Remember when watching TV felt like a comforting escape?
Shows like “The Love Boat,” “Acelo” and “Friends” offer pure entertainment—a chance to relax, laugh, and forget about real-world problems.
Problems are resolved in less than an hour, the laughs abound, and the happy endings aren’t just expected—they’re guaranteed.
That carefree spirit seems increasingly hard to find these days, replaced by gritty dramas, morally ambiguous antiheroes, and narratives that require massive emotional investment.
While complex storytelling has its place, so does the simple pleasure of escapism.
So, how did we get here? Is it time for escapist TV to make a comeback?
Escapist TV: Fun, fantasy, feel-good heroes
There was a time when television was unapologetically escapist.
Shows like “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Bewitched” and “Gilligan’s Island” don’t ask viewers to confront tough questions or analyze deep themes.
They tell of elves who grant wishes, witches who solve problems by twitching their noses, and drifters who make coconut radios.
They offer pure, light-hearted fun, allowing viewers to escape into a world of low-stakes, light-hearted laughter.
In the 1970s and 1980s, escapism became bigger and bolder.
Shows like Knight Rider, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Draconis aren’t about realism, they’re about action, adventure, and heroes who always save the world.
Whether it’s Magnum PI cruising around Hawaii in his red Ferrari or the A-Team blowing something up with a wink and a catchphrase, these shows provide exciting, feel-good entertainment.
Even situation comedies like “Cheers” and “Three’s Company” thrive on humor and chaos, solving everyday problems with laughter.
These shows are not designed to over-analyze; they are designed to allow viewers to breathe and enjoy a relaxing moment.
Fast forward to today, and TVs feel even heavier.
Groundbreaking shows like “The Sopranos,” “The Wire” and “Breaking Bad” redefined the face of television and ushered in a golden age of complex, layered narratives.
But along the way, the pendulum swung toward darker, more intense narratives.
Now, we’re in an environment dominated by shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, Yellowjacket, and Severance, where themes of psychological depth and bleakness take center stage.
Even superhero shows, once bastions of optimism, have become darker.
Earlier shows, like Smallville and Arrow, celebrated heroism, but today’s shows, like The Boys and The Peacemaker, lean toward cynicism and flawed morality.
While these shows offer compelling stories, the relentless heaviness can feel overwhelming. Sometimes you just want to escape moral dilemmas and existential crises.
Escapism comes in many forms
That doesn’t mean all escapist TV shows are light and fluffy.
Some of my all-time favorite shows, like 24 and Supernatural, may not seem like traditional escapism, but they definitely fit the bill.
24 takes viewers into a world of high-stakes action as Jack Bauer races against time to stop a terrorist threat.
The intensity is palpable, but it’s also the perfect distraction from real life.
It’s adrenaline-filled escapism—a chance to immerse yourself in a world where others are solving impossible problems.
The paranormal offers a different kind of escape.
Sam and Dean Winchester’s battle against demons, ghosts and the end of the world may sound heavy, but the show balances its dark themes with humor, heart and the kind of larger-than-life storytelling that It felt like pure escapism.
You can lose yourself in the drama without feeling emotionally drained, which is exactly what great escapist television does.
The role of pandemics in escapist television
The pandemic has reshaped how we watch television and what we want from it.
During that time of uncertainty and fear, shows like “Ted Lasso” served as a balm for weary viewers.
Its humorous, optimistic, and kind-hearted characters perfectly capture a cultural moment; when people need hope and positivity more than ever.
Likewise, feel-good shows like “Schitt’s Creek” and even old classics like “The Office” are seeing a resurgence as audiences move toward comfort and familiarity.
The collective desire for escapism is a natural response to the chaos of the world.
But as the pandemic subsided, so did the hopeful content.
Networks and creators have shifted gears, reintroducing darker narratives that reflect the scars of a post-pandemic world struggling to cope.
While this dark content resonates, the appetite for fun, escapist television remains — proving that audiences still crave stories that make them unplug and smile.
Why escapism still matters
In a world that feels increasingly complicated, escapist television provides a much-needed mental break.
Shows like “The Golden Girls,” “Full House” and “Friends” don’t expect viewers to dissect every plot point or grapple with moral dilemmas.
They are simple, feel-good stories that allow viewers to relax and rejuvenate.
Even heavier shows like The X-Files or Buffy the Vampire Slayer understand the importance of balance.
They deliver suspense and mystery without sacrificing fun. These series prove that escapism doesn’t have to mean simplification—it just needs to give viewers a chance to breathe.
Today’s Escapists: A Glimmer of Light
All hope is not lost in escapist entertainment. Modern shows like Ted Lasso have proven that uplifting, feel-good storytelling can still resonate.
With his humor, optimism and kindness, Ted Russo reminds us of the joy in simplicity, and its success shows that audiences are hungry for more.
Other recent series like “Elsbeth,” “High Potential” and “Only Murders in the Building” have also adopted this light-hearted approach.
Whether it’s an eccentric lawyer solving a crime, a talented single mom solving a crime with a unique perspective, or a trio of amateur sleuths solving mysteries with humor and charm, these shows offer a refreshing break from the gritty fare that dominates the landscape price.
Why it’s time to have fun again
Escapist television isn’t “frivolous” – it’s essential.
These shows remind us that not every story needs to explore society’s flaws or push us to the edge of emotional exhaustion.
Sometimes, in a world that’s brighter than ours, it’s enough to laugh, cheer, or cheer for a hero.
As streaming platforms and networks expand their offerings, there’s an opportunity to return to the kind of television that prioritizes fun over complexity.
At a time when everything feels heavy, maybe it’s time to make TV light again.
What is your favorite escapist show?
What programs can help you unwind and escape the hustle and bustle? Is it an older song like “The Golden Girls” or something more intense like “The Force of Evil”?
Let’s celebrate the stories that make us smile, relax and recharge – because we all need a little escapism in our lives.
