Fans have long debated which show has been the saddest ever made. For some, like me, they run far away from tragic plots. Others are instantly hooked and enjoy a good cry. Now, that debate rages on and, via a recent thread of messages, many fans are throwing out the most obvious titles, with Chernobyl being one, while others are picking more niche shows, such as a David Tennant series. (And no, it’s not Doctor Who.) Regardless, fans are making good points.

While every Whovian knows Who has tragic moments that often feel cruel, it’s David Tennant’s detective series, Broadchurch, that fans say is particularly sad. That was just one of the answers shared after fans were recently asked for their opinions on Reddit. TV devotees also listed The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror and even their local news as the most depressing pieces of content they’ve ever seen. All in all, the fans didn't disappoint with their answers, some of which can be seen below:

• cancelthis2077: Black Mirror (well the early seasons).
• pugilist12: Oz is a safe bet for most depressing show I’ve seen. I don’t think a single genuinely good thing happens to anyone the entire run, and the majority of what does happen is horrific.
• Maddie-Moo: I just started watching The Pacific for the first time and that is a 60-minute depression sesh.
• LaosLegend: Bojack Horseman was pretty depressing to me.
• Softrockstarr: Broadchurch is up there.
• No_Tamanegi: Dark. The more you realize about what's happening, the worse it gets.

Black Mirror, in particular, is called out in the thread multiple times. Honestly, fans aren’t wrong for including the Netflix series, which is known for having dark twists, like in the episode "Hotel Reverie". This episode has one of the most haunting and heartbreaking endings in the anthology franchise's history. For those who enjoy dark shows, they can enjoy this series and more with a Netflix subscription who enjoy dark shows should probably check out the series, but it may not be for those who prefer brighter fare.

Elsewhere, several other users find shows based on real events more depressing. For this reason, many listed Chernobyl. Admittedly, I have not seen the show, but I'm aware of the historical context, and therefore have stayed away. The most upsetting part of the series is “the standalone dog episode,” according to KTOWNTHROWAWAY9001. This episode apparently left a lasting impression on fans, such as TheArtfulLlama, who said:

There are some fans who've bowed out after just watching the pilot of a show, which I can understand. I went into A Million Little Things with high hopes as it had David Giuntoli, James Roday Rodriguez and Grace Park. I’m a fan of each of those actors but, because the pilot was so depressing for me, I never made it further.

Similar feelings are true for user CrissBliss, as they had bow out of Handmaid’s Tale, saying, “I had to stop watching because every week was just one depressing thing after the next.” The Bruce Miller-created show portrays a horrific future that some feel hits a little too close to home. However, the franchise has thrived and continues with the well received spin-off, The Testaments.

Other titles mentioned include Mr. Robot with Rami Malek, Skins, Six Feet Under, Shameless and The Wire. Although these are series that have seemingly scarred fans in one way or another, some of these are also shows that have immediately hooked viewers, and some are considered to be amongst the best shows of all time. So, while these titles and others may be downers, it's hard to deny their cultural impact.

Anyone who's seeking out darker shows should look over the 2026 TV schedule to see what's coming up throughout the rest of the year.

TV characters may often lead more exciting lives than the average person, but they're just as susceptible as anyone to relaxing on the couch while watching their own televisions. Most of the time, those shows-within-shows are completely fictional, as not to cause any copyright friction, which can lead to some hilariously weird and inspired creations.

So, in the vein of fake bands we love listening to, fictional brandings we love promoting, and commercials for faux products, let's now celebrate fake TV shows that might just be as watchable as the real ones.

Married...With Children - "Psycho Dad"

Perhaps Al Bundy's favorite TV show, the "simple saga of a guy run amok in the Old West" was somehow a PBS series (and then a Fox one), despite being one of the most violent shows on TV, which the theme song alludes to. Didn't stop the spinoff Psycho Mom from happening, though.

Gravity Falls - "Duck-tective"

If it walks like a duck and solves mysteries like a detective, it can only be Gravity Falls' fine-feathered sleuth Duck-tective, who heads up the titular mystery series that relies heavily on bad puns and cheap effects, like so many shows of the '80s and '90s.

Community - "Inspector Spacetime"

Despite Community's Abed having once worn a Doctor Who T-shirt, his preferred sci-fi time-travel saga is Inspector Spacetime, a very on-the-nose homage to the long-running UK fave. (The American version introduced years later was portrayed by Luke Perry.) I'd wager I.S. has more canonical backstory than almost any other show-within-a-show, with lots of background for fans, real and otherwise, to dig into.

South Park - "The Terrance And Phillip Show"

Two of the biggest celebrities within South Park that aren't parodies of real-world celebs are Sir Phillip Niles Argyle and Sir Terrance Henry Stoot, best known to the Canadian comedy lovers as Terrance and Phillip, who have their own TV show that's a real gas...gas...gasssss.

Extras - "When The Whistle Blows"

One of the funniest things about Ricky Gervais satirizing BBC sitcoms in HBO's Extras is how little it feels like a parody, and how believable it would be as a real-world series with its lowest-common-denominator jokes, forever cementing "Are you 'avin' a laugh?" into the annals of love-to-hate TV catchphrases.

Saturday Night Live - "TV Funhouse"

Saturday Night Live has featured loads of fake movie trailers, songs, TV shows, etc., but perhaps the only applicable recurring sketch to get spun off with its own shows-within-a-show concept was "TV Funhouse," as created by Robert Smigel. Later a standalone series on Comedy Central, the OG run gave the world the Ambiguously Gay Duo, "Bambi 2002," and other SNL classics from the '90s and 2000s.

The Big Bang Theory - "Professor Proton"

I'd have to imagine Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper would have loved Mr. Wizard's World or Beakman's World if he were real, as his favorite small-screen personality was the science educator Professor Proton (real name: Arthur Jeffries). For viewers, Proton's excellence was naturally due to comedy legend Bob Newhart being cast. And you can't forget his puppet pal Gino the Neutrino, even if it's best not to bring up the puppeteer.

Parks And Recreation - "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show"

Chris Pratt's Andy Dwyer brought Johnny Karate to life initially as a guitar-playing act for children's birthday parties, but that just wasn't musical or explosive enough, so of course he got his own inspirational TV show. Johnny may have been a doofus, but alter-alter ego Jonathan Karate is the one who has it all together.

Rocko's Modern LIfe - "Meet The Fatheads"

Within Rocko's Modern Life, the Bigheads' lives were fictionalized as The Fatheads, a family sitcom centered on pretty awful and stereotypical characters. Amusingly enough, the revival special Static Cling also featured the in-universe revival of The Fatheads, which not everyone was a fan of.

Home Improvement - "Tool Time"

One of TV's ultimate "How-Not-To" characters, Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor somehow kept his job hosting the Detroit-set series "Tool Time," despite being shockingly consistent at destroying property and electrical equipment with ease. It's just as shocking that co-host Al Borland didn't quit or suffer grave injuries during that run.

Only Murders In The Building - "Brazzos"

No one remembers the detective series "Brazzos" as well as Only Murders in the Building's Charles-Haden Savage, the actor who donned the iconic hat for its surprisingly long run. (Okay, perhaps his loyal stunt double Sazz remembered it just as fondly.) But who else could have spun these banal words into an oft-ish-repeated catchphrase: "This sends the investigation into a whole new direction." So many new directions for this guy.

Rugrats - "Oodles The Talking Poodle"

As an avid Rugrats fan during the NickToons era, it's been 30+ years since I've been able to hear the world "poodle" without hearing a light "ding" behind it, as it goes in the talking dog's theme song. "OOdles. OOdles the TALking POOdle. Ding." How is this not a movie by now?

Stargate SG-1 - "Wormhole X-Treme"

While Stargate SG-1 didn't always show off its funny bone so directly, the self-spoofing 100th episode "Wormhole X-Treme," which focuses on the action-geared sci-fi series that provided the ep's title. I wish every show I love had a parody as faithful and fan-friendly as this one.

The Simpsons - "The Krusty The Clown Show"

If not for Krusty the Clown's quality-questionable variety show, Bart, Lisa and Simpsons fans around the world might never have been introduced to the hyperviolent "Itchy and Scratchy Show," which superceded its own source clown's popularity, with former sidekick Sideshow Bob amassing more notoriety.

Murderbot - "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon"

It's easy to see why Alexander Skarsgård's sentient SecUnit just wants to spend all day, all 397 (at least) episodes of the sudsy space opera "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon." With legit talents like John Cho, Clark Gregg and DeWanda Wise heading up the How to Get Away with Murder-esque series, this is easily worthy of a standalone spinoff to keep viewers rapt.

Young Justice - "Hello, Megan!"

Who knew superheroes would get into such normalcy as the sitcom "Hello, Megan!" A by-the-books sitcom from 1979-1980, the show follows a pretty cheerleader, her BFF, hunky boyfriend, and parents, and not even for large-scale adventures, but just everyday plots like taking care of the school frog. Okay, fine, I completely understand why everyone is obsessed.

Channel Zero - "Candle Cove"

The worst kind of TV show, I think we can all agree, is one that inevitably brings you harm just by watching it. So it goes for the first season of the excellent horror anthology Channel Zero, where "Candle Cove" is a pirate-based puppet show that may only exist in the minds of its viewers. Watch out for The Skin-Taker, that's all I'm saying.

Steven Universe - Crying Breakfast Friends

If you don't know the value of watching "Crying Breakfast Friends," then I don't suggest mentioning it to Steven Universe's titular crystal being. He adores watching the various food items, leaking both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Glum Glass and Weeping Egg Cup are all of us, really.

Supernatural - "Ghostfacers"

Supernatural, a show that legitimately crossed over with the animated Scooby-Doo gang, brought an equally silly spin to the never-ending number of paranormal investigator series that took over cable in the 21st century. Founded by the Ghostbusters-homaging Harry Spangler and Ed Zeddmore, the Ghostfacers appeared quite a few times over the years, and even sparked a web series of shorts.

BoJack Horseman - "Horsin' Around"

For as dramatically serious and maudlin as BoJack Horseman could get, none of that was to be found in the cornball hijinks of the in-series sitcom "Horsin' Around," centering on three kids adopted by a horse, obviously. It fights right alongside fare like Punky Brewster, with a slew of wonderfully groan-worthy lines perhaps best exemplified by the pun "Now, that's a horse of a different...crueller."

Twin Peaks - "Invitation To Love"

Oh, to explore around inside David Lynch's brain to see all of the things he might have been thinking about for the expertly crafted soap opera "Invitation to Love," which was a favorite amongst some of the characters inhabiting Twin Peaks' titular town. The fact that the storylines reference the characters' lives only makes it more interesting.

Seinfeld - "Jerry"

While Seinfeld's show-within-a-show "Jerry" really only existed as a pilot and not as a fully ordered network-aired series, given the actions of its characters, its ridiculous plot is enough to make it one of the more memorable faux TV series out there. Jerry gets into a car accident, and the other insurance-less driver has to become Jerry's butler, making "Because he's MY butler" one of the more logically accurate fake TV catchphrases.

Family Guy - "Jolly Farm Revue"

With an aesthetic that mashed up the Teletubbies with other pastoral children's fare, Family Guy's faux UK series "Jolly Farm Revue" became an obsession of Stewie's, as he believed its characters actually existed, only to find them to be less real than his teddy bear Rupert. I prefer the American remake with that li'l cutie Karina Smirnoff.

Arrested Development - "Mock Trial With J. Reinhold"

Arrested Development's melting pot of humor is well-exemplified by Michael Bluth having a legal case heard as part of a courtroom reality show fronted by Judge Reinhold (who definitely isn't a real judge), with a theme song sung live on-set by William Hung and a backing band. Should this have turned into an actual series? "I'm going to allow it," even if it pretty much rips on a gag from Clerks: the Animated Series.

SpongeBob SquarePants - "Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy"

Not only was the superhero series "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy" a fun show-within-a-show for SpongeBob SquarePants' characters, but the titular characters were a treat outside of their televised exploits as well. For one, they were originally voiced by legends Ernest Bornine and Tim Conway, and later boasted '60s Batman icons Adam West and Burt Ward in the respective hero and sidekick roles at one point or another.

30 Rock - "MILF Island"

A fake TV show that will likely exist before this sentence is finished, 30 Rock's reality TV-aping romance competition MILF Island was sold with the disturbing tagline "25 Super-Hot Moms, 50 Eighth Grade Boys, No Rules." Okay, maybe we should just keep this one hidden behind a locked door back in 2008.

Lost - "Exposé"

Lost's storylines didn't just flash backwards, forwards and sideways. They also went internal for the show-within-a-show Exposé, a '70s-esque action-adventure series in which Kiele Sanchez's Nikki was guest-starring. (With Billy Dee Williams as the lead of the faux show.) We see just enough to make me want more, although that would never happen, as audiences' dislike of Nikki and Rodrigo Santoro's Paolo was strong enough to get them killed off during the same season in which they were introduced.

DuckTales - "Ottoman Empire"

A TV parody that is too close to the real thing to be entirely comedic, DuckTales' "Ottoman Empire" centers on two twin rooster brothers, Johnny and Randy, who design custom ottomans for customers. It's like Property Brothers with a punnier title, and you know, roosters.

Drake And Josh - "Drew And Jerry"

Drake & Josh entered sitcom doppelgänger territory in Season 2 when Drake Bell and Josh Peck's namesake characters took a friendly break from each other, only to befriend someone else with the exact same personality. By the end, the titular teens were buds again, while their "others" were somehow given their own TV show that looks exactly like D&J. Presumably with its own Season 2 doppelgänger plot.

My Name Is Earl - "Estrada Or Nada"

We're at a point where real-life game shows are about as ridiculous as anything fictional, but My Name Is Earl's "Estrada or Nada" is still pretty special. Basically, anyone can challenge the CHiPs star to any imaginable challenge, from shooting basketballs to eating hot dogs to looking like Erik Estrada.

Futurama - "Everybody Loves Hynotoad"

I love Hypnotoad. You love Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Good show.

Garfield & Friends - "The Binky Show"

Hey, kids! No fake TV clown seemed quite as intent on waking everyone in the hosue up as Garfield & Friends' Binky the Clown, whose show seemed to be on at literally all hours. Because it was of such high production value, I can only assume.

Mild spoilers below for the animated series Long Story Short for anyone who hasn’t yet streamed the comedy via Netflix subscription.

Long Story Short is the aptly named new animated comedy from Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the mastermind behind one of TV’s all-time best sitcoms, BoJack Horseman, though it is more readily comparable to the weepy hourlong drama This Is Us than the anthropomorphic celebrity-skewing satire. The laughs are evident and plentiful, don’t get me wrong, but the timeline-spanning narrative device allows for a deeper sense of pathos than ‘toons usually provide, allowing audiences to become one with the dysfunctional Schwooper family.

I knew I would love this show, largely because of Bob-Waksberg’s involvement, but also because of the stacked and hilarious cast, including Abbi Jacobson, Max Greenfield, Ben Feldman, Angelique Cabral, Nicole Byer, Paul Reiser and Lisa Edelstein. (Not to mention the surprising number of familiar guest stars.) What I didn’t expect, however, was that I’d find nearly every single episode vastly relatable in one way or another, despite having a drastically different upbringing and family dynamic.

Long Story Short Is Vastly Different From BoJack, But With A Similarly Embattled Emotional Core

With one of the most unique storytelling devices of any series on the 2025 TV schedule, Long Story Short delivers episodes focusing on major life events for the Schwooper family members, jumping back and forth through time to showcase all the relevant character moments and details that matter the most, across childhoods, teen years, middle-aged existences and then some. A few BoJack-friendly comedic motifs such as tongue-twister wordplay and callback jokes are present throughout the first season, but for the most part, this is thematically and aesthetically worlds away from Hollywoo.

That said, Long Story Short does at times feel like a less depressing extension of BoJack’s own sordid family history, at least in terms of helping build empathy and compassion for the characters. (The fleeting looks at Naomi’s childhood were probably closer to the Horseman family’s past than I’d be comfortable thinking about.) But by limiting the fucked-up and inherently dark nature of its comedy, the new series becomes that much more relatable to audiences at large, and not just four-legged former sitcom stars.

I Technically Have Little In Common With The Schwoopers, But I Easily Relate To Their Emotional Journeys

I could spend quite a while naming all the ways my life doesn't directly compare to the Schwoopers. For one, I'm from the South, and thus am not Jewish and don't knowingly have any Jewish ancestors, and bar/bat mitzvahs are Greek (orthodox) to me. I only have one sibling, and while my sister and I are both still married (to other people, natch) with two kids each, neither of us are part of a mixed-race couple, and no one in my immediate family went through IVF treatments. My dad died when I was a teenager, so I never quite got to see my parents get old together. And so on, and so on.

Despite all of the differerences that can be found under the microscope, however, each of this show's titular stories can really be whittled down to the most elemental and core concept of family, which is one of the most relatable topics imaginable, biological or otherwise. In that vein, I know all to well what it's like to be elated, disappointed, frustrated, gobsmacked and more by familiy members, which aligns squarely with how Long Story Short's characters react to each other, sometimes with all emotions emerging at once.

I Do Know What It's Like To Have (And Love) An Outspokenly Judgmental And Demanding Mother

Lisa Edelstein delivers an award-worthy performance as Naomi, a character with a tireless ability to dish out captious criticisms regardless of how ill-advised and unwelcomed such words might be. In some ways, Naomi taps into the "Jewish TV mom" stereotypes that even she'd call out as being reductive, but instead of making sure the actors use distinct voices to speak one at a time, Long Story Short allows its cast members to get loud and talk all over each other. It's enough to cause immediate blood pressure spikes, as my own mother was like Naomi at 80-85% strength. (Sorry, lady.)

I can so relate to having discussions with a sibling about how to break a piece of news to one's mother in a way that will draw the weakest amount of blowback. I know quite well what it's like to receive compliments only when couched between nitpicks. Never did I ever doubt the immense love lurking behind her critical snipes, though, knowing that's where it all surfaced from, similar to Naomi's desire for attention coming from a non-hateful place. She's a mom.

Long Story Short Is A Hilarious And Stressful Reminder To Make The Best Memories Possible While You Still Can

You can pick your friends and lovers, but you can't pick your family, and as Long Story Short proves, we don't always have the best judgment when picking those friends and lovers, so it's always key to remember what's most important. The Season 1 finale is as much a reminder as any episode that life often goes completely against our plans and desires, and can even make an already difficult time of mourning even more soul-crushing. (Like, say, with a global pandemic.)

Not every animated comedy will make you want to call your parents, siblings, estranged spouse, children just to make sure they know you appreciate them. In fact, there are very few series that fit that description, which further helps make Long Story Short stand out among the masses. I might not be itching to talk to any exes about botched prom plans and other icky memories, but if it means hearing about a fun moment I wasn't aware of before, so be it. We only live once, and there's no flashback button.

I can only hope that more animated projects look to this show and the King of the Hill revival's aged-up timeline as proof that audiences can still follow along and relate to animated characters even if they don't eternally remain the same age. In fact, it's far easier that way, although maybe that's just my own age showing.

Long Story Short is available to stream on Netflix. Let's try to keep the Schwoopers around for more than just one season, how 'bout it?

As a student of journalism, a lifelong avid TV watcher, and a fan of late-night TV hosts, I have always been fascinated by the way television personalities are depicted in fiction. Sometimes these characters represent the best that the media can offer, while others serve as a mockery of the profession. Either way, I can’t get enough of them, and these are some of my favorites.

Ron Burgundy (Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy)

Most would agree that the best Will Ferrell character has to be the title role of his 2004 favorite, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. The former SNL star actually gave the world a taste of what it would be like if the charismatic, scotch-loving teleprompter loyalist were a real person when he hosted The Ron Burgundy Podcast.

Deborah Vance (Hacks)

Jean Smart has won multiple Emmys for her role in the HBO Max original comedy series, Hacks, as Deborah Vance, the host of Late Night and a hilarious, pitch-perfect representation of the business' intense, cutthroat nature.

Alan Partridge (Various)

Steve Coogan has portrayed Alan Partridge, the uproariously inept British TV personality he created with Armando Iannucci, in various projects. He debuted on the BBC radio program On the Hour, received his own mockumentary-style chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge, led a sitcom called I'm Alan Partridge, and was the focus of a 2013 feature film called Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, in which he is forced to be a hostage negotiator.

Murphy Brown (Murphy Brown)

The eponymous lead character from the long-running, beloved sitcom, Murphy Brown, is not only one of multi-Emmy-winning Candice Bergen's most iconic characters, but one of the most influential fictional female figures in news media, depicted as a trailblazer in her profession.

Howard Beale (Network)

Originally released in 1976, Network remains a disturbingly relevant commentary on news media and society in general, with much credit due to Peter Finch's bold, Oscar-winning performance as Howard Beale. That being said, you rarely hear of a broadcast journalist being as boldly direct and brutally honest about their feelings as he is these days.

Gale Weathers (Scream)

In 1996's slasher movie favorite, Scream, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) was your typical sleazy, self-serving gossip reporter, but would slowly evolve into a professional with some tact in the sequels. Not to mention, few people in her field can claim to have the kind of first-hand experience with the deadly topics she discusses, having survived several Ghostface killers over the years.

Wayne Campbell And Garth Algar (Wayne's World)

Local cable access television had never been as cool (or cool at all, really) before Mike Myers and Dana Carvey debuted as Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, who later became the stars of two beloved movies based on the Saturday Night Live sketch from which they originated.

Sue Ann Nivens (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)

Betty White was brilliant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann Nivens, balancing her perky, kindly on-camera persona as host of The Happy Homemaker with her vindictive and highly competitive off-screen personality with incredible ease.

Robin Scherbatsky (How I Met Your Mother)

Robin Scherbatsky, How I Met Your Mother cast member Cobie Smulders' role on the hit sitcom, is a real go-getter in the world of broadcast journalism. She always opted to put her career before everything else, even if it cost her a few chances in the department of romance. At least, that was the case in earlier seasons.

Larry Sanders (The Larry Sanders Show)

During its run from 1992 to 1998 on HBO, few comedy series had a sharper satirical outlook on show business than the Emmy-winning The Larry Sanders Show. Co-creator Garry Shandling starred as the titular late-night talk show host, who is constantly at odds with behind-the-scenes shenanigans courtesy of staff members and celebrities playing wild versions of themselves.

Murray Franklin (Joker)

It is fitting that Robert De Niro stars in a DC Comics adaptation that heavily borrows from some of his grittiest roles, especially Taxi Driver's Travis Bickle. The acting legend appears in 2019's Joker opposite Joaquin Phoenix's Academy Award-winning role of Arthur Fleck as Murray Franklin, the host of the Gotham-based late-night program, Live!, who might not have survived the airwaves today with his meanspiritedness. Yet, I can't help but respect his bold approach to humor and showcasing risque topics.

Kent Brockman (The Simpsons)

One of Harry Shearer's funniest characters on The Simpsons is Kent Brockman, a Springfield-based TV editorialist who has no filter when it comes to sounding off his typically judgmental opinions.

Veronica Corningstone (Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy)

If Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy actually was inspired by a true story, as it (sort of) claims at the very beginning, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) would have undoubtedly gone down in history as one of the most important figures of women's progress in the world of broadcast news.

Jack Delroy (Late Night With The Devil)

David Dastmalchian gives one of his career-best performances as infamous TV legend Jack Delroy, who has a life-changing brush with the supernatural in Late Night with the Devil. I imagine I would have been a fan of the Nite Owls host, at least right up until the night he brings his program to a screeching halt by conjuring a demonic spirit during a live broadcast on Halloween 1977.

Damon Killian (The Running Man)

I believe the eponymous, deadly reality competition show from the 1987 adaptation of Stephen King's dystopian novel, The Running Man, is abhorrent, and I pray it never becomes a reality. However, one thing I can commend it for is hiring a host as charismatic and enthusiastic as Damon Killian, played by former Family Feud emcee Richard Dawson.

Will McAvoy (The Newsroom)

Jeff Daniels' Emmy-winning role as Will McAvoy on creator Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom had the courage to call out dishonesty and corruption when few others would dare, which is a quality more TV journalists in the real world could certainly benefit from.

Enid "The Church Lady" Strict (Saturday Night Live)

Dana Carvey is the actor behind a few of the funniest recurring Saturday Night Live characters, including, arguably, his signature role as Enid "The Church Lady" Strict. No matter how many times she uttered her signature catchphrases, the host of a faith-based talk show called Church Chat, which was mainly devoted to accusing her guests of worshipping Satan, was always a joy to laugh at, which certainly makes her "special."

Space Ghost (Space Ghost Coast To Coast)

Making a relatively obscure Hanna-Barbera cartoon character the host of his own talk show, featuring real-life celebrity guests, is a pretty random idea, I will admit. That being said, how cool would it be if a superhero actually did broadcast a talk show from outer space, like on Space Ghost Coast to Coast?

Katherine Newbury (Late Night)

The 2019 comedy film Late Night takes audiences behind the scenes of the world of late-night TV, focusing on the unlikely bond between the eponymous host of Tonight with Katherine Newbury, played by Emma Thompson, and one of her writers, Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling).

Perd Hapley (Parks And Recreation)

A Parks and Recreation side character whom I cannot get enough of is Perd Hapley (Jay Jackson), the host of the brilliantly titled program, Ya Heard? with Perd. I would watch the Pawnee, Indiana-based, hilariously matter-of-fact broadcaster religiously if his show were real.

Gordon Deitrich (V For Vendetta)

The 2005 adaptation of legendary comic book writer Alan Moore's dystopian graphic novel, V for Vendetta, is a deeply bleak story, but it does manage to maintain a few glimmers of hope in the form of characters like Gordon Deitrich. The comedian, played by Stephen Fry, is literally murdered for his willingness to mock the United Kingdom's fascist leader, Adam Sutler (John Hurt), on his satirical program.

Alex Levy (The Morning Show)

Jennifer Aniston would not be who she is if not for her role in the Friends cast as Rachel Green, but the actor has never quite given a performance as powerful as that of Alex Levy on the acclaimed Apple TV+ original TV show, The Morning Show. The consummate professional makes it a personal goal of hers to maintain control of the eponymous news program she has anchored for years when her share of the power over it begins to fall through the cracks.

Pat Dubek (The Other Two)

Molly Shannon's character on the Emmy-nominated Comedy Central series, The Other Two, makes her show, Pat! The Pat Dubek Show, a memorable experience with her endlessly upbeat demeanor and willingness to take phone calls from her children, including her world-famous pop star son, while on the air.

Tom Jumbo-Grumbo (Bojack Horseman)

One of the key elements that makes Netflix's show business satire Bojack Horseman one of the best animated TV shows of all time is the incredible line-up of surprising talents in the voice cast. For instance, former MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann lends his voice to several episodes as a talking, anthropomorphic whale named Tom Jumbo-Grumbo, who is a host for the network MSNBSea.

Diondre Cole (Saturday Night Live)

There are many celebrities who have a good reason to be annoyed by Diondre Cole, the host of a unique BET discussion program called What Up With That?, especially former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham (portrayed by Bill Hader). However, I personally cannot get enough of Kenan Thompson's hilarious recurring Saturday Night Live character and his unparalleled energy, no matter how terribly he struggles to conduct an interview without rudely interrupting his guests with another banging jam session.

Danny Tanner And Rebecca Donaldson (Full House)

At the beginning of the long-running family sitcom Full House, Bob Saget's character, widowed single father Danny Tanner, was introduced as a TV news reporter. In later seasons, he becomes the co-host of a local morning talk show called Wake Up, San Francisco, alongside Rebecca Donaldson (Lori Loughlin), who would eventually become his housemate when she marries his brother-in-law, Jesse (John Stamos).

George Papadopolis (Webster)

Alex Karras' character from the hit sitcom, Webster, in which he and his wife, Katherine (Susan Clark), become the guardians to their young godson (played by Emmanuel Lewis), must not have been much of a challenge for him to portray. Much like Karras himself, George Papadopolis was a former professional football player who went on to have a career in broadcasting.

Andy "Johnny Karate" Dwyer (Parks And Recreation)

In later seasons of NBC's beloved mockumentary sitcom, Parks and Recreation, Chris Pratt's character, Andy, becomes the host of his own children's program. His alter ego, Johnny Karate, is someone I think I would have loved to grow up with, and I probably would have shown him to my children as well.

Franklin Montague (Atlanta)

One of the best episodes of Atlanta, the clever, experimental, Emmy-winning "B.A.N.," is structured to appear as a snippet of programming from the eponymous network with a focus on Black audiences. Alano Miller guest stars as Franklin Montague, the host of his own self-titled talk show on B.A.N., who is clearly guilty of baiting his guests with combative rhetoric, but at least he manages to keep his show interesting.

Wally Sparks (Meet Wally Sparks)

While 1997's Meet Wally Sparks is widely considered to be one of the weaker of comedian Rodney Dangerfield's films, it is still a Rodney Dangerfield movie, after all. If the title character, a veteran tabloid television reporter, were real, I have no doubt that I would tune into his program on a regular basis just to hear him tell one of his priceless one-liners.

Betty Caruso And Jodi Deltz (Saturday Night Live)

One of the funniest catchphrases from Saturday Night Live comes from Maya Rudolph as Jodi Deitz, who often complains about her husband's frequent tendencies for moronic behavior, only to tearfully proclaim, "But I love him!" In fact, Jodi's husband is one of various recurring topics that she and fellow New York housewife Betty Caruso (Amy Poehler) like to boisterously sound off on as the co-hosts of a local talk show called Bronx Beat.

Dave Skylark (The Interview)

James Franco gives one of the funniest performances of his career in directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's 2014 comedy, The Interview, as Dave Skylark, who discovers that he is the favorite TV personality of none other than Kim Jong-Un (Randall Park). Little does the leader of North Korea know, however, that, after he invites the talk show host and his producer (played by Rogen) to visit his home, the CIA has recruited them to help carry out his assassination.

It is never not a blast to see celebrities make funny cameos in movies or TV shows, or even appear in starring roles, as themselves, especially as a version of themselves that bears little resemblance to their actual personality. Take a look at some of the funniest examples of actors and other artists poking fun at themselves in a hilarious onscreen performance.

Michael Cera (This Is The End)

Each member of the cast of 2013's This Is the End is a celebrity playing an exaggerated version of themselves, but the absolutely wildest of the bunch is Michael Cera. The actor plays dramatically against type as a destructive force of chaos at James Franco's house party... before destructive forces of chaos begin descending upon the entire Earth in Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's blistering apocalyptic satire.

Kate Winslet (Extras)

Co-creator and star Ricky Gervais' Hollywood satire, Extras, boasted a gut-busting rotation of celebrity guest stars playing the most ridiculously antithetical versions of themselves, one of the most memorable being Kate Winslet. Years before she took home an Academy Award for The Reader, the English actor appeared in an episode in which she openly obsesses over finding the role that will win her an Oscar.

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Seinfeld cast member Jason Alexander eventually realized that his hopelessly neurotic character, George Costanza, was the fictional alter ego of co-creator Larry David. However, none of George's self-destructive and alienating flaws on the beloved TV sitcom could compare to David's self-parodic portrayal of himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm, on which the comedian would seemingly go out of his way to offend friends, family members, and just about anyone he came into contact with.

Bill Murray (Zombieland)

Out of all the amazing, random Bill Murray cameos to choose from, the most iconic would have to be his appearance in 2009's Zombieland when our four protagonists (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin) stumble upon him while taking refuge in his mansion. It is actually not too much of a stretch to believe that this is how the comedy legend might live during the zombie apocalypse, from dressing himself up as one of the undead to blend in, to citing Garfield as his one regret before succumbing to an accidental shotgun blast.

Bob Barker (Happy Gilmore)

After decades of maintaining a sunny demeanor as the host of The Price is Right, it was shocking to see Bob Barker appear as anything but in his iconic cameo in 1995's Happy Gilmore. Adam Sandler's title character gets fed up with Barker's incessant criticism of his golfing skills, driving him to show him that "the price is wrong," only to discover that the older man has some real fight in him.

Stephen Hawking (The Simpsons)

Influential theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking played himself on The Simpsons on multiple occasions. One of the funnier instances comes from the Season 10 episode, "They Saved Lisa's Brain," in which he clocks Seymour Skinner in the face with a spring-loaded boxing glove built into his wheelchair.

Prince (New Girl)

As New Girl creator Liz Meriwether recalled in an article for Vulture (via Slate), Prince loved the quirky sitcom, which is why he agreed to guest star in an episode that, essentially, portrays him as some sort of mysterious magical guide. Quite frankly, it is hard to think of this portrayal as much of an exaggeration from the late, great pop star's true, legendary persona.

David Hasselhoff (The Spongebob Squarepants Movie)

Even though most young audience members seeing The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie in 2004 likely were not familiar with David Hasselhoff, it still makes perfect sense that the former Baywatch star would come to SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Patrick's (Bill Fagerbakke) rescue near the end. The actor uses his body as a motorboat to transport the duo back to Bikini Bottom, which was achieved in part with the use of a frighteningly realistic, double-sized replica, which he later brought home with him.

Zach Galifianakis (Between Two Ferns)

Zach Galifianakis has a great reputation as a wonderful talk show guest, despite his alter ego on Between Two Ferns being an absolute disaster as a talk show host. After years of mercilessly roasting celebrities to their faces on Funny or Die's web series, it inspired a mockumentary-style Netflix original movie in which the Hangover star also got to be the butt of the joke.

Neil Patrick Harris (Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle)

You might as well call Neil Patrick Harris' performance in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle his audition to play Barney Stinson, considering his highly fictionalized alter ego has much more in common with his role in the How I Met Your Mother cast. The Emmy winner goes further with the uproarious portrayal in the sequels, which reveal the actor is only pretending to be gay to better his career.

Nicolas Cage (The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent)

I can understand why Nicolas Cage was initially reluctant to play himself in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, especially for the pretty far-out ways the Academy Award winner pokes fun at himself and his unique career in the film. Then again, it does paint him in a largely positive light and even allows him to be the hero of its irreverent, comedic action plot in the end.

David Bowie (Zoolander)

Admittedly, David Bowie's cameo in Zoolander is relatively tame when compared to his out-of-this-world stage presence. However, the idea of the rock 'n roll legend randomly appearing out of nowhere to help judge an impromptu "Walk Off" between Ben Stiller's eponymous male model and his rival, Hansel (Owen Wilson), is still pretty ridiculous.

James Marsden (Jury Duty)

It takes a special kind of performance as one's self to receive an Emmy nomination for it, and that is what James Marsden achieved with Jury Duty. In the Amazon Prime original reality show, a gentleman named Ronald Gladden is called into serve on a trial he does not know is an elaborate prank on him, involving a cast of actors that includes the X-Men and Sonic the Hedgehog actor as a more vain portrait of himself.

Debra Messing (Bros)

Will & Grace star Debra Messing poked fun at her status as an icon in the gay community with her cameo in the LGBTQIA+ rom-com, Bros. The Emmy winner feels compelled to remind Bobby (Billy Eichner) that she is "NOT GRACE" when he asks her for romantic advice when all she wanted to do was tour his museum.

Keanu Reeves (Always Be My Maybe)

In addition to leading classic action movies like Speed and John Wick, Keanu Reeves has become a cameo king with funny, random appearances, such as in Netflix's 2019 comedy Always Be My Maybe. Marcus (Randall Park) is shocked to discover that his childhood friend, Sasha's (Ali Wong), new boyfriend is the actor, who partially improvised his portrayal as a pretentious weirdo who wears glasses without lenses and asks for a meal inspired by "the concept of time" at a restaurant.

John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich)

John Malkovich's performance in director Spike Jonze's inventive fantasy comedy, Being John Malkovich, is a special case of an actor playing an exaggerated version of himself because he is technically playing multiple roles. One famous scene sees the two-time Oscar nominee entering a portal that leads to his own mind, but places him in a nightmarish world filled with people who have his face and can only speak his last name.

LeBron James (Trainwreck)

LeBron James has made a decent living outside of his professional basketball career by playing fictionalized versions of himself in the likes of Space Jam: A New Legacy and the 2023 House Party remake. However, the movie that started it all was 2015's Trainwreck, which portrays him as the best friend of a doctor (played by Bill Hader) who specializes in treating star athletes.

Olivia Newton-John (Glee)

One of the most memorable guest appearances on Glee was the late Olivia Newton-John. The Grease star showed up on the coming-of-age musical-dramedy a couple of times, in which she is portrayed as extremely rude and "hopelessly devoted" to herself.

Bruce Campbell (My Name Is Bruce)

No matter what role he plays, it is hard to see Bruce Campbell as anything other than the hero of the Evil Dead movies, Ash Williams. The Scream King leans into that reputation in the 2007 horror-comedy movie, My Name Is Bruce (which he also directs), as a hard-drinking, washed-up version of himself who becomes the last hope to save a small Oregon town from a malevolent demon.

Jessica Biel (BoJack Horseman)

Netflix's animated Hollywood satire, BoJack Horseman, is especially famous for its uproarious celebrity cameos, one of the funniest being Jessica Biel. Not only does the former 7th Heaven cast member boldly call out her own career low points, but is also portrayed as the spouse of Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins), whom she leaves for her real-life husband, Justin Timberlake.

Eminem (The Interview)

Earlier in his career, Eminem was criticized for lyrics that were interpreted as homophobic, which he pokes fun at in a hilarious way in Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's The Interview. Arguably the funniest scene in the 2014 comedy sees the Grammy-winning rap artist speaking to talk show host Dave Skylark (James Franco), to whom he very nonchalantly reveals that he is a closeted gay man.

Kelly Ripa (Broad City)

TV personality Kelly Ripa brilliantly mocks her clean image with her cameo on Comedy Central's Broad City. During a visit to the beloved daytime talk show host's apartment, Abbi (co-creator Abbi Jacobson) discovers that she can be a pretty hard partier, especially when cracks open a jar of moonshine.

Ryan Reynolds (Family Guy)

Many celebrities have stopped by to voice appropriately cartoonish versions of themselves on Family Guy, including Ryan Reynolds, who clearly had a lot of fun with his guest spot. He moves in across the street from the Griffins and appears to take an intense liking to Peter (Seth MacFarlane), who begins to suspect that the actor has a crush on him.

Cher (Will & Grace)

In Season 3 of Will & Grace, Jack (Sean Hayes) becomes uncomfortably attached to a doll modeled after Cher, treating it as if it were the real multi-talented icon, much to the chagrin of his friends. When the real Cher appears to voice her concerns about his obsession, Jack mistakes her for a very convincing drag queen.

Carl Weathers (Arrested Development)

Some of Arrested Development's remarkably clever meta humor involved hilarious cameos by celebrities as themselves, most notably Carl Weathers. The Rocky and Predator star's appearances on the cult favorite sitcom saw him dropping clues of being extremely thrifty, to the point that he would save the meat on a mostly eaten rib to make stew.

Dave Grohl (Studio 666)

Each member of Foo Fighters willfully takes aim at themselves in the 2022 musical horror-comedy movie, Studio 666, but frontman Dave Grohl especially goes wild here. He becomes a threat to his bandmates after becoming possessed by a spirit that haunts the California house where they choose to record their tenth album.

Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)

One of Matt LeBlanc's most successful gigs after leaving the Friends cast was playing a very personal role on Showtime's Episodes. The actor earned a Golden Globe for portraying himself as likable but overbearing, as the married creators of a new TV show that he is cast in discover.

Shaun White (Friends With Benefits)

Olympic Gold Medal-winning snowboarder Shaun White seems like a fun, down-to-earth dude, which makes his cameo in Friends with Benefits as anything but that so memorably funny. Because of his interest in Jamie (Mila Kunis), White takes an immediate and very intense dislike toward her platonic, occasional lover, Dylan (Justin Timberlake), threatening him at every turn.

