As the Real World Looks Bleak and Democracy Crumbles, TV Comedies Like ‘A Man on the Inside’ and ‘Shrinking’ Are Providing a Needed Mental Health Break

As the news continues to worsen in the real world, every day brings a new horror story. A modern U.S. gestapo tearing families apart with no recourse? A president stuffing his pockets with billions of dollars while eliminating basic social services for those in need? An America turning its back on helping the rest of the world, and pulling funding for crucial programs that will lead to the death of millions?

It’s all happening right now. You want more? Journalists being silenced. Critics of this administration being arrested. The real threat that habeas corpus will be suspended. Gang, we’re just a few months into a new world order that is going to make the United States unrecognizable by the time it celebrates its 250th anniversary next year.

Yeah, I’m on edge. We’re all on edge. So perhaps I’m not as excited to watch stressful TV shows at this point in time. And that’s why, quite honestly, the recent bevy of great new comedies that balance the laughs with the feels is exactly what I need right now. And I think you probably do too.

There’s been a definite increase in comedy salves, including on the broadcast networks — where shows like “Abbott Elementary” and “Ghosts” paved the way for newcomers this season such as “St. Denis Medical” and “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.” All of those shows have become must-see in our household thanks to their laughs, rich character development and moments of earned emotion.

Meanwhile, the streamers have also been successfully leaning into shows that really make you feel something. That includes the second season of Apple TV+’s “Shrinking,” from Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein. The show continues to impress with its rich assortment of friends supporting each other through their different stages of grief and trauma, and was elevated this season by the arrival of a beardless Goldstein, who played the remorseful man whose drunk driving led to the death of the wife of Jimmy (Jason Segel). This stacked cast — come on, Harrison Ford! — gets even bigger next season with the arrival of Michael J. Fox.

Over at Netflix, Mike Schur adapted the doc “The Mole Agent” and turned it into “A Man on the Inside” — a look at aging as told through star Ted Danson. He is a widower who finds new purpose — and an entirely new support system — by taking on the job of going undercover at a retirement home. It’s funny in all the right ways, but will make you cry just as “Shrinking” does. And next season, Danson’s real-life wife Mary Steenburgen will play his love interest, and you best believe my Kleenex is ready.

Natasha Rothwell’s Hulu/Onyx series “How to Die Alone” (which sadly wasn’t renewed for a Season 2) and Mo Amer’s “Mo” (which, also sadly, isn’t expected to return after two seasons) both excel in superb storytelling while focusing on stories that are very personal to their creators. I love that Rothwell’s character at one point even references a high school performance of “The Music Man,” something Rothwell did for real in the 12th grade. (Which I saw! Because my sister was in that same show!)

Meanwhile, I’m sort of breaking my no-stress rule with “Mo,” since the show includes a powerful and gripping look at our broken immigration system and the absurdly terrifying ICE enforcement. But watching Mo’s relationship with his family, and his character’s eventual trip to his Palestinian homeland in the finale, is worth it.

Another show I still always recommend to people who are looking for a nice, warm TV bath is “Somebody Somewhere,” which just finished its run after three seasons on HBO. Star and exec producer Bridget Everett (and her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas) inspired the show, and you’ve never seen a small town, or its inhabitants, portrayed like this. Bridget, you also made me cry with that beautiful finale.

“The goal is never to be like, ‘See if we can make him cry!’” she tells me. “It’s more like, let’s see if it resonates. We just wanted the show to feel like a slice of life. It’s that ‘Steel Magnolias’ laughter-through tears thing. I laugh and cry all the time, as many people do. The goal was to make things feel real.”

As the outside world continues to disappoint, I prefer the reality of “Somebody Somewhere” and its ilk.