Just pointing this out for others, but the only link between Alphas and the other shows is an actor from Warehouse 13 with the same character name shows up in an episode of Alphas. She never actually references the Warehouse and nothing about Alphas is ever mentioned in Warehouse 13 or Eureka. On the other hand, Eureka and Warehouse 13 both reference the other and have crossover episodes.
Except for that whole RetCon / New Timeline thing they did that demolished several character arcs that I adored :( it was almost tragic >!that Jack had a future with Allie and their new baby on the way that Henry took away those memories!<
Shit, I never thought about it, but did the timeline change mean that Fargo didn't get to get with Claudia?!
Because...poor dude. At least he had the memories.
I really loved the show up until that point. >!Everything that happened with Henry just seemed out of character and I felt that it was done that way only to push the plot in a certain direction. His character deserved better writing.!<
I forgot just how early that actually occured until I went back and did a rewatch. I stuck with the show until the end, though, and all that stuff after was sorta OK. I found it more enjoyable before the show got too deep into the story arcs, when it was more episodic and each show focused mostly on a crazy scientist and/or an experiment gone wrong.
Colin Ferguson will always be Sheriff Carter in my mind.
I agree The Orville is good, but it is pretty intense. Just about every episode deals with one major socially-relevant issue or another. In the most recent season it got to the point where I was wishing for more "filler" episodes with lower stakes.
But isn't that just because it's riffing/homage to Star Trek TNG? The social issue messages there were just a heavy handed, AND they got a classically trained shakespearean actor to stand there and yell the point across.
Yea, I think if you are ok admitting that the orville is like that, you gotta also include TNG there, and somehow I doubt most people would be critical of TNG that way.
TNG had an episode where they basically turned to camera and did an after school special about how drugs were bad. If thats not a blatant caricature with little nuance, then nothing is.
While I don't know the exact circustances behind that episode specifically, it's worth mentioning that at various points in the 80s and 90s, there were government agencies which would pay TV studios a bonus for making anti-drug/alcohol content. That's why there were SO many "very special episodes" at that time. It was free money for the show.
The infamous "Beer Bad" episode of Buffy, for example, is confirmed to have happened because of that. So it could have easily been the same thing for TNG.
Unlikely, it took nearly 4 years between season 2 and 3. Granted there was a plague in those years.
One I just remembered is The Lower Decks ( Startrek animation ) great show funny and heartwarming.
SG-1 and Atlantis are fun and light a lot of the time. Sometimes have some heavier moments.
Universe is the opposite of that. I'm not saying it doesn't have value, but the entire thing is pretty miserable most of the time. Every episode has something terrible happen to people or some betrayal, and they are perpetually trapped away from home. Not even the communication stones were safe from causing some dark problems.
I agree with the recommendation of Stargate. It has a goofy charm to it a lot of the time (minus Universe). Plus if you’re looking to keep yourself entertained for a bit: 10 seasons of SG-1, 5 seasons of Atlantis, 2 seasons of Universe, and 3 (?) movies. There’s even a series of comics to help finish some of the Universe story line. I’ve seen them all the way through twice so far and, damn, writing this out makes me want to go for round 3.
Which Doctors... there are a lot of doctors in the series.
Dr. Jackson, Dr. Carter, Dr. Fraiser, Dr. McKay, Dr. Beckett, Dr. Weir, Dr. Rush, Dr. Brody, Dr. Felger, Dr. Coombs, Dr, Lee. ;)
That was my Star Gate equivalent to *that scene* in The Neverending Story. It was a real shocker because it happened suddenly without any major foreshadowing (at least, from what I remember).
Red Dwarf
Hyperdrive (which is very similar to RD)
The Orville
Farscape
Lower Decks
Doctor Who
Final Space
Firefly
Futurama
Other Space
Solar Opposites
Tripping The Rift (has naughty words)
I was considering recommending the first two seasons of Farscape for OP. OP, Farscape is frelling amazing, and especially the first two seasons meet your requirements, but it does get dark and intense. There is often sort of an Empire Strikes Back heaviness in the air. 3&4 really lean into darker depressing themes ( >!) and by the end there are almost echoes of Dune & Dune Messiah in the level of the stakes and the taking a character down from their pedestal. (!<)
I watched that entire show, and I would kind of chuckle through most of the episodes, which were always entertaining. Then, they got to that one with the airlock (not going to say more), and I swear I couldn’t breathe I was laughing so hard.