James Van Der Beek (Don’t Trust The B– in Apartment 23)

James Van Der Beek's first major return to TV after leading the Dawson’s Creek cast was a main role on Don’t Trust the B– in Apartment 23 as... James Van Der Beek. The actor's absurd portrayal of the famous best friend to Krysten Ritter’s Chloe is miles away from his true self, but it did somehow predict that he would later appear on Dancing with the Stars.

Ryan Seacrest (Knocked Up)

The timeline of Ryan Seacrest's hosting gigs is so prolific and extensive, he is almost (if not more) famous than many of the people he has interviewed over the years. He acknowledges this in his cameo in Knocked Up, in which the then-E! News presenter portrays himself as comically vain, ill-tempered, and foul-mouthed, which are not good qualities on camera.

Tom Brady (Living With Yourself)

The Netflix sci-fi comedy series, Living with Yourself, stars Paul Rudd as Miles Elliott, who discovers that a life-changing wellness spa has cloned him into a better version of himself when he comes face-to-face with his "flawed" double. In the first episode, Miles sees the New England Patriots quarterback walking out of the spa before revealing he has visited it six previous times, which also happened to be his number of Super Bowl wins at the time.

Al Pacino (Jack And Jill)

If there is one good thing about 2011's Jack and Jill, which stars Adam Sandler as both a family man and his obnoxious twin sister, it is Al Pacino's performance as himself. In the comedy, the Oscar winner expresses affection for Jill, which leads him to star in a "Dunkaccino" ad that he believes should be destroyed moments after watching it.

There is a famous saying that claims, “Comedy is tragedy plus time,” and it appears that some artists like to put an extra emphasis on the more tragic element of that equation. Some of the all-time funniest movies and best TV sitcoms boast a plot that would normally be found in a serious drama if it were not for their more absurd or quirky tones. Hopefully, you have never felt too guilty for laughing at any of these darkly humorous classics of the big and small screen.

Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)

A film by Stanley Kubrick about a group of politicians and military personnel desperately struggling to find a solution to an imminent nuclear catastrophe sounds like an intense thriller. In truth, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, based on author Peter George's Red Alert, is a blistering, gut-busting satire, brilliantly led by Peter Sellers in three distinct roles.

Barry (2018–2023)

Just about the best thing starring former Saturday Night Live actor Bill Hader, which he also co-created with Alec Berg, is Barry, which follows a hitman struggling to put his past behind him when he takes up an interest in acting. The HBO series starts off as a clever comedy with effective moments of intense drama before slowly evolving into an intense drama with moments of clever comedy.

The Hangover (2009)

Most films set in Las Vegas, no matter the genre, fixate on the more glamorous aspects of the Entertainment Capital of the World, but not The Hangover. As seen through the eyes of three groomsmen (played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis) desperate to find the groom (played by Justin Bartha) after a bachelor party they can't remember, Todd Phillips' hilariously unhinged blockbuster boldly embraces the "sin" in Sin City.

Beef (2023)

Road rage is already nothing to joke about, but even an incident that small can evolve into a conflict of uproariously disastrous proportions. This is demonstrated brilliantly in Netflix's Emmy-winning A24-produced TV show, Beef, starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong as two sides of a feud that slowly spirals out of control.

After Hours (1985)

Martin Scorsese is most definitely not a filmmaker who is commonly associated with comedy, but he has a few funny flicks on his resume, such as After Hours. The relatively overlooked '80s movie, in which an unassuming New Yorker (played by Griffin Dunne) becomes embroiled in a series of dangerous situations over the course of one night, actually does sound like an on-brand effort for the Goodfellas director based purely on its plot description.

BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)

BoJack Horseman is one of Netflix's darkest original series, depicting the life of a self-destructive, narcissistic, washed-up actor and the negative effect he has on the people he encounters. The series might not be as funny if it were not animated and the title character (voiced by Will Arnett) was not an anthropomorphic horse.

Evil Dead II (1987)

Even on a shoestring budget, writer and director Sam Raimi achieved "the ultimate experience in grueling terror" with the first installment of his Evil Dead movies. However, the second chapter, following Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) and his fight against possessive spirits, is one of cinema's most perfect blends of horror with comedy of a most nonsensically cartoonish degree.

Rick And Morty (2013–present)

The fate of the world, and even other worlds, often rests in the hands of the titular duo from Rick and Morty: an alcoholic scientist and his anxious teenage grandson. In fact, even some of the bizarre situations they find themselves in, while undeniably threatening, are pretty ridiculous, such as when an alien race challenged Earth to an intergalactic singing competition in one of the best Rick and Morty episodes, "Get Schwifty."

In Bruges (2008)

In Bruges stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen who are forced to take a holiday in a mundane Belgian vacation spot after a job goes horribly wrong. Only a storyteller with a sense of humor as bleak as writer and director Martin McDonagh could construct such a witty romp out of an increasingly dark plot such as this.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005-Present)

Perhaps the most definitive example of cringeworthy comedy on television is FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The dim-witted gang of bar owners (played by Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito) often get themselves into situations that are certainly infantile, but also deeply hazardous.

Fargo (1996)

In retrospect, it's a good thing Joel and Ethan Coen's Oscar-winning satirization of midwestern culture, Fargo, is not based on fact, as they claimed, because audiences might feel guilty for laughing at a story of an insurance scheme gone violently awry. Creator Noah Hawley's spin-off series would honor that same tone by telling new, seasonal stories set in similar rural locations and with the same quirky tone.

Succession (2018–2023)

Sibling rivalry of even the most immature kind can last long into adulthood. Exhibit A: the Roy Family from HBO's Succession, a wealthy patriarch (played by Brian Cox) suffers a stroke that sparks a war over his corporate empire between his three youngest children.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

The life of a vampire, which involves committing murder to satisfy their insatiable bloodlust, is a horrifying concept. However, the beloved horror-comedy movie What We Do In the Shadows (which begat an equally hilarious spin-off series on FX) offers a documentary-style glimpse into that sort of existence that is somewhat relatable and even charmingly funny.

Only Murders In The Building (2021-Present)

A TV show about two elderly men and a young woman teaming up to produce a podcast documenting their investigations of mysterious deaths that occur in their New York apartment complex does not sound very funny. However, with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez in the lead roles and scripts boasting a razor-sharp wit, Only Murders in the Building is a comical delight.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Anyone familiar with the work of Martin McDonagh should have been able to expect that Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri would not hold back on its heartbreaking material. However, the story of a grieving mother (played by Frances McDormand) at odds with local law enforcement regarding her teenage daughter's unsolved murder, creates a light aura of false security early on with its bold use of humor.

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

Creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Killing Eve is a wildly acclaimed series chronicling the intense cat-and-mouse game between a spy (played by Sandra Oh) and a skilled assassin (played by Jodie Comer). The thriller is renowned for its unique blend of high-wire suspense with absurdism.

Death At A Funeral (2007)

In director Frank Oz's English comedy, Death at a Funeral, anything that could go wrong at a gathering for a deceased loved one does go wrong, and then some. Daniel (Matthew McFadyen) deals with issues that include the wrong body being delivered to his childhood home, a guest going berserk after unwittingly taking a hallucinogen, and a stranger (played by Peter Dinklage) appearing to reveal a secret about his father's past.

Shameless (2011–2021)

One of the best American TV shows based on a U.K. series is the hit Showtime original, Shameless. Developed by John Wells, the series follows the Gallaghers – a large family from Chicago facing extreme poverty and other various, debilitating struggles, with little to no help from their patriarch (played by William H. Macy).

The Menu (2022)

At first glance, The Menu seems like the kind of delicious food movie that fine dining enthusiasts could get a nice laugh out of. Indeed, director Mark Mylod's acclaimed hit starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult is funny, but Ralph Fiennes' Chef Slowik has something planned for his carefully selected guests that proves to be truly "to die for."

Weeds (2005-2012)

Mary Louise Parker received three Emmy nominations for her performance on creator Jenji Kohan's dramedy, Weeds, as a widowed suburban mother who relies on drug dealing to make ends meet. It is easy to understand why Vince Gilligan was accused of ripping off the Showtime original when he proposed the idea for Breaking Bad (which he revealed at the Paley Center for Media), but anyone would agree that this show is much funnier.

Beau Is Afraid (2023)

Save a few notably fanciful moments (especially at the end), Beau is Afraid is regarded as a relatively authentic representation of what it is like to live with anxiety. Writer and director Ari Aster – known for his more earnest A24 horror movies, Hereditary and Midsommar – achieves this feeling by exaggerating every inconvenience our eponymous hero (played by Joaquin Phoenix) faces to the most absurd degree.

Bad Monkey (2024-Present)

How do you make a complex murder mystery funny? Well, for one, Carl Hiaasen's 2013 novel that inspired the Apple TV+ original series, Bad Monkey, already boasted a satirical tone. However, Vince Vaughn's performance as the hero, sarcastic former detective Andrew Yancy, especially brings the humor to the surface.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Former SNL writer and Anchorman director Adam McKay started to gain newfound respect with his humorous approach to more earnest topics in Oscar-winning movies The Big Short and Vice. He would follow those with an even darker satire, Don't Look Up, in which two astronomers (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) struggle to warn humanity about Earth's impending doom.

After Life (2019-2022)

Creator Ricky Gervais stars in the Netflix comedy series After Life as a man grieving his wife's death, but does nothing to make the process any easier for him. Tony goes as far as adopting an off-putting, devil-may-care attitude to push away anyone who offers solace or assistance.

The Death Of Stalin (2017)

Some of the best movies about politics offer a farcical take on even the darkest days in history. Case in point, Armando Iannucci's star-studded satire, The Death of Stalin, which is a hilarious and surprisingly accurate depiction of the aftermath of the notorious Soviet dictator's demise. Though some liberties are taken with the actual history.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)

Not every TV show about zombies needs to be as stone-cold serious as The Walking Dead, especially if you change the rules of reanimation, like in Santa Clarita Diet. The unfairly cancelled Netflix original series stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as married real estate agents forced to turn to murder when Barrymore's role mysteriously becomes a walking corpse who thrives on raw human flesh.

World's Greatest Dad (2009)

Robin Williams stars in writer and director Bobcat Goldthwait's pitch black comedy, World's Greatest Dad, as dissatisfied teacher Lance, who begins to attract overwhelming attention following the news that his teenage son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara), has taken his own life. However, in truth, the insufferably rude Kyle's death was an accident of embarrassing proportions, which Lance has covered up with a phony suicide note in order to take advantage of the subsequent fame.

Dead To Me (2019–2022)

The phrase "misery loves company" serves as the essential hook for creator Liz Feldman's darkly comic Netflix original TV show, Dead To Me. Christina Applegate stars as the recently widowed Jen Harding, who crosses paths with the also grieving Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini). What starts off as the friendly bond that each of them desperately needs son evolves into a complicated grouping that sparks trouble for both.

Burn After Reading (2008)

One of the Coen Brothers' most overlooked dark comedies is Burn After Reading, which imagines what happens when investigative intelligence crosses paths with a severe lack of intelligence. It follows a pair of gym employees (played by Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt) who find a disc holding classified information left by a retired CIA agent and attempt to profit from the discovery.

Search Party (2016-2022)

Search Party stars Alia Shawkat as a young woman who decides to take it upon herself to find her missing past acquaintance. Of course, bizarre hijinks ensue, causing it to evolve into a far crazier situation for her and her friends over time.

Better Off Dead (1985)

One of John Cusack's earliest romantic comedies boasts a premise that would be a challenge to get made in modern times. He stars in the coming-of-age film as a young man who repeatedly tries and fails to take his own life.

Sweetpea (2024)

Ella Purnell earns laughs and screams leading the Starz original series, Sweetpea, as a lonely young woman who adopts a penchant for murder.

With all due respect to some classic central TV show protagonists, there are times when it is a good idea to shift gears a bit and show things from another character’s perspective. This has actually become a relatively common practice as many modern small-screen favorites have given a scene-stealing supporting character (or even a never-before-seen character) the chance to almost completely steal the show for an episode. The following are some of the most revered examples.

“Lower Decks” - Star Trek: The Next Generation

According to TV Tropes, episodes that put supporting characters in the spotlight are referred to as “lower decks episodes.” The term is borrowed from the title of a classic episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation from Season 7 which focuses on a group of younger characters who are working their way up in the ranks at Starfleet.

“Five-O” - Better Call Saul

Sometimes a character becomes such a memorable scene-stealer that they earn their own equally great spin-off series, such as when Breaking Bad's Jimmy "Saul Goodman" McGill (Bob Odenkirk) became the star of the prequel, Better Call Saul. In just its first season, the AMC hit proved that Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) could have led his own series, too, in "Five-O," which peers into his origins as a former Philadelphia police officer.

“Dear Sigmund” - M.A.S.H.

One character from M.A.S.H. whom you could always rely on to give sage advice is Maj. Sidney Freedman (Allan Arbus), who got to the be star in a Season 5 episode called "Dear Sigmund." The Alan Alda-directed episode sees the recurring character penning a letter to legendary psychiatrist Sigmund Freud while visiting the 4077.

“Life Of Brian” - My So-Called Life

A great '90s show that ended far too soon was My So-Called Life, which starred Claire Danes in the Golden Globe-winning main role of struggling teen Angela Chase. One of the few episodes not narrated by Angela is the revered "Life of Brian," which primarily focuses on the personal struggles of her friend, Brian Krakow (Devon Gummersall).

“Musings Of A Cigarette Smoking Man” - The X Files

The first episode of The X Files in which David Duchovny's Fox Mulder does not appear at all and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is only seen briefly in archival footage from the pilot episode is "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man." The Season 4 episode sheds light on the past of the mysterious recurring role (William B. Davis), portraying him almost as a Forrest Gump-like figure for historical assassinations, such as JFK.

“The Zeppo” - Buffy The Vampire Slayer

In the Season 3 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode, "The Zeppo," the titular teen warrior (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is faced with a problem that is merely the B-plot. The main storyline focuses on Xander (Nicholas Brendon), who likens himself to Zeppo Marx, feeling like the gang's most expendable member, until he must singlehandedly take on a group of reanimated corpses conspiring to blow up his high school.

“His Story” - Scrubs

There are several episodes of Scrubs that pass narrative duties from J.D. (Zach Braff) onto another character. The first of the bunch was Season 2's "His Story," which follows Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley) as he speaks with his therapist about issues he is experiencing in his personal life.

"How Your Mother Met Me" - How I Met Your Mother

After finally meeting Tracy "The Mother" McConnell (Cristin Milioti) in the Season 8 finale, watching her mingle with the rest of the gang, and catching glimpses of her relationship with Ted (Josh Radnor) throughout Season 9, we finally got to know her personally in How I Met Your Mother's 200th episode. Chronicling the series' entire timeline up to that point all from her perspective (during which she experiences heartbreaking tragedy, tough life decisions, and The Naked Man), "How Your Mother Met Me" is easily considered one of the best HIMYM episodes.

"Chapter 5: Return Of The Mandalorian" - The Book Of Boba Fett

After Tamuera Morrison took on the iconic role of Boba Fett on The Mandalorian Season 2, he became the star of his own seven-part spin-off, The Book of Boba Fett. However, the fifth chapter sees the limited series essentially become The Mandalorian Season 2.5 as it focuses entirely on Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin, who ends up becoming the star of the show from that point on.

"Long, Long Time" - The Last Of Us

The most widely celebrated episode of HBO's series adaptation of the popular video game series, The Last of Us, spends the least amount of time with our central protagonists, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). The Emmy-winning "Long, Long Time" is also the first and last episode to feature the characters of Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), tracing their loving relationship over several years after the cordyceps outbreak.

"Teddy Perkins" - Atlanta

Arguably, the best episode of Atlanta has very little to do with creator Donald Glover's Earn or Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry) but does heavily feature Glover in a whole different kind of role. The main focus of Season 2's "Teddy Perkins" is Lakeith Stanfield's Darius, who is seeking to buy a piano from the episode's reclusive, eccentric title character (played by a nearly unrecognizable Glover under heavy makeup, who is discovered to be hiding a disturbing secret.

"Almost Got 'Im" - Batman: The Animated Series

Many DC fans agree that the best episode of Batman: The Animated Series is one that shifts the perspective from Kevin Conroy's Dark Knight to the five most notorious members of his rogues gallery. In "Almost Got 'Im," Poison Ivy, The Penguin, The Joker, Two-Face, and Killer Croc gather for a Poker game, during which they trade stories about the times they came closest to defeating the Caped Crusader.

"Wilson" - House

Considering how the titular diagnostician from House (played by Hugh Laurie) is inspired by Sherlock Holmes (whose stories are narrated by John Watson), it is funny that the medical drama is not told from the perspective of the "Watson" in his life. That would change in Season 6 with the airing of "Wilson," which follows Robert Sean Leonard's Dr. James Wilson racing to save the life of his friend, Tucker (Joshua Malina).

"The Ricklantis Mixup" - Rick And Morty

Technically, this classic Rick and Morty episode shows more of the titular duo than any other but because it is really told from the point of view of their many alternate selves, it deserves a spot. The misleadingly titled "The Ricklantis Mixup" is essentially a mini-anthology movie that takes place during a day at the Citadel of Ricks from various perspectives.

"Exposé" - Lost

Out of the many survivors of the plane crash, only a chosen few were recognized as main members of the Lost cast but one episode revealed the backstories of two lesser-seen survivors. "Exposé" begins with Nikki (Kiele Sanchez) and Paulo (Rodrigo Santoro) found dead before flashing back to the couple's lives before the island and their experiences on it.

"A Jury In Jail" - American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson

The eighth episode of American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson still depicts a great deal of the legendary trial from the perspective of the accused former athlete (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) and the opposing legal teams. However, the focus does shift more heavily to the jury and their alternates as sequestration begins to have a challenging effect on them.

"Beard After Hours" - Ted Lasso

In Season 2 of one of the best Apple TV+ original TV shows, Ted Lasso, "Man City" sees Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) go off on his own after AFC Richmond suffers a tough loss. The following episode, "Beard After Hours," sees what the character went through after he walked away, which involves an epic, night-long journey of debauchery, self-discovery, and near-death experiences.

"Pine Barrens" - The Sopranos

Tony (James Gandolfini) and his souring affair with Gloria is the B-plot of the Season 3 Sopranos episode, "Pine Barrens." The central focus is Christopher (Michael Imperioli) and Paulie (Tony Sirico), who come close to freezing to death after getting lost in the woods after being tasked with running collections for the flu-ridden Silvio.

"Blink" - Doctor Who

One of the most acclaimed (and frightening) modern episodes of Doctor Who, "Blink," barely features David Tennant's eponymous time lord or his companion, Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), due to them becoming stuck in the year 1969. Thus, it is up to a woman from the present day named Sally Sparrow (Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan) to prevent statue-esque creatures called Weeping Angels from taking control of the TARDIS.

"What Wood You Wear?" - Dave

While FX's Dave is a fictionalized look at the rise of Dave "'Lil Dicky" Burd (who also co-creates and stars as himself), the humorous hip-hop artist was sure not to hog the spotlight for the first season's entirety. In the seventh episode, "What Wood You Wear?," Dave's buddy Elz (Travis "Taco" Bennett) takes center stage as it follows him DJing at a silent disco and sparking a romantic connection with Emma (Christine Ko).

"Live Bait" - The Walking Dead

Season 3 of The Walking Dead ended with The Governor (David Morrissey) wiping out most of his crew and taking off with the last of his loyal henchpeople. The sixth episode of the fourth season, "Live Bait," fills us in on what he had been up to since then, showing evidence of redemption since Woodbury's destruction as he bonds with a small family but also evidence of a further descent into madness, which leads to his attack on the prison.

"A Quick One, While He's Away" - BoJack Horseman

In addition to any of the main characters from Netflix's animated acclaimed TV sitcom, BoJack Horseman, Will Arnett's eponymous washed-up celebrity does not show up, nor is he mentioned by name in Season 6's "A Quick One, While He's Away." However, the episode does focus on characters who have been heavily, and mostly negatively, affected by his actions, based on their implied references to him.

"Teacup" - Man Seeking Woman

Creator Simon Rich's absurd romantic fantasy satire, Man Seeking Woman, is told largely from a male perspective (specifically that of Jay Baruchel's Josh Greenberg) but flips the script with Season 1's "Teacup," which makes Josh's sister, Liz (future Severance cast member, Britt Lower), the star. Liz experiences common pains of modern dating in a ridiculously exaggerated manner, from becoming jealous of a group of married girls who are much younger (elementary school age, to be exact) to literally Frankensteining the perfect man for her, only to learn he is gay.

"Zuko Alone" - Avatar: The Last Airbender

One of the most interesting ways that a TV show can shake things up is by making its main antagonist the star of an episode, such as "Zuko Alone" from Nickelodeon's original Avatar: The Last Airbender series. The seventh chapter of "Book Two: Earth" sees the Firebender (voiced by Dante Basco) reminiscing about his childhood after he is exiled from his village.

"New York, I Love You" - Master Of None

In a Season 2 episode of Netflix's Master of None called "New York, I Love You," Dev (co-creator Aziz Ansari) and his friends only appear in the bookend scenes. Instead, the focus shifts primarily toward the intersecting lives of a group of never-before-seen working-class New Yorkers, including a doorman, a deaf cashier, and a taxi driver.

“Ballad Of The Lonesome Loser" - High Fidelity

Much like the classic music movie Nick Hornby's novel inspired in 2000, Hulu's series adaptation of High Fidelity follows the romantic challenges of record store owner Rob Gordon (Zoë Kravitz)... except for Episode 8. In "Ballad of the Lonesome Loser," Rob's gay friend and coworker Simon (David H. Holmes) gets the chance to break the fourth wall and discuss his romantic struggles.

“The Algae's Always Greener" - SpongeBob Squarepants

Plankton (voiced by Mr. Lawrence) has been the primary focus in a few episodes of SpongeBob Squarepants, the funniest and most amusing of which would have to be "The Algae's Always Greener." Fed up with always failing in his attempts to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula, the pint-sized Chum Bucket owner uses a special device that allows him to experience life from the perspective of his longtime rival, Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown).

"A View From The Gallery" - Babylon 5

Years after Star Trek: The Next Generation helped coin the "lower decks episode" term, Babylon 5 – a sci-fi series that earns many comparisons to the Star Trek franchise – released its own. "A View from the Gallery" is told largely from the perspective of the eponymous space station's custodial crew.

"Tarrare" - Atlanta

The Season 3 finale of Atlanta, "Tarrare," provided an eye-opening explanation for Vanessa's (Zazie Beetz) unusual behavior, showing that she has adopted a bizarre alternate personality, and a French accent while living in Paris. Donald Glover's Earn is the only other main character to appear in the episode but does not show up until the even weirder post-credit sequence.

"5 To 9" - House

After dedicating an entire episode to Robert Sean Leonard's Wilson, House gave Lisa Edelstein's Dr. Lisa Cuddy the same treatment. Season 6's "5 to 9" follows a day in the life of Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital's Dean of Medicine and Chief Hospital Administrator.

"Symphony Of Illumination" - How I Met Your Mother

In the Season 7 episode, "Symphony of Illumination," How I Met Your Mother cast member Cobie Smulders' Robin Scherbatsky takes over as the narrator to tell her future son and daughter about her and Barney's (Neil Patrick Harris) pregnancy scare. However, she later discovers that she is actually unable to have children and the kids she was talking to only existed in her imagination.

“Relevance” - Person Of Interest

Season 2 of CBS' Person of Interest introduced a new character named Sameen Shaw (Sarah Shahi) in an episode that made her the star of most of the action.

The annals of anthropomorphic TV horses with emotionally crippling personal histories aren’t the most plentiful, and are pretty much limited to BoJack Horseman Seasons 1-6. And that’s fine, because those six seasons comprise one of the best TV comedies of all time, and it remains a bummer that a new season isn’t hitting Netflix’s upcoming TV and movie lineup. But huzzah, creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg will be horsin’ around at the streaming giant once more for a new adult animated series.

Perhaps it should surprise no one who watched all six seasons of BoJack Horseman’s psychological trials and tribulations that Bob-Waksberg’s new project sounds like it could tread similarly hilarious-yet-troubling waters. Here’s how Netflix first described the exciting new project on X:

That doesn’t sound so bad, right? “Adult animated comedy series” could mean anything, right? Hit the tape! (Or just keep reading for the rest of the description.)

You can’t fool me, Raphael Bob-Waksberg! “Family, over time” is precisely the factor that gave the Will Arnett-voiced horse his heftiest emotional baggage. (Season 5’s “Free Churro” remains a heartbreaker and then some.) And the ideas of a shared history, of inside jokes, and of old wounds? That’s BoJack’s relationship with Sarah Lynn to a T, and could be applied to others.

And then if we’re talking about partners and children, that could get into a whole other mess of spoiler-filled sob-talk. So let me take a moment to celebrate that the BoJack and Undone creator will once again be working with award-winning illustrator and animator Lisa Hanawalt on the new show.

She not only provided her talents as a designer for BoJack, but she also created the two-season comedy Tuca & Bertie, which Adult Swim picked up after Netflix canceled it. It’s good to see that both creators are on good terms with the streaming service, as Bob-Waksberg shared his disappointment in Netflix’s cancellation policy at the time when they pulled the plug. (In hindsight, BoJack lasted way longer than current streaming shows.)

Sure, the word combinations above could all be perfectly innocuous without the intention to imply that this new show Long Story Short will darken anyone’s souls. But let’s not forget that BoJack Horseman started out as a far less intense exploration of addiction, genetic trauma, and other metaphorical skeletons in the closet. And then when we least expected it, probably as Princess Carolyn was bopping some yarn about, the show sunk its claws in for reals.

As much as I wish Long Story Short will be available to stream as part of the upcoming TV schedule, animated shows tend to take a while before making their debuts. Here’s hoping this announcement is happening in the middle of the creative process, instead of right at the start.

While he is best known as the maestro of some of the funniest musical parodies of all time, there are also many great "Weird Al" Yankovic appearances in movies and TV shows that any fan of the artist should know about. In fact, a great deal of them happen to be in animated features and series. Take a look back on some of the many notable times "Weird Al" lent his voice to a fun cartoon role.

American Dad (2005-Present)

While "Weird Al" never actually appears in a role on American Dad, he does perform a song written exclusively for a Season 15 episode of co-creator Seth McFarlane's political comedy. When Stan (McFarlane) and a rabbit costume-clad Roger (also McFarlane) plan to sabotage a farm, they come up with an idea for a parody of the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" called "Rabbitage." While the artist himself formally rejects the request for the song, they discover he wrote and recorded it himself anyway.

Bojack Horseman (2014-2020)

One of the most famous examples of "Weird Al" voicing an original animated character is Captain Peanutbutter, the brother of Paul F. Thompkins’ Mr. Peanutbutter, on one of the all-time best-animated TV shows, Netflix’s BoJack Horseman. He was asked to play the recurring character by executive producer and series regular Aaron Paul who had previously portrayed the musician in a fake trailer for his biopic that would later be made into his "real" biopic.

Johnny Bravo (1997-2004)

"Weird Al's" appearance on Cartoon Network's Johnny Bravo was not at all what you would expect, but that is essentially what makes it so perfect. He teams up with none other than comedy legend Don Knotts and a superhero named Blue Falcon to host a Queer Eye-esque TV show called Cartoon Makeover, and their latest client is the titular, bumbling "mimbo" (voiced by Jeff Bennett).

Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? (2019-2021)

Mystery Inc. has crossed paths with multiple celebrities on Scooby-Doo & Guess Who?, including "Weird Al." In the 2019 episode, "Attack of the Weird Al-osaurus," he meets Scooby and the gang when they come to investigate rumors that a dinosaur is terrorizing his camp for teaching children the accordion.

Milo Murphy's Law (2016-2019)

One of "Weird Al's" most underrated animated characters is not a cameo or guest appearance, nor even a recurring stint, but a starring role as the lead in a series. For 40 episodes, Yankovic voiced the clumsy titular teen of the Disney XD original series, Milo Murphy's Law, from Phineas and Ferb creators Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and Dan Povenmire.

Teen Titans GO! (2013-Present)

Yankovic would go wildly against type to play one of the most notorious villains in DC Comics history, Darkseid, for four episodes of Teen Titans Go! In one of those episodes, Cyborg (Phil LaMarr) actually points out how the tyrannical New God sounds strangely like the musical comedian and even sets off an epic standoff when he quips that Darkseid could not be as evil as someone who makes "songwriters look like fools."

Robot Chicken (2001-2022)

"Weird Al" has shown up on Adult Swim's Emmy-winning stop-motion satire, Robot Chicken, a few different times. One sketch actually served as the official music video from his 2006 song, "Weasel Stomping Day," and a later appearance saw him take the place of the Doof Warrior in a send-up of the 2015 action movie favorite, Mad Max: Fury Road.

Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016-2018)

"Weird Al" is part of the Voltron universe, having lent his voice to Netflix and DreamWorks' reboot, Voltron: Legendary Defender. In a Season 2 episode called, "The Depths," he voices an alien named Blumfump, who hides his face behind a jellyfish he wears as a mask and enlists the help of Lance (Jeremy Shada) to stop a brainwashing plot on his planet.

Adventure Time (2010-2018)

Pendleton Ward enlisted the vocal talents of "Weird Al" for three episodes of his hit fantasy series, Adventure Time, as Banana Man. The mechanically handy recurring character gets his name for his resemblance to the yellow fruit.

Gravity Falls (2012-2016)

"Weird Al" has actually played a few interesting animated villains, such as on Disney XD's cult favorite supernatural adventure comedy, Gravity Falls, from creator Alex Hirsch. He voices Probabilitor the Annoying, who is a powerful wizard, but with a crushing weakness of "prime statistical anomalies over 37 but not exceeding 51."

The Simpsons (1989-Present)

One of the few celebrity guests to voice themselves on The Simpsons more than once is “Weird Al” Yankovic — the first being a Season 14 episode in which Marge has Al craft a parody of John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane” called “Homer & Marge” to see their marriage. In Season 19, he parodied a song by Homer’s band, Sandgasm (already a parody of Nirvana), and later performed the series' theme song on the accordion for a Season 34 opening couch gag.

Batman Vs. Robin (2015)

The main conflict of Batman vs. Robin is between Bruce Wayne (Jason O'Mara) and his son, Damian (Stuart Allen), but one of the first, most exciting, and also unsettling sequences in the 2015 DC animated film sees the duo facing off against The Dollmaker. "Weird Al" dons an eerie and unrecognizable voice to portray the villain, who turns kidnapped children into his own army of rabid mutants wearing porcelain faces like masks, just as he does.

Sabrina: The Animated Series (1999-2000)

"Weird Al" would appear in three episodes of Sabrina: The Animated Series, which saw the famous teenage witch from the Archie Comics return to cartoon form. The artist's first appearance saw him perform a song called "Electric Shaver."

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)

"Weird Al" briefly lends his voice alongside the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World cast to star in Netflix's anime-style adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. The majority of the fifth episode, "Lights. Camera. Sparks?!" is framed as a documentary about the making of a failed movie based on Scott's life and the opening narration is provided by Al.

The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy (2003-2007)

The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy poked fun at Hogwarts' Sorting Hat from the Harry Potter movies by introducing the character, Squidhat. In three episodes, "Weird Al" voices the pink squid who works at Toadblatt's Summer School of Sorcery assigning students to different houses, but also moonlights as a musician. 

Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-2006)

In one episode of the series spun-off from the hit Disney animated movie, Lilo & Stitch, Lilo (Daveigh Chase), Stitch (Chris Sanders), and others go to the Elizabethan Fair, where one of Stitch's cousins, Tank, happens to be. Throughout the day, a minstrel (voiced by "Weird Al") randomly appears to narrate what takes place in a song, much to the characters' chagrin.

Eek! The Cat (1992-1997)

The Season 5 episode of Eek! The Cat called “The FugEektive” boasts two major cameos, one being America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh, who partners with the titular feline (Bill Kopp) for a crime-chasing program. The second major cameo is “Weird Al,” who appears on John and Eek!’s show with a tip to help their search for Sharky the Shark Dog.

Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil (2012-2019)

“Weird Al” is the type of person who can make any situation more fun with his presence alone, which is why casting him as the opposite in an episode of Star vs. the Forces of Evil was a stroke of genius. His character, Preston Change-O, is a seemingly average magician who is revealed to have the ability to, literally, suck the fun out of the room, which is the only way he can create any joy for himself.

Transformers: Earthspark (2022-Present) 

"Weird Al" is also a part of the Transformers franchise, having lent his voice to Nickelodeon's animated series, Transformers: Earthspark. He plays Cosmos — an Autobot who disguises himself as a carnival ride inspired by great sci-fi movies called Cosmic Thunder and can also make himself into a real flying saucer.

Batman: The Brave And The Bold (2008-2011)

"Weird Al" crossed paths with both Batman and Scooby-Doo in the same episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, in which Mystery Inc. shows up at his concert, which is soon hijacked by The Joker and The Penguin. He also lends his voice to another segment from Season 2's "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!" as jewelry show organizer Mr. Star.

Firebuds (2022-Present) 

Firebuds is a preschool-level Disney Channel series that combines the heroism of Paw Patrol with the fantasy elements of Cars, following the adventures of children who team up with sentient rescue vehicles. "Weird Al" guest stars as a minivan named Latch, who gets a much-needed boost in confidence from a sing-along session with a musician named Laura (voiced by Lisa Loeb).

Little Big Awesome (2016-2018)

"Weird Al" provides both his voice and his face to the role of Mr. Sun in six episodes of Amazon Prime's children's program, Little Big Awesome. His first appearance as the personification of the center of the Solar System sees him performing a duet with fellow singer-songwriter Aimee Mann as The Moon.

The 7D (2014-2016)

Disney Channel's The 7D is a reimagining of Snow White's Seven Dwarves as the protectors of the land called Jollywood. In an episode called "Shapeshifter," "Weird Al" guest stars as the dastardly villain of the same name.

Wander Over Yonder (2013-2016)

One of "Weird Al's" most bizarre roles (which is really saying something) is Dr. Screwball Jones, whom he voices in two episodes of Disney's Wander Over Yonder. The sentient banana with clownish rainbow hair has the same goal as the titular hero, Wander, to spread joy, but has more maniacal and borderline villainous ways of doing it.

Uncle Grandpa (2010-2017)

No one is better suited to play a polka-playing robot than "Weird Al," just as he does in a Season 2 episode of Cartoon Network's Uncle Grandpa called "Pal.0." However, before the RV's titular computer system busts out the accordion and grows a wavy hairdo, it goes rogue and tries to make the gang "normal."

Wallykazam! (2014-2017)

Nickelodeon’s Wallykazam! follows the adventures of a troll named Wally (Thomas Langston) and his pet dragon, Norville (Dan Bittner), who discover the biggest treat in the world while trick-or-treating in an episode called “Mustache Day.” However, in order to get it, they must complete three challenges invented by their neighbor, Wizard Jeff, voiced by “Weird Al,” who also sings a song about underpants in the episode.

We Bare Bears (2014-2019)

One of "Weird Al's" most despicable villain roles comes from Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears, in which he voices Lewis, who runs a Milk Bottle Knockdown game at a carnival which the bears volunteer to be prizes for. However, when they learn that the game is rigged, meaning no customers will be able to win and adopt them, Grizzly (Eric Edelstein) tries to win their freedom.

Close Enough (2020-2022)

In "Weird Al's" cameo on the Max original animated series, Close Enough, he reveals the secret behind his creative process. It involves sharpening a narwhal tusk, which he then uses to puncture his left foot and use the blood to summon a demon song god named Nishquantazi.

The Brak Show (2000-2007)

On Adult Swim's The Brak Show, in which the eponymous Space Ghost villain becomes the star of his own family sitcom, Brak's father (John Lowe) and Thundercleese (Carey Means) become swallowed by a giant worm. There, they meet Petroleum Joe ("Weird Al"), who is a lonely, perverted six-foot-tall monster supposedly made of oil.

Back At The Barnyard (2007-2011)

In one episode of Nickelodeon's series spin-off from Barnyard, Back at the Barnyard, the farm animals plan a heist. Their target turns out to be "Weird Al," who catches them in the act and attacks them with his gold records.

Mad (2012-2022)

"Weird Al" appears in the 100th episode of Cartoon Network's Mad — an animated adaptation of the classic comedy magazine — as Superman. He specifically voices Henry Cavill's version of the legendary DC Comics character in a spoof of 2013's Man of Steel.

Where's Waldo (2019-2021)

Twice "Weird Al" appears on Peacock's animated series adaptation of the Where's Waldo? books as Wizard Artbeard. The character lives up to his name by bearing a long set of whiskers that look as if it has been dipped in every corner of an artist's palette.

Though television programming existed in various forms for more than a decade before the first situation comedies officially arrived in the late 1940s, the sitcom quickly became one of the most popular and duplicated genres for the next 80+ years. From stand-up comics to Hollywood icons, sitcoms are responsible for some of pop culture’s biggest stars, from Jerry Seinfeld to Jennifer Aniston to Dick Van Dyke to Lucille Ball, as well as some of the most memorable catchphrases.

Despite broadcast networks no longer championing sitcoms as much as in years past, with streaming services picking up the slack — Netflix is now more known for multi-camera sitcoms than any of the Big 4 — TV comedies will likely continue to keep audiences breathless with laughter for many more years to come. As such, CinemaBlend’s staff came together to celebrate and rank the 100 best sitcoms of all time, with the order stemming partially from our writers’ sharing scores for more than 200 different series, along with other contributing factors.

So sit back in your favorite recliner, grab an extra-large Squishee (or an ice-cold Duff, if you’re of age) and settle into the coziness, comfort, and occasional cringeworthiness of the best TV sitcoms of all time, according to CinemaBlend.

100. Bewitched

You know a show is a classic when even Marvel is drawing inspiration from it nearly 50 years after its end. The fantasy sitcom Bewitched worked its magic at CBS for eight seasons, partially due to the phenomenal comedic acting of Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York, who was famously replaced by Dick Sargent due to York's worsening health issues. Add in an equally impressive ensemble cast including Agnes Moorehead, David White, and Paul Lynde (just to name a few), and it's no wonder Bewitched was a nose-twitching delight of a show that doesn't need supernatural abilities to be great.

99. Laverne and Shirley

Arguably the most successful Happy Days spinoff, as well as one of the best TV comedies of all time, Laverne & Shirley followed two best friends and bottle-cappers as they navigated life and everything it threw at them in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (later Burbank, California). Though similar in tone to its predecessor, this long-running sitcom relied more on the physical comedy talents masterfully pulled by stars Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. And when it comes to iconic opening credits sequences, Laverne & Shirley was in a league of its own with all those shots of the fictional Shotz Brewery along with that classic theme.

98. Beavis And Butt-Head

No Beavis And Butt-Head fan will argue that the show isn’t dumb. Because it is. It really, really is, in each of its iterations. The two eponymous characters rank as two of the most unambiguously stupid protagonists to ever grace a TV screen, and every word they say is unadulterated idiocy. Ironically, though, that’s the genius of Mike Judge’s creation. The impossibly dumb leads allow for stories that no other sitcom can reasonably or responsibly touch with any degree of verisimilitude, while also permitting some outrageously weird takes on music videos (and social clips) across various eras.

97. Hogan's Heroes

War stories are often suited for prestige dramas, but Hogan's Heroes proved that a P.O.W. camp comedy could be just as awards-worthy. During its 168-episode run, Bob Crane's titular leader and his squad constantly thwarted Nazi enemies with fast-talking and constant hijinks (many of which were put into play by future game show legend Richard Dawson). Lasting as long as World War II did itself, Hogan's Heroes showcased how reflecting on past tragedies with humor can make for memorable art.

