Top 10 'Screen-Fatigue-Fighting' Streaming Shows to listen to while you give your eyes a rest this month - Goh Ling Yong
We've all been there. It's the end of a long day, your eyes feel like they've run a marathon across a desert of pixels, and the last thing you want is to stare at another glowing rectangle. But you still crave a good story, a witty escape, or a fascinating new perspective. The dilemma is real: your brain wants entertainment, but your eyes are begging for a break. This digital burnout, or "screen fatigue," is a hallmark of modern life.
What if you could have the best of both worlds? What if you could enjoy the rich, narrative depth of a top-tier streaming show without gluing your eyes to the screen? Welcome to the world of audio-first streaming—treating your favorite shows like premium podcasts. It’s a fantastic way to combat eye strain while still staying in the cultural loop, perfect for when you're cooking, commuting, tidying up, or simply lying on the couch with your eyes closed. My good friend Goh Ling Yong recently mentioned how much he was struggling with eye strain after long days of work, which inspired me to put this list together.
This isn't just about finding shows to have on as background noise. This is a curated collection of series where the writing, voice acting, and sound design are so strong that they paint a vivid picture in your mind's eye. These are shows you can listen to, following every plot twist and catching every joke, all while giving those tired peepers a well-deserved vacation. Ready to rest your eyes and entertain your ears? Let's dive in.
1. The West Wing
If ever a show was made to be listened to, it's Aaron Sorkin's masterpiece. The West Wing is fueled by dialogue—sharp, witty, and incredibly fast. The famous "walk-and-talk" scenes are essentially kinetic radio plays, where policy debates and personal dramas unfold through a cascade of brilliant conversation. You don't need to see President Bartlet striding down a hallway to feel the urgency of a looming international crisis; you can hear it in the rhythm of the speech and the clicking of shoes on marble floors.
The beauty of listening to this show is that it forces you to focus on the quality of the writing and the powerhouse performances. The intellectual and emotional weight of the series is carried almost entirely by its words. Following the complex political maneuvering and the heartfelt character arcs becomes an exercise in active listening, making it incredibly engaging. You'll find yourself picking up on nuances in the dialogue you might have missed while being distracted by the visuals.
Pro-Tip: This is the ultimate show for productive multitasking. Put on an episode while you're organizing your office or prepping meals for the week. The Sorkin-esque pace is surprisingly motivating, and you'll feel like you're accomplishing something on-screen and off.
2. Frasier
This one is almost cheating because, at its core, Frasier is about a radio show. The series is structured like a classic stage farce, with its humor derived from clever wordplay, misunderstandings, and expertly crafted dialogue rather than visual gags. Dr. Frasier Crane's pompous pronouncements, Niles's dry wit, and Martin's down-to-earth grumbling create a comedic symphony that plays out perfectly in audio.
Each episode is a masterclass in comedic timing and character voice. The show's central set pieces—Frasier's apartment, the KACL radio station, and Cafe Nervosa—are primarily settings for conversation. You can easily picture the scene just from the distinct soundscape and the way the characters interact. The callers to Frasier's show, voiced by guest-starring celebrities, are little audio-only vignettes that make the listening experience even richer.
Pro-Tip: Listen with headphones to fully appreciate the subtle sound design. You’ll hear the clinking of coffee cups, the Seattle rain outside the window, and the distinct sigh of Niles sinking into his brother’s Eames lounge chair, all of which add texture to the story.
3. Chef's Table
While it might seem counterintuitive to listen to a show renowned for its stunning food cinematography, Chef's Table is an auditory feast. The series is built on intimate, deeply personal interviews with the world's most innovative chefs. Their stories are the main course, and the visuals, while beautiful, are the garnish. The narration, the chefs' own voices filled with passion and vulnerability, and the soaring orchestral score tell you everything you need to know.
Listening to Chef's Table transforms it from a food show into a profound documentary series about artistry, obsession, and the search for meaning. You hear the philosophy behind a dish, the struggle of opening a restaurant, and the childhood memory that inspired a signature flavor. It's a meditative and inspiring experience that connects you directly to the heart of each creator's story, proving that the sizzle of a pan and a heartfelt story can be just as powerful as a close-up shot of a perfectly plated meal.
Pro-Tip: Pair this with your own cooking adventures. Listening to Massimo Bottura discuss his culinary philosophy while you chop vegetables for a simple soup can elevate your own kitchen experience and make you appreciate the craft of cooking on a whole new level.
4. The Good Place
A sitcom about moral philosophy in the afterlife? The concept alone screams "listen to me!" The Good Place is driven by its brilliant, high-concept script and the non-stop philosophical debates and ethical quandaries its characters face. The plot, with all its twists and turns, is explained meticulously through dialogue, ensuring you never get lost.
The real joy here is the banter between the four humans, the all-knowing Janet, and the demon-turned-architect Michael. The humor is cerebral, fast-paced, and character-driven. Eleanor's snark, Chidi's panicked indecisiveness, and Jason's blissful ignorance are all conveyed perfectly through the voice performances. You can follow their entire journey from selfish misfits to a soul squad trying to save humanity, all without needing to see a single giant flying shrimp.
Pro-Tip: This is a great show to listen to in short bursts, like during a 20-minute commute. The episodes are tightly written, and the core moral dilemma of each one is usually self-contained, making it easy to pop in and out while still following the overarching narrative.
5. Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge's tour de force is an intensely intimate show, and that intimacy is rooted in its narration. Fleabag's constant, confidential asides to the audience make it a perfect candidate for an audio experience. She is, in effect, our narrator, our guide through her own chaotic, hilarious, and heartbreaking life. Her voice is the engine of the story.
