NFT: Underrated comedy shows past and present

yeah and I think the King of Queens is somewhat overlooked. The show was consistently pretty funny (especially Jerry Stiller).

But I love The Goldbergs.

Past-Party Down

The Middle doesn't get its due. I don't know, maybe you have to be married with kids to really appreciate it.

And King of Queens. Love em.

You're right, it's very funny.

Love Broad City. I wish there were more shows like that for women. Hannibal Burress is also funny in it but he's funny in everything.

As a kid I loved The Critic. I thought it was too clever to e a cartoon. Now with so many more stations I think it would've worked well today.

get an hour of TV per day and it's lately being spent on two DVR'd episodes of The Middle.

I agree with Episodes.

I never literally laugh out loud watching TV except for occasionally when Raffi is in the episode of the League and during the show Episodes.

Matt Leblanc is absolutely hilarious - he's literally playing himself, but the writing and his delivery are perfect.

But virtually no one watched it, so it only last two seasons.

I think too many other people thought it was too clever just to be a cartoon.

Shout out to Montreal Man...Fernwood 2Night; keeping it in the "fern" family, Between Two Ferns; Comedy Bang! Bang!; Newsreaders; and while current, I still don't think Bob's Burgers gets the due it deserves. I'd also say Archer, but I don't think it's underrated anymore.

Last Man Standing

Duke Phillips was the man

Is excellent. Lisa Kudrow and Lily Tomlin are outstanding in it.

In comment 12114161 pjcas18 said:

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get an hour of TV per day and it's lately being spent on two DVR'd episodes of The Middle. I agree with Episodes. I never literally laugh out loud watching TV except for occasionally when Raffi is in the episode of the League and during the show Episodes. Matt Leblanc is absolutely hilarious - he's literally playing himself, but the writing and his delivery are perfect.

That's a lot of literallys maybe I'm channeling my inner Rob Lowe from Parks and Rec - also a good show.

but I always found the Odd Couple to be top-notch. Well-written, superb performances, and I think they hold up over all this time. I'd put them in the top 5 comedy series.

In comment 12114168 Greg from LI said:

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Duke Phillips was the man

+1. Aachem.

lol.

"Make em squeeeeeal"

think The Golden Girls pound for pound is one of the top 10 or so funniest/best written/performed shows of all time. Classic scene-
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In comment 12114171 Randy in CT said:

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but I always found the Odd Couple to be top-notch. Well-written, superb performances, and I think they hold up over all this time. I'd put them in the top 5 comedy series.

Good thing a reboot with Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon will be on soon! (I agree by the way)

With Dabney Coleman and a young Geena Davis

for everyone but The Eric Andre show is pretty incredible. In the same vain I LOVED Wundershowzen. Andy Milonakis show was underrated in my opinion as well.

It certainly sounds like something I'd like. Loved Dabney Coleman.

.

In comment 12114200 Maximus, Esq. said:

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Classic

it's not by me, but Veep is pretty hilarious.

It's somewhat of a guilty pleasure. It kinda shocked me that Chris Rock was in the last episode but I watch every week.

Speaking of Eric Andre, I suggest EVERYONE watch Man Seeking Woman on FXX. It's nice to see there's still creativity on television.

My favorite episode
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but I'll add Parker Lewis Can't Lose

Professional Therapist

In comment 12114215 sjnyfan said:

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It's somewhat of a guilty pleasure. It kinda shocked me that Chris Rock was in the last episode but I watch every week. Speaking of Eric Andre, I suggest EVERYONE watch Man Seeking Woman on FXX. It's nice to see there's still creativity on television.

The comedy community is pretty small and Hannibal Burress quietly is one of the biggest/most connected people in comedy so I'm not surprised they would be able to land Chris Rock. Also, Hannibal was just on tour with Louis CK... who used to be head writer for... Chris Rock.

The Critic is probably my favorite of those listed - it didn't exactly have a short run, but IMO it could have gone much longer.

Life and Times of Tim was sad to see go - especially since it was canceled, then they said it was coming back, and then it just vanished. Same with Better Off Ted - much worse has stuck around for a lot longer (looking at you, Jim Belushi and Tim Allen).

But of all mentioned, I think The Odd Couple probably takes it. Those episodes have stood the test of time very well. OK, so there's a ton of outdated cultural references (and cameos by people that few watching today would recognize), but the writing and the casting in that one was perfect. They did an awesome job of following up the play and the movie.

