The best feelgood and reality TV boxsets to enjoy this April
If you’re feeling a bit gloomy about the state of the world, we’ve got the perfect fix! Whiling away the hours whilst getting lost in some gentle, feelgood TV is a great mood-booster - or if you want to hang off the edge of your seat and feel involved in some drama, then a brilliant reality TV series is always a great bet.
We’ve put together the best box sets of all genres to dive into during these next few weeks, to help you while away the hours, belly laugh or hang off the edge of your seat in suspense - whatever helps you through the day. Today’s the last in our roundup of the best box sets, and we’re honing in on those TV series that act as a salve for the soul, or the reality TV shows you can’t help but lose yourself in.
And of course, if you’ve got your own box set recommendations, we would love to hear them! Drop us a line over on our Instagram and let us know any that you think are must-sees, and we’ll add them to this ever-expanding list.
the best REALITY TV box sets
Love Is Blind
It’s the age-old question when it comes to relationships - do looks really matter? Singletons try to find a match, fall in love and get engaged - without ever seeing each other face-to-face. It’s the ultimate test of whether emotional connection beats physical attraction when it comes to modern relationships.
Watch on Netflix
Glow Up
Stacey Dooley hosts this series, which sees ten aspiring makeup artists compete to be named Britain’s next makeup superstar. Addictive and artistic, with some brilliant guest experts joining in the fun.
Watch on BBC iPlayer
RuPaul’s Drag Race
If you’ve never had a chance to get stuck into Drag Race, now’s the perfect opportunity. With eleven full seasons - and several spin-offs - to enjoy, you’ll get sucked into this fabulously feelgood competition, which sees US drag queens compete in challenges ranging from costume design to acting, choreography to, of course, the iconic lip sync, in a bid to be named America’s Next Drag Superstar.
Watch on Netflix
Love Island
Don’t write it off - Love Island is watched by millions for a reason. Throw yourself into pure escapism and send your soul off to a sunny villa, to watch impossibly gorgeous singletons try to find ‘their type on paper’ and stay in a couple to the end of the series. It’s equal parts gripping and hilarious, we promise.
Watch Netflix
Next in Fashion
Style icon Alexa Chung and Queer Eye’s Tan France present a professional fashion competition, where designers from across the world (including Dundonian Hayley Scanlan) compete in a series of increasingly-difficult style challenges, to secure a contract with Net-a-Porter. Worth watching for Alexa’s outfits alone, IMO.
Watch on Netflix
Don’t Tell The Bride
A guilty pleasure for when you’ve only got an hour to spare. Hapless grooms try and plan the wedding of their bride’s dreams, with just three weeks and limited budget, whilst the brides know nothing at all about what’s been planned until they walk down the aisle.
Watch on All4
Cheer
This gripping docuseries follows the challenges and triumphs of a US competitive cheerleading squad, as they work to win a coveted national title. Like Bring It On, only way more serious.
Watch on Netflix
the best FEELGOOD box sets
Queer Eye
Some feelgood TV is essential for when the world feels uncertain, and we don’t think there’s anything more uplifting than Queer Eye. Karamo, Tan, Antoni, Jonathan and Bobby help those in need of a full lifestyle makeover understand how to make positive changes. So much more than a show about fashion, grooming or cooking, Queer Eye is wonderfully emotional, cheering and life-affirming - we defy you to not love it.
Watch on Netflix
Bob Ross’s Joy of Painting
Feeling overwhelmed? Let the soothing tones of painter Bob Ross and his ‘happy little trees’ ease your mind. Bob paints stunning landscapes and nature scenes, and invites you to paint along with him. The ultimate in relaxing TV.
Watch on Netflix
Travel Man
Richard Ayoade goes on a whirlwind tour of the world’s cities, trying to explore as many tourist spots as possible, in the minimum amount of time. Quirky and completely enjoyable, this is great TV to lose yourself in and laugh out loud to.
Watch on All4
Modern Love
An impossibly gorgeous anthology of rom-com stories, all inspired by the New York Times’ popular Modern Love newspaper column. Expect an all-star cast including Tina Fey, Anne Hathaway, Dev Patel and an appearance from Ed Sheeran.
Watch on Amazon Prime
The Great British Bake Off
Everybody’s favourite cookery show, it’s innocent, cheering and completely emotionally involving. Lose yourself in the drama of the technical challenge and feel all the better for it. Even if you’ve seen them all before, you’ll love it all over again. Bake along with them for extra comfort points.
Watch on All4 and Netflix