Do you enjoy wit? Irony? Political satire? Here's how to find a funny TV show for your comedic makeup...
As I've told my friends many times before, "The only TV shows I watch are comedies." My reasoning behind this is that:
1. I like to laugh, and ...
2. Other genres like cop dramas all look the same to me. When I watch a show like Rookie Blue or Castle, I always see two cops, one experienced and one a newbie, or two cops, one a guy and one a girl, and there's sexual tension. I may be oversimplifying it, but I can pretty much pick out this plot line in almost every cop drama. Comedies, on the other hand, come in many different flavors, some better suited to a certain type of person than others. This article is to help you to find the right comedy for your laughing style. As a comedy TV junkie, I feel that I should be able to recommend certain shows that are above and beyond the usual standards of a funny TV show.
Political Satire- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Probably the most well-known political satire, The Daily Show, hosted by Jon Stewart, is a timeless classic that has been around for over a decade. Self-defined as a "fake" news show, The Daily Show has already won 14 Emmys and two Peabody Awards. His correspondent news team has included such stars as Ed Helms, John Oliver, and Stephen Colbert, who also now hosts The Colbert Report, another hilarious news show on Comedy Central.
The Daily Show's writers and editors take old and new videos from the archives and splice them together to point out hypocrisies, ignorance, and skewing of facts from famous political figures. Any given politician or news host could be guilty of saying one thing and doing another, lying, overreacting, and/or blatantly showing favoritism toward certain political parties. The show is always funny and never misses a beat, from its rants on Fox's supposedly "fair and balanced" credo, to Obama's supposed screw-ups.
The show runs at 11 p.m. from Monday to Thursday on Comedy Central, and I usually watch it on a daily basis. Highly recommended for those who like jabs at United States politics and a consistent witty host who always says what's on his mind, no matter how funny or brutal it may be.
Dark Comedy- Curb Your Enthusiasm
If you enjoy watching the protagonist of a TV show suffer and find difficulties at every turn, Curb Your Enthusiasm is probably right for you. The creator and lead actor of the show is Larry David, who also co-created and wrote Seinfeld. The show, which has just entered its eighth season, revolves around the fictionalized version of Larry David in his day-to-day life after Seinfeld ends. David often makes many social faux pas and rude comments which eventually come back to haunt him by the end of the episode.
Some might describe David as neurotic, insane, and utterly offensive, but David is just a man with a set of principles who lives in his own bubble. David will take everybody literally at his or her word, and will not budge, no matter what they say. His rigid set of principles will not change despite what situation he is in. David also has no limits when it comes to personal questions and overstepping boundaries. David's best friend once called him a "social assassin" because of his tendency to insult and badmouth even his closest friends.
Unlike most TV shows, Curb does not have a full script, but instead has an outline of the general plot and the actors are asked to improvise most of the conversation in the episode. Some notable guests of the show include Mel Brooks, Ben Stiller, and Ricky Gervais. The show runs on HBO on Sundays at 10 p.m., and because it is on HBO, it may be inappropriate for younger viewers. While some might say that this show is better for the older generation, I feel that people from almost every age group will enjoy the show, if they give it a chance.
Teen Comedy- Awkward
Probably the least-known show on this list, Awkward is a witty teen comedy on MTV. I can already tell what you're thinking; the channel with Teen Mom and Jersey Shore actually has a sharp comedy? While MTV might not be known for its droll programming, Awkward is a lovely exception to the norm. The show follows Jenna Hamilton (played by Ashley Rickards), a social outcast who becomes the new item of gossip after an accidental fall is misconstrued as a suicide attempt. Jenna must endure malicious cheerleaders, a crazy guidance counselor and a superficial mother while trying to rid herself of the social stigma she now has.
Awkward can best be described as a "fish out of water" comedy, where the protagonist is thrust into a situation where they do not fit in. In this case, Jenna is pushed into the spotlight and has to deal with her newfound popularity despite the fact that she doesn't see herself that way. What I think many young viewers will enjoy is the lampooning of teen behavior. From obsessive photo uploading to Facebook to school DUI presentations, the show actually feels like it's from the point of view of a teenager.
Awkward has already been renewed for a second season, and I personally think that it is the best scripted show on MTV. I sincerely hope the series continues, because I really enjoy the show's dry humor. The show is on at 11 p.m., Tuesdays on MTV, and I think most teens my age should definitely watch it. The show is perfect for anybody who enjoys the turmoil and love triangles of typical teen dramas, but also enjoys the dry humor and edgy comedy.
Sitcom- How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother, now entering its seventh season, has already earned respect in the comedy world as an always-consistently funny sitcom. It stars Josh Radnor as Ted Mosby, a father of two in the year 2030, who through a series of flashbacks explains to his kids how he met their mother. Mother follows Ted alongside his friends Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan), Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segal), Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders), and Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris). The show has won five Emmys and has both won and been nominated for Golden Globes, Teen Choice Awards and People's Choice Awards.
One thing that makes Mother so amazing is that every character is fully thought out. Acts-like-a-dad-yet single-and-looking-for-the-perfect-woman Ted, womanizing playboy Barney, and manipulative yet sweet Lily are three of the central characters on the show. Mother also explores dating rules like never dating a friend's ex, and references the "Bro Code" -- Barney's list of rules that every guy must follow (i.e. a bro never rents a chick flick, a bro never cries, etc.).
The show has also had many guest stars, including Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and John Lithgow. The show, similar to Friends and other classic American sitcoms, is sure to be a favorite among viewers for seasons to come. Mother is perfect for anybody who enjoys a reliable comedy with twists and turns that come in every episode. Mother 's season premiere is on Monday, September 19, 8 p.m. on CBS.