10 Comedic Series from the 2010s that Still Hold Up

1. Happy Endings (2011-2013)

Yes, it was no Friends or How I Met You Mother, but still; Happy Endings was a sitcom about a close-knit group of friends navigating their chaotic lives in Chicago after one of them leaves another at the altar. The witty dialogue, comedic timing, and the chemistry between the cast members made this show a hidden gem of the decade.

Despite lasting only three seasons, Happy Endings'' garnered a cult following thanks to its quick wit and unique characters. The show's creators took inspiration from their own lives, with the city of Chicago serving as the backdrop for their friendships and adventures.

2. Enlisted (2014)

Although Enlisted only lasted for one season, it left an impact with its heartfelt humor and refreshing perspective on military life. The show revolved around three very different brothers serving together in a small army unit in Florida.

While it had its fair share of silly army hijinks, Enlisted also touched upon the emotional aspects of military service, blending humor and sentiment beautifully. Interestingly, the show made an effort to portray military life accurately, even hiring military advisors to keep things realistic (not that it helped the show to survive).

3. Better Off Ted (2009-2010)

Better Off Ted was a satirical sitcom set in a soulless, futuristic corporation called Veridian Dynamics. The show, told from the perspective of the titular character Ted, gave a comedic take on corporate culture and unethical business practices. With its offbeat humor and unique premise, the show won critical acclaim but struggled with ratings, leading to its cancellation after two seasons. Despite this, it has been hailed as one of the best workplace comedies and boasts a 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

4. Review (2014-2017)

Review is an adaptation of the Australian show Review with Myles Barlow. The show followed Forrest MacNeil, a critic who reviewed life experiences in response to viewer questions. His dedication to his work often led to absurd and hilarious situations, ranging from eating 15 pancakes to getting a divorce. Andy Daly's performance as Forrest brought a wonderful mix of earnestness and cluelessness to the character, making the absurdity even more amusing.

5. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012-2013)

This sitcom followed small-town girl June as she moved to New York and ended up sharing an apartment with party-girl Chloe. The hilarity ensued from their clashing personalities and Chloe's endless schemes, which often involved her best friend, a fictionalized version of James Van Der Beek playing himself.

The series was praised for its unconventional female lead, edgy humor, and Van Der Beek's self-deprecating performance. The series had originally been developed under the title Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23 but was renamed due to broadcast content restrictions.

6. The Grinder (2015-2016)

The Grinder was a unique sitcom that revolved around the character of Dean Sanderson (Rob Lowe), a TV lawyer on a hit show who moves back to his hometown and decides to join his family's real-life law firm, despite having no actual law degree or license to practice.

This paves the way for some truly hilarious situations where Dean tries to navigate the actual courtroom, with drama-tinged theatrics from his TV show, against the much more mundane and methodical approach of his brother Stewart (Fred Savage). The Grinder was created by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, the screenwriters of the 2008 comedy film Yes Man.

7. You're the Worst (2014-2019)

While You're the Worst is primarily known for being a romantic comedy, the series delved into various aspects of modern relationships through its flawed but relatable characters. The show revolved around Jimmy, a narcissistic writer, and Gretchen, a self-destructive PR executive, who despite their personal failings, attempt a relationship.

The unique blend of irreverent humor and poignant emotional beats made this show an underrated gem of the decade. Notably, the series addressed topics such as depression, PTSD, and commitment issues, rarely explored in a comedic context usually.

8. Party Down (2009-2010)

Party Down centered around a group of Hollywood hopefuls working at a catering company while waiting for their big break. Each episode was set at a different event the group was catering, resulting in unique comedic scenarios. The ensemble cast, including Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, and Jane Lynch, among others, delivered spot-on comedic performances.

Although the show only lasted two seasons, it gained a cult following post-cancellation and enjoys an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Funnily enough, most of the actors had some prior experience in the food service industry and brought their own experiences to their performances.

9. Bored to Death (2009-2011)

Bored to Death was a quirky comedy series that followed Jonathan Ames, a struggling writer turned unlicensed private detective, as he solved various cases around Brooklyn. The show blended detective fiction and comedy, resulting in hilarious noir-inspired escapades. The series starred Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson, who all brought their unique comedic styles to their characters. It was created by author Jonathan Ames, who named Schwartzman's character after himself.

10. Suburgatory (2011-2014)

Suburgatory depicted the humorous culture clash when single father George Altman moves his daughter Tessa from New York City to a seemingly perfect suburban town. The satire on suburban life, the father-daughter relationship, and the quirky characters made this show a standout.

Jane Levy's performance as the sarcastic and socially conscious Tessa won praise, and the supporting cast, including Jeremy Sisto, Cheryl Hines, and Alan Tudyk, added color and hilarity to the suburban setting. The show's creator, Emily Kapnek, also worked on the hit '90s Nickelodeon show, As Told By Ginger.