15 Underrated Workplace Comedies After The Office Era

‘The Office’ revolutionized TV comedy with its realistic, documentary-style approach, and its ending in 2013 left a big gap in the television landscape. Viewers have been looking ever since for another show with a great group of characters that can capture the funny and relatable side of everyday work life. While several well-made comedies have come out since then, none have reached the same level of popularity. This list showcases some outstanding workplace comedies from the last ten years that deserve a wider audience, thanks to their clever writing and unforgettable characters.

‘Superstore’ (2015–2021)

This show follows the lives of employees at Cloud 9, a large retail store in St. Louis. It’s about the everyday challenges they face – dealing with demanding customers and frustrating management – all while trying to stay positive. Led by America Ferrera and Ben Feldman, the characters grapple with issues like unionizing and their personal lives, set against the backdrop of the often-crazy world of retail. The series realistically portrays the difficulties of working for minimum wage, but also highlights the surprising friendships that can blossom among coworkers. It’s a funny and insightful look at retail life, mixing clever social observations with lighthearted, quirky humor.

‘Corporate’ (2018–2020)

Okay, so I just finished watching this new series, and wow, it’s a punch to the gut – in a good way! It follows Matt and Jake, two guys trying to climb the ladder at Hampton DeVille, a company that feels designed to suck the life out of you. Forget the lighthearted office comedies you’re used to; this show is dark. It’s a really cynical look at corporate life, filled with depressing jargon and managers who just don’t care. Lance Reddick is absolutely terrifying as the CEO, Christian DeVille – seriously, the man screams a lot and demands total obedience. But it’s not just about being scary; it’s a really sharp satire of modern capitalism and the soul-crushing nature of office politics. It’s bleak, but brilliantly done.

‘Great News’ (2017–2018)

This funny show centers on a news producer whose life is disrupted when her mom starts an internship at the same TV station. With a fast-paced, joke-filled style reminiscent of ’30 Rock’ (Tina Fey was an executive producer), the series showcases the great chemistry between Briga Heelan and Andrea Martin as a mother-daughter pair working in the chaotic world of cable news. Set in a newsroom, the show cleverly pokes fun at current events and the way the media often exaggerates stories. Despite being a hilarious and insightful comedy, it was unfortunately cancelled before it could reach a wider audience.

‘Mythic Quest’ (2020–Present)

The team creating the world’s most popular multiplayer game is facing internal conflicts while trying to keep the game fresh and engaging. The series stars Rob McElhenney as Ian Grimm, a self-centered creative director who often butts heads with Poppy Li, his incredibly talented lead engineer. It delves into the complicated relationship between artistic vision and making money in the fast-paced video game industry. Each episode balances everyday workplace drama with surprisingly heartfelt explorations of what people hope to achieve and how they deal with setbacks. The show effectively captures the familiar chaos of office life, but updates it for the modern, digital world.

‘Trial & Error’ (2017–2018)

As a true crime documentary buff, I stumbled upon this hilarious show about a New York lawyer who moves to a quirky Southern town to represent some truly unusual people accused of… well, let’s just say unique crimes. It’s done in a mockumentary style, poking fun at all those serious true crime shows, but it’s just packed with jokes and physical comedy. John Lithgow and Kristin Chenoweth are absolutely brilliant as suspects in the first and second seasons. The best part? This lawyer and their team work out of a taxidermy shop, which leads to one ridiculous situation after another. If you like your comedy a little silly and enjoy getting attached to wonderfully weird characters, you’ll love this show.

‘American Auto’ (2021–2023)

Payne Motors, a Detroit car company, is struggling to stay competitive, made even harder by a CEO who doesn’t understand cars. As they try to release a self-driving vehicle, the company is plagued by public relations mishaps and failing products. The series, created by Justin Spitzer, cleverly points out the gap between company leaders and the things they sell. The show features witty dialogue that exposes the often-present incompetence in corporate boardrooms. It’s similar in spirit to classic workplace comedies, but instead of focusing on the everyday employees, it shines a light on those in charge.

