Are you in need of a good laugh? And by a good laugh, I mean a genuine, rolling on the floor, tears coming out of your eyes, can barely breathe, pee your pants…laugh. There are so many comedy shows, but these days, it’s hard to find one to make you break the static, silent, ‘watching TV alone in your room’ face we all know and love. Seriously, I can watch drama, comedy, romance, etc. without changing my expression. But once in a while, there’s a show funny enough to have you laughing even when you’re alone and binge-watching! Here are my top 5 “pee your pants” shows, in no particular order. Enjoy!
1. Arrested Development
If you’ve seen Arrested Development, I’m sure that like me, you and your family probably quote these characters at least once a day. That’s the charm of this show: the characters. I’m not saying Tobias Fünke is one of the best comedy characters to ever be on our screens but…oh wait, yes I am! He, and the rest of his dysfunctional family, never cease to make me laugh! The inside jokes continue to get better with each repeated reference. You’ll be asking, “Her?!” and screaming “LOOSE SEAL!” as you make your way through this family’s absurd, insane, and downright hysterical antics. The more times you binge it, the funnier it gets!
2. New Girl
This show is just TOO good! Whether it’s a revisited plot line from seasons ago, or the newest crazy, lovable, adventure of Jessica Day, New Girl will have you laughing in so many different ways. Each character has their own one-of-a-kind personality, hilarious side-stories, and some of the best TV acting (especially physical acting) I have ever seen in a comedy! Some days we can all completely vibe with Nick Miller’s quirky, gruff, wacky personality—or maybe you 100% relate to Winston’s codependent relationship with his cat! And we can’t forget about Schmidt, one the most charismatic and completely insane members of the crew. Understanding the complex and idiosyncratic personalities of everyone is what makes this show not only hilarious, but also fascinating!
3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
No one gets up to shenanigans quite like the officers of the 99th precinct! In Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Jake Peralta’s hysterical, joyful, yet somehow still incredibly competent detective skills never cease to provide laughs, and the rest of the cast is equally (if not even more) hilarious. Amy Santiago, forever the teacher’s pet, will have you crying just as much as Captain Holt and Rosa Diaz’s deadpan humor. Charles Boyle…well, he’s just his own breed of funny. If you want a laugh, give this a watch…or, if you just want the highlights, skip to the Halloween episodes!
4. Psych
Psych is a really unique show on this list because it wraps comedy, drama, mystery, and romance all into one! A lot of comedies can get old from time to time, with the same jokes over and over…and some days, we’re just not in the mood to ‘ROFL’ and pee our pants! That’s why this show is so wonderful. Each episode is different! Shawn Spencer and his even-funnier counterpart Burton “Gus” Guster are two of the most delightful TV characters, with comedic relief to spare! But when you’re not dying of laughter while watching Psych, you’ll also be enjoying the smart, well-written storylines, fantastic acting, and a rollercoaster of emotions! And be sure to look out for the pineapples!
5. The Office
I’m sure this show appearing on this list comes as no surprise—it’s the epitome of a binge-worthy, hilarious, classic show. When I first watched The Office, I actually didn’t pick up on all the comedic aspects, because a lot of the jokes are more subtle. Some comedies aren’t as extroverted and over-the-top in every episode. Between missing a few “that’s what she said’s,” and not noticing the importance of every amazing inter-character relationship, every small prank, and some of the larger comedic plot lines, I had to watch The Office a couple times over before I realized that it wasn’t just funny, it was HILARIOUS. It wasn’t just Jim, Dwight, and Michael who were funny; it was all of the more underrated side characters too! Of course anyone watching The Office for the first time is going to love it, and laugh at it—but take it from me, it just gets better and better the more you watch it! If you want a show to provide you and your fellow Bingers with inside jokes for years to come, this is the one for you!
Whether these shows are your newest comedy binge, or you are going back for a rewatch to brighten your days, consider these top 5 shows the next time you need a real, true laugh!
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