by Ali Burden |
Everyone loves to laugh—these top 10 Netflix comedies will keep you in stitches.
10. F is for Family
Creation of comic genius Bill Burr, F if for Family focuses on the Murphy’s—a lower-middle-class family living in the 1970’s. Frank Murphy, voiced by Burr, is an airport employee, Korean War veteran and father to a dysfunctional family—with wife, Sue (voiced by Laura Dern) Angsty teenage son Kevin (voiced by Justin Long), adolescent son Bill (Haley Reinhart) and young daughter Maureen (Debi Derryberry), the family finds themselves hilariously involved in a slew of situations dealing with race, newfangled technology and stresses at work. You’re sure to fall in love with this suburban family—while the show is still in season one, it has garnered instant fans and has been a whirlwind success.
9. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Loveable redhead Ellie Kemper returns to television in this wildly popular new show created by Tina Fey. After 15 years spent in an underground bunker with a cult, Kimmy is rescued, and decides to take control of her new life. She moves to New York City and experiences life with childlike enthusiasm and wonder. Imagine waking up one day and discovering out of the blue things like iPhones, wifi, Facebook, Twitter…that’s Kimmy’s reality! Renting a room under a crazy landlady (Carol Kane), Kimmy finds herself roomates with Titus (Tituss Burgess) a gay aspirant Broadway actor. With Jane Krakowski also starring as Kimmy’s employer, you know it’s going to be a riot. Special guest stars include Jon Hamm, Tim Blake Nelson, Christine Ebersole, Martin Short, and the queen herself, Tina Fey. Jump in now before season two airs on April 15th.
8. BoJack Horseman
You’ve probably seen this show bouncing around on Netflix since 2014, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, today’s the day. Starring Will Arnett as BoJack himself, you’ll love this self-loathing, binge-drinking humanoid horse who is down on his luck. Once the shining star of a 1990’s sitcom, BoJack wants to restore his dignity and reignite his career. Alongside his human sidekick Todd Chavez (Aaron Paul) and Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris), he sets off to restore his life…and hits plenty of hilarious speed bumps along the way. While animated, this one is not for kids.
7. Grace and Frankie
Jane Fonda (Grace) and Lily Tomlin (Frankie) absolutely shine in this hilarious new show. Though they were classic rivals, these two ladies receive the shock of a lifetime when they discover that their husbands have fallen in love with each other, and wish to get married. Though their worlds come crashing down around them, Grace and Frankie comically learn to rely on each other, as that’s all they have left! Guest stars Martin Sheen and Sam Waterson respectively play Tomlin and Fonda’s husbands.
6. Parks and Recreation
While most people have already watched Parks and Rec during its television days, it’s definitely worth another binge! Amy Poehler stars as Leslie Knope—an enthusiastic midlevel government employee with the Pawnee, Indiana Parks Department. The show opens with her hopes to turn an abandoned construction project into a park to help local nurse Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones). Easier said than done, as Leslie is curtailed by bureaucrats, regulations and miles of red tape. Poehler is surrounded by an equally lovable cast: Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe and Aziz Ansari. Even if you’re watching it for the first time of the fiftieth time, Parks and Rec is sure to crack you up.
5. Master of None
Funnyman Aziz Ansari is back in his standalone show Master of None, which became available for streaming in November. Aziz plays Dev Shah, a commercial actor struggling to make himself known in NYC. Follow him through his adventures in the Big Apple—from dating, working and socializing to the challenges and blessings of being a first-generation kid to traditional Indian parents. Master of None is a charming and hilarious experience thanks to Ansari’s quick wit and one-two-punch style of delivery.
4. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Another oldie but goodie! Affectionately nicknamed “Always Sunny”, this show follows the lives of five narcissistic friends who own a neighborhood bar called Paddy’s Pub—twins Dee and Dennis Reynolds, (Glen Howerton, Kaitlin Olson) their father Frank (Danny DeVito), Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) and Mac McDonald (Rob McElhenny) . This show, in all its cringeworthy inappropriateness has gone an incredible 10 seasons—each one more hilarious than the last. A word to the wise—the easily offended need not bother watching, as this edgy show straddles the line of “too far” when it comes to subject matter and jokes.
3. 30 Rock
Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowsi and more shine in this hilarious show based on the backstage shenanigans of SNL. Focusing on Liz Lemon (Fey), head writer for a New York City sketch show that is filmed in Rockefeller Center, whose life is thrown into disarray when the new network president pushes her to hire wild and unstable movie star Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) to join their cast. This causes the show’s self-centered and neurotic star, Jenna Maroney (Krakowski), to panic, leaving Liz to sweep up everyone’s problems while desperately trying to further her own career. Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander and Elizabeth Banks round out the cast in this absolutely awesome new look at what it takes to put together a skit show! Cameos by Amy Poehler, Tom Hanks, Emma Stone, Jimmy Fallon and many many more.
2. Wilfred
Based on a popular Australian series of the same name, Elijah Wood stars as Ryan, a depressed, suicidal young man struggling to make his way in the world. He then meets his neighbor’s dog, who sees Wilfred as a charming pooch—only Ryan sees him as a rude, crude Australian guy in a dog suit! Wilfred changes Ryan’s life by helping him overcome his fears and truly begin to embrace the craziness of the world around him.
And a TIE for the top spot!
Top show from the archives
1. Cheers
Feeling nostalgic? If so, you can find Cheers on Netflix. This charming show, which aired its final episode in 1993, follows Sam Malone (Ted Danson)—an ex-pitcher for the Red Sox who buys a cozy little bar in Boston. With a hilarious cast of regulars (including George Wendt as Norm, John Ratzenberger as Cliff, Shelley Long as Diane and Woody Harrelson as Woody) and a sassy waitress named Carla (Rhea Perlman), the goings-on at Cheers bar will keep you coming back for more. Cheers also starred Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane, and eventually landed his hit standalone show, Frasier (also on Netflix and definitely worth the watch).
M.V.P.
1. Louie
Fictionalized version of comedian Louis C.K, Louie is a newly single father and stand-up comedian. From PTA meetings to late nights at comedy clubs, you’ll follow Louie through all life’s twists and turns. With appearances from a slew of stand-up comedians portraying fictionalized versions of themselves add a new level of hilarity to an already witty show. Watch all five seasons right now!