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Between cable, network, and streamers, there is certainly no short supply of content to choose from. And yet, with such a wide net of shows to pick from, some of the best series tend to be forgotten over time. That was certainly the case in the landscape of 2010s sitcoms. With only 24 hours in a day, there’s only so much television one human can consume! Some shows just fall to the wayside.
In that decade, for every masterpiece like The Good Place was an equally marvelous show like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Whether due to timing or place, these forgotten shows just didn’t get their full platform to shine. And yet, looking back, these shows still have aged like fine wine. The titles on this list are not only excellent shows, but they also hold up quite well today. From a brilliant parody of police procedurals to stories that resonate still, these shows deserve to be back in the conversation like a crisp Chianti.
‘Angie Tribeca’ (2016–2018)
If there’s one actress who’s been a utility player in comedy, it’s Rashida Jones. After being a part of two brilliant ensembles, including Parks and Recreation and The Office, it was time for her to lead her own single-camera comedy. That show was the brilliant TBS comedy Angie Tribeca. Created by Steve and Nancy Carell, the series served as a parody of police dramas. Jones played the titular character, a “lone-wolf” detective with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Really Heinous Crimes Unit. Poking fun at the hard-nosed cop tropes, Angie Tribeca was a rapid-fire, mild-a-minute joke fest that soared with exceptional puns, sight gags, and literal interpretations of common phrases.
With frequently absurd situations, including the murder of a ventriloquist and a rash of baker suicides, Angie Tribeca was the 21st-century version of The Naked Gun. And since we just had a reboot film, clearly, Angie Tribeca was not only ahead of its time but also knew that style of humor was still desired. Jones served as a brilliant centerpiece for the ensemble, slaying with strong showings from Hayes MacArthur as new partner Jay Geiles, Jere Burns as apoplectic Captain Chet Atkins, Andrée Vermeulen as quirky medical examiner Dr. Monica Scholls, and Deon Cole as Detective DJ Tanner. Plus, with a cavalcade of guest cameos, including Bill Murray, Adam Scott, and Lisa Kudrow, the acting was always top-notch. For four seasons, Angie Tribeca mastered a style of comedy that seemed forgotten. Even with a timeless comedic approach, being a hit show on TBS was its most difficult test. Angie Tribeca is the best show you likely never watched.
‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ (2015–2019)
Though some trolls today may find issue with the series title, the truth is, the most brilliantly daring comedy of the 2010s was none other than Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Running on The CW for four seasons, the musical comedy centers around Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom), a successful but unhappy New York lawyer who impulsively moves to West Covina, California, to pursue a former flame, Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III), believing it will bring her happiness and love. The problem is, her quest is more complicated than anticipated and often misguided. A musical, satirical, and insightful exploration of love, mental health, and identity, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend pushed the bounds of fantasy and reality in a carefully plotted masterpiece.
Despite the “crazy” stereotype, the series subverted and deconstructed mental health in a thoughtful and engaging manner. With over 150 original songs, the show uses music to heighten comedy and provide insight into the character’s psyches. And those musical numbers ranged from everything, including pop, rap, and standard Disney fare. A major factor in the show’s exceptional run was Bloom and the ensemble, which featured strong showings from Santino Fontana, Donna Lynne Champlin, David Hull, and Vella Lovell. Nowadays, integrating conversations about mental health into comedies is a common practice, so in that sense, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend hasn’t just aged well; it was ahead of its time.
‘Happy Endings’ (2011–2013)
When it comes to comedies canceled too soon, one frequent name on that list is the ABC single-cam sitcom Happy Endings. The friend-centric comedy by David Caspe had a healthy three-season run before getting the fateful axe. But during that time, it earned a cult following that continues to sound the alarm about its brilliance to this day. The series followed the antics of six best friends in Chicago: loving married couple, the overacheiver Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and perfectionist Jane (Eliza Coupe), ditzy Alex (Elisha Cuthbert), daydreamer Dave (Zachary Knighton), slacker Max (Adam Pally), and party animal Penny (Casey Wilson). As the dynamic shifts, the comedy remains. The 2010s response to Friends and How I Met Your Mother, Happy Endings was a tight relationship sitcom that still managed to be refreshing.
Whether they reflected your friend group or not, the intrigue of Happy Endings lay in how the navigation between love, work, and a bizarrely intricate, interdependent social life was portrayed. Each individual who made up the group had their own endearing and charming traits, so when they came together, it worked as a complete puzzle, completing and complementing one another. Through witty scripts, Happy Endings was never grating; it was smartly funny and authentically genuine. Though the core was built around a hangout show, there was a strong sense of development through the characters and overall story. Packed with recurring gags and pop culture references, Happy Endings was a show that made you feel included. While it’s no fun ending before your time is due to expire, having a legacy of a lost legend means that its reverence continues to be retained today. Not exactly a “happy ending,” but better than terrible!
‘Life in Pieces’ (2015–2019)
Yes, CBS had sitcoms that were successful in the 21st century, not created by Chuck Lorre. One such example was Life in Pieces. Created by Justin Adler, the comedy chronicled the lives of three generations of the Short family— parents John (James Brolin) and Joan (Dianne Wiest), and their three adult children, Matt (Thomas Sadoski), Greg (Colin Hanks), and Heather (Betsy Brandt), alongside their respective partners and children. Known for its bite-sized storytelling, featuring a series of 7-minute incremental short stories, Life in Pieces was a humorous, fragmented look at the daily family milestones that was more than just a slice-of-life tale. A sharp, grounded approach to the importance of blood relationships, Life in Pieces was a relatable, reality-based sitcom that was happily familiar.
