A lot of the best comedies on television lately have been focused on kind-hearted characters and optimistic worlds. Comedy is a broad concept with many forms. One traditional form of comedy often involves some form of ridicule, sometimes punching up at institutions of authority but also sometimes down at those without which can come off as cruel. Some comedies can be incredibly mean-spirited, focusing on someone being offended or suffering in some way. Sometimes this is self-inflected pain or directed at somebody else; for a long time, most comedy shows involved this kind of pain, with insults and schadenfreude, sometimes very well (Seinfeld) and sometimes with critical revulsion (Two and a Half Men).

However, a recent trend on television has emerged: a truly kind-hearted comedy. The humor of these shows is less about laughing at the individual but more about the sincerity of the situation and the endearing charm of the characters. Sometimes the situations and the characters can be absurd, but the humor is less about mocking the leads (or having the leads mock others) and more about using comedy to open one's heart to subtle emotions, warmth, and the small, positive parts of being human. Humor is a great way for people to open up, and these shows tap into an inherent optimism that maybe the world can be better and more welcoming.

The trend may have somewhat begun with The Office, which is ironic — the original Ricky Gervais show was acerbic and often cruel, and while the American version began this way, it evolved into an often beautiful portrait of kindness and community, something that Greg Daniels and Michael Schur continued with Parks and Recreation, The Good Place, and People of Earth. Here, we'll examine television series which are currently on the air that represent a new wave of sitcom, a comedy of kindness; these shows are optimistic and have a kind heart to them that gives the viewer more than just an overall feel-good warmth, but also a reaffirmation of humanity. They are a great way to start the day, or a way to end an evening and make the darkest night feel as bright as the early morning.

Ted Lasso

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso
Apple TV+

The winner of the Outstanding Comedy Series at the Prime Time Emmy two years in a row, Ted Lasso became the unexpected breakout hit of AppleTV+ when it premiered in 2020. The series' title character in many ways embodies the best of what anyone can aspire to be, without seeming inhuman or arrogant. After years of premiere television being defined by antiheroes like Walter White, Tony Soprano, Vic Mackey, and Don Draper, it was time for a change of pace, and the character of Ted Lasso offered the complete opposite just by being a nice person.

Related: Did Ted Lasso Really Deserve its Emmys in its Second Season?Ted Lasso premiered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and when everything seemed uncertain there was a comfort in just seeing someone be a good person, watching how his attitude could impact and change the lives of those around him for the better. Throughout the two seasons of Ted Lasso (and likely its third and final), audiences have grown to not only love Ted but also the entire supporting cast, and see the lessons that Ted has brought them have made them better people. Much like Ted brings his boss Rebecca biscuits every morning, Ted Lasso is the ideal comfort show for viewers, and it appears to have made its mark in television history.

Joe Pera Talks with You

Joe Pera Talks With You
Warner Bros.

Joe Pera Talks with You stars comedian Joe Pera as a fictionalized version of himself, living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and teaching choir at a local middle school; he talks to the viewer about a variety of subjects, from chairs to breakfast, while a moving narrative develops tangentially. Each episode is about 11 minutes long, so it is easy to binge, and the series is like listening to a great friend just conversing with you.

While one would expect some type of bait and switch, or some cynical undertone from this Adult Swim series, the joy of Joe Pera Talks with You is just how sincere and straightforward it is. It really is just about Joe Pera talking to the viewer with a naturally calm demeanor, surrounded by lovable characters, and soft music underscoring everything. This provides a soothing experience, one that is naturally relaxing and comforting. It is non-confrontational, charming, and just the perfect way to relax after a long day.

Unlike the other shows mentioned here, Joe Pera Talks with You has recently been canceled (though Pera hopes to find a home elsewhere). This news genuinely upset people, as the show had become a beautifully heartwarming masterpiece of minutiae, and many outlets (The Ringer, Collider, Paste, etc.) mourned its loss. It can, however, be seen through re-runs on Adult Swim and streamed on HBO Max.

How to with John Wilson

How To With John Wilson poster with Wilson filming spilt coffee
HBO

From producer Nathan Fielder, How to with John Wilson is a documentary series that focuses on the title character, a documentarian 'teaching' simple lessons to the viewers while documenting the strange sights and sounds of New York City. As in Joe Pera Talks with You, though with an utterly different approach, each episode starts out with a simple prompt that's more like a jumping-off point, as the episodes tend to go off in very drastic different directions that become introspective and explore bigger life questions.

Related: How To With John Wilson: One of the Most Innovative Shows on TV TodayThe series is often cited as Planet Earth but about New York, and that is a fair observation, as the series uses the audience's understanding of nature documentaries (and DIY shows and videos) to its advantage. John Wilson's soft-spoken narration provides each episode with a relatable and humorous point of view for the audience to latch onto. How to with John Wilson provides humorous observations with some of the best editing and visual puns on television, along with sights the viewer truly will not believe are real, all while offering some deep introspection about the human condition.

Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary Cast
ABC

The breakout freshman comedy series from the 2021 to 2022 season, Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style series that follows a group of teachers at an underfunded school in Philadelphia. Abbott Elementary in many ways fills the comforting void left by NBC series like The Office and Parks and Recreation. The fact that the series is set at a school means almost all the scenes take place in the daytime, providing for a naturally bright, warm viewing experience.

The series features laughs one expects from a network sitcom, but also a real heart to it, exploring how committed teachers sometimes are to their students despite the often low pay and how impactful they can be. With so many series focused on cops, doctors, and lawyers, a show about not just teachers but elementary school teachers is a nice change of pace.

Ghosts

Ghosts
CBS Studio

A remake of a BBC series of the same name, Ghosts follows married couple Samantha and Jay Arondekar who inherit an old country home they plan to turn into a bed and breakfast. But after Samantha has a near-death experience she finds herself seeing a variety of ghosts who haunt the premises, while Jay is not able to, and the couple must learn to co-exist with their new ghost housemates.

Ghosts harken back to classic hit-concept sitcoms that used to be a staple of television, and that old-fashioned notion makes for a comforting viewing experience. Much of traditional media tends to portray ghosts as evil spirits or souls just looking to move on to the afterlife. However, Ghosts refreshingly finds a way where the humans and spirits can not only co-exist with one another but allow for a whole new host of experiences they can have together. Death is often a frightening and serious topic, but Ghosts finds a way to make the viewer laugh and make the afterlife seem a little less scary.