The Ultimate Guide to Hilarious Mockumentary TV Comedy Series

Mockumentary TV comedy series owe much of their popularity to The Office and have become a staple since the mid-aughts. A mockumentary, which is a scripted TV show or movie presented as a documentary, has gained significant popularity in the comedy genre. The contrast between the fictional events and characters portrayed in a faux-documentary style adds to the comedic elements.

The Office (U.S.), which aired from 2005 to 2013, kick-started the trend of mockumentary-style television. It popularized the use of to-the-camera interviews and fourth-wall-breaking gags. While the genre reached a saturation point for a while, the currently airing Abbott Elementary has revived the TV mockumentary genre. This proves that mockumentary TV comedy series are just as enduring as traditional multi-camera sitcoms.

15 Cunk On Earth (2022—)

Produced by Charlie Brooker, known for Black Mirror, Cunk on Earth is a five-episode mockumentary comedy series featuring investigative reporter Philomena Cunk (played by Diane Morgan). Morgan, who frequently collaborates with Brooker, reprises her role from the 2018 sister series Cunk on Britain. While the first series focused on British history from Philomena's unique perspective, the 2022 series takes a more expansive approach.

In Cunk on Earth, Philomena embarks on a globe-trotting expedition to interview real-world experts about human history, as the title suggests. The show parodies history documentaries and investigative reporting, with Morgan humorously asking peculiar questions, all while convincingly portraying Philomena's ignorance. Cunk on Earth is a perfect choice for a bite-sized Netflix marathon on a lazy afternoon.

14 Total Drama (2007–14; 2023)

The Total Drama series, created by Jennifer Pertsch and Tom McGillis for Cartoon Network, is a clever animated parody of reality TV shows like Survivor. However, it shouldn't be dismissed just because it's animated and targeted at kids. Similar to other acclaimed animated series and films, Total Drama has garnered a diverse and dedicated fanbase.

The first season, Total Drama Island, centers around a group of teenagers competing in an elimination-based competition. Throughout the season, contestants engage in challenges to win rewards, avoid elimination, and navigate the dramatic dynamics of their teams. Reminiscent of Survivor and, in later seasons, The Amazing Race, Total Drama includes surprise eliminations, unexpected twists, and amusing commentary from host Chris McLean (voiced by Christian Potenza).

13 Players (2022–)

Paramount Plus' Players is a relatively new addition to the TV scene, immersing viewers in the world of Fugitive Gaming, a fictional esports team competing in League of Legends. With the comedy genre largely unexplored in the realm of professional gaming, Players offers immense potential. Produced in collaboration with Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends, this series revolves around Creamcheese (Misha Brooks), the founder and standout player of Fugitive, and their relentless pursuit of a championship title.

To improve their odds, Fugitive's coach, Kyle (Ely Henry), recruits young prodigy Organizm (Da'Jour), who replaces Creamcheese's longtime teammate and close friend. However, Organizm marches to the beat of their own drum and doesn't easily follow directions, choosing instead to win or lose on their own terms. Viewers can anticipate a clever and perceptive blend of humor and insightful esports analysis from the creators of the acclaimed mockumentary series American Vandal.

12 High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019—)

Olivia Rodrigo, known for her hit song "drivers license," made her mark in the entertainment industry by starring in the Disney Plus original series, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. This musical mockumentary takes place at East High School, the same location where the iconic Disney Channel Original Movies, led by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, were filmed. With such strong ties to the school's cinematic history, the theater kids are determined to put on a production of High School Musical: The Musical.

Bringing together a diverse group of individuals, the meta production features Nini Salazar-Roberts (played by Rodrigo), a teenage singer/songwriter who takes on Hudgens' role, and Ricky Bowen (Joshua Bassett), a talented guitarist, skateboarder, and Nini's ex-boyfriend, who ends up playing the Efron character. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series cleverly incorporates a sense of nostalgia and insider jokes, understanding its audience and their connection to the original films.

11 Jury Duty (2023–)

The 2023 surprise hit Jury Duty, although resembling a reality show, incorporates elements of mockumentary-style. It strays so far from a typical "reality show" due to its foundation being a deliberate deceit. The Freevee series aims to document the activities of a jury panel, with Ronald Gladden as the central focus, a juror who mistakenly believes his summons to be genuine. However, the remaining jury members are all actors and are aware of the prank.

