The Hilarious Side of TV: Unveiling 10 Unexpectedly Comedic Shows

Summary

Some TV shows that are classified as dramas have more comedic elements than the average sitcom, blurring the line between the two genres.

Comedic actors, like Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad, infuse their natural comedic skills into their performances in drama series, adding a touch of humor to the shows. Similarly, dramas like Fargo and The White Lotus skillfully combine dark humor and irony, resulting in a blend of comedy and drama.

Some TV shows classified as dramas have more one-liners, ironic punchlines, and comedic situations than the average sitcom. Typically, scripted TV shows are divided into two categories: half-hour comedies, known for their eccentric characters and hilarious scenarios, and hour-long dramas, characterized by complex, multi-dimensional characters and ongoing storylines. However, there is significant overlap between these genres, making it challenging to categorize them for Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. There are comedies with dramatic elements, such as Nurse Jackie or How I Met Your Mother, as well as dramas with comedic elements.

Remarkably engaging and well-rounded dramas, such as Succession and The White Lotus, are crafted by comedy writers who skillfully incorporate humor into their tragic narratives. Some shows utilize bleak irony to achieve a darkly comedic effect, akin to the twist endings found in Black Mirror. Additionally, in certain instances, comedic actors bring a wealth of humor to their leading roles in drama series, such as Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad or Jason Bateman in Ozark. Despite the entertainment industry's emphasis on segregating comedy and drama, some of the most amusing shows on television are technically classified as dramas.

10 Ozark

9 Six Feet Under

Jason Bateman takes the lead in Netflix's Ozark, portraying a metropolitan accountant entangled in the underworld of money laundering. In order to evade the relentless pursuit of gangsters, he relocates his family from Chicago to the Ozarks, only to find himself descending further into a criminal existence to repay his debt to a Mexican drug lord. Bateman delivers a compelling performance as a deeply flawed and toxic patriarch, unafraid to embrace the unlikability of his character, while still showcasing his natural comedic talents. Much like Bateman's previous comedy series, Arrested Development, Ozark maintains an ambiance of dry and dark humor.

Alan Ball, the creator of the TV show Six Feet Under, skillfully explores the complex theme of death. The story centers around the Fisher family, who manage a funeral home in Los Angeles. After the unexpected death of their father, the Fishers must not only navigate their own grief but also attend to the grieving customers in order to keep their business afloat. Surprisingly, Six Feet Under, despite dealing with such somber subject matter, brings humor to the screen. The show cleverly incorporates absurdist laughs through its unique cutaway dream sequences. Whenever the characters seek an escape from reality, the camera takes the viewers along on an imaginative journey.

8 The Bear

Christopher Storer’s The Bear masterfully captures the chaotic realm of the food service industry. Amidst the cramped kitchen and the overworked chefs, there is an abundance of frantic yelling, constant bickering, and frequent fallout. At the core of the show lies the Berzattos, an incredibly dysfunctional family whose only mode of communication seems to be through anger. While their dysfunctions may result in intense and uncomfortable viewing experiences, the show skillfully embraces these quirks to an absurdly delightful degree, almost bordering on comedy. A prime illustration of this can be found in the highly popular Christmas flashback episode: season 2, episode 6, "Fishes."

7 Euphoria

Euphoria, by Sam Levinson, tackles weighty subjects like drug addiction, toxic relationships, child abuse, mental illness, and grief. However, amidst all the seriousness, the show manages to weave in humor. Whether it's parodying detective shows or a character vomiting in a crowded hot tub, Euphoria never fails to find moments of levity. In the second season, Levinson amplifies the dark humor even more, letting go of realism and subtlety. The finale of season 2 features Lexi's play, which hilariously reenacts all the important plot points from the series.

6 Fargo

The TV adaptation of Fargo – an anthology series that delves into similarly offbeat crime stories set in small-town America – defies categorization as it seamlessly blends drama and comedy. While it encompasses all the elements of a gripping drama, such as tragic plot twists and a rich ensemble of multidimensional characters with hidden dark sides, it also incorporates the dark humor and irony that defined the Coen brothers' original film. This audacious series knows no boundaries, even employing otherworldly interventions like a flying saucer to extricate its characters from tension-filled situations.

5 The White Lotus

Mike White's latest endeavor, the HBO anthology series The White Lotus, has garnered him the most accolades of his career. Spanning multiple seasons, each installment unfolds at a different branch of the titular hotel chain and introduces an entirely fresh ensemble cast, with the exception of the incomparable Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya. The White Lotus stands out as one of White's most compelling projects, as every season commences with the haunting discovery of a lifeless body. However, amidst the gripping drama, White's signature wit shines through, providing a healthy dose of sharp humor. At its essence, The White Lotus cleverly satirizes the divide between the hotel staff, facing their own genuine challenges, and the superficial predicaments of the affluent guests.

4 Black Mirror

Since Black Mirror's storylines revolve around the dark potential of technology, it is primarily associated with the genres of science fiction and horror. However, as the brainchild of satirist Charlie Brooker, the show also incorporates elements of comedy. Many episodes conclude with a morbidly ironic twist ending. In the holiday special "White Christmas," for example, a murderer's digital clone is subjected to experiencing Christmas at a rate of 1,000 years per minute, all while tormented by the very song playing when he committed the crime. Even the show's darkest and most grim episodes, such as season 3, episode 3 titled "Shut Up and Dance," culminate in a twisted punchline.

3 Succession

Succession chronicles the final days of the Roy family's media empire, presenting a modern-day rendition of King Lear, where the children of an aging patriarch engage in a fierce battle for his inheritance of power. While the series features numerous captivating dramatic moments, the essence of humor is never far away, with comedic relief just moments away. Jesse Armstrong, renowned for his work on Peep Show and Fresh Meat, ventures into a new realm by creating Succession, a series that may not be an outright comedy like his previous shows, but nonetheless draws inspiration from the sitcom genre. Each character possesses their own unique eccentricities, and every episode is brimming with sharp, witty one-liners.

2 Breaking Bad

Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad revolutionized the "Golden Age of Television" by breaking the traditional TV mold and embracing change. The series chronicles the tragic tale of a seemingly ordinary high school chemistry teacher who, faced with a cancer diagnosis, delves into the world of meth production to secure his family's financial future, ultimately succumbing to darkness. While not every scene is laced with humor, Breaking Bad cleverly interweaves suburban Walter White's transformation into a criminal mastermind with moments of heart-wrenching despair, offering a unique blend of comedy and tragedy.

1 The Sopranos

The Sopranos, David Chase's unconventional exploration of mafia life, revolutionized the concept of the TV antihero. The protagonist of a television series no longer needed to be morally righteous as long as their character was captivating - and Tony Soprano undoubtedly captivated audiences, especially through the brilliant portrayal by James Gandolfini, an actor of legendary status. While The Sopranos delves into dark themes such as murder and domestic abuse, each episode seamlessly blends in moments of surreal humor and absurd situations. This drama series stands alone in its ability to turn a drug-addicted character's intervention into a chaotic confrontation involving heated arguments and physical altercations.