Top 10 Best Comedy TV Shows of the Century (So Far)

Before “Rick & Morty,” Dan Harmon established his comedic genius with an NBC sitcom based on his community college days. Joel McHale stars as a disgraced lawyer who must go back to school for his bachelor’s degree, only to get into absurd misadventures with a study group for students. “Community” didn’t just surpass that novel premise with its memorable and hilarious ensemble. Harmon’s distinct knack for obscure meta, pop culture, and academic references captivated more jaded viewers. While that meant limiting the audience, the sheer acclaim from fans kept the show running for six seasons. A movie is also in the works. As it is, “Community” remains a beloved and deeply studied masterclass in postmodern comedy.

Subversive comedian Nathan Fielder puts his business degree to good use in Comedy Central’s “Nathan for You.” Portraying himself as an eccentric marketing consultant, Fielder tries to boost struggling companies with outrageous strategies. Most of these companies were real and unaware that this was a stunt. Thankfully, they got plenty of exposure from the show’s public stunts and critical acclaim. It was the surreal capitalist satire that was needed in the wake of the Great Recession. It was also compelling to follow the fictional Fielder’s struggle to become more marketable as a person. As for the real-life Fielder, “Nathan for You” made him a hot commodity as one of the most ambitious and admired comedies of its era.

Based on Phoebe Waller-Bridge's one-woman play, "Fleabag" is one of the BBC's most boldly experimental comedies in recent memory. It's certainly one of the most brilliant. Waller-Bridge blends intimacy and expressionism with the awkward misadventures of an independent woman. Her fourth wall breaks, snappy one-liners, and cringey situations surely round out the surrealism. But the elaborate style and dramatic vulnerability especially caught viewers off-guard. The show was boldly honest with its feminist themes and Millennial anxieties, particularly after tragedy. It’s a shame "Fleabag" only ran for two series, totaling out at 12 perfect episodes. That was enough for it to not only establish Waller-Bridge as a globally renowned writer and actress, but also revolutionize the postmodern TV comedy.

Armando Iannucci gave British politics a wallop with “The Thick of It.” But he may have been even more in the thick of American politics through an ambitious and incompetent Vice President. Without ever declaring Selina Meyer’s political party, “Veep” exposes the hilarity and horror in what it takes to rise in Washington, D.C. It’s an astutely absurd farce, with an epic underdog story you love to root against. At least Julia Louis-Dreyfus is worthier than her character as the fierce leader of a colorful ensemble. While HBO’s “Veep” is hardly the feel-good political satire for a bleak era, it is still one of the most shocking and important.

The modern single-camera sitcom was just one foundation laid by Fox’s “Arrested Development.” This format and the elaborate narrative play to the drama of a real estate dynasty after the patriarch is arrested for corruption. In fact, the Bluths’ struggle to maintain their lifestyle leads to the most absurd exploits. The uncompromisingly weird and satirical humor kept audiences hooked throughout the daringly elaborate saga. Unfortunately, the niche viewership led to the show’s cancellation after three seasons. Its acclaim nonetheless drew big talent throughout its run, while turning the regular cast into household names. With Netflix ultimately reviving the series for two more seasons, “Arrested Development” shows how extravagant investments can at least be rewarding in comedy.

Donald Glover’s FX masterpiece can only be described as the hustle of an Atlanta rapper, his manager cousin, and their slacker friend. “Atlanta” tackles every aspect of modern Black and American life, with satire that transcends the metaphysical. It also tackles just about every genre with gorgeous style and a casual tone. That makes the bizarre exploits even more hilarious. At the same time, Glover’s patience with his worldbuilding gets you to genuinely connect with his characters’ real growth through the surreal. Even when that meant taking years between seasons, the show remained an influential phenomenon. Predictable only in its mad genius, “Atlanta” has forever broken the boundaries between absurd comedy and high art.

The wholesome ensemble sitcom was kind of played out by the mid-2000s. Friends Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton gave it an edgy new life with “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The show follows the proprietors of a seedy Philly bar, who leave nothing but destruction in their schemes. But the cast, later rounded out by the legendary Danny DeVito, delivers comedy gold with full creative control. FX’s bold investment paid off with one of the most popular and subversively hilarious ethos on TV. With more than a dozen seasons and counting, it's also one of the longest-running sitcoms ever. Despite the irony in its title, “It's Always Sunny” is always a morbid delight.

With all the great sitcoms that NBC produced in the 2000s alone, they basically admitted how ridiculous the process is with “30 Rock.” Showrunner Tina Fey stars as a TV writer who constantly clashes with an NBC exec. As absurd as their exploits get, they’re always anchored by an ingenious deep-dive into studio politics and every oddball in the TV-making process. Never mind how lovable those oddballs are. This meta satire both blasted and celebrated broadcast television at a time when the sitcom desperately needed innovation. It has been said that some aspects of “30 Rock” haven’t quite held up. But it remains one of the most fun and genuinely original comedies to watch.

As far as Larry David pushed TV with “Seinfeld,” he pushed even further with HBO. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” follows David as a fictional version of himself, struggling to balance cynical reason with Los Angeles society. Each elaborate scenario begins with a loose script that relies on the cast’s improvisational skills. David’s retroscripting process and general creative control are so daunting that breaks between seasons have taken as long as six years. But the results are so darkly funny and cleverly plotted that the show attracts the biggest stars in Hollywood. The farce has only gotten more ambitious over time. For all its technical and social challenges, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” still captivates as one of the boldest ventures in sitcom history.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Quinta Brunson’s Charming & Uplifting Lesson on Faculty in Struggling Schools

Ilana Glazer & Abbi Jacobson Turn Their Story Into a Surreal Buddy Sitcom Classic

The Ensemble Romance Is One of the Most Ambitious, Character-Driven Sitcoms of Its Era

Philosophy Meets Farce In This Quirky Existentialist Masterpiece

As Socially Groundbreaking As It is Classically Wholesome

Adapting the BBC’s iconic satire of workplace politics was a tall order. NBC’s “The Office” didn’t just pull off the relatable cringe humor and groundbreaking mockumentary format. It went the extra mile to make Dunder Mifflin Paper Company feel like a lovably dysfunctional family. Each member of the talented company brings something uniquely hilarious to the product. Steve Carell especially stands out as bumbling regional manager Michael Scott. But the show’s well-oiled dynamic made stars of the whole ensemble. It also inspired a trend of beloved workplace sitcoms like “Parks and Recreation” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” “The Office” still dominates the market for turning the dullest workplace into one of the most realized and riotous comedies in television history.