Often compared to another generational comedy, Modern Family, Life in Pieces opted for a more wholesome, family-friendly approach that was reflective of the average family unit that would be tuning in. Yet, there was a desire for something more progressive, giving the edge to the ABC sitcom instead. Because Modern Family became a highly favored sitcom, Life in Pieces ended its run and somehow landed in sitcom history limbo. That said, the bite-sized styling has become an eager-to-consume approach to television that Life in Pieces has reflected much of how some sitcoms choose to share their stories today. Perfect for comfort viewing, if there’s anything else to remember the show fondly by, it’s the stellar cast. Wall-to-wall stars.
‘One Day at a Time’ (2017–2020)
The 2010s were filled with reboots and revivals of classic sitcoms, but the one that stood out as genuinely the best was One Day at a Time. Based on the 1975 sitcom of the same name, One Day at a Time was reimagined with a Cuban-American family at its center. The four-season sitcom followed Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado), a newly separated Army veteran and nurse, who was raising her radical teen daughter, Elena (Isabella Gomez), and hersocially adept tween son, Alex (Marcel Ruiz), with the help of her old-school, Cuban-born mother, Lydia (Rita Moreno). Bringing the intergenerational stories of a Latino family to the forefront, the show blended old-school sitcom tropes with contemporary storytelling for a poignant examination of the modern family.
Even if the Alvarez family didn’t look like your family, their experiences together as a unit may still have resonated. One Day at a Time was exceptionally heartfelt, tackling important topics respectfully. Equally progressive as the original Norman Lear series was at its time, the show brought classic tropes that made multi-camera series so beloved while ensuring such themes of PTSD, racism, and sexuality were handled with care. Though it feels as if the multi-cam sitcom is slowly becoming a thing of the past, One Day at a Time bridged the gap between the past and the future, proving that there is a place for that style of sitcom. In a time when stories about minority families are important, One Day at a Time deserves recognition as a beautiful reminder of spirit and hope.
‘Superstore’ (2015–2021)
Workplace comedies have always been the rage. Finding a unique setting to place the hijinks is key. Thankfully, when it came to Justin Spitzer‘s hit series Superstore, a comedy about the employees at a big box store was the ticket. The series focuses on the diverse group at the Cloud 9 megastore in St. Louis, Missouri, including weary floor supervisor Amy Dubanowski (America Ferrera), sales associate Jonah Simms (Ben Feldman), intense assistant manager Dina Fox (Lauren Ash), and well-meaning store manager Glenn Sturgis (Mark McKinney). Superstore was a sharp, underappreciated gem that captured the essence of working-class life in the face of corporate greed.
Like many single-camera comedies of the time, Superstore thrived with its fast-paced, dry wit. Capturing the daily grind with a perfect blend of cynicism and optimism, the characters and situations were accessible and authentic. We may not have worked at a big box store, but we’ve certainly shopped at one. Thanks to Superstore, we have a greater appreciation for the employees we see while shopping there. We can only hope they have that much fun! Superstore has an enduring appeal because its sharp social commentary on healthcare, gun control, and immigration remains relevant today.
‘The New Normal’ (2012–2013)
Once Glee took off on FOX, Ryan Murphy became the golden creator in Hollywood. He followed up his success with American Horror Story. From there, it was the sadly short-lived The New Normal. Running for a single season on NBC, The New Normal tells the story of successful Los Angeles couple Bryan Collins (Andrew Rannells) and David Bartholomew Sawyer (Justin Bartha) who are looking to have a baby. They find a surrogate in Goldie Clemmons (Georgia King), a young waitress from the Midwest who has just left her cheating husband with her precious 9-year-old daughter, Shania (Bebe Wood). Unfortunately, Goldie’s conservative and often bigoted grandmother, Jane Forrest (Ellen Barkin), follows her west, causing friction with thoughts of a gay couple and an unconventional family structure. A heartwarming comedy with heart and the use of satire to challenge bigotry, The New Normal reflected America at a time when the tides were slowly turning.
The New Normal was a whip-smart comedy that catered to a niche audience. Had the series been made today, it might have had a wider audience as the definition of family continues to evolve. One thing to keep in complete perspective when looking back at The New Normal is that it arrived before marriage equality was legalized in the United States. In that regard, the series is a period piece. But what makes it timeless is the importance of showcasing queer stories, and even in today’s climate, the challenges that come with starting a family, and how not every family looks the same. The New Normal truly was a prophetic series about a non-nuclear family, with a strong ensemble and a warm, inviting tone. Sadly, there are still a lot of grandma Janes out there.
‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ (2015–2020)
There was no show quite as vibrant as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The surrealist and absurdist comedy by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock tells the story of Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper), who is freed after 15 years of captivity in an underground bunker in Indiana. Kimmy decides to leave her past behind for a new life in New York City. She adjusts to her new surroundings in the concrete jungle by rooming with eccentric, flamboyant, and self-absorbed struggling actor Titus Andromdon (Tituss Burgess), dealing with crime-prone, blast-from-the-past landlady Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane), and working for wealthy, insecure socialite Jacqueline White (Jane Krakowski). A hilarious comedy, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt found the light in the darkness to craft an outrageously satirical show with running gags and pop culture references.
The joy of the show was Kimmy. She was also presented as a crucial character, one who could speak her mind and serve as the eyes and ears of a brand-new world. It provided an opportunity to poke fun at the mundane and ridiculous. The strong writing was brought to life by a top-notch ensemble of stars who went to extremes for laughs. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt remains a timeless comedy of resilience, providing a pick-me-up during our current chaotic world. By focusing on the life lesson of taking the next steps head-on, over victimhood made the four-season series something important for future storytelling.
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Michael Block
Almontather Rassoul
