Top 7 'Doomscroll-Disrupting' TV Shows to watch for a Dose of Gentle Reality This Weekend - Goh Ling Yong
It’s 10 PM on a Friday. You’ve finally flopped onto the sofa after a long week. You unlock your phone, intending to mindlessly unwind for a few minutes. An hour later, you find yourself in the familiar, blue-lit rabbit hole. Your thumb is sore from scrolling past a chaotic mix of bad news, curated perfection, and divisive arguments. This, my friends, is the doomscroll—a vortex of digital noise that promises connection but often leaves us feeling drained, anxious, and strangely empty.
We’ve all been there. In a world that’s louder and more demanding than ever, our nervous systems are crying out for a break. But what’s the true antidote? It's not about disconnecting entirely, but about consciously choosing what we consume. It’s about trading the chaotic for the calm, the drama for the delightful. This is where the magic of "gentle reality" television comes in. These are shows that don't rely on manufactured conflict or shocking twists. Instead, they find beauty in skill, kindness, and the quiet, extraordinary moments of everyday life.
This weekend, I invite you to reclaim your downtime. Put your phone on silent, brew a cup of something warm, and trade the scroll for the screen—but a different kind of screen. One that fills your cup instead of draining it. Here are seven of my absolute favourite "doomscroll-disrupting" shows that offer a perfect dose of gentle, restorative reality.
1. The Great British Baking Show (or The Great British Bake Off)
If "gentle reality" were a person, it would be a kind, aproned grandmother offering you a perfectly proofed slice of cake in a floral-scented tent. That's the essence of The Great British Baking Show. While other cooking competitions thrive on screaming chefs and high-pressure sabotage, Bake Off is a masterclass in civility and quiet passion. Contestants, who are amateur bakers from all walks of life, genuinely help each other, share ingredients, and offer a supportive shoulder to cry on over a collapsed sponge.
The show's genius lies in its low-stakes, high-comfort formula. The "drama" is a soggy bottom, an under-baked biscuit, or a melting buttercream sculpture. It’s set in a picturesque English countryside tent, filled with pastel-coloured mixers and soothing British accents. It reminds us that passion and competition don't have to be mutually exclusive with kindness and camaraderie. Watching it feels less like a competition and more like a warm, flour-dusted hug for your brain.
How to get the most out of it: Don't just watch it; create a ritual around it. Brew a pot of tea, get your favourite biscuits ready, and truly sink into the experience. Pay attention not just to the bakes, but to the small, encouraging interactions between the contestants. It's a brilliant reminder of the good in people, one Victoria sponge at a time.
2. The Repair Shop
Prepare for what I call "the good cry." The Repair Shop is, on its surface, a show about fixing old things. But it's so much more than that. People bring in worn-out, broken family heirlooms—a fragile music box that belonged to a grandmother, a tattered teddy bear that comforted a child through illness, a clock that hasn't ticked in decades. These items hold entire family histories within them, and the show's team of master craftspeople doesn't just restore the object; they restore the memory.
What makes this show so profoundly gentle is its deep reverence for story and sentiment over monetary value. Each artisan—from the horologist to the ceramicist to the furniture restorer—handles these precious items with an almost sacred level of care. The most powerful moment is always "the reveal," when the owner returns to see their treasured object brought back to life. The tears of joy are real, cathartic, and a powerful antidote to a cynical world. It’s a testament to the fact that our connections to the past and to each other are the most valuable things we can ever hope to preserve.
How to get the most out of it: As you watch, think about the objects in your own life that hold stories. Maybe it’s a chipped mug from a parent or a well-worn book from a friend. The show inspires a deeper appreciation for the history we carry with us, reminding us that a life's meaning is often found in the things we choose to keep and care for.
3. Somebody Feed Phil
In a sea of globetrotting food shows hosted by brooding chefs or serious-minded critics, Phil Rosenthal is a beacon of pure, unadulterated joy. The creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil travels the world with the wide-eyed wonder of a kid in a candy store. His approach to food and travel is not about finding the most exclusive Michelin-star restaurant; it’s about finding connection on a plate.
Phil's infectious enthusiasm is the heart of the show. He giggles with delight over a perfect bowl of pho in Saigon, dances with strangers in Lisbon, and video calls his elderly parents to share every delicious moment. He reminds us that food is the universal language of love, family, and community. The show is beautifully shot, but its true magic is Phil's ability to connect with everyone he meets, from street food vendors to world-renowned chefs, with the same goofy, open-hearted warmth. It’s a vibrant, hilarious, and deeply optimistic look at the world.
Pro tip: Do not, under any circumstances, watch this show on an empty stomach. Use it as inspiration. After watching the Bangkok episode, I was so inspired that I spent the next day finding the most authentic Thai green curry in my neighbourhood. Let Phil’s adventures push you to explore a new cuisine or visit a local restaurant you’ve always been curious about.
