Even in a year where the TV landscape wasn’t quite typical, 2023 offered no shortage of great TV comedies.
From light-hearted sitcoms to dark comedies and comedy-dramas that often made us cry, there was something for everyone this year.
Stellar performances and clever writing made it difficult to narrow down this list of best TV comedies, but we’ve done so nonetheless. Take a look at this year’s favorites.
In no particular order, here are the 21 Top TV Comedies of 2023:
1. Ghosts
Ghosts Season 2 managed to be even funnier and more intelligent than the show’s first season, which says a lot.
Based on the U.K. series of the same name, Ghosts follows Sam and Jay, a couple who inherit a haunted mansion and work to turn it into a bed and breakfast. When Sam has an accident that allows her to see and communicate with the ghosts, hilarity ensues.
The second season allowed the audience to get to know each of the ghosts even more, along with their silly eccentricities and their complicated backstories.
It’s not always the case that a show’s second season is able to outdo its first, but Ghosts Season 2’s focus on character development and takes it to another level. It also allowed for the deepening of relationships and friendships, and even some new romances.
2. The Righteous Gemstones
The Righteous Gemstones blends dark humor with satirical brilliance, making it a must-watch comedy series. Created by Danny McBride, who also stars in the show alongside John Goodman, Adam Devine, and Edi Patterson, the series revolves around the dysfunctional Gemstone family – leaders of a prominent megachurch empire.
The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 was as bonkers as ever, pushing boundaries while bringing in additional members of the family for more chaos. It also sees Jesse, Kelvin, and Judy dealing with their father’s retirement and trying to run their empire on their own — yet, as you’d guess, their dysfunction gets in the way.
Add in a ridiculous Bible-themed game show run by Baby Billy and trouble from extended family, and you’ve got a recipe for comedy gold.
3. Young Sheldon
The CBS comedy Young Sheldon continues to be as funny as it is endearing, all while telling stories that are more and more complex. Young Sheldon Season 6 ended on a somber note.
Sheldon and his mother set off on a plane to Germany so Sheldon could participate in a prestigious summer program. Meanwhile, back home, a tornado ripped through the town and left Meemaw with nothing.
Season 6 also explored a coming-of-age story for Missy, who found herself getting into trouble and feeling left out, and a new role for Georgie as a father.
The show’s ability to tackle tough topics while remaining true to the original character of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory is only part of the reason the series has remained popular since its first season. Unfortunately, Season 7 will be its last, though that also seems appropriate given how much the young Sheldon Cooper has aged.
The series has proven itself to be the kind of successful spinoff that doesn’t need to rely on the original to tell meaningful stories.
4. What We Do in the Shadows
What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 explores the very real consequences of Guillermo taking the bite from another vampire who isn’t Nandor while also having Vampire Hunter lineage. What follows is a season filled with the utmost shenanigans as Guillermo tries to hide his new status and then inevitably deals with Nandor’s reaction.
Meanwhile, the other vampires have their own series of adventures that involve Nadja trying to release a curse she feels has been put upon her. Lazlo spends more time within the human world, for which he is ill-prepared, and Colin ends up running for political office.
Guillermo and his slow transition into his vampire powers are the heart of the show this season. He rarely gets to be the driving force of the plot, so for an entire season to center on that is fantastic.
All in all, What We Do in the Shadows is never to be taken seriously. It’s the perfect show to find yourself falling into when you need a simple escape from the world. And Season 5 further proves that.
5. Abbott Elementary
TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS, QUINTA BRUNSON
If Abbott Elementary Season 1 introduced us to a group of teachers we fell in love with, Abbott Elementary Season 2 gave us more to love and laugh about.
With more than twenty episodes, this season allowed the audience to dive deeper into the lives of teachers at Abbott. This time around, we watch them have fun at a teachers’ conference, deal with new teaching challenges, and fall in love.
Abbott Elementary continued to be that warm and fuzzy show that brought some joy into our lives, reminding us why laughter is so important.
6. Somebody Somewhere
The HBO series Somebody Somewhere is about the poignancy of everyday life. On the surface, it’s a story about grief, loss, and feeling adrift. These are not things we immediately think of as the building blocks of a life-affirming and hopeful comedy.
