:29 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
George Clinton and Funkadelic, and Django Reinhardt: I discovered that I couldn't listen to them and stay in a bad mood. Though they're like peppermint and strawberry jam, delicious things that don't really mix.
Steely Dan.
Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left.
Cardiacs' Sing to God.
Hirokazu Kore-eda's After Life
posted by Grangousier at 3:29 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Gilmore Girls forever. Parts of it haven't aged well, but oh, to run a cute inn and eat diner food every day and have a fun festival every weekend.
posted by nakedmolerats at 4:08 PM on February 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by nakedmolerats at 4:08 PM on February 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
Stand-up comedy. I'll go on Netflix and see what's new, but a lot of the time I wind up rewatching favorites. John Mulaney, Fortune Feimster, Sebastian Maniscalco, Ned Bargatze, so many others I can't think of offhand.
I rewatched all of Friends last year, and most of New Girl. I've rewatched The Office a few times. Community, and Parks & Rec will probably also get a rewatch at some point.
Music videos, mostly from 80s/90s.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 5:59 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
I rewatched all of Friends last year, and most of New Girl. I've rewatched The Office a few times. Community, and Parks & Rec will probably also get a rewatch at some point.
Music videos, mostly from 80s/90s.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 5:59 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Sometimes we'll play kids' shows when we're going to sleep. There's nothing more soothing than waking up in the middle of the night and hearing Mister Rogers singing about the Many Ways to Say I Love You. We recently started playing Peppa Pig as an overnight show, too - super low-key, nothing for the brain to think too much about, just kind of a gentle, silly, friendly show.
posted by DingoMutt at 6:08 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by DingoMutt at 6:08 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Kiki's delivery service!
posted by erattacorrige at 7:56 PM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by erattacorrige at 7:56 PM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
The live performance video of Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band where he introduces the band and faces off with Clarence Clemens. It was my introduction to MTV and it still makes me dream of being a rock and roll star.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 8:06 PM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 8:06 PM on February 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Stargate Atlantis..I know but the running count on the scripts for "turkey sandwich" tropes is high.
posted by clavdivs at 10:19 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by clavdivs at 10:19 PM on February 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Mad Men, I just rewatched the full series this past year. I go back to the end of season three (The Grownups) on a regular basis and usually continue from there.
Also 2001, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Hudsucker Proxy.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 8:29 AM on February 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also 2001, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Hudsucker Proxy.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 8:29 AM on February 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
And Stereolab, actually, hearing Cobra and Phases... again.
And The Chap.
posted by Grangousier at 8:38 AM on February 27, 2021
And The Chap.
posted by Grangousier at 8:38 AM on February 27, 2021
I'm really not sure why, but The Goblin Emperor has been my comfort read lately.
posted by kristi at 3:31 PM on February 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by kristi at 3:31 PM on February 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
If I want a quick pick-me-up, I will watch one or two episodes of Pasta Grannies on YouTube. Each episode is less than 10 minutes. It's very wholesome, and reminds me of my grandmother, who didn't make pasta, but she cooked us breakfast on a wood-fired stove, and made homemade donuts. I love hearing them talk about how their mother and grandmother made this type of pasta, and the pride they take in it. Plus it all looks so tasty.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 4:22 PM on February 27, 2021
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 4:22 PM on February 27, 2021
RuPaul’s Drag Race and much associated media.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:46 PM on February 27, 2021
posted by ocherdraco at 10:46 PM on February 27, 2021
City of the Sun - all of their music. I can listen for hours and it always changes my mood to happy and positive.
Kiltro - same for his music.
Truth Seekers with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg - fairly new but I have watched countless times since it premiered and it's a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Staged with David Tennant and Michael Sheen - again, fairly new and I can't stop watching. Makes me laugh every time and thrilled the second season will be available soon.
National Treasure with Nicholas Cage.
posted by racersix6 at 9:28 AM on February 28, 2021
Kiltro - same for his music.