Hard to get good comedy these days - nothing on TV that really screams 'keeper' at the moment. Some good stuff, without a doubt, but nothing that you think might one day be considered classic.

In comment 12114233 DanMetroMan said:

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In comment 12114215 sjnyfan said: Quote: It's somewhat of a guilty pleasure. It kinda shocked me that Chris Rock was in the last episode but I watch every week. Speaking of Eric Andre, I suggest EVERYONE watch Man Seeking Woman on FXX. It's nice to see there's still creativity on television. The comedy community is pretty small and Hannibal Burress quietly is one of the biggest/most connected people in comedy so I'm not surprised they would be able to land Chris Rock. Also, Hannibal was just on tour with Louis CK... who used to be head writer for... Chris Rock.

Yeah, I remember when Louis CK wrote for the Chris Rock Show. I miss that show. I'd add it to the list but it was very well received winning several awards in its short run.

That was indeed a hilarious show. I remember the Ray Romano one.

Ray - We recently got my dad to quit smoking. He's using that stuff....what's it called?

Dr. Katz - The patch?

Ray - No, that's not it....you know, the thing...

Dr. Katz - Nicotine gum?

Ray - No....wait, heroin! That's it! Yeah, he loves it, now he doesn't smoke at all anymore.

In comment 12114234 jcn56 said:

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The Critic is probably my favorite of those listed - it didn't exactly have a short run, but IMO it could have gone much longer. Life and Times of Tim was sad to see go - especially since it was canceled, then they said it was coming back, and then it just vanished. Same with Better Off Ted - much worse has stuck around for a lot longer (looking at you, Jim Belushi and Tim Allen). But of all mentioned, I think The Odd Couple probably takes it. Those episodes have stood the test of time very well. OK, so there's a ton of outdated cultural references (and cameos by people that few watching today would recognize), but the writing and the casting in that one was perfect. They did an awesome job of following up the play and the movie. Hard to get good comedy these days - nothing on TV that really screams 'keeper' at the moment. Some good stuff, without a doubt, but nothing that you think might one day be considered classic.

Life and Times of Tim actually DID come back, but then was canceled again. Sort of like The Birthday Boys (another underrated show).

But Men of a Certain Age was a really good show.

also Get a Life (though that required more of a particular taste).

still watch clips from the show today. Great cast.

"Green Acres" and "He and She".

It made the careers of Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx and to a lesser extent 148 Wayans family memebers

I've been a fan since I caught the second episode live, and I'm glad to see they are getting their dues.

If you can handle a little stupid humor, and more importantly if you watch/are familiar with reality TV, Kroll Show is incredibly. If you aren't familiar with the formats and archetypes they are making fun of, it just comes off as idiotic - but if you get the references, it's gold.

Growing up, I always thought Clerks the Cartoon was pretty funny. Never really took off however.

I love stand up and Anthony Jeselnik is one of my favorites, so I got some good laughs out of Jeselnik Offensive even though it isn't really a serialized comedy show.

I've heard Freaks and Geeks is incredible.

If you make the assumption that the odd couple belongs on a list of UNDERRATED comedies, then you are making and an out of me and u

.

Quark.

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on adult swim

is a lot of fun

had a good start, then I just wanted to kill Leah Remini's character...

was/is hilarious...

In comment 12114291 Chaka said:

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If you make the assumption that the odd couple belongs on a list of UNDERRATED comedies, then you are making and an out of me and u

You guys are probably right.

Perhaps underappreciated with at least the younger crowd.

In comment 12114297 steve in ky said:

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Hard to say - it started airing before I was born, so I don't know how well received it was back then, just that you don't see much of it around these days anymore.

Who did it better?

In comment 12114189 steve in ky said:

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With Dabney Coleman and a young Geena Davis

I agree. A really funny show. I loved the dream scene where Dabney's wearing a grass skirt and lip-synching to "Hit the Road, Jack". That one's not on youtube, but another one with people singing it to him is.

In comment 12114309 Nick from Goa said:

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on adult swim

+1 I just wish they didn't do a season once every two to three years.

I'll also add Black Dynamite on Adult Swim but that's not for everyone.

In comment 12114345 Greg from LI said:

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Who did it better?

Even though it was the same story they were so different it feels like it is hard to fairly compare them if that makes any sense. Both were very well done IMO.

but remaking the Odd Couple is a fucking crime...

politically oriented puppet show, think it was out of England. Back in the 80s.

but some great shows right now

-Archer
-Broad City
-Comedy Bang Bang
-Always Sunny

also, always been a fan of Cougartown - really just as good as Scrubs without nearly as much praise

finally, there's a show that ran recently on USA called Benched with Eliza Coupe from Happy Endings. Very clever and well written, surprisingly good for considering where it's aired

Klugman and Matthau played Oscar pretty much the same way, but Lemmon's Felix and Randall's Felix were rather different.

