A rerun for your money

Some old shows feel like a hug. Some just seem cringey. What makes for a rewatch and which gems are hiding on streaming networks?

- Karishma Kuenzang

For a while now, the best new thing has really been the old thing. All across the big screen are endless sequels, prequels, spin-offs and extended franchises no one wanted. (Bye bye, Star Wars: Acolyte!) On streaming, new titles are added to networks every day. And yet, the most watched shows seem to be older ones we've watched already.

We know what's driving this. Some days, the screen is just background noise, something familiar, just enough of a distraction, without demanding all of our attention. Other days, it's like a hug, delivering, once again, on the same happy feelings it did the last time around. Why else are comedies and romances so popular for reruns?