96. How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother may be higher on this list if not for fan opinions of the final season, but I would 100% say that it’s worth watching despite a lackluster ending. This show is about finding out how Josh Radnor’s Ted met his future wife, but it really thrives as a series about best friends. As Neil Patrick Harris’ Barney Stinson would say, this ensemble is legen–wait for it–dary, and those who check it out will definitely be invested in what the cast is doing now that the series is over.

95. Mork & Mindy

Today we all know what an immense talent Robin Williams was, and the absolutely wild places he could take comedy. Imagine not knowing any of that, and then turning on an early episode of Mork & Mindy, where he must have come across quite like somebody from another world, much like the character he played. Mork from Ork gave Williams the freedom to do almost anything on screen opposite Pam Dawber’s Mindy (and later Jonathan Winters), and it’s no surprise he took over Hollywood after four successful seasons.

94. The Adventures of Pete and Pete

Plenty of shows focus on the weirdness of suburbia, but Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete still stands awkwardly as one of the best. As Older Pete (Michael Maronna) and Younger Pete (Danny Tamberelli) navigate the oddities of Wellsville, life lessons and warm memories are gifted to viewers by creators Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. Pete & Pete delivers its homespun tales with a deep-seated love of ‘50s and ‘60s pop culture, and with one of the more impressive celebrity guest star rosters of kid-centric TV. Where else will you find REM’s Michael Stipe as a conspiratorial ice cream man?

93. black-ish

Watching Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross’ Andre and Rainbow Johnson raise their family amidst navigating various challenges in and around their largely white-populated neighborhood, all while still hanging onto their Black identities, makes for eight seasons of exceptional sitcom storytelling. While black-ish went on to launch two spinoffs, the original still stands as the cream of the crop, expertly balancing pointed social commentary and humor regarding a variety of topics, racial and otherwise. Plus, TV grandfather-dom looks great on Laurence Fishburne.

92. The Munsters

What happens when a family largely modeled after Universal’s Classic Monsters takes up residence in the middle of suburban America’s Mockingbird Heights? You get The Munsters, which slotted in nicely among other comedic offerings in the ‘60s while also satirizing sitcom tropes of the era. Although Fred Gwynne’s bumbling patriarch Herman was often the driving force behind the weekly shenanigans, Lily, Grandpa, Eddie and Marilyn (the only “normal” looking one) were all far more endearing than their monstrous counterparts, making The Munsters a great platform for chaotic, yet heartfelt entertainment.

91. Happy Endings

Best friends are always good sitcom fodder, as David Caspe’s Happy Endings proved for three seasons on ABC ahead of its fan-angering cancellation. Damon Wayans Jr.’s cucumber-cool Brad and Eliza Coupe’s A-type Jane are the group’s PDA-friendly couple, while her sister, Elisha Cuthbert’s confusion-prone Alex, is exes-ish with Zachary Knighton’s dorky-smooth Dave. The group is rounded out by Adam Pally’s schlubbo-sexual Max and Casey Wilson’s serial dater Penny. Perhaps the only sitcom whose leads share a fictional history as Real World vets, Happy Endings is as fun and fancy-free as romance-fueled sitcoms get.

90. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Less than two years after Ellie Kemper played Erin Hannon for the last time on The Office, she sunshine-smiled her way through a bonkers show of her own with Netflix’s original Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The series, which centered on former cult member Kimmy’s surreal and gung-ho acclimation to life in a “real” world she hadn’t lived in for years. One of the more unique shows from creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, Kimmy could have made this list just for turning the multi-talent Tituss Burgess into a small-screen regular. Extra kudos for the follow-up movie Kimmy vs the Reverend.

89. That '70s Show

Starring Topher Grace and running for eight seasons from 1998-2006, That ‘70s Show transports any generational audience who watches back to the late 1970s for the horned-up (and oh-so-slightly drugged-up) exploits of high school besties and their respective parents. The teens were played by actors who would go on to become bona fide stars, including Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, and Laura Prepon. The Circle in Eric’s basement was always reliable for big laughs, and though its final season suffered from cast exits, Netflix’s That ‘90s Show kept the good times going far more successfully than That ‘80s Show.

88. Extras

Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant followed up on the smash success of The Office by crossing the ocean to HBO for the Hollywood-skewing riot Extras, which hinged on the fraught character trifecta of Gervais’ dispirited actor Andy, his god-awful agent Darren (Merchant) and his kind-hearted and oblivious actress BFF Maggie (Ashley Jensen). While only two seasons and a Christmas special, it’s a modern classic not only for its gloriously cornball faux sitcom When the Whistle Blows, but for bonkers celebrity cameos from Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan and more. Gervais also delivers an all-time Top 5 spit-take in one episode.

87. The Bernie Mac Show

The late Bernie Mac is still widely viewed as a comedy giant, and his eponymous family sitcom is a major reason for that. The Bernie Mac Show definitely isn’t the first comedy to be headlined by a stand-up, but it’s one of the few that so perfectly utilized the talents of its lead. Mac’s signature brand of no-nonsense humor is especially hilarious when he bounces off his A+ co-stars. But, overall, what makes this series one of the great modern Black sitcoms is its funny, warm and nuanced depiction of familial dynamics amongst African Americans.

86. Gilligan's Island

Before The Brady Bunch (but after The Red Skelton Show), screenwriter and producer Sherwood Schwartz launched 1964's smash-hit Gilligan's Island, and the fictional voyage was far more doomed than the show's. Starring Bob Denver and Alan Hale, the sitcom won over viewers with plots hinged on island inventions, unexpected visitors, dream sequences, and random items washing up ashore. While the show famously never hit one hundred episodes, its premise was beloved enough to spark several TV movies and the truly baffling Saturday morning cartoon spinoff Gilligan's Planet.

85. Mad About You

Chemistry is usually all it takes to keep a sitcom afloat, whether its shared by an ensemble (see: Friends) or tethered to a winning duo like Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt in Mad About You. It helps that both actors lent their movie-level wattage to the sitcom for eight seasons, exploring marriage and eventually parenthood in New York City. (Reiser previously co-starred in My Two Dads, to be sure.) But despite the parade of stellar comedic co-stars — Hank Azaria, Lisa Kudrow, Carol Burnett, and Mel Brooks? Come on! — it was Paul and Jamie keeping us invested. We were mad about them, and maybe a different kind of mad about Mabel.

84. Three's Company

Three’s Company is an interesting case-study in dated sitcom writing, as 90% of the jokes that prop up the show wouldn’t fly today. Almost every single line can be construed as sexual innuendo, and the plot twists of a given Three’s Company episode are so driven by silly miscommunications, the formula is basically cliche. However, John Ritter’s deep reservoir of charm, when combined with his incredible chemistry with the female roommates that came in and out of his orbit, made it an overall win, and one of the most memorable and breezy sitcoms of the 1970s and ‘80s.

83. Family Guy

What can be said about Family Guy that hasn’t already been said? While Seth MacFarlane’s first mega-hit doesn’t feel quite as crude as other late night animated fare these days, it quickly cemented itself as an envelope-pushing primetime entry thanks to its murderous baby, they hyper-perverse Quagmire, and the less said about Herbert, the better. The series made a meme-worthy artform out of cutaway gags, man vs. chicken fights and lowbrow pop culture spoofs. At this point, the Griffins are basically as widespread as the Simpsons, and Brian would certainly drink to that.

82. Malcolm In The Middle

Malcolm in the Middle was a key part of Fox’s Sunday comedy lineup for six of its seven seasons from 2000-2006. At the time, the Frankie Muniz-starring comedy was a rare example of a single-camera sitcom that eschewed a laugh track and had its lead regularly breaking the fourth wall. The family was known to deal with serious issues in the background of the shenanigans of the sibling trio, which helped the sitcom win seven Emmys. It was also Bryan Cranston’s breakout primetime TV role, proving he was a comedy legend years before dipping into drama for Breaking Bad.

81. The Facts Of Life

A spinoff of Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life is one of the most successful TV offshoots that shares little with its predecessor, and for good reason. The coming-of-age sitcom explores adolescence in a way that neither its predecessor nor follow-up projects ever could, with a perfectly cast ensemble of young actresses led by the incomparable Charlotte Rae. This sitcom exists because of Rae’s previously stellar work, and her warmth and charm in the role of Mrs. Garrett helped make a family out of her girls, from Natalie to Tootie to Jo to Blair and the rest.

80. The Addams Family

Although The Addams Family started off as a single-panel New Yorker comic strip published from 1938 to 1964, it was the TV series premiering that same latter year which made the family a pop culture favorite. Watching Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Grandmama, Lurch and Thing freak people out with their macabre tastes and supernatural antics never got old, and without the popularity of this show, it’s doubtful these ghoulish characters would have returned in a variety of live-action and animated projects in later years.

79. My Name Is Earl

My Name Is Earl earned its way to sitcom greatness thanks to star Jason Lee’s all-in performance as Earl Hickey, as well as the great premise that sees Earl attempting to right the litany of past wrongs committed against seemingly everyone he’d ever met. (The concept also helps make it easy to drop in on any random episode without really needing to see what happened beforehand.) Ethan Suplee, Eddie Steeples and Jaime Pressley are equally brilliant in their respective roles, and we can still relate to Earl to this day anytime we struggle to keep our eyes open while taking a picture.

78. The Middle

Every once in awhile, a show sneaks it way into the zeitgeist and in our memories. The Middle, a show about a quirky middle-class family from the Midwest ran for nine years and hit home for a wide and nostalgic audience. It was a breath of fresh air and an honest take on class and what it was really like to grow up in, well, “the middle” of everything. Ironically, it was the ending of the show that stuck with most, but all good things must come to an end. 

77. Dave

This whole entry could be spent talking about how Dave is driven by the exceptional talent of David “Lil Dicky” Burd, who has a truly offbeat world perspective to go along with his legitimate gifts as a rapper. But that would be a disservice to Davionte "GaTa" Ganter, who proves over the course of the three seasons to be the NSFW series’ true heart. It gets funny and ridiculous, but it can also deliver a nice, solid gut punch courtesy of your investment in the characters’ plights for recognition.

76. Spin City

Arguably TV's least polarizing political sitcom, Spin City was a winning candidate for its six-season term in part due to co-creators Bill Lawrence and Gary David Goldberg. The latter also created Family Ties, and brought Michael J. Fox into the lead role here as well, with Charlie Sheen successfully taking over in Season 5 after Fox's medical-related exit Spin City is also a melting pot of TV excellence, boasting Connie Britton, Carla Gugino, Richard Kind, Alan Ruck and more greats filling out the NYC mayor’s office.

75. The Andy Griffith Show

One of the most iconic and wholesome sitcoms of the 20th century, The Andy Griffith Show gave audiences nearly 250 episodes with the residents of the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, centering on local sheriff Andy Taylor, played with aw-shucks charm by Griffith. Characters like Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors), Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), and Opie (a young Ron Howard) made for plenty of the early highlights in sitcom history, both in black-and-white and color.

74. Family Matters

Airing for nine seasons from 1989-1997, Family Matters became a beloved sitcom for multiple generations regularly tuning into ABC’s TGIF lineup. The spinoff of Perfect Strangers followed the highs and lows of the Winslow family, with Die Hard vet Reginald VelJohnson becoming an iconic sitcom dad as Carl Winslow. Of course, Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel famously stole the spotlight as the nerd-tastic breakout star, sporting the signature “Did I do that?” catchphrase. Yes, he certainly did, if by “that” he meant annoying his unrequited love Laura or creating alternate versions of himself via sitcom science.

73. The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years aired from 1988-1993, but very fathfully recreated the late ‘60s and early ‘70s to invite audiences into the lives of the Arnold family. Starring Fred Savage in his breakout role (alongside fellow greats Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, and Danica McKellar), the coming-of-age comedy touched on Vietnam War politics, high school romance, deaths of loved ones, sibling rivalries and more, with Daniel Stern's narration a key source of its charm and emotional heft. From using Joe Cocker’s unforgettable “With a Little Help from My Friends” to its powerful-yet-unplanned finale, it’s no wonder that this classic eventually inspired a reboot.

72. The Flintstones

The Flintstones is arguably the first animated project to prove itself as much of a classic sitcom as anything in live-action. Premiering back in 1960 and running for six wildly successful seasons, the sitcom follows the titular family within a fictional and idealized version of the Stone Age. Its popularity kept it airing in syndication for decades,later inspiring spinoffs, live-action movies, TV specials, ice cream pops, and (of course) the most memorable vitamins down the medicine aisle.

71. The Proud Family

The Proud Family was one of the standout shows of ABC’s One Saturday Morning programming block, walking the line between cartoony kids show and legitimate family drama quite well. Disney+’s more recent Louder And Prouder revival is evidence of that popularity and storytelling skills. Kyla Pratt’s Penny Proud is as relatable a TV teen as can be, and Sugar Mama (voiced by Family Matters’ Jo Marie Payton) is the kind of grandmother anyone would appreciate, sans bodyslams.

70. The Drew Carey Show

Long before he became host of The Price is Right, Drew Carey jumped from standup comedy to sitcom stardom with The Drew Carey Show, which ran for nine increasingly zany seasons from 1995-2004. The comedian starred as a fictionalized version of himself living in Ohio, working at a mundane job surrounded by a core group of friends with hijinks to spare. (Particularly during the A+ April Fool’s Day episodes.) This was the first big scripted TV role for cast members like Christa Miller, Diedrich Baker, Ryan Stiles, Craig Ferguson, and John Carroll Lynch. Hopefully fans can agree with the show on one thing: Cleveland Rocks!

69. Designing Women

If watching four sassy, professional ladies flourish, flounder, and tell it like it is sounds like something you can get behind, then look no further than Designing Women. The comedy starred the all-time great cast of Dixie Carter, Young Sheldon’s Annie Potts, Delta Burke and Hacks star Jean Smart as co-workers sharing their personal and professional trials and triumphs to side-splitting effect over several seasons. Even better, the show managed to work in a lot of social commentary that’s still relevant today, and no one has ever taken down bullies and bigots like Carter’s Julia Sugarbaker.

68. Night Court

Many sitcoms can be vehicles for a single great comedian to shine, but the strength of the original Night Court was its ensemble. (And that sax-y theme.) Harry Anderson played de facto leader Judge Harry Stone alongside John Laroquette, Markie Post, Richard Moll and more, and the jury of TV audiences gave the verdict of Night Court being guilty of hilarity. Despite the fact that the show’s format could seem as formulaic as real-life courtroom dockets, silliness often ensued, and fans were happy to watch these talents play off each other for an enviable nine-season run. Its popularity endures with Melissa Rauch’s 2023 revival.

67. The Honeymooners

TV shows have a way of changing the pop culture landscape by being quotable, and The Honeymooners is one of the earliest sitcoms whose influence is definitely still felt in that category, with “One of these days Alice…” and “To the moon!” persisting so many decades later. The all-time classic follows two New York City couples and the various shenanigans they get into, with Ralph and Alice famously played by Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows, respectively. And while the empty threats of domestic violence might be jarring for newcomers, The Honeymooners significantly set the stage for so many sitcoms to follow.

66. Raising Hope

Wacky isn’t always a word that comes up when discussing family sitcoms, but Raising Hope fits that description to a T. The Chance family is filled with more lovable and well-meaning weirdos than you’d think could possibly fit into half-hour eps, but they all have their odd (and potentially relatable) quirks. From dad Burt (who picks his nose by using all 10 fingers), to matriarch Maw Maw (who can frequently be found shirtless and/or braless and giving off old people smells), you’d be hard-pressed to land on an episode that doesn’t make you choke on your big dill pickle.

65. Fresh Off The Boat

Everyone loves a good family sitcom, and while Fresh Off the Boat is technically about the young, hip-hop-obsessed son within a Taiwanese-American family in Orlando, the real comedic meat of the show is his mom, Jessica (Constance Wu). We’ve never seen a mom like Jessica Huang before. Yes, she’s loving, but it’s an absurdly tough, uncompromising love that pushes her nice, America-loving husband and three sons to excel. She’s also fiercely competitive and not someone to mess with, which diners-and-dashers can attest to, and is a big reason why Fresh Off the Boat will always be watchable.

64. Everybody Hates Chris

Abbott Elementary fans can attest to Tyler James Williams’ comedic chops, but he first honed them from his younger Hollywood days as the star of Everybody Hates Chris. Created by Chris Rock (who narrates) and Ali LeRoi, the show is based on the stand-up legend’s teenage years, and finds ways of making everyday occurrences the most hilarious things in the world, often landing a wide-eyed Chris in trouble. From James’ impressive performance as a teenager to the rest of the cast (including a stellar Terry Crews’ dad mode), Everybody Hates Chris is a must-watch for comedy lovers of all ages.

63. Get Smart

Secret agent movies were big in the 1960s, so how could one go wrong with a spoof comedy series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry? Get Smart stars Don Adams’ Maxwell Smart (aka the bumbling CONTROL Agent 86) often teaming up with Barbara Feldon’s more-than-capable sidekick, Agent 99, to thwart the evil, if not entirely professional, efforts of the cabal KAOS. From the series’ iconic opening credits to Max’s shoe phone, Get Smart stands the test of time, with some great catchphrases to boot, including “MIssed it by that much,” and, “Would you believe…?”

62. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23

We sometimes wonder how well creator Nahnatchka Khan’s Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 would have fared if it lasted beyond its celebrated two-season run. And we wish we were given the chance to actually see that hypothetical third season for ourselves, as the 26 episodes we did get were spot on. Pairing Dreama Walker’s naive June with Krysten Ritter’s scheming Chloe made for an odd couple who knew how to have exciting adventures. Frequent appearances by an early-career Eric André and an always charming James Van Der Beek only made this ABC series all the sweeter.

61. Good Times

A quality sitcom spinoff can be a challenge. Repeat what worked on the original, or try to do something totally different? Good Times spun off from Maude (which itself was an All In The Family offshoot), and succeeded through carving out its own authentic niche centering around the hard-working and cash-strapped characters of Florida (Esther Rolle) and James Evans (John Amos). The two leads were excellent throughout, though Good Times eventually shifted its primary focus to Jimmie Walker, the sitcom’s breakout star who coined the phrase “Dynomite!” and rode that marketing freight train to global superstardom. A series that lives up to its name, and then some.

60. The Nanny

The Nanny has long been synonymous with its star Fran Drescher, who played the titular Nanny Fine throughout the show’s six-season run on CBS. Despite being a quintessential ‘90s sitcom, the show’s comedy still feels super fresh and contemporary, even if the pop culture references are dated. Descher is truly unbelievable as Fran, and The Nanny has one of the best TV theme songs of all time. And it’s a show that younger generations absolutely NEED to binge-watch, amidst the ongoing hope for fans to see more.

59. Archer

If Archer were merely an expertly crafted James Bond parody, we’d still love it. However, this long-running FX staple’s greatness comes from the lore-heavy, spy-fi universe that creator Adam Reed’s built atop the back of loving send-ups to the espionage subgenre. H. Jon Benjamin anchored an all-timer voice cast that delivered dialogue and performances as sharp as Lana’s switchblade. The show veered from staleness by aping different genres for Danger Island and other “Coma Seasons,” further widening the comedic field of play, and I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t finger Archer as the wildest workplace sitcom to date. Phrasing, BOOM!

58. Happy Days

When one thinks of Happy Days, the first image that likely comes to mind is Henry Winkler’s Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli giving a cool-as-hell thumb’s up. Though he was initially just a minor player, the leather-donning jukebox-smacking ladie’s man quickly became the show’s most popular character. But its picturesque version of the 1950s and 1960s is just as iconic, as is the entire Cunnhingham family (except maybe for the disappearing brother Chuck) and further ensemble, which spawned a whopping seven spinoffs. And if you don’t agree with all that, well, sit on it!

57. Martin

A couple of years before he became an action movie king in Bad Boys, Martin Lawrence created and starred in his own sitcom, which gave fans five seasons of over-the-top episodes. Lawrence’s Martin Payne is a loud, rambunctious, and highly opinionated Detroit disc jockey who constantly finds himself in all kinds of trouble both at work and at home with Tisha Campbell’s Gina. (A dynamic that shifted in the final season for BTS reasons.) Martin himself was fun, but his various other personas —Sheneneh Jenkins, Rosco, and Dragonfly Jones — gave the sitcom a fun and unique spin, foreshadowing Lawrence’s later career.

56. Living Single

Living Single is one of those sitcoms that thankfully managed to age well , premiering back in 1993 and following a group of friends residing together in a Brooklyn brownstone. With a killer cast including Queen Latifah (who also performed the outstanding theme song), Kim Coles, Kim Fields and Erika Alexander, Living Single’s formula succeeded ahead of Friends reaching more sensational heights, and the topic of influences there has made for many discussions. Regardless, the sitcom is a Black TV treasure, and boasts a trove of terrific musicians, athletes and comedians as guest stars, from Flip Wilson to Chaka Khan.

55. Will and Grace

Will & Grace might as well have also had Jack and Karen in the title as well, such was the strength of this foursome as they unsuccessfully dated and schmoozed their way to making LGBTQ+ history. The NBC Must See TV classic was an Emmy darling during its initial eight-season run, and its ongoing popularity beyond the “final” season inspired NBC to revive it for another two seasons. Which thankfully meant more from the bevy of guests and recurring stars that popped up over the years, from Matt Damon to Matt Bomer to Madonna.

54. Murphy Brown

Sure, Murphy Brown fulfilled the sitcom basics of starring a single, middle-aged working woman (whose eventual single-mom status shook up the status quo), being funny, and serving up great characters — Jim Dial, slugger — to support the Aretha Franklin-loving titular lead. Arguably most important, though, its its rare delivery of a flawed female main character (recovering alcoholic) who’s frequently irascible, dedicated to her job as a journalist, and unafraid to speak up in a male-heavy industry, giving audiences every reason to root for through every uproarious rant and unnecessary assistant change. There’s a reason Candice Bergen earned five Emmys from seven nominations for her work across ten seasons.

53. The Bob Newhart Show

Nobody can do deadpan humor quite like the eponymous star of The Bob Newhart Show. The beauty of this 1970s sitcom was that it allowed Bob Newhart to play off of those stand-up comedy strengths, acting as the straight man to his psychologist Bob Hartley’s many unique patients. Co-starring Suzanne Pleshette as Bob’s beloved wife Emily — the two made sitcom history together on his next sitcom as well — and Peter Bonerz and Bill Daily as his pals, The Bob Newhart Show remains exemplary for its character-driven laughs.

52. Sanford And Son

The laughs that Sanford and Son delivers from episode to episode are fairly unique compared to other sitcoms. Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson are perfectly cast as Fred and Lamont Sanford, respectively, playing off of each other in ways reminiscent of comedy duos in vaudeville and radio shows. The writers also deserve a lot of credit for effectively employing racial humor, considered edgy at that time, as well as for bringing in hilarious characters like “Aunt” Esther Anderson and Grady Wilson. But Foxx – who just oozes superior comedic timing – steals so many scenes with his energetic performances. “This is the big one!”

51. Superstore

All things consumerism considered, it’s almost surprising so few workplace comedies are anything like Superstore. For six seasons, viewers watched Amy (Oscar nominee America Ferrera), Jonah (Ben Feldman) and their wacky big box store co-workers readily getting into myriad insane scrapes and intriguingly complicated relationships, while trying to maintain order (or causing disorder) within the retail sphere. Superstore gives fans peak workplace sitcom, with innumerable sight gags for those watching closely, as well as a low-key, slow-burn mystery involving feet showing up all over the store. It’s a hilarious win-win that theoretically helps everyone see their jobs aren’t as bad as they could be.

50. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Before the Men in Black and Bad Boys franchises and that Academy Award-winning role in King Richard, Will Smith veered away from his successful rap career to introduce viewers to…Will Smith…for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Just saying its name instantly brings its classic theme song to mind.

Following a kid from West Philly sent off to live with his affluent uncle’s family in Bel-Air, this sitcom oozed ‘90s sitcom charm and hilarity, helping Will Smith expand his comedic talents opposite the great James Avery, Janet Hubert (for a spell) and more. From the Carlton dance to that classic “very special episode” where Will gets shot, Fresh Prince features plenty of justification for its continued success in syndication and streaming.

49. Family Ties

Eventually, Family Ties became known as “The Michael J. Fox Show,” and it was hard to avoid. Fox was a charismatic ball of energy who became a bona fide superstar during the run of the show, and even eclipsed famous guest stars such as Tom Hanks when they appeared.

But before Fox reached all-star status, Family Ties won over audiences as a warm, endearing, and relatable sitcom about liberal parents trying their best to raise their three kids – one of whom happened to be a briefcase-toting, card-carrying Republican. We all saw ourselves in at least one member of the Keaton family, and tuned in weekly to appreciate the ties that bound them all together.

48. Mr. Bean

Rowan Atkinson would have been amazing during the silent film era, but is thankfully a more modern talent, since we otherwise might never have known the childlike, frustration-spiked foibles of Mr. Bean. Co-created by the comedian’s Black Adder partners in hilarity, Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, Mr. Bean is an idiosyncratic sitcom in that its five-year stretch comprised 15 sporadically aired one-off episodes, as opposed to seasons, which inspired a pair of feature films, an animated series, and more pop culture greatness.

Atkinson brings his physical comedy mastery to a plethora of disaster-laden circumstances, from nonchalantly changing into a swimsuit to getting ready for the dentist while driving to being locked out of a hotel room and dozens of other awkward moments.

47. The Mick

Only two seasons of The Mick aired between January 2017 and April 2018, telling the story of a foul-mouthed dirtbag forced to be the guardian of her affluent niece and nephews, and all 37 episodes are send-you-doubled-over-off-your-couch hilarious. Which means a lot of people were sleeping on this brilliance when it aired, and we’re still sore about it.

Led by Kaitlin Olsen, the entire cast is spectacular (with a special hat tip to the brilliant Scott MacArthur as the oft-injured ne'er-do-well Jimmy), but what truly makes this show exceptional is its beyond-dark sensibilities and unwillingness to accept the idea of a “line” that can’t be crossed. The final scene of the series finale is actually a perfect ending in that sense, and we’re sure that more seasons would have pushed it higher up the rankings.

46. The Jeffersons

Norman Lear & Co.nailed it when they moved George, Louise and Lionel Jefferson from All in the Family to their own show. The Jeffersons is 30-minute comedy at its finest, offering an excellent premise, and an array of interesting stories built on it. Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford are electric as George and Lousie, effortlessly conveying their on-screen marriage with warmth, humor and occasional contention, all while surrounded by a strong supporting cast.

There’s also the series’ impact on Black culture and the TV landscape as a whole. It’s one of the earliest shows to have depicted an upper class African American family – and the complexities of such a dynamic. We should all be grateful that these characters moved on up.

45. 30 Rock

If there were any doubts that Tina Fey could transport her magic touch from SNL to a scripted sitcom, 30 Rock proved them pointless. The show-within-a-show’s very first season won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and scored nominations for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. (Both went on to win elsewhere in the NBC comedy’s seven-season run.)

The show is infinitely quotable, thanks in large part to Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski, and recruited standout part-time stars ranging from Matt Damon to David Schwrimmer to – of course – Steve “How do you do, fellow kids?” Buscemi. Plus, it imparted the following important lesson from Tracy Jordan: “Live every week like it’s Shark Week.” No SNL knowledge is needed to appreciate the sketch-skewing humor, but it’ll help.

44. Scrubs

Hospital dramas have become as commonplace as any TV offering, so having Scrubs around to follow its doctors, nurses and Sacred Heart staff through a comedic lens continues to be a welcome respite. Not to say Scrubs wasn’t without its emotional and poignant moments, since one could argue it functions nearly as well as a dramatic series when in that mode.

But the humor is where Scrubs’ gets surgical with it. Whether we were joining J.D. in his wild daydreams, or the crazy events unfolding between characters while treating patients, this show excelled at delivering the laughs. If only we could witness John C. McGinley’s Dr. Cox ranting at residents while a nameless Janitor pranks people within a real-life hospital. Additionally, J.D. and Turk are one of TV’s all-time best-buddy pairings.

43. Bob's Burgers

In all of sitcom family-dom, few clans are as relatable in their middle-class weirdness as the Belcher family that serves up the titular meals and good-time goofiness on Bob’s Burgers. The beloved series from creator Loren Bouchard has followed sitcom standards to a T while building up its hilarity-filled universe of Italian restaurateur rivals, handyman besties, and plenty of schoolchildren I’d much rather watch on TV than deal with at home. But it’s the Belchers that keep us coming back.

From H. Jon Benjamin’s expertly exasperated attempts to get by to Louise’s rebellious sadism to Tina’s butt fascination, Bob’s Burgers is as timeless as the hamburger itself, and isn’t afraid to mix sweetness into the juvenile hijinks. A must-watch for pun enthusiasts.

42. The Cosby Show

Decades after its debut on NBC, The Cosby Show remains a seminal piece of TV work. This sharp family comedy offers a warm look at a family (who just happened to be Black) and, while the Huxtables are quite pristine, they never feel unrelatable, except perhaps where sweaters are concerned. The impeccable ensemble boasts the likes of Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Keshia Knight Pulliam masterfully playing off the series’ titular star. Give the writing staff credit, too, for formulating some eternally classic episodes, like “Goodbye Mr. Fish” and “Happy Anniversary.”

Of course, the show’s legacy has been further evaluated due to Bill Cosby’s legal entanglements, and understandably so. That debate will surely continue, though what’s hard to deny is the sitcom’s game-changing position in the cultural lexicon.

41. Party Down

“Are we having fun yet?” The oft-used sarcastic throwback to Henry’s (Adam Scott) singular professional achievement is actually a pretty fitting way to sum up the careers of the motley crew of caterers on Party Down. The aspiring actors and writers who comprise the eponymous catering company would certainly rather be pursuing their passions than serving drinks and apps to their rich customers, but with each episode plunking them into a different bougie event, it was delightful to see the ridiculous and usually cringey situations they would get themselves into.

On top of a fabulous ensemble cast featuring the likes of Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Lizzy Caplan and Martin Starr, Party Down featured A+ cameos at each catering function. That Steve Guttenberg episode? Chef’s kiss, or at least a caterer’s kiss.

40. The Boondocks

We may never get another animated series about American society as unabashedly insightful as The Boondocks, which was created by Aaron McGruder and based on his comic strip of the same name. Each episode provides a thoughtful examination of the Black experience, principally seen through the eyes of young intellectual Huey Freeman and his gangster-wannabe brother Riley (both voiced by Oscar/Emmy Award-winner Regina King), under the spotty guidance of their John Witherspoon-voiced Granddad.

Not only does McGruder's bold writing provide clever observations about everything from rap music to movie theater decorum, but the anime style continues to remain eye-popping and brilliantly utilized. Especially with the killer kung-fu sequences, which demonstrate a deep love for both the animation medium and the martial arts action genre.

39. Abbott Elementary

Arguably one of the best sitcoms currently airing, Abbott Elementary took the world by storm when it premiered in 2021, introducing the world to Quinta Brunson’s brilliance as Janine Teagues. The Black Lady Sketch Show vet created, writes, produces and stars in the show centering on a Philadelphia school’s staff, and her care and love for it is infectious.

Between Gregory and Janine’s will-they-won’t-they relationship, hilarious talking heads and well-established characters with silly interests (like Ava being a doomsday prepper), this show has all the hallmarks of classic mockumentaries. However, its setting at an elementary school and the unique chemistry the incredible cast has developed make this ABC comedy one that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. (And it won’t need a stool like Janine, amirite, Ava?)

38. The IT Crowd

As if Graham Linehan’s entertainment legacy wasn’t already assured by Father Ted, the man went and crafted another all-time Britcom with The IT Crowd. (Okay, Black Books, too.) The basic premise follows the lives of corporate climber Jen (Katherine Parkinson) and IT department slackers Roy (Chris O’Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade). A classic workplace sitcom trio if there ever was one.

In execution, the 25-episode run was far more fun and unpredictable than the set-up. Skewering corporate culture and malfeasance, as well as all things personal and pop, The IT Crowd feels like a cheeky mix between Seinfeld and Spaced. Not to mention this being a great place to get a Matt Berry fix.

37. Community

It’s difficult to summarize what makes Community such an exceptional sitcom. Its meta awareness and deep love of pop culture is a key ingredient, executed principally through the genius character that is Danny Pudi’s Abed Nadir. But that’s an example of the phenomenal way the show balances the unique voices of its seven main characters – be it the confident idiocy of Donald Glover’s Troy Barnes, the extreme selfishness of Joel McHale’s Jeff Winger, or ridiculous uptightness of Alison Brie’s Annie Edison.

These characters planted in an environment of ever-growing weirdness that is Greendale Community College permits wild, creative, and clever single episode stories… but also not to be slept on are its effective emotional swings (Like I said, it’s really Dean-ficult to sum up!)

36. Modern Family

Modern Family was one of the first family sitcoms to eschew studio audience laughter for the single-camera format, and its massive success and influence was undeniable. Running for eleven seasons, the star-studded sitcom gave viewers a front seat to watching the blended Pritchett and Dunphy families grow up together.

But what makes Modern Family one of the best sitcoms ever is its relatability and ability to tap into all the emotions. There’s plenty to laugh at, thanks to hilarious deliveries from Ed O’Neill, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell and others, and more episodes than can be poignant, whether it’s about love, sexuality, growing up, or plenty of other feelings to connect to.

35. Arrested Development

At the far end of the “wholesome sitcom family” spectrum is the Bluth clan responsible for the majority of the conning and downward spiraling on Arrested Development. (Ron Howard’s Narrator: “They really were.”) With too many A+ cast members to namecheck in one breath, the fourth wall-breaking comedy is technically about the legal troubles surrounding the family company following a major scandal, but it’s really about the family’s myriad other problems.

Let’s see, we have twin-fidelity, oedipal complexes galore, PTSD from both Army (Mother!) and loss of limb, rampant alcoholism, potentially incestuous foreplay, hair metal magic, and never-nudism, though that’s a corner of a snowflake atop the tallest mountain of comedic quirks. Come for the brilliant performances, stay for the smartest callback jokes on TV.

34. WKRP In Cincinnati

WKRP in Cincinnati is one of those shows that never seems to receive its flowers quite enough alongside others from the era. Airing for four seasons between 1978 and 1982, the comedy takes place at a struggling AM radio station in the heart of the Midwest, and boasts everything one would want in a sitcom: great jokes, iconic characters, and unforgettable TV moments.

Despite early schedule struggles, WKRP eventually found its footing on CBS, thanks to audiences loving the comedic stylings of Howard Hesseman’s Dr. Johnny Fever, Tim Reid’s Venus Flytrap, and Richard Sanders’ Les Nessman. It’s always been a hit with radio DJs, for good reason, and produced quite possibly the greatest Thanksgiving TV treat (that doesn’t have Charlie Brown in it) with “Turkeys Away.”

33. The Critic

In the wake of The Simpsons’ success, creators Al Jean and Mike Reiss shaped a cult classic with The Critic, focused on bitter film critic Jay Sherman, voiced with gusto by Jon Lovitz. The animated sitcom took after its spiritual cousin, offering up both heartfelt and cuttingly satirical gags, and bouncing from ABC to Fox only sharpened the show’s edge.

Keenly lampooning the world of show business, The Critic’s writers crafted A+ parodies of classic films, fake cinematic atrocities so bad they’re funny, and welcomed cameos from actual critics. Anyone wanting to see Siskel & Ebert in a fist fight need look no further. Two words aptly sum up how we feel about this series not lasting nearly as long as The Simpsons: “It stinks.”

32. Married...with Children

With Frank Sinatra’s “Love and Marriage” performance as its subversively optimistic theme song, Married with Children is the gleefully bawdy archetype for sitcoms about miserable people. Ed O’Neill’s misogyny-encrusted slopfest Al Bundy stiff-arms his way through life with affection-seeking wife Peg, blonde joke incarnate daughter Kelly, and lazy hornball son Bud. And Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate and David Faustino are the epitome of “the family you love to watch, but would hate to live with.”

As the live-action series that put Fox on the map, Married with Children has long been celebrated for its politically incorrect humor and cartoonishly offensive storylines, and it remains among the most offensive TV shows of all time. But it worked because the Bundy’s always came out worse than anyone else.

31. Gravity Falls

Gravity Falls’ offbeat sitcom greatness truly deserves recognition for a show that may be written off for being a Disney Channel original. Creator and cast member Alex Hirsch crafted a well-animated, off-kilter show that wins over younger viewers with its thrills, humor and heart, while also capturing older viewers with overarching mysteries, surprisingly deep lore, and barrages of callbacks, clues and pause-required animation details. (Long live Bill Cypher!)

At the center of all the madness is the perfectly realized Pines family — Grunkle Stan, Dipper and Mabel — and their friends and co-workers like Wendy, Soos and others. With two seasons and 40 episodes under its belt, Gravity Falls is a tight show that builds to a very satisfying conclusion, even if fans railed against its cancellation at the time.

30. Parks And Recreation

When Parks and Recreation premiered, SNL and UCB vet Amy Poehler was its biggest name, but the careers of co-stars such as Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, Retta and Aubrey Plaza exploded in the years after. And it’s no surprise, since the NBC sitcom is where they were able to hone their characters distinct personalities for seven seasons.

Parks and Rec follows the misfit-lite group running Pawnee, Indiana’s parks department Indiana, and had little trouble getting into the wildest hijinks in each 30-minute runtime. The episode “Flu Season” delivers the goods in a nutshell, between Amy Poehler pretending she’s not sick, Chris Pratt’s physical comedy, and Nick Offerman perfectly portraying Ron Swanson’s disdain for government work. Parks and Rec is a quirky and lively show that deserves a spot in everyone’s lives.

29. Letterkenny

It's not often that a show can lean heavily on both the importance of morals and the notion of violence, but Letterkenny managed to strike an amazing balance between the two for twelve seasons. The Canadian sitcom is known for its amazingly paced banter and extensive wordplay and unique phrasings. As if the amazing comedic timing wasn't enough, one of the main themes continues to acknowledge the importance of standing up for what you believe in and striving to do good in the world. "If a friend asks for help, you help them."

Creator and star of the show, Jared Keeso, has also recently hit another comedic home run in the Letterkenny extended universe with the spinoff Shoresy.

28. The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Four years after winning TV audiences’ hearts for the last time on The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Tyler Moore struck further gold with her own titular sitcom, earning a spot high on the pyramid of inspirational female pop culture icons. For seven seasons, Moore’s Mary Richards worked diligently amidst other colorful characters in the MJM newsroom, such as Gavin McCleod’s snarky Murray, Ted Knight’s dimwitted Ted, and Ed Anser’s ever-stoic (and spinoff-bound) Lou Grant. Not to mention Betty White’s ego-puff Sue Ann.

Outside the office, some of the Emmy-amassing show’s best scenes featured Mary mixing it up with her neighbor buddies Rhoda and Phyllis, portrayed with respective pizazz by Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman. “Chuckles Bites the Dust” and “The Last Show” are as good as sitcom TV gets.

27. Friends

“Best sitcom” conversations can’t happen without mentioning Friends once or a dozen times. As the epitome of Must-See TV in the 1990s and early aughts, the sitcom skyrocketed its six stars — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox. Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer — to fame. Decades later, the reruns are ever-present on TV and streaming, and the gang’s catchphrases continue to resonate as new generations make their way through Central Perk’s doors..

You don’t even have to have been a regular viewer to have heard Ross’ infamous “Pivot!” shout, to have a favorite Chandler quote, or to take a side on the Ross and Rachel “we were on a break” debate. Such universal recognition is relatively rare for a show that’s been off the air for 20 years.

