Community was widely considered one of the funniest and smartest sitcoms on television. Unfortunately, with the sixth season marking the end of the TV series in 2015, hopeful fans are still waiting for the movie to complete the “six seasons and one movie” mantra.
Luckily, there are plenty of hilarious casts out there with similar dynamics and humor. And though nothing will be quite like Communityeach of these shows has something unique to offer, a new twist or concept that matches the quality of Community‘s creativity and makes them stand out. From crazy cartoonish space adventures to just four buddies living in a loft, these 10 TV shows carry Communitythe mind.
freaks and geeks
Let’s be honest: high school is hard enough to navigate, no matter the year. During the 1980-1981 year at William McKinley High School, the Lindsay siblings (Linda Cardellini) and Sat (John Francis Daley) still find their social situation just as complicated. Having found a place among the teenage troublemakers at school (the “freaks”), Lindsay tries to change her image from nerd to rebel. Meanwhile, Sam finds community with the school’s losers (the “geeks”) as they navigate the highs and lows of being high school freshmen.
With a little more drama than Community uses and a lot of humor, freaks and geeks follows a charming cast of characters on their adventures and misadventures. If the socially maladjusted student aspect of Community is what you are looking for, this show will absolutely satisfy you.
Brooklyn nine-nine
Police work is serious business – unless you work in the New York City Police Department’s 99th Precinct, Brooklyn, that is. This group of cartoonish cops, including the talented but immature detective Jake Peralta (Andy Sandbourg)is led by the stoic and experienced Captain Holt (André Braugher), both of which are the perfect complement to each other. They are also at the center of a whirlwind of personalities, from the tough Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatrice) to family man Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews).
The heart and soul of Community was the focus on the found family, and if ever there was a dysfunctional family dynamic within a police department, Brooklyn nine-nine would it be. And while catching the bad guys!
Undeclared
Sometimes it’s normal not to know your direction in life right away. That’s what college is for, after all. At the University of Northeastern California, Steven Karp (Jay Baruchel) hasn’t declared his major yet but soon discovers that he’s just one of six freshmen who haven’t quite figured it out yet.
With his teammate’s shenanigans and crushing Lizzie (Carla Gallo), his roommate Lloyd (Charlie Hunnam), anxious freshman Rachel (Monica Keena), clever resident Ron (Seth Rogen), and Marshall (Tim Sharp), Steven’s life will never be boring.
mythical quest
Take personalities as unique and goofy as Community and place them in the gaming sector, and you have a recipe for hilarity. Video game designer Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenney) is preparing the release of an expansion pack for its video game mythical questcalled Crow’s Banquetbut ends up clashing with Chief Engineer Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao) and Head of Monetization Brad Bakshi (Danny Pudi).
Shenanigans ensue at Mythic Quest headquarters as the personalities bounce off each other in the funniest ways. It’s especially fun to see Danny Pudi playing a very different role from Community‘s Abed Nadir, and Rob McElhenney makes his mark as Ian despite his other notable role as Mac onPhiladelphia is always sunny.
Psych
What’s a hyper-observant slacker to do when his occasional crime-solving catches the eye of the Santa Barbara Police Department? Rather than go to jail for knowing too much about a case, Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) does the logical thing and becomes a psychic detective. With the help of his best friend Gus (Dule Hill), Shawn becomes a psychic consultant for the SBPD, much to the chagrin of Chief Detective Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) and his partner Juliette O’Hara (Maggie Lawson).
Every episode of this mystery dramedy is a riot, thanks in part to the show’s ability to not take itself too seriously. Despite a huge range of different crimes, Shawn and Gus have as much fun as they can while solving mysteries and saving the day.
new girl
School teacher Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel) just got out of a particularly trying breakup and needs a place to stay to get back on her feet. Fortunately, a place opened up in a spacious and affordable loft. The catch: his three roommates are all kinds of weirdos. Pessimistic, broke bartender Nick (Jacques Johnson), self-centered gambler Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and ex-basketball player with a secret love for bubble baths (Lamorne Morris) make life in the attic one collection of mishaps after another. But Jess is his own kind of crazy; fortunately, it fits perfectly.
As the four housemates deal with breakups, job changes, and the best drinking game in the world (True American), they become a close-knit family who share life together, no matter how dire.
rick and morty
Not every family is lucky (or unlucky) to have a mad scientist lab in their basement. Grandfather Rick (Justin Roiland) moved in with the family and immediately set to work creating the most unusual science gadgets and gizmos. Plus, he’s determined to have exhilarating but life-threatening adventures with his 14-year-old squirrel grandson, Morty (also Justin Roiland). As grandfather-grandson bonding times become more dangerous and especially eerie, tensions surface within the Sanchez family. But after all, who wouldn’t want to gallop through space and time with a self-absorbed mad scientist?
However rick and morty has a bizarre type of humor similar to that Community fact, the show is committed to its dark humor, turning unsettling situations into moments that will tickle your funny bone. Grab your portal gun, jump in the space cruiser, and don’t forget the Szechwan sauce!
Hypermarket
Dedicated employee Amy (America Ferrera), new recruit Jonas (Ben Feldman), and their colleagues point to Cloud 9, but the supermarket scene is far less heavenly than its name suggests. A wide range of supermarket workers survive all the terrors retail has to offer, from unpleasant customers to the most dangerous sales days. Fortunately, they can rely on each other (most of the time) and find ways to make the best of their situation.
Whenever an ensemble cast is thrown into crazy but relatable situations (working in a supermarket is no walk in the park), you know you’re going to have a great time, and the way these personalities react to each other is always fun.
modern family
All families have their fair share of dysfunction, but the Pritchetts and Dunpheys take home the award for most troublesome family that still makes it work. Patriarch Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) married a beautiful and courageous young woman Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and became the stepfather of his son; meanwhile, his stern daughter Claire (Julie Bowen) and her goofy husband Phil (Ty Burrell) takes care of three children while his brother Mitch (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and his girlfriend Cam (Eric Stonestreet) adopt their first child.
This hilarious mockumentary highlights the flaws of a very dysfunctional family while highlighting each character’s best qualities and instances where they show each other all the love the family has to offer. They’re not exactly a simple family, but they shamelessly broadcast that uniqueness — and they do it in the funniest way.
Scrubs
Fresh out of medical school, JD (Zach Braff) and his friend Turk (Donald Faison) became interns at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur. Although his upbringing prepared them for a career spent wearing scrubs, it didn’t prepare J.D. for the sarcastic Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), his reluctant mentor, or cute intern Elliot (Sarah Chalk) – and he certainly couldn’t have been prepared for the janitor with a chip on his shoulder. Nonetheless, JD makes the most of his spell and sets out to earn his place at Sacred Heart.
The show is peppered with storytelling and JD’s creative musings. Combined with the medical hijinks, there are also some really serious moments, which makes Scrubs a step above your typical medical comedy-drama.
