These days, we're all in need of a good laugh. During this time of social distancing, streaming sites are hitting record numbers with their customers staying home and binge-watching everything available. But, what happens when you think you've run out of content? If you're a fan of comedy shows, there's plenty to choose from across streaming platforms to binge while cooped up in the house. Below are comedies that you know and love, along with a few you may have completely overlooked.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine features a diverse and close-knit group of NYPD officers solving crimes and navigating their day-to-day lives in Brooklyn, New York. The writing on this show is incredible, and the cast of characters is complex and diverse. Not to mention, two of the shows main characters, Captain Raymond Holt and Detective Rosa Diaz, are part of the LGBTQ community, yet this isn't the focus of the characters. Using both subtle and over-the-top, almost slapstick comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is perfect for fans of Arrested Development. The series stars Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Chelsea Peretti and Andre Braugher and can be found on Netflix and Hulu.
BoJack Horseman
Following the life of '90s sitcom star BoJack Horseman, this series examines a lot of tough subject matter, but always with sharp underlying humor. The animated series plays with the concept of traditional narrative formats, making extensive use of flashbacks, psychedelic hallucinations, internal monologue and dream sequences. BoJack Horseman is known for being almost too relatable, holding up a mirror to its audience and asking hard questions. But overall, the show is intelligent, witty and hysterically funny. BoJack Horseman stars Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, Allison Brie, Amy Sedaris and Paul F. Tompkins and can only be streamed on Netflix.
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Jerry Seinfeld's unconventional interview series is both insightful and hilarious. No subject is off the table while Seinfeld drives around famous comedians, actors and even Barak Obama in vintage cars, swapping stories about the industry, their famous friends, and life in general. Seinfeld even gets creative, filming a Between Two Ferns segment during his episode with Zack Galifinakis, and bringing takeout to Carl Reiner's house with Mel Brooks. The Netflix series features Norm MacDonald, Will Ferrel, Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Eddie Murphy and Kevin Hart, to name a very small few.
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American Vandal
This criminally underrated (pun intended) Netflix original series mimics the format of the popular documentary Making a Murderer. The satirical show piggybacks on the growing popularity of true-crime documentaries, focusing on the aftermath of various school pranks. The comedy is the show is often deadpan, investigating crimes like the rampant spray painting of penises on school property and the spiking of cafeteria lemonade with laxatives, with the utmost sincerity. Much like the real thing, this mockumentary leaves viewers wondering the identity of the true perpetrator until the very end. American Vandal stars Tyler Alvarez, Griffin Gluck, Jimmy Tatro and Travis Tope.
Schitt's Creek
Originally an under-the-radar Canadian comedy series and now a worldwide phenomenon, the hilariously titled Schitt's Creek seriously delivers on laughs. After a wealthy family goes bankrupt, they discover their single remaining asset is a run-down small town called Schitt's Creek. The writing is witty and sardonic, poking fun at the wealthy elite and their assumed inability to function in the real world. Tackling poignant social issues with intelligent humor, and starring Canadian comedy legends Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy, along with Levy's real-life son Daniel and newcomer Annie Murphy, Schitt's Creek has earned its faithful following. The series can be streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Party Down
Originally debuting in 2009 and only lasting 20 episodes, Party Down developed a cult internet following before becoming widely praised. The series follows six aspiring actors as they work their catering day job, with each episode focusing on a different event the group is catering. Party Down has been rattling around the depths of the internet and has finally found its home on Hulu. Each character is hilariously screwed up in their own unique way and is depressingly relatable. The series stars comedy heavyweights Lizzy Caplan, Adam Scott, Martin Starr, Ken Marino, Megan Mullaly and a huge number of hilarious cameos.
Key and Peele
This meme-worthy Hulu sketch comedy show has an enormous internet following and for good reason. Stars and writers Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key combine elements from The Chapelle Show, Saturday Night Live and Mr. Show to create a hilariously crafted show that tackles social issues and pokes fun at daily life. The writing is almost unmatched, producing perfect short and easily digestible comedic bits that endlessly make their way around the internet.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Everything that Seinfeld could have been, had it appeared on HBO. The series follows Seinfeld creator Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself as he encounters various misadventures and everyday social situations. Curb is an incredible commentary on real life, particularly social norms. Larry is almost constantly being forced to apologize for his anti-social and inappropriate behavior, regardless of whether or not he's completely in the right. This series is an expansion on Seinfeld's premise as a show about nothing, even including a "reunion" in Season 7. Curb stars Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman and Richard Lewis and can be streamed on Crave, Amazon Prime and HBO GO.
Letterkenny
Beginning as a YouTube series entitled Letterkenny Problems, this Canadian series has earned its place in comedy history, alongside similar truly Canadian content like Trailer Park Boys. Letterkenny follows a group of friends in a small town of the same name in rural Ontario and stars Jared Keeso, Michelle Mylett, K. Trevor Wilson, Nathan Dales and Tyler Johnson. This show is unapologetically Canadian, showcasing and amplifying the typical stereotypes, while making no attempt to tone it down for an international audience. Letterkenny has proven itself as more than just a "Canadian show," examining the realities of small-town life that extend beyond Canada's borders. However, there are certainly jokes that viewers outside of the Great White North might not quite get, as a patriotic salute to the show's native land. Letterkenny can be streamed on Crave and Hulu.
Fleabag
One of last year's biggest breakout hits, Fleabag is created by, written by and starring comedian Phoebe Waller-Bridge based on her one-woman show of the same name. The titular character, known only as Fleabag, is a woman navigating modern life in London while dealing with her grief after a tragedy. The show tackles all aspects of life, love, religion, sex, anger and grief. It's a truly brilliant and hilariously intelligent show that you'll likely binge in its entirety in one sitting. Fleabag also stars Andrew Scott, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman and Brett Gelman and can be streamed on Amazon Prime.