When most people think of prestige television, their minds probably settle on more dramatic shows like The Sopranos or Breaking Bad. Yet comedic television has also seen a rise in quality over the years, with the landscape expanding beyond network sitcoms with a laugh track into far more experimental outings.
Even so, for as popular and easily watchable as comedy can be, there are underrated gems that tend to fall through the cracks. They never really get their due credit. But thanks to the power of streaming, it’s just as easy to discover a show from three decades ago as it is something funny and niche that premiered a year ago but never really found an immediate audience.
5
Our Flag Means Death
Watch Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max
While some might remember when Our Flag Means Death had a big popularity moment on social media due to its surprising and genuine commitment to diverse and inclusive relationships. Shortly after its second season, however, Our Flag Means Death was surprisingly canceled. It’s a decision that I’m still not over, even if I didn’t think season two reached the same comedic and sweet highs as season one.
Still, Our Flag Means Death is a show that should not be forgotten about. It’s a prime example of what LGBTQ+ media can be when it’s handled with care and sincerity. Plus, the cast is absolutely hilarious. There’s really no reason not to watch it if you missed out on it initially.
4
Patriot
Watch Patriot on Amazon Prime Video
Another two-season wonder, Patriot is more of a mish-mash of genres than it is a pure comedy, but it’s still hilarious nonetheless. Focused on depressed intelligence officer John Tavner (Michael Dorman), who goes undercover at a piping firm to stop a nuclear plot from happening. What follows, however, is nothing short of weird, comedic genius. It has the strange qualities of something you’d find in a David Lynch film with a healthy dose of dark comedy that always keeps you guessing.
Patriot is an example of a show that was perhaps a little too bizarre for its own good, and it never really attracted a huge audience on Amazon Prime Video. But for the right audience, it is a perfect weekend binge with a mostly satisfying conclusion. Still doesn’t mean I’m not bummed we didn’t get to see more from John and his strangely appealing circle of friends and foes.
3
American Vandal
Watch American Vandal on Netflix
Apparently, I’m a fan of weird comedies with two seasons when it comes to this list, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. American Vandal is a superbly hilarious parody of chilling true-crime documentaries that is still just as relevant as it was in 2017. Instead of a murder or some other heinous crime, American Vandal tells the story of two high school students who decide to make a documentary about vandalism at their local school.
What makes American Vandal so funny is how seriously it treats its subject matter, no matter how ridiculous things may get. But more than that, it gets at the heart of what makes true crime so fascinating for us as viewers, but framed through the eyes of kids investigating nothing more than phallic imagery painted on cars. It’s not a concept that should work for a whole season, but it does.
Season two features a different investigation altogether, and it’s just as hilarious, but Netflix ended the show there. It’s a shame, because I believe American Vandal still had a lot more funny things to say. Still, the two seasons available are fantastic and worth visiting.
2
The Last Man on Earth
Watch The Last Man on Earth on Hulu
Post-apocalyptic fiction can be a tricky thing to pull off on television, especially when your show is a network comedy. The Last Man on Earth managed to do just that for four seasons of very funny hijinks. Created by and starring Will Forte, the series smartly starts off as a one-person show for the actor to show off his comedic chops before expanding the cast slowly.
It’s not always perfect television, but The Last Man on Earth is ambitious and hilarious for a vast majority of its run. Most of that comes down to Forte’s chemistry with everyone else on screen, especially Kristen Schaal as his character’s love interest. Unfortunately, the series does end on a cliffhanger, so it doesn’t get the kind of resolution you might be hoping for. However, there are still numerous charming and hysterical elements that make it worth watching, regardless.
1
Vice Principals
Watch Vice Principals on HBO Max
Yes, I know, another two-season series, but this one was designed that way, I promise. Have you ever wanted to see Danny McBride and Walton Goggins play vice principals locked in a hilarious war to take over as principal of a school? Well, Vice Principals is the show for you. While the concept itself is great fun, it’s the chemistry between the two leads that really sells it all. Will they become best friends? Will they end up killing each other? Sometimes the answer is somewhere in between, and that’s when things are firing on all cylinders.
Each season is only nine episodes, making for a very digestible weekend binge for anyone. Plus, it’s one of those shows with an ending so good that it’s worth the binge. If you’re not into more crass humor, you may want to skip this one. But for the right audience, Vice Principals is a fantastically underrated comedic masterpiece.
There’s a ton of underrated comedy shows out there now, and these are just a taste of some of my favorites. Hopefully, you enjoy them as much as I do. But maybe you’re looking for some of the best movie sequels ever made instead. Well, fear not.
