The biggest reason I have a second monitor is so I can stream content while I work, but I don’t like my attention being too divided. When I’m really busy, I stick to shows that don’t require my full attention.
8
What We Do in the Shadows
Watch What We Do in the Shadows on Disney+
Never in a million years did I think a delightfully funny and charming movie like What We Do in the Shadows would spawn an equally hilarious and quirky show. And stars Matt Berry from Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace? It’s a little more story-driven, like American Dad, but you won’t feel punished if you don’t give the show 100% of your attention.
What makes What We Do in the Shadows ultimately work for busy schedules is that the characters only riff on what’s happening at the moment. It’s not often I have to back up a few minutes because of missing context or being completely lost.
7
The Office
Watch The Office on Peacock
I think I’ve rewatched The Office so many times that I don’t even need to watch the show anymore; I just need to hear the audio. My recollection will do the rest. And perhaps that’s why it’s become an easy pick as background—something familiar, something funny, and something comforting to hear while I work. The plot of each episode isn’t elaborate or sophisticated, and the comedy comes at a steady pace, so it isn’t a big deal if you miss a punchline or two.
As an aside, The Office is one of the reasons why I’ve made a big push towards preserving physical media. Not only is the box set on my wish list for the purpose of streaming on Plex, but the fact that it changed hands from Netflix to Peacock means I can’t watch it unless I subscribe to another service.
6
Seinfeld
Watch Seinfeld on Netflix
Although I recommend giving Seinfeld your full attention at some point, it works beautifully as a background show while you grade papers or prep for guests, too. With plots being about seemingly “nothing,” which the actors also echo in-character, is what ultimately makes it work.
Every stage is only ever loosely connected to what came before the transition, and that includes the jokes. Callbacks to something one of the characters said at the start of the show don’t happen often, so you’re rarely stuck feeling like you aren’t in on the joke.
5
American Dad
Watch American Dad on Disney+
Family Guy could work here as well, but American Dad is what I’d ultimately choose, especially if I’m just having a lazy day. The show’s punchlines are plentiful, so much that if you look away for a few minutes, then look back at American Dad for a moment, you’re guaranteed to witness the start of a gag or punchline.
The story structure of American Dad also works really well as background noise, as it usually revolves around a central conflict, but it’s not unusual to have a B story, too. Best of all, the show is consistently funny, and a big reason for that is Roger’s personas and fewer cutaways.
4
Hoarders
Watch Hoarders on Hulu
Hoarders has the same allure as those YouTubers who clean retro gaming hardware, but on the scale of a house and with just a touch of reality TV. It’s undeniably satisfying to see a hovel be cleaned top to bottom and, hopefully, stay that way.
The episodes are 60 minutes long, on average, and the hoarder’s house is gradually cleaned. It follows the same cycle: the situation, the struggle, then the big reveal of the glow up. If you turn away for a couple of minutes, then look back, you’ll notice progress.
3
Law & Order
Watch Law & Order on Peacock
Law & Order is another show that doesn’t usually involve cerebral plots. Although sometimes you get a case that’s thought-provoking, the show does a great job of wrapping up the major story beats at the end of the episode. More importantly, you don’t need to understand any legal jargon, as the show does explain things in layman’s terms.
The episode length is also a comfortable 40 minutes long. Not to mention 25 seasons of content, and counting. With a lot of seasons, there are cast members that get cycled out, so I highly encourage you to start at the beginning, although personally, I like the earlier episodes more. And if you want more, Peacock also has Law & Order: SVU, which has a stellar cast that includes Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni.
2
How It’s Made
Watch How It’s Made on Hulu
I recall watching How It’s Made for the first time in middle school, expecting to be bored, but ended up being completely enamored with the show. For starters, episodes are 20 minutes long and reveal the creation of at least three products, which range from candy to chemical tank trailers.
With each episode covering a handful of different goods, if it doesn’t seem interesting, and you’re particularly busy, you can use that as an opportunity to get some work done. Otherwise, I’ve used the breakdown of a single product as an indication that my break is over. Give it a try if you have trouble losing focus!
1
Kitchen Nightmares
Watch Kitchen Nightmares on Disney+
Kitchen Nightmares has the same allure as Hoarders and, oddly enough, the same story structure, but with a big heaping dollop of reality TV. Even the length is an hour long. Gordon Ramsay visits destitute restaurants in an effort to fix their (usually) failing businesses. The reality TV part comes in when the owners and employees back-talk to Gordon or each other.
What makes Kitchen Nightmares so much like Hoarders is that you see the restaurants at their lowest, grossest state. Gordon swoops in, fixes the menus and the aesthetic, while attempting to get the owners and employees to face the hard truths. I prefer Kitchen Nightmares when I’m doing chores or making dinner.
Having a show streaming off to the side has been a winning strategy for me when I work. Each of these shows has the right amount of entertainment and simplicity so that if I avert my gaze for a few moments or lock in for a while, I won’t have to worry about being lost in the plot.
