Image grabbed from 'Bojack Horseman'
Cover Image grabbed from 'Bojack Horseman'

There are shows that make you laugh out loud and then there are those that make you pause and think—here are some some that give you the best of both worlds

There are days when we may feel like binge-watching comedy shows that make no sense. Other times, we may feel comforted by the dark humour of shows like Family Guy, Rick And Morty, South Park, and the like. Personally, when I find myself growing grim about the mouth, I turn the TV on and look for more serious material that makes me pause and think.

Listed in this article are comedy shows that are not just written for laughs.

Read also: 7 Of The Funniest Sitcoms Of All Time: The Office, Parks And Rec, And More

1. Community

Community is an inventive show that disguises "dumb television" with clever writing. What makes Community a cult classic is its method of going up against TV clichés and tropes. Plus, the chemistry between the cast members is almost unmatched. Anyone would get invested in the characters after watching an episode or two.

See Also: 7 Of The Funniest Sitcoms Of All Time

2. Big Mouth

The Netflix series Big Mouth is for every person going through puberty. It has a hilarious way of putting into the screen the adversities of growing up and exploring physical, mental, and emotional changes of the body in an attempt to normalise the whole process.

"We all found that time of life to be this potent time when you're trying to figure things out," said the show's co-creator and executive producer Jennifer Flackett. "And we, at the time, had a 13-year-old son. We were just watching him kind of go through the throes of puberty. We were sort of thinking, 'Is there a way' — because we knew the show was going to be animated — 'to talk about that?' ... We wanted to kind of give a voice to that voice inside of you."

Related: World Laughter Day 2021: 7 Top Comedians To Watch—Jo Koy, Ali Wong, And More

3. The Good Place

The Good Place will make you think twice about how you are spending the rest of your days on Earth. The series offers witty and relatable lines fused with life-changing philosophies. The cast can easily make anybody laugh without exerting too much effort.

Related: 'The Good Place' Star Manny Jacinto Talks About His Upcoming Projects

4. Bojack Horseman

Get ready to be slapped with the harsh realities of life in the funniest possible way. Bojack Horseman is an alcoholic horse whose acting career peaked when he played the role of a young bachelor who tries to raise three human children in a successful 1990s family sitcom called Horsin' Around. Throughout the show, he throws loads of self-deprecating jokes that are really honest, sad, and brave. 

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5. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Someone has to say it: a comedy as good as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt deserves more than the attention it has today. Despite starting slow, the show shines through its personal charm. It is a light series that keeps comedy rolling while exploring much deeper dilemmas. Its gleeful main character (Ellie Kemper) can make viewers smile with her no mean-spirited jokes.

6. Key & Peele

The tandem of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele is unlike any other. Their series Key & Peele, which premiered in 2012, shows the duo in the shoes of different characters. Their sketches usually bring up a variety of American societal issues that involve pop culture, ethnic stereotypes, race, and social awkwardness.

The best thing about this show is that it could make anyone burst into laughter in such a short amount of time. People can also watch it for free on YouTube.

7. Fresh Off The Boat

Film director and renowned chef Eddie Huang had his whole life pictured in Fresh Off The Boat. Set between the years of 1995 and 2000, the story follows a Taiwanese-American family who moves from Chinatown of Washington, DC to Orlando, Florida to live the "American dream". The series sheds light on the day-to-day challenges and meaningful experiences of Asian communities in the US. 

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