By closing your eyes, you're placed directly inside her head, experiencing her secret observations and unfiltered thoughts as if they were your own. The cringe-worthy family dinners, the awkward romantic encounters, and the profound moments of grief are all heightened when you're focused solely on her delivery. The dialogue with other characters is sharp and revealing, but it's those fourth-wall-breaking whispers that make listening to Fleabag such a uniquely powerful experience.
Pro-Tip: Due to its emotional depth and subtle humor, this is a show best listened to with minimal distractions. Think of it as an audiobook. Lie down, close your eyes, and let the story of the Hot Priest and a struggling guinea pig-themed cafe wash over you.
6. BoJack Horseman
Don't let the animation fool you; BoJack Horseman is one of the most well-written and best-acted dramas of the last decade. The show's true power lies in its razor-sharp satire of Hollywood, its poignant exploration of mental health, and its unforgettable characters, all brought to life by a stellar voice cast. Will Arnett's gravelly, world-weary portrayal of BoJack is an audio performance for the ages.
The animal puns and visual gags are fun, but the emotional core of the show—the crippling depression, the search for redemption, the complex relationships—is all in the script. The conversations between BoJack and Diane, Princess Carolyn's tongue-twisting agent-speak, and Todd's whimsical non-sequiturs are what make the show iconic. Listening allows you to focus on the heartbreaking and hilarious humanity (or, well, horse-manity) at its center.
Pro-Tip: Pay close attention to the background audio and sound design. The show is packed with auditory gags and subtle environmental sounds that add another layer of humor and depth to the world of Hollywoo.
7. Derry Girls
For a pure, unadulterated dose of comedic energy, look no further than Derry Girls. The show's brilliance is in its rapid-fire, heavily-accented dialogue and the chaotic chemistry of its main cast. The plot is often secondary to the sheer joy of listening to Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and the wee English fella, James, navigate their teenage lives during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
This is a show that feels alive with sound. The frantic conversations, the pitch-perfect '90s soundtrack, and Sister Michael's deadpan sighs create a rich audio tapestry. You don't need to see Erin's exaggerated facial expressions to understand her perpetual state of anxiety; you can hear it in every syllable. It's an immersive, hilarious experience that will have you laughing out loud, even if you only catch two-thirds of what they're saying on the first go.
Pro-Tip: You might want to turn on the subtitles for your first viewing, but for a "listening" session, just let the rhythm and energy of the dialogue carry you. It's like listening to a fantastic, chaotic piece of music.
8. Only Murders in the Building
A show about a true-crime podcast is, by its very nature, designed for listening. The narrative is framed by the podcast itself, with Charles, Oliver, and Mabel often providing voice-over narration that recaps events, speculates on clues, and delves into character backstories. This structure makes it incredibly easy to follow the mystery without constant visual input.
The chemistry between Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez is an auditory delight. Their distinct personalities—Charles's gentle melancholy, Oliver's theatrical flair, and Mabel's dry wit—come through so clearly in their voices. Furthermore, the show uses sound design masterfully to build suspense, from the echoey hallways of the Arconia to the subtle audio clues that our heroes (and the audience) must piece together.
Pro-Tip: This is the perfect show to listen to while doing a puzzle or some other quiet, focused activity. It allows you to engage your analytical brain in solving the mystery alongside the characters, making for a truly interactive listening experience.
9. Russian Doll
The premise of Russian Doll—a woman reliving the same night over and over—lends itself surprisingly well to an audio-only format. The repetition is your friend here. Key phrases, musical cues (Harry Nilsson's "Gotta Get Up" will be seared into your brain), and specific sound effects act as auditory signposts, signaling each reset of the timeline.
The star of the show is Natasha Lyonne's iconic performance as Nadia. Her raspy voice, cynical delivery, and rapid-fire monologues are what drive the narrative. You're locked into her perspective, trying to solve the puzzle of her time loop right along with her. The existential conversations and sharp, witty dialogue are where the story truly lives, making the visual elements secondary to the fantastic script and vocal performances.
Pro-Tip: Listen for the subtle changes in dialogue and sound with each loop. These variations are often the first clues that Nadia is making progress, and they are much easier to catch when you're focusing solely on the audio.
10. Love Is Blind
Reality TV might seem like a visual medium, but the premise of Love Is Blind is built entirely on the power of conversation. The first and most compelling phase of the show takes place in the "pods," where contestants get to know each other through a wall, unable to see one another. This entire section is pure audio drama—it's just people talking, falling in love (or not) based solely on their connection.
Even after the couples meet, the show remains highly listenable. The drama, the arguments, the heartfelt confessions, and the awkward family introductions are all driven by dialogue. You can easily track the rise and fall of each relationship by listening to the changing tones, the emotional conversations, and the (often cringey) declarations of love. It’s a fascinating social experiment that works just as well as an auditory experience. As we often discuss here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, understanding human connection is key, and this show is a wild, unfiltered look at just that.
Pro-Tip: This is the ultimate "chore" show. Put it on while you're folding laundry or cleaning the kitchen. The high drama and clear narrative arcs make it easy to follow, and you won't miss a single "I love you" or dramatic breakup.
Giving your eyes a rest doesn't mean you have to disconnect from the stories you love. By shifting your focus from watching to listening, you can unlock a new way to experience entertainment, reduce your daily screen time, and maybe even discover a deeper appreciation for the art of great writing and performance. So next time screen fatigue hits, don't reach for your phone—pop in your earbuds, pick a show from this list, and let your imagination do the watching.
What are your go-to shows for an eyes-free experience? Do you have any audio-friendly gems that I missed? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!