10 More Must-Watch Comedies
Parks and Recreation is a lively and well-written ensemble comedy, packed full of memorable characters and situations.
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 Parks and Rec!
The Office (US)
Similarities – Comedy Style
The Office is one of the most beloved mockumentary sitcoms and a great comedy choice. Set in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, the show follows the daily lives of the office’s employees and their quirky boss, Michael Scott, as they navigate work and personal relationships.
Both Parks and Rec and The Office are workplace comedies that use humor to explore the dynamics of personal and professional relationships, the quirky and charismatically diverse ensemble make for a unique blend of comedy that’s well worth checking out.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Similarities – Workplace comedy
Set in the 99th precinct of the New York City Police Department, Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows a team of detectives and their newly-appointed captain, Raymond Holt. The series boasts a mix of crime-solving and humor, featuring a diverse and quirky cast of characters.
The similar workplace comedy theme and lovable ensemble cast with strong character-driven humor, make this another very good choice.
Schitt’s Creek
Similarities – Comedy
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.
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 Parks and Rec, whilst helming a similarly diverse and memorable cast, who all have unique personalities and quirks.
Bless This Mess
Similarities – Characters adapting
Bless This Mess is an American sitcom that follows a newlywed couple, Rio and Mike, who decide to leave their hectic New York City life behind and move to a simpler life in rural Nebraska. However, they quickly realize that adapting to their new surroundings is more challenging than they anticipated.
Both shows center on quirky characters adapting to their environment. The humor in both shows relies heavily on character-driven situations and the ensemble cast, which helps make this one a great watch.
The Mindy Project
Similarities – Comedy
The Mindy Project is a romcom that follows the life of Mindy Lahiri, an obstetrician-gynecologist navigating her personal and professional life, while searching for love in New York City.
Although The Mindy Project is centered on romantic relationships and the medical profession, both shows share a workplace comedy theme, with a strong, career-driven female lead character.
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. Like Parks and Rec, the show shares members of their creative team ((Tina Fey and Michael Schur) whilst also satirizing their respective industries.
Abbott Elementary
Similarities – Mockumentary, comedy
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style sitcom, set in a Philadelphia public elementary school. The series follows a group of dedicated teachers who are committed to helping their students succeed despite the many challenges they face, including a lack of resources and an unsupportive administration.
Both shows focus on a group of passionate and dedicated professionals committed to making a difference in their respective fields.
Bob’s Burgers
Similarities – Quirky, off-beat humour
Bob’s Burgers is an animated sitcom that premiered in 2011 and has been a strong comedic winner through almost all of its seasons since airing on TV. The show follows the lives of the Belcher family – Bob, Linda, Tina, Gene, and Louise – who run a struggling burger restaurant. The series focuses on their quirky family dynamics and the various challenges they face in their personal and professional lives.
Both this and Parks and Rec share a similar quirky comedic theme, while the idea of navigating through life’s challenges together is a big part of the appeal here.
Ted Lasso
Similarities – Mockumentary, Feel-good humour
Ted Lasso is a comedy-drama series on AppleTV, following an American football coach, Ted Lasso, who’s hired to manage British team, AFC Richmond.
Despite having no prior experience with football (soccer), Lasso brings his upbeat and optimistic personality to the team, hoping to turn their fortunes around and lead them to success.
Like Parks and Rec, Ted Lasso has a mix of comedy and drama, with a focus on character development and relationships.
So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished watching Parks and Rec.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!