The Best Feel-good TV Shows on Free Services

What it's about: The Big Bang Theory is centered on five characters living in Pasadena, California: roommates Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper; Penny, a waitress and aspiring actress who lives across the hall; and Leonard and Sheldon's equally geeky and socially awkward friends and co-workers, mechanical engineer Howard Wolowitz and astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali. The geekiness and intellect of the four guys is contrasted for comic effect with Penny's social skills and common sense.

Where to Watch: 5 episodes (2%) are available to watch free online (CBS). 22 episodes (8%) are available to stream on a subscription service (CBS All Access). 15 episodes (5%) are available to stream on a popular TV everywhere service (TBS). 280 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 6 services (iTunes, Google Play & 4 others).

What it's about: The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is a wonderfully large and blended family. They give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted, embrace of the modern family.

Where to Watch: 18 episodes (8%) are available to watch free online (ABC). 42 episodes (18%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu). 2 episodes (1%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (ABC). 233 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 8 services (iTunes, Google Play & 6 others).

What it's about: Follows the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.

Where to Watch: 55 episodes (18%) are available to watch free online (Comedy Central & South Park). 294 episodes (98%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu). 32 episodes (11%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (Comedy Central). 299 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 8 services (iTunes, Google Play & 6 others).

What it's about: Follows the lives and families of three adults living and growing up in the United States of America in present and past times. As their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways, we find that several of them share the same birthday - and so much more than anyone would expect.

Where to Watch: 11 episodes (20%) are available to watch free online (NBC). 54 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu). 46 episodes (85%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (NBC). 54 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 8 services (iTunes, Google Play & 6 others).

What it's about: UK Comedy series about two I.T. nerds and their clueless female manager, who work in the basement of a very successful company. When they are called on for help, they are never treated with any respect at all.

Where to Watch: 25 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (Tubi TV). 25 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Netflix). 25 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 4 services (iTunes, Google Play & 2 others).

What it's about: A pie-maker, with the power to bring dead people back to life, solves murder mysteries with his alive-again childhood sweetheart, a cynical private investigator, and a lovesick waitress.

Where to Watch: 22 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (CW Seed). 22 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Prime Video). 22 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).

What it's about: Years ago, the fearsome pirate king Gol D. Roger was executed, leaving a huge pile of treasure and the famous "One Piece" behind. Whoever claims the "One Piece" will be named the new pirate king. Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who consumed one of the "Devil's Fruits", has it in his head that he'll follow in the footsteps of his idol, the pirate Shanks, and find the One Piece. It helps, of course, that his body has the properties of rubber and he's surrounded by a bevy of skilled fighters and thieves to help him along the way. Monkey D. Luffy brings a bunch of his crew followed by, Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Tony-Tony Chopper, Nico Robin, Franky, and Brook. They will do anything to get the One Piece and become King of the Pirates!

Where to Watch: 888 episodes (46%) are available to watch free online (Crunchyroll & Yahoo View). 830 episodes (43%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu & Crunchyroll). 117 episodes (6%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 1 service (Prime Video).

What it's about: After breaking up with his girlfriend, Josh comes to the realization that he is homosexual. With the support of his now ex girlfriend Claire, and his best friend and house mate Tom, Josh must help his mother with her battle with depression and the rest of his family embrace his new found lifestyle.

Where to Watch: 3 episodes (9%) are available to watch free online (Tubi TV). 32 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu). 26 episodes (81%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 4 services (iTunes, Google Play & 2 others).

What it's about: A powerful beast known as the Nine-Tails attacks Konoha, the hidden leaf village in the Land of Fire, one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations in the Ninja World. In response, the leader of Konoha at the time, the Fourth Hokage, seals the fox inside the body of the new born Naruto Uzumaki, making Naruto a host of the beast; During this process it cost the fourth Hokage his life, requiring the Third Hokage to return from retirement in order to become leader of Konoha again. As a child, Naruto is shunned by the Konoha community, who treat Naruto as if he were the Nine-Tails that attacked the village.

Where to Watch: 259 episodes (43%) are available to watch free online (Crunchyroll & Tubi TV). 366 episodes (60%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Netflix & Hulu). 222 episodes (37%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).

