We’ve all heard the question: “Why are you watching that again?” For many of us, especially in times of stress, loneliness, or simply boredom, the answer is simple—because it feels good. I’ll be the first to admit, I rewatch the same TV shows all the time. Not just occasionally. Regularly. Shows like Friends, The Office, Schitt’s Creek, or Brooklyn Nine-Nine play on a loop in the background of my life, and I’m far from alone in this ritual.
In a media landscape overflowing with new content—thousands of series across countless streaming platforms—it may seem counterintuitive that so many of us choose to revisit stories we’ve already seen, sometimes multiple times. But the phenomenon is widespread. In fact, Netflix has publicly stated that its most rewatched shows often top its engagement charts. So, what’s behind this comforting compulsion?
Photo by Kaboompics
The Power of Predictability
One of the main reasons people return to familiar shows is predictability. Life is unpredictable. Global news, social media, work demands, and personal issues can make our daily existence feel like a nonstop stream of stress and unknowns. When I rewatch a show I’ve already seen five times, I know exactly what’s going to happen—and that’s the point.
There’s something deeply soothing about knowing that Jim will prank Dwight, that Alexis will say something ridiculous but endearing, or that Joey won’t share his food. These little moments become like emotional checkpoints. There’s no surprise, no cliffhangers to provoke anxiety. Just the same storyline, the same laughter, and the same sense of control over what I’m consuming.
Psychologists agree. Familiar media provides a sense of safety and structure. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, researchers noted a spike in rewatching behaviour. Repeating a show you love activates the brain’s reward centers without requiring cognitive effort. It’s a low-risk, high-reward comfort behaviour—and in a world that often feels high-risk, that makes perfect sense.
Nostalgia as a Coping Tool
There’s also a powerful nostalgia factor. Shows we’ve loved for years can transport us to another time—maybe a simpler one. Rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer might take you back to high school. Gilmore Girls might bring back cozy feelings of autumn or family. Even more recent shows like Ted Lasso can trigger memories of the first time you watched them and the emotional state you were in.
Nostalgia isn’t just a longing for the past—it’s a survival mechanism. According to psychological studies, nostalgia can help us regulate our emotions, combat loneliness, and even make us feel more connected to others. So, it’s no surprise that when life gets tough, we instinctively reach for that familiar TV comfort blanket.
For me, there’s a special kind of nostalgia in the characters I know inside and out. I don’t have to invest emotional energy into new plotlines or remember who did what. The connection is already there. The emotional contract was signed seasons ago, and now I’m just cashing in on the dividends.
Comfort Characters
We all have our “comfort characters.” These are the ones who feel like friends, even if they only exist in pixels. They’re the Chandler Bings, the Leslie Knopes, the Moira Roses—characters whose quirks, growth arcs, and punchlines we’ve memorized and yet never tire of. There’s something about them that makes us feel safe.
In times of loneliness, mental fatigue, or burnout, comfort characters become more than fictional—they’re coping tools. They don’t judge, they don’t surprise, and they’re always there at the click of a button. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
Background Noise with Benefits
Of course, it’s not always about full engagement. One of the main practical reasons people rewatch shows is simple: background noise. Whether I’m folding laundry, answering emails, cooking dinner, or writing (even this piece), having a familiar show on in the background feels like company. I don’t have to watch closely—I know what’s happening.
This isn’t about zoning out, either. Background noise can actually help some people focus or reduce feelings of isolation. A familiar show provides a subtle, steady rhythm to the environment, calm, predictable, and undemanding.
Many people say they play episodes of their favorite show just to fill the silence in their home. Silence can be daunting, especially if you live alone or are going through a rough patch. The sounds of laughter, dialogue, and even a laugh track can make a space feel fuller, more alive.
Emotional Regulation and Mental Health
Rewatching shows isn’t just a cozy habit—it can be a legitimate form of emotional regulation. According to Dr. Pamela Rutledge, a media psychologist, repeated viewing helps reduce anxiety and improve emotional stability because it reinforces a sense of mastery and predictability.
Think about it: when everything else in your life feels chaotic or overwhelming, that 22-minute sitcom episode with a guaranteed happy ending offers a moment of peace. It’s a pocket of reliability in a world full of unpredictability.
When I’m anxious or spiralling, I don’t want to start a new, emotionally intense show. I want to revisit something I know will make me laugh. I want something that asks nothing of me emotionally, something that doesn’t demand investment or mental energy. I want comfort, not complexity.
Cultural Connection and Shared Experience
Rewatching shows also contributes to a sense of shared culture. How often have you bonded with someone over a favourite line from The Office, or laughed about a Parks and Rec scene you both know by heart? These shared experiences form part of a modern mythology—a cultural shorthand.
Rewatching lets us stay connected to these stories and the people who love them too. And as social creatures, that shared connection matters. It’s why quotes, memes, and GIFS from decades-old shows still dominate social media.
The Ritual of Rewatching
For many people, including myself, rewatching a show becomes part of a personal ritual. Maybe it’s what you put on when you crawl into bed. Maybe it’s your Saturday morning tradition. Or maybe it’s your mental reset button after a long, draining day.
These rituals offer grounding and consistency, something we all crave. They’re our way of reclaiming a little control in our chaotic, hyperconnected lives.
So… Is It a Bad Thing?
Not at all. Unless it interferes with your responsibilities or replaces your engagement with the outside world, rewatching a favourite show can be healthy, even therapeutic. It’s a form of self-soothing, not unlike wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket or revisiting a favourite childhood book.
Sure, it’s great to discover new shows and expand your horizons—but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with circling back to old favourites. It’s okay to want comfort. It’s okay to need stability. And if that comes in the form of Leslie Knope championing waffles, or David Rose freaking out in designer knits, then so be it.
Final Thoughts
Rewatching TV shows might look like procrastination or avoidance on the surface, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find it’s often about comfort, connection, and care. In a world that asks so much of us all the time, there’s something quietly revolutionary about choosing ease.
So, the next time someone asks why you’re watching The Office or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia again, smile and say, “Because it makes me happy.” Sometimes, that’s reason enough.
markmunroe
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