Jury Duty is a unique blend of reality TV satire and sociological experimentation, meticulously planned from start to finish. However, the success of the show heavily relies on the improvisational talents of the actors, particularly James Marsden, who portrays a fictionalized version of himself. Beyond the central twist of Jury Duty, the inclusion of hidden-camera pranks, scripted sitcom conventions, and the quintessential aspects of a mockumentary truly set it apart as an original series.

10 Documentary Now! (2015–)

Created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, all former cast members of Saturday Night Live (SNL), Documentary Now! cleverly parodies acclaimed documentaries in a similar vein to the comedic styles of Drunk History and This Is Spinal Tap. With Hader and Armisen as regular cast members throughout the show's four seasons, the faux program is notably hosted by the Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren.

The success of Documentary Now! lies in its attention to detail. Not only does the show satirize the subjects of well-known real-world documentaries, but it also expertly mimics the distinctive styles of the original material. For instance, in one episode from season 1 titled "Sandy Passage," Hader and Armisen play the roles of socialites residing in a dilapidated mansion, spoofing the renowned documentary Grey Gardens. The series also showcases exceptional guest stars who perfectly capture the essence of their real-life counterparts, as seen in "Waiting for the Artist," a clever parody of Marina Abramović: The Artist is Present, with the talented Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett portraying a fictional performance artist.

9 American Vandal (2017–18)

American Vandal, a Peabody Award-winning show, took Netflix by surprise with its debut. Season 1 of the show is a clever parody of true crime documentaries, focusing on the search for the person responsible for vandalizing numerous cars in a high school faculty parking lot with spray-painted phallic drawings. Dylan Maxwell, a senior student, is expelled under the suspicion of committing the prank. This sets off an investigation by underclassmen Peter and Sam, who are determined to uncover the truth. Despite its seemingly straightforward comedy premise, American Vandal offers a brilliant blend of humor and insight. Through its mockumentary format, the series delves into America's fascination with true crime content and our enduring infatuation with the criminals and questions that lie at the heart of these stories.

8 Modern Family (2009–20)

Modern Family dominated the Emmy Awards for five consecutive years as the Outstanding Comedy Series. Despite being a later entrant in the mockumentary TV comedy series genre, it managed to redefine its boundaries and surpass its predecessors like The Office. Even WandaVision, known for its exploration of TV sitcom history, couldn't resist paying homage to Modern Family alongside iconic shows like I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Brady Bunch.

Modern Family's impact on pop culture is undeniable, despite its adherence to traditional sitcom conventions. Set in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the series revolves around three distinct families with varying compositions, ranging from nuclear to blended. However, all the characters in Modern Family are connected through their relation to patriarch Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill). With an exceptional cast and hilarious confessional-style interviews, it's no surprise that Modern Family achieved immense popularity.

7 Reno 911! (2003–09; 2020–22)

Originally created for Comedy Central, Reno 911! parodies the problematic law enforcement-centered reality show Cops. The mockumentary TV comedy series revolves around the members of the Reno Sheriff's Department, who are notably inept. While Reno 911! maintains the spirit of Cops, it approaches the subject matter in a more digestible way for viewers, as it lacks the same real-world consequences.

With its talented ensemble cast, including Niecy Nash, Cedric Yarbrough, and Wendi McLendon-Covey, Reno 911! delivers stellar performances. Alongside its scathing critique of the original show, Reno 911! also incorporates slapstick humor through its clumsy characters. Despite being aired on various networks, such as Quibi, The Roku Channel, and Paramount Plus, Reno 911! has demonstrated its enduring popularity.

6 The Comeback (2005; 2014)

Michael Patrick King is currently involved in the production of the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That..., while fans of The Comeback eagerly anticipate a possible third season of the HBO dramedy. Starring Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback follows the daily life of Valerie Cherish, a B-list sitcom veteran. Similar to Kudrow herself, Valerie faced a period of inactivity in her acting career after the peak of her comedy series, until she is eventually cast in a new project.

In order to secure the role, Valerie agrees to have her return to television documented for a project called The Comeback. This concept adds a meta layer to the series, as Valerie confronts ageism and the pressure to transcend her previous success. The Comeback, a satirical depiction of the machinery behind TV production in Hollywood, has garnered critical acclaim with two seasons and Emmy nominations.