And yet that is precisely what Somebody Somewhere is. Because as much as the show doesn’t shy away from the painful realities of the human experience, it is just as much about the humor and joy of the small moments in between.
Moments made sweeter and more profound by the hard parts. It’s the satisfaction of an inside joke, the warmth of being part of a community, the beauty of finding your voice, and the catharsis of laughing at all the ridiculous things life throws in our path.
Watching Somebody Somewhere can break your heart and make you cry, but it will always make you laugh and lift your spirits. It is good for your soul, offering a rejuvenating dose of optimism in a world full of cynicism.
7. Our Flag Means Death
The beloved comedy series Our Flag Means Death returned this year for a second outing at sea. With part of Stede Bonnet’s original crew simply trying to survive the wrath of Blackbeard and the others reunited with their shipless captain, things start off a bit rocky.
Viewers quickly learn that these pirates are nothing if not scrappy in their own ways, none more so than the indelible Lucius Spriggs, who survived being thrown overboard by Blackbeard at the end of Season 1.
And while the laughs this season are harder to come by, the misfit, ragtag nature of this crew is still very much alive and well as Stede and Edward reunite to work through their very complicated feelings for each other. Viewers continue to find comfort within the diverse depictions of gender, sexuality, race, and age.
By the end, our pirates have survived a mutiny, loss of limbs and life, some fierce female pirates, and found love everlasting along the way — romantic and familial. While the future is uncertain, we all know that the seven seas have never been more fun to sail.
8. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 proved to be as funny and sharp as its previous seasons — maybe even more so. The series’ final season took a risk by including a flash-forward that showed what became of Midge and her career. In the present, she continues to fight her way toward stardom and winds up as a writer on the Gerald Ford Show, which of course, comes with its own difficulties.
The brilliant writing and the stellar performances of Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein are only part of what’s made this award-winning comedy so successful, and the final season focuses on the show’s most important relationship: the one between Midge and Susie.
9. Deadloch
Billed as the funny Broadchurch, Deadloch is a feminist noir comedy that follows the investigation of a string of murders in the small Australian town of Deadloch on the Tasmanian coast.
Leading the investigation are the meticulous local Sargent Dulcie Collins and the much more by-the-seat-of-her-pants detective Eddie Redcliffe, brought in from out of town.
Like any good buddy comedy, the two clash at first but have to figure out how to work together so they can stop the killer.
In addition to Collins and Redcliff, the show has a wonderful assortment of weirdos and oddballs that make up the supporting cast. There is the ever-earnest Constable Abby Matsuda, the pompous mansplaining forensic scientist James King, and the football-obsessed teen Tammy Hampton, just to name a few.
Armed with an excellent cast, the show effortlessly blends genres. It tells an engaging mystery that leaves viewers guessing until the end while bringing plenty of insightful and satirical humor as it lampoons everything from the patriarchy to performative progressives.
10. Reservation Dogs
Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi’s Reservation Dogs blessed us with one of the best series finales of all time in 2023, and that’s not hyperbole. It’s as hopeful and heartwarming as it is bittersweet and poignant, with a monologue from Lily Gladstone, not five minutes in, that perfectly encapsulates death and grief.
The episode is an emotionally fulfilling affair with compelling performances from the cast, especially Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, and Paulina Alexis.
As a whole, Reservation Dogs Season 3 emphasizes the act of fostering community, honing in on the elders as well as our coming-of-age core quartet. We see how love, in all its forms, spans generations. There’s no shortage of razor-sharp humor and gut-wrenching drama, and it’s all wrapped in a beautiful homage to the Indigenous experience.
Favorite episode: “Deer Lady” is a must-watch outing that explores the abhorrent Native boarding schools while utilizing horror elements to shed light on their cruelty and abuse. Kaniehtiio Horn delivers a powerhouse performance.
11. Ted Lasso
If Ted made Richmond believe they could win the whole f***ing thing, Ted Lasso made us believe in the power of comedy, hope, and a few football (soccer) matches.
Ted Lasso Season 3 brought the Apple TV+ series to an end, reminding us the power of found families. We became a part of Richmond and like every goodbye, it was hard to watch them go.
Still, it was a joyful goodbye, and we know that we can always go back for biscuits with the boss and some hot brown water.
