# Comedy series similar to Community &c **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [May 12, 2020, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638 "2020-05-12T12:53:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/41 "2020-05-13T02:32:23Z")
My favorite ‘Community meets Always Sunny’ show is AP Bio. What about what I call the “Oh, that’s on, I’ll watch it!” shows? Like Modern Family. Interlocking family dynamics and plots that flow from the foibles of the great characters. “Oh, that’s on” shows aren’t top-tier comedies, but thoroughly enjoyable… like The Big Bang Theory or Superstore. ~ ~ What about trying some less-Community-esque classics? Veep, Psych, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel… Or my wife’s favorite of all time: Monk. (Mine’s the Dick Van Dyke Show… we’re watching his brother Jerry be hilariously pathetic and insecure right now). ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/42 "2020-05-13T03:51:19Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Analyze any of the other characters out of context of the show and they don’t make sense either. It’s not real life, it’s a sitcom. Yes, clearly, it’s just that in this particular case, the focus is too much on a single character and how wacky he is, with the other characters playing sidekicks or straight men to that character, which is fine _if you really like that character_. If you don’t, there isn’t enough left of the show to hold much interest. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/43 "2020-05-13T03:53:20Z")
By the way, if you like small-town ensemble-cast dry single-camera humor, check out _Corner Gas_. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/44 "2020-05-13T04:53:31Z")
Since you like The Good Place, I suggest trying Pushing Daisies. There aren’t a ton of episodes (two seasons, both of which were shorter than normal), but it has an outstanding cast, with very witty writing, stylized art direction, and a bit of a morbid sense of humor. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/45 "2020-05-13T06:04:55Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Yes, clearly, it’s just that in this particular case, the focus is too much on a single character and how wacky he is, with the other characters playing sidekicks or straight men to that character, which is fine _if you really like that character_. If you don’t, there isn’t enough left of the show to hold much interest. While I do really like the character, I think you’re overselling Peralta’s centrality. Yes, he is the lead, but the main cast is very ensemble-ish and have many of their own storylines. Not just B-plots, either. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/46 "2020-05-13T10:37:00Z")
I’m gonna toss in some more like Better off Ted that somehow didn’t catch on but are great quality (although less wholesome than Ted). Like: Don’t Trust the B in apartment 23 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IAKxJTBVHJs/hqdefault.jpg "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 Trailer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAKxJTBVHJs) (Just let it run, it has Beek from the Creek in it, playing himself) The League (Gattaca!) ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/47 "2020-05-13T10:43:42Z")
Or maybe those did take off?? I don’t really know. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/48 "2020-05-13T11:23:37Z")
Everything I thought of were already mentioned except one: if you want to go a little old school, Malcolm in the Middle has a similar comic sensibility. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/49 "2020-05-13T13:53:32Z")
Uk end of things, an old one, Spaced (with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost from Shaun of the dead). Very like communities tribute to film and television in it’s nature. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/50 "2020-05-13T14:56:55Z")
[Never Have I Ever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Have_I_Ever_(TV_series)) is a new Netflix series produced by Mindy Kaling from The Office. It has the same fast humor, references to other pop culture, and randomness (John McEnroe does the voice-over). ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/51 "2020-05-15T13:32:15Z")
New Girl was good too: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bbZvefG4dUY/maxresdefault.jpg "New Girl's SCHMIDT / Max Greenfield's Funniest Moments Season 1 Part 1") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbZvefG4dUY) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/52 "2020-05-15T14:11:33Z")
Just a thank you. This thread has gotten me to re-watch Community. ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/53 "2020-05-15T14:39:06Z")
Another one that the OP may enjoy hasn’t been suggested yet is Derry Girls. It’s a relatively short show, only two seasons so far with six episodes each. (It’s an Irish show, and I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I needed to watch with subtitles on because the accents get thick at times. Please don’t tell the other guys on the Gaelic hurling club I play with…) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/54 "2020-05-15T15:24:38Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Another goofy ensemble comedy I haven’t seen mentioned is “What We Do In The Shadows”, about vampires sharing a house in Staten Island. I’d second this as an alternative to Community, especially after the last episode. That one took a Community-like diversion into a different environment, an off story plot, and brilliant comedy you can only get from funny Vampires. It’s an interpersonal relationship show like Community but doesn’t fall down the trap of trying to be meaningful. This show has evolved from it’s origins and this season is hitting it’s stride. Ever been to a Superb Owl party? You may have without realizing it. Ever met an Energy Vampire or even heard of one? Watch this show and you’ll realize you have. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/55 "2020-05-15T19:08:24Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Since you like The Good Place, I suggest trying Pushing Daisies. There aren’t a ton of episodes (two seasons, both of which were shorter than normal), but it has an outstanding cast, with very witty writing, stylized art direction, and a bit of a morbid sense of humor. a bit? ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/56 "2020-05-16T19:39:46Z")
Lot of great ideas! I remember watching Newsradio and 3rd Rock from the Sun occasionally in the nineties and they were good indeed. Malcolm in the Middle as well. In particular Newsradio is tonally similar. Also have seen Don’t trust the B in appartment 23, indeed somewhat similar wild humour. New Girl was a bit more pedestrian to my mind, skipped after season 1 but maybe should give it another try. I’ll check out the others mentioned as well, hadn’t ever heard of many of those so thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2021, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638/57 "2021-07-17T06:24:54Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > [Never Have I Ever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Have_I_Ever_(TV_series)) is a new Netflix series produced by Mindy Kaling from The Office. It has the same fast humor, references to other pop culture, and randomness (John McEnroe does the voice-over). Season 2 is now out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedy-series-similar-to-community-c/853638.md?page=2)