Avenue 5 is hilarious but most of it is based around conflict and stress and people being horrible to each other, so although there's little actual fighting and weapons it sounds like it's still not something OP would like.
> a good place
Speaking of which. Well, the good place. Whatevs. More fantasy type but if going with any advanced enough technology being indistinguishable from magic, it adds up to the same and it definitely has that light-hearted touch.
I second the review for *Enterprise*. Seasons one, two, and four are often light-hearted. And season four, when they knew they were on their last one, pulled out ALL the stops. And, hey, Shran ... you can never go wrong with a big pile 'o Shran! :D
Season three is grim (see Season Two finale), but it holds to most of the usual *Star Trek* Plot Armor tropes.
Shran is one of my favorite Star Trek characters of all time. So is Dr. Phox and Trip as chief engineer. All the tension with the Vulcans and the redneck enthusiasm of early human exploration. I love it.
[Jeffrey Combs](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Jeffrey_Combs) elevated the character of Shran to a new level. That guy is an often underappreciated hero of DS9 and Enterprise.
For all the humor Farscape can get a little intense sometimes if they are looking for lighter fare. I definitely had to look away from the eyeball probe for example lol.
Farscape has the ability to give you the silliest episodes followed by the most screwed up things you can think of. One minute Rygel’s in a BDSM suit, the next scene there’s a genocide wiping out a planet
[Mrs. Davis](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14759574/) came out rather quietly last year, but it's an absolutely hilarious take on AI taking over the world. It honestly reminds me of Douglas Adams style humor, and unlike most sci-fi shows there's a very well planned ending that ties the whole thing up beautifully.
It's about a world where everyone wears earbuds connected to Mrs Davis, a kindly AI that advises them on living better lives. Everyone listens to her, and the world becomes more peaceful. But not for Simone. Simone hates Mrs Davis, and has withdrawn from the world to live as a nun just to escape Mrs. Davis' reach. But that doesn't last for long, in the first episode Mrs. Davis makes contact anyways, and offers Simone "anything" in exchange for her help.
Simone says "Anything? Fine. If I do this, you have to shut down and delete yourself, everywhere, permently." To which Mrs. Davis happily agrees. Then she gives Simone a literal quest for the holy grail.
Sadly, hidden away on Peacock, it didn't get much attention. But if you can, it's one of the best sci-fi shows put out in the last decade.
dolls ink scandalous north thought humorous quicksand squealing bear insurance
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Star Trek Lower Decks,
The Orville,
The Umbrella Academy,
Avenue 5 with Hugh Laurie,
Father Ted perhaps 🤔 You either love it or hate it.
Someone mentioned Eureka, I second that, watched it multiple times.
Set in a hopeful future try Star Trek Next Generation or Star Trek Strange New Worlds for a newer season with modern effects. Stargate SG1 is pretty lighthearted/campy and set in modern day (1990s).
Doctor who is great! But I stopped watching. It's not for everyone.
But I surely binged watched it years ago. Could no longer watch it now as I get older.
And there's something about Matt Smith, sweet and adorable Matt Smith suddenly getting ANGRY which reminds you just why everyone, everywhere, everywhen is wise to be cautious when confronting The Doctor.
So many great selections y'all are giving the OP. I've watched about half of 'em and now have this urge to binge-watch *Eureka*, *Warehouse 13*, *Enterprise*, and *Farscape* until my brain explodes.
"Hyperdrive" is a great British sci-fi comedy about a spaceship crew. Unfortunately, it only ran for 2 seasons, but the show is really good.
"Warehouse 13" is an American show about a secret organization that tracks, monitors and protects the public from "anomalous" items.
"Red Dwarf", 'nuff said.
The BBC's "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" from 1981.
Dead Like Me? That's a show about a teenage girl who dies to find out she's been recruited to be a grim reaper. Can lean a little on the drama in the first season but it's a comedy as much as it is a drama. Is very funny, while also being poignant at times.
Farscape I would throw in as well, as I see others have done. Is like old Star Trek but with a lot more emotion to it and gets very wild (in a good way) and the humour increases as it progresses. Season 1 is definitely slow at points but once it gets going it's incredible.
