Underrated Comedy Series Nobody Talks About (But Should)

Some comedy series arrive with little marketing or modest ratings and many viewers miss them during their original runs. This list collects 25 titles from the last two decades that built loyal followings, earned awards, or influenced later shows despite quiet debuts and short runs.

For each entry you will find the premise, creators, core cast, original network, and straightforward production facts. The details focus on concrete information like seasons, episode counts, and format so you can quickly learn what each show offers and where it came from.

‘Detroiters’ (2017–2018)

This series follows two small agency partners who make local commercials in Detroit and features Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson in the lead roles. It ran for two seasons on Comedy Central and was produced by Broadway Video with a total of 20 episodes.

‘Detroiters’ was created by Sam Richardson, Tim Robinson, and Zach Kanin, with executive producer Lorne Michaels. The show used a single camera format and shot on location in Michigan with additional stage work to capture the look of regional advertising.

‘Review’ (2014–2017)

This American adaptation of the Australian ‘Review with Myles Barlow’ centers on a critic who evaluates life experiences. It aired on Comedy Central for three seasons and starred Andy Daly as the reviewer.

‘Review’ was developed by Andy Daly and Charlie Siskel with frequent directing by Jeff Blitz. The series blended episodic reviews with a continuing narrative and completed its run with 22 episodes.

‘People Just Do Nothing’ (2014–2018)

This mockumentary tracks the crew behind pirate radio station Kurupt FM in West London with Allan Mustafa, Hugo Chegwin, Asim Chaudhry, and Steve Stamp leading the cast. It premiered on BBC Three and later moved to BBC Two during its five series run.

‘People Just Do Nothing’ won a BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy in 2017 and expanded into a feature film after the series concluded. The production used a documentary style with improvisation and location shooting in and around London.

‘The Other Two’ (2019–2023)

This series follows two adult siblings who navigate the sudden fame of their teen brother while balancing their own careers. It launched on Comedy Central for its first season and moved to a streaming home for the final two seasons.

‘The Other Two’ was created by Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider, former head writers on ‘Saturday Night Live’, and stars Drew Tarver, Heléne Yorke, and Molly Shannon. The production completed three seasons and used a half hour format across its episode order.

‘Happy Endings’ (2011–2013)

Set in Chicago, this ensemble comedy follows a tight group of friends dealing with relationships and work. It aired on ABC for three seasons and delivered 57 episodes.

‘Happy Endings’ was created by David Caspe and features Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Damon Wayans Jr., Adam Pally, Casey Wilson, and Zachary Knighton. The series used a single camera format and was produced by Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.

‘The Grinder’ (2015–2016)

This legal workplace comedy stars Rob Lowe as a television actor famous for playing a lawyer who returns to his family’s small law firm. It aired on Fox for one season with 22 episodes.

‘The Grinder’ was created by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel and co-stars Fred Savage, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and William Devane. The production filmed primarily in California and used a single camera format with case-of-the-week storylines.

‘Better Off Ted’ (2009–2010)

This office satire follows employees at a large research and development corporation called Veridian Dynamics. It ran on ABC for two seasons with a total of 26 episodes.

‘Better Off Ted’ was created by Victor Fresco and stars Jay Harrington, Portia de Rossi, Andrea Anders, Malcolm Barrett, Jonathan Slavin, and Isabella Acres. The series used a single camera workplace setup and mixed narrative voiceover with conventional scenes.

‘Enlisted’ (2014)

Set at a rear detachment unit on a stateside army base, this series follows three brothers serving together. It aired on Fox for one season and produced 13 episodes.

‘Enlisted’ was created by Kevin Biegel and stars Geoff Stults, Chris Lowell, and Parker Young. The show filmed in California and used a single camera format with military advisors contributing to base procedures and background detail.

‘Great News’ (2017–2018)

This newsroom comedy centers on a cable news program where a producer finds herself working alongside her mother. It ran on NBC for two seasons and delivered 23 episodes.

‘Great News’ was created by Tracey Wigfield and executive produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. The cast includes Briga Heelan, Andrea Martin, John Michael Higgins, and Nicole Richie, and the series used a single camera setup on a studio stage.

‘Man Seeking Woman’ (2015–2017)

Based on Simon Rich’s short story collection, this series follows a young man’s search for relationships with highly stylized scenarios. It aired on FXX for three seasons and completed 30 episodes.

‘Man Seeking Woman’ stars Jay Baruchel, Eric André, and Britt Lower and was developed for television by Simon Rich. The production filmed in Toronto for multiple seasons and used visual effects to support its fantasy sequences.

‘Baskets’ (2016–2019)

This series follows a classically trained clown who works at a rodeo in Bakersfield and balances family responsibilities. It aired on FX for four seasons and concluded with a complete narrative arc.

‘Baskets’ was created by Zach Galifianakis, Jonathan Krisel, and Louis C. K., with Galifianakis playing twin brothers alongside Martha Kelly and Louie Anderson. Louie Anderson received an Emmy for supporting actor for his role as Christine Baskets, and the series used a single camera style.

‘High Maintenance’ (2016–2020)

Originating as a web series, this anthology follows a New York bicycle courier connecting with different clients in standalone stories. It transitioned to HBO for four television seasons with half hour episodes.

