# Why is everything so dark? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 24, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305 "2019-01-24T01:18:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/1 "2019-01-24T01:18:57Z")
Why is everything so dark? Through circumstances I have been available to watch a lot of TV lately. Looking for binge watching opportunities. There are so many well received series out there right now there’s a lot to pick from. But most of it seems to be depressing and dreary. Characters you like getting shit on by the world episode after episode and possibly coming out on top if you slog through to the end. Where is the non-comedic light entertainment? Something that gives a balance of light and dark and doesn’t suck. After watching daredevil get the shit kicked out of him for the 20th time in five episodes I could use a break. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/2 "2019-01-24T01:28:34Z")
No kidding… I was trying to find something to lighten things up a bit and haven’t found a comedy I like. Supergirl and The Flash are fairly light, as these things go, but they’re not comedies. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/3 "2019-01-24T01:29:49Z")
Turn up the brightness in your TV settings…I’ll see myself out. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/4 "2019-01-24T01:43:10Z")
The problem with answering this question, from my perspective, is that the shows that are dark and edgy are the ones that are critically acclaimed. I watch plenty of television that I find interesting without being too dark, but the shows tend to be more conventional and maybe old-fashioned. Here’s a few I recommend: The Orville God Friended Me Madam Secretary MacGyver 9-1-1 (obviously the guest characters have horrible problems, but the tone is mostly lighthearted) The Bold Type (if you don’t mind a show about female empowerment) If you just want something to watch, there are also plenty of enjoyable reality shows that are light and fun. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/5 "2019-01-24T01:44:38Z")
I recommend _[Dark](https://www.netflix.com/title/80100172)_ on Netflix. Oh wait… ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/6 "2019-01-24T01:55:27Z")
If you want a low-key, feel good comedy, I highly recommend [Detectorists](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4082744/). ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/7 "2019-01-24T02:10:57Z")
I’ve been of the persuasion for years that this is a major reason why \*MLP: Friendship is Magic \*acquired such a large following of adult males; it was something that _wasn’t_ dark and depressing. As for why; too many people in the creative arts think that only dark and depressing is “True Art”. And they are so caught up on the idea of avoiding “cliches” about noble heroes and happy endings that they don’t seem able to realize that failure, darkness and cripplingly flawed protagonists _are_ the cliche now. And TV shows are usually written by multiple people which makes it worse; I recall a comment from an author years ago that whenever enough writers collaborate on something there’s always going to be at least one who thinks everything has to be dark and depressing, and they’ll drag everyone else down with them. Once somebody writes an episode where awful things happen, the other writers will have to deal with the aftermath rather than write something cheery. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/8 "2019-01-24T02:16:29Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > No kidding… I was trying to find something to lighten things up a bit and haven’t found a comedy I like. Supergirl and The Flash are fairly light, as these things go, but they’re not comedies. I do watch both of them but I’m caught up on Netflix. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/9 "2019-01-24T02:17:22Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > No kidding… I was trying to find something to lighten things up a bit and haven’t found a comedy I like. Supergirl and The Flash are fairly light, as these things go, but they’re not comedies. After season 1, _Legends of Tomorrow_ is a straight up comedy. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/10 "2019-01-24T02:19:30Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I’ve been of the persuasion for years that this is a major reason why \*MLP: Friendship is Magic \*acquired such a large following of adult males; it was something that _wasn’t_ dark and depressing. > > \<\\>. On that note, I recommend _She-Ra and the Princesses of Power_ on Netflix. I never saw any of the original, but this reboot is just _funny_, and charming - but not so kidsy that this 52 year old white male can’t enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/11 "2019-01-24T02:30:20Z")
If you watched Boy Meets World back in the 90s, check out the follow up Girl Meets World. It’s the tv version of the warm fuzzies. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/12 "2019-01-24T05:20:41Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > If you watched Boy Meets World back in the 90s, check out the follow up Girl Meets World. It’s the tv version of the warm fuzzies. I was about 10 years too old for that show ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/13 "2019-01-24T05:40:59Z")
I agree that a lot of shows out there right now are depressing as hell. Everyone dies, including the dog, civilization collapses, and did I mention the vampires/zombies/plague? We watch a fair amount of it. My husband says it helps him keep his problems in perspective. I’d probably never watch the stuff again if he weren’t the one with the remote. I’ll second The Orville as something more light-hearted. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/14 "2019-01-24T05:46:05Z")
_Jane The Virgin_ is warm, funny, sweet and has a whole bunch of telenovela tropes that get played around with for maximum effect. And the color palette is lovely and light and saturated. Plus there’s like six seasons available! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/15 "2019-01-24T05:49:22Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I agree that a lot of shows out there right now are depressing as hell. Everyone dies, including the dog, civilization collapses, and did I mention the vampires/zombies/plague? We watch a fair amount of it. My husband says it helps him keep his problems in perspective. I’d probably never watch the stuff again if he weren’t the one with the remote. > > I’ll second The Orville as something more light-hearted. I do watch Orville. Did I mention I have a lot of time to watch TV? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/16 "2019-01-24T06:13:45Z")
It’s a big reason why I don’t enjoy a lot of the recent popular / acclaimed shows. People who know me are stunned to learn that I don’t like _Game of Thrones_ (which they think I’d love because I play D&D and am a Tolkien geek) or _Mad Men_ (which they they think I’d love because I work in advertising). I’ve found that I just don’t enjoy shows or movies in which everyone is a terrible person, and / or in which horrible things just keep happening to people. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/17 "2019-01-24T06:22:02Z")
I agree with you. The never-ending post-apocalypse gets exhausting after a while. Even _Star Trek_ is grimdark desperation these days. Some good, wholesome light-hearted stuff in addition to those already mentioned: _The Good Place_ _Brooklyn Nine Nine_ _Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt_ ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/18 "2019-01-24T06:43:35Z")
I know it doesn’t sound like it, but _iZombie_ is quite light and comedic. It does indeed have a zombie invasion as its main thrust, and there is some soapy drama, but it’s not at all dark. _Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt_ is bubbly and funny as all get out. _The Durrells_ is quite light, if you can find it. A British show based on Gerald Durrell’s book “My Family And Other Animals”. Also British are light and frothy murder mysteries _Death In Paradise_, _Father Brown_, _Shakespeare and Hathaway_, and _Agatha Raisin_. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/19 "2019-01-24T06:44:39Z")
I don’t think I have seen a show in the last 20 years pushed as hard as this Orville show. I am just waiting for ‘my shows’ to come back after the big fat holly jolly holiday break. There is literally nothing on that I’m interested in right now, I want ‘Poldark’, ‘Baskets’, ‘American Horror Story’, and ‘The Walking Dead’ back on. Probably a couple other dark, gloomy, horrific, and depressing things I forgot. That said, I fall asleep to the endless reruns of comedies, and I currently love ‘Mom’ - quite often hilarious, and generally uplifting despite some sad storylines. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2019, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305/20 "2019-01-24T07:21:27Z")
Ooh, \*The Magicians \*started up again tonight with season four. You’ve probably watched this one but if you haven’t–well, I envy you that you have quite a treat in store. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-everything-so-dark/828305.md?page=2)