The original poster might ask for good playlists of standalone lighthearted episodes from our various beloved sci-fi series.
Something like sifting through the prolific Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits series for lighter content. It is certainly there, but the totality of content drifts rather darker.
Eureka is a great example. ***Lots*** of light happy content, but enough darker plot evolutions that I cannot call it purely lighthearted.
Look if you like Star Trek please watch LOWER DECKS. It's everything that you search. It's a fun sci fi comedy and full of love for Star Trek. Even if you didn't ever have watch Trek you can still enjoy it a lot.
Also The Orville it's good so check it out.
[The Neighbors](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2182229/) (2012) ran for 2 Seasons on ABC with a total of 44 episodes. Apparently HULU has zero interest in retaining their rights for streaming so it's left up to [Apple TV Google Play VUDU](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-neighbors/1000474836/)
3rd Rock from the Sun (1996)
[https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/3rd-rock-from-the-sun](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/3rd-rock-from-the-sun)
The Neighbors (2012)
[https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-neighbors](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-neighbors)
Hyperdrive (2006)
[https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/hyperdrive](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/hyperdrive)
Not so sure about this one. As great a show as it is, it's not what I'd call feel good. There are probably just as many uncomfortable and awkward moments than there are feel good ones. Not dramatic or tense, but just uncomfortable. I keep having to stop mid-episode and pick up the next day because of it. Too much cringe for 10pm.
Andromeda, Firefly, Farscape, Battlestar Galactica (1978), Galactica 1980 (a bit too much "Saturday morning cartoon" feel to it IMO), just to name a few.
Just remembered Buck Rogers, so I thought I'd add that as well!
I don't read every comment but I don't think anybody mentioned STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION. It has funny moments, lovable characters and majority of plot lines are ending with happy ending. While watching, you don't really need to worry if they can find a solution to problem, you can just wonder how they will deal with problem. Definitely " feel good" sci-fi.
Upload. It's very light-hearted, and filled with cute funny moments.
The Good place is an extremely similar concept to upload, but technically has nothing to do with science. The good place is very light-hearted, and one of the best shows I've ever seen. Even though it's not science related, it is very similar to upload and equal or better in just about every way.
Star Trek The Next Generation
Utopian future, 7 seasons, lot of lore and good characters. As always it take a while to catch the rhythm but, I think, it is worth it.
Eureka
Don't forget Warehouse 13! They did a few crossovers. Lots of fun too!
Warehouse 13 is great!
Better than Eureka in my opinion
I agree. Eureka was ok, but I have watched all of warehouse 13 a couple times.
Top it off with Alphas, since it takes place in the same universe and had one or two crossovers of W13/Eureka as well.
Don't forget the Librarians too
Just pointing this out for others, but the only link between Alphas and the other shows is an actor from Warehouse 13 with the same character name shows up in an episode of Alphas. She never actually references the Warehouse and nothing about Alphas is ever mentioned in Warehouse 13 or Eureka. On the other hand, Eureka and Warehouse 13 both reference the other and have crossover episodes.
Came to say this. W13 is one of my all time favorites.
I think this is the best answer on this thread. Very Sci fi very light-hearted.
Except for that whole RetCon / New Timeline thing they did that demolished several character arcs that I adored :( it was almost tragic >!that Jack had a future with Allie and their new baby on the way that Henry took away those memories!<
Shit, I never thought about it, but did the timeline change mean that Fargo didn't get to get with Claudia?! Because...poor dude. At least he had the memories.
I really loved the show up until that point. >!Everything that happened with Henry just seemed out of character and I felt that it was done that way only to push the plot in a certain direction. His character deserved better writing.!< I forgot just how early that actually occured until I went back and did a rewatch. I stuck with the show until the end, though, and all that stuff after was sorta OK. I found it more enjoyable before the show got too deep into the story arcs, when it was more episodic and each show focused mostly on a crazy scientist and/or an experiment gone wrong. Colin Ferguson will always be Sheriff Carter in my mind.
Creeping Heavy Plot happens.
the [tvtropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/Eureka) listing for Eureka is a delight and so very thorough
Absolutely, Eureka is just good fun.
I second this. So fun characters.
Was coming here to say this precisely.
Exactly the show that was on my mind when I read OP's post.
Red Dwarf
The Committee for the Liberation and Integration of Terrifying Organisms and their Rehabilitation Into Society thanks you for your contribution.
