I love Taskmaster, particularly for the creative problem solving aspect. Countdown, or 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown, is also good for similar reasons.
Sidebar: I have Brent’s « Shirt powers shirt ». Plus his bar bill. Bought them when the show was done and they were selling off the props.
My favorite is when someone does something completely unexpected and outside-the-box and it fails catastrophically.
Really a great show.
My favorites are the instances where one contestant manages to find a loophole that allows a simpler solution to the task.
I would do so badly as a contestant on that show. As soon as there’s a running clock, it’s like all my common sense and ability to reason flies out the window.
I watch Maine Cabin Masters. They are really good at what they do and seem like genuinely nice people.
Me too! And the most recent season, with Sarah Millican and Dara O’Briain, was terrific.
It’s not for everyone, but I enjoyed Joe Pera Talks with You.
Another vote for The Detectorists.
A very funny series that hasn’t gotten much attention on the board is Episodes. A pair of award-winning British sit-com writers try to translate their hit series to American audiences at the invitation of a TV producer. Stars Stephen Mangan, Tamsin Greig, and Matt LeBlanc. Yes, that’s correct, Matt LeBlanc: he’s hilarious in this playing himself. He won a Golden Globe for it, and got four Emmy nominations. The supporting cast is stellar, especially Kathleen Rose Perkins.
…if you don’t mind subtitles consider My Superhero, a Chinese drama that is about a Doorman at a hotel that dreams of a better life and falls in love at first sight. Its about as chill a drama as you can get: funny, sometimes sad, and a genuine look at a very different culture, but definitely no murder, mayhem, etc.
Every episode is available (legally) on Youtube.
My favourite Korean Drama, Good Manager (starring Namkoong Min) has a tiny bit of cartoonish violence (Jackie Chan style) but is mostly weird and funny in an often heart-felt way. If you want to watch something where "the good guys win) then this one would work for you. It was available on Netflix.
Over the years I’ve gravitated towards Korean, Japanese and Chinese dramas, I still love a lot of the shows that are mentioned in this thread, but as I’ve gotten older I’m enjoying seeing shows that look at the world from a different cultural lens. (And I second the recommendation for Attorney Woo: that show is excellent)
I don’t know where you would find these old shows in the US (they appear to be on Britbox, but I have no idea if that’s available there) but: The Beiderbecke Trilogy would appear to fit the bill.
They are gentle, funny, odd little mysteries, which may not make you howl with laughter, but which should entertain you admirably. Episodes used to be on YouTube, but these have all disappeared - it’s hard even to find a clip now. This is the best I could manage, and it really doesn’t do the show justice.
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If you can enjoy something subtitled, Midnight Diner is on Netflix, and is a fascinating and fun anthology-like light drama with some recurring characters and setting that frame the whole thing. A really refreshing show, and unlike American TV in subtle and fun ways.
Brooklyn Nine Nine on Peacock, is a cop show and hilarious. Very little murder, but police precinct shenanigans. The characters are wonderfully developed.
Really most sitcoms have a minimal amount of murder, mayhem and rape. It wasn’t really a subject of most episodes of Seinfeld, Friends or Frasier.
My Hero is a UK superhero sitcom where Turboman (think Superman) is form another planet and has the usual “fish out of water” comedy, complicated by the fact he has a romantic relationship with a nurse.
Came in here to recommend this and make the very same comment about it. One not mentioned and I’m not sure if it violates the no death rule but The Good Place is fantastic TV that I’m going to re-watch again soon.
Joe Pera Talks With You is the most bucolic show on TV. I love it.
In a similar vein is How To With John Wilson.
Unfortunately both are on HBO but you could just get HBO for a month and spend $14.99 to see two amazing shows!
Everyone is already dead or immortal, so I vote no violation.
I second this. Probably my favorite show of the last year.
I don’t know if it’s available in the US, but if you liked Detectorists, I think you’d like Mum, another “it’s all in the subtext” comedy/drama, understated but very touching, and beautifully acted