The 7 Best Sitcoms From the 2010s
Breaking the mold set by sitcoms of the ’80s and ’90s, comedy shows of the 2010s brought something fresh. Here are the best of the best and where to stream them.
Like every decade of television, the 2010s came chock full of memorable TV shows, from more dramatic series like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones to light-hearted sitcoms like Parks and Recreation and The Good Place. In the case of the latter, the decade boasted a fine array of entertaining comedy series, many of which rivaled the esteem and creativity of its earlier predecessors in the 2000s. From satirical mockumentaries to meta-aware cult favorite TV shows, here are several of the best sitcoms that forever defined the 2010s.
Parks and Recreation
While The Office excelled at satirizing the ordinary corporate work space, Parks and Recreation accomplished a similar feat when it came to local municipal governments. Adopting a similar mockumentary format as the aforementioned NBC series, Parks and Rec specialized in depicting the absurd reality behind small-town politics, from contending with budgetary setbacks to struggling to deal with inane complaints from town residents. As pointed as its social commentary could be, though, Parks and Rec never failed to inspire viewers with its hopeful portrait of government workers striving to make a difference in their community, one small park at a time. Watch Parks and Rec on Peacock.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
A creative spoof of the conventional police procedural drama, Brooklyn Nine-Nine offers a fascinatingly original take on its distinct genre. Constructing a series around a group of close-knit police officers within New York’s fictional 99th Precinct, Brooklyn Nine-Nine weaved together an intelligent conversation about more topical social subject matters (including LGBTQ+ themes). Like all the best sitcoms, the show also makes endlessly good use of its exceptional well-cast ensemble, be it in the form of Andy Samberg’s immature lead detective or Andre Braugher’s no-nonsense precinct captain. Watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Netflix and Peacock.
The Good Place
Just when you thought you knew where The Good Place was headed, the series threw you a massive curveball you never, ever would’ve expected to see. Such is the joy and ingenuity behind this NBC series, a fantasy comedy set against a heaven-like utopia meant to reward all those who lived just lives on Earth. Loaded with a surprising amount of twists and turns throughout, The Good Place’s gradual transformation with each new season makes it unlike anything else on television, right down to its philosophical themes and agreeable characters. Watch The Good Place on Netflix.
Modern Family
Borrowing the mockumentary format from The Office, Modern Family used the technique in a new and inventive way, turning the lens towards the members of a close-knit family in suburban California. As its name suggests, Modern Family effortlessly tackled issues related to contemporary American families, alternating its focus between a traditional middle-class family, an interracial couple of differing age groups, and a gay couple attempting to raise their adopted child together. The results gave way to a show of persistent humor and cathartic drama, rebuilding the conventional family sitcom from the ground up. Watch Modern Family on Hulu and Peacock.
Community
Like all great things in life, critical appreciation of Community has only improved over time, with most of the series aging like a fine glass of expensive wine (save for its so-so fourth season). Created by Dan Harmon of Rick and Morty fame, Community looks at life on a less-than-prestigious community college campus, albeit in a cartoonish and exaggerated way. Known for its extensive cinematic parodies which include episodes lampooning zombie movies, Star Wars, and Dungeons & Dragons, Community’s genre-bending approach made it a well-loved cult classic in the mid 2010s, accounting for its continued popularity today. Watch Community on Peacock.
Schitt’s Creek
As with its stylistic predecessor in Arrested Development, Schitt’s Creek has accrued a widespread cult following in the years since its release, catching the attention of fans for its intelligent writing, creative humor, and talented ensemble cast. Created by and starring the father-son duo of Eugene and Dan Levy, Schitt’s Creek only seemed to grow better with each new season. Improving upon the relatively meager weaknesses of its initial episodes, Schitt’s Creek managed to play off of the warmer themes intrinsically tied to the family sitcom, even as it delivered an unending barrage of jokes in almost every one of its scenes. Watch Schitt’s Creek on Hulu and FreeVee.
Fleabag
The series that made Phoebe Waller-Bridge a star with meteoric speed, Fleabag follows the trials and tribulations of Waller-Bridge’s eponymous character–a listless young woman trying to move past the numerous tragedies in her personal life. Dissecting such relatable issues as love, loss, trauma, and grief, Fleabag handles its difficult subjects with an ample amount of confidence, never wasting a moment to leave the audience in tears through its energetic humor or hard-hitting drama. Watch Fleabag on Prime Video.
