Television allows us to switch off from the gloomy goings-on. It relaxes us after a stressful day. It fills cold winter evenings. It eases our minds in times of stress and uncertainty because laughter is a medicine that we all need a little and the season offers shows that make us smile.
1. The openness of children
Children are spontaneous and real. A child's laughter is contagious. His bad moves, especially when we aren't the parents, are cute. We see it in Les petits tannants, a charming show in which parents have to guess what their offspring will do when faced with embarrassment or provoking situations. It's always funny to see them lie and even reinforce their lies. Children have imagination. In the animation, Pierre Hébert is complicit and does not shy away from gently teasing the parents. It's a candy show.
►Friday 7 p.m. on ICI Télé
The little tannants. Photo provided by Here TV
2. Funny videos
Since the early days of television, images of people in uncomfortable positions, conspicuous by their awkwardness or naivety, have always caused laughter. The advent of social networks has opened the door to a variety of mishaps that make us laugh without us having to think about it. This is funny, it happens every day and More or Less Miserable takes advantage of the opportunity to score points by adding a quiz to assess the seriousness of the events. Whether it's hidden cameras, videos shot by ordinary people, or scripted situations to catch passers-by, the genre seems to be here forever.
►That is funny – Monday to Thursday 7 p.m. in Noovo
►More or less miserable – Monday 7:30 p.m. in Noovo
More or less miserable. Photo provided by Eve Lavoie
3. The joy of playing
Quizzes create interactive television, to a certain extent of course. But it's not uncommon for us to try to answer the questions being asked from our living rooms. It also happens that we pretend to be stage managers and judge the players' performances with humor. We especially like it when they, especially if they are acquainted and know each other, try to outsmart each other or get at each other's throats. The success of “The Cheater” lies more in these moments when the guests persist and accuse each other of cheating than in their answers to the questions. We want our artists to have fun. We can say that in recent seasons Guy Jodoin has done more to achieve the comic effect thanks to often absurd stunts. The longevity of Silence we play also comes from the joy of seeing people we love pantomime or play word games in an extremely friendly competition. Another friendly competition: LOL: Who has the last laugh? where comedians have to make others laugh behind closed doors without getting a smile. Often top notch, but effective.
►The cheater – Monday to Friday 6:30 p.m. at TVA
►We play silence – Monday to Friday 5:30 p.m. on ICI Télé
►LOL: Who will laugh last? – available on Prime
LOL: Who laughs last? Photo provided by Prime
4. Nostalgic comfort
Nostalgia often takes us back to cozy zones and lets us dive back into pleasant memories. It's no wonder that the return of beloved characters who made us laugh and entertained is always greeted with enthusiasm. Who doesn't have a Pôpa, a Creton, a Pinson, a Thérèse or a Réjean in their family? The Paré are a dysfunctional family, but very entertaining with their neuroses in La petite vie. They were immediately adopted by Quebecers. Even 30 years later we find her with the same offbeat and good-natured humor that we liked so much. Guy and Sylvie from Un Guy, Une Fille haven't changed in 25 years. They are still in the game. They represent situations that are similar to us. Your children are grown and, like many of us, they are adapting. Recognizing yourself often makes the television experience particularly pleasant.
►The little life – Saturday 6:30 p.m. on ICI Télé (new episodes from February 10th) or on ICI Tou.tv extra
►A boy, a girl – available on HERE Tou.tv extra
La petite vie Photo provided by Éric Myre
5. Self-irony
When you recognize yourself, you can also practice self-irony. Isabelle in The Eye of the Storm approaches the mental stress with a carefree attitude that feels good. Between her job, her children, her ex, her sister, her mother, her new lover, she has her hands full, but she handles every situation with a certain calm that we can use as an example.
The eye of the storm. Photo provided by Radio-Canada
Lakay Nou also preaches in a beautifully self-deprecating manner by describing the everyday life of a family of Haitian origins over three generations. Henri and Myrlande are literally sandwiched between their immigrant parents, who are more committed to traditional values, and their Quebec-born children, who find traditions burdensome and better recognize themselves in contemporary Quebec society. It's hard not to have a smile on your face during this friendly series.
►The eye of the storm – Monday 7:30 p.m. on ICI Télé
►Lakay Nou – Available on Tou.tv extra
Lakay Nou Photo provided by tou.tv
6. Major projects
Several favorite characters are looking for happiness, emancipation and fulfillment. Sometimes against their will. The idea of doing something big opens the door to a comic universe. Léo (in Léo) has completely changed since he took responsibility for satisfying his Cindy. He became a businessman and a good role model for those close to him.
Léo Photo provided by TVA
In Le Bonheur, François still did not find the happiness and peace that he sought when writing. A simple house has become the site of bigger projects… and bigger problems. The Misfortunes of Some, with humor and exaggeration, is a perfect comic source.
Lucky photo provided by TVA
In “The Candidate,” Alix Mongeau, whose goal was to open her own nail salon, sits in the National Assembly with major projects for a community she didn't know existed before she was elected. Fertile soil to entertain ourselves intelligently.
►Lion – Wednesday 9 p.m. on TVA
►Luck– Wednesday 9:30 p.m. on TVA
►The candidate – Tuesday 9 p.m. on ICI Télé
The candidate photo was provided by Bertrand Calmeau
7. Unusual conventions
What a fantastic idea Rosalie Vaillancourt and Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais had with Complètement lycée! The series is a parody of American teen shows. It was shot in English, then dubbed and is delicious. Long live projects that go beyond the usual scope!
►Available from Crave
Absolutely high school photo from Crave
8. Questions
In Without Appointment, Sarah navigates her love stories and her discoveries about her past, creating an emotional roller coaster ride. In “Dog Time,” Antoine is forced to do some introspection far from home due to a mistake unlike himself.
Time for the dog. Photo provided by Karine Dufour
On the counteroffer side, the Lévesque sisters were all hesitant to find a compromise. Christine, the careerist, resisted love for a long time. Jade took the opportunity to indulge her creative side instead of working as a real estate agent. Daphnée hid her father's identity from her daughter. Questions are a perfect source of uncertainty to create funny situations.
►Without appointment – Wednesday 9 p.m. on ICI Télé
►Bad weather – Wednesday 9:30 p.m. on ICI Télé
►Counteroffer – Tuesday 7:30 p.m. on Noovo
Counteroffer. Photo provided by Bernard Brault, Pixcom
9. The sketches
The sketch format is short and expressive, bringing to life a slice of life that we only capture a moment of. We focus on comedy. The arena is a good example. Colorful characters cavort around the ice rink.
►Wednesday 7:30 p.m. in Noovo
Arena photo provided by Bell Media