‘High Maintenance’ was created by Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld, with Sinclair starring as the courier often called The Guy. The production emphasized location shooting throughout New York City and featured a rotating cast drawn from theater and independent film.

‘Corporate’ (2018–2020)

This workplace series is set inside the multinational company Hampton DeVille and focuses on junior executives navigating corporate directives. It aired on Comedy Central for three seasons.

‘Corporate’ was created by Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman, who also star in the show alongside Anne Dudek, Adam Lustick, and Aparna Nancherla. The series used a single camera format and standardized visual motifs to depict corporate environments.

‘Wellington Paranormal’ (2018–2022)

This New Zealand mockumentary follows two police officers working in a paranormal unit within the Wellington Police. It premiered on TVNZ 2 and later reached international broadcasters over four seasons.

‘Wellington Paranormal’ was created by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi and stars Mike Minogue and Karen O’Leary. The series used a documentary style with on-location night shoots and expanded the world introduced by the film ‘What We Do in the Shadows’.

‘You’re the Worst’ (2014–2019)

This Los Angeles set series centers on two people who begin a relationship while managing career and personal challenges. It aired first on FX and then moved to FXX for the remaining seasons with a total of five seasons.

‘You’re the Worst’ was created by Stephen Falk and stars Chris Geere, Aya Cash, Desmin Borges, and Kether Donohue. The series used a single camera format and organized its final season to provide a planned conclusion.

‘Detectorists’ (2014–2017)

This British series follows two friends who spend their free time searching fields with metal detectors and dealing with club politics. It ran on BBC Four for three series with episodes that focus on rural life and small discoveries.

‘Detectorists’ was created by Mackenzie Crook, who stars with Toby Jones, and the show received a BAFTA for comedy writing in 2015. A later special reunited the cast after the main run, and the production used gentle location work in the English countryside.

‘Stath Lets Flats’ (2018–2021)

Set in a North London letting agency, this series follows a trainee agent learning the trade in a family business. It aired on Channel 4 across three series.

‘Stath Lets Flats’ was created by Jamie Demetriou, who stars alongside Natasia Demetriou and Al Roberts. The show earned multiple BAFTA awards in 2020 and used a single camera format with office interiors and street exteriors in London.

‘Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace’ (2004)

Presented as a lost 1980s hospital series authored by a fictional horror writer, this show reconstructs episodes with modern commentary. It aired on Channel 4 and completed six episodes.

‘Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace’ stars Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, and Alice Lowe. The production replicated period television techniques with practical effects, library music cues, and visible in-frame errors for authenticity.

‘Burning Love’ (2012–2013)

This series parodies competitive dating formats and follows contestants through a full season structure. It began as a web series and later aired on television with multiple seasons covering different stages of the reality template.

‘Burning Love’ was created by Erica Oyama and directed by Ken Marino, who also stars with a large ensemble of guest performers. The episodes use a half hour runtime and include reunion and follow up installments that mirror franchise conventions.

‘Trial & Error’ (2017–2018)

Set in the town of East Peck, this mockumentary legal comedy follows a young defense attorney handling high profile local cases. It aired on NBC for two seasons.

‘Trial & Error’ was created by Jeff Astrof and Matt Miller and stars Nicholas D’Agosto with season specific guest leads John Lithgow and Kristin Chenoweth. The production used a single camera documentary style with talking head segments and courtroom sequences.

‘Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23’ (2012–2013)

This series follows a Midwestern newcomer in New York who becomes roommates with a con artist and navigates the city. It aired on ABC for two seasons.

‘Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23’ was created by Nahnatchka Khan and stars Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker, and James Van Der Beek as a fictionalized version of himself. The series filmed in Los Angeles with New York establishing shots and used a single camera format.

‘Another Period’ (2015–2018)

Set in 1902 Newport, this series presents a wealthy family’s household staff and social circle with reality television structure applied to the Gilded Age. It aired on Comedy Central for three seasons.

‘Another Period’ was created by Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome and features Paget Brewster, Michael Ian Black, and David Wain among the ensemble. The production used location mansions and period costumes with half hour episodes across its run.

‘Childrens Hospital’ (2010–2016)

This medical series originated as a short form web show before moving to Adult Swim for multiple seasons. It parodies hospital dramas through a collection of recurring staff and episodic cases.

‘Childrens Hospital’ was created by Rob Corddry and features a large ensemble including Rob Huebel, Lake Bell, Ken Marino, and Henry Winkler. The series won multiple awards in short form categories and produced episodes with an 11 minute runtime.

‘Bored to Death’ (2009–2011)

Set in Brooklyn, this series follows a writer who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective while juggling friendships and work. It aired on HBO for three seasons.

‘Bored to Death’ was created by Jonathan Ames and stars Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson. The show filmed on location in New York City and used serialized cases to structure each season.

‘Lady Dynamite’ (2016–2017)

This series stars Maria Bamford as a comedian mapping out work and personal life across multiple timelines that separate past and present. It premiered on Netflix and ran for two seasons.

‘Lady Dynamite’ was created by Pam Brady and Mitchell Hurwitz with Maria Bamford in the lead role. The production used single camera scenes with bright color palettes and recurring guest stars from television and stand up.

Share the underseen comedy series you would add to this list in the comments.