RetroFed Forum
Your home away from modern life.
What show or movie do you usually keep on in the background
Post Reply
AuthorMessage
JohnWorks sh.itjust.works JohnWorks@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-09-18
Quote

For comfort? Background noise?

25   Original
storm_shadow piefed.social storm_shadow@piefed.social
Joined: 2026-09-27
#2 · Quote Reply

I rotate through a bunch of them. Currently Bosch. Before that was Star Trek: DS9.

7
Herbal Gamer sh.itjust.works HerbalGamer@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-10-30
#3 · Quote Reply

it's a lot of stand up comedy and deep dives on random topics on youtube for me lately

6
cattywampas lemmy.world cattywampas@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-12-30
#4 · Quote Reply

If you're counting YouTube:

Oceanliner Designs

gl;hf

Tasting History

Otherwise, it's Star Trek: The Next Generation

2
snooggums piefed.world snooggums@piefed.world
Joined: 2025-07-08
#5 · Quote Reply

When I have an active hulu sub, Futurama.

I considered the disc set but would probably have it on constantly and eventually get sick of it.

6
MyDogLovesMe lemmy.world MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-11
#6 · Quote Reply

The Ninth Gate, 1999.

Totally underrated movie.

One of Polanski’s best.

4
givesomefucks lemmy.world givesomefucks@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-30
#7 · Quote Reply

All 22 seasons of Taskmaster just got added to US Hulu.

First watch is horrible for background show, but once you've already seen it, it's perfect.

It's like a UK quiz show, and they film the "tasks" over like 6 months then do the studio weekly bit in under 2 months. So they crank out 2-3 seasons a year, it really hasn't been on that long.

Also a great way to get introduced to UK stand-ups

5
crenquis lemmy.today crenquis@lemmy.today
Joined: 2026-10-01
#8 · Quote Reply

Usually one of the Star Trek series; currently DS9.

3
driving_crooner lemmy.eco.br driving_crooner@lemmy.eco.br
Joined: 2023-06-22
#9 · Quote Reply

Not movie or show, but Northernlion streams are the background sound in my house.

4
Stormy thelemmy.club Stormy@thelemmy.club
Joined: 2026-02-16
#10 · Quote Reply

The wheel of time, the sopranos, or always sunny in Philadelphia,

3
houndboy awful.systems houndboy@awful.systems
Joined: 2026-07-28
#11 · Quote Reply

Seinfeld. The Office. Parks and recreation. It’s always sunny in Philadelphia.

5
thesohoriots lemmy.world thesohoriots@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-21
#12 · Quote Reply

I introduced my spouse to American Dad and they loved it, so that’s what’s usually on. The show wisely kicked Seth MacFarlane out of the writer’s room somewhere around season 5 I think and the quality took off running.

4
fitgse sh.itjust.works fitgse@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-06-11
#13 · Quote Reply

When I have an active hulu sub, Futurama. I considered the disc set but would probably have it on constantly and eventually get sick of it.

You will not get sick of it. I have a raspberry pi with the original 4 seasons ripped to it. That is all that is hooked up to my TV, so every time you turn it on it is just playing futurama. I have seen episodes hundreds of times and they are still funny.

5
givesomefucks lemmy.world givesomefucks@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-30
#14 · Quote Reply

I introduced my spouse to American Dad and they loved it, so that’s what’s usually on. The show wisely kicked Seth MacFarlane out of the writer’s room somewhere around season 5 I think and the quality took off running.

Legitimately one of the best yet consistently under rated shows, not just animation.

3
LEM 1689 lemmy.sdf.org lemmie689@lemmy.sdf.org
Joined: 2023-06-27
#15 · Quote Reply

Right now the original Twilight Zone is playing in the background during the day, five seasons in random order.

3
CubitOom infosec.pub CubitOom@infosec.pub
Joined: 2023-06-08
#16 · Quote Reply

Normally I listen to audiobooks or use TTS to have it read to me while I do things that don't require much focus.