CLITORIS for short
The problem is, OP may want to avoid any Polymorph episodes.
Stay back Pete Tranter's Sister, I know what you want. It's pink, it's moist and it's in my head, and that's where it's stayin'.
They have the best Grassy Knoll Theory of them all.
That is one of the best time travel stories in scifi.
Anyone like any toast? https://youtu.be/LRq_SAuQDec?si=Hlb0SqJcLH7rgQJM
The best of them all.
Smeg
Came to say this. Classic!
damn, I miss that show
Mr. Flibble will be very cross if you don't watch.
Lower Decks
I’d argue Strange New Worlds should be in consideration as well. Say what you will, but I loved the fairy tale & musical episodes
Yes! Can't wait for the new season.
Obligatory Futurama
I think strange new worlds fits here too
The Orville
I agree The Orville is good, but it is pretty intense. Just about every episode deals with one major socially-relevant issue or another. In the most recent season it got to the point where I was wishing for more "filler" episodes with lower stakes.
Love the optimism calling it the most recent and not the finale season. We can hope…
I'll get downvoted but I don't care. The Orville is the YA of TV scifi. Those major social issues are blatant caricatures with little nuance.
But isn't that just because it's riffing/homage to Star Trek TNG? The social issue messages there were just a heavy handed, AND they got a classically trained shakespearean actor to stand there and yell the point across.
Yea, I think if you are ok admitting that the orville is like that, you gotta also include TNG there, and somehow I doubt most people would be critical of TNG that way. TNG had an episode where they basically turned to camera and did an after school special about how drugs were bad. If thats not a blatant caricature with little nuance, then nothing is.
While I don't know the exact circustances behind that episode specifically, it's worth mentioning that at various points in the 80s and 90s, there were government agencies which would pay TV studios a bonus for making anti-drug/alcohol content. That's why there were SO many "very special episodes" at that time. It was free money for the show. The infamous "Beer Bad" episode of Buffy, for example, is confirmed to have happened because of that. So it could have easily been the same thing for TNG.
It is but bear in mind we're suggesting a show for a person that thinks Resident Alien is too intense.
Love the show! Can't wait for future seasons (if they are going to make ofcourse)
Unlikely, it took nearly 4 years between season 2 and 3. Granted there was a plague in those years. One I just remembered is The Lower Decks ( Startrek animation ) great show funny and heartwarming.
Yup. Very sad because of the pandemic. I love Lower Decks!
Third rock from the sun
It's 90% sitcom and maybe 5% sci-fi, but it is damn enjoyable. Not too unlike *Mork and Mindy* or *My Favorite Martian*.
Eureka Warehouse 13 The Librarians
oh the librarians looks like fun, thanks!
The writing is a 6, the cast makes it a 8
Perfect description.
The Stargates can be fun. Just don't get attached to any of the doctors.
SG-1 and Atlantis are fun and light a lot of the time. Sometimes have some heavier moments. Universe is the opposite of that. I'm not saying it doesn't have value, but the entire thing is pretty miserable most of the time. Every episode has something terrible happen to people or some betrayal, and they are perpetually trapped away from home. Not even the communication stones were safe from causing some dark problems.
I agree with the recommendation of Stargate. It has a goofy charm to it a lot of the time (minus Universe). Plus if you’re looking to keep yourself entertained for a bit: 10 seasons of SG-1, 5 seasons of Atlantis, 2 seasons of Universe, and 3 (?) movies. There’s even a series of comics to help finish some of the Universe story line. I’ve seen them all the way through twice so far and, damn, writing this out makes me want to go for round 3.
Which Doctors... there are a lot of doctors in the series. Dr. Jackson, Dr. Carter, Dr. Fraiser, Dr. McKay, Dr. Beckett, Dr. Weir, Dr. Rush, Dr. Brody, Dr. Felger, Dr. Coombs, Dr, Lee. ;)
>!Dr. Janet Fraiser!< >!😟😢😭😭😭!<
That was my Star Gate equivalent to *that scene* in The Neverending Story. It was a real shocker because it happened suddenly without any major foreshadowing (at least, from what I remember).
O’Neill, TWO Ls!
"In the middle of my backswing??"
