TV shows have always been there for me when I needed them, but they’ve been there even more, this year. This has been a hard year for everyone. Covid has touched everyone’s lives in some way.

One of the biggest ways it has impacted our lives is keeping us apart from family and friends. While I see my boyfriend, I have only seen two other friends since March, each only once. It’s been a very lonely year, so I’ve leaned on my love of TV shows.

I love rewatching shows I’ve seen before. It’s comforting and very needed this year. I’ve rewatched Brothers and Sisters, Gilmore Girls, Scandal, New Girl, Friends, and others.

With it being Thanksgiving, I’m taking the time to talk about what I’m grateful for in TV Land. I’m not sure what I would have done without these shows this year.

Fifteen Years of Supernatural

I hate that we are losing Sam and Dean Winchester this year. I’ve been watching Supernatural since day one. I was 19-years-old. That’s basically my entire adult life. Sam and Dean have been with me through so much. I’m so grateful to have had the Winchesters in my life for so long and all of the other amazing characters who made this show what it was.

Brooke Davis

I used to look to Brooke Davis when I was going through a heartbreak. She did build an empire from a broken heart, after all. But now she’s my inspiration all the time. She made an incredible career for herself and didn’t lose her integrity.

This has been a hard year for all of us, career-wise. I keep looking to Brooke for the inspiration I need to keep powering through. Thank you, Brooke and Sophia Bush, for giving me this amazing character to look up to. Even eight years after the show ended.

Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls has a way of always lifting my mood. So, of course, I rewatched it for the millionth time this year. But I still keep going back to episodes for comfort, as well. “They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?,” “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving,” “The Lorelais’ First Day at Yale,” “Raincoats and Recipes,” “But Not as Cute as Pushkin,” and “To Live and Let Diorama” are some of the episodes I revisit to cheer me up. Lorelai and Rory are always there when I need them.

The CW

I was first sad that other than Supernatural, we weren’t getting any of our shows back until January. The CW had to acquire shows from elsewhere to fill up its fall lineup, and I’m so grateful. I watched Swamp Thing a year ago, but now I get to live tweet with my Twitter community. We are so distant. It’s nice to come together online and feel like we’re not alone.

I also didn’t watch season two of Tell Me A Story (Another streamer I would have had to sign up for) when it first was released. But now I’m getting to watch it and also getting to discuss it with my Twitter community. Tell Me A Story was made for broadcast TV.

I covered season one, and I’m glad I get to cover season two, too.

John Oliver

I’m not sure how I would have made it through the last four years without Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He keeps me sane. And this year, it was imperative.

While the news has been very hard to swallow, it’s never been more important to be informed. What John did for me is make me laugh and make me feel like I wasn’t going insane with how I felt about certain things in the news.

This year has been hard, and it’s not even over yet, but these people and shows have helped me make it through. Thank you!

What are you grateful for this year? Tweet me @MandyTTCarr or comment below.