, a specialized European streaming network, or the broader genre of reality dating shows. (Netflix Original Series)

"The trope of the 'happy ending' has been criticized as unrealistic, but it provides a necessary psychological comfort," says Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton novels. "We don't watch to see life as it is; we watch to see life as it could be if we were brave enough to say what we really feel."

: Productions like the Modern Love TV show, based on the famous New York Times column, offer realistic, bite-sized explorations of human connection in all its forms. 2. The Psychology of Why We Watch

I love the democracy of it. On the same night, a billionaire in a penthouse and a night-shift nurse in a studio apartment can laugh at the same late-night monologue. A teenager in Seoul and a retiree in Kansas can hold their breath during the same F1 race finale. The screen is a great equalizer. It does not care about your rent or your résumé. It cares only that you are watching .