Top Ten Comedy Television or Streaming Series in 2023
Top Ten Comedy Television Series in 2023
After ten years of choosing our top ten comedy television series, tv seems to keep getting better. And its been another great year for comedy television, which is amazing considering this was also the year of the writers strike, which means we had a good half of a year without the usual slate of new shows coming out, and there was no promotion of the shows that were already out. All the more reason to pay attention to this list because you may have missed a few of our favorite shows this year.
Our best in television winners over the years are classics, still watchable, still great. In 2014, it was Last Week Tonight. After that, the late night shows got their own category, and in 2015, The Jim Gaffigan Show won the award for best tv series. In 2016, you voted for Zach Galifianakis’ Baskets as your #1 show. In 2017, it was the genius of Better Things, and in 2018 two shows topped the polls with Crashing and Barry tie-ing for first place. In 2019 The Righteous Gemstones landed on top, in 2020 the top honor went to Schitt’s Creek and in 2021, you voted for The Ms. Pat Show. Last year your favorite comedy series for 2022 was Flatbush Misdemeanors.
All of our top ten shows are outstanding. If you’ve missed out on any of these shows, you’ve got a great binge ahead of you.
Don’t forget you can also vote now for Vote for Comedy Movie of the Year! And Vote for Comedy Special of the Year!
Coming soon... Vote for the Best Comedy Album of the Year! Best book by a comedian, And Comedian of the Year!
Created by Pete Davidson
Starring: Pete Davidson, Edie Falco, Joe Pesci, Derek Gaines, Bobby Cannavale, Brad Garrett, Shane Gillis, Dave Sirus, Chase Sui Wonders
BUPKIS. PEACOCK: Bupkis is a fictionalized version of Pete’s life that kicks off with Pete moving back in with his mom (Edie Falco) on Staten Island. Pete spends his time with his hanger on friends, interacting with his uncle played by Brad Garrett and his grandfather played by Joe Pesci and dealing with the repercussions of losing his firefighter father when he was very young. It’s surprising that with this insane cast and strong writing that there hasn’t been more heat on this project. Bupkis includes flashbacks to Pete’s younger self, and Pete dealing with being constantly in the media. It’s self aware, self deprecating and genuinely funny. The deprecation comes in the form of brutal honesty from the media, and Pete’s grandfather. “People think I’m, like, a joke for some reason,” Pete says to his Grandfather early on in the series. And Pesci’s character pulls no punches tell him, “They see you as a joke because you are a joke.” Bupkis is also chock full of inside references and stand up universe supporting characters. Appearances by Derek Gaines, Shane Gillis, Lynne Koplitz, John Mulaney, Ricky Velez, Carly Aquilino, Paul Virzi, Dave Attell, Neko White, Giullio Gallerotti, and more add to the fun.
Status: Renewed for Season 2
Created by Lee Sung Jin
Cast: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Joseph Lee, Young Mazino, David Choe, Patti Yasutake, Maria Bello, Andrew Santino
BEEF. NETFLIX. This Dark– no, super dark– comedy about two strangers who meet during a road rage incident goes to places you can’t imagine. Amy is a wealthy successful woman with some serious mental health issues that need addressing. Danny is flat broke, scheming, and at times a petty thief who has his own very real issues to deal with. When the two collide, well…. nearly collide during a road rage incident in a parking lot, the insanity starts flying. Neither is willing to stop escalating their feud, taking it to insane levels. Darkly funny, and disturbing, Beef becomes compelling to watch very quickly, and remains compelling even when we should all be saying — too far. Ali Wong gives an excellent performance and her chemistry with her nemesis played by Steven Yeun is spot on. Don’t watch this before bed if you plan on sleeping, it’s an adrenaline fueled ride. The later episodes take some surreal turns, particularly the finale.
Status: Unclear, created as a limited series, but the finale left room for a follow up season here.
Created By Michelle Buteau, Danielle Sanchez-Witel
Based on the book: Survival of the Thickest by Michelle Buteau
Cast: Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, With Sara Cooper, Liza Treyger,
SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST, NETLFIX. The series stars Buteau as Mavis, a plus-sized recently turned single black woman struggling to build her career as a fashion stylist. The series opens with her catching her perfect boyfriend cheating, and though he could be incredibly helpful to her career, she strikes out on her own. She faces struggles with her bossy ex who wants her back, a crazy new roomate played by Liza Treyger, who elevates the “weird neighbor” role to hilarious new levels and a new client who propels her forward in her career but wants more than is healthy for our heroine. As Mavis struggles to define her place in her industry she also attempts to fix her broken personal life. Filled with a body positive attitude and various career possibilities, she forges forward. It’s at times hilariously funny, always over the top, and yet has a sweetness and spirit that makes it irresistible.
