Please recommend comedy TV shows!
October 5, 2020 1:56 PM Subscribe
My girlfriend and I are looking forTV comedies to watch that we haven't see yet. Some of our faves inside!
• Arrested Development
• Parks & Recreation
• 30 Rock
• The Good Place
• The Simpsons
• Archer
• Master of None
• Community
Would love to hear your recommendations!
• Arrested Development
• Parks & Recreation
• 30 Rock
• The Good Place
• The Simpsons
• Archer
• Master of None
• Community
Would love to hear your recommendations!
Letterkenny
posted by paper chromatographologist at 1:58 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 1:58 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
The IT Crowd
Derry Girls
Black Books
posted by FencingGal at 1:58 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
Derry Girls
Black Books
posted by FencingGal at 1:58 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
"Cougar Town". Available on Hulu & Amazon Prime in the US. Start with Season 2, and revisit Season 1 if you decide you like the vibe.
"Schitt's Creek". Available on Netflix in the US. Probably best to start with Season 2 with that one as well.
posted by Johnny Assay at 1:59 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
"Schitt's Creek". Available on Netflix in the US. Probably best to start with Season 2 with that one as well.
posted by Johnny Assay at 1:59 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
Phoebe Waller-Bridge's shows, Fleabag and Crashing.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 2:00 PM on October 5, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 2:00 PM on October 5, 2020 [7 favorites]
Oh, and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "Great News" (both on Netflix in the US) share a lot of DNA with 30 Rock, so if you miss 30 Rock, check those out.
posted by Johnny Assay at 2:00 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by Johnny Assay at 2:00 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
Broad City
posted by paper chromatographologist at 2:00 PM on October 5, 2020 [9 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 2:00 PM on October 5, 2020 [9 favorites]
Better Off Ted, which is about a group of people working for a satirical mad science corporation and is much better than the name would suggest.
posted by showbiz_liz at 2:02 PM on October 5, 2020 [14 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 2:02 PM on October 5, 2020 [14 favorites]
Since Archer is on your list you might have a tolerance for vulgarity and shit-bag characters. In that case, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one to check out. There's 14 seasons and the quality holds up to a high standard.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 2:05 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 2:05 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
At the moment I've been binging "Ted Lasso," on Apple TV. I'm not a sports fan, and you don't have to be to enjoy this low-stakes character-driven dramedy, as if a sitcom that doesn't have 10 jokes a minute, a laugh track, and does have character conflict, difficult relationship moments. Very good, and isn't a litany of American mockery like a worse version would've been.
There are two shows called Crashing, more or less for the same reason. The above Phoebe Waller-Bridge has one about young adults in a squat, and Pete Holmes, about a stand-up comic on his own after a divorce.
The creator of "The IT Crowd" (one of my all-time favorites), also created "Father Ted" and wrote the TV version of "Count Arthur Strong," both of which make me roll on the floor.
posted by Sunburnt at 2:07 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
There are two shows called Crashing, more or less for the same reason. The above Phoebe Waller-Bridge has one about young adults in a squat, and Pete Holmes, about a stand-up comic on his own after a divorce.
The creator of "The IT Crowd" (one of my all-time favorites), also created "Father Ted" and wrote the TV version of "Count Arthur Strong," both of which make me roll on the floor.
posted by Sunburnt at 2:07 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
Gonna go out on a limb and say you’ll very much enjoy both Bored to Death and Party Down.
posted by furnace.heart at 2:10 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by furnace.heart at 2:10 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
Catastrophe, on Amazon Prime.
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:11 PM on October 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:11 PM on October 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
Arrested Development -> Schitts Creek
The Good Place -> Miracle Workers
Parks & Rec -> Dreamland
30 Rock -> Better Off Ted, Ravens Banquet
The Simpsons -> Bob's Burgers
Archer -> Sealab 2021 (not to be confused with Sealab 2020)
Community -> Los Espookys
posted by forbiddencabinet at 2:15 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
The Good Place -> Miracle Workers
Parks & Rec -> Dreamland
30 Rock -> Better Off Ted, Ravens Banquet
The Simpsons -> Bob's Burgers
Archer -> Sealab 2021 (not to be confused with Sealab 2020)
Community -> Los Espookys
posted by forbiddencabinet at 2:15 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
You will like Happy Endings.
