20 Easy Background Shows You Can Watch While Multitasking

Ghosts

Ghosts is a supernatural comedy that you can just put on in the background and do stuff; thanks to its simple premise and character-based humor. The show follows a couple renovating a haunted mansion filled with chatty, opinionated spirits. Most episodes focus on self-contained situations, making them easy to follow even if you miss a scene or two. The comedy comes from personality clashes rather than complex plots, allowing you to multitask while still enjoying the jokes and charming chaos.

Chesapeake Shores

Returning home sets everything in motion in Chesapeake Shores. It's a slow-moving family drama filled with emotions and familiar faces. The show focuses on relationships, old memories, and personal healing rather than fast-paced storytelling. Because of its relaxed tone, you don’t need to watch closely to understand what’s happening.

New Girl

Life inside a shared apartment brings constant chaos in New Girl. The show thrives on funny conversations, misunderstandings, and strong personalities rather than complicated stories. Episodes are easy to jump into at any point. Even when you’re distracted, the humor still comes through. So yes, it works well as background entertainment during everyday routines.

St. Denis Medical

Set inside a struggling Oregon hospital, St. Denis Medical follows doctors and nurses who are constantly overwhelmed but still trying their best. The mockumentary style keeps things casual, with humor coming from awkward silences, tired reactions, and everyday workplace stress. There’s no heavy plot to track, so it’s easy to leave on while doing other things. Even if you miss a few scenes, you’ll still get the joke.

Abbott Elementary

At its heart, Abbott Elementary is about people who care deeply about their jobs, even when the system doesn’t support them. The show takes place in a public school where teachers deal with everyday challenges using humor and heart. Episodes are short and easy to follow, with jokes that land even if you’re not fully paying attention. Much of the comedy comes from character interactions rather than plot twists, making it a great choice to play in the background while you work or relax.

Sweet Magnolias

Life in a small Southern town moves gently in Sweet Magnolias. The series is about three longtime friends as they talk through relationships, family issues, and personal changes. There’s very little urgency in how the story unfolds, which makes it perfect for multitasking. Most scenes revolve around conversations rather than action, so you can tune in and out without feeling lost.

Rizzoli & Isles

Crime-solving meets friendship in Rizzoli & Isles, a procedural that’s easy to watch casually. Each episode presents a new case with a familiar structure, so missing a few details doesn’t affect enjoyment. The real highlight is the dynamic between Jane and Maura, whose conversations add humor and warmth. It’s a great option to keep on while you focus on something else.

Desperate Housewives

Secrets, scandals, and gossip drive Desperate Housewives, making it entertaining even when half-watched. Life on Wisteria Lane is full of dramatic twists, but everything is explained clearly through narration and dialogue. You can easily step away and still understand what’s going on when you look back. The exaggerated drama works in your favor, and makes it perfect background television.

What We Do in the Shadows

Modern life proves surprisingly difficult for vampires in What We Do in the Shadows. Instead of dark drama, the show focuses on silly arguments, household problems, and social awkwardness. Episodes are mostly standalone, so you don’t need to track a long storyline. Even when you’re distracted, the strange situations and funny lines make it entertaining.

Parks and Recreation

Working in local government has never looked more entertaining than in Parks and Recreation. The show is built around quirky personalities and familiar workplace problems rather than complex plots. Most of the humor comes from character interactions, which makes it easy to enjoy without watching closely. It's easy to drop in and out of, which means you can make it a great background choice for busy days.

Bones

Science and crime come together in Bones, a procedural that sticks to a familiar format. Each episode centers on a single case, which makes it easy to understand even if you’re multitasking. The ongoing relationship between Brennan and Booth adds consistency, helping the show feel familiar over time. You can miss parts and still catch the outcome without confusion.

Castle

Humor and mystery blend smoothly in Castle, making it an easy show to watch casually. The crimes are straightforward, and the playful banter between the leads keeps scenes lively. You don’t need to follow every clue to enjoy the episode. Even when you’re busy, the tone stays light and entertaining. It’s a comfortable option to leave on while doing other tasks.

Arrested Development

Nothing ever goes smoothly for the Bluth family in Arrested Development. The jokes keeps the story clear, even when you’re not watching closely. While the show rewards attention, it’s also enjoyable as background TV, especially on a rewatch. You might miss a few clever references, but the absurd family drama still shines through.

Friends

Comfort and familiarity define Friends, making it one of the easiest shows to keep on in the background. The characters, settings, and storylines are instantly recognizable. Episodes rely on simple situations and lots of dialogue, so you don’t need full focus to enjoy them. You can walk away and return without missing much. It’s classic background TV that's never-ending, no matter where you leave or pick it up.

Gilmore Girls

Life in Stars Hollow feels comforting in Gilmore Girls. The show focuses on relationships, routines, and everyday moments rather than the soapy drama. While the dialogue moves quickly, the overall story remains easy to follow. It’s well suited for multitasking, since missing a few lines won’t leave you confused. A great choice for having something pleasant playing in the background. Stars Hollow and the Gilmores are always the perfect match.

Jane The Virgin

From the very start, Jane the Virgin makes sure viewers know exactly what’s happening. A playful narrator explains twists and emotions, which helps even when you’re distracted. The story is dramatic but clearly told, so it’s easy to keep up without full attention. While it has dramatic moments, the tone remains playful and accessible, allowing you to enjoy the chaos of Jane’s life without needing full attention at all times.

The Good Place

It's the perfect blend of humor and big ideas in The Good Place. Most scenes focus on conversations, which makes it easy to listen while multitasking. Even when deeper topics come up, the show explains them clearly. Episodes are short and works really well as background entertainment that never feels overwhelming.

Will & Grace

Will & Grace is classic background sitcom material. The humor is loud, fast, and driven by strong personalities, which makes it easy to enjoy even if you’re not watching closely. Plots are simple and usually wrapped up quickly. Characters like Karen and Jack steal scenes with one-liners

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Comedy and routine police work blend smoothly in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Episodes follow a familiar structure, so you don’t need to watch closely to enjoy them. The jokes are quick, and the characters are easy to recognize. It’s not overwhelming, which makes it a solid choice for multitasking.

Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris is visually pleasing, and low-stakes that’s ideal for multitasking. The show focuses more on fashion, romance, and workplace mishaps than complex storytelling. Episodes move quickly and spell out emotional beats clearly, so you can look up when something dramatic happens without feeling lost.