Status: Unknown
Created by John Enborn, Rob Thomas Dan Etheridge, Paul Rudd,
Cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Jennifer Coolidge, Megan Mullally, Jennifer Garner
PARTY DOWN, STARZ. When Party Down first appeared on Starz in 2009, it was a revelation. This incredible cast won over critics and viewers alike, and we tuned in greedily for every episode. The only thing that stopped Party Down from giving us more years of good fun, was that practically the entire cast blew up to become giant stars, and pursued movies, and starring roles in their own big tv projects. The reunion season of Party Down is a where-are-they-now look at the characters we fell in love with 15 years ago. The gang’s back and not a minute too soon. In the original run, Kyle Bradway was an aspiring actor working as a server for a catering company while awaiting his big break. As the new season opens, he has just landed his star-making superhero role, and hires his “Party Down” to cater his celebration party. Adam Scott is doing part time work with his old catering company, Ken Marino is back as his cursed self. Martin Starr, Ryan Hanson and Jane Lynch along with Megan Mullally seem to have picked up right where they left off. There are great guest stars throughout, (like Joey Lauren Adams and JK Simmons) lending every episode a new storyline, and loads of fun. Jennifer Lawrence joins the cast and the last episode gives us a special bonus.
Status: Renewed for a Second Season
Created by Steve Martin, John Hoffman
Cast: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Meryl Streep
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING. HULU. Steve Martin, Marty Short and Selena Gomez are back with a murder that seems like it didn’t take place in the building, but yeah, it did. The new season opens with Oliver auditioning roles for his murder mystery play. After the play opens, Mabel announces she’s leaving the Arconia, and as the star trio go to take the elevator, the play’s star’s dead body crashes in front of them. OmitB manages to maintain everything we love about this series from its magnetic triple threat stars, to its clever use of misdirection, and its darkly funny throughout. As great as these three stars are, Oscar winner Meryl Streep is a scene stealing wonder, and here’s hoping she returns to the cast for season four as they take their trio to Hollywood.
Status: Renewed
Created by: Ben Stiller, Dan Erickson
Cast: Danny McBride, Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson, Tony Cavalero, John Goodman, Walton Goggins
Righteous Gemstones. HBO. Righteous Gemstones is really a comedic version of Succession. The father of a money making empire is stepping down and just like Succession, none of the kids are worthy of taking over the family business. In this case the business is religion. In season three, daddys retirement has led to the challenges of a congregation that is falling off, which of course means less money. And the kids can’t handle any of it correctly. You know the cast, and you know that nobody has changed comedy as much as Danny McBride and his Rough House co conspirators. They never does anything without doing it right and so it’s no shock that his formula of shocking hilarious absurdist comedy continues to work seamlessly for season 3 of his look at the moneymakers behind big religion.
Status: Renewed for Season 4
Created by: John Wilson
Writers: John Wilson, michael Korman, Connor O’Malley, Alice Gregory, Susan Orlean, Allie Viti
HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON, SEASON 3, HBO. John Wilson is nervous, awkward, and sarcastic in all the good ways. Each episode is filmed in the streets of New York, ostensibly giving a lesson on a different topic. The series premiered with an episode themed around “Small Talk” in 2020. Season 3 tackled How to Find a Public Restroom, How to Clean Your Ears, How to Work Out, How to Watch the Game, How to Watch Birds and How to Track a Package, accomplished through a combination of narration and talking with stangers. Described as “superbly strange”, funny, sad, and profound. Season 3 has a 100% rating on RT, a 92 on meta critic and universal acclaim. If you haven’t jumped on board the series yet, luckily for you, its streaming and available on MAX.
Status: Series Concluded
Created by: Tim Robinson, Zach Kanin
Cast: Tim Robinson, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, Andy Cohen, Tim Heidecker, Patti Harrison, Jason Schwartzman, Tom Schaprling, Connor O’Malley, Robert Kelin
I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON, SEASON 3, NETFLIX. This cringy surreal, sketch comedy centers around the idea that someone is a dick, or is embarrasing, or a loudmouth, and tries to convince everyone else that they are right. They never are. With a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, and nominations for Outstanding Actor in short form comedy Emmy, and Outstanding Short Form Comedy, plus a Television Critics Award, ITYSL is flying high. Fans tune in for show’s absurdism and rawness and wtf pure chaos, and the way the writers manage to surprise you every time. At a time when other more established sketch shows seem to be floundering, Tim Robinson just keeps getting better.
Status: Unknown
Created by: Nathan Fielder, Benny Safdie
Cast: Nathan Fielder, Benny Safdie, Emma Stone
THE CURSE, SHOWTIME. The best dark comedy this year comes from the king of comedic cringe- Nathan Fielder. It almost feels like an episode of the Rehearsal fleshed out into full season glory, as we watch husband and wife Whitney and Asher Siegel attempt to sell an HGTV series about flipping houses with a conscience. Their show with in the show- Flipanthropy- is a mess with all of their intended do-gooding falling apart despite their efforts. Perhaps because in episode one, Asher becomes the target of a “Tiny Curse” that leaves him without chicken in his pasta, and an obsession with the tiny child who tiny cursed him. But even once the show moves past the titular curse, nothing goes according to Whitney and Ashers plans, and their best efforts only make things worse, 100% of the time. We have no idea where this show is going but we’re along for the ride.
Status: Unknown
Created by Quinta Brunson
Cast: Quinta Brunson, Janelle James, Tyler James Williams, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Reggie Conquest,
ABBOT ELEMENTARY S2. ABC. Our only Big 3 Network Show, Abbott Elementary, is a documentary mockumentary series centered on the comings and goings of teachers at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School- an underfunded predominantly black public school in Philadelphia. The series has had near universal acclaim from the get go and in season two, the team has not lost their touch. The cast and crew have a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a slew of awards for season 1, and as many nominations in the works for season 2.
Status: Renewed for Season Three.
