Joel Stice
There’s nothing wrong with a good family sitcom — and there have certainly been plenty over the years — but they can get a little formulaic. When a show comes along that’s not afraid to break the mold, go in unexpected directions, and manages to be funny, well, it’s truly refreshing. These shows aren’t just funny, but can oftentimes be incredibly quirky and downright weird. That’s why we love them though, and they’re worth watching, or re-watching if you’ve already seen them.
From partying slackers to zombies, here are eight TV comedies that promise a dose of weirdness along with plenty of laughs.
1. Workaholics
The motto of the Comedy Central series was “let’s get weird” and the boys of TelAmeriCorp delivered. Created by four friends who started their own sketch comedy group, the show follows three slackers in southern California who are more concerned with partying than actual work. With regular guest stars like Jack Black and The Black Keys, the show was always a good time.
2. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
If you haven’t jumped on the Always Sunny train at this point, it’s likely because the show pushes the envelope a little too far for your personal tastes — or you simply don’t own a TV/laptop. That being said, the Paddy’s Pub gang never fail to take the show in bizarre directions and have consistently given fans some of the best laugh-out-loud moments in TV over the last 13 seasons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fliFS-BfGZ0
This quirky show about a pie-maker who uses his powers to bring people back from the dead to solve mysteries was canceled far too soon. It was funny and completely unique to everything else that was on at the time, but alas, some shows aren’t meant to go 13 seasons. On the plus side, with it only having two seasons, it’s the perfect weekend TV binge show.
4. Portlandia
Portlandia is as absurd as it gets and always has plenty of guest stars. Starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, the pair star as fictional versions of their real-life selves living in Portland, Oregon. The real weirdness comes with the numerous sketches and storylines featuring a rotating cast of city residents — most of whom are played by Armisen and Brownstein.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjRnbOgoAUQ
Okay, we know, zombies are becoming a little played out at this point, but give this show a chance. Sheila (Drew Barrymore) and Joel (Timothy Olyphant) star as two successful realtors, but when Sheila becomes a zombie, the couple must cope with all the headaches that come with being a member of the living dead. If you were a fan of the writing in the early seasons of Weeds, then you’ll probably enjoy the show’s dark comedy.
6. Crazyhead
Surviving your twenties is difficult enough even when you don’t have to battle demons. This Netflix original series combines horror and comedy to deliver that perfect blend of dark comedy and action. If you needed any more proof that women can kick butt in 2018, look no further than Amy and Raquel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNKEKlXY3Z4
Just about everything Tina Fey touches turns to gold and this quirky series that she co-created with Robert Carlock is yet another example. Ellie Kemper stars as Kimmy, a spunky young woman who escapes from a doomsday cult and finds herself navigating the bustling streets of New York City. The show is full of odd characters that spit hilariously quotable lines at rapid fire.
When Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) runs into her childhood boyfriend, she abandons her successful life in New York City and follows him to California in a desperate attempt to win him back. The show has a fast-paced writing style and Rebecca is easily one of the most interesting female characters in a comedy in years. Oh, and we hope you like singing, because there’s a lot of it.
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