Whether you’re feeling down or got the giggles, there are feel-good comedy shows for every mood.
While you can spend your weekend hiking, cycling, or even dancing, sometimes you might just wanna relax with a good show. Whether you’re in the mood to rewatch old gems or discover new favourites, you can’t really go wrong with feel-good comedy shows; after all, laughter is the best medicine! So, have a look through our list of best comedies and add them to your watchlist.
1. Parks and Recreation (2009)
Who knew a series about a branch of local government in Pawnee, Indiana could emerge as one of the funniest comedy shows of all time? Parks and Recreation sees Leslie Knope and her co-workers try to handle the colourful residents of Pawnee while trying to make little changes to the town along the way. The ensemble cast shines in every season and highlights the unsung figures you may see even in your own hometown. Finding both the humour and ridiculousness in government, Parks and Recreation has a bit of everything from local politicians to even a celebrity mini-horse!
2. Superstore (2015)
Although not found everywhere, almost everyone is familiar with the concept of the big-box chain store. Shining a spotlight on the oft-forgotten retail worker, Superstore follows the employees of a fictional Cloud 9 store in St Louis, Missouri. Although deriving much of its comedy from the creative ways retail workers get mistreated, heartwarming and meaningful moments can be found throughout the show. Tackling topics from unions to immigration, Superstore always manages to tell complex issues in a humorous way.
3. Ted Lasso (2020)
One of the best feel-good comedy shows in years, Ted Lasso is a fresh take on the classic fish-out-of-water story. When an affable American football coach gets hired to lead a rag-tag soccer team in the UK, hilarity ensues. As the players grow together as a team, you also begin to see individual character development, and how they evolve as people. A series with a lot of heart, Ted soon gets even the grumpiest of players to open up, bringing more joy across the pond. In a TV landscape full of hardened figures, both the character and the show Ted Lasso reminds us that sometimes, simply being kind can be a radical act.
4. Broad City (2014)
This series following the hijinks of two best friends in New York City is one of our personal favourites. Navigating employment, love, and friendship, eccentric Millennials Abbi and Ilana take on the Big Apple as a lovable duo in Broad City. A topical show that has its finger on the pulse with pop culture, you can’t help but find yourself rooting for these relatable ladies – whether they’re getting a promotion or trying to reach the airport on time. Always able to find the humour and oddity in the most mundane of scenarios, Broad City is a must-watch feel-good comedy show for you and your bestie.
5. The Good Place (2016)
If you like your comedy with a hint of philosophy, look no further than The Good Place. When Eleanor Shellstrop dies on Earth, she finds herself in “The Good Place,” an afterlife that proves just as complicated as life itself. A particularly engaging aspect of this series is how it’s slightly reinvented itself each season. While posing tough questions about existence, feel-good humour is still at the forefront. A high-concept comedy show, The Good Place is a masterpiece in tight storytelling and a musing on the meaning of life.
6. Schitt’s Creek (2015)
Although another fish-out-of-water story, Schitt’s Creek is anything but ordinary. When the Rose family – Johnny, Moira, David, and Alexis – find themselves bankrupt, they end up living in their last remaining major asset: a town called Schitt’s Creek. While the Roses’ predilections for the finer things in life make fitting into their new home a struggle, they and the citizens of the town eventually open their hearts to each other. Schitt’s Creek is definitely one for those who have an affinity for lovable oddballs.
7. Modern Family (2009)
A modern classic (pun intended), Modern Family was a revolutionary look at the changing definitions of family. A traditional husband-and-wife with three kids, an American patriarch with an immigrant second wife and stepson, along with a gay couple with an adopted Asian child make up the inter-related families of the show. As one of the classic comedy shows from the “New Golden Age of Television,” you might notice now-common styles and tropes that actually originated in the series. Showcasing both the good and the bad of family, Modern Family will have you recognising parts of your own relatives in the characters.
8. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a feel-good comedy version of an often more serious affair: police shows. Members of the 99th precinct in Brooklyn, New York City are faced with crimes everyday, yet strive to still find humour in their lives. While the city and the system sometimes throw a lot at them, Detective Jake Peralta and the squad keep showing up, hijinks and all. With an array of eclectic characters, Brooklyn Nine-Nine highlights the many personalities found in life, from the slob to the free spirit, to the perfectionist.
9. Abbott Elementary (2021)
A fresh take on the mockumentary-style sitcom, Abbott Elementary focuses on a specific chapter in life: elementary school. The everyday antics of the teachers and administrators of the titular school in Philadelphia is explored through this series. Although there are many elements particular to the American school system, the humour in every episode is universal. While Abbott Elementary deals with both the successes and struggles of its characters, feel-good humour remains at its core.
10. Friends (1994)
You can’t make a list of feel-good comedy shows and leave off Friends! Following the hilarious escapades of a group of six friends in NYC, the show is a classic slice-of-life. With the whole series following the same group of friends from their mid-20s to their 30s, this legendary sitcom covers both the highs and lows of existence. Although it’s been decades since Friends first aired, it still attracts old and new viewers every year.
