The sheer variety ofcomediccontent that came out in 2022 is almost overwhelming in its greatness. Many funny TV shows stole viewers' hearts through hilarious writing, perfect comedic timing, and endearing and relatable characters.
2022 is also the year that classic storytelling styles were back that will evoke feelings of nostalgia, such as the mockumentary style inAbbott Elementaryand the flashbacks and narrative style inHow I Met YourFather. There were also shows with a fresh take on comedy that made the cut, includingThe Marvelous Mrs.Maisel,Hacks,Single Drunk Female, andMan vs. Bee.
Here’s the list of the funniest TV shows that show that laughter is the best medicine.
10Man vs. Bee
The legendary comedian Rowan Atkinson returns in this hilarious showdown between a man and a bee inMan vs. Bee. Trevor Bingley (Rowan Atkinson), a bumbling dad, gets a gig house sitting in a couple’s luxurious mansion. The house is filled with priceless artwork, classic cars, and their dog Cupcake.
However, the seemingly easy job Trevor has is ruined when he notices a bee. A war between Trevor and the bee ensues, and the bee keeps outsmarting him. The fight between Trevor and the bee ends up with him destroying the house and landing in court with 14 charges, including arson, dangerous driving, and the destruction of priceless artwork.
9Smiling Friends
Smiling Friendsisan adult-animated serieson Cartoon Network’s late-night show programming Adult Swim. Created by online animators Zach “psychicpebbles” Hadel (Hellbenders,OneyPlays) and Michael Cusack (YOLO,Bushworld Adventures), the series follows the lives of the employees at Smiling Inc., a charity that is dedicated to making people happy.
Related:Exclusive: Michael Cusack and YOLO Silver Destiny Stars Discuss Season 2 of Adult Swim Comedy
Charlie (Zach Hadel) and Pim (Michael Cusack) are tasked with operating the hotline and listening to the troubled callers to cheer them up.
Jean Smart, who has been exceptional in her supporting TV roles as the Gerhardt matriarch inFargo, Helen Fahey inMare of Easttown,and Agent Laurie Blake inMad Men, gets a chance to play the lead role inHacks.Hacksis a dark comedy that follows Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a celebrated Las Vegas comedian who feels her days are numbered if she doesn’t reinvent her act.
Cue Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young comedy writer who was canceled and is unable to find work because of an insensitive Tweet. Deborah and Ava aren’t thrilled by the possibility of working together, but they need each other. The pair discover a unique chemistryas they confront ageismand sexism in the Las Vegas stand-up comedy scene.
Atlantais a show that will take its viewers through an emotional rollercoaster. It has moments where it’s funny, but it can also have a somber tone.Atlantais a comedy-drama series that follows Earnest “Earn” Marks (Donald Glover), a Princeton dropout who is struggling to find a way to provide for his daughter, and his cousin Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry), an up-and-coming rapper trying to make it in the hip hop scene. When Earn returns to Atlanta, he becomes Paper Boi’s manager and does whatever he can to help Paper Boi make it big in the Atlanta rap scene.
The critically acclaimed show has been praised for its unique take on modern hip-hop culture, complex characters, and innovative use of humor while tackling issues including race, parenthood, relationships, and class.
6Young Rock
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is probably one of the most well-known wrestlers today. Wrestling might be why The Rock is famous, but he has proven he can hold his own as a successful movie star.Young Rockis a sitcom set in 2032, the year Johnson is a presidential candidate.
As a presidential candidate, Johnson has to sit through interviews which he answers using flashbacks of his formative years.Young Rockdepicts Johnson’s life as a 10-year-old, a high school student, and a college athlete. The show might be a sitcom, but it also delves into Johnson’s life at a time when he was going through depression.
5Rutherford Falls
Statues, like so many things in life, can be a cause of conflict. What some people might see as honoring a hero, others see as reminders of oppression.Rutherford Fallsis the brainchild ofThe Good Placecreator Michael Schur,The Office’s actor Ed Helm and the producer ofSuperstoreSierra Teller. The show follows best friends Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who get into a fight over a statue. The statue in question is that of Nathan’s ancestor, the founder of the town.
The town’s mayor Deidre Chisenhall (Dana L. Wilson) wants to get rid of the statue because of the many accidents it’s causing. Nathan, who is obsessed with preserving his family’s legacy, does not want the statue taken down. While Reagan is running a cultural center to highlight her people, the founder’s role in colonizing native people is revealed. Reagan is torn between being a good friend and protecting her people.Rutherford Fallsmanages to be funny while delving into the dark history of colonization.
4Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementaryis a mockumentary-style sitcom created by the comedic genius Quinta Brunson. The story is based around an underfunded public school in Philadelphia and the second-grade teacher Jeanine Teagues who is determined to make the school better and improve the kids' lives. She is helped in her quest by history teacher Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti), kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph), principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James), and substitute teacher Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams).
Abbott Elementaryis based on Quinta Brunson’s middle school teacher Ms. Abbott. The teachers at Abbott Elementary have a relatable coworker relationship which adds to the nuances of the show.Abbott Elementaryis hilariously relatable and a great show to watch for viewers nostalgicfor mockumentary-style sitcoms.
3The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Making it big as a female comedian is not an easy fit in today’s world. Imagine having to do it in the 1950s.The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselfollows the life of Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a bright and energetic Jewish housewife living in New York City in the 1950s. Midge had her life mapped out, and she got everything she wanted: two kids, a husband, and an apartment she loves. However, her perfect life is shattered when her husband leaves her for a younger woman.
Related:The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Her Best Stand-Up Sets and Why They Matter
Midge, who now has to reevaluate her life without her husband, discovers a previously unknown talent for stand-up comedy. With the help of her manager Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein), Midge embarks on a journey to become one of the most successful comedians of her time, navigating sexism, societal expectations, and her tumultuous personal life.
2Single Drunk Female
Single Drunk Femaleis a comedy-drama created by Simone Finch.Samantha Fink (Sofia Black-D’Elia)has hit rock bottom due to her alcohol addiction. On a particularly bad day, Samantha goes to work late and assaults her boss, leading to her arrest. After assaulting her boss, Samantha is sent to rehab and community service, and then she has to go to AA meetings. A jobless Samantha has no choice but to try to piece her broken life together by returning home to Boston and living with her overbearing mother Carol (Ally Sheedy).
Being back home isn’t the easy road to sobriety that Samantha expected. She has to face the demons in her hometown that led to her addiction.Single Drunk Femaleis an autobiography in some ways, as Simone Finch drew inspiration from her experiences with alcohol addiction. The show is funny and relevant, but the story of Samantha and her battle with alcohol addiction can also be heartbreaking.
1How I Met Your Father
The beloved sitcomHow I Met Your Motherwrapped up its ninth season in 2014, and fans of the show have been waiting for a spinoff ever since.How I Met Your Fatherhas the same premise asHow I Met Your Motherbut with a gender flip. The story begins in 2050, with an older Sophie (Kim Cattrall) as she recounts to her son how she met his father.
The series flashbacks to 2021, the year the younger Sophie (Hilary Duff) and her friends were navigating finding love in the era of dating apps, figuring out life and who they are.How I Met Your Fatheris funny, heartwarming, and has the ability to capture the complexities of modern relationships.