posted by no regrets, coyote at 2:19 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by no regrets, coyote at 2:19 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
In addition to some of the shows listed above (Better Off Ted, IT Crowd, Kimmy Schmidt), there are a couple that we really liked in my household:
Happy Endings (this really helped us get through the post-2016 election period)
What We Do In the Shadows
Tuca and Bertie
Upload
Also, based on your list, I would recommend "Lodge 49." I wouldn't call it a comedy, per se, but it is funny and, at times, surreal and trods the same territory as your faves:
posted by Joe Schlabotnik at 2:23 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
Happy Endings (this really helped us get through the post-2016 election period)
What We Do In the Shadows
Tuca and Bertie
Upload
Also, based on your list, I would recommend "Lodge 49." I wouldn't call it a comedy, per se, but it is funny and, at times, surreal and trods the same territory as your faves:
posted by Joe Schlabotnik at 2:23 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
I've been enjoying Kim's Convenience.
posted by splitpeasoup at 2:29 PM on October 5, 2020 [13 favorites]
posted by splitpeasoup at 2:29 PM on October 5, 2020 [13 favorites]
Not particularly analogous to anything you've mentioned, but you would probably like Slings & Arrows. It's must watch TV in theatre nerd circles. It's sort of a workplace comedy about a shakespeare festival where each season follows the production of one of shakespeare's plays and the overarching season narrative mirrors the events of the play. Solidly in dramedy territory.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 2:42 PM on October 5, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by forbiddencabinet at 2:42 PM on October 5, 2020 [6 favorites]
Detectorists, which is about a couple of friends who like to hunt for treasure with their metal detectors in the Essex countryside. But it's about so much more than that. It's wonderful.
posted by essexjan at 2:51 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by essexjan at 2:51 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
Seconding Lodge 49. It's a joy.
Frisky Dingo - from Archer creators Adam Reed and Matt Thompson.
The Larry Sanders Show, the all-time best TV show about a TV show.
NewsRadio - one of the great ensemble casts of the 90s. Phil Hartman is never not funny.
posted by Lorin at 2:56 PM on October 5, 2020 [6 favorites]
Frisky Dingo - from Archer creators Adam Reed and Matt Thompson.
The Larry Sanders Show, the all-time best TV show about a TV show.
NewsRadio - one of the great ensemble casts of the 90s. Phil Hartman is never not funny.
posted by Lorin at 2:56 PM on October 5, 2020 [6 favorites]
N-thing What We Do In The Shadows. Something about it hit us in just the right way at the start of the pandemic (which is when we discovered it) and we're really really wanting more.
posted by jquinby at 2:58 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by jquinby at 2:58 PM on October 5, 2020 [8 favorites]
Brockmire
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:02 PM on October 5, 2020
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:02 PM on October 5, 2020
Big Mouth
posted by lovableiago at 3:06 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by lovableiago at 3:06 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
The Mick was great - starred Kaitlin Olson from Always Sunny.
Archer -> Sealab 2021 (not to be confused with Sealab 2020)
Agree with this. Start with "All That Jazz" in my opinion, because the show is not really told in a linear fashion.
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:09 PM on October 5, 2020
Archer -> Sealab 2021 (not to be confused with Sealab 2020)
Agree with this. Start with "All That Jazz" in my opinion, because the show is not really told in a linear fashion.
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:09 PM on October 5, 2020
Rather than nth a bunch of things, I will instead say that I don't think anyone's mentioned either BoJack Horseman or Brooklyn Nine-Nine yet.
posted by box at 3:17 PM on October 5, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by box at 3:17 PM on October 5, 2020 [7 favorites]
The (mostly) transatlantic version:
f you want some ancient history I would suggest looking up Yes Minister and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (both UK, both farce of a sort).
The Good Place puts me in mind of Being Erica.
Being Human (was adapted to a US version. but I think the UK original works better).
Misfits.
And if you haven't seen Father Ted you need to. Now. That reminds me of the Vicar of Dibley, though that's less off the wall.
Absolutely Fabulous. Though I'd be amazed if you hadn't.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 3:20 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
f you want some ancient history I would suggest looking up Yes Minister and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (both UK, both farce of a sort).
