There’s nothing like a good comedy to get you laughing. It’s good for the mind, body and soul, which is something we can all use after this year we call 2020.
This year I found myself delving into new comedies and revisiting some of my old favorites during quarantine, and it was a reminder that there are some really good comedies out there right now.
Whether they’ve wrapped their series or airing new seasons, it doesn’t matter. Good comedies transcend time — just look at Friends.
Here are six comedies that you should binge to brighten your spirits:
1. Schitt’s Creek
Premise: When rich video-store magnate Johnny Rose and his family suddenly find themselves broke, they are forced to leave their pampered lives to regroup in Schitt’s Creek. (IMDB)
If you haven’t watched Schitt’s Creek, what are you waiting for? It’s one of those comedies that quickly sneaks up on you and into your heart. With a delightful cast of characters, witty humor and enough character development to make your heart whole, Schitt’s Creek is one of those shows you can watch again and again and come away feeling warm.
2. The Goldbergs
Premise: This ABC show takes place in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania in the 1980s and follows the lives of a family named The Goldbergs. (IMDB)
This has quickly become one of my comfort shows. There’s nothing like nostalgia to wrap you up like a warm blanket, and The Goldbergs is all nostalgia and laughs. While I wasn’t an ’80s baby — I was alive for just three months in the ’80s — it’s hard not to gravitate towards the ’80s pop culture angle of the entire show. There’s a reason The Goldbergs has been one of ABC’s long-standing comedies. With its humor, cast of characters, life lessons and the nostalgia we all hold dear, it’s a show that quickly pulls you in.
3. Superstore
Premise: A look at the lives of employees at a big box store. (IMDB)
Superstore is proof that a charismatic cast, diverse characters and simple yet effective storytelling can create compelling television. There’s a brilliance to Superstore‘s simple humor that makes for some pretty hysterical moments. But it’s also a show that highlights some important issues in our culture, everything from racism to sexism to immigration. While it shines a light on important issues, it doesn’t feel overpowering, just informed. And, when it comes down to it, Superstore is the perfect show to watch when you need a laugh.
4. Never Have I Ever
Premise: The complicated life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl, inspired by Mindy Kaling‘s own childhood. (IMDB)
One of my favorite binges during quarantine, Never Have I Ever was a show that literally flew by. It was the perfect combination of intelligence, humor and compassion that really allowed these characters to shine. Most importantly, this is a show featuring an Indian American girl front and center, and her culture is something that’s embraced, not shied away from. Never Have I Ever has everything you want in a comedy — comedic timing, chemistry, ships and complex characters that breathe life into it.
5. American Housewife
Premise: A family comedy narrated by Katie, a strong-willed mother, raising her flawed family in a wealthy town filled with perfect wives and their perfect offspring. (IMDB)
This was another show that I binged during quarantine and immediately fell in love with. It was nothing what I expected, and it’s become a staple of my viewing schedule. This is one of those shows that takes the typical family picture and shines a light on the perfect imperfections that makes it easy to love all of the characters. American Housewife doesn’t hide from the criticism of parenting or body types. This show has the kind of smart ass humor that keeps you coming back for more.
6. Single Parents
Premise: A group of single parents form their own support system as they raise their kids and struggle to start new relationships. (IMDB)
While ABC did Single Parents dirty by cancelling this gem of a show after just two seasons, this remains one of my favorite comedies in recent years. This is the perfect example of an entire cast having unmatched chemistry, as well as the kind of comedic timing that makes a comedy like this special. Heck, both the adults and kids cracked me up. Single Parents is a comedy at heart, but there was a genuine love and compassion between this found family and their kids.
