So What's the Best Comedy on TV Right Now?
One strong contender, Parks and Recreation, airs an excellent episode tonight.
That TV-critics' Twitter debate I mentioned in my Modern Family post this morning was kicked off by a simple but tough question: what's the best comedy on TV right now? I don't want to misrepresent anyone by saying who picked what and why, but it's something I'm wrestling with right now, as I start to work on my best-of lists for 2009. (2008 was much easier to narrow down to 10; the strike was a blessing.)
Seems like a good question to kick to you all. Here's a rundown of the current contenders (to keep things simple, I'll limit it to comedies currently on the air—thus leaving out Party Down, e.g.—but I suppose you don't have to). Update: These are my personal contenders, not a comprehensive list—I can only type so much—but fans of other shows, make your case in the comments:
Modern Family: Discussed at length in that post and elsewhere. For all my nitpicks about its occasional speechiness, it's sharp, layered and (most important to me) has a wide cast of characters who can carry an episode and a strong sense of who they are.
Community: Another strong new pilot, subsequent episodes haven't lived up as well as Modern Family has; it has sharp writing and strong performances, but can swing from snarky to overly hugging-and-learning in the same episode. Still an entertaining half-hour with potential, though.
Glee: I suppose this isn't a sitcom in the traditional sense, but it's nothing if not a musical comedy. Glee is a test of how important consistency is to you: some characters (Terri, especially) are grating, and its off episodes (like the most recent, "Mashup") are truly off. But when it's on (wait for next week), it's both funny and moving; Jane Lynch brings the comedy unfailingly; and it gets extra points for originality, being structurally and tonally unlike anything else on TV right now.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Also a test of consistency, but in a different way. This has been a strong season, with fewer episodes falling flat than last year, and when this deviously amoral show really works, its details and situations just cascade into an avalanche of comedy. (I can still crack myself up on command remembering Danny DeVito from the season premiere crashing through the fence of the house for sale, screaming "Abort! Abort!")
30 Rock: As I wrote a while back, this is a very funny show with a built-in ceiling. At its best, it piles on jokes, references and throwaways like nothing since Arrested Development. But because only Liz and Jack have been developed as real people, it voluntarily gives up the kind of range and impact available to a show with a broader bench, like The Office. But it's sharp, it's got a point of view, and it can bring the funny by the truckload (though I wish it would do that more often lately).
Bored to Death: I hope you didn't give up on this show after the lackluster pilot; it's built and built, and by the time I got through the two-part season finale I realized I'd enjoyed this droll slacker comedy like little else on TV this season. The rapport between Ted Danson, Jason Schwarzman and Zach Galifianakis has been a thing of beauty.
Parks and Recreation: Comeback story or just coming into its own? Amy Poehler's sitcom is getting a lot of praise in its second season, and rightfully: it's very very good and very very funny. But I think the root of its success is that like The Office and King of the Hill (also from co-creator Greg Daniels), it started off with a strong voice, a wide cast of characters, and a distinct sense of place and setting. Now that it's found its rhythm (and reined in Poehler's character, Leslie Knope), it's become an closely observed comedy of small-town government and people. Both aspects are on display in tonight's excellent episode, in which supervisor Ron (Nick Offerman) tangles with ex-wife Tammy (played by Offerman's wife, Megan Mullally), and Leslie tangles with bureaucratic rival the Library department, whom she likens to "a biker gang. But instead of shotguns and crystal meth, they use political savvy. And shushing."
The Office: The veteran and—if I'm forced to pick right now—still current champion (but with more and closer competition than it's had in a long time). Having overcome its earlier problems with Michael Scott's tendency to overwhelm the show, it's developed an expansive world of supporting players with well-imagined lives. It can do cringe humor as well as slapstick, raw irony as well as unabashed sentiment. Its voice, its breadth and its ambition mean that, when its at its best, it's not just the best comedy on but one of the best dramas as well.
But that's my call. I'll be the first to say it's a tough one, with a stronger competition than we've had in years, and that's a high-class problem for all of us. Your turn: what's your favorite?
[Update: Reader/critic Todd VanDerWerff pointed out that I omitted How I Met Your Mother, which I recap every week. Duh! More the result of rushing than anything, though I suppose it's a good sign I wouldn't place it #1. Still, the show deserves more respect—besides the great ensemble work and breakout Neil Patrick Harris performance, it's quietly the most experimental comedy on a big network—all in the format of an old-fashioned laugh-track sitcom.]
