Sitcoms are a slipperycomedyTV genre, and perhaps the hardest to pitch to networks and streamers - but a good idea is lightning in a bottle and, ideally, renewal material. The hugely successfulIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,for example, has been going for 16 seasons with a17thIt’s Always Sunnyseason on the way. The combination of brilliant writing and cast dynamics, along with a deceptively simple premise, seem to be the key ingredients to sitcom success, yet some sitcoms that tick all those boxes remain underrated.
From British comedies that deserve more visibility to unconventional US gems,the following 8 TV shows do not have nearly enough viewership. For everyFriends(orsitcoms that tried to beFriends) andParks and Recreationthat achieved legendary status, there are countless otherbrilliant comedy masterpiecesthat fly under the radar, basking in critical acclaim but never quite reaching the widespread recognition they deserve.
83rd Rock From the Sun
This Sci-Fi Sitcom Has Aged Surprisingly Well
3rd Rock From the Sunis an all-too-oftenunderrated ‘90s sitcom. Its premise is simple, and even a little corny - a group of aliens have taken human form and are trying to assimilate into society. The execution, however, is marvelous and delivers surprisingly sharp comedy.
John Lithgow stars as Dick Solomon, the High Commander. He chooses the form of the patriarch of the family, but his daily attempts at performing a traditionally masculine role in his physics professor job and his romantic and family life make for so many great gags. His sister, Sally, is aperformance highlight by Kristen Johnston. Viewers are also treated to a breakout role in the family youngest, Tommy, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The inimitable French Stewart plays Harry, who functions as the transmitter between the crew and their overlord, the“Big Giant Head”.
3rd Rockis barely talked about, but it’s unmissable.
Don’t be fooled by its cheesy appearance -3rd Rockis barely talked about, but it’s unmissable. A core memory for viewers who had the DVD box sets was an off-the-wall double episode that takes place in each character’s dreams, filmed for watching with 3D glasses.
7Nighty Night
Julia Davis Is Deliciously Awful In This Genuinely Shocking Comedy
Even within the UK, barely anyone talks about the British sitcomNighty Night,but it deserves more recognition. Julia Davis, who you might recognize from the infinitely more popular British stapleGavin & Stacey,stars as the series’ antagonist, Jill Tyrell. Jill casts herself as a widow and starts actively dating when her husband is diagnosed with cancer, the premise alone making itone of the darkest sitcoms ever made.
Davis excels at playing a truly revolting character in this series that isevery bit as funny as more popular British black comedies likeBlack Booksand thebrilliant 100%-RT-ratedFleabag.Expect to cover your mouth in horror at her antics while she tries to win over her neighbor’s husband while, in a sick way, somehow rooting for her to achieve her goal for the sheer chaos. It’s almost criminal how underrated she is as a comedy great.
If you love comedies about awful people…
She’s also in good company on the show - herGavin & Staceyco-star Ruth Jones plays her personal assistant, among an impressive cast including Rebecca Front, Angus Deayton, Kevin Eldon, and Mark Gatiss. If you love comedies about awful people likeAbsolutely FabulousandIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,you won’t regret giving this a try.
6Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace
Darkplace Is Pulp Perfection
Garth Marenghi’s Darkplaceis another amazing Britcom featuring actors you will have surely seen in something else. Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, and Matthew Holness star in theclassic British horror-comedy, with occasional guest appearances fromThe Mighty Boosh’s Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding.The show is a spoof of hospital dramas and horror, with footage from the hilariously bad show along with mockumentary style behind-the-scenes interviews.
Highlights include an illness that turns people into broccoli and a mysterious mist that conjures Scottish people who insist on having their shortbread salted. It’s theattention to detail on making the show deliberately badthat makesDarkplaceso beautiful - from out-of-sync typing sounds to very visible puppet wires. It has the kind of charmThe Mighty Booshstarted to lose after season 1. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch this ingenious sitcom that you will almost certainly be quoting.
5Superstore
Retail Workers Of The World Unite
Superstoreis becoming recognized more recently as a great sitcom, but it’s still worth mentioning asa relatively underrated show. Rather than revolving around characters who love their jobs,Superstoreis about retail workers who deal with all the usual drudgery that is part and parcel with the sector. This makes its premise more comparable to the depressing fluorescence ofThe Office(UK) than more glossy American sitcoms.
The bizarre customer cutaways are another highlight.