In comment 12114366 bc4life said:

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politically oriented puppet show, think it was out of England. Back in the 80s.

Spitting Image

Spitting Image was the British one, and DC Follies (with Fred Willard) was the American one. I think they were done by the same people, but I'm not sure.

with Patrick Warburton. I thought he was hilarious in that but it never took off.

In comment 12114257 B in ALB said:

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still watch clips from the show today. Great cast.

Yup. Hilarious show.

Perry has tried several sitcoms since
Friends, neither of which have worked even though they weren't terrible.

Thomas Lennon is great, Reno 911 might also belong on the under-rated list, but I don't see him as likeable enough for a primetime network sitcom

The Odd Couple was a joke. Yeah, that'll last about as long as Mr. Sunshine did.

Cool story bro moment - the voice of the Tick was done by the guy who used to voice NBC's Must See TV promos in the '90s. I went to Pepperdine with his daughter, who was really hot and I had a huge crush on but she dated a friend of mine who was huge and a volleyball player, and he later ended up as a contestant on Top Chef.

Knights of Prosperity with Donal Logue and Sofia Vergara.

And I forgot earlier to add Mr. Show. Throw Kids in the Hall in there as well.

In comment 12114397 Greg from LI said:

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The Odd Couple was a joke. Yeah, that'll last about as long as Mr. Sunshine did. Cool story bro moment - the voice of the Tick was done by the guy who used to voice NBC's Must See TV promos in the '90s. I went to Pepperdine with his daughter, who was really hot and I had a huge crush on but she dated a friend of mine who was huge and a volleyball player, and he later ended up as a contestant on Top Chef.

And the voice of the boss on Life and Times of Tim is the "voice" of the NFL on Fox, UFC on Fox etc

was "Married with children" genuinely funny, or more of a kind of shockingly lowbrow satire of lower-middle America?

In comment 12114397 Greg from LI said:

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The Odd Couple was a joke. Yeah, that'll last about as long as Mr. Sunshine did. Cool story bro moment - the voice of the Tick was done by the guy who used to voice NBC's Must See TV promos in the '90s. I went to Pepperdine with his daughter, who was really hot and I had a huge crush on but she dated a friend of mine who was huge and a volleyball player, and he later ended up as a contestant on Top Chef.

Which contestant was he on Top Chef?

Real tall guy, 6'9". Very funny dude - a lot of fun to be around. Whenever I hung around with that group, though, everyone was like a foot taller than me.

In comment 12114427 Moondawg said:

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was "Married with children" genuinely funny, or more of a kind of shockingly lowbrow satire of lower-middle America?

It's a scream IMO. Yes, it's very broad, raunchy humor, but hilarious. The actors all nail their characters, and Kelly's still smoking hot.

In comment 12114436 Greg from LI said:

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Real tall guy, 6'9". Very funny dude - a lot of fun to be around. Whenever I hung around with that group, though, everyone was like a foot taller than me.

Was he a good cook back then?

Not sure if underrated but those two were great in those roles.

It's funny that he became a chef because that dude ate nothing but junk food back then. He practically lived at Jack in the Box and La Salsa (which was a burrito place in Malibu).

and Arrested Development. I know the latter had a cult following, but not enough to affect the ratings.

I also love New Girl.

I believe it was early 70s. A Mel Brooks show about Robin Hood.

'under rated' threads in the responses, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned Seinfeld.

I said it yesterday on the "best show no one watches" thread and I'll repeat myself, RICK AND MORTY. It's the best animated show on TV and maybe the best show on TV period. If you haven't seen this show then I really advise that you do. It's on Adult Swim and I cannot wait until season 2 comes out this Summer.

The 2nd episode of "Man Seeking Woman" was some funny shit. It's got such a unique vibe for a show and Jay Baruchel plays his role perfectly. And Eric Andre (whose "talk" show is also underrated) is great on it. The pilot wasn't as good as the 2nd episode imo and I haven't seen the 3rd episode. But it definitely has some serious potential.

Phil Hartman was a comedic genius, and the writing and cast was brilliant.

Recently re-watched the four Hartman seasons on Amazon Instant - what a great show.