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1
The Thick Of It, definitely.
But if you limit it to US series, I'd say it's a toss-up between Community and Parks and Rec. I like Modern Family a lot too, but I think I just prefer the style of the NBC sitcoms.
The Office and 30 Rock have been pretty hit-and-miss for a while now, but I'm still watching, as when they're good, they're very good.
High hopes for Scrubs 2.0 as well.
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2
My top 5:
01. Parks and Recreation - In terms of jokes, story, and character building, this show is just above everything right now.
02. Community - For my own sensibilities, this show clicks much more with me than Modern Family does. Last weeks Halloween episode was just sublime.
03. Curb Your Enthusiasm - Its had some off episodes, but when Curb is on not many shows are funnier.
04. 30 Rock - I don't get the recent criticism of the show. The show, in my opinion, still has at least 5 great one-liners per episode. That, and Tracy Morgan is still the funniest person on TV.
05. The Office -The fact that it's still great for 6 seasons is an achievement in itself. Sure, it hasn't been as good, but The Office being "not as good" is still funnier than most.
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3
In any given episode the quality varies, so I think of them in tiers.
1) Community, It's Always Sunny, Curb. All are consistently funny, and have the highest potential
2) The Office, Parks & Rec, 30 Rock, South Park, Family Guy, American Dad. All have their moments, but are more likely to have weak episodes and at their best they still aren't on the same level as the first tier.
Anything lower than the 2nd tier doesn't get watched more than once or twice.
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4
I just wanted to echo the sentiments expressed above that Community and Parks and Rec might be on their way towards eclipsing their elder stablemates- no mean feet, especially considering the desperate state of their parent company, Shinehart Wigs.
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4.1
On a related note (of new eclipsing old), where do you stand on considering web series in comparison to their more polished colleagues on tv, JP? I've never seen you discuss them, but I assume you're aware of series such as The Guild and Legend of Neil (and I believe you did blog about Dr. Horrible). Will such entities get any recognition in print with your bests lists?
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4.2
Final question: can I still vote for Arrested Development? I know its been a whole Winter Olympics cycle, but I'm still in denial.
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4.3
I will second your vote for Arrested Development.
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4.4
Re online series: I've only seen a handful that I'd put up with the best comedies on TV. The Guild is one of them, and it's one on a list of shows I have on my list to consider for top 10 this year. But that's a long list, so a lot of shows I love won't make it, and I'm not sure yet how season 3 of The Guild measures up to the first two. (Remember, it's a 2009 list, so I have to consider 2009 episodes only.) Last year I included Dr Horrible on my list, and a webisode of You Suck at Photoshop on my episodes list. This year (with no writers' strike) there's more competition, so not sure if any online stuff will make the list--if anything did, The Guild would probably be it.
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4.5
I third your vote for AD. Someone else mentioned the Venture Bros... so yeah, those guys too
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5
1. Parks & Rec: even weaker episodes this season have been hilarious to me. This is the one comedy I actively look forward to watching every week.
2. Intervention, intervention - It's Always Sunny, can be a little hit or miss but seems more even this season the other recent season. Some definite gold in there.
Modern Family, Community, and the Office are all kinda mixed in as very good, but not the best.
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6
I'd put my top 10 in no particular order: Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, Glee, Community, Better Off Ted, and Big Bang Theory.
If I had to pick a #1, I'd probably go with Parks and Recreation or The Office. 30 Rock hasn't brought their best lately, while Modern Family or Glee could be my #1 but for being new series.
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6.1
I should add -- I'd vote Chuck here easily (in top 5), but it hasn't aired any new episodes in fall 2009 yet, and while the few episodes in spring 2009 were amazing, I'd feel like I'm cheating a series that was actually in play all fall from recognition.
That, and there's the whole "is it a comedy? is it a drama? is it an action series?" issue that comes up.
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7
The show I look forward to the most and laugh the most while watching is still probably 30 Rock, with the the Office still a close second. Then is a tier of Community, Modern Family, South Park, and maybe Parks & Rec or How I Met Your Mother. And though it's hard to categorize with the rest of these, the Venture Brothers has a serious shot at being my favorite show right now, too.
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8
Seriously, no one says South Park. Is animation another category altogether? Besides South Park, I'd say It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Office, 30 Rock, and Community.
