If you ever have some work to take care of that doesn’t need full attention, it can be nice to put a show on in the background. Of course, you don’t want to be watching anything that requires your in-depth attention. Instead, you’ll want to find a show that you can tune in and out of. 

We’ll be breaking down why we think Reality TV and Sitcoms are the best kinds of shows to watch while working. We’ll also be giving you a few suggestions for each category. 

Reality TV

Reality shows make great background noise. They’re easy to follow without much attention, and they’re undeniably entertaining. What’s great is that there’s so much variety here. Whether its cooking, nature, or lifestyle shows – there’s something for everyone. Here are a few suggestions.

Great British Bake Off

What makes better background noise than British people politely baking? The show follows a satisfying weekly elimination format, making it easily bingeable. You could probably get through a full season in a single dedicated work session!

Alone

If nature is more your thing, Alone takes a group of contestants and sees how long they can last on their own in the wild. Both thrilling and fascinating, Alone is perfect for anyone fantasizing about the wilderness. At the same time, it will probably make you grateful you’re working inside instead of being stuck in the woods. 

Queer Eye

Finally, Queer Eye is one of the most popular reality shows in recent memory. It follows the “Fab Five” as they help revamp people’s lives through fashion, design, and confidence. Along with making great background noise, you might even pick up a few lifestyle tips along the way. 

man watching tv

Sitcoms

The go-to shows for most people while working are sitcoms. Whether it’s something brand new or something you’ve seen countless times, sitcoms are a great choice. Here are a couple of suggestions. 

Seinfeld

You can’t go wrong with a classic, right? Seinfeld is arguably the most iconic sitcom of all time. It’s perfect as a background show for its familiarity and endless rewatchability. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an episode of Seinfeld that doesn’t make you laugh out loud at least once. 

The Simpsons

If cartoons are more your thing, The Simpsons makes for perfect background viewing. With countless classic episodes, why not take a visit to Springfield the next time you’re working?

Abbott Elementary

If you’re in the mood for something fresher, Abbott Elementary is one of the best new sitcoms of the past decade. Following a public school in Philadelphia, Abbott is both heartwarming and hilarious. While there are only 2 seasons out right now, it’s an excellent choice for your next work session. 

Conclusion

For more casual work, it can be great to have a favorite show in the background. We recommend sticking with reality TV and sitcoms. This is because they’re both easy to follow and entertaining even with minimal attention. 

We hope our set of suggestions can help you find the perfect background show. Happy working!