In comment 12114512 Go Terps said:

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Space Ghost Coast to Coast had some legit gut busting funny episodes. Total whack job show.

CJ actually talks about how being stoned and eating junk all the time is what led him to being a cook.

Now the dude forages for greens and mushrooms and makes some really good shit.

most of you never heard of it, never mind appreciated it!
It starred Richard Benjamin and wife Paula Prentiss (you heard of them, right?) before Richard became a screen acting and directing star. His droll comedy style, which was a hit in clubs, was too early for mass TV that was used to slapstick. Still one of my favorite shows because of the intelligent subtle humor.

on FX had an incredible first season.

the fantasy baseball episode was awesome where he orchestrates a trade of his star client out of the NL solely to screw the biggest dick in his league. Jerry Stiller was epic in KOQ. amazing if you watch that and Seinfeld his 2 roles blend together in your head as a similar crazy old man. Though if you watched the 2 shows you realize the nuances of each character- George's dad and Kerrie's dad are so different.

Buffalo Bill, Police Squad and The Middle. I will also add Sports Night which I thought was well done.

In comment 12114512 Go Terps said:

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YES, I watched this show occasionally but it was funny every time.

If you've never seen BlackAdder, Seasons II and III are Rowan Atkinson at his peak.

another great show that never got to be a big hit, "My Name is Earl" Very clever show... I loved the plot twists and the combo of Earl and his brother Randy was hilarious.

Lillyhammer

.

Fawlty Towers. Guess it is, in fact, underrated.

I guess I never have viewed it as underrated.

was good. It did get some props with some Emmy's, but I did laugh at a lot of their skits. The Stuart skits were hilarious.

Rules of Engagement, partly because I think Bianca Kajlich is smoking.. but I think it's pretty damn funny

Titus
King of Queens is underrated?

In comment 12114326 Rob in CT/NYC said:

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had a good start, then I just wanted to kill Leah Remini's character...

Carrie was exactly how my ex was. All bitchy attitude and no sense of humor minus the whole New York accent. She looked very good naked though.

Is pretty funny. Great ensemble .

Damn. King of Queens ended almost 8 years ago?

Deacon, what's the first thing you think of when I say, "lick my lollipop"?

Um...No

LOL

How are King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond underrated?

See my 1:09. I thought Everybody Loves Raymond was a top show in 2000-2001 and same with King of Queens. I started watching KOQ about a month after it was done. I turned it on when I was staying in a hotel in Baltimore and found it funny and have been a fan ever since. It was the episode where Doug gets pissy with Deacon because he's always banging his wife on the apple cider trip. I thought for a comedy show, up against most, KOQ had one of the better endings that you could ask for. I thought it was good. I never got into Everybody Loves Raymond. I was in my senior year of high school when it ended in 2005. Didn't connect at all with the humor. I liked that he was a Giants writer or something.

In comment 12116670 Route 9 in LEH said:

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See my 1:09. I thought Everybody Loves Raymond was a top show in 2000-2001 and same with King of Queens. I started watching KOQ about a month after it was done. I turned it on when I was staying in a hotel in Baltimore and found it funny and have been a fan ever since. It was the episode where Doug gets pissy with Deacon because he's always banging his wife on the apple cider trip. I thought for a comedy show, up against most, KOQ had one of the better endings that you could ask for. I thought it was good. I never got into Everybody Loves Raymond. I was in my senior year of high school when it ended in 2005. Didn't connect at all with the humor. I liked that he was a Giants writer or something.

LOL I remember that one they kept playing Marvin Gaye's Lets get it on haha. KOQ was just a well done show, I still watch reruns of it when I see it and it still holds up.

In comment 12116669 steve in ky said:

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How are King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond underrated?

Depends on what were using to rate them. King of Queens was only nominated for 1 Emmy in 9 seasons (Kevin James in '05 and lost).
OTOH, ratings wise it never broke the top 20 but often won its time slot. It is an absolutely hilarious show although the last season was probably its worse.

Jerry Stiller is much funnier in KOQ than Seinfeld.

"Douglas you ok? I heard screaming like a bitch." LMAO

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman

If I recall, it was so edgy, it was on at 11:00 ... it was very well done and just hilarious

Has a cult following that for a long time was only enhanced by its unavailability. It cost so much to license all the music that it didn't come out as an official DVD release until 2012. 6 seasons but only one in the top 10 and that was 9. No major awards. But I will stop whatever I'm doing to watch that show.

Some great answers on this thread, The Critic and Space Ghost are All Timers.