Workplace sitcoms are a popular genre of comedy, with most striking a chord with audiences by depicting the tedium of a 9-to-5 job or, in some cases, perfectly encapsulating the monotony of day-to-day life. A workplace sitcom is a genre of comedy that uses the workplace as a focal point in the storytelling. For example, the bar in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the hospital in Scrubs, or the office in, well, The Office. Here’s a look at some of my personal favorite workplace comedies of the last decade or so!
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Workplace: Police Precinct
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Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a procedural sitcom that follows the detectives of the 99th precinct in Brooklyn, New York. From creators Dan Goor and Mike Schur, and executive producer Andy Samberg, this buddy-cop comedy is as unserious as a police-centered series can realistically be. It highlights the lightheartedness of an otherwise stressful job while keeping the audience engaged and crafting storylines that are believable. The characters are well-rounded and unique and are unlike any I have seen depicted on television before. They’re quirky but lovable and always have each other’s backs.
The show is obviously hilarious (But being led by SNL alum Andy Samberg, I would be more surprised if it wasn’t). This one is a personal favorite of mine, and I have rewatched this series twice in the past few months. It’s definitely a comfort watch and is so easy to pop on at the end of a long day. Plus, it features a great guest cast, several of whom happen to be Samberg’s old cast mates from Saturday Night Live (e.g., Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, Chris Parnell, Bill Hader, Vanessa Bayer).
Stars: Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews, Joe Lo Truglio, Stephanie Beatriz, Melissa Fumero, and Chelsea Peretti.
Parks & Recreation – Workplace: City Hall
Parks and Recreation takes place in the fictional Pawnee, Indiana, and follows the employees of the Pawnee City government. A lot of the show pokes fun at the government, specifically how nothing gets done, and lots of the jokes revolve around the slowness and stupidity of the municipal court system. The show’s main focus is on the parks department, led by the spirited and lively Leslie Knope, whose life revolves around her community.
The jokes are well-thought-out, and the characters are compelling despite the trivial problems they face. In a series that had the potential to fall flat in the wrong hands, this show is very well-crafted and kept interesting by the dynamic performances of all involved. And Ron Swanson is one of the best characters I’ve ever seen, and Nick Offerman’s portrayal deserved all the awards!
Stars: Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari, Retta, and Jim O’Heir.
Veep – Workplace: The White House
Veep is a political satire set within The White House and follows Vice President Selena Meyer as she goes about her daily bureaucratic duties. Overall, the show makes a mockery of the United States government, poking fun at how little seems to get done, even at the highest levels. The show was extremely timely and oftentimes scarily reflective of our latest presidential administrations, especially their buffoonery that seems to know no bounds.
All the characters on the show are undoubtedly detestable people, which was the goal of the writers, further emphasizing the general lack of morality in politics. However, despite it all, the show is extremely funny and exceedingly accurate, albeit more so than I would like to admit. It’s a great laugh-out-loud watch!
Stars: Julia Louise-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Anna Chlumsky, Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, Kevin Dunn, and Gary Cole.
Abbott Elementary – Workplace: Elementary School
Abbott Elementary is a workplace comedy set in an elementary school in a Philadelphia school district. Heartwarming and funny, it’s the best new show I’ve seen in recent years! Many of the storylines portray the teachers fighting for resources in their underfunded district, which is the sad reality of public schools everywhere, particularly those in low-income districts. All the actors deliver touching performances, and the students on the show are adorable! As a former early childhood teacher myself, this show reminds me why I loved teaching. If you’re looking for an uplifting watch or simply want another feel-good show, this is the one for you!
Stars: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, and William Stanford Davis.
30 Rock – Workplace: Late-Night Show
From producer Lorne Michaels, 30 Rock portrays a fictional late-night show in the same vein as Saturday Night Live. Both shows take place in Rockefeller Center in New York City. 30 Rock follows the cast and crew of a sketch comedy live show headed by writer Liz Lemon (played by Tina Fey). The show, created by Fey, is based on her own experiences as head writer at SNL. It is extremely meta and silly and pushes the bounds of comedy while also being fun and enthralling. If you like early 2000s humor and want to see a bit more of how late-night is made, check out 30 Rock!
Stars: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, and Scott Adsit.
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