If there’s ever a time to binge some comforting TV shows, the weekend after New Year’s Eve is the period to do it.
It’s nearly time to take the Christmas tree down (or maybe you’ve already done it) and face the real world – scary stuff.
But before Monday rolls around there’s still space for a little more rest and relaxation to help you recharge for the weeks and months ahead.
While the New Year puts emphasis on things that are fresh and new, you can’t beat indulging in an old favourite.
For some, their ultimate comfort watch was taken from them after Netflix removed Friends from the streamer.
So here are five other shows might fill that Central Perk-shaped hole.
Metro readers have their say
We asked Metro readers to share their ultimate comfort watches to binge while recovering from New Year’s this weekend.
From late 90s sitcoms to James Cordon and Ruth Jones’ smash hit, here is the telly that came recommended.
Peep Show
Ever wanted to hear the internal monologue of some of your funniest friends? Well, Peep Show, recommended by Metro reader Emma Love, will give you just that.
The series, which ended in 2015, sees two awkward best friends navigate life from their flat in Croydon, South London.
Their dry comedy and wit will leaving you howling, with performances from David Mitchell, Robert Webb and Olivia Colman.
Kaushik Roy on Google called it ‘the greatest comedy show ever made for the television’.
Matt Moggy gave it a similar accolade ‘for properly expressing British humour’.
The cast recently reunited for a special episode of Celebrity Bake Off, as they attempted to bake Christmas turkey pies in a tricky technical challenge.
Peep Show is available to watch on Channel 4.
Gavin and Stacey
Gavin and Stacey makes for a fantastic comfort watch – at least Metro reader Pem Shell certainly thinks so.
After a few episodes you’ll feel like you’re part of the big blended family that welcomes in characters like Smithy (James Cordon) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) with open arms.
The three seasons follow the relationship between Matthew Horne’s character (Gavin) and Joanna Page’s (Stacey), who start dating after meeting down the phone at work.
Last Christmas a whopping 19million watched the tear-jerking finale, but still, we never found out what happened on the fishing trip…
Coffeeguy 66 from Google has ‘watched every episode a good 4 or 5 times plus the Christmas specials’, and YSLR said they ‘fell in love with it from the first episode.’
Gavin and Stacey is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Dinnerladies
We’re going back a few years now with Dinner Ladies, recommended by Metro reader Clive James.
He called it ‘proper pick-me-up comedy’, making it perfect for those feeling a little sluggish after a long festive period.
This Manchester-based comedy is the incredible work of the late Victoria Wood.
Set in a factory canteen and starring Maxine Peak and Julie Walters, these working class women discuss everything from marriages to mashed potato in dialogue that’ll split your sides from laughing.
‘Every line is a scream’, Barbara Serres on Google said.
JanMike9 thought similar, writing: ‘Magical casting, rapid-fire, intelligent, genuinely funny gags, ridiculous situations, and pathos running under it all.’
Dinnerladies is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Still Game
Recommended by Metro reader Dan Trafford is Still Game.
This Scottish BBC sitcom is centred around two OAP’s, Jack (Ford Kiernan) and Victor (Greg Hemphill), who love nothing more than to moan about the present and reminisce on the past.
Early seasons came out just after the millennium and it was once christened ‘Last of the Summer Whisky’ – the show revolves around The Clansman pub, where lots of the banter takes place.
Michael Meldrum on Google reviews calls it ‘one of my all time favourites’, while Aanc Build said they ‘binge watched the whole 9 series’ and ‘loved every one of the episodes.’
Still Game is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
The Big Bang Theory
Metro reader Jonathan Lee-Smith suggested The Big Bang theory to see you through the weekend.
Fans were up in arms when they found out it had been removed from Netflix, but luckily there’s other places you can watch.
You might remember the endless repeats on E4, or maybe you were hooked when it was added to the streamer, but there’s no denying this is a great nostalgic watch.
It centres on the lives of two wonderfully kooky physicists, and the friends and romances that surround them.
Ryan Choi on Google said it’s ‘a sitcom that transcends the boundaries of traditional comedy by blending science, geek culture, and heartfelt storytelling into a truly unforgettable television experience.’
And put simply, Madeline Kwon said it was the ‘best TV show ever!’
The Big Bang Theory is available to buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
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