2
AreaKode riskeratspizza.com areakode@riskeratspizza.com
Joined: 2026-01-08
#17 · Quote Reply

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Such a well written, ridiculous show making fun of stupid people.

4
GreenKnight23 lemmy.world GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-09-21
#18 · (edited) Quote Reply

  • quantum leap
  • unsolved mysteries
  • golden girls
  • family matters
  • days of our lives
2
antaymonkey lemmy.world antaymonkey@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-01
#19 · Quote Reply

I'm frankly shocked at how many people are able to do this. I cannot have stuff on "in the background". It's far too distracting and I'll never ever accomplish anything if anything else is consuming my attention.

33
seahag lemmy.world seahag@lemmy.world
Joined: 2026-02-06
#20 · Quote Reply

I tend to leave any video from the "Quick Retrospective" yt series on in the background.

Not for me, but for my cat, who has decided watching clips of Oblivion is far more interesting than cat TV and therefore allows me to do things without her in the way.

2
GreenKnight23 lemmy.world GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-09-21
#21 · Quote Reply

I'm frankly shocked at how many people are able to do this. I cannot have stuff on "in the background". It's far too distracting and I'll never ever accomplish anything if anything else is consuming my attention.

it's about background noise. normally listen to the TV at a 10 or 11 volume level. when it's just noise it's at a 3 or 4.

2
GreenKnight23 lemmy.world GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-09-21
#22 · Quote Reply

Seinfeld. The Office. Parks and recreation. It’s always sunny in Philadelphia.

Seinfeld

what's the deal with tiktok teens calling me a groomer these days?

/Seinfeld

2
KaRunChiy fedia.io KaRunChiy@fedia.io
Joined: 2024-08-13
#23 · Quote Reply

Usually i run through a bunch of yt vids i've already watched, or very loud music

2
antaymonkey lemmy.world antaymonkey@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-01
#24 · Quote Reply

it's about background noise. normally listen to the TV at a 10 or 11 volume level. when it's just noise it's at a 3 or 4.

... yeah. Background noise is distracting. Silence or nothing.

7
houndboy awful.systems houndboy@awful.systems
Joined: 2026-07-28
#25 · Quote Reply

Seinfeld what's the deal with tiktok teens calling me a groomer these days? /Seinfeld

🤣

2
acapolypse lemmy.dbzer0.com acapolypse@lemmy.dbzer0.com
Joined: 2026-10-19
#26 · Quote Reply

I introduced my spouse to American Dad and they loved it, so that’s what’s usually on. The show wisely kicked Seth MacFarlane out of the writer’s room somewhere around season 5 I think and the quality took off running.

American Dad is the top contender here too. We literally just watch everything, a week of random YouTube videos, and then again a room n be of AD.

2
yesman lemmy.world yesman@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-06
#27 · Quote Reply

I'm frankly shocked at how many people are able to do this. I cannot have stuff on "in the background". It's far too distracting and I'll never ever accomplish anything if anything else is consuming my attention.

Someone who can read with the TV on is like a wizard to me.

8
GreenKnight23 lemmy.world GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-09-21
#28 · Quote Reply

... yeah. Background noise is distracting. Silence or nothing.

fair enough.

1
Rhynoplaz lemmy.world Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-07
#29 · Quote Reply

In my house it's usually the Golden Girls.

4
DudeImMacGyver kbin.earth DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth
Joined: 2025-01-11
#30 · (edited) Quote Reply

MST3K

Stargate SG-1

Star Trek

Dr Who

Knight Rider

Golden Girls

Cheers

X Files

Quantum Leap

Sealab 2021

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

Old cartoons

1
DudeImMacGyver kbin.earth DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth
Joined: 2025-01-11
#31 · Quote Reply

The Ninth Gate, 1999. Totally underrated movie. One of Polanski’s best.

I haven't been able to enjoy his movies since I found out he was a child molester.

0
LilB0kChoy reddthat.com LilB0kChoy@reddthat.com
Joined: 2026-07-28
#32 · Quote Reply

The Office.

Just checked and we’ve watched ~2000 episodes in the last 1 year and 10 months.

