The digital age has left humans feeling lonelier than ever. Studies of brain development in children have shown that those who spend longer time on social media have elevated levels of depression and anxiety. This is because social media has created a need for us to always find a connection with anything we consume online. We watch and admire other people’s lives, living vicariously through our favorite influencers and even characters on TV. When I’m having a bad day, I find myself turning on “Background Check” – the funniest episode of “New Girl.” Despite how strange this might seem, there is a psychological reason for the positive and negative effects.
For one, as the name would suggest, comfort shows are comforting; they offer a sense of solace and security. “Friends” is such a timeless show because of each of the core characters’s personalities. Rachel’s independence and drive, Monica’s willingness to do anything for her friends, Ross’ loveable nature, Chandler’s humor and sarcasm, Joey’s charisma, and Phoebe’s bubbly personality have become consoling to viewers in their own right. These characteristics make them seem very real and easy to connect with. Humans subconsciously fill the gaps in the character’s lives, just like we do with our own friends and families. The narration and flashbacks in TV shows also make it easier for viewers to connect because it gives insight into the character’s thoughts, feelings, and history. This allows us to empathize so well that we cry with them during conflict and laugh with them during happy moments. All of this creates a sense of comfort for viewers.
Furthermore, these characters and their journeys can also inspire us. My personal favorite comfort character, Marshall Eriksen in “How I Met Your Mother,” inspired me to pursue a career in law. When watching him on-screen, I admired his work ethic and resonated with his drive and academic mind. Additionally, Pearson Hardman from “Suits” created an enticing law firm environment that really drew me into the field, allowing me to dream about what being a lawyer would look like. Thus, many shows contain role models who viewers aspire to become and model their futures after.
We often feel unsatisfied with our lives and find a remedy in television, which helps with this persistent dissatisfaction because it gives us something to fill the void. Anything we feel like is missing in our own lives, we replace with an imagined digital version. We immerse ourselves in the online world to escape our own problems. But relying too much on digital technology to meet our social needs can be detrimental, causing us to detach from our real lives. We form parasocial relationships with characters on the internet, rejecting reality in favor of television. According to Psychology Today, parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships where someone forms a strong connection with someone they don’t know, including media personalities. The human brain is wired to be social and form relationships, and the idealization of television worlds can cause us to form close connections with the faces we are repeatedly seeing.
In short, there is a reason why we love to rewatch our comfort shows. So whether you’re like me, tuning into “New Girl” for the millionth time, or watching something more serious like “Law and Order,” don’t be ashamed. Go back to Dunder Mifflin or Stars Hollow because, in a constantly changing world, we all need a little comfort in our lives.
