With such an overabundance of shows on television, Netflix, and those deliciously illegal sites we hate to love, it can be very hard to decide on a show to watch. Even worse is finally deciding on a genre and then having to choose a show from said genre! Without fail, however, the one genre everyone will agree on at one point is comedy.
Everyone likes to chuckle now and then. But therein lies a whole other set of problems. What kind of humor is required to please the group in question? Not everyone has the same kind of humor. Well, fear not! There are many kinds of people out there, but everyone will find something to laugh at, for that is simply human nature.
To start off, the simplest, most enjoyable kind of humor seen nowadays is the sitcom. Shows like Big Bang Theory, Real O’Neals, Modern Family, or How I Met Your Mother are all prime examples of the common sitcom. Our familiar characters assemble for a lovely half hour of shenanigans, mild drama, and a pleasing resolution, all while throwing snarky jabs and current era remarks into the mix to keep us giggling.
The purpose is to occupy a nice little niche in TV and offer some much needed relief from a hard day’s work. So if you just want to unwind, have a good time, and smile, this is your go-to style.
A more humorous, yet equally stimulating style is the lightning-fast paced style of satire shows. Shows like Family Guy, SNL, Monty Python, or the superbly crafted 30 Rock all bombard their audience with clever jokes and specific trending topics. If you need some time to realize a punch line or simply can’t follow rapid paced humor, keep away from 30 Rock and drift toward Family Guy. The latter is notorious for dragging a joke for just a touch too long…perfect if the former is just a little too much too fast. So if you love to hate the world you live in or need some more sophisticated humor, the satire is for you.
If you pride yourself in being a truly dreadful human being, the more obscure dark humor is a good choice. Shows like Bojack Horseman, Rick and Morty, Archer, or basically anything on Adult Swim all showcase those kind of laughs beautifully. Shockingly depressing, raunchy and offensive, these shows are not for the faint of heart.
Unflinchingly commenting on the failures of humanity and the tragedies of modern life, these shows do not pull their punches. So if you get easily offended by sensitive issues or like light hearted shows, stay far away from these. But if you love dabbling in the macabre or like that fabulously morbid style, these shows will be your best friend.
Finally, to most parents’ dismay, there exists that lovely genre of kid’s humor. For those parents who dislike shows meant for older teens or shudder at the mere mention of the word Deadpool, these shows are for your kiddies. As torturous as they may be for moms and dads, kids love them. Spongebob, iCarly, or the now-outdated Zack and Cody all offer simple jokes and basic humor without sustenance.
For kids, it’s ideal. For parents, it may be hard to sit through. Of course, there are shows that transcend age. Both Avatar series or the immortal Teen Titans managed to keep the tone humorous and light while still including intense themes, deep messages, and thorough characters. So aim for shows like that if you’re an older sibling or parent hoping to not only occupy your younger counterpart but also to keep your sanity.
So ends the basic guide to how to enjoy TV comedy without stumbling into territory that ends with you rocking back and forth afterward. Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s stand up comedy, foreign shows, politically charged wonders (Parks and Rec being the most wonderfully clever of them), and much more. But the above four categories cover most of the shows on television nowadays. Hopefully this guide will lead you to royal laughs and a great time.
In the wise words of The Neighbor’s Larry Bird: “Oh please, we all know how this goes. You want to do something, we want to do it with you, you say no, we do it anyway, hijinks ensue, you learn from us, we learn from you, and we usually tie it up in a nice neat package somewhere around eight o’ clock.” Enjoy your surfing, friends!
