The 10 Most Underrated Comedy TV Shows In the Past 5 Years (And Where to Watch Them)

If you like office-based sitcoms and enjoy Rob McElhenney’s work in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, I would say Mythic Quest is an absolute must-watch. It focuses on a group of video game developers who have built one of the most successful fantasy multiplayer games in the business, but who just can’t seem to go a day without chaos breaking out in the workplace.

While Mythic Quest is not quite as rude and wild as It’s Always Sunny, it’s still definitely one for maturer audiences, with lots of coarse language and a few sexual references here and there. It’s not necessarily a comedy you’ll find yourself laughing every minute at, either, but it’s a really easy watch. And, as the show has wrapped up now, you don’t have to worry about any threads left hanging. Check it all out on Apple TV now. 

I know Shrinking isn’t exactly the best-kept secret when it comes to current-day TV. The award-winning series boasts star talent like Harrison Ford and Jason Segel, but the reason I’m including it on this list is that too many people forget just how funny this drama actually is.

While much has been said about the more emotional moments in Shrinking, make no mistake, humour is at the heart of this brilliant show. Segel in particular is at the top of his game when it comes to line deliveries and moments of physical comedy, while it’s simply impossible not to laugh at a grumpy Ford slowly softening over time. It’s also on Apple TV, and it’s genuinely one of the best things the platform has to offer.

Apple TV may be more US-centric in its streaming content, but you may not know that the platform has also produced one of the loveliest British sitcoms of recent years. Trying is, as you may have guessed, about a couple who desperately want to have a baby, but it’s just not happening. As they turn to adoption, they must prove they’re up to the challenge, but their chaotic lives make that difficult.

While this is mostly a feel-good comedy full of sweet, uplifting moments, it also tackles some more serious themes, too. Some viewers might be sensitive to these if they’ve ever struggled to conceive a child. Still, the balance between humour and the more emotional moments is handled really effectively here, and it’s the kind of show with universal appeal. 

Maya Rudolph is comedy royalty. After her brilliant run on Saturday Night Live and involvement in hit movies like Bridesmaids and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, she deserves all the attention in the world. And yet, her comedy series Loot has largely gone under the radar despite having three seasons packed with hilarious gags and meaningful character moments.

It all hinges on Rudolph, too. This may be a dramedy, but that doesn’t stop her from giving what I would say is her best performance to date. As divorcee and philanthropist Molly Novak, Rudolph crafts a character who is charming, fleshed-out, and whom you can’t help but root for. The supporting cast around her adds a fantastic dynamic, not least of all Michaela Rodriguez’s Sofia. It’s also worth noting that this show just looks phenomenal, too, thanks to its focus on high-end fashion and lavish set design.

Don’t let the title of this show deceive you. While Alexander Skarsgård’s character is designed to destroy anything that stands in his way, he’s actually just a really anxious robot who wants nothing more than to watch TV and stay out of trouble. Murderbot blends science fiction with dark comedy and surprisingly chill vibes in a perfect adaptation of its source material.

We should have known Skarsgård would nail the humorous, deadpan qualities of his character after seeing him excel in Succession. The show itself is also really easy to binge, given the episodes are no more than 30 minutes long, and it’s got a bit of an episodic feel to it – a nice change of pace from all the cumbersome, more complex sci-fi series out there at the moment.

Am I biased about this show because I love golf? Maybe. But the truth is, you really don’t need to care about golf at all to get hooked on Stick. In fact, if you like any kind of underdog story, from Hustle to Creed to The Colour of Money, you’ll lap this up. Seeing Owen Wilson play a washed-up golfer who just wants to help a young kid make it in the game is such an easy sell, and the fact that it’s just ten half-hour episodes should convince you to make this your next feel-good binge watch.

We already know Wilson is a very funny man; here, he proves he’s still very much got it. If you do happen to be a golf fan and found yourself disappointed with the lacklustre Happy Gilmore 2, this will be the ideal remedy. 

Seth Rogen. Rose Byrne. Enough said, right? Both these actors have done plenty over their careers to prove they’ve got the comedy chops to carry a sitcom like this. Platonic is all about two former childhood friends who reunite years later and attempt to resolve the fallout that ruined their relationship. It’s a simple premise, but the chemistry between Rogen and Byrne elevates it way beyond what mere mortals could achieve.

If you’ve seen them in the movie Bad Neighbours, you’ll have a good idea of what they’re capable of when working together. But it’s great to see a story like this avoid the temptation to fall into romantic territory, too. We’ve seen that so many times in sitcoms, and these characters deserve better than to become a tired trope. Platonic is a very subdued, relatable show that’s perfect for older Millennials.

We’ve already mentioned two members of the Bridesmaids cast, so we may as well make it a hat-trick and look at what Kristen Wiig has been up to lately. Turns out she’s done great work on the dramedy series Palm Royale. It was unfortunately cancelled after two seasons, but don’t let that put you off!

This is a fascinating trip back to the ‘60s, with wonderful production design and costume work that gives it a real luxurious and playful feel. In Palm Royale, Wiig plays Maxine, a woman who tries to worm her way into the upper echelons of society at an exclusive club. The way the show addresses the idea of the social ladder and the greed and envy that consume people on it makes it feel almost like American Psycho, but with a lot less murder and slightly more glitz and glamour. 

Nathan Fielder is a bit of an acquired taste. He’s similar in many ways to Tim Robinson, not in terms of their comedy styles, but in the fact that you really have to be in the right mood to buy into what they’re selling. To me, Fielder is a mad genius, and The Rehearsal is his magnum opus.

In the first season of the show, which can be found on Now TV, he runs a bizarre simulation to see whether he would be a good father by fostering random children of various ages. Fielder blurs the lines between reality and experiment, while also trying to help other socially awkward test subjects along the way. It’s super uncomfortable yet totally absorbing.

Things really step up a notch in the second season, as Fielder aspires to get his pilot’s license and fly a commercial plane. Every single episode of watching this crazy stunt unfold left me speechless, but with a huge smile on my face. It’s one of the boldest TV shows I’ve ever seen, and it’s as funny as it is ludicrous.

If you like your comedy served with an intense slice of drama and a soap opera-esque feel, you’ll relish what Lee Sung Jin cooked up with Beef. The first season of this Netflix series stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, two hotheads who develop an explosive hatred for one another after a random encounter in a parking lot. From there, both their lives unravel, creating a thrilling, winding web of a story that’s driven by a razor-sharp script and hilarious, high-stakes twists.

Season 2 is on the way this year, with a fresh cast that includes Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, and it promises to be just as scandalous and brimming with satirical comedy. If you’re into shows like The White Lotus, Fleabag, and Atlanta, you’ll love the energy flowing through Beef.