5 Burning Love (2012–13)

Burning Love, an Emmy-nominated mockumentary TV comedy series, offers a fresh take on The Bachelor that often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. The show revolves around Mark Orlando (Ken Marino), a mundane and self-absorbed firefighter, as he navigates through a group of contestants vying for his love.

Each contestant represents a stereotypical role, satirizing the archetypes commonly found on The Bachelor, ranging from the devout Mandy (Kristen Bell) to the eccentric Lexie (Beth Dover). The exceptional cast also features talented actors such as June Diane Raphael (Grace & Frankie), Janet Varney (You’re the Worst), Abigail Spencer (Grey’s Anatomy), and Natasha Leggero (Chelsea Lately). With its witty and hilarious content, Burning Love delivers a clever parody and impressive performances.

4 What We Do In The Shadows (2019–)

Jemaine Clement, the creator of What We Do in the Shadows, brings us a spin-off of the 2014 film he co-wrote with Taika Waititi. This series, just like the film, cleverly combines horror and comedy within a mockumentary format. With numerous Emmy nominations, What We Do in the Shadows is widely regarded as one of the greatest mockumentary TV comedy series and comedy shows of all time.

The show revolves around vampire roommates Nandor (played by Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (played by Matt Berry), and Nadja (played by Natasia Demetriou), as well as Nandor's familiar Guillermo (played by Harvey Guillén) and Colin (played by Mark Proksch), an energy vampire who resides in the basement. The show skillfully blends supernatural storylines with comedic fish-out-of-water situations that the characters find themselves in while navigating modern-day New York. So, make sure to catch up before the premiere of What We Do in the Shadows season 5.

3 The Office (U.S.; 2005–13)

Even those who haven't watched a single episode of The Office are likely familiar with the highly successful U.S. version of the British mockumentary. The show is set in Scranton, Pennsylvania and follows the everyday lives of the employees at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, all under the often-incompetent leadership of branch manager Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell).

Despite the fact that The Office should have ended several seasons ago, its impact and popularity cannot be denied. The show has had a significant influence on the television landscape, leading to a shift in comedic offerings from traditional multi-camera sitcoms to interview-filled, talk-to-the-camera mockumentaries. In addition, The Office has helped launch the careers of many actors and producers who are now major stars, such as Michael Schur (producer of The Good Place), Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Ed Helms, Mindy Kaling, Ellie Kemper, and Craig Robinson.

2 Abbott Elementary (2021–)

Abbott Elementary, the sensational new show set in Philadelphia at a predominantly Black public school, has received seven Emmy nominations in its debut season. This incredible achievement solidifies the fact that even as a newcomer, the show has the potential to become an instant classic. Led by the ever-optimistic Janine Teagues (series creator Quinta Brunson), the series follows her as she navigates a school that faces both financial difficulties and outrageous situations caused by the unqualified yet incredibly funny principal, Ava (Janelle James).

The ensemble cast of Abbott Elementary includes Janine's fellow teachers, who bring depth and humor to the show. Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti) adds an awkward charm, while Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) balances out her crude humor with a kind heart. Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams), the former substitute turned teacher, brings a no-nonsense approach to the classroom. Lastly, the series features the experienced and accomplished teacher, Barbara Howard (Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph), who acts as Janine's mentor. With its spot-on execution of the mockumentary TV comedy series format, Abbott Elementary stands out as one of the finest shows on television.

1 Parks And Recreation (2009–15)

The Office's success led Greg Daniels and Michael Schur to create Parks and Recreation, a comedy that uses a mockumentary style to satirize local politics. The show takes place in Pawnee, Indiana, a troubled small town. Starring Amy Poehler as the enthusiastic and dedicated Leslie Knope, Parks and Rec showcases her love for waffles, her friends, her work, and her commitment to doing what's best for Pawnee.

Among the show's memorable characters are Leslie's best friend Ann Perkins, played by Rashida Jones, the deadpan April Ludgate portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, love interest Ben Wyatt played by Adam Scott, and the somewhat begrudging but mostly loving mentor Ron Swanson, played by Nick Offerman, along with many others. What sets Parks and Rec apart is its ability to balance humor and heart, a quality that has influenced sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place.