26. The Office (UK)

We never would’ve met Steve Carell’s Michael Scott if there hadn’t been David Brent. Ricky Gerais and Stephen Merchant brought The Office to UK small screens in 2001 and, through two brief seasons and a Christmas special, introduced audiences everywhere to a new level of cringe in the form of this hilarious mockumentary series (one which kept its documentation scenarios realistic).

This dry and occasionally super-awkward comedy follows one branch of a paper company and its workers — played by Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis and several other talented actors — as they attempt to get through each and every workday, dignity optional. It’s the simplicity of the show and the way the characters played off one another that made The Office a true gem.

25. Roseanne

Whether viewers are from the working class midwest or other parts of the country, Roseanne found a way to be relatable to so many. Through the sea of picture-perfect television families came the tidal wave that is the Conner family, who bickered, joked and suffered through enduring hard times. At the core of it all was a family raised by two parents, portrayed by Roseanne Barr and John Goodman, whose love remained strong throughout.

The Conners were never the idealized family everyone strives to be, but still feels like a mirror of what blue class households are really like. And despite the baffling retconned lottery season, and Barr’s off-screen controversy, Roseanne’s comfort-TV legacy remains as timeless as the family’s living room furniture.

24. The Dick Van Dyke Show

There are great workplace comedies and there are great domestic family comedies, but The Dick Van Dyke Show somehow stands out among the best ever in both capacities. From the moment Van Dyke goes barreling over that ottoman, you know you’re in for something special, as the star’s gifts for physical and verbal comedy are nearly unparalleled. He’s often not even the one delivering the best jokes, because his reaction to his legendary co-stars is the true punchline.

Speaking of, the show was very much a group effort, despite its single-star title. Conceived and written by co-star Carl Reiner, and co-starring the incomparable Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, and Maury Amsterdam, all the pieces come together perfectly to make one of the most consistently high-quality sitcoms of all time.

23. What We Do In The Shadows

What We Do in the Shadows is a bonkers TV show that shouldn’t work, just like the vampires yelling “Bat!” shouldn’t work as a catchphrase, but it all absolutely does. The mockumentary, spunoff from the co-creators’ film of the same name, follows a group of ridiculous, socially out-of-touch bloodsuckers — save for energy vamp Colin Robinson and human familiar Guillermo — trying to prove their worth in Staten Island.

Despite how silly and NSFW the show is, movie-level prosthetics and visual effects help to elevate and add shocks to the narrative. The cast is truly outstanding, as it goes for any Matt Berry-infused cast, and WWDITS has earned as much awards recognition as any TV horror comedy. With murder and duplicitousness afoot, the series still hits all the sitcom benchmarks, including a fun neighbor (the mind-sapped Sean), a great theme song, and a bunch of A+ celebrity cameos.

22. The Office (U.S.)

Following the success of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s brilliant U.K. series of the same name, Greg Daniels’ adaptation of The Office took the mockumentary style of its predecessor – along with some of the more amusing traits and dynamics of its characters – and set out to tell new stories with office workers in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Whether it’s the hilarious standout ensemble of characters (led for most seasons by Steve Carell’s cringe-perfecting boss Michael Scott), the way it embraces the mundanity of office life, or how it follows years of these workers’ lives over years while squeezing every drop of humor along the way, The Office continues to be funny, relatable and — for many of us — a comfortable place to return to in the years since its fantastic 9-season run ended. Not to mention the timeless romances of Pam and Jim, Dwight and Angela, Phyllis and Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.

21. South Park

With more than 25 seasons and a growing number of one-off specials, South Park reigns supreme as a long-running pillar of TV satire. A look at the 20 best episodes from the series is an easy way to effectively understand just how relevant this series has been on so many levels, evolving from a Kenny-killing, catchphrase machine to a show with a lot more to say than T-shirt fodder.

What other TV series, much less animated comedy, has taken on major religious institutions, accused killers, wild dieting trends, controversial music superstars and world politics throughout its run? If others exist, they probably didn’t do it as well as South Park does, and there’s still no end in sight to the Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s pop culture phenomenon, even if the duo have understandably been less prolific animators in later years.

20. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

From some of the best TV cold opens – “I Want It That Way” sung by suspects, I mean, come on, it’s genius – to ongoing gags ike the annual heist, and “title of your sex tape” that make you laugh so hard your side hurts, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a wild sitcom that is surprising in the best ways and absolutely irresistible as comfort comedy.

Led by Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews and Joe Lo Truglio, this team of detectives quite literally never gets old, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine only got better in time as everyone grew comfortable in their roles and leaned into the silliness of their surroundings. Especially the all-time terrible cop duo of Hitchcock and Scully.

All around, what Dan Goor and Michael Schur created was so special, and as Jake Peralta would say “cool, cool, cool.”

19. Newhart

Bob Newhart struck TV gold a second time (not counting his stand-up appearances) with the endlessly cozy treasure Newhart, which centered on the comings and goings within the Stratford Inn in small-town Vermont. You know, the kind of small town where a man named Larry can have one brother named Darryl, and then also another brother named Darryl. It’s there where the star comedian and Mary Frann’s Dick and Joanna Loudon take over after a move from New York City, but their big-city know-how can’t quite compete with the quirkiness of their fellow residents.

Nothing ever gets old when it comes to watching the core cast — including Tom Poston, Julia Duffy and Peter Scolar — and the revolving door of recurring actors and guest stars bounce their energies off of Bob Newhart’s. And we’d be remiss not to give Newhart its flowers for shattering TV reality with its truly iconic finale twist.

18. All in the Family

All in the Family is arguably one of the most important TV series ever made, sitcom or otherwise, and shows don’t get the chance to change television if you’re not also good enough to stay on it in the first place. Not only was All in the Family successful enough to span eight seasons, but it also spawned five spinoffs. Despite the fact that the show’s primary character Archie Bunker was specifically designed to be the most bigoted person you know, it somehow all works so incredibly well. You love him even while you hate him, which is a testament to the abilities of creator Norman Lear and star Carroll O’Connor.

Dealing with, and poking fun at, topics that had been seen as taboo to even address previously, All in the Family courted its share of controversy and certainly ruffled some feathers. But that’s just further proof that it left an indelible and influential mark upon audiences everywhere.

17. Frasier

For a TV spinoff to be anywhere near as popular as its parent show is a huge accomplishment, and NBC’s Frasier pulled off just such a transition following Cheers’ conclusion. To be sure, it was plainly great to see Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane taking center stage after all those stool-sat years as an ensemble character. However, it’s unlikely the sitcom would have been nearly as successful without the supporting cast of David Hyde Pierce’s Niles, Jane Leeves’ Daphne, Peri Gilpin’s Roz and John Mahoney’s Martin.

These five characters’ unique personalities and the dynamics they share with one another make them one of the best sitcom casts of all time, and we’ll throw Eddie a bone there as well. Let’s not gloss over the intelligent writing Frasier consistently delivered, which was part of the show’s 37 Emmy wins over its eleven years on the air. Its continued popularity even sparked the Parmaount+ revival of the same name.

16. Taxi

Speaking to Taxi’s greatness takes little beyond listing the murderer’s row of talent yukking it up for five seasons at the Sunshine Cab Company: Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Andy Kaufman, Tony Danza, Jeff Conaway, Christopher Lloyd, and Carol Kane. Theoretically, these actors could have struck gold with any TV narrative, but the New York setting provided the comedically ideal edge and neuroses that earned the show 18 Emmys and millions of fans. (Not that Kaufman’s Latka Gravas was a local.) Not to mention the quartet of sitcom royalty in creators James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, David Davis, and Ed Weinberger.

Despite such over-the-top personalities, Taxi excels at grounded and heartfelt storytelling as much as broader humor, never shying away from the characters’ relatable struggles or the hot-button issues of the time. Extra points for its appearances from future Cheers stars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman and George Wendt.

15. The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls is excellent enough to convince audiences that spending your twilight years in a shared living space with your mother and two roommates is a blueprint for endless laughs, when that might not match up with reality. It’s a credit to the stellar cast comprising Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty. Queens, one and all. Amidst all the drama, the endless insults thrown around, and the cheesecake, the foursome’s friendship really shines through in this show.

It’s indeed that friendship that causes the gals to get into some absolutely wild adventures. Who can forget the time Rose nearly ended the Cold War with the Soviets with a letter? Not every narrative goes quite so big as that, even if Blanche plays up her romances as such, but it’s always a helluva fun ride.

14. Curb Your Enthusiasm

After Seinfeld concluded its historic run in the late ‘90s, series co-creator Larry David could have ridden off into the sunset atop a horse made from residual checks. Instead, the stickler for human behavior not only created true sitcom brilliance, but also broke new ground for HBO and self-deprecating celeb cameos.

Curb Your Enthusiasm — far more than a pretty, pretty, pretty good show — never failed to inspire laughs and shocks in equal order, following David’s over-the-top fictionalized version of himself (think George Costanza on shame-eliminating steroids), facing so many provocatively awkward situations with a vast array of friends, colleagues, contemporaries, and eventual enemies. (R.I.P. Richard Lewis and Bob Einstein.) The largely improvised show found new ways to be both relevant and funny across 24 years and 12 seasons, a task that’s easier said (and avoided) than done. And it also delivered an all-timer of a finale, poking fun at Seinfeld’s polarizing conclusion.

13. The Larry Sanders Show

As host of the fictional late night talk show The Larry Sanders Show, Garry Shandling implores his audience to stay tuned, ordering them, “No flipping!” It was an easy command to obey when it came to HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show, still one of the bravest, funniest, and most insightful programs that happily sinks its teeth into the Hollywood hand that feeds.

Larry is just an exaggerated caricature of Garry Shandling, who let all of his own neurosis and anxieties fly out of the mouth of his insecure comedic television personality who desperately wanted to be liked by his chosen industry. And the show got a lot of mileage out of real-life celebrities appearing and poking fun at their public personas. (David Duchovny for the win.) But it’s the supporting cast – led by the late Rip Torn and the wonderful Jeffrey Tambor – that elevates Larry Sanders to legendary status. There’ll never be another as biting and satirical as this.

12. Spaced

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s long history with director Edgar Wright includes the so-called Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End). Before that, though, they rocked the sitcom landscape with the UK gem Spaced. A relatable premise is vital to a good sitcom, and it was so easy to fall in love with pro slacker Tim (Pegg) and the uber-dramatic Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) while shrewdly securing their affordable apartment under the watchful eye of Julia Deaken’s landlady Marsha.

In addition to watching Tim and Daisy maintain their ruse of being a “professional couple” while figuring out the whole adulting thing, Spaced — one of Simon Pegg’s best projects — packed in endless horror movie references, video game easter eggs, and more pop culture love. (The pantomime gun fight is everything.) It also featured a supporting cast of hilariously exaggerated characters that will NOT have you wanting to “skip to the end.”

11. The Good Place

Sitcoms are, by design, often stagnant, with the same characters facing similar situations week after week. If the jokes land, everything works, but if not, well… Then along came The Good Place to throw those preconceptions out the window. If creator Michael Schur had just repeated Season 1’s twisty premise for five seasons, it would have still been good, but The Good Place achieved true greatness with its storytelling.

Fronted by Kristen Bell and Ted Danson in top-tier fashion, The Good Place takes massive risks with its afterlife-set narrative, changing elements from one season to the next. The house of (God) cards would have tumbled down had it not all worked as infallibly as the big man himself, but it never even wavered. Indeed, The Good Place is simply forking unbelievable from beginning to end, buttressed by fully realized characters portrayed by co-leads William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, and D’Arcy Carden. Stream the show for everyone now, Janet. Janet..?

10. Fawlty Towers

As part of Monty Python’s sextet of comedy masterminds, John Cleese had already conquered the world of sketch comedy and film, so the next obvious move was to craft a largely perfect sitcom with then-wife Connie Booth, and Fawlty Towers was just such perfection across twelve increasingly fraught.

Set within the non-existing titular hotel in Torquay, Cleese’s Basil Fawlty suffers the existence of everyone around him, especially Prunella Scales’ Sybil, his oft-demanding wife, and the language issues of Andrew Sachs’ Manuel, the establishment’s Spanish waiter. Booth’s chambermaid Polly gets slightly less irritation for being regularly competent. A hotel owner who hates his clientele is in the high-concept echelon, and the series offered up an eternally memorable selection of frequent and one-time guests, as well as builders, inspectors and others whose actions bring Basil’s blood pressure to a proper boil.

Similar to other classic ‘70s and ‘80s sitcoms, Fawlty Towers has been both celebrated and derided for its politically incorrect humor. It's perhaps exemplified best by the series’ marquee episode “The Germans,” and is something Cleese intends to replicate with the revival series he’s creating with daughter Camilla.

9. Cheers

Locations can mean everything to a sitcom. Memorable shows are set in places to which we want to return, from Mel’s Diner to the Dunder Mifflin offices to, of course, the bar from Cheers – where everybody knows your name. Audiences became such regulars to the comfortable sitcom, we practically expected to hear our own names shouted out, a la Norm, when we turned the program on.

The familiarity and welcomeness of Cheers kept us tuning in, even as some of the cast rotated. We all invested heavily in the “will they or won’t they” relationship of barkeep Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and waitress Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), but stuck around when Diane was replaced by Rebecca (Kirstie Alley); and Southern simpleton Woody (Woody Harrelson) was embraced after first filling in for the departed Coach (Nicholas Colasanto). Not that anyone could ever replace Cliff Clavin.

Television hasn’t been the same since Cheers closed its doors, with Frasier going a completely different spinoff route, and I’m not sure another show can be set in a bar, and reach the high bar set by this program.

8. The Simpsons

I think there’s an argument to be made that The Simpsons should have a place on any top 100 list when it comes to describing the best television, regardless of what additional parameters there may be. Part of the allure of this series, as it heads toward 800 episodes, is that there’s not really anything it hasn’t done at this point. There’s a Simpsons episode for whatever mood readers are feeling that day, though it may take a bit of research to figure out which one that is. 

What I love most about The Simpsons is how the series has evolved with time and how the show has modernized the characters with the times while still retaining the core elements that audiences loved about them. Sure, seeing Homer Simpson send memes to Lisa on a smartphone can feel a bit jarring sometimes, but it’s also 100% on-brand for the patriarch and definitely less weird in the modern day to younger audiences compared to if he was still using a rotary phone. Plus, if you prefer the old stuff, it’s all available to stream on Disney+

7. I Love Lucy

For the majority of TV’s existence as an entertainment platform, sitcoms have been synonymous with Lucille Ball, who achieved icon status several times over during her run as Lucy Ricardo in I Love Lucy (and other incarnations and later series). The series remains a blueprint reference for sitcom-crafting, and was revolutionary at the time for not only its star, but for her real-life husband Desi Arnaz portraying her faux hubby Ricky, and more.

While I Love Lucy could occasionally pull an emotional heartstring or two, its strength was comedy, and Ball maximized that concept throughout its run. Lucy and Ricky are as loud and wild a TV couple as can be, especially opposite their slightly more subdued neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. From Lucy’s efforts to get into Ricky’s shows to her attempts to hock Vitameatavegamin to her and Ethel’s conveyor belt struggles, the show regularly produced unforgettable sequences.

I Love Lucy is also revolutionary for women in television, with Ball helping pave the way for so many other amazing female actresses to lead their own successful shows, even if struggles are still real on that front. No need for further ‘splanation: I Love Lucy is TV gold.

6. Schitt's Creek

Schitt’s Creek didn’t truly hit the mainstream until its final season, but when people found it, its popularity exploded and its legacy was cemented. Created by father-son duo Dan and Eugene Levy, the comedy centers on a rich family who loses all their money, with the titular town as their silver lining. Annie Murphy and Catherine O’Hara co-star alongside the Levys in this most hilarious fish out of water story.

Seeing these four totally out of their element within the less-than-chic town is an easy way in for viewers. But the hooks that keep people watching are Catherine O’Hara’s ridiculous fake accent, Dan Levy’s sassy one-liners, Annie Murphy’s over-the-top everything as Alexis, Eugene Levy’s brilliant straight-man reactions, and the heartfelt growth this family goes through as they learn to love each other and the town they now call home.

Since the show became a sensation, lines like “Ew David!” have entered the everyday lexicon, and impersonations of Moira and Alexis can be seen frequently on social media. Schitt’s Creek shined bright when it was on — remember the network Pop? — and since then it’s cemented itself as a permanent part of the zeitgeist.

5. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Rarely does a piece of pop culture offer up a character who constantly proves themself to be unendingly vile, self-consumed, aloof, destructive and terrible for society. But a combination of those words describes literally every single character who speaks in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Of course, the biggest and most hilarious offenders are the central Paddy’s Pub gang made up of possible serial killer Dennis (Glenn Howerton), his slightly less evil Bird…e… sister Dee, the sexually fluid approval-seeking Mac (Rob McElhenny), glue-eating connoisseur and janitor Charlie (Charlie Day) and the shockingly demented and depraved Frank (Danny DeVito).

No stone goes unturned when it comes to shocking viewers with how low these characters will go to achieve even the most meaningless iota of recognition or selfish pleasure. There’s racially charged (and socially questionable) takes on Lethal Weapon and The Wiz, exploiting all manner of substance and behavior addictions, satirical jabs at gun control, welfare, sexual assault, and much more. Its unsanitary hilarity is cherished among fans who have watched it live on longer than any other TV comedy in history, with no end in sight. (Except for Danny DeVito’s bare one, that is.)

4. King Of The Hill

Animation isn’t often a medium for classic sitcoms, but Mike Judge’s King of the Hill delivered on all fronts by settling audiences into the everyday life of the Hill family. Hank, Peggy, Bobby, and an assortment of other Arlen standouts kept viewers rolling and clamoring for more Southern-fried hilarity during its 13-season stretch. (And more is on the way thanks to Hulu’s revival.)

King of the Hill tackles issues while poking fun at them in ways that most viewers can probably relate to — from the stresses of the workplace to the terror of puberty to the awkwardness of family — adding a layer of realism to the two-dimensional characters’ world. To that end, Judge’s series is also atypical for adhering to realism throughout, as opposed to going off the cartoonish deep end for laughs (outside of dream sequences, that is).

Judge’s Hank and Kathy Najimy’s Peggy, along with Brittany Murphy’s Luanne and Pamela Adlon’s Bobby, provide a lot of the show’s heart and soul with their struggles and not-always-brilliant reactions to those struggles. But it always helps to have friends around like the hapless good’n Bill, the conspiracy-obsessed Dale and the mush-mouthed Boomhauer.

3. Seinfeld

It’s joked that Seinfeld is “a show about nothing,” and that’s a fair surface-only assessment. The NBC hit provides no lasting messages or morals, and it focuses the majority of its creative energy on eccentric minutiae of everyday life – be it waiting forever for a table at a restaurant or getting in disputes with cashiers over proper change. Characters don’t grow or change — save for temporary shrinkage and mustache-growing — and there’s no reach for deep themes. They’re not even nice people.

And yet, it’s utterly brilliant, timeless, and endlessly rewatchable.

Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine each have their own unique and hilarious personalities strengthened by the actors’ performances, which in turn drives hilarious stories that unlock the real magic of the show: the way everything intertwines. Kramer golfing on the beach is its own weird gag, but also perfectly sets up George being called into action to rescue a beached whale after previously lying about being a marine biologist. Just about every sitcom since the early 1990s has tried to capture some of the magic of the nine-season series, but there is only one Seinfeld. (A notion that Newman would applaud.)

2. Veep

Veep was the [censored] creation of Armando Iannucci, the mastermind known for The Thick of It and Alan Partridge’s various incarnations, and HBO’s political workplace comedy is dripping with just as much satire and [censored] as anything graced by his Midas touch before or after. It’s one of the fastest and foulest sitcoms to date, with a jokes-per-minute rate that rivals other rapid-paced greats like The Simpsons and Arrested Development, and a [censored]-per-minute rate that is second to none.

As it goes with the best of the best, Veep boasts and expansive ensemble of uppermost geniuses, as led by Emmy magnet Julie Louis-Dreyfus’ Vice President (and then some) Selina Meyer, whose struggles to remain a boss in Washington D.C. means absolute hell for the masses of aides, pundits, strategists, etc. in her orbit. That applies most to her body man and extra appendage Gary, played with aplomb by Tony Hale.

Every Veep co-star brings something perfect to the table, from Anna Chlumsky’s rage suppression as Amy to Matt Walsh’s common sense suppression as Mike; from Reid Scott’s smarm-oozing Dan to Timothy Simons’ arbitrary naysayer Jonah. And we’d just as easily watch spinoffs centered on Kevin Dunn’s Ben and Gary Cole’s Kent, as well as Sam Richardson’s go-getter Richard Splett.

1. BoJack Horseman

One of the best animated TV shows of all time, Netflix’s BoJack Horseman took the adult-toon formula and evolved it into six seasons of one of TV history’s most unique offerings that — at least in CinemaBlend’s perspective — is the sitcom GOAT. Will Arnett is perfect voicing the tragic title character, a past-his-prime ‘90s sitcom star and substance abuser, and he’s bolstered by a who’s who of talented actors portrayed well-written characters, including fan-favorites Diane Nguyen (Alison Brie) and Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins).

After establishing its sitcom formula in its earliest wordplay-embracing seasons, Bojack Horseman begins getting experimental with its format in phenomenal ways, such as with Season 3’s “Fish Out of Water,” a thought-provoking underwater story with no dialogue, or Season 5’s “Big Churro,” a full-length Bojack eulogy following a big character death.

There are certainly laughs to be had, for sure — big, hearty, consistent, gut-shredding, animalistic laughs throughout all six seasons — but don’t be surprised if you end up shedding a tear or suffering an existential crisis or two along the way as well. The show-within-a-show Horsin’ Around probably wouldn’t have made it onto this list, but BoJack Horseman itself is a Triple Crown winner of the highest order.

The long-running HBO comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm — created by and starring Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself — saw the comedian offend and alienate just about every person he interacted with while living in L.A., but he is not the only TV character with that sort of reputation. If the end of Curb Your Enthusiasm still has you down, there are plenty of other TV shows that fans will love. See for yourself by taking a look at these other great sitcoms available to stream (or buy digitally or on physical media) that deliver comedy of the cringiest degree, and even some that also take massive jabs at show business.

Seinfeld (1989-1998)

Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander

What it's about: The misadventures of a comedian, his ex-girlfriend, his neighbor, and his childhood buddy.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: We previously included Curb on a list of shows like Seinfeld — not just because it also stars a comedian as a fictionalized version of himself, but also because David (along with Seinfeld) created and made numerous appearances on the groundbreaking, Emmy-winning classic ‘90s TV show that reflects many of the same cynical philosophies and brand of humor.

How to watch Seinfeld

• Stream Seinfeld on Netflix
• Buy Seinfeld on Amazon
• Buy Seinfeld on DVD on Amazon

The League (2009-2015)

Starring: Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Paul Scheer

What it's about: A group of middle-aged friends allows their obsession with putting together the perfect fantasy football line-up to bleed over into their personal lives in hazardous ways.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: Fun fact about Curb: all the dialogue on the show is improvised, just like one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu, The League — creators Jeff and Jackie Schaffer’s FX hit that also boasts a cynical brand of humor, but takes aim at the connection between sports and dysfunctional friendship.

How to watch The League

• Stream The League on Hulu
• Buy The League on Amazon
• Buy The League on DVD on Amazon

Reno 911! (2003-2022)

Starring: Thomas Lennon, Kerry Kenney

What it's about: A documentary crew observes the often uproarious antics of a Nevada sheriff’s department.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: Another one of the most acclaimed predominantly improvised sitcoms in recent memory is Reno 911!, which actually reflects Curb’s legacy as a movie that spawned a series in reverse, as the Comedy Central mockumentary later inspired two movies, Reno 911!: Miami and Reno 911! The Hunt for QAnon.

How to watch Reno 911!

• Stream Reno 911! on Paramount+
• Buy Reno 911! on Amazon
• Buy Reno 911! on DVD on Amazon

I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (2019-Present)

Starring: Tim Robinson, Sam Richardson

What it's about: A series of comical vignettes that comment on life’s awkward moments to an exponentially maddening and strange degree.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: Larry David might be a perfect fit for one of the best sketch comedy shows in recent memory, I Think You Should Leave, which imagines various scenarios similar to the cringe-inducing moments he often gets himself in on Curb.

How to watch I Think You Should Leave

• Stream I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson on Netflix

Bupkis (2023-Present)

Starring: Pete Davidson, Edie Falco, Joe Pesci

What it's about: A heightened inside look at the life of Pete Davidson.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: Speaking of sketch comedy, Larry David once starred on a sketch comedy series called Fridays and very briefly wrote for SNL before going on to play himself on an entertainment industry satire he created, much like when former SNL actor Pete Davidson created and starred in the semi-autobiographical Bupkis for Peacock.

How to watch Bupkis

• Stream Bupkis on Peacock

Dave (2020-Present)

Starring: Dave “Lil Dicky” Burd, Andrew Santino

What it's about: The personal and professional struggles of an up-and-coming rapper who rhymes with a sense of humor.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: Another great example of a funny series starring a comedian as a fictionalized version of himself (and one who often struggles with his own neuroses) is FXX’s Dave, which “Lil Dicky” co-created with Jeff Schaffer.

How to watch Dave

• Stream Dave on Hulu
• Buy Dave on Amazon

The Vince Staples Show (2024)

Starring: Vince Staples

What it's about: The bizarre encounters of rapper and actor Vince Staples.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: Yet another recent comedy series starring a hip hop artist as a fictionalized version of himself is Netflix’s The Vince Staples Show, which the eponymous star co-created with Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams.

How to watch The Vince Staples Show

• Stream The Vince Staples Show on Netflix

Flight Of The Conchords (2007-2010)

Starring: Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie

What it's about: Two folk artists from New Zealand struggle to make it in the music business and find love while living in New York City.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: An acclaimed comedy series created by and starring a pair of musical comedians is HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, which is also the name of Clement and McKenzie's folk parody duo whose music is featured in each episode.

How to watch Flight of the Conchords

• Stream Flight Of The Conchords on Max
• Buy Flight Of The Conchords on Amazon
• Buy Flight Of The Conchords on DVD on Amazon

Entourage (2004-2011)

Starring: Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven

What it's about: With his close friends and demanding agent by his side, a movie star navigates the highs and lows of the celebrity lifestyle in Los Angeles.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: While none of the central characters of Entourage are real people (despite being loosely inspired by producer Mark Wahlberg’s life), it is an acclaimed, Emmy-winning HBO original entertainment satire that often features celebrities appearing as themselves, much like Curb.

How to watch Entourage

• Stream Entourage on Max
• Buy Entourage on Amazon
• Buy Entourage on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998)

Starring: Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor

What it's about: A behind-the-scenes look at the personal and professional life of a late night talk show show host and his dysfunctional colleagues.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: Created by Shandling with Dennis Klein, The Larry Sanders Show is yet another Emmy-winning HBO original entertainment industry satire featuring cameos by celebrities as guests on the eponymous in-universe talk show.

How to watch The Larry Sanders Show

• Stream The Larry Sanders Show on Max
• Buy The Larry Sanders Show on Amazon
• Buy The Larry Sanders Show on DVD on Amazon

Bojack Horseman (2014-2020)

Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris

What it's about: An anthropomorphic horse actor struggles to come to terms with his dwindling popularity years after the end of his hit sitcom.

Why it is a great show for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans: One of the all-time best animated TV shows, Netflix’s BoJack Horseman, is one of the few cartoons that qualify for this list, given that it is yet another Emmy-nominated show business satire with a neurotic protagonist and frequent celebrity cameos.

How to watch Bojack Horseman

• Stream Bojack Horseman on Netflix

If you love Curb Your Enthusiasm, we hope you also find these to be pretty, pretty, pretty good.

I don't know about you, but I love a good character arc. Whether it's someone bad turning good, someone good turning bad, or just a character growing up and maturing over time, a good character arc makes a TV show a million times better. 

Don't forget that a good character arc also makes fans favorites, and these characters certainly became major fan favorites after their well-deserved character arcs on their television shows. 

Alexis (Schitt's Creek)

The Schitt's Creek cast is incredibly talented in many ways, but everyone had a better character arc than Alexis. Starting as a pretty, spoiled girl who didn't have a clear direction in life, she seriously matures toward the end of the series and begins to figure out what she wants – through hilarious moments. However, it's still a great character arc. 

Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

It's well-known that Zuko has one of the most significant character arcs of all time, especially in television, but most definitely in Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

Starting as a banished prince, Zuko had to undergo serious self-reflection, punishment, and much more to realize his true destiny. In the end, he was willing to sacrifice his life for the Avatar and his friends rather than try and earn the honor of his father over and over again. 

Loki (Loki)

Loki is a curious character because he had character arcs in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Loki television show, but we'll talk specifically about the series. 

Throughout its two seasons, Loki changes immensely, from the villain he was at the end of the first Avengers film to someone who would lock himself away forever to ensure his friends survive in timelines and keep the universe intact. I mean, talk about a change. 

Walter White (Breaking Bad)

We could say that Walter White had one of the best character arcs ever on television. Breaking Bad was an incredible show for many reasons, but I think the Breaking Bad cast was one of the main things that made it fantastic, including that of Bryan Cranston as White. 

In the beginning, we can almost see White as a savior, desperate to do anything to help his family after his inevitable death from cancer. Still, over time, we see how he changes into this power-hungry fool, ostracizing himself from his life and the people he loves. 

John Silver (Black Sails)

Black Sails is one of the best pirate shows, and John Silver was one of the best characters. I mean, think about it – he started off with nothing, just working as a cook due to being captured and taking out another cook. Silver had a brilliant mind, and through the show, we see him turn into a great strategist behind Captain Flint. He was always able to find a way out of any issue, making him more interesting. 

Jamie Lannister (Game Of Thrones)

For years, I have considered Jaime Lannister one of the best character arcs on television. As part of the Game of Thrones cast, Jaime Lannister was as selfish as a Lannister could be when the series started and then began to change throughout the following seasons, fighting for what was right, denying his sister, and so much more. Let's ignore what happened in Season 8 of the show. He was still a great character – just not his sad death. 

Octavia (The 100)

Good god, I remember when I first watched Octavia, a character a part of The 100 cast, I could not stand her. She was bratty, selfish, and straight-up annoying. 

But it wasn't long before she began to mature, and sooner or later, she learned how to fight, lead, and kill, which is needed in this world. What makes her even better is that she's a flawed character at best—she has moments of morally grey instances that really make you either root for her or hate her—which is why she's a fan-favorite. 

Jimmy McGill (Better Call Saul)

Oh, Jimmy McGill. Better Call Saul was a spinoff of Breaking Bad and told the story of Jimmy McGill or Saul Goodman. He started as someone genuinely trying to make it as a lawyer, but as the seasons go on, we see him sink more into criminal activity to get ahead since no one would give him a chance, thanks to his past. It's a slow, depressing character arc, but it's still fantastic either way.

Roy Kent (Ted Lasso)

He's here, he's there, he's every-well, you know the chant. 

Roy Kent of Ted Lasso began the series as a crude, mean, and old (in the eyes of sports) man, bitter about his past and despising Lasso coming in as their coach. But through the help of his close friends, significant others, and more, we see how much of a heart he has. He starts to show his true colors, and sooner or later, we see him even making friends with Jamie Tartt.  

Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Out of everyone on The Walking Dead, I think Daryl Dixon's character arc is among the most intriguing and fun to witness. When we first meet Daryl, he's super selfish and only cares about himself and his brother, but by the end of the series, he has a family, a life, and so much more that he's willing to die for. He was so beloved that there was a phrase called, "If Daryl Dies, We Riot." I would know, I had a shirt that said it.

Diane Nguyen (BoJack Horseman)

BoJack Horseman focuses on so many traumatized characters, but one of the best they really did a good character on is Diane Nguyen. She starts off as BoJack's ghost-writer, and while she's a bit passive at first, we start to see her grow into herself as time passes, confronting her past and future and even dealing with her own mental issues. 

Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)

I'm pretty sure everyone during the first season of Stranger Things was not the biggest fan of Steve, played by the excellent Joe Keery. But of course, we all ended up loving Steve Harrington because he learned to care for others and also became the best babysitter ever for the kids we loved. 

Nick (New Girl)

I could do any of the boys from the apartment, but Nick began New Girl as the type of guy I don't think any girl would want. He was immature and didn't have any direction in life. But towards the end of the series, even if he was still silly, he committed to fixing his life, growing stronger bonds with others, and opening up about his feelings instead of keeping it all closed inside. You have to love him. 

Carol (The Walking Dead)

Carol's timeline on The Walking Dead is something special. Her character arc makes me smile every time I think about it. Carol began the show as an abused wife of a beating husband, but once he's gone, she begins to get stronger every season, becoming a kick-butt zombie slayer and doing anything to protect the ones she loves. 

Starlight (The Boys)

Starlight from The Boys is the epitome of the phrase "never meet your heroes," literally in the sense of this show. She joins The Seven with bright ideas and discovers that it's not all it's cracked up to be. Over the course of three seasons so far, she's truly stood out and tried to make change—even going as far as breaking the law to do so. 

Jamie Tartt (Ted Lasso)

Jamie Tartt from Ted Lasso was so immature and selfish when we first met him, but he gets his time to shine in Seasons 2 and 3, where we start to see him change. He begins to grow and understand his role as a leader, making amends with old rivals and past relationships and building new bonds. 

Lexa (The 100)

While Lexa wasn't in the series for nearly as long as she should have been, she was an impactful character in The 100. Lexa's character arc, from being Clarke's enemy to doing a full 180 and becoming her lover before her tragic demise, will haunt every The 100 fan. This reminds us of all the great 'enemies to lovers' movies. 

Negan (The Walking Dead)

Negan was one of the best characters on TV when he appeared on The Walking Dead. His character arc not only made him stand out but also made him an easy fan favorite. Clearly one of the franchise's antagonists from the very beginning, Negan ended up finding his morally grey middle line and helping his once-enemies while also learning to find people to truly love and care about. 

Ahsoka (The Star Wars Franchise)

Ahsoka was one of the most hated characters in the Star Wars franchise when she first debuted because many thought her immature. Years later, through the Clone Wars and the Disney+ Star Wars shows, she matured into a Jedi master, was calm and collected, and was one of the most versatile warriors out there.

The Big Three (This Is Us)

As someone who loves the This is Us cast, the Big Three certainly had some of the best character arcs. These three go through so many heartbreaking hardships and moments throughout the franchise that it's a miracle they turn out fine by the end. 

But they didn't just end up surviving – they faced some of their worst moments, from drug addiction to racism to body issues to so much more, and came out on top. That's a character to root for – well, three characters in this case. 

Lydia (Teen Wolf)

There are plenty of great supernatural teen dramas with superb casts, but Lydia from Teen Wolf certainly has the best character arc. She starts as a popular girl who only cares about herself embraces her powers, and helps her friends down the line with whatever they need, even risking her life on multiple occasions. 

Arabelle (I May Destroy You)

I May Destroy You is a miniseries, but Arabelle's character arc is top-tier. Through nine episodes, we see Arabelle face one of her darkest and loneliest moments as she tries to figure out who sexually assaulted her one night, and she must face her grief, trauma, and so much more to find inner peace towards the end. 

Eren Yeager (Attack On Titan)

There are plenty of character arcs in anime, but the one I have to do is Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. He started off this anime as a brat who only wanted to kill Titans and would do anything to achieve it, but towards the end, he wound up becoming one of the most complex anime characters out there, with deep, hidden intentions and feelings that we could barely comprehend. 

Eleanor Shellstrop (The Good Place)

Out of the many characters in The Good Place, I have to give the character arc award to Eleanor. Her whole journey in the afterlife literally begins with a lie and being super selfish, but towards the end, she is filled with wisdom and selflessness and is willing to fight for what is right. It's a beautiful story. 

Bubbles (The Wire)

Surprisingly, The Wire is a show that has never won Best Drama at the Emmys, but it should have these character arcs, and I have to give it to Bubbles. One of the show's many characters, Bubbles' road to recovery, made you want to root for him from the very beginning and support him no matter what. 

Sokka (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Sokka was probably one of the most misogynistic characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender. At first, he believed that women could not fight, but towards the end of the series, he becomes a valuable leader, leading both men and women and becoming the man he was always meant to be. 

Sansa Stark (Game Of Thrones)

I know for a fact that many people did not like Sansa in the first few seasons of Game of Thrones, but she had some serious character growth that turned her into a fan favorite. From spoiled brat to Queen of the North, Sansa's maturity shines through. 

Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Starting as a villain in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spike was initially super unlikable. Over time, as he realized there was more than watching everything that went against him fall, he eventually worked with Buffy and became a trustful person.

Rebecca (Ted Lasso)

Rebecca's entire journey began with her as a villain in Ted Lasso, where she specifically hired Ted for the team to do poorly so it would shut down for revenge towards her ex-husband. But she is changed through Ted's kindness; towards the end, we miss her as much as we miss Ted. 

Peggy Olsen (Mad Men)

Peggy Olsen was a boss, and she wanted you to know. Mad Men was an AMC show that followed advertising executives in NYC, and Peggy was a character who worked her way up in power, beginning as a secretary unaware of the world she was entering and becoming an absolute leader despite her being a woman in the workplace in the 1960s. 

Theon Greyjoy (Game Of Thrones)

While Game of Thrones’ last season had issues, Theon Greyjoy's character was not one of them. Starting off as selfish and a betrayer who would do anything for power, Theon devotes his life to the Starks' cause in fighting against the Night King and dies in Season 8 defending Bran—but he dies a hero. 

April (Parks And Recreation)

April from the Parks and Recreation cast really started off as a slacker, but over the course of the series, through the help of her friends, relationships, and more, we start to become a heck of a lot more trusting—and still keeping that same deadpan humor that fans love. 

Which one of these classic fan-favorite character arcs is your favorite? This makes me want to rewatch all these shows again, just for fun. 

Have you ever been asked to picture your favorite character from your favorite TV show, but no picture came to mind? There is actually no shame in admitting that because we don’t even know what many of our own favorite TV characters look like. Take a look back at some of the most iconic characters on television that we never got any screen time, or were, at least, kept partially hidden.

Charlie Townsend (Charlie's Angels)

On Charlie's Angels, the Angels never physically met their boss, Charlie Townsend, who was voiced by John Forsythe in the original series and the first two cinematic spin-offs. The reason the retired detective never revealed his appearance and only communicated by via intercom was out of protection for his agents.

Vera Peterson (Cheers)

At Cheers, everyone knew Norm Peterson (George Wendt), but no one knew his wife, Vera… or, at least, what she looked like. She was often mentioned on the long-running, Emmy-winning NBC sitcom, but was rarely seen with her accountant husband, save one time when she was covered by a pie accidentally thrown in her face by Sam (Ted Danson).

Bob Sacamano (Seinfeld)

Outside of the main four Seinfeld cast members, Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) had friends like Newman (Wayne Knight) and Mickey Abbott (Danny Woodburn). His one buddy we never met was Bob Sacamano, but the seminal sitcom dropped enough hints in conversation about his scheming behavior and terrible luck that he was just as memorable as the former two.

Stan Walker (Will & Grace)

For the first few seasons of Will & Grace, Karen Walker (Megan Mullally) was married to the wealthy Stanley, before his affair, imprisonment, and death hoax caused issues. We never actually saw what the man looked like -- save a few shots of his hands and feet and the outline of his silhouette — but we know he is a heavy-set toupee-wearer.

Danny Valladeo (The X-Files)

While investigating cases on The X-Files, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) would reach out to an FBI agent named Danny. Fans have theorized that this Danny and another unseen character on the hit sci-fi show named Danny Bernstein are the same person, but creator Chris Carter has confirmed that this particular Danny’s last name is “Valladeo.”

Robin Masters (Magnum P.I.)

