Ever feel that tug of your phone mid-episode, wondering if a quick scroll will cause you to lose the plot?
It’s not just about self-control — it also depends on the show itself.
Some series are forgiving if you glance away for a minute. Others bury crucial details in every frame, and missing even a line of dialogue can leave you hopelessly confused.
Below, I’ll rank 9 popular shows from easiest to hardest when it comes to following along without ever feeling like you need your phone as a second screen.
If you tend to multitask (we’ve all been there), this list might help you pick a series that won’t punish you too hard for those occasional notifications.
1. Friends
Lighthearted, episodic, and full of classic sitcom beats, Friends is famously easy to dip in and out of.
You can miss a couple of jokes while texting and still catch the main storyline — usually some variation of “Will they, won’t they?” or a comedic mishap.
The plots are self-contained, so it doesn’t ruin much if you zone out for 30 seconds.
Even if you come back mid-conversation, you’ll pick up on the vibe instantly.
2. The Big Bang Theory
Another sitcom that thrives on repetitive jokes and character quirks.
While it’s peppered with science references, the heart of the show is relational comedy — arguments about comic books or questionable dating advice.
Check your phone, and you might lose a single punchline, but the broad strokes remain clear.
You can follow Sheldon’s quirks or Penny’s exasperation without hanging on every word.
3. The Office (US)
By design, the mockumentary format makes The Office fairly easy to track.
Most episodes revolve around Michael’s antics or Jim’s pranks on Dwight.
Even if you miss a glance or two, you’ll catch up as soon as the camera pans to a confessional or reaction shot. There are subtle jokes you might miss, but the gist of what’s going on is simple.
If you’re only half watching, you’ll still catch the major comedic beats.
4. Stranger Things
Now we’re edging into territory where you might want to pay closer attention.
Stranger Things leans on ’80s nostalgia, but it also juggles multiple storylines with a supernatural twist.
You can look away for a short phone check and probably keep up with the broad conflict — something about a creepy alternate dimension and demogorgons.
But if you’re too distracted, you’ll miss smaller clues or emotional moments. The show’s vibe is as much about the character bonds as the monsters.
5. Game of Thrones
The epic scale and massive cast mean you can’t get too lax here.
Look away at the wrong moment, and you might fail to notice which character just got beheaded or how a vital alliance shifted.
However, the show does rehash major points through character dialogue, and big events have a way of overshadowing smaller ones.
You can do the occasional phone glance, but too many breaks and you’ll be puzzling over family trees and alliances like you’re cramming for an exam.
6. Westworld
Westworld ramps up the puzzle factor.
Between overlapping timelines and philosophical debates about consciousness, you can’t count on the show repeating itself.
If you glance away to answer a text, you risk missing a key reveal — like who’s human, who’s host, or which timeline you’re in. The series rewards focus and punishes half-watching.
You might piece it together eventually, but only if you’re willing to rewatch or consult fan theories later.
7. The Witcher
Non-linear storytelling with characters who barely age can get confusing fast.
One second you’re in Geralt’s timeline, the next it’s decades earlier in Yennefer’s backstory. If you divert your eyes and ears too often, you might return to find the show has shifted to a completely different time period.
You’ll likely need a quick pause-and-google just to catch up.
A little phone scrolling can still work if you already know the lore, but newbies beware: you’ll need your wits about you to keep track of the fragmented storytelling.
8. Dark
Time travel plus a sprawling family tree equals minimal tolerance for distraction.
Dark thrives on small details — a date on a letter, a fleeting expression. Missing those can derail your understanding entirely. Characters exist in multiple timelines, often in different eras, and you’re left to deduce connections.
Look away for even a minute, and you might lose track of which version of a character you’re seeing.
This show practically begs you to set your phone aside and hold on tight.
9. Twin Peaks
David Lynch’s cult classic is full of cryptic scenes and dream-like moments.
Normal logic doesn’t always apply, and crucial clues can appear in the corner of the screen (especially if you’re watching season 3!)
If you’re fiddling with your phone, you might miss a cryptic piece of dialogue — or a dancing figure in the red room. Twin Peaks expects full attention, not just to follow the surreal plot but to catch the show’s atmosphere.
If you try to second-screen it, you’ll find yourself lost in bizarre mysteries with no clear path back.
Final thoughts
Everyone’s tolerance for multitasking differs, but sometimes the narrative itself demands your undivided attention.
Lighter sitcoms won’t punish you much for glancing at notifications, whereas intricately plotted shows can leave you floundering if you’re not glued to the screen.
Whether you’re a dedicated binge-watcher or prefer casual background TV, these rankings should give you a heads-up on what you can safely half-watch and what requires a device-free zone.
After all, a truly immersive story is worth putting your phone on silent — if only to ensure you don’t miss the details that make it great.