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9
Hmm. What about The Daily Show and Colbert Report? They're on Comedy Central, doesn't that by definition make them comedies? They definitely make me laugh as much as anything else on TV, and they do it quasi-nightly!
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10
curb.... duh
and big bang theory
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11
It was an honor just to see Philly nominated.
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12
Venture Bros. Seriously.
Runners-up being Party Down and then Always Sunny in Philadelphia for 2009 as a whole.
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13
My favorite comedy for the last 2 years was "The Big Bang Theory".
It is smart and funny, especially for those of us nerdy types out there.
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14
How I Met Your Mother. Best show on television.
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15
Big Bang theory is the best comedy on television. Sheldon Cooper is the most original character on TV and the level of writing is superb. And I believe that Simon Helberg will win an Emmy someday.
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15.1
Totally agree, surprised more comments didn't appear about this show. Quick witted, rapier sharp humor and dialogue. Makes you think and laugh.
Glad to see they're are expanding on Sheldon's character, a bit disappointed with others starting to blend into the background though. The chocolate training was hysterical.
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16
It's always sunny in Philadelphia.
Last week's episode was brilliant. 2 best moments: Frank saluting the solider who just returned from iraq, after giving him the jean shorts while seal plays in the background. The other is at then end as everyone lays bloodied and bruised and Frank slowly raises his arms over his head, and the whole place explodes. Brilliant show. At it's best, funniest on TV. -
17
I'm sorry, why is it a good sign you wouldn't place HIMYM #1? I certainly do, and very deservedly so.
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18
I only watch 3 sitcoms (if we are counting "Glee") so here is my list:
1. Big Bang Theory
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. Glee -
19
I can't believe I'm saying this, but Parks and Recreation...by a mile.
This season has so far been one of the greatest seasons for any comedy show in a long, long, time. Just absolutely brilliant, especially the last 4 episodes. So many great characters: Ron "f'ing" Swanson, Andy, Tom, Leslie, etc....The writing has been phenomenal, the pacing great, everything is in high gear.
The Office has jumped the Shark, in my opinion, ever since the wedding stuff. I own seasons 1-4 and love the show, but its way past its prime.
30 Rock, so far, has also been a disappointment this season...I still have faith, but it feels kinda stale. Im hoping theyll recapture their mojo soon.
Community is off to a good start, although Im not totally hooked yet.
But Parks and Rec...Wow.
All I have to say is, “My name is Burt Macklin. I'm with the f—in' FBI!”
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20
The best comedy is Californication.
It is as gut wrenching as The Office used to be, but with smarter writing.
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21
Right now? How I Met Your Mother. It's navigating the boundary between classic sitcom and Twitter-esque referential comedy better than anything. It has insane ambition in terms of overall story arc -- really, it's almost as ridiculous as Lost -- that might beg for quicker resolution, but it's got great style and characterizations. The hook is killer. I'm really stunned it's not more popular than it is, and that wheezers like Two And A Half Men outrank it commercially.
Community is great so far, but how long it can contend is unclear. Right now anything on NBC on Thursday is a dependable bet.
Then there's the entire lineup on Fox News Network. That's fantastic comedy.
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22
#9: The Daily Show has been the best show on TV for almost a decade. But it's more like a legitimate news/commentary show than just a comedy show at this point. Yes, that's appropriately sobering.
I'm guessing this article was more centered around sitcoms.
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23
Parks & Rec and Curb are at the top of my list right now, and I'm surprised just how good Parks & Rec has become. Curb is hit or miss, but the hits tend to be spectacular in the best cringe-inducing way.
The Office still has its moments but is definitely lagging behind.
And, formulaic as it is, Big Bang Theory remains a weekly watch.
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24
[...] I get for committing to something in print. Yesterday, in running down my personal contenders for the best comedy on air today, I made the case that The Office had gotten past its problem of making Michael Scott too crazy. [...]
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25
The best comedy is The Venture Bros. Great at working stories into each other, subverting genre and it's own conventions and just generally being the best show on television.
- poniewozik Loved the season. Mrs Tuned In wd have put u on the main list RT @boredtodeath Thank u for incl us in Time's Top 10. We'll take hon mention. - 5 hours ago
- poniewozik @carr2n Virgin is the best, LAX-JFK - 6 hours ago
- poniewozik Did NPR interview abt multiscreen multitasking. After, automatically reached for iPhone in pocket. Like don draper wd have for cigarettes. - 7 hours ago
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