My Top Ten Funny Shows
A 100% "Friends"-free list
A few weeks ago, I came across a fantastic post, “Watch TV to Write Better,” from
. Couldn’t agree with her more:If you want to be funny and to write better, then binge comedy.
For me, there’s no better input than funny TV. When I was at Hallmark, we had a room where we were not only allowed but encouraged to watch any TV show we wanted. It was a creative’s dream. (Compare that to the ad agency I worked at, where the president screamed “$95 AN HOUR!” when he caught me in the breakroom flipping through the newspaper.)
Some of my best memories were from the lunch hours a group of us would spend watching shows together. Our favorite comedy? America’s Next Top Model. We laughed, we cried, but most of all, we smized.
Bassist offers an amazingly complete list of comedy recommendations, which got me thinking: What are my favorites? So I gave myself the meaningless assignment of ranking my top ten. You get the even more meaningless assignment of reading them! Sucker.
I restricted the list to traditional comedies from the past twentyish years only—partly because my memory sucks, and partly because I wanted a Friends- and Seinfeld-free list. Traditional, meaning half-hour in format, and funny. (If you haven’t noticed, we are knee-deep in not-very-funny comedies.) After much debating, I have my ten.
My Top Ten Comedies of the Past 20ish Years:
1. Arrested Development
The frenetic pace, the Ron Howard voiceover, the introduction of both Tony Hale and Will Arnett into my life, the re-introduction of Jason Bateman…this show blew my mind from the get-go. The characters are awful. The storylines, maniacal. I couldn’t love it more. (I will admit: I’m an AD purist and did not watch the last few seasons, when Netflix restarted it. Should I reconsider?)
Notable quote: “Unlimited juice? This party is going to be off the hook.”
2. 30 Rock
I debated a long time about whether this should be my #1 or not; I’m still undecided. This show packs the most jokes per minute, hands down. I’m a huge Tina Fey fan (hoping to catch her on tour) and while I know that Alec Baldwin is nobody’s favorite these, he inhabited Jack Donaghy, one of the best TV characters of all time. Tracy Morgan will always make me laugh on sight, and the guest turns were unmatched—Salma Hayek, Jon Hamm, Paul Rubens. I am slowly rewatching it and highly recommend doing so: I’m catching a whole lot of lines that I missed the first run. (They don’t all age well. You’ve been warned!)
Notable quote: “It’s after six. What am I, a farmer?”
3. The Office
Listen, I know we’ve seen the memes a million times. (For my fellow Chiefs fans, here’s a great one from last week.) We might feel tired of seeing references from this show everywhere. But don’t forget: it started with such low expectations—how dare they remake the beloved British version?—and surprised us all. The acting on this show is incredible; when I watch it now, I am astounded by Steve Carrell’s performance. I hope this groundbreaking show and its memes live on forever.
Notable quote: “I declare BANKRUPTCY!”
4. New Girl
Ahhh…my sweet, sweet comfort comedy. I’ve rewatched this show more than any other. I love to put it on in the background and pretend I’m just one of the roommates. I love the characters, the romance, and I fell head over heels for Jake Johnson as Nick Miller, world’s laziest novelist. Great actors, great chemistry. I will never stop rewatching it.
Notable quote: “No, I don’t wash the towel. The towel washes me!”
5. Scrubs
The best onscreen relationship in TV history? There is simply no debate: J.D. and Turk foreverrrrr! I’m overdue for a rewatch of this delightful, ridiculous, and sneakily emotional show. I can’t wait.
Notable quote: “Your face is red…like a strawbrary!”
6. The Mindy Project
My most recent rewatch, I cried when I got to the last episode. I was so sad to get through it. Mindy Kaling is not without controversy, for sure, but the woman can write a funny-ass show. I loved her character: the smart/shallow combo of a doctor obsessed with pop culture. The dreamy, grumpy Dr. Danny Castellano was the perfect love interest. And Nurse Morgan might—might—be my favorite supporting character ever. For me, this is an absolute chef’s kiss of a show.
Notable quote: “Number two sexiest female organ: the butt. Number one sexiest female organ: the brain. The ba-donk-a-donk and the ba-think-a-think.”
7. Dave
I remember seeing the promos for this show and thinking, “That looks awful.” Then, a friend of mine insisted I tried it: about five minutes in, I was a goner. Dave Burd as his real-life alter ego, rapper L’il Dicky, is vulnerable, neurotic, and surprisingly talented. His best friend/sidekick, GaTa, will absolutely steal your heart. The series finale is bananas and features a huh-YUGE guest star. It’s only three seasons long: do yourself a favor and watch it all the way through (without googling!). You’ll thank me later.
Notable quote: “I was actually just gonna PIBE. Play it by ear. It’s a new acronym I’m trying to get off the ground.”
8. Jury Duty
Part of me thinks I shouldn’t include this show: it’s only one season. But I have to. I first heard the premise when James Marsden was interviewed on my favorite podcast—a fake documentary, with a cast of professional actors and one regular guy, who has no idea it’s all a hoax. Most embarrassment-based comedy makes me super uncomfortable (I lasted about five minutes watching Da Ali G Show) so I thought, nope. But a friend harangued me so much to try it, I finally did. Not only is it not uncomfortable, I laughed the hardest I’ve ever laughed at a show. (The end of episode two.) Doubled over, wheezing, tears rolling down my face. Jury Duty is damn near perfect. I don’t know how they could bring it back, but I sure hope they try.