12. Barry
Barry leaned into depressing drama more and more each season. Its fourth and final one, aired on HBO in 2023, abandoned the premise of hitman Barry Berkman (Bill Hader, who also directed all eight episodes of Season 4) becoming an actor after his crimes were exposed.
However, the show never entirely forgot its origins as a comedy. One sign of Hader’s growth as a filmmaker is how deftly he manages tonal shifts.
On the comedic side of that, it’s hard to beat the season’s penultimate chapter: Episode 7, “A Nice Meal.” This one features scenes like a gang politely discussing the best way to noise cancel when they execute their defeated foes, or a single-take of a rocket launcher misfire turned chase scene.
Appropriately for a comedy, Barry ends with a punchline; scenes from across the show’s run are recreated (with staggering inaccuracy) in the in-universe true crime movie The Mask Collector. Barry always showed an aptitude for stumbling towards success and even in death, he gets a whitewashed legacy. Sometimes, the best joke that television can play is one on its own audience.
13. Poker Face
Who says murder can’t be funny? Poker Face certainly doesn’t. Creator Rian Johnson builds on his success directing mystery films with this new TV series; Brick was a Dashiell Hammit dime novel while Knives Out was an Agatha Christie whodunnit.
Meanwhile, Poker Face (streamed on Peacock weekly for six episodes after a four-episode premiere in January 2023) is a spiritual successor to Columbo, meaning each episode opens with the murder, then the charmed detective pieces together what the audience already knows. This adds some schadenfreude to a procedural formula, for the guilty parties spend each episode tripping over themselves trying to conceal their crime.
The center each episode orbits is Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne), a drifter with the perfect ability to sniff out a lie. Sniff them out she does, as each episode takes her to a new location across the USA and a new situation ripe for comedy.
Take Poker Face Season 1 Episode 3, “The Stall,” where a barbecue chef tearfully goes vegan after unsuspectingly watching Okja, or Poker Face Season 1 Episode 6, “Exit Stage Death,” when Charlie, hiding backstage, tries to catch the attention of an actor she thinks will be murdered (not realizing she’s actually talking to the killer). Charlie’s endearing Brooklyn-accented bluster is the perfect contrasting attitude to all the bullsh*tters she encounters.
14. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Sixteen seasons in, and the worst Philly residents we know are still at it on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The show has never shied away from a bit, and this season, we got to see full commitment to some of them while also making some time to comment on some truly absurd aspects of pop culture and life in general.
From their trip to a modified, fictional version of Chuck E. Cheese to the gang trying to figure out how to game their way out of inflation and, of course, celebrity liquor brands, the Paddy’s Pub crew remain just as hilarious and awful as they have always been.
Perhaps one of the funnier moments is seeing Dennis slowly try and fail to keep his blood pressure down, but facing every blood-boiling customer service obstacle imaginable. The writing remains just as smart and sharp after all of these years.
15. Minx
Minx Season 2 almost didn’t happen. Originally an HBO show, it was canceled by Warner Brothers Discovery after its first season.
Lucky for us, though, Starz jumped in to save it and gave us a second season even better than its first. On the Minx Season 2 premiere, Joyce and Doug sell Bottom Dollar to a wealthy widow named Constance Papadopoulos — played to perfection by Elizabeth Perkins — and bring her on as their new publisher. At first, it seems like a match made in heaven. Soon, however, cracks begin to show.
Doug struggles to find his place within the company he founded, and Joyce — tempted by the glamour and accolades of her new fame — starts to lose sight of what’s important.
Minx Season 2 also gave all the supporting characters great storylines that expanded our understanding of them in beautiful ways and highlighted the exceptional talents of the cast.
It turns out that the move to Starz was the best thing to happen to Minx because it didn’t just survive its initial cancellation; it thrived.
16. Big Door Prize
Adapted from the titular novel by M.O. Walsh, The Big Door Prize follows residents in the town of Deerfield as they work through some existential discoveries at the hands of the mysterious Morpho Machine at their local hardware store.
When everyone starts discovering their true potential, they start questioning every choice they’ve made. Though not everyone initially buys into it, among those with a healthy amount of skepticism is Dusty, his wife Cass, and daughter Trina.
They don’t seem to buy in until the day their Morpho cards reveal something they never really considered about themselves. This family’s story essentially fans out, creating an interconnecting web of stories between these three and those close to them in town.
