15 television dramas and comedies worth re-watching

It may seem counterintuitive to re-watch shows in the era of Too Much TV, but certain occasions - weeks of social distancing, for example - can be ameliorated by returning to bygone favorites. With that in mind, we've put together a guide to the shows we think are worth watching a second (or even third) time.

'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' (2015)

Watch it on: Netflix

Come for the weird musical comedy about a quirky 20-something still obsessed with an ex-boyfriend she met at a teen summer camp; stay for the thoughtful exploration of what it's like to live with a mental illness, punctuated by witty dialogue and catchy songs (many co-written by late "Fountains of Wayne" singer Adam Schlesinger) that will make you laugh through your tears.

- Bethonie Butler

'Scrubs' (2001)

Watch it on: Hulu

I recently watched Season 5, Episode 12 to write about a suddenly timely scene that shows how infection can spread - and found I couldn't stop. Even though it might seem like a strange time to watch a show set in a hospital, "Scrubs" expertly walks the line between goofy humor and somber reflection better than any other comedy. Frequently described as the most accurate medical TV show, it's also a good reminder of how medical professionals are often unsung heroes.

- Emily Yahr

'Girls' (2012)

Watch it on: HBO

Frustration abounds, so why not channel some of that energy into yelling at Lena Dunham's Hannah Horvath as you revisit her exasperating - but human - missteps? For all the criticism "Girls" received during its original run, the HBO series never felt trite. The dynamics between its 20-something characters are honest and likely recognizable in many of our own relationships, making this a great show to re-watch virtually with friends.

- Sonia Rao

'The Little Drummer Girl' (2018)

Watch it on: Sundance Now

Adapting the novels of spymaster John le Carré is an exercise in insanity. His books exist on two levels - on top there's simple intrigue of European intelligence work; beneath that is the severe psychological battles taking place in everyone's souls. Park Chan-wook's six-episode adaptation of his finest novel for AMC/BBC One is hyperaware of those levels, and his camera explores not only gorgeous locales throughout Western Europe (where it was shot on location) but the deeply expressive face of his lead Florence Pugh, who plays Charmian "Charlie" Ross, an actress-turned-Mossad-spy tasked with infiltrating a radical Palestinian group - where her allegiance becomes ... let's say ... blurry. The result is a wonderfully twisty, turny spy tale that explores what it means to learn about yourself - when your script may already be written by more powerful forces.

- Travis M. Andrews

'Living Single' (1993)

Watch it on: Hulu

Before "Friends," there was this classic sitcom about a group of 20-something professionals living together in New York City. "Living Single" is quintessentially '90s in many ways (few Gen Z-ers can afford to live in a Brooklyn brownstone), but its humor and heart are timeless. It's also pretty unparalleled in terms of representation: it wasn't until the show came to streaming two years ago that I realized just how influential Khadijah (Queen Latifah) and the other independent, ambitious black women in her friend group had been for me as a child. I find myself revisiting them when I feel nostalgic for my post-college NYC days - or that iconic theme song.

- B.B.

'Golden Girls' (1985)

Watch it on: Hulu

While we're on the subject of friend groups and iconic theme songs, it doesn't get much better or funnier than this sitcom (also on Hulu) about four older women living together in Miami. The most striking thing about re-watching "Golden Girls" is its spicy dialogue - from sexual innuendo to the blistering insults the close-knit quartet tossed around its ranks. I'll never get tired of Dorothy's acerbic wit, Rose's epic St. Olaf's stories, Sophia's deadpan sarcasm or Blanche's shameless thirst. It's also fun to be reminded of the show's amazing guest stars: Burt Reynolds, George Clooney and Leslie Nielsen among them.

- B.B.

'Rectify' (2003)

Watch it on: Netflix

Ray McKinnon's SundanceTV series follows Daniel Holden (Aden Young) as a wrongfully convicted man who spent nearly two decades on death row being released into a world not ready for him and one which he isn't ready for. All four plaintive seasons, beautifully shot on location in Georgia, are bolstered by what might be my favorite performances ever to hit the small screen as Holden and his family attempt to adjust to a "new normal" while ruminating on the true meaning of being alive.

- T.M.A.

'The Leftovers' (2014)

Watch it on: HBO

Set in a world where 2 percent of the population vanishes without explanation, "The Leftovers," based on Tom Perrotta's novel of the same name, might not be the best pick for escapists. But for those seeking art that reflects some of our current feelings of grief and helplessness, Perrotta and Damon Lindelof's HBO adaptation, anchored by Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon's stellar performances, deserves another watch.

- S.R.

'How I Met Your Mother' (2005)

Watch it on: Hulu

I haven't watched this CBS sitcom since it went off the air, so why did I decide to now? Unclear! But I think one reason is that the show, while technically about Ted's search for the mystical Mother, is about how often your friends really become your family. That idea seems more important than ever right now. And even though the character of Barney Stinson is way more horrifying than I remember, it's weirdly comforting to hear the sounds of an audience laugh track.

- E.Y.

'Justified' (2010)

Watch it on: Hulu

While the work of Elmore Leonard, the best crime fiction writer to ever live, has been endlessly adapted, it usually suffers into that strange transmutation from page to screen. That's probably one reason I initially stayed away from FX's "Justified,' which revolves around Leonard's plays-by-his-own-rules U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who patrols the hollers of Harlan County, Kentucky, in an ongoing game of cat-and-mouse with his old mining buddy-turned-white-supremacist-turned-criminal-mastermind Boyd Crowder. My mistake. Because with the leads portrayed by Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins in two star-making turns and in the hands of showrunner Graham Yost, the series has all the dry wit, biblical justice and killer dialogue found in the best Leonard novels. One tip: The show becomes far more serialized (and better) after the first season.

- T.M.A.

'Six Feet Under' (2001)

Watch it on: HBO

Like many "Six Feet Under" fans, I don't think I'll ever get the achingly beautiful final scene of Alan Ball's beloved HBO series out of my head. But even knowing how it ends, it's worth returning to this show about the Fisher family and their funeral home - particularly in moments of grief or nostalgia for the people who know you best.

- B.B.

'Parks and Recreation' (2009)

Watch it on: Hulu or Netflix

I re-watch "Parks and Recreation" for the same reason many people re-watch "The Office": It just makes me feel good. I love so many things about Michael Schur's beloved comedy: Leslie and Ann's unwavering friendship; Ron's deadpan rants; Andy pretending to be an FBI agent called Burt Macklin. There's nothing quite like a "Parks and Rec" marathon at the end of a long day.

- B.B.

'Happy Endings' (2011)

Watch it on: Hulu

Want to feel like you're on another planet? This truly bizarre cast of characters delivers, especially because the chemistry between the five friends gets even sharper over time. There are so many jokes and pop-culture references that I catch new ones every time I watch it - and delightfully strange plotlines make it easy to keep you distracted for a solid 22 minutes.

- E.Y.

'House' (2004)

Watch it on: Amazon Prime

Perhaps I should do some soul-searching about the fact that I'm perpetually eager to watch Hugh Laurie's grouchy Dr. Gregory House insult his patients and staff on an endless loop. But I keep coming back to "House" because of its dark humor and the fact that it's decidedly less soapy than your typical medical drama. It also feels especially relevant amid a global pandemic.

- B.B.

'The Wire' (2002)

Watch it on: HBO

An obvious choice, sure. But when it comes to crime dramas, it really doesn't get any better than David Simon's poignant series about Baltimore and the various facets of its criminal justice system.

- B.B.