‘A.P. Bio’ (2018–2021)

After losing his position at Harvard, a former philosophy scholar ends up teaching AP Biology at a high school in Toledo. Glenn Howerton stars as Jack Griffin, a bitter teacher who avoids actually teaching science and instead manipulates his students into helping him get back at people who’ve wronged him. Surprisingly, the students are on board with his plans and assist him in his conflicts with the academic community. Patton Oswalt plays the well-meaning but easily-controlled principal who just wants Jack to like him. The show flips the typical heartwarming teacher story on its head, featuring a protagonist who is motivated entirely by his own self-interest.

‘Tacoma FD’ (2019–2024)

In a surprisingly slow job for firefighters, the crew in this rainy city spends a lot of time finding ways to entertain themselves between emergencies. They fill their days with playful pranks and competitions to beat boredom. The show was created by Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme to showcase the close, joking relationships you often find in teams of first responders. It’s funny because of how well the firefighters get along and interact with the local police, offering a light and humorous take on station life without the typical intense drama.

‘Sirens’ (2014–2015)

This show follows three paramedics working in Chicago as they balance chaotic personal lives with the often-absurd situations they encounter on the job. At its heart, it’s a story about the friendship between Johnny and his colleagues, who share everything from relationship woes to thoughts on current events while responding to calls. Created by Denis Leary, inspired by a British series, the show is known for its sharp humor and realistic take on the lives of first responders. While medical emergencies are part of the story, the focus is really on the paramedics’ witty conversations and strong bond, which feels authentic and relatable.

‘Detroiters’ (2017–2018)

Sam and Tim are best friends who run a small, scrappy advertising agency in Detroit, creating hilariously low-budget TV commercials. While they might not be polished professionals, their genuine affection for their city and for each other shines through. Actors Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson, who are friends in real life, bring a contagious energy to the show, making their characters’ mistakes endearing. The series is a celebration of the quirky world of local advertising and the hard work of running a small business, and it’s gained a dedicated fanbase thanks to its surreal humor and heartwarming depiction of male friendship.

‘Stath Lets Flats’ (2018–2021)

Stath is a funny show about a hapless rental agent in London trying to run his family’s business. Played by Jamie Demetriou, Stath constantly makes awkward mistakes and struggles to rent out some truly awful apartments. The show’s humor comes from its incredibly awkward moments and misused words, offering a hilariously honest – and cringeworthy – look at the competitive world of London real estate. Viewers love the show’s uncomfortable scenarios and find Stath’s lovable incompetence endearing.

‘W1A’ (2014–2017)

Ian Fletcher’s new job as Head of Values at the BBC quickly reveals a frustratingly complex bureaucracy where decisions never seem to get made. The show hilariously pokes fun at today’s workplace, with its never-ending meetings and meaningless job titles. David Tennant’s narration adds a clever, dry humor as he points out the illogical reasoning of the managers. It brilliantly captures the annoyance of dealing with consultants and internal rules, making it a perfect follow-up for those who loved the previous series, ‘Twenty Twelve’.

‘The Job Lot’ (2013–2015)

This comedy series follows the staff at a West Midlands unemployment office, where they face challenging clients and their own personal struggles. Sarah Hadland plays Trish, the anxious manager trying to maintain order amidst her own chaotic life. The show blends the often-grim reality of job seeking with heartwarming characters and funny, unexpected moments. Russell Tovey stars as a frustrated employee who longs to leave his dead-end job. It’s a humorous look at the frustrations of dealing with government bureaucracy and the colorful people it serves.

‘Animal Control’ (2023–Present)

The show follows Frank Shaw, a jaded ex-police officer who now manages a hilariously disorganized animal control office in Seattle. Played by Joel McHale, Frank is much better at understanding animals than people. Each episode features the team dealing with all sorts of creatures – from ostriches to stray cats – all while navigating workplace drama and romantic interests. The series uses a familiar police procedural structure, but focuses on the funny mishaps caused by the staff’s incompetence. It’s a unique take on workplace comedies, adding the unpredictable element of animals to the mix.

‘Rostered On’ (2016–2019)

This funny Australian show gives a realistic look inside an electronics store called Electroworld, focusing on the often-difficult experiences of its employees. It started as a popular online series because so many people could relate to the challenges of working in retail – things like demanding customers and tough work schedules. The show centers around the staff sharing their frustrations about customers and bosses during their breaks. It’s become popular with retail workers around the world because it honestly captures what it’s really like to work on the shop floor.

Share your favorite workplace comedy that didn’t make the list in the comments.

2025-11-25 02:16