Comedy shows continually push the envelope with their eccentric humor and nonsensical plot lines. They are often remembered for absurd premises and non-stop crass humor. Despite having a mostly lighthearted tone, these shows can also carry surprisingly impactful messages.
Audiences form connections with characters who make them laugh. However, this can often make the sad moments resonate even more. Although the main intention of any comedy series is to delight viewers, some shows don't hold back on content that could just as easily cause them to shed tears.
10 The Office Left Fans With More Than A Few Paper Cuts
The Office did feature some cringe-worthy comedy, but viewers loved the series. Audiences couldn't get enough of Michael Scott's self-centered antics, and the rest of the cast provided the perfect support. Still, The Office didn't hesitate to tackle more serious plotlines.
Fans remember the heart-wrenching moment when Jim confessed his love to an engaged Pam, only for tears to form in his eyes after she turned him down. Similarly, Pam's final goodbye to Michael before he permanently left Dunder Mifflin was devastatingly bittersweet. Their farewell was an unexpectedly quiet one, making it land even harder.
9 Fans Of Harley Quinn Go Through Her Heartbreak With Her
HBO's Harley Quinn is a barrel of laughs with its satirical style, but there are still plenty of sad scenes. This becomes most obvious in the show's first season, as Harley rediscovers her affection for the Joker.
After she is pushed out of a plane by her ex-boyfriend, Harley finally realizes he will never truly love her the way she wants. This revelation plays across her face as time seems to slow down. The scene is even more sorrowful because fans were anticipating Joker's betrayal from the beginning. For a show that thrives on violence and slapstick, these slower moments really pack a punch.
8 The Simpsons Didn't Shy Away From Character Deaths
It's challenging to take The Simpsons seriously when the show is filled with ridiculous plotlines, like when baby Maggie shoots Mr. Burns. Even so, with all its wacky mayhem, The Simpsons can still be surprisingly upsetting.
One of the most famously tragic episodes featured the sudden death of Maud Flanders, which was indirectly caused by Homer Simpson. While the nature of her death could be still considered be humorous, fans also witnessed Ned Flanders' grieving process as he coped with the sudden loss of his wife. For a show that thrives on foolish humor, this episode was shockingly sad.
7 Modern Family Tackled Real Familial Issues
Modern Family was known for its hilarious quotes and relatable family dynamics, but it also highlighted how meaningful these relationships could be. Modern Family dealt with real familial struggles and themes of love, family, and acceptance.
This included the inevitable tragedy of coping with the death of a loved one. Although Claire and Mitchell were never on the best terms with their mother, Dede's death rocked the family to its core. The genuine human reactions in the wake of her death ranged from anger to sorrow, but it was particularly poignant. Despite its silly scenes, Modern Family knew when it needed to play to its fans' emotions.
6 Big Mouth Covers A Range Of Adolescence Issues
Netflix's Big Mouth contains non-stop crass humor and imagery as it explores sexual health topics, which are often considered to be taboo. Even though Big Mouth features musical numbers about bodies and puberty, it also delves into the sad realities of adolescence: the insecurities many teens feel about their bodies.
As the characters mature at different rates, they feel an overwhelming sense of shame and stress. Missy and Nick become self-conscious while Jay and Matthew struggle with their sexuality in a hostile middle school environment.
5 Friends' Upsetting Moments Came Out Of Nowhere
Friends featured an eccentric gang navigating the ups and downs of early adult life in New York City. However, amid all the laughter, there were some unexpectedly somber episodes. When Monica and Chandler found out they couldn't conceive, they were heartbroken. "The One With The Fertility Test" ended with them holding each other and wondering what to do next.
In "The One With The Bullies," Phoebe attempted to visit her biological father, only to meet her half-brother Frank. The two were forced to come to terms with their dysfunctional family and move forward, ending the episode on a surprisingly bittersweet note.
4 Adventure Time Had A Tragic Backstory For The Ice King
The wild shenanigans of Finn and Jake never seemed to stop in Adventure Time, but this comedy-adventure had some woeful episodes, particularly involving Marceline and the Ice King. While the Ice King was believed to be a nonsensical villain, in "Simon & Marcy," it's revealed he was actually an antiquarian who protected Marceline when she was a child.
As the Ice King continually used the power of the crown to help her, Adventure Time's Marceline watched him slowly become consumed by its power. Eventually, he completely forgot who she was. For a character who could have easily just been silly and insignificant, the Ice King's backstory was tragic.
3 Grace And Frankie Frequently Addressed Mortality
Grace and Frankie had a unique premise that celebrated marriage, friendships, and sexuality. Despite the hilarious dynamics between its leads, Grace and Frankie also explored the morbid reality of aging and death.
When Grace suffered a knee injury, she felt her value as a woman was in jeopardy. Watching her come to terms with her own mortality was deeply emotional and often sorrowful. Grace and Frankie also ended on a bittersweet note, as Robert finally accepted his memory changing as he aged. For such a fun series, these somber moments really snuck up on fans.
2 How I Met Your Mother's Tragedy Came Out Of The Blue
How I Met Your Mother had plenty of legendary episodes to keep its fans laughing. Despite its hilarity, some of its plotlines could become deeply upsetting without any warning. Perhaps the most out-of-the-blue tragedy was at the end of the episode "Bad News."
After Marshall left his father a voicemail, Lily emerged from a taxi in tears. She informed Marshall his dad had died from a heart attack. The jarring scene was only amplified by actor Jason Segel's genuine sorrowful reaction to the news, as he was kept in the dark about the episode's final lines.
1 Futurama Had Numerous Heart-Wrenching Episodes
Although it had a silly futuristic setting and whimsical characters, Futurama managed to tug at fans' heartstrings repeatedly. In "The Luck of the Fryish," Fry was convinced his brother Yancy stole his life in the past. He later discovered his brother actually named his son after Fry following his disappearance.
Moreover, in "The Sting," Leela believed she was responsible for Fry's death during a high-stakes mission. At the end, it's revealed she was trapped in a coma. She woke up to a distraught Fry, who hadn't left her side for a moment. These scenes added a layer of emotional depth that audiences wouldn't expect from such an outlandish comedy.