Weird with a Side of Cozy: 10 Shows Just Like Community

1. The Middleman (USA, 2008)

Did you hear the one about the art school graduate who becomes an apprentice to a straight-laced superhero? The Middleman series is just that. A mysterious organization recruits struggling artist Wendy Watson to battle comic book-esque villains. The show goes full-on bonkers with lucha libre wrestlers and flying fish. Underneath its absurdity, it tackles the mundanity of office life and adulting. The show never takes itself seriously. But, isn't that the point?

2. Better Off Ted (USA, 2009)

What happens when corporate absurdity meets scientific hilarity? Better Off Ted. Ted Crisp is a likable leader of a research and development team at Veridian Dynamics. It's a conglomerate that produces morally questionable products, like pumpkins as weapons and meat grown without animals. Throughout, Ted addresses the audience directly, breaking the fourth wall. His attempts to navigate the company's oddball bureaucracy are sidesplitting.

3. Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (UK, 2004)

Doctor, author, dream weaver – Garth Marenghi, a Stephen King parody, presents his forgotten horror series. The show, set in the '80s, takes place at Darkplace Hospital, where staff combat otherworldly forces while delivering babies. The deliberately bad acting, the cheesy effects, and the absurd dialogues all add to its B-movie charm. To top it off, there are interviews with the show's "creators". It's not just a spoof, it's an ode to everything that made '80s horror so entertaining.

4. Reaper (USA, 2007)

On his 21st birthday, Sam Oliver learns that his parents sold his soul to the Devil. As part of the deal, he must work as a bounty hunter for Hell, capturing souls that have escaped. Armed with a vessel (think a Dirt Devil or a car freshener) that can capture and contain the escapees, Sam navigates his new afterlife, assisted by his slacker friends. But, there's a mystery afoot – who are Sam's real parents? This show marries humor with supernatural elements, all served on a platter of irony.

5. Party Down (USA, 2009)

Ever wanted to see struggling actors and writers navigate the L.A. party scene while wearing bowties and pink shirts? Party Down's got you covered. A group of aspiring actors and writers work for a catering company while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. From mobster birthday parties to elder dating mixers, they experience it all. Through quirky characters and awkward situations, this show will have you rooting for their big breaks. Because aren't we all just a bunch of misfits trying to fit in?

6. The IT Crowd (UK, 2005)

Tech support can be hilariously dysfunctional, and The IT Crowd is a testament to that. Set in the basement of Reynholm Industries, it follows three socially awkward IT workers. There's Roy, who always asks, "Have you tried turning it off and on again?", Moss, who's obliviously nerdy, and Jen, their clueless manager. Together, they tackle the company's tech issues and their own absurd personal problems.

7. Andy Richter Controls the Universe (USA, 2002)

As a technical writer for a large corporation, Andy's daydreams transform his mundane job into absurd fantasies. Whether he's imagining himself as an action hero or visualizing his coworkers as cartoon characters, Andy's imagination knows no bounds. This is not just another office comedy. It's a reminder of the power of imagination in the face of monotony.

8. Trial & Error (USA, 2017)

What if The Office met a true-crime documentary? The mockumentary series, Trial & Error, takes on the absurdity of the courtroom. Each season covers a different murder trial in the quirky town of East Peck, South Carolina. Bright-eyed New Yorker Josh Segal arrives as a defense attorney, only to be faced with bizarre clients and even stranger locals. From missing roller skating teens to owl theory defenses, this show is full of whimsical humor.

9. People of Earth (USA, 2016)

Ever felt like an alien among your own kind? In People of Earth, a support group called StarCrossed helps "experiencers" cope with their alien encounters. Skeptical journalist Ozzie Graham starts investigating the group, only to discover that he too has experienced an abduction. As Ozzie unravels his memories, he bonds with the quirky members of StarCrossed.

10. Danger 5 (Australia, 2012)

Are you a fan of retro spy films, cheesy effects, and Nazi dinosaurs? Danger 5 is your show. Set in an alternate version of WWII, a team of international spies is tasked with stopping Hitler and his bizarre plans for world domination. Each mission features over-the-top villains, retro-futuristic gadgets, and outrageous humor. This show parodies everything from James Bond to Thunderbirds. It's so absurdly outlandish, it's almost a work of art.