Even though some Magnum P.I. fans — and Tom Selleck’s titular private investigator himself — suspected John Hillerman's Johnathan Higgins was the real Robin Masters, the elusive novelist was officially billed as the voice of Orson Welles for six episodes. The character would be expanded in the Jay Hernandez-led modern reboot, in which he employs Magnum as a consultant, but still remains unseen.

Maris Crane (Frasier)

Originally, Frasier creators David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee wanted to, essentially, prank viewers of the Cheers spin-off into thinking Maris Crane was another Vera Peterson (Norm's unseen wife) before revealing her appearance later on. However, descriptions of Niles' (David Hyde Pierce) wife became so absurd over time that she was ultimately deemed impossible to cast and remained unseen for all 11 seasons.

Ercole "Eckley" DiMeo (The Sopranos)

Before Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) took over as the head of the DiMeo Family Mafia, the syndicate’s longtime leader was Ercole DiMeo, who was otherwise known as "Eckley.”Until he was portrayed by The Sopranos creator David Chase in the 2021 prequel movie, The Many Saints of Newark, Eckley was never seen on the original HBO series, due to his incarceration.

Debbie Wolowitz (The Big Bang Theory)

Howard Wolowitz's overprotective and overly loud mother, Debbie, was voiced by the late Carol Ann Susi on The Big Bang Theory cast. It was not until Pamela Adlon portrayed a younger version of the character on Young Sheldon that she made her first official on-screen appearance.

Lars Lindstrom (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)

On The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary’s self-absorbed friend, Phyllis (Academy Award nominee Cloris Leachman), and her dermatologist husband, Lars, were never seen together, despite being married for 15 years at the time the sitcom began. When Phyllis got her own self-titled spin-off in 1975, which lasted two seasons, we never got the chance to finally, officially meet her spouse as he had died by then.

Dr. Claw (Inspector Gadget)

Disney's live-action feature adaptation of Inspector Gadget reimagined the titular half-cop, half-machine’s arch-enemy as a man with an actual claw for a hand, played by Rupert Everett. In the animated series, Dr. Claw had both hands, but that was all we ever saw of the master criminal, who was originally voiced by Frank Welker.

Ugly Naked Guy (Friends)

For obvious reasons, viewers were never allowed a clear view of Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) neighbor from across the street whom, the Friends cast only referred to as "Ugly Naked Guy." We did, at least, see the back of his head when Ross (David Schwimmer) visited him in hopes of taking his apartment when he moved out.

Heather Sinclair (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

One of the most talked about students at the eponymous high school from Degrassi: The Next Generation was Heather Sinclair. However, despite her notoriety among her classmates, fans of the hit Canadian teen drama never had the chance to put a face to the name.

Cousin Jeffrey (Seinfeld)

Fans had the "pleasure" (in some cases, at least) of meeting many of Jerry Seinfeld's family members on Seinfeld, except for his cousin, Jeffrey. However, some might feel they know him quite well anyway with how often Uncle Leo (Len Lasser) talks about him "like he split the atom" and the main gang’s description of his horse-like face.

Wilson W. Wilson (Home Improvement)

This one is a special case because the Taylors’ next-door neighbor is never completely unseen. For no discernible reason, only the top half of Home Improvement cast member Earl Hindman's face was ever visible, with the bottom half typically hidden behind his fence.

Mrs. Columbo (Columbo)

Peter Falk's beloved, eponymous detective from Columbo spoke about his wife often but never bothered to show her in public, or at least to the camera. However, the role would be embodied by Kate Mulgrew in Mrs. Columbo — a spin-off most people have forgotten (or at least would prefer to), which is why we still count the character as unseen.

Juanita Beasley (The Andy Griffith Show)

Juanita Beasley is a woman whom Barney Fife (Don Knotts) took quite a liking to and would spend a lot of time chatting with over the phone. If only The Andy Griffith Show ever put a camera on her, we might have been able to see the appeal.

Erica (Bojack Horseman)

Many times on Netflix’s Bojack Horseman, Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins) would shout off-screen toward someone named “Erica.” Based on what the Labrador Retriever has said about his friend on the acclaimed animated TV show, we know that she has lost a few appendages (but "has the right number of ears") and has been banned from Disneyland. Her true identity and supposedly bizarre appearance remain a mystery.

Adults (Peanuts)

You could say the shorts and TV specials based on Charles Schultz's Peanuts comic strip made up the ultimate children's program because the only people you saw were children. Of course, there were some adult characters — such as Charlie Brown's teacher, Miss Othmar — but they were largely kept offscreen and spoke in a language that could be described as the somber wail of a trombone.

Epstein's Mother (Welcome Back, Kotter)

On Welcome Back, Kotter, Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes) often used notes to get out of homework assignments signed, "Epstein's Mother," whom, based on the lack of a first name provided, was likely not the one doing the actual signing. The truth may never be revealed since Epstein's real mother was never given a chance to show herself on the sitcom.

President Stuart Hughes (Veep)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Emmy-winning role as Vice President Selina Meyer might as well have been the Commander in Chief from the beginning of Veep. Her former superior, President Stuart Hughes, is never actually seen in the White House, which makes discussions of his irresponsibility all the more convincing.

Carlton (Rhoda)

When Valerie Harper's character on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda Morgenstern, got her own self-titled spin-off, she had a doorman named Carlton (voiced by series co-developer Lorenzo Music) who was almost exclusively heard through her building's intercom, save a few glimpses of his arm. The only time the character was fully visible was in a 1980 animated special that depicted his daily tasks.

Donald (Seinfeld)

In one of the best Seinfeld episodes, "The Bubble Boy," a visit to a fan of Jerry's with an immune deficiency ends in disaster when he and George (Jason Alexander) get in a fight over a Trivial Pursuit card misprint. Jon Hayman voiced the memorable one-episode role whose face was never revealed, even after his fight with George causes a puncture to his germ-free enclosure.

Dr. Herb and Diane Roberta Urkel (Family Matters)

After, almost literally, stealing the show from the rest of the Family Matters cast, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) basically adopted the Winslows as his family. Despite his irritating antics, Urkel’s neighbors did seem more welcoming of the squeaky-voiced nerd's presence than his actual parents, Herb and Diane Roberta, who kept their distance even when their son married Laura (Kellie Shangyne Williams).

Sally Reardon (Felicity)

When Felicity Porter (Keri Russell) starts college, she keeps in touch with a friend from her hometown named Sally Reardon by exchanging tape recordings. Sally's voice was provided by Janeane Garofalo, but the comedian never showed up to play the very supportive and wisdom-spouting role on camera.

Nanny (Muppet Babies)

The most we ever saw of the woman who took care of the Muppets' infantile counterparts on Muppet Babies was her legs. At least Nanny (originally voiced by Barbara Billingsley) had a distinct fashion sense that made those appearances memorable.

Tino (My So-Called Life)

One of the coolest students at Liberty High School who never once made an appearance in class (or off campus) on My So-Called Life was Tino. Plenty of fascinating information was provided about the teen — from his wicked parties to his lead singer position in Jordan Catalano’s band, The Frozen Embryos — but the seminal ‘90s series ended too soon for his official reveal.

Mr. And Mrs. Gibbler (Full House)

The TGIF era was filled with characters who just sort of hung out at the central family's home more than their own, such as Andrea Barber's Kimmy Gibbler on Full House. Even when Kimmy got married in the finale of Netflix's Fuller House, giving us a chance to finally meet her mother and father, they never showed up.

Envelope Assistant (America's Funniest Home Videos)

In the original incarnation of America's Funniest Home Videos, the late Bob Saget was handed an envelope revealing that week's winner by someone who never showed more than their hand to the camera. The host would always be sure to make conversation with the Envelope Assistant by asking what their evening plans were or remarking about a recent change to their wardrobe or physicality.

Dr. Richard Nygard (Parks And Recreation)

Chris Traeger (played by Parks and Recreation cast member Rob Lowe) expresses such high praise for his therapist, Dr. Richard Nygard, that it almost seems to border on cultism. Or, perhaps, their close doctor-patient relationship just seems strange and mysterious because we never got to see the man throughout the hit mockumentary sitcom’s run.

The Gooch (Diff'rent Strokes)

On Diff'rent Strokes, Arnold (Gary Coleman) was tormented on multiple occasions by a kid known only as "The Gooch." The sitcom managed to paint the character as the stuff of legend — like how most youngsters may see their school bullies — by never actually revealing what he looked like.

Dr. Kahn (Salute Your Shorts)

On the classic Nickelodeon series, Salute Your Shorts, Dr. Kahn would frequently make announcements of a positive or disciplinary variety on a loudspeaker to the youngsters at Camp Anawanna. However, that was as far as our interaction would go with the camp director, voiced by series creator Steve Slavkin.

There is a part of us that still wishes we could have finally seen some of these classic TV characters (or seen them better, at least). Yet, in retrospect, it is their enigmatic presence that makes them so memorable.

Animation is one of the earlier moving art forms, and has provided countless artists the means to bring their stories to life, be it through the black-and-white hues of Bosco the Talk-Ink Kid or the multicolored bliss of Fantasia. Toons can be as simple as the Oscar-winning “The Dot and the Line” from legends Chuck Jones and Maurice Noble, or they can be as endlessly complex as Wallace and Gromit’s stop-motion universe. Television has provided audiences with 80 years of memorable projects –- including some forgotten Saturday morning gems — with new shows debuting at a rapid pace, and we’re here to celebrate the very best animated series of all time.

From classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Fred Flintstone to modern favorites like Monkey D. Luffy and the Belcher family, CinemaBlend’s staff is saluting them all. So join us in paying tribute to the funniest, coolest, smartest, and most moving animated series that have graced our TV screens over the decades.

75. The Jetsons

Despite being the first show ABC ever broadcast in color, The Jetsons was canceled after a single season and only 24 total episodes. It just couldn’t find the right audience, at least until the reruns started airing on Saturday mornings and an entire generation of kids fell in love with the futuristic setting and zany plotlines. George, Jane, Judy, Elroy, Astro and Rosey eventually became so popular in syndication that more than 20 years after its cancellation, a further fifty-one episodes were produced, as well as a movie. It’s an unconventional success story but perhaps one fitting for a show filled with futuristic tech that hilariously never works as intended.

74. Aqua Teen Hunger Force

When Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block premiered in September 2001, Aqua Teen Hunger Force was one of its surreal cornerstones, and it’s pretty much stayed that way ever since. The long-running series follows three anthropomorphic fast food items – Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad – who get into all kinds of trouble with their neighbor(s), locals, and interdimensional beings. ATHF helped usher in a new era for adult animation at the turn of the century, and it's remained just as hilarious and timeless during that historic run. But for as wild and nonsensical as it gets, there’s a certain charm that makes it not just one of the funniest shows on Adult Swim, but in all of TV animation.

73. Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends

Though not lauded quite as high as animation giants such as Walt Disney or Hanna-Barbera, Jay Ward delivered many of the medium’s most lasting creations, with The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle at the center of his zany, intelligent, and meta-before-meta-was-cool storytelling skills. The titular moose and squirrel’s serialized rivalry with the devious Boris and Natasha can never be forgotten, while the history-adoring side characters Sherman and his pup Mr. Peabody became a pop culture magnet unto themselves over the years. Now if only we could get a Fractured Fairy Tales spinoff for the 21st century…

72. What If...?

Upon its launch, part of the reason why a Disney+ subscription was so appealing involved the streaming service's new content directly connected to major IPs like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And while we’ve been treated to a number of live-action shows, the studio also took a major risk with the multiversal animated series What If…? The comic book anthology series offers alternate realities to the MCU characters and events we know and love, and shows how the entire franchise could be radically altered if just one character's arc differed. Additionally, the voice cast of What…If? features many Marvel favorites reprising their roles to tell these ambitious stories that could never be produced in live-action.

71. The Proud Family

The Proud Family was all about Penny Proud and her wild, yet relatable, journey through high school. While the premise was simple, this show’s fabulous crew of characters is what made it iconic, and its depiction of the day-to-day lives of an African American family is what made it groundbreaking. From our lead Penny to her father Oscar, her besties Dijonay, Zoey, LaCienega and Sticky Webb — and of course Sugar Mama — this family is the best, and we’ll adore them forever.

70. Beavis and Butt-Head

Besides The Simpsons, arguably no animated series from the 1990s sparked a bigger array of multi-generational reactions around the country than Beavis and Butthead. As soon as it premiered on MTV in March 1993, Mike Judge’s groundbreaking, edgy, and unsavory cartoon became a national sensation while following two objectively moronic teenagers barely navigating school, life, nachos, and a carousel of music video commentary. Video games, movies, tons of merchandising (both official and bootleg) flooded the market in the years that followed, and there's a reason revivals keep happening: it's a great show, dammit. Mm-heh-heh.

69. Schoolhouse Rock!

Schoolhouse Rock! is an animated gem that has been passed down from generation to generation for all the right reasons. Originally debuting on TV back in 1973, the show's approach to combining educational programming with toon-filled songs cemented it as a true classic with more lasting value than most. From grammar-focused tunes like “Conjunction Junction" to the iconic intro-to-governmental-processes track “I’m Just a Bill” to even its Preamble song, Schoolhouse Rock! has had a lasting cultural impact, influencing many other shows, and even inspiring some spoofs along the way to its permanent place within pop culture.

68. Static Shock

The DC Animated Universe got a true shock to its system when Denys Cowan's Static Shock zapped onto TV screens in the early 2000s as a Saturday morning offering on Kids’ WB. Viewers were treated to some truly exciting, funny and heartfelt episodes that tracked the heroic exploits of teenager Virgil Hawkins in Dakota City. Thanks to late series creator Dwayne McDuffie and his talented team, Static Shock remains a dynamic piece of comic book fun, serving up some serious action mixed in with thoughtful social commentary on occasion. In short, this is a super-powered gem that’s rightfully still revered to this day.

67. Dexter's Laboratory

What child hasn't wished they had a secret location in their house that provided the means to do the most fantastic things their heart desires? Dexter’s Laboratory helped many youngins live vicariously through its titular brainiac, and the general hilarity of his meddling sister Dee Dee derailing it all helped make this one a definitive Cartoon Network classic. From the brain of the similarly brainy Genndy Tartakovsky, Dexter also boasted other animated shorts like Dial M For Monkey and The Justice Friends, which were all equally as enjoyable. To this day, I bet there are many who owe their ability to say “cheese omelet” in French to this wonderful series.

66. Kim Possible

“Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me,” because it’s time to talk about Kim Possible. Mixing a high-stakes spy drama with high school shenanigans appropriate for Disney Channel-aged audiences, this show is an action-packed good time. Largely centered on Kim’s missions to take down Dr. Drakken and Shego with the help (or more like attempted help) of her bestie Ron Stoppable and his naked molerat Rufus, Kim Possible defined many childhoods and taught generations of kids, and specifically girls, that anything is possible with the right mindset and gadgets.

65. Muppet Babies (1984)

How amazing are Jim Henson’s Muppets? The list goes on, but one key factor would be that Kermit and the gang brought to life what remains one of pop culture’s only genuinely great examples of “Your favorite characters, but they’re babies.” Trading TV studios and New York City exteriors for a Nanny-run nursery where the power of make-believe knows no bounds, Muppet Babies showed viewers of all ages that imagination is powered best when one is surrounded by friends to the end. Unfortunately for avid fans, the show’s abundant use of licensed TV, film, and music clips will likely keep it from ever hitting home media.

64. Family Guy

For one reason or 69 others — get it, Peter? — certain TV shows are able to get away with wildly edgy content without getting “canceled," either literally or figuratively. Granted, Seth MacFarlane's long-running fave Family Guy actually did actually get canceled by Fox back in 2002, but the '80s-adoring comedy was able to return from its shallow grave just two years later due to extraordinary DVD sales, a hit syndicated run, and the embrace of Adult Swim. and high ratings from reruns in syndication. Ever since that 2004 revival, viewers have followed the antics of Peter, Lois, Chris, Meg, Stewie and Brian along with all the ridiculous and often offensive cutaway flashbacks that fill their lives.

63. Robot Chicken 

Watching Robot Chicken calls to mind many chldhood memories of inventing scenarios with action figures modeled after classic movie and TV characters. That's essentially what Seth Green and Matthew Senreich’s stop-motion animated Adult Swim hit is: people playing with their toys. But with a bigger budget and more talented voice actors than any kids I ever played with. With boundary-pushing and insightful humor in the mix, the Emmy-winning Robot Chicken is sketch comedy at its most refreshingly unique, rebelliously raw, and deliciously nostalgic, and is not bogged down by the limitations that might come with a live-action production.

62. The Flintstones

For many people, The Flintstones is one of the first cartoons we remember watching on TV. This classic Hanna-Barbera series about a lovable caveman and his family navigating a prehistoric world field with outrageous stone-age variations of modern-day appliances and tools, is just as funny and attention-grabbing as it was upon its release more than 60 years ago, which is really saying something about its quality. On top of such indelible characters like Fred Flinstone, Barney Rubble, and the Great Gazoo, the show also has one of the most iconic opening themes of all time.

61. Freakazoid!

Though not the most marquee-ready superhero, Freakazoid!’s titular protagonist is the creation of Batman: The Animated Series legends Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, with Steven Spielberg and Tiny Toons vet Paul Ruegger leading the charge. So yeah, it’s a perfectly bonkers mix of comic book mythos mixed with slapstick and fourth-wall-breaking comedy, complete with a mini-universe of B-tier heroes and villains such as Candle Jack (but don’t say his name). Lasting two seasons from 1995-1997, Freakazoid! ss a joy for viewers of all ages, anchored by the stellar voice work of stars Paul Rugg and Ed Asner.

60. Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers

Long before the series was reimagined as a hilarious Disney+ movie starring John Mulaney and Andy Sandberg, Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers started out as a tremendous and timeless action-adventure toon about a pair of chipmunks fronting a crew of anthropomorphic animals. Thanks in part to that earworm theme, it never gets old watching Chip, Dale, Gadget Hackwrench, Monterey Jack, and Zipper solve all manner of crimes (both big and small, really small) and save the day before the end of each episode, and the show can still hold the attention of our kids all these years later.

59. Teen Titans

Some viewers probably weren’t sure what to make of Teen Titans upon its debut, but the series eventually became a hit – and for good reason. The quirky superhero romp is the definition of cartoon greatness, as it skillfully blends action and comedy, ultimately using both to great effect. Yet, most importantly, so much heart is on display amidst the explosions and sheer wackiness as well. Because of that, Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy and Raven remain not only one of DC’s best TV super teams, but also one of its greatest familial units. And, yes, that theme song still slaps.

58. Gargoyles

The oft-underrated Saturday morning toon Gargoyles is one of those shows that manages to deliver more than the kind of action you’d expect from Disney's weekly animated fare. It’s a dark and complex drama series with dynamic characters, beautiful animation and stories that sometimes border on Greek tragedy. Many viewers understandably still have such reverence for the tales that EP Greg Weisman and his team told about the mighty Goliath and his clan of night guardians. It’s ironic that a group of beings that turn cold as stone are among some of the warmest heroes to ever grace a TV screen.

57. DuckTales

Having quite possibly the catchiest theme song on this list that's chock-full of them is probably enough reason to include DuckTales on this list, but of course, the show has so much more going for it. Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, previously only bit players in Disney cartoons, earned the star spotlight for a show that was about as close to an action/adventure cartoon as Disney had delivered at the time, making it something fresh new, and exciting. But it was still “Disney” and thus more accessible to younger viewers than other ‘80s cartoons looking to sell action figures, drawing from Carl Banks' timeless comic run.

56. Hey Arnold!

Amidst all of Nickelodeon's best chracters, perhaps no greater role model for younger viewers exists than the football-headed protagonist of Hey Arnold! In fact, Craig Bartlett’s series offered something very few animated programs have (then or since): a diverse ensemble whom kids could potentially relate to or aspire to be like. With a stunningly grounded urban aesthetic, even in its most peculiar momens, and a hefty set of valuable life lessons that often came out of dark situations, admittedly — not to mention an absolute banger of a jazz score — Hey Arnold! is a masterstroke for the medium.

55. The Real Ghostbusters

1984's Ghostbusters inspired an immediate sequel, but when live-action follow-ups stalled, Sony did the next best thing: created this magnificent riff on the beloved property. No, they couldn’t get BIll Murray and Dan Aykroyd together every three years, but they could animate Peter, Ray, Winston and Egon for a series of animated adventures around New York City, the world, and even realms beyond. The best part about The Real Ghostbusters is that it understood the irreverent tone of Ivan Reitman’s two movies, but split the difference to also appeal directly to kids who just wanted to see Slimer. When we really need a hit of that nostalgic rush, these are the Ghostbusters stories that most deserve revisiting.

54. Teen Titans Go

DC Comics adaptations often get knocked for being too serious, but that's not the case with Teen Titans Go, an effervescent, energetic, and rapid-fire funny series centered on Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and Starfire. The show embraced irreverent humor, leaning hard into its heroes' stereotypical behaviors, from Robin’s crippling need to be a leader to Raven’s broody Goth Girl energy and beyond. Without hinging on continuity or major cameos from A-list DC heroes (at least, not until Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, which was equally excellent), this slap-happy toon basically gave young kids a comic book portal where they could enjoy “waffles, waffles, waffles” without having to brood over anyone's parents getting gunned down in an alley.

53. The Powerpuff Girls

Sugar, spice, and everything nice wasn’t even half of what we got with The Powerpuff Girls. Like many other animated classics, it was a show made for kids that adults could easily also enjoy. The superpowered Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup deal with typical childhood troubles like sibling rivalry and bed wetting while also saving their town from a truly ingenious rogue’s gallery. These endearing kindergartners, their friends and foes (like arch nemesis Mojo Jojo, and Powerpuff wanna-be Princess Morbucks) provide us with laughs, lessons and intrigue, all wrapped in a parody and pop-culture focused package that doles out plenty of surprises.

52. Tiny Toon Adventures

Following in the footsteps of the iconic Looney Tunes squad was always going to be a tall order, but the Stephen Spielbeg-produced Tiny Toon Adventures understood the assignment. While the characters may have been inspired by those that came before, each one from Babs and Buster to Plucky and Hampton, was given just as much freedom to be entirely new characters, not simply the “new versions” of the classics. The humor was always on point, with plenty of gags for younger viewers, alongside references only the older “kids” watching would get.

51. Courage the Cowardly Dog

Making a cartoon for children that's as creepy as it is funny is no easy task, but Courage the Cowardly Dog found a way to execute that balance quite beautifully, relying mostly on overtly bizarre and/or paranormal villains. Courage protecting his owners, Eustace and Muriel, against everything from a cursed mummy to a duck with a mallet never gets old. It’s the most deserving Cartoon Network original that needs a revival, which could potentially still happen someday, considering Courage was part of a Scooby-Doo crossover movie released in 2021. Until that day comes, fans can revisit the entire series with a Max subscription.

50. Adventure Time

Most classic adventure cartoons engage in storytelling in a more earnest manner, but only a few effectively capture the joys of make-believe like Adventure Time — which for many is the absolute cream of the crop for Cartoon Network’s original programming. Creator Pendleton Ward’s fantasy-comedy follows Finn the Human (Jeremy Shada) and Jake the Dog (John DiMaggio) as they navigate the weird and wonderful, post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, having a mathematical time along the way. With its charming animation, ingenious creatures, clever world-building, and a lighthearted tone that never abandons spellbinding excitement, the fun truly never ends.

49. Big Mouth

It’s not every day that audiences get a hilariously offensive animated show that actually provides accurate representation of growing up LGBTQ+. On the surface, Netflix's Big Mouth, which rocks an all-star cast led by co-creator Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, simply shows the trouble and turmoil of puberty, sexuality, hormones, and the everyday struggle that we call “life.” Lucky for viewers, it is also much, much more than that. The show follows a group of young people who tend to be accompanied by “hormone monsters” (who now have their own wacky spinoff series) who help guide them through the changes and struggles that come with growing up.

48. Arthur

Kids owe PBS for so many great animated series, but Arthur might be its crown jewel. For over 20 years, Marc Brown’s storybook aardvark, along with his friends and family, endeared themselves to the public. The author and the show’s writing staff, through their efforts, taught youngsters firm lessons in responsibility, community, empathy and much more. What’s particularly impressive is that the grade-school comedy managed to remain consistent in conveying such morals during its lengthy run. Of course, when the program wasn’t dropping vital nuggets of knowledge, it was simply exuding pure, imaginative fun. What we have here is a truly timeless show, and one that’s sure to delight audiences for generations to come.

47. Pokémon

Part of the reason Pokémon remains one of the top franchises worldwide is because the series can have a different meaning for every generation that consumes it. The kids of 2024 can watch the same show O.G. viewers watched in the late '90s and appreciate those characters in new ways, given there have been plenty of successive projects that have come loaded with over a thousand different Pokémon for children to latch onto and make their favorite. The show's awesome battles haven't quite held up when it comes to the franchise's many video games, but perhaps someday, Game Freak will give the people what they want.

46. Spider-Man

Spider-Man fandom has been known to grow from many sources, including the comics and multiple generations of live-action blockbusters, but the Spider-Man animated series from 1994 holds a special place in the hearts of millennials – as it should, because it is amazing (pun totally intended). In retrospect, the content censorship is ridiculous (this is a show where Spidey wasn’t even allowed to punch people), but the filmmakers still found ways to deliver exciting adaptations of comic book stories, and some episodes are even better than the source material. We have yet to see a better version of the Venom origin story than what was created here.

45. Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Thanks in large part to the success of Tim Burton’s Batman from 1989, it was at one point decided that the best version of the Caped Crusader is the dark and brooding version. That has now been the go-to mode for the superhero for decades – but at the very least Batman: The Brave And The Bold reminded us for a time just how much fun the Dark Knight can be. The deep voice and silly sensibilities of Diedrich Bader make him one of the best to ever play the hero, and every episode delivers a fun team-up opportunity. Every DC character is represented with love, but there’s an argument to be made that John DiMaggio's Aquaman is the all-time best version of the Atlantean king.

44. Doug

The entire Nicktoons library was a big deal for '90s kids, and who was more relatable than Doug Funnie on Doug? Through his journal entries and soaring imagination, the preteen opened up about the seemingly everyday events of his life, from getting a haircut to trying liver and onions, and we totally felt that. We understood the middle school awkwardness, the anguish of his crush on Patti Mayonnaise and just how good it felt to rock out to your favorite band (The Beets, of course! “Aw-wee-oo! Killer tofuuuuu!”). We wanted Skeeter to be our best friend and a dog as cool as Porkchop. Not to mention, the opening credits and theme song are pretty iconic.

43. Pinky and the Brain

Let’s be honest here: Pinky and the Brain was repetitive. In every episode, the two main characters did “the same thing we do every night, Pinky… try to take over the world!” But it was the way that the odd couple mice played off of each other — with Pinky being the doofus assistant to the Orson Welles-inspired mastermind mouse that is The Brain — that allowed this Animaniacs episode segment to thrive as its own standalone series. It's one we still quote to this day, using many of the cast members’ favorite jokes. Like everything in Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain benefitted from an “anything goes” approach to humor, meaning that stories would involve Brain’s archnemesis (a hamster named Snowball) or a bit where Pinky gets elected President of the United States. And it all worked because the creators understood how to be intelligent while also being goofy.

42. X-Men: The Animated Series

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe revitalized how big and connected comic book adaptations could be, few film and TV examples truly brought to live what people loved about the medium. X-Men: The Animated Series was one of the first, giving audiences comic book-accurate versions of the beloved mutants that felt like they jumped right off the page. The show offered long-term serializing storytelling just like the source material, something that was essentially unheard of for a Saturday morning cartoon. But whether one was an avid reader or not, these were (and perhaps still are) the definitive versions of the X-Men. It’s no wonder that decades later, the series was revived as X-Men '97.

41. Infinity Train

Created by Regular Show writer/artist Owen Dennis, the Cartoon Network-turned-Max series Infinity Train is the crown jewel of overlooked and under-discussed animated series. A highly imaginative coming-of-age sci-fi fantasy,  not the most common sub-genre, the series centers on a different interconnected story and character set in each of its four seasons, with everything taking place on a mysterious and impossibly long train where most cars present challenges for the characters to figure out and overcome. It’s an emotionally gripping and exciting tale that never goes off the rails, with a stacked cast of familiar voices.

40. Futurama

The second mega-hit series created in part by Matt Groening, Futurama has always been far more than just The Future Simpsons, thanks to its unforgettable cast of meme-ready nutjobs, egomaniacs, and bending-proficient robots. From Fry’s dopey optimism to The Professor’s absent-minded genius to Hermes’ ability to drop everything if a limbo stick comes around, the series balances its strong personalities with tons of space-faring, paradox-thwarting, time-traveling mayhem that never stops being fun. Both one of the smartest and silliest animated series of all time, and filled with some of the nerdiest jokes possible, Futurama has remained a beloved small-screen entity in part because the Planet Express crew has managed to survive multiple cancellations at Fox and Comedy Central, reaching its third lifeform at Hulu, presumably because the Hypnotoad demanded it so.

39. Mickey Mouse (Classic Disney Shorts)

There are few animated characters more famous than Mickey Mouse, and it’s safe to say the House of Mouse wouldn’t be everything it is today without Disney’s classic Mickey Mouse animated shorts that debuted in the 1920s. Smartly written and brimming with slapstick comedy, these quick hits of quirky fun introduced us to the loveable mouse — who displayed courage and strength but in a way that was achievable for any of us — along with the equally iconic Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy. Included in this series is 1935’s “The Band Concert” — Disney’s first color cartoon, which quite literally paved the way for Disney animation for 100 years and counting. And while it may not be part of that exact era, give me Goofy bungling up ski lessons any day.

38. Dragon Ball Z

Though it wasn’t the first show in the franchise, Dragon Ball Z introduced countless kids and teenagers to iconic characters like Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Gohan throughout the ‘90s, especially after the anime series became a mainstay in Cartoon Network’s Toonami afternoon block. This intense cartoon about a group known as the Z Fighters who attempt to protect Earth (and later, other planets) from diabolical forces was something many of us ran home from school or off the bus to catch each weekday. The introduction of increasingly dangerous and destructive villains like Frieza, Cell, and Boo (each had their own saga) continued to raise the bar as the series went on, and make this still a gem worth revisiting.

37. Rocko's Modern Life

Is there a classic Nickelodeon show from the ‘90s that captures the spirit of the era more than Rocko’s Modern Life? This zany, surreal, and extraordinary animated series debuted in 1993 and quickly found an audience thanks to its unique style of humor that appealed to both children and adults. With characters like the neurotic titular wallaby, his best friends Heffer Wolfe and Filburt, and the various members of the Bighead family, there was so much to love about the show. It pushed the envelope with its humor and art direction and had a lot to say about the modern world, hence its name. The mammalian gang even returned to fans in 2019 with the special Static Cling.

36. Animaniacs

We still have no idea how Animaniacs creator Tom Ruegger got the greenlight to make everyone's childhood better with this hilarious, clever, but extremely inside-baseball showbiz comedy aimed at mature kids. Yes, on the surface, the Animaniacs works as a variety show, an evolution off The Muppet Show during which the hosts – the Warner siblings, one with a Liverpool accent – would set up individual cartoons. But in between, the banter and humor offered up in Animaniacs consisted of some of the funniest, most outrageous, and unpredictable jokes that would spoof Dolly Parton, Marilyn Monroe, and the idea of fingering Prince, as it were. Sometimes the show managed to be educational, but mostly it was pure lunacy, and we loved every second of it.

35. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Mysteries are the most entertaining genre of storytelling. What’s more satisfying than a tidy reveal at the end of a whodunit, and a villain exclaiming how they would have gotten away with it, if not for those meddling kids? Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? followed a very popular “monster of the week” format, but wasn’t afraid to push the envelope to freak out little kids who tuned into a cartoon and were terrified by haunted suits of armor, killer clowns, and more. From its unforgettable theme song to the vocal contributions of radio icon Casey Kasem as Shaggy, Scooby-Doo Where Are You? walked so that Goosebumps and Gravity Falls could run.

34. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated is a breath of fresh air within the long-running franchise birthed by Hanna-Barbera. For this particular production, the typical case-of-the-week format isn’t in play, as serialized storytelling is utilized. It’s a great approach that really fleshes out the meddling kids and the titular canine in a way that past incarnations don’t. The humor associated with this entertainment property is definitely employed in this iteration. However, what’s also exciting is how the writers and artists aim to deliver some truly scary monsters, all seemingly tied to the antagonist Mr. E. While it’s admirable that the show sticks to its predecessors’ roots in many ways, its goal to shake up the classic formula results in an overarching mystery that’s both compelling and creepy.

33. Archer

Creator Adam Reed’s singular vision and undying creativity turned Archer from a ribald spin on James Bond into one of the most well-rounded pieces of spy fiction in existence. H. Jon Benjamin’s unmistakable voice gives life to the booze-swilling agent’s snappy insults and TV-MA euphemisms alongside a downright stellar cast that also includes Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell and more. The series is a testament to the importance of characters compared to plot, with Archer’s core group shifting from years of traditional storytelling to multiple side-mission seasons such as the Miami-set Vice, the subconscious-set Dreamland, the jungle-filled Danger Island and others. On a jokes-per-minute basis, it stands next to comedy giants like The Simpsons and Airplane!, and can drink them both under the table.

32. Batman Beyond

Debuting in 1999, Batman Beyond jumps decades forward into the future and showcases the story of a now-retired Bruce Wayne who is acting as a mentor to the next generation Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, as voiced by the legend himself, Kevin Conroy. The show earned multiple award nominations, winning two Daytime Emmy Awards. Bruce and Terry have just enough similarities and frustrating differences to keep their dynamic captivating while still wholesome, which makes this particular animated series one of the most enjoyable to watch in the franchise. Terry is forced to work twice as hard in order to balance out both his personal life and his crime-fighting side persona, as he both learns from and teaches his mentor as they both work to stand up for what they both clearly believe in.

31. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

While a lot is owed to Genndy Tartakovsky’s Star Wars: Clone Wars, the animated side of George Lucas’ sci-fi universe truly took off in 2008 with the launch of Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The series is, in large part, what it is due to franchise guru Dave Filoni, who thought his hiring was a prank. Filoni’s respect for Lucas’ work permeates the entire CGI show, but there are also some cool elements that he himself adds to the canon, including the now-beloved Jedi Ahsoka Tano. With incredible storylines, sweet animation and strong voice acting, this show works well on its own but also stands firmly alongside the films it builds upon.

30. Bob's Burgers

One of the many things to love about Bob’s Burgers is just how close, loving, and, well, lovingly strange the main characters at the center of the show are. The Belcher family is (mostly) committed to keeping their small, family-run burger shop up and running, but their kooky adventures usually take the whole family away from the restaurant. Exasperated pessimist Bob, his happy-go-lucky wife Linda and their kids, Tina, Gene and Louise get into a number of hilariously weird scrapes that, honestly, most of us only wish we could have to make life more intriguing. Add to that Louise’s near-constant scheming, Tina’s awkwardness, and how the whole family interacts with a town full of endearing oddballs, and you have yourself a wonderfully weird winner. Tell 'em Teddy sent ya.

29. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the perfect show for a perfect moment in time. It combined outrageous and over the top late 80s imagery with some of the first mainstream depictions of skater culture and added ninjas, an outrageous backstory and a steady stream of cheesy catchphrases. Deep in the sewer of our hearts, amidst roundhouse kicks and impossibly yellow April O’Neil jumpsuits, they carved out a place for themselves, and more than thirty years later, their ooze still remains in the form of reimagined shows, new movies and billions of dollars worth of merchandise. And despite all the success, they're still just heroes in a half-shell, and they're green. (Hey, get a grip.)

28. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)

In 1999, if you told someone a silly gap-toothed sponge would one day be as recognizable to the children of the world as Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny, they would’ve laughed. And yet, SpongeBob SquarePants continues to entertain the children of today, and has been lovingly embraced by the Millenials and Gen-Z who grew up with it as well. The internet is loaded with memes dedicated to the franchise, and there’s still plenty of debate as to what is in a Krabby Patty. With plenty of episodes and even some spinoffs, it feels like SpongeBob and friends will be entertaining children for many years to come.

27. Rugrats (1991)

Rugrats premiered in 1991 on Nickelodeon as one of the first three Nicktoons, aimed at a younger audience than Doug and The Ren & Stimpy Show. It was a staple for kids throughout the ‘90s and into the early 2000s, with nine seasons about the adventures of babies Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil, with regular appearances from characters like the parents, Angelica, and (eventually) Dil. The show could swing from silly to serious, with memorable episodes that ranged from covering the grief of losing a parent to the spectacular Reptar On Ice, with a dinosaur love song that still rings in the hearts of plenty of ‘90s kids. There’s a reason why this Nicktoon show went on to inspire Rugrats movies and a 2021 reboot.

26. Harley Quinn

What happens when you blend DC Comics mythology with the kind of crass adult comedy you find in shows like Family Guy and South Park? You get Harley Quinn, which follows Kaley Cuoco’s version of The Joker’s former squeeze going on adventures with Lake Bell’s Poison Ivy, her best-friend-turned-girlfriend, and getting into hijinks with fellow supervillains and superheroes alike. One doesn’t need to be a hardcore DC fan to appreciate Harley Quinn, although that definitely helps with catching the deep-cut references and Easter eggs. As long as you're in the mood for clever writing and all the edgy, not-safe-for-kids humor you could ask for, Harley Quinn is a must-[censored]-watch.

25. Gravity Falls

With hands on our bible of beasts, baubles and bafflement — Journal 3, naturally — we can solemnly swear that Gravity Falls is the weirdest, wildest and gobblewonkiest project that’s ever come out of Disney, bursting through the castle doors like rainbows from a gnome’s mouth. Created by Alex Hirsch, the mystery-hinged funfest centers on a pair of siblings, Jason Ritter’s Dipper and Kristen Schaal’s Mabel, living with their kooky and perhaps unstable great uncle, Grunkle Stan (voiced by Hirsch). And for anyone who loves codes, hidden messages, deep lore, crytozoology, conspiracies, and everything sharing that fringe space, Gravity Falls is the holy grail of animated shows. (And that grail is filled with Pitt Cola.)

Despite nearly universal love and acclaim, Disney cut Gravity Falls’ run short at just two seasons, although the actual supplementary Journal 3 (which Hirsch co-wrote) is expansive and unique enough of an experience to at least count as a one-off special. There’s still hope that fans will one day go on more adventures in the Mystery Shack with Soos, assuming Bill Cipher doesn’t muck anything up, but even if these 40 episodes are all that ever get produced, it was perfection.

24. The Boondocks

Aaron McGruder’s adaptation of his own comic strip, The Boondocks, is a must-watch for those trying to better understand racial relations, culture, and racism in the United States. With the help of some voice acting from Regina King, Riley and his brother Huey navigate the Black experience of living in a predominantly white suburb.

The Boondocks thrived on taking hot-button issues and forcing the viewer to think about not just the issue but their own reaction and perspective of that issue. The Boondocks deserves applause for how it pushed the envelope in its four seasons and offered thoughtful commentary in a way few other animated shows can.

23. Justice League

Superheroes joining forces in the DC Animated Universe wasn’t anything new prior to 2001 thanks to special pairings in Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond’s “The Call” two-parter, but Justice League placed teamwork front and center. Viewers watched Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl vanquish terrestrial, alien and magical threats together, and it was a blast.

Justice League continues to be appreciated for its crisp animation, mature storytelling and stellar character development, as well as for transforming John Stewart from a B-list character to the definitive Green Lantern for a generation. Justice League makes an effective crash course for those wanting to dive into DC lore without having read any of the comics.

22. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Being such a well known and praised franchise for decades, die-hard fans were quite surprised when it was announced back in 2019 that the Star Trek franchise would be taking a shot at an adult comedy with a brand new animated show, Star Trek: Lower Decks. Written by Rick and Morty’s Mike McMahan, the show takes place in the 24th century and instead of focusing on the high-ranking officers on the Bridge Crew, it gives viewers a glimpse into the “lower deck” officers with the more humble jobs that keep the ship running…smoothly? The show often references the rest of the Star Trek earlier entries and breaks down sci-fi tropes, often in a very NSFW way, and should delight both seasoned and new fans alike.

21. Sailor Moon

If you’re of a certain age, Sailor Moon may be the first anime you ever saw in your entire life. It’s one of those ‘90s anime that was sandwiched between Fist of the North Star in the ‘80s, and the explosion that was Dragon Ball Z, and Pokemon in the later ‘90s. Even so, Sailor Moon still managed to stand out, and it still stands out today. It may be because Serena (or Usagi, if you prefer sub over dub) is so dang loveable. As is her relationship with Darien (AKA, Tuxedo Mask).

And of course, we can’t forget the many other Sailor Scouts, as they all have their own unique personalities and inner worlds. In truth, Sailor Moon is the kind of cartoon that appeals to both young girls, but also grown men in their ‘30s and ‘40s, and really, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

20. One Piece

Shows like One Piece don’t come along often, and really, we’re not sure there is any other show on television that’s like it. It’s one thing to have an astronomically high episode count, but quite another for that story to be serialized and tell a great story of a pirate adventure that’s been wowing viewers for over two decades. The character development and growth of the Straw Hat Pirates and the world-building it boasts makes this an easy choice for top-tier anime, and it’s great that Netflix finally took notice and made an equally enjoyable live-action series.

It’s a modern-day epic story equatable to Gilgamesh or Beowulf, and feels like a lived-in universe more than any other anime out there. It’s totally worth the time investment for those who feel overwhelmed by tackling the 1000+ episodes of this ongoing series.

19. The Critic

The Critic, which revolves around New York film critic, Jay Sherman (voiced by A League of Their Own’s Jon Lovitz) sometimes hits way too close to home. What we mean is, with many of us being critics ourselves, a lot of Jay’s fussy qualms about movies seem super spot on, such as the eye roll he gave to the made-up movie, Beverly Hills RoboCanine Cop and a Half 2 (Starring Clint Eastwood!).

But that’s just the beauty of The Critic, because even though Jay was often fed up with having to review so many mediocre movies, he still loved his job, and stayed a movie fan to his core. Which, again, hits very close to home. Plus, it didn’t hurt that the series had The Simpsons writers, Al Jean and Mike Reiss as showrunners. It stinks!...that we don’t have any new episodes of The Critic to watch these days.

18. Daria

Daria once described herself to a therapist as actively working to make people dislike her. She’s not wrong. Daria's main character is, at times, deeply unlikeable. She speaks as if she’s a detached observer into her own life, making callous observations in a dry, dispassionate voice. She’s like a real life narrator, condescendingly commenting on the world around her as everyone else plays volleyball and talks about who they’re going to prom with.

Despite all her efforts, however, it’s impossible to hate Daria because she’s really funny and also not wrong most of the time. High school is often pretty stupid and populated with try-hards who don’t know themselves or have any idea where they’re going. Listening to Daria judge them feels like therapy, even if, deep down, we know she’s just as lost as they are.

17. Over The Garden Wall

What’s most impressive about Over The Garden Wall is just how effectively it slips under your skin and rattles you. The familiar sibling dynamic between Wirt (Elijah Wood) and his little brother Greg (Collin Dean) is disarming, as are the fantasy elements and talking animals… but never forgotten is the terror that comes from the show’s central premise: two boys getting lost in the woods and trying to find their way home. Each chapter starts with a light touch, but ends up gripping you by the throat and invading your nightmares.

The episodes brim with fantastic and horrific imagination - from the shadowy beasts that lead souls astray to the disturbing Auntie Whispers (voiced brilliantly by John Cleese). There are only 10 episodes and none of them run over 12 minutes, but Over The Wall leaves a deep impression, and it’s wonderful to revisit annually during Spooky Season.

16. King of the Hill

I tell you what, it’s hard to get better than King of the Hill. The long-running hit (which has a Mike Judge-led revival coming to Hulu soon), focused on Hank, Peggy and their son Bobby Hill, and their day to day life in the small town of Arlen, Texas. This slice-of-life animated show used something a lot of people probably take for granted - the absurdities of relationships, work, growing up, marriage and other aspects of daily life - turned them up to 11 and made every episode across 13 seasons feel like we were laughing at our own friends and family.

Don’t we all know at least one person obsessed with lawn care? Or one boy who ain’t right? If not, you’ll certainly wish you knew the residents of Rainey Street and could call them neighbors, because mundane, working class life has never looked like so much looney fun.

15. Mickey Mouse (2013 shorts)

Mickey Mouse is one of the most iconic characters in the history of animation. He’s been everywhere and done everything. What made the new series of shorts that began in 2013 and ended in 2023 special wasn’t that they did anything differently, (though certainly the visual style was completely new for the character) it was that they went back to the beginning and let Mickey be the Mickey he was always designed to be.

The modern run of shorts, simple called Mickey Mouse, let the big-eared protagonist be the hero, but they also let him be silly, angry, surprising, and ridiculous. They pack more gags into a five-minute short than would seem possible. The shorts were new, but also served as throwbacks to earlier Mickey eras when the character had more creative freedom before he became the icon we know. They were a breath of fresh air after decades of a stagnant and sterilized mouse.

14. The Legend Of Korra

There is sometimes debate on whether Avatar: The Last Airbender or its follow-up series, The Legend of Korra, is the better cartoon. But, when it comes to us, all we have to say is, why not both? Because honestly, you can’t lose with either series. That said, The Legend of Korra definitely is special in its own right. This is a more grown-up take on the world of Avatar, where each season introduces a new threat to our heroine, Korra (Voiced by the magnificent Janet Varney).

With each season, however, we see Korra adapt and change in ways that Aang never got to do, which is enhanced by Korra’s fantastic Team Avatar of Bolin, Mako, and of course, Asami. Oh, and speaking of Asami, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how groundbreaking this show was, as Korrasami is still one of our favorite TV couples of all time.

13. South Park

Possibly the most controversial animated show of all time, South Park. With 26 seasons under their belt, Trey Parker and Matt Stones’ on Comedy Central follows the story of four young boys and the typically pop-culture chaos that surrounds them. The show’s intro blatantly states that the show “...should not be viewed by anyone.” South Park pulls no punches and gives no f’s. T

The creators have pulled some crazy stunts in the past, like attending the 2000 Oscars while being nominated, wearing dresses, and high on LSD. They have also attempted to get their own show canceled, been banned in China, as well as hitting a television milestone by going “bleep-free” with the use of the “f-bomb” live on air. It’s a show that could not be launched today, but since it has such huge weight in the zeitgeist, expect to see some more offensive Colorado antics for some time.

12. Star Wars Rebels

Star Wars Rebels picked up the action set in the galaxy far, far away after The Clone Wars ended, and the animated series ran from 2014-2018 on Disney XD to expand on the era ahead of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with a found family of original characters. Not only did the show prove that Star Wars doesn’t need to rely on legacy characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to tell a fantastic story and deliver arguably one of the best deaths in the franchise’s history, but it set up some stellar stories that are being expanded in live-action with Ahsoka.

There was no certainty that Rebels would succeed back in the beginning despite the popularity of The Clone Wars, but the story was solid during its original run and stands the test of time for first-time watchers and re-watchers alike. And its characters, ships and plots have remained core to the universe even beyond its conclusion.

11. Invincible

Invincible was released for those with an Amazon Prime subscription during the height of superhero mania. Despite concerns about superhero fatigue, the animated series carved stands out within the genre. Namely by being the animated answer to The Boys, and being an R-rated and wildly violent cartoon show. Invincible focuses on the title character aka Mark Grayson who is a young person coming into his own as a wildly popular hero who boasts the same powers, if not the same prowess, as his father Omni- Man, who is revealed to be something quite a bit more dangerous than anyone readily expected.

Adapted rather faithfully from Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker's comic book, the story is emotional, the action sequences are bloody and brutal, and Invincible’s voice cast is led by A-list talent like Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, and more. And the show is so popular that Omni-Man spawned a character in Mortal Kombat 1.

10. Justice League Unlimited

Everything that was great about Justice League got ratcheted up a notch with Justice League Unlimited. Thanks to the team’s founding heroes expanding its ranks — minus Hawkgirl, who returned later in Season 1 — this continuation allowed the DC Animated Universe to shine the spotlight on even lesser-known heroes, from Green Arrow and The Question to Booster Gold and Huntress. Like its predecessor, the show wholeheartedly embraced its printed page while also putting unique spins on its starring protagonists and antagonists.

Although there were various standalone episodes peppered throughout Justice League Unlimited, the show was at its best when delving into its serialized stories that built off plot threads from the previous DC Animated Universe shows, namely the Cadmus and Secret Society arcs. That makes Unlimited arguably feel like the most comic book-y entry in this shared continuity. While the DCAU would be revisited a handful of other times following the show’s conclusion, Unlimited definitely marked the end of an era, and it stuck the landing wonderfully.

9. Phineas and Ferb

The concept of two brothers spending their summer vacation trying to figure out a way to spend it comes with endless possibilities, and Phineas and Ferb explored them creatively and expertly. Following a formula where every episode the titular characters are always finding an over-the-top thing to do or build. Meanwhile, their sister Candace tries to bust them while their pet platypus Perry goes on a mission to stop his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his latest -enator.

Over the years, Phineas and Ferb mastered its formula and had a blast with it. Watching the brothers build a roller-coaster, create a backyard beach, get their parents' favorite band back together and oh so much more was not only fun but creatively invigorating. Not to mention, many episodes also featured incredible original music – like the Emmy-nominated song “Ain’t Got Rhythm” – meaning you’ll be humming along and thinking about this show long after the episode ends.

8. Looney Tunes

To describe Looney Tunes as a classic is completely appropriate, and yet, somehow not quite enough. This collection of animated shorts (produced from 1930 to 1969 and then revived in the late 1970s) has provided generations of audiences with wacky adventures featuring some of the most recognizable and quotable cartoon characters ever created. Even if you’ve only seen a handful of the many, many cartoons made by Warner Bros., you likely know that Bugs Bunny usually outsmarts everyone, Sylvester and Tweety are hilarious adversaries, Daffy Duck is at his funniest when he’s angry or on the losing end of anything, and that Roadrunner is way more trouble than it’s worth to Wile E. Coyote.

Looney Tunes is yet another example of how something could, technically, be pleasantly silly enough for kids, but just mature enough to get and keep the attention of adults. (Who doesn’t know what it’s like to repeatedly miss your target like Elmer Fudd?) When you watch one of these belly-laugh inducing entries, the only thing stopping you from watching another (and another) will be a power outage… That’s a joke, son!

7. Rick and Morty

A decade ago, if you asked us to name our Top Five most thoroughly inventive, consistently thrilling, amusingly thought-provoking, and deeply moving science-fiction series, we would have never guessed an Adult Swim original comedy would make the cut. Nevertheless, Rick and Morty — co-created by the now-fired Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon — has risen above its crude animation, and even cruder humor, to be widely remembered as, not just one of the funniest sci-fi TV shows, but among the genre’s all-time finest.

It is no surprise the series was bred from a Back to the Future parody short, as the pairing of alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez with his grandson, Morty Smith, feels like a more volatile Marty and Doc situation, which is also just one of the many ways the series brilliantly pokes fun at and pays homage to pop culture. However, the best Rick and Morty episodes — in addition to introducing eye-popping, otherworldly, and downright absurd concepts — honor the series’ more relatable themes, such as family and existential dread, which cleverly sneak up on you while you experience the duo's latest crazy adventure through time and space.

6. Attack On Titan

There’s a lot of great anime out there, from wholesome shows like Spy X Family to much more action-heavy series like Demon Slayer and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. But when it comes to anime that just generally rivals some of the greatest television shows of all-time, then look no further than Attack on Titan, which we once called the best under-the-radar show on television. Because no show swerved like Attack on Titan did, and it all falls upon its protagonist/antagonist, Eren Yeager, who the audience is firmly behind…until we aren’t.

That’s right, Attack on Titan initially seems very simple in premise — Titans bad, people good — but soon changes dramatically to the point where we wonder if we may have had it all wrong the entire time. Are the titans were the ones who were misunderstood, and the humans were the bad guys. Plus, this is the rare exception where the anime may be superior to the manga, and if you know anything about manga, that is no small feat. This is an anime for the ages.

5. Bluey

Bluey has simply become must-watch programming for families, and don’t be surprised when Mom and Dad find themselves just as entertained as the little ones. The infectious theme song ropes you in as it introduces Mum (Chilli), Dad (Bandit), little sister Bingo and big sister Bluey, but it’s the heart-filled interactions between the Blue Heelers that have kept people coming back. Some episodes are laugh-out-loud funny — “I slipped on my beans!” — and others will hit you right in the feels and cause tears to flow freely.

Parents have become endeared to Bluey because it inspires us to be better. It encourages us to play with our kids and gives us permission to act silly in public. Why care what strangers think if you can make your kids laugh, right? But Bluey also shows the harder moments. Sometimes Bandit and Chilli don’t have time to play. Sometimes they don’t know what to say or just need some peace and quiet after partying too hard on New Year’s Eve. We need permission to want those things in real life, too.

4. The Simpsons

The Simpsons is the most popular and successful animated show in history because it’s hilarious in so many different ways. No matter what your sense of humor is, there’s almost certainly a Simpsons character that’s funny in the exact way you’re looking for. From highbrow literary references thrown out as asides to people falling over and getting injured in embarrassing or gruesome ways, and everything in between, each episode is jam-packed with jokes intended to do very different things and to appeal to very different people.

If it happened in a lesser show, it might feel like pandering, but with The Simpsons, the "whatever sticks" approach always felt like layers and variance. That’s a testament to the quality of the writing. Most shows that try to do too much are overtly better at one of the things they’re trying to do, which makes the rest seem less than or out of place. Not The Simpsons. Thanks to fantastic, complicated leads and the funniest supporting network of side characters in TV history, the writers can be funny in so many unique, challenging, satirical, irreverent and sometimes prophetic ways, and they have for more than 750 delightful episodes.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender

From scathing commentary about imperialism to discussions of spirituality, trauma and extinction, Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender packs deep philosophical meaning into its animated stories. This universe, centered around people boasting the ability to bend elements, follows Avatar Aang on his journey to master the elements and defeat the Fire Lord. This series from Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko is a masterful classic, filled with fun side-quests like the trio’s journey to Omashu, as well as complex politics surrounding the Royal Fire Nation family, sassy characters (we’re of course talking about Sokka and Toph), insanely well-developed story arcs like Zuko’s, and it's all taied together with mind-boggling action,

Like the Avatar, ATLA gets stronger with time, and as Aang mastered the elements, the series grew with him. No matter how old you are, this series hits hard, and the more you watch it the better it gets. Avatar: The Last Airbender seems destined to always feel timeless, and like the Avatar’s powers, this show will likely continue to be passed down through generations for years to come.

2. BoJack Horseman

It’s understandable if you watch the first episode of BoJack Horseman and don’t quite click with it. It’s a show that throws you headfirst into its world  – providing a deep inside look at Hollywood and celebrity in a reality where humans coexist with humanoid animals. That being said, as one of the first Netflix original creations, it’s a series that greatly benefited from the streamer’s binge model, as to dig deeper into the show is to fall in love with it and everything it has to say.

All six seasons of BoJack Horseman are witty, clever, and hilarious, with countless background gags that make it incredibly rewarding on rewatch – but what makes it special is just how real it is. The aesthetic may be silly, but the characters are all ultimately broken people and there is an unflinching and powerful examination of their individual damage over the course of the show. The penultimate episode of every season manages to be as emotionally devastating as anything that Hollywood has ever produced for the small screen, and each one is both shocking and mesmerizing.

1. Batman: The Animated Series

Unquestionably one of the best examples of any animated TV show appealing to both kids and adults, Batman: The Animated Series continues to stand as perhaps the greatest triumph in the media history of DC Comics’ Caped Crusader. BTAS, and by extension The New Batman Adventures, followed in the footsteps of the Tim Burton Batman movies by bringing the character back to his darker roots and inserting viewers into an anachronistic Gotham City dripping with noir flavor. Here we have a Batman who strikes fear into the hearts of criminals just as easily as he inspires the innocent.

Anchored by the late Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne, Batman: The Animated Series effectively walked the line of honoring the source material while also putting unique spins on characters like The Joker, Mr. Freeze and Two-Face, while also launching neo-icons like Harley Quinn, Renee Montoya and a handful of others who’ve become mythos mainstays. Even ignoring that BTAS launched the beloved DC Animated Universe, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski's show serves for many as the gold(black) standard by which all other Batman adaptations are judged. 1992 may be a long time ago, but BTAS still feels wonderfully timeless.

Hopefully the next 80 years of animated series can stand up to the classic eras that have already come and gone, as well as everything happening currently. But for anyone who hasn't yet watched everything listed above, now you know the assignment, mmk?

In a world that is surrounded by some of the best television shows ever, from the best programs on Netflix to the best series on Max, there have been plenty that have won Outstanding Drama, Comedy or Limited or Anthology Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards. A few I could think of are Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Ted Lasso, Modern Family and many more. 

There are also so many shows that have never won any of these awards. Despite their impressive reputations or stellar casts, these 32 shows have never won Best Series in any category at the Emmys. Prepare to have your mind blown.

This Is Us 

This Is Us was a famous NBC show known for its brilliant storytelling and episodes that always found a way to make you cry. It was led by a brilliant This Is Us cast which included Sterling K. Brown (who won an Emmy for this show), Milo Ventimiglia and more. Somehow, the series never won Outstanding Drama at the Emmys. What's even worse is Mandy Moore never won an Emmy for her portrayal of the matriarch of the Pearson family. That, in itself, is a sin. 

Shameless

Yes, I know that in the later years of Shameless, the episodes didn't feel the same without Emmy Rossum as part of the fearless Shameless cast. However, the first few seasons of the dramedy became some of the best television at the time – and one of the best Showtime shows. And still, it never won Outstanding Comedy. 

Enlightened 

Enlightened only ran for two seasons, but they were full of great acting, a fun story, and so much more. Plus, it was led by the legend Laura Dern. The series, however, was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy. The only nomination that came through was for Dern, and she didn't win. 

The Walking Dead

Say what you want about The Walking Dead, but as someone who watched all eleven seasons of the show, those first five were excellent television. The only praise this show ever got in the Emmy world was for its visual and practical effects on the zombies – but the acting and the show as a whole? It went completely over the heads of those who chose the nominations. 

Dickinson 

Dickinson was one of the best Apple TV+ original shows. I fully believe this series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy because it flew under the radar at first as one of the streaming platforms' first series. Hailee Steinfeld at least should have garnered a nomination, but there was no love for this series. 

Parks And Recreation

You're probably shocked to see this on the list, but Parks and Recreation never won a single Emmy Award. The show was top-rated and well-known for its talented Parks and Recreation cast, but not even Amy Poehler won the Emmy for her lead performance in the show. And the series, while nominated twice for Outstanding Comedy, never won.  

Dexter

I still believe Dexter is worth rewatching despite its later seasons being less than stellar. But the first four seasons of Dexter are classic TV. The plot twists are great, the acting is fantastic, and the backstory behind the serial killer is one of the best in Showtime history. While the series was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series several times, it never won. 

The Wire

I know. The Wire is one of the best shows in HBO history and television in general. And yet, somehow, the series never won any Emmy awards. It was never even nominated for Outstanding Drama. The only praise the Television Academy ever gave it was in the form of its writing – which was excellent, understandably – but come on, only that? 

The Brady Bunch

This sitcom from the 1970s is considered one of the most well-known and created several spinoffs. It also spawned one of the best-known TV catchphrases ever ("Marcia, Marcia, Marcia"), yet somehow, this series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy -- or a single other Emmy award.

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders has gained a lot more popularity over the last few years thanks to the growing stardom of Cillian Murphy from the Oppenheimer cast, but this show was one of the best the BBC had to offer. It featured several other major stars too, like Anya Taylor-Joy, Tom Hardy, Sam Claflin, and many more, and it was a fantastic story. But it was never nominated for a single Primetime Emmy Award. I'm upset even writing that down. 

Doctor Who

Doctor Who is one of those shows that has ebbed and flowed in quality. Some doctors have been great, others have been forgettable. But you can't deny the impact this series has had and the stories it tells with its most excellent doctors. And yet, Doctor Who has never been recognized in terms of acting, writing, or anything at the Emmys. The only nomination it ever got was for Outstanding Derivative Interactive Program in 2020.  

Better Call Saul

When Better Call Saul was confirmed after Breaking Bad, many believed it would never live up to its predecessor. Still, the prequel series about Saul Goodman was almost as good as the original – and to some, it's even better. But while Better Call Saul was nominated several times for Outstanding Drama, it has never won. 

Hannibal

Hannibal was a tremendous psychological horror-thriller that aired for three seasons and told stories that would blow the minds of anyone who watched it. It was scary and psychological and everything you could want – but it was never nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. 

New Girl

I loved New Girl and will rewatch it over and over again, but it seems like the Emmys forgot about the popular sitcom series after its first season. New Girl was only nominated for a few awards in 2012, not even for Outstanding Comedy Series. After that, it wasn't nominated again. 

Parenthood 

Parenthood lasted six seasons and had some of the best writing about modern-day family life. It is a more dramedy version of Modern Family. But the only person who ever got recognition for the show at the Emmys was Jason Ritter, and that was for a guest appearance on the series. 

Chuck

Starring Zachary Levi, Chuck was the spy drama that everyone enjoyed when it first came out in 2007, and it lasted for five seasons. But despite the show's fun nature and entertaining stories, it was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy. Its stunt work did receive some praise, though. 

The Good Place

This one surprised me when I found out, but The Good Place and The Good Place cast have never won an Emmy award. The show was nominated for 14, including Outstanding Comedy Series, but aside from that, it has never actually won an award. Considering the love this show got, that's very shocking – almost as much as the twist in Season 1. 

Narcos

Narcos was one of those crime drama TV shows that took the world by storm and has only gained more popularity over the last several years, especially with Pedro Pascal's rise to fame. But the series, which told the story of Pablo Escobar, was only ever nominated for Creative Arts Emmy Awards, and never for Outstanding Drama. 

Chappelle's Show

Dave Chappelle is hands down one of the most influential voices in comedy and sketch television. Chappelle's Show is an excellent example of that, showcasing the comedian in some of the funniest sketches of the 21st century. However, the series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy. It was, however, nominated for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series but didn't win. 

The Flight Attendant 

Kaley Cuoco is known for her role in the Big Bang Theory cast, but it's a sin that people don't talk about her incredible performance in The Flight Attendant more. And while she and the show were nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, it never won. 

Daredevil

Daredevil was one of the best Marvel TV shows on Netflix, lasting for three seasons and telling authentic superhero stories that didn't seem as intense as aliens invading from the galaxy. Instead, it was a much more grounded show with excellent battle sequences. But despite its popularity, Daredevil was never nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. Maybe Daredevil: Born Again will earn that privilege – only time will tell. 

Married…With Children

Married…with Children was one of the best sitcoms of the late 1980s to 1990s, lasting ten years and eleven seasons, and it brought up one of the best-known names in comedic television, Ed O'Neill. But this series, despite its long run, never won a single Emmy Award. Talk about the definition of snub. 

Station Eleven

Station Eleven was a miniseries that came out of Max (previously HBO Max), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel, and was one of the best post-apocalyptic TV shows out there. However, while the miniseries received praise, it was not nominated for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

WandaVision

There was a rumor that WandaVision would be a multi-season series, but it was put into the Emmys as Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Of all the MCU shows on Disney+, the show was a huge hit but didn't win at the Emmys. 

The Leftovers

The Leftovers was an excellent supernatural series that showed what would happen when 2% of the world's population suddenly vanished without a trace. The series was popular and featured a fascinating story. But the show was never nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. 

Perry Mason

Perry Mason is an HBO series people adored, but it didn't live as long as it should have, because it was canceled by Max after Season 2. On top of that sad news, it hasn't been nominated for Outstanding Drama at all. The only people who have received praise are Matthew Rhys and John Lithgow, both of whom have only been nominated and not won.

Star Trek

While the Star Trek franchise has gone on for many years, the original Star Trek series (the one that pioneered and started it all) was never nominated for a single Emmy Award. This show, which meant so much to so many people, didn't even get to compete in this prestigious awards competition. But no matter – we'll always live long and prosper without an Emmy win. 

Jane The Virgin

I know it's rare for some of the best CW shows to get nominated for Primetime Emmys, but Jane the Virgin should have been a contender. The series features an original idea, bold storytelling, and the impressive Jane the Virgin cast. And yet, the Emmys never gave it the praise it deserved. In fact, only the narrator was nominated. 

BoJack Horseman

There are some excellent adult animated shows on Netflix, and BoJack Horseman stands out as one of them. The series is a realistic telling of what it's like to fall out of the spotlight in Hollywood and what can happen to people. Despite its acclaim, the series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy at the Emmys. It did get two nominations for Outstanding Animated Program, but it deserved Comedy. 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

I could not think of a better example of a show that deserved way more Emmy love than Buffy the Vampire Slayer in its earlier seasons. The show, led by Sarah Michelle Gellar, is a staple in supernatural television. However, it has yet to receive a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.

Oz

Oz is considered one of the best TV shows ever, taking place in a men's prison and following the stories of prisoners over six seasons. However, despite its reputation and impact on TV, it was never nominated for Outstanding Drama. The only actor who was nominated in the series was Charles S. Dutton for a guest appearance on the show. 

Mindhunter

Mindhunter, starring Jonathan Groff, was an excellent TV show on Netflix from director David Fincher, and everyone was sad when Season 3 was confirmed never. The series was fantastic and featured storytelling unlike any other. But despite its fresh tales and incredible acting, Mindhunter was never nominated for Outstanding Drama. It's such a shame. 

Even more TV shows have never won these types of Emmys, but these are just some of the first that come to mind. But now, I know I need to rewatch some of these to give them the love they deserve – or have fun showing them to others—time for a binge-fest. 

Over the years, LGBTQ+ representation has increased exponentially, and it’s been a delight to see. However, one identity under the LGBTQ+ umbrella that arguably isn’t as commonly represented as others in mainstream media is asexuality. As of late though, there has been a small spike in ace representation, and there are some excellent examples of asexual characters from all across TV -- from comedy to animation to superhero shows. 

According to GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide, asexual is defined as:

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few TV shows (many of which are some of Netflix’s best series) that have highlighted an asexual character. 

Todd Chavez In BoJack Horseman 

Not only is BoJack Horseman a beloved Netflix show (to the point Hulu even said it was one of their favorites), but Todd Chavez (voiced by Aaron Paul) is also considered one of the best representations of asexuality on TV. During Season 3 of the show, when a possible romantic interest asks him if he’s gay, Todd says:

His friend then lovingly comforts him. Then, in Season 4, Todd comes out to BoJack, and the two share a nice, and hilariously awkward, moment. As Sara Ghaleb wrote for Vox:

Between giving Todd a multi-season story arc to really delve into understanding his sexuality, and showing more than one asexual character in the series, BoJack Horseman really helped ace representation in media. 

O In Sex Education 

O is introduced in Sex Education Season 4 as Otis’ competition when he starts attending a new school. She’s a fellow sex therapist, and she gives lots of advice to the kids at her college. She’s also asexual and talks about it in the show. 

After Otis forces O’s hand during a debate, she comes out as ace. Then, when they’re both stuck in an elevator, she opens up about trying to be like the other kids and feeling “so much pressure to behave a particular way.” That’s why she started learning about sex and relationships through literature. However, when she found that she was actually quite fascinated by it all and good at helping people solve their problems, her clinic became her safe place. 

In the end, both Otis and O help each other out and, as a result, the viewers get a complex and nuanced asexual character.  

Isaac In Heartstopper  

During Season 2 of Heartstopper, one of the characters from Nick and Charlie’s core friend group goes on a journey of self-discovery when it comes to his sexuality. Throughout the season, Isaac starts to realize he’s asexual. After kissing a boy from school, he came to the conclusion that he didn’t want a romantic relationship with him. He then tells his friends it didn’t work out, and they fully accept him. He never outright says he’s asexual. However, during the season, he has a conversation with an older student about aromantic/asexual art, and he later picks up a book all about identifying as ace and little animated purple leaves float around him. 

Overall, Isaac’s story is so validating, and as the Netflix series moves into Season 3, it seems like fans will get to see more of his journey. Because this bookworm’s story has only just begun. 

Esperanza 'Spooner' Cruz In Legends of Tomorrow 

Esperanza “Spooner” Cruz, the telepathic hero in Legends of Tomorrow, came out as asexual in Season 7. In a short but meaningful scene, Spooner has a conversation with Zari 2.0. 

Zari asks if they want to play smash, marry, kill. However, when she lists men, Spooner says she’s not into them. She then asks if she’s into women, and Spooner replies with a no again. Then, when Spooner says “I don’t really get those types of feelings for anyone,” and says maybe the aliens made her that way, Zari immediately comforts her and says: 

That leads Spooner to respond with the following:

It’s a sweet and educational scene that also gives Spooner the vocabulary she needs to truly express her identity. 

Raphael Santiago In Shadowhunters  

In Season 2 of Shadowhunters, Raphael finds himself in a relationship with Isabelle, and she asks him if he's only with her because of the Shadowhunter's blood in their system. He said he had feelings for her, however, he was “just not interested in sex.” After she felt rejected and asked if being a vampire made him feel that way, Raphael corrected her, saying he’d always had those feelings.

Later on, the author of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, Cassandra Clare, confirmed his sexuality was canon in both the show and books, posting:

This moment was also quite historic in terms of ace representation. Every year, GLADD releases Where We Are On TV, and the ‘17/’18 report was the first time asexual characters were included. In that document, Raphael Santiago from Shadowhunters was “the only asexual character on all of cable television.” The only other ace character counted in that report was from the streaming realm -- Bojack Horseman's Todd. 

Lord Varys In Game Of Thrones

In Game of Thrones, Lord Varys, who played a pivotal role as the “Master of Whispers” in Kings Landing, is a eunuch. As GCN pointed out, while there are quite a few eunuchs in the show, they are sexually active. However, in Season 4, Varys explains that he really has no interest in sex or romance. During a conversation with Pedro Pascal’s Oberyn, he's asked if he’s into girls or boys, and he responds by saying “nothing.” Varys then continues, explaining:

When asked what he’s pursuing, Varys simply looks at the Iron Throne and walks away. While it’s never explicitly stated that he is asexual, his explanation to Oberyn makes it quite clear, and many consider this Game of Thrones character to be part of the ace community. 

Elijah In Big Mouth

Elijah (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry) was introduced in Season 6 of Big Mouth, which has received acclaim for its LGBTQ+ representation, and bringing in this young Black boy added an ace character into the show's diverse ensemble.  

In the series, Elijah and Missy start seeing each other, but he realizes he doesn’t have the same feelings she has. At dinner with his family, his aunt says he might be asexual, like her, and he realizes that he is indeed. Now, in regard to Season 7, EP Andrew Goldberg told Meta Critic that they are hoping to depict “the different ways that asexuality can express itself in a person.” 

Overall, asexual representation has a long way to go. However, in recent years, it’s gotten better, in great part due to characters like the seven listed above. 

While I do enjoy watching the best fantasy shows like House of the Dragon, or even some of the latest Netflix originals, The Watcher, sometimes I just need a break from live-action TV shows. This is what leads me to this article today, featuring some of the best animated TV shows that you can watch right now - most of which adults can enjoy. 

In my opinion, these are some of the best shows on Netflix to binge watch, from classics like Avatar: The Last Airbender to Netflix TV shows like Big Mouth or BoJack Horseman. If you’re looking for some great animated TV series to enjoy, check out some of the best animated shows on Netflix. 

BoJack Horseman 

In this Netflix original series, BoJack Horseman follows the titular character, a former star in Hollywood who has since faded into obscurity. Now, he plans to make a comeback by releasing his tell-all autobiography, with the help of a ghost writer by his side. 

BoJack Horseman is one of the best Netflix originals out there. Its characters are extremely compelling, from the depressing story of BoJack to the stories of his friends around him, to how he tries to accept himself for who he is. It also tackles themes of self-loathing, eating disorders, depression, alcoholism, and so much more, mixed in with some funny comedy along the way. It’s truly a show that deserved all the praise that it got in its run, and you should definitely check it out if you’ve never done so before. 

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix. 

Disenchantment  

From the creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening, this much newer cartoon is the fantasy series Disenchantment. In this Netflix original, set in the medieval European kingdom of Dreamland, we follow Bean, a rebellious, alcoholic, adventurous princess with a heart of gold, and her companion, Elfo, along her crazy adventures. 

I think what I enjoy the most about Disenchantment is, honestly, the animation. With the same animation style as The Simpsons, the Netflix original takes it up a couple of levels, offering some truly beautifully animated scenes mixed in with some hilarious takes on fantasy shows and movies, often parodying them. Bean is also a great character to follow, from her selfless deeds to her adventurous acts, she absolutely will never bore you. With four seasons to watch, it’s truly a fun time. 

Stream Disenchantment on Netflix. 

Big Mouth

Another Netflix original, Big Mouth, created by Andrew Goldberg and Nick Kroll, centers on teens that are being raised in suburban New York, exploring puberty while embracing an openness about the human body and sex that’s not often talked about when it comes to younger teenagers. 

Personally, I’ve never been the biggest fan of Big Mouth, just because the animation style isn’t my favorite. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the show is still great in many ways, from its openness about sexuality, enjoyable characters with entertaining storylines, and its star-studded cast. Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, and many other stars voice some of the characters, creating a truly hilarious yet touching TV show, and with a seventh season on the way, now is the time to watch it.

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix. 

Human Resources

In a spinoff of Big Mouth, now we take a look at Human Resources. This show actually follows the Hormone Monsters that we meet in Big Mouth, specifically in their workplace and how they learn to become the characters that we all know and love them to be in the original series. 

I want you to think The Office, but animated, and way dirtier and raunchier and that’s what Human Resources is like. Many of the voice cast from Big Mouth also have parts in the spinoff, as well as new cast members such as Keke Palmer, Randall Park, Aidy Bryant and more. It’s a fun addition to the Big Mouth universe and one I think any fan of the original series should check out. 

Stream Human Resources on Netflix. 

Love, Death & Robots 

In this animated series, Love, Death & Robots consists of several stand-alone episodes, all under 20 minutes long, produced by different casts and crews, with each episode having a thematic connection to the episode’s title. 

I’m sure reading that probably made your head spin a little. It doesn't seem like there’s a plot in Love, Death & Robots, and that’s because there really isn’t one. What makes Love, Death & Robots so good is that every episode is different, and you can really tell with the different creatives that they bring in. But, each episode provides a new enriching story that will captivate you from beginning to end, having some sort of connection to the title. Will the episode be about love? Or death? Or robots? All three, or some other combination? There are so many questions - all of which will be answered.

Stream Love, Death & Robots on Netflix. 

The Midnight Gospel 

Created by Adventure Time creator, Duncan Trussell, The Midnight Gospel is set in a world known as the Chromatic Ribbon, with a space caster known as Clancy Gilroy who owns an unlicensed multiverse simulator. Through that, he travels into bizarre worlds on the brink of disaster, interviewing residents for his space cast. 

When I was younger, Adventure Time was one of my favorite shows to enjoy. Watching The Midnight Gospel feels like that, except for older people. The interviews that Duncan uses are actually derived from interviews on his real-life podcast, called The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, and features really cool animation style with some actually insightful interviews that will surprise you by coming from an animated series.

Stream The Midnight Gospel on Netflix.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar: The Last Airbender is all about Aang, the Avatar. Once there were four nations who lived in harmony, but when one of them wants to take over the world, it’s up to the Avatar to somehow bring the world back to peace. However, Aang is young, and still needs to learn the other three elements of water, fire, and earth in order to defeat the Fire Lord from taking over the world. 

Oh, Avatar. I love this show with such a deep passion. While it’s technically catered to children, adults can love this show for the values it teaches.  Avatar: The Last Airbender grew even more popular in 2020 when the series came to Netflix, and more so when it was announced a new live-action of the series would come out on the platform. But, please, trust me when I say this - watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. It’s such an amazing show, from its animation style to its themes to its characters, there’s so much I love about this show, and so much you can love as well. And if you end up really liking it, be sure to check out its sequel, The Legend of Korra. 

Stream Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix. 

Castlevania  

In this Netflix original, Castlevania follows Trevor Belmont and his allies as they defend the nation of Wallachia from Dracula and his minions, trying to protect them from a world of utter darkness. 

Castlevania often reminds me of many anime series with its animation style, sort of how Avatar: The Last Airbender did it, but Castlevania is certainly more for adults. It’s a dark fantasy series with plenty of blood and violent moments, but it’s still incredibly stunning, influenced by gorgeous Japanese animation, and has a story that will entertain anyone who’s into fantasy or vampires, or both. 

Stream Castlevania on Netflix. 

Arcane 

This show ruined me – in a good way. 

Based on the popular game, League of Legends, the Netflix original series, Arcane, follows some of the most iconic champions of the original game, taking place in the land Piltover and Zaun, two very different cities, and focusing on the bond between sisters Vi and Powder, and how one moment in their younger years changes the course of their lives forever. 

Arcane is one of those shows that when it first came out, it was a little under the radar, but has only continued to grow in popularity. Not only was it nominated for multiple Emmy awards (winning some of them), it’s already receiving a Season 2. You’ll be blown away by the amazing animation, the creative fight style, and the characters that you can’t help but love. Jinx has become one of my favorite animated villains ever. It’s seriously such a great show. 

Don’t let the fact that it’s attached to a video game stop you – you can totally watch this without ever having played LoL. It even has a rare perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a super high audience score. That’s how you know it’s good. 

Stream Arcane on Netflix. 

Death Note

I can’t have an adult animated series list without mentioning Death Note. In this classic anime from the early 2000s, Death Note tells the story of a young man, Light, who ends up finding the titular notebook, where if you write someone’s name in it, death comes to them quite quickly. However, with that sort of power, anyone can lose themselves to madness. 

Death Note is one of those anime that I think everyone has heard about at this point. If you’ve never seen anime, it’s a great show to start out on, and features a story that will truly captivate you from beginning to end. Just ignore the live-action remakes of it because those just aren’t good. Stick to the animated series because it’s outstanding. 

Stream Death Note on Netflix. 

Tuca And Bertie

If you want a classic roommate show, check out Tuca and Bertie. In this show featuring the voice talents of Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong, two bird-women are living in an apartment together in their thirties, trying to navigate both their professional and personal lives, relationships and messiness involved. 

While Tuca and Bertie isn’t a new concept – as we have gotten conflicting odd couple roommate stories since the dawn of television – what really drives this series is the voice-acting of both Haddish and Wong because they truly win you over. They create some hilarious moments that have me holding my side laughing for hours on end and it’s something I need more people to see. Bird Town is a metropolis where anything is possible and these two certainly prove that. 

Stream Tuca and Bertie on Netflix.

F Is For Family 

Last but not least, we take a look at F is for Family. Created by Bill Burr, F is For Family follows a dysfunctional, suburban Irish-American family, set in the fictional town of Rustvale, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s. 

While a lot of these other cartoons might have serious themes or beautiful stories,  F is for Family is all about its comedy. It’s hilarious, and its four seasons (soon to be five) is proof of that. Bill Burr voices Frank, the patriarch of the family, alongside a great cast including Laura Dern, Justin Long, and many others. It’s seriously funny and you’ll be holding your sides from laughing so much. Give it a shot.