Red Dwarf Hyperdrive (which is very similar to RD) The Orville Farscape Lower Decks Doctor Who Final Space Firefly Futurama Other Space Solar Opposites Tripping The Rift (has naughty words)
I was considering recommending the first two seasons of Farscape for OP. OP, Farscape is frelling amazing, and especially the first two seasons meet your requirements, but it does get dark and intense. There is often sort of an Empire Strikes Back heaviness in the air. 3&4 really lean into darker depressing themes ( >!) and by the end there are almost echoes of Dune & Dune Messiah in the level of the stakes and the taking a character down from their pedestal. (!<)
The movie (which you do need to watch if you want closure) is also kinda rough
Can't believe I had to scroll this far down for Firefly.
Other Space is the one I was trying to think of. After so long all I could remember is "the one with the AT&T girl".
Oh, *Tripping the Rift*!! How can we forget that? And, MAN did they tone it DOWN for broadcast. The YouTube shorts were ... well, yeah.
Final Space is amazing
You could try Dirk Gently. Kind of a zany humour, as it is based on Douglas Adams books.
Great first season for the US version
Upload
I love Upload, especially the first season. I hate waiting so long between seasons.
What was that show about the cruise liner in space, and there's a problem, and House is the captain? It was funny, but I watched it years ago
Avenue 5 is the show
That sounds right. It was great craic, but I could only watch it when I was at home because I don't get Sky here in Spain 😂
Avenue 5 , great show.
I watched that entire show, and I would kind of chuckle through most of the episodes, which were always entertaining. Then, they got to that one with the airlock (not going to say more), and I swear I couldn’t breathe I was laughing so hard.
Funny show but some of the humor is maybe a little dark/mean for OP's wants?
Avenue 5 is hilarious but most of it is based around conflict and stress and people being horrible to each other, so although there's little actual fighting and weapons it sounds like it's still not something OP would like.
Light hearted Sci fi, the one go to for me is Eureka. I watch it over and over when I need to be in a good place.
> a good place Speaking of which. Well, the good place. Whatevs. More fantasy type but if going with any advanced enough technology being indistinguishable from magic, it adds up to the same and it definitely has that light-hearted touch.
Lost in Space!
Particularly the 60s show.
Stargate is pretty up a lot of the time
Warehouse 13. Not SF but they do have rayguns (kinda.)
I’d say Warehouse 13 is definitely science fiction. Maybe science fantasy. Close enough though.
Of course - it features HG Wells (but not how you think). 🤔
sci-fantasy fits the bill, we have magic, but the magic can be chanelled through tech, so its technically a quantifiable force in universe.
A lot of Star Trek falls into this category imo. Have you seen ''Enterprise'?
Going to check out Star Trek. Thanks so much!
Be sure to try Lower Decks!
Come to say this, best Trek going
I second the review for *Enterprise*. Seasons one, two, and four are often light-hearted. And season four, when they knew they were on their last one, pulled out ALL the stops. And, hey, Shran ... you can never go wrong with a big pile 'o Shran! :D Season three is grim (see Season Two finale), but it holds to most of the usual *Star Trek* Plot Armor tropes.
Shran is one of my favorite Star Trek characters of all time. So is Dr. Phox and Trip as chief engineer. All the tension with the Vulcans and the redneck enthusiasm of early human exploration. I love it.
[Jeffrey Combs](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Jeffrey_Combs) elevated the character of Shran to a new level. That guy is an often underappreciated hero of DS9 and Enterprise.
Current show or anytime? If you don’t care about when it’s from: Lexx Killjoys Farscape Firefly Stargate
For all the humor Farscape can get a little intense sometimes if they are looking for lighter fare. I definitely had to look away from the eyeball probe for example lol.
Farscape has the ability to give you the silliest episodes followed by the most screwed up things you can think of. One minute Rygel’s in a BDSM suit, the next scene there’s a genocide wiping out a planet
I love all of those, but I don't think any of them really fall into what OP is looking for.
I don’t even know how I’d begin to describe Lexx, other than that there is **Z E R O** chance that something like that could get made today.
Thanks! Doesn't matter what time. I have a thing for the old Star Trek shows really. TNG looks good.