Truth Seekers with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg - fairly new but I have watched countless times since it premiered and it's a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Staged with David Tennant and Michael Sheen - again, fairly new and I can't stop watching. Makes me laugh every time and thrilled the second season will be available soon.
National Treasure with Nicholas Cage.
posted by racersix6 at 9:28 AM on February 28, 2021
a few days ago I got into an unpleasant and very odd altercation with a woman at the gym. It kept bothering me and bothering me until I exorcised it with a couple episodes of early Curb Your Enthusiasm! (But that was a special case. Still.... it worked! It sort of did all the processing for me re how awkward stuff happens and it's not the end of the world!)
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:18 PM on February 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:18 PM on February 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Other media comes and goes, for me, but MST3k abides forever.
posted by penduluum at 9:37 AM on March 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by penduluum at 9:37 AM on March 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
Blackadder/Young Ones/Bottom
More recently Peep Show
I don't think I've ever seen a complete episode of The Inbetweeners, I just chang!e channels and can't look away!
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 9:42 PM on March 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
More recently Peep Show
I don't think I've ever seen a complete episode of The Inbetweeners, I just chang!e channels and can't look away!
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 9:42 PM on March 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
Tom Baker Dr Who.
posted by Beholder at 12:48 AM on March 2, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Beholder at 12:48 AM on March 2, 2021 [3 favorites]
Mostly music.
I started to list some of it, but that quickly got out of control.
I am getting on, and the less time I have left, the more of it I want to spend listening to music.
posted by Pouteria at 6:49 AM on March 2, 2021
I started to list some of it, but that quickly got out of control.
I am getting on, and the less time I have left, the more of it I want to spend listening to music.
posted by Pouteria at 6:49 AM on March 2, 2021
I have an MP3 on my computer, on my desktop for easy reach, ripped from some long-forgotten recording of classical music, that is three solid minutes of applause for the symphony that was just concluded. It is white noise, but also it is unmistakably applause, and something about it, perhaps the sustained energy, the positivity, or just the idea of several hundred people standing and clapping at once, never fails to make me smile.
posted by gauche at 10:01 AM on March 2, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by gauche at 10:01 AM on March 2, 2021 [6 favorites]
I’m re-watching the Great British Bake Off, it is so comforting!
Randomly I also enjoy watching YouTube videos of news bloopers as a happy and comforting activity... the clips with unruly animals or newspeople unable to stop laughing are my favorites!
posted by sweetpotato at 1:23 PM on March 2, 2021 [4 favorites]
Randomly I also enjoy watching YouTube videos of news bloopers as a happy and comforting activity... the clips with unruly animals or newspeople unable to stop laughing are my favorites!
posted by sweetpotato at 1:23 PM on March 2, 2021 [4 favorites]
The Bake Off is excellent, but do you know what I love? The Great British Sewing Bee. It’s a reality show where everyone cooperates! Low-key fabulous.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 3:55 PM on March 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 3:55 PM on March 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Actually:
I have been reading Tomorrow is Waiting over and over recently, and it just makes me smile so much.
posted by kristi at 1:23 PM on March 7, 2021
I have been reading Tomorrow is Waiting over and over recently, and it just makes me smile so much.
posted by kristi at 1:23 PM on March 7, 2021
Maeve Binchy's book Circle of Friends became my comfort read when I had a breakup.
Edward Rutherfurd's Sarum became my comfort read when I was upper-low-key sick (not, like, just a cold, but "I have a minor stomach bug and feel a little too queasy to sleep but not queasy enough to actually run to the bathroom yet").
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:21 AM on March 9, 2021
Edward Rutherfurd's Sarum became my comfort read when I was upper-low-key sick (not, like, just a cold, but "I have a minor stomach bug and feel a little too queasy to sleep but not queasy enough to actually run to the bathroom yet").
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:21 AM on March 9, 2021
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posted by Roger Pittman at 6:50 PM on February 24, 2021 [20 favorites]