Stream F is for Family on Netflix. 

There are so many fantastic animated TV shows to watch, so truly, you’ll never go wrong with a bad pick. If you’re looking for something awesome to stream, check out any of these. You won’t regret it.

Olivia Wilde has made quite the name for herself since her breakout role as night club manager Alex Kelly on Season 2 of The O.C. That mid-’00s recurring role helped launch Wilde’s career on the small and big screen, where the actress has racked up credits in dozens of well-known movies and television shows, co-starred opposite beloved stars such as Hugh Laurie, Harrison Ford, Oscar Isaac, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, and many more. 

In fact, Wilde will be reuniting with Pine in her return to movie theaters in late September, when her second directorial effort, Don’t Worry Darling, makes its debut as part of the 2022 new movie releases. With the actor and director now firmly ensconced both in front of and behind the camera, it seemed like a good time to give those who love watching Wilde’s work a handy list of the movies and series they should check out when they want to see the star in action. Now, let’s get to what you should watch if you like Olivia Wilde!

House (Peacock)

The misanthropic Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) leads a team of medical diagnosticians at a teaching hospital in New Jersey, where he frequently clashes with them, his bosses, and sometimes his patients because of his unconventional methods and rude attitude. 

Olivia Wilde joined the House cast in Season 2 as a new member of the eponymous doctor’s team, Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley, and it would be fairly accurate to say that this is the part that catapulted Wilde to stardom. Her Thirteen, as the character was most widely known, was rather mysterious and extremely slow to reveal any personal details about herself, but was also unfailingly compassionate and brave (or, sometimes, reckless) in the face of her own serious illness. This is definitely a great place to start to get an early look at what Wilde is capable of on screen.

Stream House on Peacock.
Buy House on Amazon.

Drinking Buddies (Hulu)

Luke (Jake Johnson) and Kate (Olivia Wilde) are co-workers and best buddies who work at a small Chicago brewery and happen to have great chemistry that could easily turn into something besides friendship, except they are both seeing other people.

It would be fair to say that Olivia Wilde has honed a cool chick vibe over the course of her career (mostly fueled by playing a number of characters who are really good at what they do and totally unapologetic about it), and Drinking Buddies has certainly added to that allure. Wilde does a great job playing someone whose professional life is great, but has a bit of turmoil when it comes to dealing with her feelings for her friend, as well as handling his feelings for her.

Stream Drinking Buddies on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Drinking Buddies on Amazon.

Rush (Netflix)

Formula One race car drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) begin a years-long rivalry in 1970, which eventually spurs each man to compete at higher and higher levels amid a number of personal difficulties, both large and small. 

Rush is a biographical drama that covers the real-life feud between Hunt and Lauda, which features Olivia Wilde in a relatively small part as Hunt’s wife, model Suzy Miller. While Wilde is not on screen for long, it doesn’t take long for her to make Suzy much more than a fashionable side character, as we can see clearly how tough and uncompromising she was when dealing with her husband once professional setbacks began to sour their relationship.

Stream Rush on Netflix.
Rent/buy Rush on Amazon.

Tron: Legacy (Disney+)

Decades after video game developer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) goes missing, his son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund) ends up lost in the same virtual reality that his father created and was trapped in all of those years ago.

Tron: Legacy saw the cult hit, Tron, finally get the sequel fans were hoping for after almost 30 years. The movie is a thrilling addition to the lore, and that’s thanks in a large part to Olivia Wilde’s badass role as the virtual reality warrior Quorra, who helps Sam and Kevin fight for survival in the dangerous world.

Stream Tron: Legacy on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Tron: Legacy on Amazon.

The O.C. (Hulu)

At risk teen Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie) finds a saving grace in his public defender, Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher), who takes him home to live with his family in his wealthy Orange County, California neighborhood, where Ryan ends up embroiled in the complicated relationships there.

There’s nothing quite like a teen soap opera, and The O.C. started out very strong on Fox in 2003. The first season made stars out of the young and mostly unknown cast members, and it shows just how strong of a performer Olivia Wilde is that her smart, tough, and independent Alex Kelly was able to become a standout when she debuted in Season 2. If you want to see the roots of Wilde’s cool girl charm, head here.

Stream The O.C. on Hulu.
Buy The O.C. on Amazon.

Love The Coopers (Rental)

The dysfunctional Cooper family, headed up by Charlotte (Diane Keaton) and Sam (John Goodman) reunite for Christmas as they deal with a number of wacky situations and personal troubles.

Love the Coopers is one of those family dramedies that focuses on a number of characters, most of whom are played by beloved actors like Keaton, Goodman, and others like Ed Helms, Marisa Tomei, and Amanda Seyfried, among others. But, as usual, Olivia Wilde stands out as beleaguered Cooper daughter Eleanor, who’s in a relationship with a married man and so desperate to arrive home with a significant other that she enlists the help of a soldier (Jake Lacy) she just met in the airport to pose as her fake boyfriend.

Rent/Buy Love the Coopers on Amazon.

Booksmart (Hulu)

When teens Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) realize that keeping their noses to the grindstone to achieve academically has unnecessarily put them behind when it comes to their social lives, they decide to spend the last night before graduating from high school to catch up on all the wild fun they missed, leading to a chaotic adventure.

Olivia Wilde came out strong with her feature length directorial debut, Booksmart, which premiered in May 2019. The movie was praised by critics and audience goers alike for its ensemble cast, smart storytelling, and heart, which still managed to provide lots of laughs. Absolutely a must-watch for anyone interested in Wilde’s work, it’s already made its way into the pantheon of epic teen movies.

Stream Booksmart on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Booksmart on Amazon.

Vinyl (Digital Purchase)

American Century Records founder and president Richie Finestra (Bobby Cannavale), tries to keep his company afloat in the 1970s as the love for rock and roll gives way to punk, rap, and disco, as his own commitment to his job is reignited because of a major event that just might be his ultimate downfall.

As Richie’s wife, Devon, Olivia Wilde once again proves that she excels at playing tough, capable women who refuse to back down from challenges and won’t succumb to acting as a victim when others’ poor decision-making threatens to mar her future.

Buy Vinyl on Amazon.

BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

After losing his once successful sitcom to a sudden cancellation, ‘90s TV star (and anthropomorphic horse) BoJack Horseman attempts to regain his pop culture cred by releasing an autobiography, all while dealing with addiction and depression.

Netflix’s BoJack Horseman dealt with a lot of serious issues for an animated show, even one made for adults, but Olivia Wilde’s Charlotte Carson (an anthropomorphic deer) was a good and wise friend to the titular character whenever possible, despite her realization that she couldn’t get too caught up in BoJack’s usually self-destructive life.

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

Richard Jewell (Rental)

This drama follows the real events surrounding the Centennial Olympic Park bombing at the 1996 Olympics, which saw security guard Richard Jewell find the device, alert authorities, and then be wrongly accused of the bombing himself.

Olivia Wilde took on the role of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter, Kathy Scruggs, who wrote the article which revealed that Jewell was under suspicion for the bombing by the FBI. Her part is the one aspect of the film that was seen as controversial upon its release, but Wilde still does a remarkable job as a woman who’s trying to stay ahead of what might be the biggest story of her career.

Rent/buy Richard Jewell on Amazon.

Life Itself (Rental)

This 2018 drama connects several different couples across multiple generations, with everyone being linked by one, major event.

Olivia Wilde is, once again, at her cool, smart, tough lady best in Life Itself (which also stars Oscar Isaac, Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, and many other big names), but a marked difference here is that her Abby gets to be part of a happy couple.

Stream Life Itself on Amazon.

In Time (Rental)

In a society where time is used as currency and every person has a clock on their body telling them how long they have to live, everyone also stops aging at 25.

While she doesn’t get much to do with her role as Rachel in In Time, you can bet that Olivia Wilde makes the most of her, um… time while playing the mother of Justin Timberlake’s character.

Rent/Buy In Time on Amazon.

This is just a small sampling of the movies and TV shows that Olivia Wilde has appeared in during her time in the spotlight, and you will rarely go wrong when choosing to watch a project that this talent has starred in.

It’s a pretty special feeling when you can recognize someone by their voice alone, and The Bob’s Burgers Movie star Kristen Schaal is certainly an actress that is instantly recognizable upon hearing her unique and quirky voice. Schaal is a comedic actress who, despite being fired from South Park early in her career, not only lends her voice to some of the most fun animated movies and series of our time, but also acts in some pretty great live action roles, as well. Here are some great Kristen Schaal movies and tv shows that are a real good time if you like the lovable actress.

Bob’s Burgers (Hulu)

Centered on a family in New Jersey who live above the burger joint they run together, Bob’s Burgers is an animated comedy series that brings a lot of eccentric and lovable characters together. Bob, the male head of the Belcher family, is basically the Gordon Ramsey of burgers, but even though his food is to die for, he's struggling to make ends meet and keep his restaurant and chef dreams alive.

Honestly, Bob’s Burgers is the ultimate comfort show. It’s like the series form of a warm hug, and always manages to make you feel good even though it does handle some rough topics at times. Kristen Schaal voices Louise, the youngest of the three Belcher children, and her sweet voice acts as a kind of foil to Louise’s chaotic nature. The ongoing show has 12 bingeable seasons full of some pretty great episodes and a 2022 film that's part of the new movie releases, so be prepared to be in it for the long haul with this gem.

Stream Bob’s Burgers on Hulu.
Buy Bob’s Burgers on Amazon.

The Last Man On Earth (Hulu)

While the title is pretty self explanatory, The Last Man on Earth centers on a man, played by the series creator Will Forte, who believes himself to be the last man living on Earth after a virus wipes out humanity. After leaving signs of his survival and stealing major historical and cultural artifacts all over the continental US, he finally locates another survivor, played by Kristen Schaal, whom he finds to be one of the most annoying people he has ever met, but feels obligated to repopulate the planet with her.

The Last Man on Earth is a hilarious take on a post-apocalyptic world. It’s like Zombieland without the zombies and with less people. While Will Forte and Kristen Schaal’s intense characters bring a ton of comedy to the series, it’s a show that has some real depth to it and explores mankind’s inner workings. If you love Schaal’s sense of humor but prefer a live action series, The Last Man on Earth is probably exactly what you’re looking for.

Stream The Last Man on Earth on Hulu.
Buy The Last Man on Earth on Amazon.

The Heart, She Holler (HBO Max)

Just looking at the title, you probably have no clue what to expect from The Heart, She Holler and I would implore you to just go ahead and dive in blind, because it is quite the experience. However, here’s a little explanation: it’s like if Trailer Park Boys and Schitt’s Creek had a baby, and that baby grew up on a steady diet of Days of Our Lives and a whole lot of vintage horror flicks. The plot of the show really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of everything that is going on there, but basically Patton Oswalt’s isolated character inherits a town and comes back to run it surrounded by a number of questionable characters.

The Heart, She Holler is unhinged, and that’s putting it lightly. Fans of Kristen Schaal will be used to a good amount of weirdness and unexpected humor, and this Adult Swim series is great for gauging just how much chaos you can handle.

Stream The Heart, She Holler on HBO Max.
Buy The Heart, She Holler on Amazon.

What We Do In The Shadows (Hulu)

What We Do in the Shadows is a comedy series about a group of bizarre vampires who have been roommates for hundreds of years. The series, based on a previously made film of the same name, is shot mockumentary style and follows the nights of the group of vampire friends. It’s kind of like if the Friends friends were vampires.

For people who like Kristen Schaal and the regular crowd she tends to team up with, What We Do in the Shadows is a must. Schaal has a relatively large recurring role in the series as The Guide, a vampire who works for the vampire council in summoning vampires accused of crimes. The humor in the series is A+, and right up Schaal’s alley.

Stream What We Do in the Shadows on Hulu.
Buy What We Do in the Shadow on Amazon.

Flight Of The Conchords (HBO Max)

Created by stars Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, Flight of the Conchords sees the two play fictionalized versions of themselves as they leave New Zealand for The Big Apple to make a go of it as folk music artists.

Flight of the Conchords is another series that puts Kristen Schaal alongside people she frequently works with, and the effect is awesome. Schaal plays a super fan (pretty much the only fan) of the titular band. She’s borderline obsessive and appears in a majority of the episodes. Flight of the Conchords is a gem of a show, and was at near the beginning of Schaal’s now extensive comedy career, so it’s a great one to revisit.

Stream Flight of the Conchords on HBO Max.
Buy Flight of the Conchords on Amazon.

BoJack Horseman

BoJack Horseman centers around a horse, voiced by Will Arnett, who is struggling with depression and addiction after his very popular show was canceled. It’s an adult, animated comedy series that is honestly pretty dark, but that the stark realness of the show is foiled by how incredibly satirical it is, is just one of the many brilliances that come from the series.

While Kristen Schaal isn’t a main character of the series, her recurring character of Sarah Lynn reflects some of the same themes as the titular BoJack character. This dark satirical take on real life struggles and ideas is a theme fans can see in a number of Schaal’s projects, and BoJack Horseman is one that does it extremely well, making it definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.
Buy BoJack Horseman on Blu-ray/DVD on Amazon.

Our Flag Means Death (HBO Max)

A romantic, adventure comedy about pirates starring Thor: Love and Thunder’s Taika Waititi? I am beyond on board. The new series centers around a rich aristocrat in the early 1700s who decides he wants to give it all up and become a pirate. Cue the hilarity. 

Fans of Kristen Schaal will love this show, as it has plenty of connections to her other projects like Flight of the Conchords and What We Do in the Shadows, making the on screen chemistry between her and the other comedic actors A+, and giving fans a very familiar comedy style. Schaal has only appeared in a few episodes so far, but fans will fondly find the show akin to her other works. 

Stream Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max.

Gravity Falls (Hulu)

After being sent to the titular town in Oregon to live with their eccentric uncle, the Dipper twins are thrown into the mystical secrets that Gravity Falls has to unveil. The Kristen Schaal and Jason Ritter led animated series is kind of like a cross between Scooby Doo and Haven with a lot of endearing humor. 

Gravity Falls won two Primetime Emmys and is beloved by children, teens, and adults alike. It’s a little different than the more mature dark comedies and adult-humored projects Kristen Schaal is a part of, but Gravity Falls is one of the very few productions that almost everyone can agree is superb, with both seasons earning a place on the very select list of productions with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Stream Gravity Falls on Hulu.
Buy Gravity Falls on Amazon.

30 Rock (Hulu)

Created, written, and starring the great Tina Fey, 30 Rock is a comedy series based on her time as head writer for Saturday Night Live. The cast of 30 Rock includes big names like Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan and it won an impressive 16 Primetime Emmys. 

I love Kristen Schaal in 30 Rock, even though she had a small recurring role. She is her regular chaotic self in the series and is a nice addition to the many different strong and satirical characters that are present through the entire seven seasons of the series.

Stream 30 Rock on Hulu.
Buy 30 Rock on Amazon.

The Toy Story Franchise (Disney+)

Toy Story is one of Disney / Pixar's most popular and recognizable franchises and it spans over 20 years, reaching generations of children. The franchise is centered on a group of toys that come alive when no one is watching and get into all kinds of sticky situations, helping each other as a team along the way.

Toy Story is beloved and holds a special place in a lot of people’s hearts. Kristen Schaal joined the Toy Story cast in the third film as the triceratops toy, Trixie, and fans will recognize her voice pretty instantly as a nice addition. She is a relatively minor character, although Trixie is the central figure in one of the franchise’s shorts, Toy Story That Time Forgot.

Stream the Toy Story franchise on Disney+.
Buy the Toy Story franchise on Amazon.

With The Bob’s Burgers Movie recently released in theaters and getting rave reviews, now is pretty much the perfect time to revisit some of Kristen Schaal’s best roles, or even watch some of them for the first time. Luckily, pretty much everything notable she has worked on is available to stream online, but for now you’ll have to head into theaters for her newly released film. I know, what a drag. 

Spoiler Warning: there may be minor spoilers throughout, but nothing major, we promise. We would never do that to you.

LGBTQ+ representation in the media has come a long way in a few short decades. Shows like Glee and Will and Grace have gone from seeming ground-breaking to being the standard in less than 20 years. While there’s still work to be done, LGBTQ+ characters are being featured in more shows and movies than ever before – and much of that content is easily accessible to anyone with a Netflix subscription. Don’t know where to start? Here’s a list of ten TV shows and movies on Netflix with positive LGBTQ+ rep.

Heartstopper

Heartstopper was released in 2022 and immediately gave Netflix subscribers plenty of reasons to enjoy the romantic coming-of-age drama about two teenagers whose friendship grows into something more. Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel of the same name, the series follows Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) a young schoolboy who falls madly in love with Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), a popular athlete who sits next to him in class. 

The series was an instant hit upon release with English-speaking audiences and has remained popular ever since its debut. So popular in fact, Netflix picked up the series for not one but two additional seasons in May 2022.

Stream Heartstopper on Netflix.

The Boys In The Band

Based on the 1968 Off-Broadway play of the same name, The Boys in the Band  centers on Michael (Jim Parsons), an Upper East-Sider who throws a birthday party for one of his closest friends. The party, however, goes awry when Michael’s college roommate, Alan (Brian Hutchison), stops by and changes the mood of the gathering.

The 2020 Netflix movie features the actors of the 2018 Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band, which consisted of an entirely openly-gay cast. With equal parts comedy and tragedy, the movie provides a whirlwind of emotions for the characters and viewer alike.

Stream The Boys in the Band on Netflix.

Sex Education

Sex Education is a Netflix original series that originally premiered in 2019. The show follows British teen Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his mother Jean (Gillian Anderson), a sex therapist. Hijinks ensue when Otis starts using his mother’s sexual expertise to counsel his classmates. When it comes to LGBTQ+ representation, Sex Education is a prime example of both quality and quantity.

In addition to Otis’ best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), whose coming-out journey is both nuanced and triumphant, there are several fully-fleshed LGBTQ+ characters of varying identities that round out the excellent ensemble cast. None of the LGBTQ+ characters are tokenized or shoved into the story as props. They’re allowed to exist as real human beings. Now is a great time to get caught up with the students of Moordale Secondary School, since the show has been picked up for a fourth season. 

Stream Sex Education on Netflix.

The Half Of It

Many LGBTQ+ films tend to be heart-wrenching tales of struggle (there’s a reason the trope is called ‘bury your gays.’ We’re still not over Lexa, from The 100). While those stories are completely valid and necessary, it’s important to include LGBTQ+ rep in all film genres. The Half of It (another Netflix original) is sweet, fun, and just a bit unrealistic - everything a high school rom-com should be. It also features a queer Chinese-American main character.

Starring Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, and Alexxis Lemire, the movie follows Ellie Chu, a quiet student who starts ghostwriting love letters for her classmate, Paul. The only problem? Aster Flores, the recipient of Paul’s affections, is also Ellie’s crush. A little bit Love, Simon, a little bit To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, The Half of It successfully adds a queer twist to an otherwise standard rom-com plot.

Stream The Half of It on Netflix.

The Fear Street Trilogy

The horror genre tends to avoid representing LGBTQ+ people – and when they are represented, they tend to die early in the film or fall victim to the ‘bury your gays’ trope. The 2021 movies in the Fear Street trilogy (loosely based on the R.L. Stine book series of the same name) are different. The films were directed by Leigh Janiak, and star Kiana Madeira and Olivia Scott Welch, along with Stranger Things vets Maya Hawke and Sadie Sink. Madeira and Scott Welch play Sam and Deena, two teenagers whose romantic relationship is central to the plot. 

And, (minor spoiler ahead) even better, they get a happy ending. If you can name another horror movie that stars an LGBTQ+ couple where neither one dies by the end, I will be very, very impressed.

Stream Fear Street Part One: 1994 on Netflix.
Stream Fear Street Part Two: 1978 on Netflix.
Stream Fear Street Part Three: 1666 on Netflix.

BoJack Horseman

It’s one of the best shows on Netflix, but BoJack Horseman has very few actual LGBTQ+ characters. So, why is the story of an alcoholic animated horse on this list? Two words: Todd Chavez. Voiced by Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, the 20-something slacker starts off as BoJack’s couch-hopping roommate and ends the series fully secure in his identity as an asexual man. Few, if any, television shows include asexual characters, let alone feature them or portray them in a happy romantic relationship.

BoJack Horseman allows Todd to come to terms with his identity in a realistic and affirming way. The only caveat is that Todd’s exploration of his sexuality doesn’t begin until halfway through the series. However, his character’s journey is handled so well that the last few seasons of BoJack Horseman should be required viewing for anyone seeking to write an LGBTQ+ character.

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

One Day At A Time

The original iteration of One Day at a Time was sweet, but definitely skewed towards the white and heteronormative. The Netflix remake took one look at that show and said no, we’re good. Rebooted with a Latinx main cast, the show features Justina Machado as Penelope Alvarez, a newly single mother with two teenage children.

Her daughter, Elena (Isabella Gomez), realizes she’s a lesbian in Season 1 and starts dating Syd, a non-binary classmate, in Season 2. Elena calls Syd her ‘syd-nificant other,’ an adorable tidbit that sold me on starting the show last year. One Day at a Time was sadly cancelled after four seasons but remains a wonderfully endearing entry to the LGBTQ+ canon. Also: Rita Moreno. Need I say more?

Stream One Day at a Time on Netflix.

Schitt’s Creek

Schitt’s Creek might be an obvious pick, but it’s an excellent show nonetheless. Dan Levy stars as David, a pansexual ex-art gallery manager forced to move to a podunk town with his affluent family after they lose their fortune. David’s identity is discussed but never becomes a point of contention. Dan Levy has said that he specifically omitted homophobia from his comedy to show a more accepting world than the one viewers live in now. Some fans claimed he was simply avoiding addressing social issues, but in reality, Schitt’s Creek gives viewers a model for how society could and should be. How can people create a better world if they don’t know what it should look like? The residents of Schitt’s Creek have problems, but they mostly have to do with Moira’s penchant for dramatics and Patrick’s ugly shoes.

Stream Schitt’s Creek on Netflix.

Elisa & Marcela

LGBTQ+ people have always existed - they just tend to be omitted from history textbooks. The Netflix original movie Elisa & Marcela is based on the true story of two women who became the first same-sex couple to be married in Spain. Elisa (Natalia de Morena) and Marcela (Greta Fernández) are two women who masquerade as a heterosexual couple to get the church to marry them, with Elisa assuming a male identity. Elisa & Marcela admittedly glosses over the rougher aspects of the couple’s story, but the movie is visually stunning and offers enough drama to keep viewers entertained.

Stream Elisa & Marcela on Netflix.

She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power

Yes, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is a Netflix reboot of the '80s He-Man spinoff intended for a target audience of kids 8-14. That being said, it also includes some stand-out LGBTQ+ rep that would have never been included in a cartoon when I was that age (and trust me, I watched a lot of TV as a kid). The lack of LGBTQ+ representation in kids media was so severe that Korra and Asami holding hands in the series finale of The Legend of Korra felt revolutionary.

The romantic relationship between Adora (Aimee Carrera) and Catra (AJ Michalka) is a testament to the tenacity of She-Ra creator Noelle Stevenson and the shifting mindsets surrounding LGBTQ+ representation. The show also offers diversity of ethnicity and body type, both of which are also sorely lacking in mainstream media.

Stream She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power on Netflix.

Hopefully, with all of these choices, you'll have plenty to watch in the near future, but you can also check out some of the 2022 Netflix TV Shows and Netflix Movies for even more great titles. 

Over time, a name that I’ve been seeing a lot more often in both movies and television is Rami Malek. From some of his first roles in film to his starring parts in huge hit TV shows, Malek has constantly proven how skilled of an actor he is. And if you’ve been wondering where to watch some of his best roles, you’re in exactly the right place. While there are some awesome things to know about Rami Malek, we’re here to talk about some of his best films. 

If you’ve been on the lookout for the best Rami Malek movies and TV shows that are streaming or available to rent right now, this is the place for you, starting off with a huge hit of his. 

Mr. Robot (2015 - 2019)

You knew this one would be on the list. Mr. Robot is an awesome drama show telling the story of Elliot, a seemingly normal programmer who works as a cybersecurity engineer during the day, but at night, he turns into a hacker, acting as a vigilante to takedown a major corporation. 

While Rami Malek worked prior to taking on the lead role in Mr. Robot, this was his breakout performance. His performance Elliot was well-loved and Malek received several accolades and nominations, showing just how amazing of an actor he truly is. It’s a shame the show had to come to an end, but all good things do, and i don’t think we’ll ever quite forget our favorite hacker. 

Stream Mr. Robot on Amazon Prime.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Freddie Mercury was one of my idols growing up, and Rami Malek was stellar as him in Bohemian Rhapsody. This biopic tells the story of Freddie Mercury and the band Queen, them becoming hitmakers overnight and him turning into the icon that he is now, as well as his personal struggles to get there. 

Rami Malek actually won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Bohemian Rhapsody, so if that wasn’t enough to get you to watch this film, I don’t know what is. He perfectly captures the essence that was Freddie Mercury and adds even more personality to the already iconic man. Truly, Rami Malek was amazing in this role. 

Rent Bohemian Rhapsody on Amazon.

The Pacific (2010)

Next up, we have the miniseries, The Pacific, from HBO. This series based on the true stories of soldiers in WWII follows the U.S. Marines who were fighting against the Japanese during WWII, capturing their lives, struggles, and so much more. 

For those who don’t know, HBO has made some really awesome shows, some of which include stories of WWII, including the legendary Band of Brothers that acts as a predecessor to this miniseries. Rami Malek was the perfect pick to play Cpl. Merriell “Snafu” Shelton, a character based on a real-life Marine, and Malek does him justice with his excellent acting performance alongside his co-stars. If realistic war movies and movies about real-life situations are some of your favorite genres, you need to give this a shot, especially if you’re a fan of Malek, as he stands out amongst the rest. 

Stream The Pacific on HBO Max.

Night At The Museum Trilogy (2006-2014)

Ever wonder what would happen if a museum came to life at night? That’s what Night at the Museum is all about, mainly following the adventures of Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller), a night shift security guard who ends up discovering that the American Museum of Natural History in New York comes to life at night. 

Fun fact - the first Night at the Museum was actually Rami Malek’s first film ever, and what a movie to start out on, because he is great as Ahkmenrah, the owner of the tablet that allows the exhibits to come to life. I can’t get over how funny he is and his chemistry with Ben Stiller is super. While the film series is only a trilogy, Malek makes an appearance in each one, and further proves my hypothesis that he would make a great ancient pharaoh.

Stream The Night At The Museum Trilogy on Disney+.
Rent The Night At The Museum Trilogy on Amazon.

The Little Things (2021)

Next up, we have The Little Things. In this neo-noir crime film, Rami Malek stars as a detective alongside Denzel Washington, who are both on the case as a string of murders starts to connect to each other - all of which lead to them meeting a person that just might be the problem. 

What really makes The Little Things one of Malek’s best movies is his chemistry with Denzel Washington. I love re-watching their scenes as detectives because you really believe that they’re actively trying to solve a case and show just how hard they are working. Even so, The Little Things is filled with great surprises, and you’ll find yourself twisting your head often just to keep up with all the changes in plot, making it a fun time. 

Stream The Little Things on HBO Max.
Rent The Little Things on Amazon.

No Time To Die (2021)

I’m sure at some point in 2021 you heard of Daniel Craig’s last James Bond film, No Time To Die. In this film, we follow Bond, who is attempting to live out a normal life after retiring from MI6. But that retirement comes to a close when a former contact reaches out to him for help, pushing him back into the life of an international spy. 

Rami Malek played a Bond villain in No Time To Die, Lyutsifer Safin, who is a terrorist and trying to get revenge on Spectre, and honestly, he plays the villain really well. Like, scarily well. Watching him in this Bond film makes me wonder why Malek doesn’t play more villains, because he surprisingly pulls it off and had some really amazing scenes with Craig. Rami Malek might have fallen in love with his Bond villain, but I think I have, too. Someone help me. 

Rent No Time To Die on Amazon.

BoJack Horseman (2017-2018)

I bet you didn’t think you’d see a voice role on here. BoJack Horseman is an iconic adult animated series on Netflix, telling the story of the titular character who is trying to get back into the limelight after several years in obscurity by writing a tell-all novel using a ghost writer. 

While Rami Malek has done voiceover work (as well as motion capture work) for video games before, like Until Dawn and The Legend of Korra, I wanted to point out his role as Flip McVicker, as I feel that’s some of his best voiceover work. His portrayal of the insecure yet pretentious creator of Philbert and the way he clashes with BoJack really makes the show during Seasons 4 and 5. I wish we had gotten to see more of him. 

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus (2014)

Next up, we have Da Sweet Blood of Jesus. This Spike Lee film tells the story of an anthropologist whose life changes when he is suddenly stabbed by a dagger, which turns out to be a magical weapon from ancient Africa that turns him into a terrifying creature - a vampire. 

I know, the premise itself sounds like any old vampire film, but I have to say that Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is unique in every way. From how vampires work to the ending, that shows Rami Malek giving a compelling performance as Seneschal Higginbottom, working as a servant and having some really awesome scenes alongside Stephen Tyrion Williams as Dr. Green. It’s not your typical vampire film, but thanks to the brilliant acting from both Malek and his co-stars, it’s an intriguing entree into the fantasy genre. 

Stream Da Sweet Blood of Jesus on Showtime.
Rent Da Sweet Blood of Jesus on Apple TV.

Papillon (2017)

Last but not least, we have Papillon. This biographical drama starring Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek follows the true story of French convict Henri Charrière - who was called Papillon, and escaped with fellow convict, Louis Dega, from Devil’s Island in the 1940s. 

The movie itself is really great, with a lot of thrilling action moments. But, what makes this movie one of Rami Malek’s best is his overall performance as Louis Dega, as well as his partnership with Charlie Hunnam as Henri Charrière. They truly make such an outstanding duo.

Stream Papillon on Hulu.
Rent Papillon on Amazon.

Rami Malek is only going to continue to give us intriguing roles, considering he already has two films set to come out - one called Amsterdam, and the other is Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, so you’re sure to see more of him. Until those release, enjoy some of his best films and TV shows now - you might just find a new favorite re-watch.  

Whether he’s lost in some extravagant daydream, searching through “the infinite abyss,” or playing small yet unforgettable characters on a variety of sitcoms, Zach Braff has long been one of the most interesting and charming faces on the silver screen and small screen. Each time he steps into the frame, you can’t help but be carried away by his charm, comedic timing, and earnestness, which almost always makes for a fun experience.

And, with the former Scrubs cast member being a major part of the Cheaper by the Dozen cast, I started to think about the best Zach Braff movies and TV shows that I would like to revisit. In doing so, I found out that quite a few of them are streaming and thought to myself that others would be looking for the same, so I made this little list.

Scrubs (2001 - 2010)

Over the course of nine seasons, 182 episodes, and two networks, Zach Braff portrayed young doctor John “J.D.” Dorian at Sacred Heart Hospital on the critically acclaimed medical comedy, Scrubs. Throughout his run on the show (a run that turned him into a massive star), Braff’s character went from an awkward resident starting his career to a dependable mentor by the time things wrapped up, bringing laughs, tears, and loads of inside jokes along the way.

No matter what Braff does with his career from here on out, Scrubs will always be one of the shows for which he’s most remembered. One of Bill Lawrence’s best creations, this iconic early 2000s series wasn’t afraid to try new things, incorporate multiple genres, and give the cast room to breathe, creating some of TV’s best moments along the way.

Stream Scrubs on Prime Video.
Buy Scrubs on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Garden State (2004)

Following the sudden death of his mother, struggling actor Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) returns to his New Jersey hometown for the funeral. But, what starts out as a quick trip home to honor his mother’s life quickly turns into an existential exploration of “the infinite abyss,” an odyssey that sees the despondent and heavily-medicated prodigal son cross paths an eccentric young woman named Samantha (Natalie Portman), who forever changes his life.

In addition to starring in Garden State, Zach Braff also wrote and directed this 2004 comedy-drama, and quickly made a name for himself as one of the most interesting young filmmakers in Hollywood. And, it doesn’t hurt that the movie has one of the best soundtracks in recent memory, which was hand-picked by Braff himself. 

Stream Garden State on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Garden State on Amazon.
Buy Garden State on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Wish I Was Here (2014)

Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff) is forced to pull his children out of an expensive private school after his father, who pays for their schooling, is diagnosed with cancer and decides to spend the last of his money on a revolutionary treatment. Instead of finding a new school, however, Aidan decides to homeschool his daughter and son by following a rather unorthodox curriculum that involves camping, swimming, and San Diego Comic-Con.

Zach Braff’s character in the Kickstarter-funded Wish I Was Here is one of the most endearing of his career and goes through a tremendous change by the time the movie ends. The way Braff, who also co-wrote and directed the 2014 comedy, portrays a father forced to sacrifice his own desires for those of his children makes for a great study of parenthood and being an adult in general.

Stream Wish I Was Here on IMDbTV.
Rent/Buy Wish I Was Here on Amazon.
Buy Wish I Was Here on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Chicken Little (2005)

After claiming the sky is falling and the end is near, Chicken Little (Zach Braff) is viewed upon as the “boy who cried wolf” and untrustworthy for getting his town all worked up in a state of panic. But, when it happens a second time, things are worse than they appear, and only the small, outcast chicken can save the day from arriving extraterrestrial invaders.

Based on the classic European folk tale of the same name, the 2005 animated film, Chicken Little, captures the heart and soul of the source material while also transitioning it into modernity. All of the actors are amazing in their respective roles throughout the movie, but none compare to the kind nature of the underdog Chicken Little, who is made all the more likable thanks to Zach Braff’s understanding of the role.

Stream Chicken Little on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Chicken Little on Amazon.
Buy Chicken Little on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Ex (2006)

On the eve of becoming a father, Tom Reilly (Zach Braff) takes a job at his father-in-law’s advertising agency where he soon strikes up a bitter rivalry with his wife’s ex-boyfriend, Chip Sanders (Jason Bateman), who uses his brain and paraplegic state against him.

Probably one of the funniest movies of 2006, The Ex is held together by the on-screen chemistry of Zach Braff and Jason Bateman, who do such an amazing job of portraying two bitter rivals that you believe they actually hate one another. The constant back-and-forth between the two as they jockey for position is incredible and really increases the drama and comedy.

Stream The Ex on Pluto TV.
Rent/Buy The Ex on Amazon.

The Last Kiss (2006)

Michael (Zach Braff) seems to have everything going for him in life: he has a loving girlfriend who is pregnant with their first child, a well-paying job, and a group of close friends. Despite that, the soon-to-be 30-year-old feels trapped and nothing like the free young man he used to be. When he meets a young college student named Kim (Rachel Bilson) at a wedding, Michael sees a quick escape, but his new fling could bring his life crashing down.

Tony Goldwyn’s 2006 romantic drama The Last Kiss (a remake of the Italian film L’Ultimo Bacio) shows a Zach Braff character who is far different from anything he had played before. Sure, his characters have always been a bit complicated and introspective, but his portrayal of Michael in his fall from grace is truly something else. It’s strange, because you are forced to decide whether or not you like the character or despise him for his actions, and mistakes, in life.

Rent/Buy The Last Kiss on Amazon.
Buy The Last Kiss on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)

When one of their neighbors suddenly dies, Larry Lipton (Woody Allen) and his wife Carol (Diane Keaton) find themselves so intrigued by the mystery they begin investigating the matter on their own, no matter what they might encounter on their curious journey into the unknown.

Although Zach Braff only appears briefly in Manhattan Murder Mystery as Larry and Carol’s son, Nick Lipton, it’s a performance that should be brought up at every opportunity. This is mostly due to the fact that this Braff’s feature film debut (he had appeared on an episode of The Baby-Sitters Club at this point), which automatically makes it more intriguing. 

Rent/Buy Manhattan Murder Mystery on Amazon.
Buy Manhattan Murder Mystery on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon. 

BoJack Horseman (2017, 2020)

One of the best Netflix original series, the animated adult comedy, BoJack Horseman, centers on the titular washed-up actor (Will Arnett) as he struggles to find meaning in life now that he’s no longer the star of the popular Horsin’ Around sitcom. Over the course of six seasons, the walking, talking, anthropomorphic horse deals with depression, fame, and what it means to be successful in Hollywood.

There were a ton of great celebrity cameos throughout BoJack Horseman’s run on Netflix, including an appearance by Weird Al Yankovic at one point. Well, you can add Zach Braff to the list of famous actors who popped up on the show on two occasions, first at a Season 4 party where he caught on fire and was killed by Jessica Biel and then again in the final season in one of BoJack’s dreams. The best part about his appearances was the way Braff parodied himself, especially with his comments about monologues.

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

Arrested Development (2005 - 2006)

One of the funniest shows of the 21st Century, Arrested Development followed the lives and exploits of the Bluth family. Over the course of five seasons (the first three on Fox, the later two as a Netflix revival), the family, to the chagrin of Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), found themselves in one ridiculous situation after another in the wake of the family patriarch, George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), going to prison.

In addition to the large Bluth family, Arrested Development also featured an even more expansive cast of supporting characters like Zach Braff’s Phillip Litt, an unsavory filmmaker behind the exploitative Girls with Low Self-Esteem video series. This character is completely over-the-top and nothing like anything else Braff had done up to that point or since. Clearly a parody of Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis, Braff appears to be having a lot of fun with the portrayal.

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.
Buy Arrested Development on Amazon.
Buy Arrested Development on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The High Cost Of Living (2010)

When a hit-and-run accident results in the death of her unborn child, Nathalie (Isabelle Blais) falls into a downward spiral of depression and lost hope. That all changes when she meets an equally flawed man named Henry (Zach Braff), who’s own decisions in life have left him in a situation just as dark and dreadful. Together, they form a strong bond that is put to its ultimate test with a devastating revelation.

Before Deborah Chow went on to direct the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+, she cut her teeth with intimate indie projects like 2010’s The High Cost of Living. Far more toned-down from Braff’s work on Scrubs, this small project really gives him a lot of room to try out a different character, one far less upbeat than J.D., and it works really well.

Stream The High Cost of Living on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The High Cost of Living on Amazon.
Buy The High Cost of Living on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

With multiple movies coming out in the very near future, expect on seeing some additions to this list of the best Zach Braff movies and TV shows. If you want more information on those projects, take a look at CinemaBlend's list of all the 2022 movie releases so you don't miss a thing. 

The undisputed king of musical comedy and parody songs is getting his own biopic and the casting choice is amazing. Former Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is playing “Weird Al” Yankovic in the upcoming Roku Channel original movie WEIRD: The Weird Al Story, which itself is a feature-length adaptation of a fake trailer released by Funny Or Die in 2010.

The stellar news reminds of some of the notable “Weird Al” Yankovic movies and TV shows in which the musician was the star - like the 1989 TV industry parody UHF (which he also co-wrote), or the short-lived children’s program The Weird Al Show from the late ‘90s, or when he became the bandleader for Comedy Bang! Bang! However, what I would rather talk about right now are the funniest and most memorable times he made a surprise cameo in a movie or had a smaller guest or recurring spot on a TV show. For instance…

The Naked Gun Movies (1988-1994)

One of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s first movie appearances was in the brilliant detective spoof The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, in which the late, great Leslie Nielsen’s Lt. Frank Drebin believes reporters waiting to see the musician really want his interview outside an airport. Yankovic also showed up in the 1991 sequel, The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell of Fear, as a thug whose police station hold up is unwittingly stopped by Frank simply opening a door. “Weird Al” played himself again in The Naked Gun 3-1/3: The Final Insult, in which Frank and his wife, Jane (Priscilla Presley), pose as the comic and his date, Vanna White, to get into the Oscars.