What it's about: A single-camera buddy comedy about what happens when two best friends come back together, just when they need each other most. Inspired by the ultra-close friendship between the series' creators and stars, "Playing House" centers on mother to-be Maggie who asks her single and career-driven best friend Emma to return home from her job overseas to attend her baby shower, having no idea what’s truly in store.

Where to Watch: 26 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (IMDb TV). 26 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (USA). 26 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 6 services (iTunes, Google Play & 4 others).

What it's about: Whether it's due to a lack of style, the wrong job, or even just a bad haircut, everyone goes through a time in their lives when they're undateable. Most of us eventually grow out of it, but some people need a little more help than others. Enter Danny Burton. Confident, attractive and impervious to outside opinions, 29-year-old Danny – who may be in a state of arrested development himself – decides to help out his new roommate, Justin Kearney, the owner of an unsuccessful bar and a chronic overthinker, and Justin's group of oddball friends – Shelly, Burski and Brett. Danny introduces the gang to his recently divorced older sister, Leslie, who immediately bonds with this group of guys, as she feels a little stuck in her own life as well. The gang spends most of their time at Justin's bar, helping solve each other's respective problems over beers, and while they love to give each other a hard time, they always have each other's back.Plot Summary:Danny Burton is a 30-ish carefree single guy who has watched most of his friends move on to serious relationships. When his last remaining friend Shannon moves out to get married, Danny searches for a new roommate. A promising candidate is Justin, the owner of Black Eyes Bar in Detroit (frequently mispronounced "Black Guys Bar"). Justin and his friends - the nerdy Burski, oddball Shelly, and recently out-of-the-closet gay guy Brett - all have certain qualities that make them appear "undateable". While Danny himself has good luck getting women into bed, he is unable or unwilling to form a lasting commitment with any of them. Danny's attractive sister, Leslie, has similar fears about being undateable, having the "baggage" of being a mid-30s divorcee.

Where to Watch: 36 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (CW Seed). 32 episodes (89%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 4 services (Google Play, YouTube & 2 others).

What it's about: Kim Possible is an American animated action-adventure comedy television series about a teenage crime fighter who has the task of dealing with worldwide, family, and school issues every day. The show is action-oriented, but also has a light-hearted atmosphere and often lampoons the conventions and clichés of the secret-agent and action genres. It marked the second animated Disney Channel Original Series, and was the first series to be produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, in association with Disney Channel.Kim Possible was the Disney Channel's longest running original animated series until it was surpassed by Phineas and Ferb.

Where to Watch: 2 episodes (2%) are available to watch free online (DisneyNOW). 31 episodes (34%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (DisneyNOW). 81 episodes (90%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 1 service (iTunes).

What it's about: From epic landscapes and unforgettable culture, to the often trying times that come with international travel, Departures chronicles the unforgettable friendships, personal successes and sometimes crushing disappointments that befall travellers Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach on their journey. Departures is as much about the journey as it is the destination.

Where to Watch: 6 episodes (14%) are available to watch free online (Tubi TV). 42 episodes (95%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 1 service (iTunes).

What it's about: The Guild is an American comedy web series created and written by Felicia Day, who also stars as Cyd Sherman. It premiered on YouTube on July 27, 2007. Seasons two through five webisodes premiered on Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace, Zune Marketplace, and MSN Video. The webisodes were later made available on the official Guild website, YouTube, and iTunes. According to Day, Microsoft's business model changed after season five; Day wanted to keep ownership, so the episode premieres moved to Day's YouTube channel Geek & Sundry. The webisodes are also available via DVD and streaming on Hulu and Netflix.The show revolves around the lives of a gamers' online guild, The Knights of Good, who play countless hours of a fantasy MMORPG video game entitled The Game. The story focuses on Codex, the guild's Priestess, who attempts to lead a normal life after one of her guild-mates, Warlock Zaboo, shows up on her doorstep.Joss Whedon credits The Guild as one of the inspirations for Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, which also starred Felicia Day.The sixth season premiered on Geek & Sundry on October 2, 2012.In a phone interview after the end of the sixth season, Felicia Day confirmed that The Guild webseries is complete.

Where to Watch: 10 episodes (14%) are available to watch free online (YouTube). 10 episodes (14%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Netflix). 21 episodes (30%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 1 service (iTunes).

What it's about: This iconic family—Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J.—grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America.