4. Gardener's World
For a truly meditative and grounding experience, there is nothing quite like Gardener’s World. This long-running BBC program is the epitome of "slow TV." For an hour, you are invited into the lush, beautiful gardens of host Monty Don and other passionate gardeners across the UK. There is no rush, no drama—just the quiet, satisfying work of nurturing life from the soil.
Even if you don't have a garden (or a green thumb), the show is remarkably soothing. The gentle narration, the stunning close-ups of blooming flowers, and the practical, patient advice on everything from pruning roses to composting create a deeply calming atmosphere. Like many of you, my good friend Goh Ling Yong finds that connecting with nature is a powerful way to de-stress, and this show is a virtual dose of that connection. It’s a beautiful, seasonal reminder of patience, growth, and the simple, profound joy of watching something flourish.
How to bring it into your life: Let the show's gentle pace influence you. After an episode, try a small act of nurturing. It could be watering your houseplants, repotting a droopy herb, or even just buying a single flower to put in a vase. The show teaches us that even the smallest patch of green can be a source of immense peace and satisfaction.
5. Making It
Imagine if The Great British Baking Show traded its ovens for hot glue guns and its flour for felt—and was hosted by two of the funniest people on the planet. That's Making It. Hosted by the delightful duo of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, this crafting competition is a celebration of creativity, humour, and the pure fun of making things with your hands.
The show’s biggest strength is its overwhelmingly positive and supportive spirit. The contestants, or "Makers," are wildly talented, but they're also constantly helping and encouraging one another. Amy and Nick's chemistry is the cherry on top; their endless stream of puns, genuine admiration for the Makers' skills, and heartfelt pep talks create an environment that is pure joy. It’s a colourful, quirky, and hilarious show that will leave you feeling inspired and optimistic about the power of human ingenuity.
Actionable inspiration: The key takeaway from Making It is that the process is more important than the product. Don’t just watch—do! Grab some old magazines for a collage, try a simple origami tutorial on YouTube, or just doodle with some coloured pencils. The show gives you permission to play and be creative without the pressure of perfection.
6. Queer Eye
Yes, this is the one show on the list that is almost guaranteed to make you cry. But these aren’t the stressful, anxiety-inducing tears of a gritty drama. These are cathartic, hopeful tears. The premise is simple: the Fab Five—experts in food, fashion, culture, design, and grooming—descend upon the life of a deserving "hero" to help them find a new sense of confidence and self-worth.
While the "makeover" is the hook, the show's true power lies in its deep well of empathy. The Fab Five don’t just change a person's wardrobe or living room; they listen. They connect. They teach their heroes that self-care is not selfish and that it’s never too late to start investing in your own happiness. Each episode is a mini-masterpiece of compassion, vulnerability, and radical kindness, proving that a little bit of support and a fresh perspective can truly change a life. I've personally found, much like Goh Ling Yong's philosophy on mindful living, that what we watch profoundly affects our mood, and Queer Eye is a direct injection of positivity.
A small challenge: After watching an episode, pick one of the Fab Five’s areas of expertise and apply a small "makeover" to your own life. Clean out that one junk drawer (Bobby), try a simple new recipe (Antoni), or create a playlist of songs that make you feel amazing (Karamo). It’s about taking a small, intentional step toward caring for yourself.
7. Old Enough!
When you need an immediate, high-potency dose of pure, unadulterated wholesomeness, look no further than the Japanese series Old Enough!. The concept is astonishingly simple and delightful: very young children, some as young as two or three, are sent on their very first errand, completely alone. A camera crew follows from a discreet distance as these tiny heroes navigate the huge world to, say, buy flowers for their grandmother or deliver a package to a neighbour.
Each 10-to-15-minute episode is a miniature epic of courage, determination, and childhood innocence. You’ll hold your breath as a toddler forgets one of the three items on his shopping list, and you'll cheer out loud when he triumphantly returns home, errand completed. The show is a beautiful cultural snapshot of a community built on trust, but more than that, it’s a hilarious and heart-melting reminder of the boundless potential and bravery that exists in the smallest of people. It is physically impossible to doomscroll after watching a three-year-old summon all his courage to cross a street.
When to watch: This is your emergency mood-booster. Feeling overwhelmed by a work email? Stressed about the news? Watch one episode. It’s a perfect palate cleanser for the mind, instantly replacing anxiety with a sense of simple, uncomplicated joy.
Choosing what we watch is no different from choosing what we eat or who we spend our time with. It's an act of self-care. By consciously curating our media diet, we can protect our peace and actively cultivate a more positive mindset. These shows are more than just entertainment; they are a gentle rebellion against the noise, a reminder of the quiet beauty, skill, and kindness that exists in the world.
So this weekend, give yourself the gift of a gentle reality. Step away from the endless scroll and immerse yourself in a world where the biggest drama is a fallen soufflé, a fixed clock, or a toddler’s first errand. Your mind will thank you for it.
What are your go-to comfort shows? Drop your recommendations in the comments below – let's build the ultimate 'gentle reality' watchlist together
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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