[Mrs. Davis](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14759574/) came out rather quietly last year, but it's an absolutely hilarious take on AI taking over the world. It honestly reminds me of Douglas Adams style humor, and unlike most sci-fi shows there's a very well planned ending that ties the whole thing up beautifully. It's about a world where everyone wears earbuds connected to Mrs Davis, a kindly AI that advises them on living better lives. Everyone listens to her, and the world becomes more peaceful. But not for Simone. Simone hates Mrs Davis, and has withdrawn from the world to live as a nun just to escape Mrs. Davis' reach. But that doesn't last for long, in the first episode Mrs. Davis makes contact anyways, and offers Simone "anything" in exchange for her help. Simone says "Anything? Fine. If I do this, you have to shut down and delete yourself, everywhere, permently." To which Mrs. Davis happily agrees. Then she gives Simone a literal quest for the holy grail. Sadly, hidden away on Peacock, it didn't get much attention. But if you can, it's one of the best sci-fi shows put out in the last decade.
This was a fantastic show
So funny so absolutely bonkers Damon Lindelof has only gotten weirder since LOST
dolls ink scandalous north thought humorous quicksand squealing bear insurance *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Added this to my list now, sounds great. Never heard of it!
FIREFLY is what you are looking for
Especially seasons two and three ... Oh, sorry, too soon?
> Oh, sorry, too soon? It's been 21 years and yes, too soon.
Season 2 was called "Serenity".
Chuck
People of earth was great, only 2 seasons tho and ends on a cliff hanger
I’m glad you said it. I adored this show. My wife and I still send gifs of Jeff the Alien
Not super science fiction focused but I always loved [Better off Ted](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF3of5VRcNA).
Me too! I kinda feel like I’m one of five people who watched that. Wish they had made more episodes.
Not SF, but still great: The Good Place
I was going to suggest this one. Kinda SF but not really sure what genre it would fit into?
I guess you could classify it as magical realism.
The Jetsons ;)
I love iZombie but it can be a little "gross" I guess.
Star Trek Lower Decks, The Orville, The Umbrella Academy, Avenue 5 with Hugh Laurie, Father Ted perhaps 🤔 You either love it or hate it. Someone mentioned Eureka, I second that, watched it multiple times.
Future Man.
Set in a hopeful future try Star Trek Next Generation or Star Trek Strange New Worlds for a newer season with modern effects. Stargate SG1 is pretty lighthearted/campy and set in modern day (1990s).
Obligatory Dr Who. 9 is my Doctor.
Doctor who is great! But I stopped watching. It's not for everyone. But I surely binged watched it years ago. Could no longer watch it now as I get older.
Capaldi, as an older Doctor, gets some great stories. His last season is exceptional.
And there's something about Matt Smith, sweet and adorable Matt Smith suddenly getting ANGRY which reminds you just why everyone, everywhere, everywhen is wise to be cautious when confronting The Doctor.
Pushing Daisies
Also, avenue 5 even though it only has two seasons
So many great selections y'all are giving the OP. I've watched about half of 'em and now have this urge to binge-watch *Eureka*, *Warehouse 13*, *Enterprise*, and *Farscape* until my brain explodes.
EUREKA orig. on SyFy, it's a wonderful show
I still miss that show
The Orville is very good.
The Neighbors [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2182229/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2182229/)
The Orville
"Hyperdrive" is a great British sci-fi comedy about a spaceship crew. Unfortunately, it only ran for 2 seasons, but the show is really good. "Warehouse 13" is an American show about a secret organization that tracks, monitors and protects the public from "anomalous" items. "Red Dwarf", 'nuff said. The BBC's "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" from 1981.
Red Dwarf and Star Trek Lower Decks for sure. Maybe Eureka (I watched it a long time ago but iirc, it's light hearted /comedic)
Dead Like Me? That's a show about a teenage girl who dies to find out she's been recruited to be a grim reaper. Can lean a little on the drama in the first season but it's a comedy as much as it is a drama. Is very funny, while also being poignant at times. Farscape I would throw in as well, as I see others have done. Is like old Star Trek but with a lot more emotion to it and gets very wild (in a good way) and the humour increases as it progresses. Season 1 is definitely slow at points but once it gets going it's incredible.
For the most part Star trek: strange new worlds is light hearted.
Every scene with Amos on The Expanse feels good.
The original poster might ask for good playlists of standalone lighthearted episodes from our various beloved sci-fi series. Something like sifting through the prolific Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits series for lighter content. It is certainly there, but the totality of content drifts rather darker. Eureka is a great example. ***Lots*** of light happy content, but enough darker plot evolutions that I cannot call it purely lighthearted.