Spy Hard (1996)

“Weird Al” Yankovic was also involved in Leslie Nielsen’s espionage thriller parody, Spy Hard - in which the comedy legend plays a bumbling secret named Dick Steele (seriously) - but with more than a seconds-long cameo this time. Al appears throughout the extremely cartoonish film’s James Bond-style opening credits sequence, which essentially serves as the music video for the self-referential theme song that he writes and performs.

Halloween II (2009)

Sadly, “Weird Al” Yankovic does not perform any music in director Rob Zombie’s sequel to his brutal, 2007 Halloween remake, but does provide what is easily the film’s funniest moment while appearing on a talk show with Malcolm McDowell’s Dr. Samuel Loomis. When host David Newman (Chris Hardwick) asks the psychologist - promoting his new book about Michael Myers (Tyler Mane) - about accusations of “profiteering off the misery of others,” the musician jokingly interjects, as if assuming the question was about his own song parodies. Loomis, however, does not find it very funny and later scolds his publicist over the embarrassment. 

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2019)

“Weird Al” Yankovic did, thankfully, play music on a TV series that already welcomed such performances regularly and won multiple Emmy Awards for it. On a Season 4 episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Greg (Skyler Astin) wants to go all out for his date with Rebecca (star and co-creator Rachel Bloom) and books a hot air balloon ride for the two of them from Bernie (Yankovic). After setting up the appointment, the top-hat wearing clerk gives the gentleman a “word of warning” about there being no way to use the restroom in a hot air balloon with a serenade that uses “Weird Al’s” signature instrument: the accordion.

How I Met Your Mother (2011)

In a Season 7 episode of How I Met Your Mother, Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) tries to find someone to accompany him to a “Weird Al” Yankovic concert. He also claims that he gave the parodist the idea for his 1985 hit “Like a Surgeon,” which borrows from the tune of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.” The rest of the HIMYM cast assume this to be a fantasy, until a flashback at the end of the episode featuring “Weird Al” as himself circa 1985 confirms that it was Ted’s fan letter that led to the song’s existence.

The Simpsons (2003-2008)

There have been many amazing celebrity guests on The Simpsons and “Weird Al” Yankovic is one of a few who has leant his voice to Matt Groening’s seminal animated series as himself twice, so far. The first was a Season 14 episode in which a heartbreaking revelation forces Homer to leave his family, so Marge enlists Al’s help with a parody of John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane” called “Homer & Marge.” The second time, in Season 19, he performed a parody of a song by Homer’s own band, Sandgasm - which, itself, is a parody of Nirvana. Parodyception?

BoJack Horseman (2016-2019)

On some rare occasions, “Weird Al” Yankovic has also leant his voice to a few animated characters that are not just fictionalized versions of himself. One of the more notable examples is when he appeared on Season 3 of Netflix’s BoJack Horseman as Captain Peanutbutter - the brother of Paul F. Thompkins’ Mr. Peanutbutter - who would become a recurring character, appearing in two more episodes in Season 6. It was actually executive producer and series regular Aaron Paul who helped get Yankovic on the show, bringing his performance as the musician in the aforementioned Funny Or Die sketch full circle.

Teen Titans Go! (2015-2018) 

One of the more unexpected instances of “Weird Al” Yankovic playing an animated character is the multiple times he leant his voice to Teen Titans Go! as Darkseid - yes, the same ruthless, tyrannical god who appeared in Zack Snyder’s Justice League as played by Ray Porter. Speaking of the Justice League, in an episode in which the young heroes pose as their adult peers to save them from the villain, Cyborg (Phil LaMarr) - in a Green Lantern costume - points out his vocal resemblance to the musical comedian. Darkseid quips that even he is not as evil as someone who makes a living “making songwriters look like fools,” which is actually what leads to their epic standoff. 

Bill And Ted Face The Music (2020) 

A more recent “Weird Al” Yankovic cameo that you might have already forgotten, or maybe even failed to catch in the first place, was in Bill and Ted Face the Music - the long-awaited third installment of the sci-fi comedy franchise starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. The blink-and-you-miss-it appearance occurs during the film’s ending credits as part of a compilation of musicians jamming to the soundtrack. Yankovic posted the brief clip to his Instagram with a mention that this cameo was not a paid gig, but the result of a contest to appear in the film that he, a fan of the original movies, entered for fun.

We have barely scratched the surface of all the fittingly weird “Weird Al” Yankovic appearances to look out for the big and small screen, but these are our favorites. What are yours?

Dark comedies have certainly blown up in recent years as some of the go-to shows for fans of hilarious bits with a bit of dark humor. Or, perhaps just the whole entire show revolving around a dark purpose. Streaming platforms from all over have come up with some awesome ideas, hysterical moments and so much more that they have truly become hits. 

Shows like Dead to Me, Barry or even The Boys have become so popular that today, we’re going to do a dedicated article just for them. So, if you’re looking for some of the best dark comedy TV shows, be sure to check these picks out. 

Dead To Me (Netflix)

In this Netflix original show, Dead to Me tells the story of two women who have both gone through horrible losses, both losing their husbands and having to learn how to live with their grief through grief counseling. However, one of them is hiding the secret of a lifetime - and it’ll be huge if this secret gets out. 

Dead to Me is one those shows where at first, it may be a little slow to start, but after the first episode, you’ll be drawn in to watch every single episode afterwards. Both Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are brilliant in their leading roles and have such amazing chemistry, paired with a story that’s enthralling from start to end. 

Stream Dead to Me on Netflix.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (Hulu)

I’m sure at some point you’ve heard of this show. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a dark comedy taking place in the Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia, following a group of not so great people - Dennis and Dee, siblings, their friends, Mac and Charlie, and their “father,” Frank. 

I feel like I don’t need to convince you to watch this show. You already know how great It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is. It’s literally the longest running (live-action) comedy show ever for a reason, because it has such a large fanbase and continuously adapts to some of the darkest humor. This gang has truly done some horrible things - and honestly, we’re just here for the fun ride and the dark comedic laughs. 

Stream It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Hulu.

Kevin Can F*** Himself (AMC+)

One of the newer shows on this list, Kevin Can F*** Himself is a dark comedy about Allison, a seemingly normal woman who is trying to find her place in the world while living with the titular Kevin, a man who barely knows how to take care of himself and is sucking the literal life out of her. 

What makes this dark comedy so amazing is that Kevin Can F*** Himself is almost like a hybrid show. On the moments where it wants to show the amazing perspectives of her life, we are taken to a typical sitcom where there is canned laughter and several cameras, but when we dive deep down into the seriousness of her life, it feels more like a drama mixed in with dark comedy. It’s such an enigma of a show and one that any television buff can enjoy. Annie Murphy is also stellar in it. 

Stream Kevin Can F*** Himself on AMC+ through Amazon Prime.

Barry (HBO Max)

HBO knocked it out of the park with this one. Barry is all about the titular character, Barry, a discharged Marine who decides to take the next step in his life by becoming a paid-for-hire hitman. However, when one of his jobs sends him to Los Angeles, he ends up with more drama than he ever could have thought through the theater geeks of the city. 

Barry is an amazing dark comedy. Not only is Bill Hader, the star of the show, fantastic in his line delivery and comedic timing (I mean, obviously, as an SNL alumnus), his moments of pure drama clash perfectly with his expert jokes. I mean, I never would have thought I’d enjoy a comedy about a hitman “finding himself” in L.A. of all people, but Barry pulls it off so well. 

Stream Barry on HBO Max. 

BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

The first animated show on this list, BoJack Horseman is an adult animated series on Netflix that tells the story of the titular character, BoJack. He’s a washed-up celebrity who is trying to see if he can make a comeback in life, so he decides to write a tell-all biography with the help of a ghostwriter, in order for his relevance to come back. 

Don’t let the word “animation” turn you off. This show is just as expertly done in its dark comedy as any of the others on this list. BoJack Horseman is the perfect balance of edgy, dark jokes and really raw moments that make you think. Not only will this show make you laugh, but it deals with heavy issues such as depression, anxiety, mental disorders, grief, and so much more. 

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

After Life (Netflix)

Starring comedy legend Ricky Gervais, After Life is a dark comedy that tells the tale of a husband who loses his wife tragically. So, he decides to give the middle finger to the rest of the world as depression settles in, and he starts to turn everyone away by being a jerk - but of course, this is turned around on him as well. 

After Life is probably one of the lesser known shows on this list just because it’s not really promoted as much, but it’s certainly still worth the time to watch. Ricky Gervais is wonderful in his leading role, and it’s so strange to see him act as a man that’s so bitter about the rest of the world when everyone tries to help him. It’s also a great exploration into what happens to our after life after someone we love passes away, and how we can learn to live through grief. Season 3 just came out, so be sure to watch it now. 

Stream After Life on Netflix.

Fargo (Hulu)

Inspired by the 1996 film of the same name, Fargo is an anthology series mixed in with black comedy that takes place in several different states in America, with completely new stories, characters, and a mystery that will captivate you from beginning to end. 

What I love about Fargo is that while it does have a lot of hysterical moments that make me laugh, it also focuses a lot on the mystery that surrounds these areas. But it doesn’t focus too much where the show starts to feel too dramatic. It’s like the perfect balance of both genres and it shows through how many awards this show has gotten. While Season 5 hasn’t been ordered yet, hopefully we’ll get another season soon. And if you haven’t watched it, binge it now.

Stream Fargo on Hulu.

Rick And Morty (HBO Max)

Probably one of the most known animated shows ever at this point, Rick and Morty is a sci-fi series mixed in with black comedy that follows the titular characters, Rick and Morty, a grandfather-grandson partnership that travels the galaxies through strange portals, weird worlds, and so much more. 

Rick and Morty is exactly what I think of when I think dark comedy. This show was made for adults, or at the very youngest, teenagers. It’s jokes are expertly timed and voiced to perfection, mixing in older references that older fans will enjoy and newer references to people who are just getting into the show. What makes this series so great however is that it still somehow keeps a crazy storyline as the show goes on. 

As zany and ridiculous as it gets, Rick and Morty has a deep, personal story that has its dark moments of intensity - just look at one of its lead characters, Rick Sanchez. Such a compelling and complex character mixed in with brilliant dark comedy. Truly, if dark comedy is your thing, watch this one. 

Stream Rick and Morty on HBO Max.

The End Of The F***ing World (Netflix)

This show is truly f***ing hilarious. The End of the F***ing World is a dark comedy about two teens, both with their own issues - one that thinks he’s a psychopath and the other that just has a crap life. They use this to their advantage to head out on a crazy adventure together. 

I have to admit, I feel like The End of the F***ing World is for a specific kind of audience. While it does have dark humor, its delivery is unlike any other show and its two lead actors are some of the best younger actors I’ve seen, creating a dark comedy experience unlike any other. There’s so much that happens in this show I don’t want to give much away, but trust me, you should watch it. It’s seriously good. 

Stream The End of the F***ing World on Netflix.

The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)

This HBO Max original is so much fun. The Flight Attendant is about a young woman, who works as a flight attendant (hence the title). Her life is a bit of a mess, mixed in with partying, drugs, alcohol and more. But one morning, she wakes up next to a dead body and has no idea how this happened - or who did it - and she takes it upon herself to figure it out, step by step. 

While The Flight Attendant teeters more on just regular comedy-drama than pure dark comedy, I do think that the premise of the show puts it in that category. I mean, if you woke up to a dead body, the heck would you do? Scream? Yeah, me too, but this woman basically becomes a whole-ass detective and tries to figure out exactly what happened through hilarious means, and I can appreciate her for that. The show is also a great showcase of Kaley Cuoco’s acting talent and she deserves all the awards, everywhere. 

Stream The Flight Attendant on HBO Max.

The Boys (Amazon Prime)

Last, but certainly not least, we have the superhero series, The Boys. This Amazon original series takes place in a world where superheroes aren’t just superheroes - they’re marketing tools, press releases, toys, movie stars, and everything else. But these superheroes have dark secrets behind those masks. And one by one, they’ll all get revealed. 

In a world that is filled to the brim with superheroes through the MCU or the DCEU, The Boys is a refreshing take on the genre. Not only are its dark moments very dark (I mean, that opening scene had me laughing and crying - if you know, you know), the show is just bloody entertaining - literally. This series, which doesn't shy away from violence, is not for the faint of heart. The Boys cast is full of talent, and the story perfectly captures the reality of being a superhero. Such a great one that you should watch, for sure. Now, if Season 3 of The Boys could just come out. I have to check my 2022 TV schedule to make room for it on my calendar. 

Stream The Boys on Amazon Prime.

Truly, these are some of the best shows you can watch right now out there, and when you do, you won’t regret it. You just might have a new favorite show. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’ll be patiently waiting for The Boys Season 3. 

Alison Brie is, hands down, one of my favorite actresses who has blown up in the last decade. Not only is she extremely talented in both dramatic and comedic roles, her voice-acting skills are excellent as well. From her time on Community to the Netflix series, GLOW, Brie has shown that she’s here to stay in Hollywood. 

But, what are some of her best performances? Which one is the ultimate best? These are the Alison Brie movies and TV shows with her best work, and how you can watch them right now. 

10. The Five-Year Engagement (Suzie Barnes-Eilhauer)

The Five-Year Engagement, starring Jason Segal and Emily Blunt, tells the story of a couple whose relationship becomes strained over time, as their engagement steadily gets extended over and over again. 

I’m always a fan of a good romantic comedy, and Alison Brie definitely rocks it as Suzie Eilhauer in The Five-Year Engagement. The only reason I ranked it at number ten is that it just doesn’t stand out at much as the other characters on this list, but it’s still a great performance and a funny movie that anyone would enjoy. Emily Blunt and Jason Segal have great chemistry, as do Alison Brie and Chris Pratt in their supporting roles. 

Stream The Five-Year Engagement on HBO Max. 
Rent The Five-Year Engagement on Amazon.

9. Happiest Season (Sloane Caldwell) 

Happiest Season, starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, is all about a woman who struggles to come out to her conservative parents at Christmastime, when she decides to travel home with her girlfriend.

Alison Brie plays Sloane, Harper’s (Mackenzie Davis) eldest sister, and she and Davis have some awesome scenes together that really make her stand out among the rest. The rest of the Happiest Season cast also work together so well, and it's filled with stars like Dan Levy, Aubrey Plaza, Jake McDorman, and more. Christmas films are always some of my favorites to watch, and this one is certainly a modern tale that makes me smile. It’s a heartwarming story with plenty of comedy, drama, and Christmas joy in-between. 

Stream Happiest Season on Hulu.

8. The Lego Movie (Princess Unikitty)

In The Lego Movie, we follow Emmet, an ordinary Lego minifigure who ends up joining a resistance movement to stop a tyrannical businessman from taking over Lego world and gluing everything into his vision of perfection. 

Alison Brie voices Princess Unikitty, and let me just say - she’s amazing. Brie gives Princess Unikitty the perfect kind of chaos and cuteness that a character like her needs, and that can only be brought to life by her wonderful voice-acting talents. I do think another one of her voice roles is slightly better than this one, but The Lego Movie definitely gave her some great material to work with, alongside its wacky, yet sweet, story. 

Rent The Lego Movie on Amazon. 

7. Sleeping With Other People (Elaine “Lainey” Dalton) 

In this 2015 film, Sleeping with Other People is all about two college students who both lose their virginity to each other one night and never see each other again until years later, now having their own personal problems as they deal with relationships and life. 

In one of her first major starring roles in a film, Alison Brie rocks Sleeping with Other People as Lainey, and her chemistry with Jason Sudeikis flows so perfectly, it makes me wonder why they haven’t been in any other movies together. Their relationship is so easy to believe, from beginning to end, mixed in with some awkwardly fun moments that bring a certain charm to the way they work. It’s a smaller film than many of the others on here, but deserves so much more praise. Seriously, check it out if you haven’t seen it yet. 

Stream Sleeping With Other People on AMC+ through Amazon Prime. 
Rent Sleeping With Other People on Amazon.  

6. GLOW (Ruth Wilder)

In this Netflix original series, GLOW follows the fictionalization of the real people and story of the 1980s during syndicated women’s professional wrestling circuit, called Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (otherwise known as GLOW). 

GLOW is one of those series that deserved so much more recognition and was cancelled way too soon. Alison Brie starred in this Netflix hit, and showed us how remarkable she is as a leading lady. Not only is her character, Ruth, full of spunk and has an interesting story, but everyone else around her shines just as much. It’s a shame that GLOW was canceled on Netflix due to COVID-19 related issues, but at least we still have the three seasons to watch whenever we want on Netflix. Maybe one day they’ll return to it. 

Stream GLOW on Netflix. 

5. BoJack Horseman (Diane Nguyen) 

Taking a look at another Netflix original, BoJack Horseman is all about the titular character, BoJack Horseman, someone who was once extremely popular back in his heyday, and now barely a blip in the memory of others. He plans to make a comeback by writing his tell-all autobiography, with the help of a ghost writer. 

Alison Brie voices Diane Nguyen, the ghost writer that works for BoJack, and let me say - I love her in this series. While Alison Brie was able to bring that maniac energy to Princess Unikitty in The Lego Movie, Diane stands out to me so much more as her best voice-acting role. Diane’s story in BoJack Horseman is gut-punching and raw and will make anyone tear up for a bit, and her relationship with BoJack is one of the best on the show, by far. She’s a complex character, through and through, and Brie’s voicing of her makes Diane even better. 

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix. 

4. The Post (Lally Weymouth)

In this film based on a true story, The Post tells the tale of journalists who worked at the Washington Post, and their endless trials to try and publish the infamous Pentagon Papers, a set of documents that regarded the 20-year involvement of the United States government in the Vietnam War, and even earlier in French Indochina. 

While Alison Brie is always brilliant in her comedic roles, there’s something about The Post that really makes it one of her best performances. While her role isn’t as big as some of the other cast members in here - with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks as the main stars - she is one of the standouts, and portrays Lally Graham, a former journalist at the Washington Post, wonderfully alongside her co-stars.

Rent The Post on Amazon. 

3. Mad Men (Trudy Campbell)

Mad Man was a popular AMC series that starred Jon Hamm as Don Draper, an executive at an advertising agency on Madison Avenue in New York City, hence the term “mad men,” in the 1960s. It follows his highs and lows, and the trials and tribulations of working in the advertising industry back then, and the people who surrounded him. 

Arguably, this is one of the performances that made Alison Brie famous. While she was just a recurring character in the Mad Men cast, her part as the wife of Pete Campbell stands out, creating excellent tension between the two of them and a story that no one can tear their eyes away from. She truly shines in this dramatic role.

Stream Mad Men on AMC+ through Amazon Prime. 

2. Promising Young Woman (Madison McPhee) 

In this popular thriller, Promising Young Woman stars Carey Mulligan, who plays a young woman who is haunted by a traumatic past, and takes it upon herself to get vengeance on the men who have committed horrible atrocities. 

Alison Brie stars as Madison, one of the many women and men that Mulligan’s character comes across. I’ve already expressed how I like watching Brie in dramatic roles, but I feel like she brings it hard in Promising Young Women. Her role as Madison is perfectly played, especially in her scenes with Cassie, played by Mulligan. Also, the story is top-tier in Promising Young Women. If you like thrillers, you are going to be on the edge of your seat the whole time. It’s such a fun movie to watch, filled with awesome stars, and Alison Brie only adds to that stardom. 

Stream Promising Young Woman on HBO Max. 

1. Community (Annie Edison) 

This Dan Harmon-created comedy, Community, follows Jeff Winger, a former lawyer who faked his degree, and now must go back to community college to try and become an actual lawyer. While he’s there, he meets an interesting friend group, all comprised of extremely different individuals. 

You knew it was coming. We all knew Community would be number one. While Mad Men shined a light on Alison Brie’s acting talents dramatically, Community is what shot her to stardom with how awesome she was with comedy. Her portrayal of Annie Edison, the studious classmate, is one to remember. The whole Community cast is full of stars, but Alison Brie as Annie works perfectly. Her comedic timing, heartwarming stories, and genuine friendships and relationships that she has with each of the characters created a wonderfully sweet character, which is why it’s Alison Brie’s best performance to date - let’s hope we all get to see her again in a possible Community movie. 

Stream Community on Netflix.

I’m sure that in the next couple of years, we’ll be seeing plenty more of Alison Brie in both film and TV, but for now, I can at least go back and watch some of her best performances, from beginning to end. Maybe even now you’ll have found a new show or movie to watch. If you don’t mind me, I’m going to re-watch Community for the umpteenth time. 

In this golden age of television, there are plenty of TV dramas that I love to watch, like the fantasy series Game of Thrones, or even the wonderfully written Breaking Bad. Maybe even catch up on some characters' romantic escapades before Bridgerton Season 2 comes out. However, while dramas are always intriguing and fun to watch, sometimes I just want to laugh, and comedies do the trick.

Luckily, there are plenty of comedy TV shows on Netflix for fans to enjoy, from original hits to already popular sitcoms and network hits. If you’re looking for a show that will have you clutching at your side from laughing so much, look no further than right here.

Community (2009 - 2015)

Community tells the story of Jeff Winger, who was disbarred and suspended from his law firm after they found out his bachelor’s degree was fake. In order to return, he attends Greendale Community College, where he meets an interesting cast of characters all with their own quirks and odd personalities.

Community is, hands down, one of my favorite shows ever. Created by Rick and Morty creator, Dan Harmon, the jokes always land and will make you laugh regardless of how you’re feeling on any day. And, let’s not even get started with the amazing Community cast. There are so many stars who blew up once they appeared in this awesome show, such as Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong - the list goes on and on. Seriously, if you haven’t watched Community yet, give it a shot now. Hopefully that Community movie comes sooner rather than later.

Stream Community on Netflix.

30 Rock (2006 - 2013)

Starring Tina Fey, 30 Rock revolves around the cast and crew of a fictitious sketch comedy series, which is filmed in Studio 6H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, focusing on the creation of this show, and the hijinks that come with it.

Honestly, I think what makes this such a great show is the 30 Rock cast. Not only do they have amazing chemistry with each other, but their characters are really easy to root for and are super funny, from Tina Fey to Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan. Everything works together beautifully. With Tina Fey as one of the main writers of the show, you know it’s going to be funny.

Stream 30 Rock on Netflix.

New Girl (2011 - 2018)

In New Girl, Jess is a young woman who just found out her long-term boyfriend has been cheating on her. So, she moves out and into a loft with three strangers, Nick, Winston, and Schmidt, all of whom have their own oddball tendencies that make her new life fun.

New Girl is so wholesome. There are a lot of comedies out there that can sometimes get darker, dipping their toes in drama (like Barry or Orange is the New Black). However, New Girl never does that. It’s really focused on comedy and makes you smile. Schmidt is the funniest character in my opinion, but everyone else in the New Girl cast each has their moment to shine.

Stream New Girl on Netflix.

Schitt’s Creek (2015 - 2020)

Schitt’s Creek tells the story of the Rose family, who were once wealthy and then suddenly lose all their assets except for a town, called Schitt’s Creek, they bought decades ago as a joke. Now, while living there, it’s up to them to somehow find a way out and become rich again.

If you’re looking for a fantastic family comedy, Schitt’s Creek is definitely one of the better ones out there. The entire Schitt’s Creek cast has such a great dynamic, but my personal favorites are David and Alexis, played by Dan Levy and Annie Murphy. Their sibling rivalry is not only believable, but shows what it’s like to not only fight with your sibling but love them unconditionally, even in the darkest of times. You’ll love them so much you’ll be saying “Ew, David,” not that long after starting the show.

Stream Schitt’s Creek on Netflix.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015 - 2019, 2020)

In this Netflix original series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt tells the story of Kimmy, a young woman who was kidnapped years ago and locked in a bunker for more than a decade, only to emerge as a fully grown woman in a brand new world, trying to adjust.

With four seasons, I definitely think Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a great comedy original from Netflix. Ellie Kemper has so much charisma as Kimmy, paired with her out of touch boss, Jacqueline White (played by Jane Krakowski), and her amazingly wonderful roommate Tituss Andromedon (played by Tituss Burgess), it’s a perfectly balanced show. Also, the opening theme to this show is one of the catchiest ones I’ve ever heard - I sing along to it every time. There’s even a special interactive film Netflix did for the show a year after it ended, so give it a chance if you haven’t tuned in yet.

Stream Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017 - 2019)

In this original comedy from Netflix, Santa Clarita Diet follows two married real estate agents, but when Sheila suddenly becomes undead and has a craving for human flesh, she and her family must find a way to somehow adapt to their new life.

Santa Clarita Diet is a show on Netflix that got cancelled way too soon. It was so funny, and had such a great cast, including the always wonderful Drew Barrymore as the lead. The story itself was also really interesting, including a mythological mystery and plenty of funny, gory moments in a comedy show about someone who looks like a normal person but lives as a zombie. I really wish it went on for longer, but, at least now, you can enjoy all of its glory on Netflix.

Stream Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix.

Big Mouth (2017 - Present)

Big Mouth centers on teens who are based on creators Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg’s upbringing in suburban New York, exploring puberty while embracing a frank way of looking at the human body and sex.

I’ll be honest - Big Mouth was never my favorite series. I think it’s just because the animation style was never my cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean I can’t acknowledge that it is very funny at times, and also addresses some themes that most comedies don’t ever talk about, including what it’s like to grow up, really digging deep and creating a memorable show that also serves a purpose. Plus, the Big Mouth cast is awesome too, with stars like John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, and more voicing the characters.

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix.

The Politician (2019 - 2020)

In this Netflix original, The Politician follows Payton Hobart, a wealthy young man from Santa Barbara, and each season revolves around a different political race that his character is involved in, whether that be for school or somewhere else.

I never thought Netflix would find a way to make politics funny, but The Politician does an amazing job at it. Not only is Ben Platt of Dear Evan Hansen fame very good as the lead character, but the rest of his co-stars are great as well, including Zoey Deutch, Laura Dreyfuss, Gwyneth Paltrow, and so many others. The story is full of hilarious moments, and with only two seasons to binge, it’s not the longest series but definitely worth the time to watch.

Stream The Politician on Netflix.

The Good Place (2016 - 2020)

In this popular series, The Good Place follows Eleanor, a woman who has passed on and has arrived in The Good Place, where those who have been good during their lives go once they die. However, Eleanor realizes something's wrong, because she is not supposed to be there.

This is another example of a wholesome comedy that I feel anyone could enjoy watching. The Good Place cast is definitely one of the best out there, led by the funny Kristen Bell, filled with hilarious jokes and funny moments, but it’s not afraid to make you smile and get you all teary-eyed at the same time. Plus, you’ll also find yourself laughing at how often they try to curse in The Good Place. Holy mother forking shirtballs.

Stream The Good Place on Netflix.

Sex Education (2019 - Present)

In this popular Netflix original, Sex Education follows Otis Milburn, an insecure student when it comes to sex, but who has a mother who's a sex therapist, so he starts a secret program at school to give other kids advice on sex and relationships.

This dramedy is definitely another one of those big shows with a huge ensemble, but the Sex Education cast is full of newer and more established stars, all with amazing talent. It is primarily a comedy, but the show isn’t afraid to talk about serious issues, from different sexual identities and their acceptance, to how to properly deal with your first time - it’s the perfect coming-of-age show, and something a lot of people would enjoy.

Stream Sex Education on Netflix.

Russian Doll (2019 - Present)

Think Groundhog Day, but even funnier. Russian Doll is about a woman named Nadia, who seems caught in an inescapable time loop as the guest of honor at a party one night in New York City. Now, it’s up to her to try and solve the problem.

First off, Natasha Lyonne is wonderful in her role and rocks it as Nadia. I can’t think of a better person to play the main character. But, Russian Doll is more than just its fun cast, with a funny story that has a lot of twists and turns, and a mystery that’s entertaining from beginning to end. With a Season 2 ordered for the popular show, now's the time to binge the first one.

Stream Russian Doll on Netflix.

BoJack Horseman (2014 - 2020)

In this animated comedy, BoJack Horseman follows the titular character, a washed-up star of the 1990s sitcom, Horsin’ Around. Now, he’s trying to plan a comeback by releasing a ghost-written, tell-all autobiography.

BoJack Horseman is definitely one of my favorite adult animated comedies to watch. While there are plenty of stupid funny moments in this wonderfully animated show, BoJack Horseman isn’t afraid to talk about the dark topics of Hollywood, such as drug and alcohol addiction, recklessness, depression, and so much more. It’s definitely a gem of a comedy and deserves all the praise it has gotten over the years.

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

Arrested Development (2003 - 2006, 2013 - 2019)

Last but not least, we take a look at Arrested Development. In this popular series, we follow the Bluths, a family that was formerly wealthy and very dysfunctional, trying to live their lives now that they have lost their riches.

Arrested Development walked so that Schitt’s Creek could run. This series is honestly one of the funniest shows ever, with a cast that truly stands above the rest, including Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor, and so many others. The series was so popular that it was renewed by Netflix years after it was cancelled by Fox, with the same cast, so you know that it’s definitely entertaining. If dysfunctional families are your favorite, there are none quite like the Bluths.

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.

These are some of the best shows to binge on Netflix, and now, you have some awesome options if you’re craving comedy and need a good laugh. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to watch Community for the umpteenth time.

CinemaBlend participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links.

Adult animation.

It is a form of TV entertainment that has taken over our screens in the last twenty or so years. From that takeover, we have experienced some of the best of what television has to offer in terms of comedy, wackiness, and fun. One of those shows that took off in this genre was none other than the show about the Belcher family on Bob’s Burgers.

While each of the characters has their own interesting stories and quirky character traits, they still somehow all come together to form something of a beautiful show. However, just because Bob’s Burgers has some awesome episodes and is a great example of what adult animation can be like, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a million other options for fans of the genre to check out. Today, we take a look at shows like Bob’s Burgers, from some animated classics like South Park, all the way to more recent shows such as BoJack Horseman.

Central Park (Apple TV+)

I had to put this as the first option on this list because it’s literally created by the same people who do Bob’s Burgers. Central Park, an Apple TV+ musical comedy, revolves around a family living in Central Park who must face off against a greedy land developer who wants to turn Central Park into more apartments and commercial spaces for her own profit.

I know the premise sounds a bit generic, but trust me when I say there’s nothing quite like Central Park, even if you’ve watched Bob’s Burgers. The musical numbers in this show are off the charts amazing, the characters are fantastic and so funny, and there’s an all-star cast behind it, with the likes of Josh Gad from Frozen, Daveed Diggs from Hamilton, Tituss Burgess from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and so many more. It’s certainly worth a watch.

Stream Central Park on Apple TV+.

Regular Show (HBO Max)

While Cartoon Network was known for plenty of amazing cartoons like Courage the Cowardly Dog or The Powerpuff Girls, one show that I felt was highly underrated was Regular Show. This series is all about Rigby, a raccoon, and Mordecai, a blue jay, and their common daily lives as friends while working as groundskeepers at a park, spending most of their days trying to avoid work and have fun instead.

While this isn’t as raunchy as some of the other shows on this list, Regular Show has humor that can’t quite be beaten, just like Bob’s Burgers. The jokes are some of the funniest out there for a show that was on a children’s channel prior to becoming popular with adult audiences. And some of the storylines are genuinely interesting and so much fun.

Stream Regular Show on HBO Max.

Rent Regular Show on Amazon.

South Park (HBO Max)

Oh boy. You want to talk about adult animation, look no further than South Park. This classic Comedy Central television series, which now has 24 seasons, follows the daily lives of third graders (later fourth graders) Kyle, Stan, Eric, and Kenny, and their misadventures in the fictional Colorado town of South Park – where a lot of different people mix and mingle and cause trouble all the time.

The show has been under controversy for several of its episodes in the past, but that hasn’t stopped South Park from becoming a huge hit. For fans of the adult humor in Bob’s Burgers, this is the perfect show for you. Not only is it raunchy and so much fun with its comedy, it really just keeps the same basic format for most of its seasons, so you don’t need to catch up previous episodes. You can start wherever you want. I mean, it’s South Park. It's iconic.

Stream South Park on HBO Max.

Rent South Park on Amazon.

Family Guy (Hulu)

Another classic in adult animation. I’m quite sure this was the first show which introduced me to the genre in the first place. Family Guy, created by Seth MacFarlane, focuses on the Griffins, otherwise known as Peter, Louis, and their children, Meg, Chris and Stewie, along with their anthropomorphic pet dog, Brian. And oh boy, does this family and the show have their moments of craziness, from zombie apocalypses to pedophiles to everything in between, Family Guy has done it all.

There are so many moments in Family Guy that truly make you go “huh?” because it’s just such an out-there show. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there are still times in the show that have you laughing your head off. Bob’s Burgers might have a bit more of a wholesome family than the Griffins, but you’ll find yourself connecting with them just as much.

Stream Family Guy on Hulu.

Rent Family Guy on Amazon.

BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

Now, let’s take a look at a Netflix original. Since its premiere, BoJack Horseman has been a runaway success. This popular show follows an alternate world, where humans and anthropomorphic animals live side by side, taking place in “Hollywoo” (the D was stolen), and centers on BoJack Horseman, a washed-up star who wants to return to relevance once his autobiography is written.

Not only is BoJack Horseman a super comedic show, but for fans of Bob’s Burgers, the heartfelt moments will hit you the hardest. Compared to many of the series on this list, BoJack Horseman has some dark moments that really hit you and make you think about life in a certain way, connecting with the viewer on another level, just as there are moments in Bob’s Burgers that get to you. Plus, with a cast list that includes Aaron Paul, Alison Brie, Will Arnett and so many more, how can you not give it a shot?

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

The Simpsons (Disney+)

I feel like I don’t even need to explain what The Simpsons is about, but here I go for those who don’t know. The Simpsons is about the titular family, the Simpsons, and the adventures they have in their daily lives in Springfield, from Bart being a troublemaker, to Homer making mistakes at work, or anything else.

For Bob’s Burgers fans, this is literally the blueprint for all adult animated TV shows. Did you love the Belcher family? You’ll like the Simpsons family, who have literally been around since the 1980s. That’s a long time for America’s most popular animated family. I don’t even need to convince you to watch this – you’ve probably already seen an episode or two in your lifetime. And, while the earlier seasons do stand out a bit more, there’s no denying that no one can quite replace The Simpsons.

Stream The Simpsons on Disney+.

Rent The Simpsons on Amazon.

Futurama (Hulu)

Fox has produced a lot of great, hit shows, but nothing could quite beat Futurama once it came to Comedy Central. Created by Matt Groening, the same man behind The Simpsons, this popular adult animated show is almost like a workplace sitcom, where we are focused on the employees of Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery company.

If you want to talk about amazing animation, I always felt that Futurama was ahead of its time with some of the scenes they would produce. The family dynamic of the main group will have anyone who loves Bob’s Burgers smiling. Even though these employees aren’t related by blood, there’s no denying that they all clearly care for each other, no matter what happens. It’s a lot of fun for many reasons.

Stream Futurama on Hulu.

Rent Futurama on Amazon.

Rick and Morty (HBO Max)

Oh, Rick and Morty. I feel like there’s this preconceived notion that you have to be into science to enjoy this show, but you don’t at all. In fact, Rick and Morty is anything but super science-based, and they explain so much to you. This popular show, created by Dan Harmon, centers on the titular Rick and Morty, a brilliant scientist and his grandson, who go on crazy scientific adventures across the galaxy.

There’s a reason why this show was renewed for so many seasons all at once. Not only is the comedy top-notch, and the animation pretty cool, the side characters are even entertaining with their stories, before everything usually combines near the end to create something perfect. It’s certainly not the same family dynamic as Bob’s Burgers, but the adventures and hijinks that this family gets up to certainly feel familiar. If you’re not burping like Rick near the end of your binge-watch, you didn’t binge correctly.

Stream Rick and Morty on HBO Max.

Rent Rick and Morty on Amazon.

Big Mouth (Netflix)

Another Netflix original on here – and honestly one of the best shows on Netflix, Big Mouth centers around a group of teens based on the creators, and their upbringing in New York, exploring themes of puberty, the human body, and of course, sex.

Out of all the other adult animated shows on here, I think Big Mouth gets the closest to raunchiness in relation to South Park. However, fans of Bob’s Burgers will instantly be reminded of the awkwardness of Tina when faced with the characters of Big Mouth, and if anything, will laugh even more because uncomfortable situations regarding teens growing up are explored with a surprising amount of depth, creating a healthy and comedic conversation about what it’s like to grow up. Plus, some of the songs in this are killer and iconic in their own right.

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix.

Archer (Hulu)

Archer follows the story of eight secret agents, all with their own issues and dysfunctional in their own way, who work for the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), a fictional intelligence agency.

I know, that already sounds like a riot considering that name for the company, but there is just something about Archer that reminds me of Bob’s Burgers, even though it’s not remotely the same. It’s possibly the comedy that comes from its eight main characters, or it could be the interesting animation choices that are made, or the heartfelt lessons that are learned occasionally – either way, I find myself rewatching Archer often. I think it’s worth a shot if you love Bob’s Burgers.

Stream Archer on Hulu.

Rent Archer on Amazon.

With all the 2021 Summer TV shows starting to premiere soon, I need to double-check to make sure any of these shows are having new seasons or episodes coming out. I know that, no matter what, I’ll be sitting in front of my TV, waiting anxiously for the next entry to join these awesome adult animated shows.

CinemaBlend participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links.

There is no way to get around it, there are an insane number of great Netflix TV shows, with something for literally everyone (at least everyone who loves critically acclaimed series from a myriad of genres). Keeping track of them all, however, is a task that is easier said than done.

From entertaining and enchanting sci-fi adventure stories like Stranger Things, to hilarious and disturbing dark comedies like Dead to Me, the library of originals keeps growing by the year, so much so that sometimes we find ourselves forgetting about all the awesome movies on Netflix, which, as we should remember, was what brought us all to the streamer way back when. But, before we get too sidetracked, let’s break down the best original Netflix shows. There’s a lot, so buckle up…

Stranger Things (2016 - Present)

Whether you’re obsessed with all things ‘80s (the culture, the style, Dungeons & Dragons), a longtime horror-hound, or simply someone who loves superbly written television, Stranger Things is right for you. As we look toward the show’s highly anticipated return with Stranger Things Season 4, now is the perfect time to go back and see how it all started for Eleven, Hopper (and how he ended up in Russia), and the rest of the residents of Hawkins, Indiana, and all their adventures.

Stream Stranger Things on Netflix.

The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

The 2020 limited series The Queen’s Gambit is hands down one of the best shows, not only on Netflix, but anywhere to come out in the past few years. From Beth Harmon’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) days learning to play chess in the basement of an orphanage to becoming the top player in the world by the show’s fulfilling ending, there isn’t a dull moment. Hell, you don’t even have to love the game of chess (or know anything about it) to get wrapped up in this binge-worthy drama.

Stream The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.

The Crown (2016 - Present)

There is a reason (multiple reasons, actually) why The Crown is one of the best shows on television right now, but for the sake of brevity we’ll only dive into a couple of them here. First, the cast (which has taken home acting awards in each of its four seasons), no matter who’s playing whom, has been amazing from the beginning and only continues to get better with each iteration of the royal family. Then you have Peter Morgan’s attention to detail and dedication to treating his subjects with respect but also not holding back his portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II and the world around her. Add those together with the music and the show’s ability to make the audience care about every single character and you have a recipe for greatness.

Stream The Crown on Netflix.

Bridgerton (2020 - Present)

There are still plenty of questions after the whirlwind that was the first season of Bridgerton, but the scandalous Netflix period drama, with its fair share of sex, drama, and sexy drama did breathe new life into the genre upon its release in late 2020. With its outstanding ensemble cast that is as talented as it is diverse, the incorporation of modern songs into England’s Regency era, and all those fanciful costumes, there are plenty of reasons why Bridgerton grabbed a hold of its audience and never let go.