11 Background Shows Everyone Puts On While Scrolling Their Phone

11 Background Shows Everyone Puts On While Scrolling Their Phone

There’s a special category of TV that isn’t meant to be fully watched, and honestly, that’s part of its charm.

These are the shows you turn on when you’re “just going to check one thing” on your phone and suddenly you’ve liked twelve videos, replied to three texts, and read half a comment thread you’ll never find again.

A good background show doesn’t punish you for looking away, because it’s built on familiar characters, repeatable rhythms, and plots you can follow with your ears.

It’s comforting noise with occasional “wait—what did they just say?” moments that pull your attention back just long enough.

If you’ve ever used TV as a cozy soundtrack for scrolling, folding laundry, or pretending you’re not doomscrolling, these are the reliable classics people keep coming back to.

1. Friends

Few things feel as effortless in the background as a sitcom you already know by heart, and this one is basically the gold standard for that.

The stories are simple enough to track without constant visuals, and the jokes land even when you only catch half of the setup.

Because the characters are so distinct, you can recognize what’s happening from a single line of dialogue, which is exactly what you want when your eyes are glued to your phone.

It also has that “comfort blanket” quality that makes scrolling feel less lonely, especially if you’re home alone and the silence starts to feel loud.

Even if you miss five minutes, you can jump back in without feeling lost, which is the entire point of background TV.

2. The Office (U.S.)

Some shows are practically engineered for repeat viewing, and this one thrives on the fact that you don’t need to catch every visual gag to enjoy it.

The vibe is familiar, the setting never changes much, and the humor is often carried by conversations you can follow without staring at the screen.

That’s why it works so well when you’re multitasking, because you’ll still hear the awkward pauses, the fake motivational speeches, and the small workplace dramas that somehow feel weirdly soothing.

It’s also a show that rewards random drop-ins, since many episodes are self-contained enough to make sense even if you miss the first few minutes.

Basically, it’s the TV equivalent of a warm drink you sip while your thumb keeps scrolling.

3. Parks and Recreation

When you want background noise that feels optimistic instead of draining, this is the kind of show people reach for.

The tone is upbeat, the conflicts are rarely stressful, and the characters are consistent enough that you don’t have to watch closely to understand what they’re about.

A lot of the humor comes from personality quirks and running jokes, which means you can be half-paying attention and still get the punchline.

It’s also perfect for those moments when you’re scrolling because you’re tired, not because you’re looking for something intense, and you’d rather not add extra emotional weight to your evening.

You can look up for a funny reaction shot, laugh, and then go right back to your phone without feeling like you missed something important.

4. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

A fast, punchy comedy with simple plots is basically a scrolling companion, and this one delivers exactly that.

The episodes move quickly, but the structure is predictable enough that you can tune in and out without confusion.

Since the show leans heavily on dialogue and character banter, you can still enjoy it even if you’re only listening while you scroll.

It also has a “fun chaos” energy that keeps the room feeling lively, which can be oddly motivating when you’re stuck in a phone trance and need something to break the monotony.

Every so often, you’ll glance up for a ridiculous moment or a dramatic reveal, and then you’ll realize you’ve been smiling the whole time.

That’s the sweet spot for background TV.

5. Schitt’s Creek

Comfort TV doesn’t always mean loud laughs, because sometimes you just want something warm and familiar playing while you do absolutely nothing productive.

This show is perfect for that, thanks to its gentle humor and character-driven scenes that don’t require constant attention.

The setting is cozy, the stories are easy to follow, and the tone becomes more heartfelt as it goes on, which makes it feel like spending time with people you weirdly care about.

It’s also the kind of series where missing a few lines won’t ruin the experience, because the biggest payoff is watching personalities bounce off each other.

When you’re scrolling at the end of the day and your brain feels fried, having something kind in the background can feel like a small act of self-care.

6. Modern Family

There’s something about a mockumentary-style comedy that makes it ideal for half-watching, because it’s built around short scenes and quick punchlines.

This one is especially easy to keep on while you scroll, since it bounces between characters and storylines in a way that naturally accommodates divided attention.

If you miss a bit, another scene will start in a different house, and you’ll catch up just by hearing a few lines.

The humor is broad enough to land without deep focus, but smart enough that you’ll still look up when a particularly good exchange happens.

It’s also a rare show that works for almost any mood, because it’s not too heavy and it never asks you to emotionally commit.

That makes it a safe choice when your attention span is on airplane mode.

7. The Big Bang Theory

Some sitcoms practically run on rhythm, and this one is built around dialogue that’s easy to follow even when you’re not watching closely.

The jokes come fast, the setups are familiar, and the scenes are usually straightforward, which is exactly why it works as background noise.

You can fold laundry, scroll through your phone, or pretend you’re “taking a break” while still keeping track of what’s happening through the conversations alone.

The laugh-track style also helps, because it cues your brain when something is meant to be funny, even if you didn’t catch every word.

It’s the kind of show that doesn’t demand emotional investment, and for mindless scrolling sessions, that’s a feature, not a flaw.

Sometimes you just want TV that stays in its lane.

8. Grey’s Anatomy

Long-running dramas are basically made for background viewing, because they offer endless episodes and a familiar formula that keeps things moving.

This one is especially popular as a scrolling soundtrack, since you can glance up for the dramatic moments and still understand the gist of what’s happening.

The emotional stakes are high, but the story beats are recognizable, which makes it easy to dip in and out without feeling lost.

Even if you miss a chunk while reading something on your phone, you’ll pick up enough from the dialogue to know who’s mad, who’s crying, and who’s making a life-altering decision in a hallway.

It’s also strangely comforting in that “I’ve seen worse chaos than my day” way.

If you want something engaging but not demanding, this is the classic choice.

9. Law & Order: SVU

Procedurals are the ultimate background shows because they’re structured, predictable, and usually wrapped up within a single episode.

This one works so well while scrolling because you can listen for context, tune out for a moment, and then tune back in without needing a full recap.

The dialogue often explains what’s happening in a very straightforward way, so you can keep up even if your eyes are on your phone.

It also scratches that itch for a story that feels “serious” without requiring you to commit to a complicated plot across multiple seasons.

You’ll probably look up for an interrogation scene or a big reveal, and then go right back to whatever you were doing.

It’s not exactly light viewing, but as background TV, it’s oddly dependable.

10. Bob’s Burgers

Animated comfort shows hit differently, because they don’t rely on dramatic visuals to make the story work, and this one is especially easy to keep on in the background.

The humor is conversational and character-based, which means you can listen while scrolling and still catch the funniest parts.

The tone is cozy and slightly chaotic, like being in a loud but loving household where something mildly ridiculous is always happening.

Episodes are also simple enough that you don’t need to watch every second to enjoy them, and the low-stakes storylines make it feel relaxing instead of demanding.

When you’re in a scroll spiral and your brain needs something friendly, hearing this show in the background can be a surprisingly effective reset.

It’s quirky, comforting, and just engaging enough to keep you company.

11. RuPaul’s Drag Race

Reality competition shows are perfect for distracted viewing, because they’re built around clear segments that you can dip into when something big happens.

This one is ideal for scrolling because you can listen to the workroom conversations in the background, then look up when it’s time for the runway or a lip-sync showdown.

The structure is so familiar that even if you miss a few minutes, you can figure out who’s thriving, who’s stressed, and who’s about to deliver a confessional that deserves your full attention.

It also brings a fun, high-energy vibe to the room, which makes mindless scrolling feel a little less dull.

If you want background TV that still feels like an event, this show gives you plenty of “look up right now” moments without demanding your focus the whole time.