Its unglamorous setting might seem boring, but that’s exactly what makes its writing so creative. The characters working at Cloud 9 Superstore areordinary people with real problems. Alongside America Ferrera, Ben Feldman stars as Jonah, which will be music to the ears of those who mourned the exit of one ofMad Men’s best characters, Ginsberg. Expect to cringe at some of the show’s brilliant one-liners, like the out-of-touch Glenn’s“She’s married to a woman, so watch how casually I bring up Xena Warrior Princess”when discussing a supplier. The bizarre customer cutaways are another highlight.
4The John Larroquette Show
The Sitcom That Made Wisecracks About Its Own Flop
The John Larroquette Showstands as a truly underrated gem in the landscape of ‘90s sitcoms, deserving far more recognition than it typically receives. While many shows from the era opted for predictable, saccharine humor, TheJohn Larroquette Showdared to delve into darker, more nuanced comedic territory, quickly established by its opening scene at an AA meeting. It tackled adult themes with a sharp wit and a surprisingly progressive outlook for its time, often exploring the struggles of its characters with alcoholism, homelessness, and existential ennui, all while maintaining a comedic edge.
For viewers seeking a sitcom that broke the mold,The John Larroquette Showwas a palate cleanser. Its ensemble cast delivered consistently strong performances. Beyond the smart writing and character development, fans should also keep an ear out for a particularly memorable meta ad-lib by Alison La Placa commenting on the sitcom’s lack of success, along with a faux guest appearance from none other than Frasier Crane. This often overlooked show warrants a rewatch or a first-time viewing.
3Happy Endings
The Other Show About Six Friends
For those seeking a change from Central Perk and the apartments upstairs, there is a less popular hangout ensemble sitcom about six friends readily available.The GuardianhasdescribedHappy Endingsas“sitcom-bridesmaid but never really the sitcom-bride”,highlighting the lack of appreciation for this genuinely funny series. While the characters in the show are inevitably comparable to its hugely popular counterpartFriends,the style of comedy is different, not least because of the lack of laugh track.
Happy Endingsremains a frequently overlooked and unjustly cancelled sitcom.
Happy Endingsremains a frequently overlooked and unjustly cancelled sitcom, a victim of both unfortunate timing and network mismanagement.Launched in an era saturated with romantic comedy-driven ensemble shows, it was often mistakenly lumped in with series likeNew GirlandThe Mindy Project, despite its distinct comedic voice. Expect rapid-fire dialogue, pop culture savvy, and the electric chemistry among the cast.
2Detectorists
This Treasure Hunting Sitcom Is Comedy Gold
Mackenzie Crook’s BAFTA-winning sitcom deserves a global audience. The premise is what it says on the tin - it revolves around the lives of two metal detectorists who have big ambitions for their pastime. The genius of this setup is its focus ona hobby most people only witness in their peripheral vision, not fully understanding why people are so passionate about it. This makes for hilarious dialogue between the two leads, Andy and Lance, but it also packs a surprising emotional punch.
You can tell how much they mean to one another.
Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones need no introduction, but they outdid themselves with thislittle-known UK sitcom. The male friendship has a tender touch that makes it just as mucha moving comfort show as a witty comedy. They often act like an old married couple bound only by their detecting activities, yet you can tell how much they mean to one another. The delivery of the dialogue feels fresh and real, making this original comedy a slice of life.
1My Name Is Earl
Relatively Short-Lived With Surprising Depth And Heart
UK viewers might rememberMy Name Is Earlhaving reruns all the time onE4.Channel 4’s acquisition of the show was a testament to its appeal to a UK audience - no laugh track, no A-listers, anda setting (the fictional Camden County, filmed in Maryland) that felt lived-in. It was just as popular when it first came out in the US in the early 2000s. However, its ratings declined through seasons 3 and 4, and many viewers globally consider it underrated.
As revealed in its behind-the-scenes featurette,Making Things Right,Jason Lee initially showed disinterest in playing the show’s lead, not wanting to break into television - thank goodness he went for it in the end, because it is hard to imagine anyone else as Earl. Despite its popularity,My Name Is Earlhad a controversial finale after enjoying only four seasons, perhaps a reflection of its limited scope. Nonetheless, it’s a greatcomedythat is seldom discussed, and has a surprisingly poignant and relatable message: it’s never too late to turn your life around, no matter what you’ve done or been through.