The Good Place puts me in mind of Being Erica.
Being Human (was adapted to a US version. but I think the UK original works better).
Misfits.
And if you haven't seen Father Ted you need to. Now. That reminds me of the Vicar of Dibley, though that's less off the wall.
Absolutely Fabulous. Though I'd be amazed if you hadn't.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 3:20 PM on October 5, 2020 [4 favorites]
Ramy is really good.
posted by carrienation at 3:42 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by carrienation at 3:42 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
I really think you'll like Party Down (mentioned upthread).
posted by churl at 3:42 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by churl at 3:42 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
Unless I missed it above, Veep, is funny, smart and even timely and just kept getting better each season.
posted by maxg94 at 4:22 PM on October 5, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by maxg94 at 4:22 PM on October 5, 2020 [6 favorites]
Give The Middleman a try. This is one of the better appreciations/explanations of it.
posted by gudrun at 4:38 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by gudrun at 4:38 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
Many mentioned upthread that I would concur with: Letterkenny, Party Down, Brooklyn99 (depending how you feel about the police), Ted Lasso, The IT Crowd, Kim's Convenience.
I also enjoyed: Little Mosque on the Prairie (CanCon!), Kath & Kim, Spaced, and Space Force.
posted by jessamyn at 5:24 PM on October 5, 2020
I also enjoyed: Little Mosque on the Prairie (CanCon!), Kath & Kim, Spaced, and Space Force.
posted by jessamyn at 5:24 PM on October 5, 2020
Brooklyn 99 saved me during the first few months of the pandemic.
posted by gnutron at 5:29 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by gnutron at 5:29 PM on October 5, 2020 [5 favorites]
Another for Letterkenny. Highly quotable. I've never seen a character's posture be so integral. Wayne is a rectangle.
Feel Good cracked me up when I had Early Quarantine Depression Syndrome.
Please Like Me is hilarious. It requires a context warning - there's suicide and quite graphic self harm. It also has Hannah Gadsby.
The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo is a miniseries on Vimeo. If you're hooked by the first bit, you'll enjoy the show.
Another for Peep Show as well unless you're sensitive to secondhand embarrassment.
I Think You Should Leave is good, but it's absurdist comedy and definitely not for everyone.
posted by meemzi at 6:30 PM on October 5, 2020
Feel Good cracked me up when I had Early Quarantine Depression Syndrome.
Please Like Me is hilarious. It requires a context warning - there's suicide and quite graphic self harm. It also has Hannah Gadsby.
The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo is a miniseries on Vimeo. If you're hooked by the first bit, you'll enjoy the show.
Another for Peep Show as well unless you're sensitive to secondhand embarrassment.
I Think You Should Leave is good, but it's absurdist comedy and definitely not for everyone.
posted by meemzi at 6:30 PM on October 5, 2020
Corner Gas
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:17 PM on October 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:17 PM on October 5, 2020 [3 favorites]
Oh! Yes! Corner Gas! How could I have forgotten Corner Gas? It got me through a bit of a dark time last year. Delightful Canadian rural slacker hangout show.
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:27 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:27 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
The original UK version of Coupling. I was shockingly good with Space Force on Netflix. Seconding Venture Bros and Harvey Birdman
posted by Ignorantsavage at 9:49 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Ignorantsavage at 9:49 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
Not yet mentioned: Silicon Valley. By Mike Judge of King of the Hill and Beavis & Butthead.
posted by k3ninho at 11:29 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by k3ninho at 11:29 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
Sirens
Upload
Great News
You're The Worst
Sports Night
The Tick
No Tomorrow
Wellington Paranormal (spinoff of the What We Do in the Shadows movie, may be hard to find outside New Zealand)
I also enthusiastically endorse Better Off Ted, Schitt's Creek, Middleman and What We Do in the Shadows. mentioned above.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 12:07 AM on October 6, 2020
Upload
Great News
You're The Worst
Sports Night
The Tick
No Tomorrow
Wellington Paranormal (spinoff of the What We Do in the Shadows movie, may be hard to find outside New Zealand)
I also enthusiastically endorse Better Off Ted, Schitt's Creek, Middleman and What We Do in the Shadows. mentioned above.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 12:07 AM on October 6, 2020
Oh my God PEN15.
posted by saladin at 7:14 AM on October 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by saladin at 7:14 AM on October 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
Superstore is vastly underrated and terrific. I assume you’ve seen The Office (American) and left it off intentionally, but if not def give it a go. Regardless of how you get about the American version, the British version is worth a go.
posted by jeoc at 7:54 AM on October 6, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by jeoc at 7:54 AM on October 6, 2020 [6 favorites]
n-thing 'Better Off Ted.'
