The Best Comedy TV Shows of 2023

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: A Hilarious Run

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16 aired in 2023, continuing its run as one of the longest-running American sitcoms of all time. The show is still as funny and ridiculous as ever, with the gang getting themselves into some hilarious situations — from Dennis' furious arguments with his car company to a makeshift bowling league with an array of wacky characters. As always, the performances from the entire ensemble cast were solid. The show has often had celebrity cameos, but season 16 starred some huge names outside the main cast, including Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston.

The gang standing in one of Charlie's (Charlie Day) hidden empty rooms in his apartment in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia had a beautifully funny run in 2023, and its biggest disappointment was that season 16 only had eight episodes. While this was also the case for season 15, it was a shame that such a strong outing didn't have more installments. Season 16 would have been a great opportunity for the show to return to the 10-episode format it regularly used from season 8 onward. Despite its limited episode numbers, the show still maintained its consistent standard of storytelling in 2023, and it built the excitement for another outing by leaving questions for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 17 to answer.

Beef: A Thrilling Comedy

In 2023, Netflix introduced a brand-new comedy: Beef. Boasting an incredible cast, Beef follows Danny (Steven Yeun) and Amy (Ali Wong), who end up in a complex feud after they cross paths in a road rage incident. The show earned 13 nominations for an Emmy in 2023, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology series. A majority of the cast were also recognized for their performances, a testament to the series' high quality. Wong's portrayal of Amy as a complex and flawed character is especially noteworthy. Although Amy is initially difficult to root for, the show's dark comedy and chaotic timeline allow her to grow by the ending of Beef. Beef differs from other comedies in that it contains many thriller elements, making it a wild ride all around.

Ali Wong as Amy Lau and Steven Yeun as Danny Cho after driving off a cliff in Beef

The Great: A Masterful Return

2023 saw The Great season 3 hit screens, and despite The Great being canceled by Hulu shortly after, it garnered praise across all areas — but especially for its characterization and costuming. It even received a 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. The return of Elle Fanning as Empress Catherine II and Nicholas Hoult as Emperor Peter III in The Great season 3 saw the two stars nominated for Primetime Emmys, which made a lot of sense considering their dry but hilarious portrayals. The strong performances were accompanied by emotionally powerful and gripping storylines that land The Great among 2023's best comedy shows.

Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult Catherine and Peter in a snowy field in The Great