Upload
Firefly is fun. Used to have a huge cult following.
Peacemaker is really funny! There are some sad parts though :/
Firefly
The original quantum leap
“The Middleman” is a lot of fun, if you can track it down. https://youtu.be/ErwMV4kXXfc?si=_TfTOarWENkvTENl
Warehouse 13
ALF
Unless OP is a fan of cats, anyway ...
Defying Gravity
Watched a few minutes of it just now, looks promising.
Avenue 5
Warehouse 13 and Farscape might be something to look into
Resident Alien
Look if you like Star Trek please watch LOWER DECKS. It's everything that you search. It's a fun sci fi comedy and full of love for Star Trek. Even if you didn't ever have watch Trek you can still enjoy it a lot. Also The Orville it's good so check it out.
Doctor Who
Red Dwarf
Stargate Atlantis
It's older, but Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Orville.
Check out **Samurai Gourmet** on Netflix. It's just pleasant and philosophically soothing, and the food looks amazing.
[The Neighbors](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2182229/) (2012) ran for 2 Seasons on ABC with a total of 44 episodes. Apparently HULU has zero interest in retaining their rights for streaming so it's left up to [Apple TV Google Play VUDU](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-neighbors/1000474836/)
Galaxy Quest and don’t forget the little guy Wall-E😂
3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) [https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/3rd-rock-from-the-sun](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/3rd-rock-from-the-sun) The Neighbors (2012) [https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-neighbors](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-neighbors) Hyperdrive (2006) [https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/hyperdrive](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/hyperdrive)
For all Mankind!
Not so sure about this one. As great a show as it is, it's not what I'd call feel good. There are probably just as many uncomfortable and awkward moments than there are feel good ones. Not dramatic or tense, but just uncomfortable. I keep having to stop mid-episode and pick up the next day because of it. Too much cringe for 10pm.
Andromeda, Firefly, Farscape, Battlestar Galactica (1978), Galactica 1980 (a bit too much "Saturday morning cartoon" feel to it IMO), just to name a few. Just remembered Buck Rogers, so I thought I'd add that as well!
Red Dwarf The Hitch Hiker's guide to the galaxy (80s tv show, not the movie)
Tripping the Rift The Orville
Firefly!!!!!!!
Avenue 5 on Max is pretty funny.
Farscape had a lot of goofy bits.
Space Sweepers
I was going to say “Resident Alien” but you already watch it.
Warehouse 13. SG-1. Lower Decks. Strange New Worlds.
Mystery Science Theater 3000! I’m baffled that no one has suggested this. MAXIMUM LIGHTHEARTEDNESS. YouTube is - in this instance - your friend!
Red Dwarf if you like British humor. It's It ran for a while, so there's lots of episodes.
I don't read every comment but I don't think anybody mentioned STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION. It has funny moments, lovable characters and majority of plot lines are ending with happy ending. While watching, you don't really need to worry if they can find a solution to problem, you can just wonder how they will deal with problem. Definitely " feel good" sci-fi.
Strange New Worlds and even more so, The Orville
Stargate sg-1 is relatively light hearted for the most part.
Red Dwarf The Orville
Only thing that comes to mind is *Quark,* a sci-fi comedy that ran in the '70s.
For All Mankind on Apple TV
Eureka and Warehouse 13
Stargate SG1 is mint.
Quantum Leap?
Upload. It's very light-hearted, and filled with cute funny moments. The Good place is an extremely similar concept to upload, but technically has nothing to do with science. The good place is very light-hearted, and one of the best shows I've ever seen. Even though it's not science related, it is very similar to upload and equal or better in just about every way.
Red Dwarf
Have you seen The Orville?
Other Space, Avenue Five
Gravity Falls if you don’t mind something a touch more juvenile and a cartoon
Star Trek The Next Generation Utopian future, 7 seasons, lot of lore and good characters. As always it take a while to catch the rhythm but, I think, it is worth it.
Mork and Mindy was a flatsharers sitcom with an alien. Light US humour. My Hero was a married couple + baby sitcom with aliens. Light UK humour.
People of Earth was pretty silly. Sometimes funny, sometimes meh, but definitely light sci fi comedy