Television is booming like never before with some of the entertainment industry’s greatest work coming out right now, and half hour comedies are thriving like never before.
When Parks and Recreation said it’s farewell, I was so worried that I would be bereft of good laughs on my TV, but little did I know what absolute gems were waiting in the wings for their shot at glory. More often than not I am turning on my TV not to fall into the latest new drama, but to catch a few great laughs from one of a number of insanely great network comedies.
Here are just a few of best network comedies that are ready and waiting for you to fall in love with their brand of laughs.
‘The Good Place’
This list has to start with The Good Place not only because it’s one of the most original ideas for a show I’ve ever seen, but it just returned for its second season and it’s feeling fresher than ever. We won’t spoil all the first season fun because it is truly remarkable, but there was definitely a challenge going into season 2 that the show has seemingly conquered. We’re only on episode 3, but I’m already excited about what is next for Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, Jason, Michael and, of course, Janet.
Where to watch: Catch new episodes Thursday nights at 8:30pm Eastern on NBC, catch up on season 1 on Netflix, and check NBC.com for season 2 episodes.
‘Mom’
Anna Faris and Alison Janney have been slaying the contentious mother/daughter relationship comedy since 2013, and the show has just managed to get better and better. The show may not return for its fifth season until November, but that just gives you plenty of time to catch up. There have been single mother sitcoms before, but none of them have embraced every aspect of that concept quite like Mom.
Where to watch: Catch new episodes Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern starting November 2nd on CBS, and all four seasons can be binged on Hulu.com. Select episodes are also available on CBS.com.
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
From the first episode, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been absolutely incredible. The show manages to be funny, witty, and smart because it embraces the strengths of its characters instead of exploiting their weaknesses. Jake Peralta is actually good at his job despite his constant antics, which bring insane amounts of levity to a profession that definitely needs it. And the women of the Nine-Nine are brilliant ladies more than capable of taking care of business when the time comes.
Where to watch: New episodes can be seen Tuesdays at 9:30pm Eastern on FOX. All episodes are available on Hulu.com. The most current episodes can also be seen on Fox.com
‘Black-ish’
Black-ish exploded onto the scene in 2014 telling the story of two black parents who have succeeded in giving their children more than they had in their childhoods, but they also see just how living in the suburbs surrounded by white, upper-middle-class families is changing their lives. The show has just returned for its fourth season and did so in Hamilton-esque style. This show has everything going for it, and will hopefully be on the air for many years to come.
Where to watch: New episodes can be seen Tuesdays at 9:00pm Eastern on ABC. All episodes are available on Hulu.com. The most current episodes can also be found on ABC.com.
‘Superstore’
If The Good Place has you laughing, the good times need not stop there. Continue your Thursday night comedy lineup with Superstore. It’s a very different take on workplace comedy. We all fell for The Office and Parks and Recreation, but when the workplace is a big box store, there is a whole new set of challenges and some hijinks that will ensue.
Where to watch: New episodes air Thursday nights at 8:00pm Eastern on NBC. All episodes can be purchased on Amazon.com either in digital form or on DVD.
‘Young Sheldon’
Last, but most certainly never least, is the newest show to hit the airwaves. Young Sheldon is a spinoff of the insanely successful The Big Bang Theory, but it tells a very different story from the offbeat sitcom that embraces all things nerd-esque. Young Sheldon tells the crazy story of a child growing up outside of the normal experience and what exactly that experience looks like for not only him, but his family as well.
Where to watch: New episodes air Thursdays at 8:30pm Eastern on CBS. Catch up on CBS.com, where you can catch the pilot now while we wait for more from the freshman comedy.
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