Where to Watch: 6 episodes (55%) are available to watch free online (ABC). 11 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu). 6 episodes (55%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (ABC). 11 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 3 services (Prime Video, Vudu & Verizon).

What it's about: Andi is contemplative and artistic and sheltered by overprotective parents. But on the eve of her 13th birthday, Andi's free-spirited older sister Bex returns home with a revelation that changes everything and sends Andi on an uncharted course of self-discovery.

Where to Watch: 10 episodes (18%) are available to watch free online (DisneyNOW). 3 episodes (5%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (DisneyNOW). 55 episodes (98%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 4 services (iTunes, Google Play & 2 others).

What it's about: Sea Patrol is an Australian television drama that ran from 2007 to 2011, set on board HMAS Hammersley, a fictional patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy. The series focuses on the ship and the lives of its crew members.Despite similarities in setting and content, this series is not a follow-on to the 1979 series, Patrol Boat. At the start of the second season, Sea Patrol saw an upgrade from the Fremantle class to a newer Armidale class boat.The first season debuted on 5 July 2007 on the Nine Network, who invested $15 million into the programme. The second season of Sea Patrol, titled Sea Patrol II: The Coup, aired in 2008, while the third season, Sea Patrol: Red Gold, aired in 2009. The fourth season aired in 2010 in a new 16-episode format, with no main theme or continuous storyline running throughout, unlike the first three seasons.The fifth season of Sea Patrol, "Damage Control", began airing in 2011 and consisted of 13 episodes. The Nine Network has confirmed that this was to be the final season, due to reliance on government rebates that expire after 65 episodes. Completion of series five brings the total episode count to 68 episodes.

Where to Watch: 66 episodes (97%) are available to watch free online (Tubi TV).

What it's about: At the tender age of 15, Kuroki Tomoko has already dated dozens and dozens of boys and she's easily the most popular girl around! The only problem is that absolutely none of that is real, and her perfect world exists only via dating games and romance shows. In fact, the sad truth is that she gets tongue tied just talking to people, and throughout middle school she's only had one actual friend. All of which makes Kuroki's entrance into the social pressure cooker of high school a new and special kind of hell. Because while Kuroki desperately wants to be popular, she's actually worse off than she would be if she was completely clueless as to how to go about it. After all, the things that work in "otome" games rarely play out the same way in reality, especially when the self-appointed "leading lady" isn't the paragon she thinks she is. There's not much gain and plenty of pain ahead, but even if it happens again and again, there's always someone else to blame in WATAMOTE ~ No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!

Where to Watch: 12 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (Crunchyroll). 12 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu). 12 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 1 service (iTunes).

What it's about: The daily soap that follows the loves, lives and misdemeanours of a group of people living in the Chester village of Hollyoaks where anything could, and frequently does, happen...

Where to Watch: 50 episodes (1%) are available to watch free online (Tubi TV). 909 episodes (19%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu).

What it's about: The school idol project is set at a school between Tokyo's Akihabara, Kanda, and Jinbouchou neighbourhoods. The school faces the danger of being streamlined out of existence, so nine of its female students decide to become idols to protect their school and boost attendance.

Where to Watch: 28 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (Crunchyroll & Tubi TV). 13 episodes (46%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Prime Video). 26 episodes (93%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).

What it's about: Best friends Lizzy (gay and a bit type-A) and Luke (straight and more laid back) are like family. When they were kids and both of their parents were getting divorces, they stuck together, and they've been there for each other ever since. Now, all grown up and still single, they've decided to start a family of their own. No, not like that (there are some lines even they won't cross) - we're talking the non-romantic, go-to-the-doctor's-office type of baby-making.Then one night, after yet another failed attempt at conception, the two head out to a bar to let off some steam. That's where Luke meets Prudence, a free-spirited British girl who's slated to go back to England in a matter of days. Lizzy isn't a huge fan - it might have something to do with Prudence waltzing around their apartment naked - but Luke really hits it off with her... and next thing he knows, they're spending every last minute of her limited time together. But just as Lizzy discovers that she's actually pregnant, Luke announces that he and Prudence got married. Ta-da! A different kind of family is born.

Where to Watch: 6 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (Tubi TV). 6 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 7 services (iTunes, Google Play & 5 others).