Offering Jean-Claude Van Johnson - Jean-Claude Van Damme is a super good sport about it.
posted by porpoise at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2020
Offering Jean-Claude Van Johnson - Jean-Claude Van Damme is a super good sport about it.
posted by porpoise at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2020
Scrubs, with the caveat the a lot of the music in the early seasons had to be replaced due to licensing rights so the impact of some scenes may be a little different. It's still worth it, though, in my opinion.
Also, season 9 is very different than the previous 8 seasons. It's basically a new show that focuses on new characters in med school. There are appearances by cast members from the previous seasons but the focus is mainly on the new people. I liked it, but some people pretend it doesn't exist and/or feel it cheapens the ending of season 8 (which was originally intended to be the series finale).
Season 9 was the only med school season and the show was canceled after that. I felt like it might have improved, but we'll never know now. My advice is approach it as a new show if you decide to watch it.
posted by i feel possessed at 4:14 PM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also, season 9 is very different than the previous 8 seasons. It's basically a new show that focuses on new characters in med school. There are appearances by cast members from the previous seasons but the focus is mainly on the new people. I liked it, but some people pretend it doesn't exist and/or feel it cheapens the ending of season 8 (which was originally intended to be the series finale).
Season 9 was the only med school season and the show was canceled after that. I felt like it might have improved, but we'll never know now. My advice is approach it as a new show if you decide to watch it.
posted by i feel possessed at 4:14 PM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
The League, I'm Sorry
posted by Nolechick11 at 5:59 PM on October 6, 2020
posted by Nolechick11 at 5:59 PM on October 6, 2020
Surprised to see only one other recommendation for Brooklyn 99. Very much up your alley, going by your list
The Mindy Project also has that quippy type of humour
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - clever, absurdist humour. Titus is comedic gold
posted by Zaire at 10:15 PM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
The Mindy Project also has that quippy type of humour
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - clever, absurdist humour. Titus is comedic gold
posted by Zaire at 10:15 PM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is chronically under-appreciated. It's smart, funny, raunchy, and touching, sometimes all at the same time. Don't let the title or the fact that it's a musical scare you away.
posted by dgr8bob at 8:03 AM on October 7, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by dgr8bob at 8:03 AM on October 7, 2020 [3 favorites]
Disappointed to see so many recommendations of the it crowd; look up its creator before deciding if you want to watch it.
Anyway, recommendations:
Look Around You
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Braindead
Mystery Science Theatre 3000
If you end up liking Rick and Morty you might want to try Star Trek: Lower Decks
Previously mentioned:
What We Do in the Shadows
You're the Worst
Being Human
posted by polytope subirb enby-of-piano-dice at 8:46 AM on October 7, 2020
Anyway, recommendations:
Look Around You
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Braindead
Mystery Science Theatre 3000
If you end up liking Rick and Morty you might want to try Star Trek: Lower Decks
Previously mentioned:
What We Do in the Shadows
You're the Worst
Being Human
posted by polytope subirb enby-of-piano-dice at 8:46 AM on October 7, 2020
I don't watch much TV, but I recently binged on a show called Black Books that I thought was very clever.
posted by ambulocetus at 10:37 AM on October 7, 2020
posted by ambulocetus at 10:37 AM on October 7, 2020
Since Canadian shows are currently kind of in vogue, I am here to let you know that the Great Canadian Show You Are Missing Out On is the Baroness Von Sketch show. It's more of a sketch show but GREAT and hilarious. I am not sure if this is geoblocked but here are a couple of samples that give you an idea of its style of humour: Jeans and Psych-Up Salad.
posted by urbanlenny at 10:07 PM on October 8, 2020
posted by urbanlenny at 10:07 PM on October 8, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by blurker at 1:57 PM on October 5, 2020 [2 favorites]