The glorious trailer:
9. Veep
Veep taught me a crucial lesson: never listen to myself. I tried Veep long ago and gave up after watching only one episode. I’ve been doing this a lot lately. I need to learn patience…NOW! (Is that a Garfield mug? Because it should be.) Over COVID, my husband and I decided to give it another shot because: Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Her performance won about a zillion awards—I laughed every single time she asked, “Did the president call?”—plus Tony Hale by her side? Glorious. This show is so smart, so chock full of fast dialogue, it requires near-constant rewinding to make sure you didn’t miss a word.
Notable quote: "That's like trying to use a croissant as a f-ing dildo. Let me be more clear: It doesn't do the job, and it makes a f-ing mess."
10. The Other Two
My most recent discovery, I am heartbroken that this show just aired its series finale—way before its time. It started on Comedy Central before moving to HBO, and I’m not sure it ever got the attention it deserved. Maybe because, apart from Molly Shannon and Wanda Sykes, it’s a cast of mostly unknowns? It is unhinged in all the best ways. Plus, get ready for another supporting character that almost steals the show: Lance, you big lug, I love you. (I rarely go a day without yelling Aw HELL YEAH P!, Lance-style, at my husband.)
Notable quote: “Hi, I’m Cary Dubek and I’m reading for the role of man at party who smells fart.”
Honorable Mentions: Girls, Fleabag, Detroiters, Insecure, Never Have I Ever, The Good Place, Entourage, Schitt’s Creek
Right now, I’m only watching one traditional comedy on a regular basis: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which my husband and I had never tried, for some reason. I do love that Charlie Day. So far, thumbs up.
I’m slowwwly making my way through Abbott Elementary, and was flying through Party Down, but while the first season is free on Hulu, you have to sign up for Starz to watch the next two seasons. I’m irritated at the moment, but I’ll probably give in.
I’ve probably forgotten some huge show and will kick myself later, but that was a fun assignment.
What did I miss? What’s your #1? What Garfield mug do you use the most? I’m all ears!
Input:
Turned my brain off to this old rom-com (with Jake Johnson!) and thought it was…surprisingly good? (And how had I never heard “tunnel buddies” before?)
Well, this is a great list: “These 38 Reading Rules Changed My Life” (via Recomendo)
If you’re a nervous flyer, this soothing account might help
Definitely need (more) therapy after watching S2, Ep6 of The Bear
For anyone who’s ever been paid “in exposure” (Thanks, Rod!)
Love this collection of stick figures in peril
A basic truth, a ruined take, and where not to keep your groceries
Finally, our sticker of the week:
Okay so I was on the right track, you were told to watch those to get better at writing humor. I can see that. Of course, like you say, there are a few really well-written ones, and many, MANY poorly written ones (How I Met your Father, anyone? That got cancelled QUICK). Oh! How I Met Your Mother should have gotten an honorable mention. Not many shows are put together like a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. Did you know that ending was decided upon before they filmed the pilot? And Ted knew it all along, but was sworn to secrecy!
You're right, I do watch a lot of science fiction, but NOT to get better at writing sci fi. Most sci fi shows are the exact OPPOSITE of what you want to create, if you want to create good science fiction. There are exceptions (The Expanse, Firefly, The Martian), but most of the time I'm screaming at the screen because it's obvious the showrunners didn't even ask Geeky Gary, who still lives in his mother's basement, to look over the actual *science* before filming. Most of it, Tina, I would be embarrassed to recommend to you because I don't want you thinking THAT is what sci fi is all about. I only give Star Trek a break because it's nostalgic for me. And Star Wars is NOT science fiction. It's space fantasy. It's Lord of the Rings but with space ships. Most sci fi TV and movies--and I think a lot of people would back me up here--is Sh*t with a captial S. Pardon my German. So yeah, I probably watch as much sci fi as you watch sitcoms, but it sounds like for a completely different reason!
And sorry to get you going, but sitcoms (and hell, most sci fi) are really nothing but time fillers for me, because I watch those instead of plowing through the stacks of books on my nightstands (all plural), finishing my own novels, and drawing more art! But they're nice to shut my brain off and zone out to while I'm eating dinner alone, that's for sure! :)
Tina, I'm curious as to the WHY watching sitcoms can improve our writing. I can of course understand if you're writing funny Hallmark cards or a sitcom of your own, but honestly, I always thought they are one of our biggest, mind-numbing time wasters! BUT I LOVE THEM like a dirty vice! I agree with Lindsay that Parks and Rec should be on the list, plus Modern Family and especially Hot in Cleveland (that was Betty White's and a whole slew of older actor's last TV appearances, and was basically an updated Golden Girls). But I'm happy that Mindy and The Office made it, and that Schitt's Creek and The Good Place at least got an honorable mention. Anyway, maybe you could explain in a follow up in your next newsletter? :)