1. Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009)
   One of my favorite shows ever. It’s a musical comedy about two guy friends from New-Zealand who live together in NYC and are in a band together. The show features the real band’s music and it is so good and funny, that I also listen to it (a lot) completely detached from the show.
2. Strangers with Candy (1999-2000)
   Up front: Very crude and dark humor. So if that’s not your thing, you probably won’t like it. I looove it. Amy Sedaris plays the lead: Jerri Blank, a 46-year-old former sex worker and drug addict who goes back to high school and living with her parents to get her GED.
3. Documentary Now! (2015-2022)
   I tried multiple times to get people hooked on this show but so far I haven’t found anyone who loves it even close to as much as me. Every episode is a parody of a specific documentary or a genre of documentary (mostly it’s based on specific documentaries) and the creators/writers/main cast are all favorite former SNL cast members and writers of mine.
4. Party Down (2009-2010, 2023)
   A very good sitcom about a catering company. Most of the main cast are people that got cast in other, more well-known shows later on. Seriously, this cast is ridiculously stacked. Every episode is centered on a different event they’re catering and the protagonist is a depressed, defeated (relatable) former actor played by Adam Scott. I love this show so so much.
5. The Mighty Boosh (2004-2007)
   Very surreal/eccentric british comedy show about a zoo and the zookeepers and animals. The two protagonists are Howard Moon and Vince Noir. One very low-key guy played by Julian Barratt and one extremely over-the-top fashion icon sex symbol (at least for me) played by Noel Fielding. There’s also very good music in it that I still get random ear worms of despite not having seen it in many years. But keep in mind: it’s a 2000s show and not all jokes aged that well.
6. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
   One of my favorite teen shows, which says a lot because I’ve probably seen most of the genre. The cast consists mostly of people who got famous for different stuff later on (which I always love) and the show is endlessly quotable, hilarious and relatable. It’s about two cliques/subcultures of outcasts in school. The freaks (slackers/stoners) and the geeks.
7. Portlandia (2011-2018)
   Sketch show that makes fun of hipster subcultures in general, but more specificly in Portland. Made by and starring Fred Armisen (former SNL cast member) and Carrie Brownstein (member of Sleater-Kinney). Amazing cast and guest stars and lots of music nerd references and cameos. Also one of my all-time favorite shows.
8. Bored to Death (2009-2011)
   Great show made by Jonathan Ames (writer and more importantly Fiona Apple’s ex bf) about an alcoholic stoner, named after Jonathan Ames himself, who solves crimes and mysteries as an unlicensed private detective. Great cast also!
9. PEN15 (2019-2021)
   Teen comedy show by Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who play themselves when they were 13. But the other 13-year-olds get played by actual kids which makes for a very bizarre and funny show. Some find it cringe, I find it relatable and wholesome. It’s kind of like if Broad City were about teens.
10. My so-called Life (1994-1995)
    Coming-of-Age drama that has a peak 90s depressed grunge teen vibe (love!!!). A 14/15(?) year old Claire Danes plays the lead and it’s basically about how shitty/difficult it is to be a teenage girl.

Honorable Mentions:

• Lady Dynamite (2016-2017)
  By the creator of Arrested Development and starring one of my favorite stand up comedians Maria Bamford as herself. Very weird, too weird for a mainstream audience unfortunately (like a lot on this list).
• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)
  Musical comedy-drama show about a mentally-ill woman moving to a new city because she meets an old crush.
• My Mad Fat Diary (2013-2015)
  British Coming-of-Age show set in the 90s about a teenage girl who gets released from a mental hospital at the beginning of the show. Great (and sadly very rare) mental health AND fat girl representation. If you liked Skins you might like this, too.
• United States of Tara (2009-2011)
  A Show by my fav Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer’s Body, etc.) about a mother of two who has DID. Toni Collette plays the lead (very well, as usual) and Aidan from SATC plays her husband. She’s really flexing her acting skills in this one.
• Sugar Rush (2005-2006)
  British teen show about a closeted lesbian who’s in love with her straight best friend (we’ve all been there). It’s about her family struggles, coming out as queer and just being a fucked up teenager. It’s also set in Brighton, which I like.
  Also very similar vibe to Skins.
• Girls 5 eva (2021-2024)
  Musical comedy series about former members of a 90s girl group who reunite in their 30s/40s. Good cast, vibes and music. Sadly got cancelled last year. 😭