By the end of the first episode, you can’t help but find yourself invested in the story, and as each episode expertly peels back just enough information to give viewers insight into the complex, flawed, and intriguing characters.
The cast does a beautiful job making these characters grounded and three-dimensional, landing the emotional beats just as well as the hilarious. Chris O’Dowd, Gabrielle Dennis, and Josh Segarra navigate the balance of earnestness and comedic in a way that leaves an impression long after the final scenes roll.
17. Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders In The Building’s third season shined as bright as the Broadway stage it took place at. It was as thrilling as the first season, with a new cast of eclectic characters adding to the charm and humor of the reigning cast. The addition of musical numbers was very welcome, and it fit the show’s humor and tone, and was able to showcase the cast’s musical talents.
The show has officially developed its own unique comedic voice, as the third season showcases that even with the typical murder mystery plotline, there is space for the characters to keep growing and showcasing all of their strengths, and it uses the all-star cast to its advantage.
With its dazzling third season, Only Murders In The Building proved why it remains one of the best comedies in recent years. Long may it sing!
18. Class of ’07
Have you ever thought what it would be like to get stuck on a deserted island with the worst people from your high school? That is precisely what Class of ‘07 showcases to near perfection. A tragic situation where there is nothing out there to fight for, and it is just your sheer will keeping you going while facing all your enemies?
It is a nightmare fuel that gets turned into some of the best comedy of the year, as it is both relatable and outlandish. Emily Browning and Caitlin Stasey are incredible as frenemies Zoe and Saskia, as well as the rest of the cast, who do a fantastic job in portraying a scenario that many people have most likely had nightmares about, but that is not expected to be a comedy. It is a fresh take on the subject, and it succeeded.
19. Upload
Created by Greg Daniels, Upload follows computer programmer Nathan Brown, who, after dying, ends up in a futuristic afterlife where humans can digitally upload their consciousness.
The show weaves together humor and existential exploration, offering a unique take on the intersection of technology and the human experience.
Upload Season 3 remains as thought-provoking as ever, with themes that are a little darker and yet still bring in plenty of humor. Robbie Amell stands out with his ability to play multiple versions of himself in the season — an element that ultimately raises the stakes, especially as each Nathan finds himself in love with a different woman.
20. Shrinking
On the surface, a comedy about grief sounds like something that shouldn’t work at all. But don’t underestimate the Apple TV+ series Shrinking. A story about loss and healing that’s both heartfelt and hilarious, the series will almost certainly fill the Ted Lasso-shaped hole in your heart. (One of its creators is former Lasso star Brett Goldstein, if that helps convince you at all.)
Shrinking follows the story of Jimmy (Jason Segel), a therapist who’s struggling to find his way personally and professionally in the year since his wife’s death. (Yes, it’s a serious case of physician heal thyself.)
As Jimmy embraces unorthodox treatment methods that involve telling his clients what he really thinks and pushing them to make big, sweeping changes in their lives, Jimmy begins to rediscover what matters most in his own. Segel is phenomenal as Jimmy, bolstered by a stellar supporting cast that includes Harrison Ford as his disgruntled mentor Paul and Jessica Williams as his charming BFF and co-worker, Gaby.
Shrinking deftly weaves multiple storylines together to form a warm and satisfying whole, a tale about the power of human connection and vulnerability, even and perhaps most especially when we insist we don’t need it.
21. Sex Education
Sex Education ended its four-season run with a strong finish full of unexpected storylines, humor, heart, and, of course, sex. Even in its farewell, the series introduced us to new characters and let us see the old, familiar ones in a new, unfamiliar environment.
This fresh dynamic was the shake-up the series needed after a weaker third season.
Maeve and Otis finally get their moment. Aimee finds out how to heal and love, too. Jean gets the support she’s afraid to ask for. And Eric is given a divine calling from God herself. It’s hard to say goodbye to so many great characters but their send-offs were memorable, inspiring, hopeful, and truly a joy to watch.
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*Written by: Ashley Bissette Sumerel, Mads Misasi, Sarah Fields, Melody McCune, Devin Meenan, Gabriela Burgos, Brianna Martinez, Lacy Baugher, and Erin Allen.
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The post 21 Top TV Comedies of 2023 first appeared on Tell-Tale TV.