20 of the most relaxing reality TV shows to watch right now

1. The Great British Baking Show

This list would be woefully incomplete if it did not include the pinnacle of coziness in reality television, the absolute height of camaraderie and cheer and people gently hugging one another that is The Great British Baking Show.

On the surface, like many other shows here, The Great British Baking Show (called The Great British Bake Off in its home country) is deceptively simple. Various bakers throughout the United Kingdom come together in a tastefully decorated tent in the British countryside to create pastries of all kinds. They’re judged by well-known U.K. bakers Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

To offset some of the tension of being evaluated by heavyweights of the British baking scene, there are also our two presenters: Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc. They’re full of puns and silly jokes. Reportedly, they’ve also danced in front of cameras and cursed their heads off in order to make footage of crying bakers unsuitable for television.

Yes, there is some crying. It’s pretty hard to make a good Victoria sponge or a prinsesstårta (“princess cake” to us non-Swedes) on a regular day, much less while cameras are filming you and a countdown bears down on your workstation. Even the best bakers amongst you have probably shed a tear or two in the privacy of your own kitchen.

Still, even with the drama of soggy bottoms, these are pretty low stakes. Winners of the competition get acclaim and a fancy pie plate. The losers get hugs. In fact, there was even one episode where everyone just got to stay on anyway. If you’re looking for the ultimate in cozy reality television, then surely The Great British Baking Show is your ideal pick.

What is your favorite chill reality show to watch when you’ve just had a day, and don’t need any extra drama in your life? Share with us in the comments!