10 More Quirky Comedies
Community is a funny and cleverly written comedy, armed with likable characters, off-beat humour and memorable segments.
If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing.
To keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve added what similarities these have.
Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Community.
Parks and Recreation
Similarities – Chemistry Between Leads
Parks and Rec is a mockumentary-style comedy that follows the daily lives of the employees at the Parks and Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.
While the first season is a little slow out the gates, from season 2 onwards, the show really shines and stands out as a wonderful comedy.
The series explores the personal and professional lives of the department’s staff, including their relationships with each other and with the town’s residents. Much like Community, the similar style in comedy is partly why the show works so well.
The Good Place
Similarities – Diverse characters, comedy
The Good Place is a hilarious comedy that follows Eleanor Shellstrop, a woman who unwittingly finds herself in the afterlife; specifically, a heaven-like utopia called The Good Place. Eleanor’s not a particularly good person though, and she soon realizes that she has been mistaken for someone else. In her mission, she sets out to become a better person in order to stay in The Good Place.
The Good Place shares a similar comedic tone with Community, whilst helming a similarly diverse and memorable cast, who all have unique personalities and quirks.
Schitt’s Creek
Similarities – Dysfunctional characters
Schitt’s Creek is a comedy that follows the lives of a wealthy family who lose their fortune and are forced to live in a small town they once bought as a joke.
There are a lot of big names on the cast roster for this one, and watching these characters navigate through their various personal and professional challenges, as the family struggle to adapt to their new surroundings, makes for a hilarious and memorable watch.
30 Rock
Similarities – Comedy
30 Rock is a satirical sitcom that aired from 2006 to 2013. The show follows the behind-the-scenes workings of a fictional sketch comedy show called “TGS with Tracy Jordan,” produced at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
The series centers on Liz Lemon, the head writer of the show, as she manages her eccentric cast and crew, including the network executive Jack Donaghy. The style of comedy is pretty similar, while the characters and their witty dialogue is another stand out feature.
Scrubs
Similarities – Comedy & Surreal segments
Scrubs is an absolute must-watch and this comedy-drama centers around the lives of medical interns and residents at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital.
Specifically, our main character here is Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian, who’s joined by his friends as they navigate the challenges of their medical careers and personal lives.
The style of humour and the heartfelt moments, not to mention the quirky cast of characters, makes this another good choice.
The IT Crowd
Similarities – Comedy, Workplace
The IT Crowd is a British sitcom centering on the lives of three staff members at the fictional Reynholm Industries IT department. The socially awkward Roy, the reclusive Moss, and their relationship manager, Jen, deal with workplace challenges and absurd situations.
Some of the jokes are genuinely hilarious too, leaning into what makes British humour so good, as our trio use that to highlight the mundane aspects of daily life.
What We Do in the Shadows
Similarities – Quirky comedy
What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary-style horror-comedy that follows the lives of four vampire roommates living in Staten Island, New York. These vamps are centuries old and struggling to keep up with modern life. The show follows the vampires as they navigate their various relationships and try to fit into the modern world. Oh, and they also deal with supernatural obstacles too!
What We Do in the Shadows shares a similar style of comedy to Community, while the cast of quirky and eccentric characters who are constantly getting into trouble, make this one of the most popular comedies of recent years.
Spaced
Similarities – Comedy, Lovable Characters
Spaced is a fantastic British sitcom that follows the lives of two friends, Tim and Daisy, who pose as a couple in order to rent a flat together. The show sees the two characters navigate their personal and professional lives, with a distinct focus on their love of pop culture and science fiction.
This focus on character development and witty dialogue, not to mention the various situations the characters find themselves in, bear a fair few similarities with Community.
Seinfeld
Similarities – Comedy, Characters
Seinfeld aired from 1989 to 1998 and is often referred to as a “show about nothing.” It follows the everyday lives of stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his friends, George Costanza, Elaine Benes, and Cosmo Kramer. The show explores the humorous aspects of mundane situations, focusing on the characters’ quirks and their interactions with each other and various New York City inhabitants.
The two shows share some common features, such as an ensemble cast, character-driven humor, and a focus on the character relationships.
Arrested Development
Similarities – Comedy,
Arrested Development is an American sitcom that follows the dysfunctional Bluth family, whose patriarch, George Sr., is arrested for fraud and embezzlement. His son, Michael, tries to hold the family and their failing business together, despite the constant obstacles presented by his eccentric but selfish relatives.
Arrested Development and Community share a unique, offbeat sense of humor, with a knack for adding in some meta-references and self-awareness. While their settings and premises do differ, the two shows share a similar comedic spirit.
So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished watching Community.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!