The subjectivity of comedy is well acknowledged, but that doesn’t stop us from being vocally confident and opinionated about what we find funny. But hearing that a show is “funny” to someone isn’t quite enough to try it out, given the sheer amount of content being made these days.
What kind of funny are we talking about? Can you watch this show with your grandma and not feel the need to sink down into the couch cushions from embarrassment? Can you watch this show on a first date and not seem like a total weirdo?
To help answer these questions, FANDOM created a special guide that spans the tonal spectrum, from slapstick to satire, for today’s on-air comedies.
Angie Tribeca
Though fallen out of favor, slapstick is a comedy staple with a rich history, and Rashida Jones’ Angie Tribeca will fill that Chris Farley-size hole in your heart. Created by Nancy and Steve Carell, Tribeca’s humor belongs with the hits of the ’80s and ’90s. In fact, it’s comparable to the early works of Adam Sandler with its mix of physical comedy, puns, and (very) cheesy dad jokes. It is aware of its silliness and plays into it unapologetically. It’s an easy, fun watch.
Where to Find It: TBS
I’m Sorry
Brought to you by one of the hardest working actresses in Hollywood today, Andrea Savage’s (Veep, iZombie, Episodes) I’m Sorry is traditional in the sense that it’s a sitcom about a woman balancing work and family. Not only is Savage great on her own, but the supporting cast is especially on point, from the exploits of Jason Mantzoukas (The League) to Tom Everett Scott, who is just as dreamy as a supportive husband as he was in his That Thing You Do days. Definitely safe to watch in mixed company.
Where to find it: TruTV
Better Things
It is almost difficult to describe Better Things and do it justice. On the surface, it’s a voiceover actress dealing with the realities of single motherhood. It can be brutal yet joyous, frustrating but compassionate. It’s also relatable — for better or worse. Created by Pamela Adlon and Louis CK, the humor is dry and self-deprecating with just a bit of an edge.
Where to Find it: FX
Wellington Paranormal
Now that Ash Vs. Evil Dead has been canceled, our comedy-horror void needs to be filled, and who better than the creators of What We do in the Shadows? Taika Waititi, best known for directing Thor: Ragnarok, and Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) have teamed up again to bring you Wellington Paranormal. The show stays in the same universe as What We do in the Shadows, focusing on the patrolmen that were cameoed in the film. Every episode is a different call, dealing with demons, vampires, aliens, and others, with the New Zealand humor shining through every time.
Where to Find it: They don’t have a U.S. distributor yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Kiwis can see it on TVNZ 2.
Teachers
Very few shows will make you pause the TV because you’re laughing so hard that you’re missing jokes, but Teachers does it nearly every episode. The dialogue is sharp and biting, and the variety of the unusual characters really makes this ensemble stand out. Teachers is often on the inappropriate and dirty side, so perhaps keep this in mind before you watch it with your Nana. Unless your Nana is Betty White. In which case, carry on.
Where to Find It: TV Land
Catastrophe
Catastrophe was a gem of a show — if that gem was rough, dinged, and raw. The Brits are known for their deadpan comedy and this show capitalizes on it. When two relative strangers hook up and one of them winds up pregnant, they decide to make a go of it despite their individual baggage — and boy howdy, is there some. The show was created by and stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, who excel at bringing a hilariously dysfunctional relationship to the small screen. The fabulous Carrie Fisher played Rob’s rather critical mother, which makes the viewing worth it on its own.
Where to Find It: Amazon
Barry
The show that all of Hollywood is buzzing about, Barry is a twisted, oftentimes bleak ride, and yet the comedy is always present due to amazing performances and writing. Bill Hader quietly wins you over as supporting cast members like Henry Winkler and Anthony Carrigan steal every scene they are in. Its first season was a pleasant surprise in the comedy landscape, pushing the limits of dark humor within dramatic life-and-death stakes.
Where to Find It: HBO
Bobcat Goldthwait’s Misfits and Monsters
The comedy version of Black Mirror, every episode of Misfits and Monsters stands alone, playing with format and expectations, resulting in subversive and downright odd entertainment. As of the first three episodes, there hasn’t been any voiceover, so if Bobcat’s voice isn’t your cup of tea then no worries, you just get his extraordinary twisted sense of humor. And just like with Black Mirror, consider this a warning issued for delicate — or just normal — sensibilities.
Where to Find It: TruTV
Who is America?
Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Talladega Nights) is at it again. Known for outlandish stunts (and the legal issues to prove it), Cohen has decided (via four larger-than-life characters) to interview different sorts of people across the country. From trying to convince Arizonans at a town hall meeting to build a Walmart-sized mosque, to somehow convincing a Republican State Representative from Georgia that taking down his pants helps fight terrorists, Who Is America? delivers cringe, shock, and maybe slight PTSD from laughing when perhaps you shouldn’t.
Where to Find It: Showtime
Our Cartoon President
Not nearly as shocking as Who is America?, this satirical animated comedy is created in part by Stephen Colbert. Cartoon President gives an exaggerated “insider look” of what life in the current White House is all about. If nothing else, the fictionalized depictions of Eric and Don Jr. make the show worth watching. The jokes are quick, so pay attention!
Where to Find It: Showtime