On the rare occasion it’s not The Office then it’s Parks and Rec, Bob’s Burgers or Modern Family.

4
darthsundhaft piefed.social darthsundhaft@piefed.social
Joined: 2026-01-19
#33 · Quote Reply

I know everybody hates the creator for Dilbert, and as valid as that is, I like the show. I also liked having Come Fly With Me on in the background from time to time. It's highly offense now a days but my god was it a stupid show. Kind of like Family Guy, which I don't watch but find equally stupid. Like South Park, which I used to watch but couldn't leave on.

3
agamemnonymous sh.itjust.works agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-06-15
#34 · Quote Reply

I'm frankly shocked at how many people are able to do this. I cannot have stuff on "in the background". It's far too distracting and I'll never ever accomplish anything if anything else is consuming my attention.

Right? Never whistle while you're pissing. If I'm watching something, that's what I'm doing. If I'm doing something else, TV is just a distraction. If I want background noise, I'll put on some easy music.

7
RBWells lemmy.world RBWells@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-14
#35 · Quote Reply

None. Music if I remember, but I hate the sound of the TV.

4
sunsofold lemmy.zip sunsofold@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2026-06-09
#36 · Quote Reply

I know everybody hates the creator for Dilbert, and as valid as that is, I like the show. I also liked having Come Fly With Me on in the background from time to time. It's highly offense now a days but my god was it a stupid show. Kind of like Family Guy, which I don't watch but find equally stupid. Like South Park, which I used to watch but couldn't leave on.

Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, is dead now, so don't worry about supporting an asshole.

Also, with you on the show. Very fun.

2
sunsofold lemmy.zip sunsofold@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2026-06-09
#37 · (edited) Quote Reply

I'm a cheapskate so YouTube.
Playing music if I want pleasant sound and
old video essays if I want noise.

5
YappyMonotheist lemmy.world ArgumentativeMonotheist@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-04-26
#38 · Quote Reply

Depending on mood and activity, it'll be either Red Letter Media or The Exploring Series. They're both somewhat popular on YT and have consistent release rates. 👍

5
YappyMonotheist lemmy.world ArgumentativeMonotheist@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-04-26
#39 · (edited) Quote Reply

I'm frankly shocked at how many people are able to do this. I cannot have stuff on "in the background". It's far too distracting and I'll never ever accomplish anything if anything else is consuming my attention.

Some people are easily overstimulated and others are highly unstimulated by default. 🤷‍♂️ I could never write an essay, for example, without a good playlist in the background!

1
Hemingways_Shotgun lemmy.ca Adderbox76@lemmy.ca
Joined: 2023-06-07
#40 · Quote Reply

Depending on mood and activity, it'll be either Red Letter Media or The Exploring Series. They're both somewhat popular on YT and have consistent release rates. 👍

Red Letter Media

Holy shit. I thought i'd be the only one too say RLM.

I'll generally fall asleep to old random episodes of best of the worst for some odd reason.

4
Michal programming.dev Michal@programming.dev
Joined: 2023-08-09
#41 · Quote Reply

I'm a cheapskate so YouTube. Playing music if I want pleasant sound and old video essays if I want noise.

I really wish those video essays were podcasts. The graphics are usually stock or AI generated, or just a talking head. It's a distraction for me and when trying to skip forward over ads using my earbud, it skips to The next video which is frustrating...

2
sunsofold lemmy.zip sunsofold@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2026-06-09
#42 · Quote Reply

I really wish those video essays were podcasts. The graphics are usually stock or AI generated, or just a talking head. It's a distraction for me and when trying to skip forward over ads using my earbud, it skips to The next video which is frustrating...

If you aren't using it yet, get revanced YouTube. It won't fix the skipping to next video issue, at least that I've found, but it has sponsorblock built in so if anyone has marked the in video ads, it will skip them for you, and blocks the regular ads entirely.

2
theywilleatthestars lemmy.world theywilleatthestars@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-23
#43 · Quote Reply

Usually random ass Youtube videos. Right now I'm listening to a list of the largest animals over geological history.

2
Post Reply
Back to top