2 hours ago
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New Girl
The ultimate TV romcom. I still remember watching the episode with Nick and Jess’s first kiss for the first time, and in my opinion (as well, I believe, as that of many of my generation) it remains the greatest TV kiss. While Nick and Jess are the centre, the comedy between the friends and the other romances along the way mean that I never tire of rewatching. Kate, 35, Liverpool
Our Flag Means Death
Two older men, both of whom believe themselves to be unlovable, find their way to each other while being pirates. It was beautifully filmed, with heartbreak along the way and love in the end. It deserved its final, yet tragically cancelled farewell season to finish its marvellous story. Missa, 63, Seattle
Mum
Mum may look like just another cosy BBC sitcom about tea, awkward relatives, and repressed emotions, but it’s actually the finest romantic comedy ever, disguised as small talk. The show’s brilliance lies in its restraint: no sweeping gestures or orchestral love themes, just Cathy (Lesley Manville) and Michael (Peter Mullan) quietly orbiting each other for three seasons while everyone around them behaves like well-meaning chaos in human form. It’s Pride and Prejudice reimagined, with Mr Darcy offering to take the bins out instead of confessing his love. What makes Mum unbeatable is its utter normality. Cathy and Michael’s romance unfolds at the speed of a polite British queue – agonisingly slow, full of gentle pauses, and absolutely worth the wait. When they finally hold hands, it feels like the emotional equivalent of fireworks, if fireworks were powered by tea and kindness. It’s the romcom that proves love doesn’t need grand declarations, just a shared smile across a crowded living room and maybe a sausage roll or two. Stephen, 51, Liverpool
Still Up
This gorgeous Apple TV romcom being cancelled after only one season is a travesty. The two characters were friends and would chat in the night because of their insomnia. They had complicated lives: he was also agoraphobic and she was in a relationship and had a child. There was great chemistry between them, and the supporting cast were fantastic. We’re probably not the right demographic for it, but my husband and I just loved it. The two characters really should have been together, and we hoped against hope it would happen in the second series, but it wasn’t to be. Please, someone, bring it back. Anne, 65, Ross-on-Wye
Colin from Accounts
I liked the fact that the female character Ashley is a bit of a disaster, lifewise – too many romcoms aren’t like that. It is funny, but definitely not charming – you need a romcom that shows the amusing side of life and is not all chocolates and roses. Their house wasn’t out of Homes & Gardens either. And it has a dog … everything is better with a dog. Clare, 59, Scotland
Crash Landing on You
There are some absolute gems coming out of Korea, and have been for some time. Crash Landing on You is an absolute winner of a show. Terrifically cast, funny, sad, romantic. You do need to escape reality and overcome some of the uniquely Korean drama filming techniques, but this is a seriously funny television show. Nick, 38, Singapore
You’re the Worst
It saved my marriage. We watched it during Covid; there was just me, my wife and two cats. The main characters are two of the worst people in the world. They meet each other at a wedding and have a one-night stand, then have a relationship and go through everything, including cheating on each other. Although we are not as awful as these two, there was so much we related to in them. It was like: “yep, you do that”, “yep, you sometimes shout inappropriate things”. We were able to see the flaws in ourselves and laugh about them, which really helped us through lockdown. It’s a tightly scripted comedy relying on a lot of callbacks and character development to push forward the plot and the jokes. I’ve tried unsuccessfully to contact the writers, as I want to tell them this series changed my life. Shane, 40, Edinburgh
Love & Anarchy
It is a great Swedish romcom focused on a new executive in a small Stockholm publishing company falling for, and having an affair with the hot young IT guy. Witty, lighthearted, with a good aesthetic sense which captures colourful, arty Scandinavia. John, 23, Berlin
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
In my opinion, it is the greatest TV romcom. It skewers romcom cliches, like the workplace best friend and useless boss, and has a few love triangles during its run. It’s also a musical with fantastically produced songs that manage to be both hilariously on-the-nose and access a deeper truth. “You Stupid Bitch” and “Let’s Generalise About Men” are two of the best. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend also manages to say something profound about recovery from mental illness. Sarah, 41, Cambridgeshire
Heartstopper
I fell in love with this show from the first episode forward. It was about watching these young people learn about one another and themselves. I don’t know how you could not end up rooting for Nick and Charlie to actually get together and succeed. Ed, Pittsburgh
Love
It’s got love, pain, passion, sadness, great characters and a plot twist at the end. Lots of cursing. Very funny. Rob, 70, Cincinnati
Just Good Friends
The acting and scripting are top-notch, a lot less broad than other sitcoms at the time. An 80s sitcom which might have sat more at home in the 90s or even 00s. It feels like there is room to breathe in episodes. I always felt grown up being able to watch JGF as a kid, in a way I didn’t feel with other sitcoms. Antony, 50, Staffordshire
An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts
She is a TV variety show producer, and he’s been brought in by the station to keep things on track. Their attraction is a slow burn, and the background of an Italian dating show based on astrology is very fun. Excellent euro pop soundtrack, and the female half of the couple really does make it in her career in the end. Just delightful. Chloë, Toronto, Canada
