Summary
- Parks and Recreation is a beloved mockumentary with an impressive cast, offering heartwarming tales of community improvement.
- Schitt's Creek gained popularity on Netflix, focusing on a wealthy family adjusting to life in a small town.
- What We Do in the Shadows, inspired by a film, showcases chaotic vampire shenanigans in a mockumentary style.
One of the 2010s' most essential mockumentaries, Parks and Recreation, built on the success of the newly established comedic genre, giving a substitute to shows like The Office, with the workplace again being explored. Famed for its impressive cast that has gone on to brighter horizons, Parks and Rec centers on Parks Department manager Leslie Knope and her eccentric team, which works to better local communities within Pawnee, a small town in Indiana.
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Featuring awkward comedic bits empowered by its star-studded ensemble, Parks and Rec delivered seven seasons of endearing television that went on to inspire future generations. Like Parks and Rec, plenty of alternative shows offer their style and essence, excelling at the comedic tone that made Parks and Rec a television classic.
1 Schitt's Creek
Canadian Sitcom That Sees A Flamboyant Family Learn To Love Their New Town
Schitt's Creek
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2015 - 2020-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Catherine O'Hara, Dan Levy, Noah Reid, Emily Hampshire, Tim Rozon, Dustin Milligan, Eugene Levy, Jennifer Robertson, Chris Elliott, Annie Murphy
- Showrunner
- Dan Levy, Eugene Levy
- Seasons
- 6
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
What started as a niche Canadian comedy became a megahit overnight due to its inclusion on Netflix, with Schitt's Creek going onto international acclaim following the Rose family, a wealthy group who lose all their possessions and luxuries due to their involvement in embezzlement, except for an obscure and small town that they must try to rebuild their lives in. Featuring comedic heavyweights Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara, the Rose family's adventures as they try to fit into a quaint town alongside its residents prove eventful as their baggage and eccentricity take hold of Schitt's Creek.
Improving season after season, Schitt's Creek's heartwarming story beats, which see the family become more connected to their town and its community, are reminiscent of the adventures of Leslie and her team as they strive to aid their community despite their often overbearing nature.
2 What We Do In The Shadows
Gothic Mockumentary That Follows Vampires Engaging In Mundane Activities
What We Do in the Shadows
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2019 - 2024
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- FX
- Story By
- Jermaine Clement, Taika Waititi
- Seasons
- 6
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
Based on Taika Waititi's movie of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows has become one of the more underappreciated mockumentaries of the past decade, building on its predecessor's innovative style and creative approach through its vampire lore and aesthetic in a television format. What We Do in the Shadows primarily follows four vampires who occupy an apartment in New York, where the supernatural beings indulge in human life and try to acclimatize into a society foreign to their own.
Besides the absurd relationships between the vampires, its mockumentary approach is akin to Parks and Rec, only more chaotic as the vampires try to perform mundane tasks outside their comfort zone, bringing a lot of hilarity as Matt Berry and his co-stars excel through their over-the-top portrayals.
3 30 Rock
All-Star Cast That Sees The Ups And Downs Of The Production Of A Sketch Show
30 Rock
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2013-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Katrina Bowden, Keith Powell, Lonny Ross
- Writers
- Tina Fey, Robert Carlock
- Seasons
- 7
- Streaming Service(s)
- Peacock
Inspired by Tina Fey's experiences on SNL, 30 Rock became a flagship show for NBC during its runtime, becoming an Emmys darling thanks to its stellar cast and its examination of the bright lights of showbiz. Filled with divas, control freaks, and people just trying to get by, 30 Rock sees Liz Lemon, the sketch show's head writer, manage a chaotic production that continually sees humor result from such disorder.
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Often poking fun at the show's own network, NBC, 30 Rock's witty writing that thrived off pop culture references and amusing dynamics between characters saw 30 Rock become a staple of comedic television in the 21st century, comparable to Parks and Rec.
4 Community
Unlikely Group Of Individuals Become Involved In Shenanigans At A Community College
Community
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2009 - 2015-00-00
- Network
- NBC, Yahoo! Screen
- Cast
- Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jim Rash, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Aaron Himelstein, Aaron Takahashi, Abraham Benrubi, Adrian Sparks, Alfred Dennis, Bubba Dean Rambo, Carl Ciarfalio, Carlos Moreno Jr., Charles Walker, Christopher Boyer, David Jean Thomas, Derwin Jordan, E.J. Callahan, Gloria Sandoval, Gwen McGee, James Martin Kelly, John Michael Higgins, Lee Weaver, Lisa Long, Mark Ryan, Matt Besser, Michael McCafferty, Michelle Krusiec, Mitchell Hurwitz
- Showrunner
- Dan Harmon
- Seasons
- 6
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Netflix
While The Office, Parks and Rec, and 30 Rock dominated on NBC during their era, Community was the fourth wheel, developing a niche fan base through its diverse and hilarious ensemble as they engaged in college campus shenanigans. The show centers on a group of students from all walks of life attending a community college, sparking comedic connections that revolve around the wacky events that occur daily at Greendale Community College.
Community's absurd episode-by-episode variation, ranging from paintball wars to pillow and blanket fights across campus, highlights the outrageous fun and wildness the show presented. While its ensemble thrived even with characters leaving at specific points throughout the show, Community's most infectious dynamic was that of Troy and Abed, a TV duo unmatched in sitcoms, largely due to their electric chemistry and quirky schemes that helped make Community the cult classic it is today.
5 The Good Place
Parks And Recreation Creator's Follow-Up Set In The Afterlife
The Good Place
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2020
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, D'Arcy Carden, Marc Evan Jackson, Tiya Sircar, Emily Arlook, Jill Remez, Paulina Lule, Hayden Szeto, Amy Okuda, George Basil, Sandra Cevallos, Jamie Denbo, Lynnette Gaza, Noelle E Parker, Will McLaughlin, Mary Holland, Avery Hayes, Dax Shepard, Ross Bryant, Dah-uh Morrow, Jim Meskimen, Behzad Dabu, Seth Morris
- Showrunner
- Michael Schur
- Seasons
- 4
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
After the end of Parks and Rec, the show's creator, Michael Schur, went on to develop The Good Place, another successful sitcom that features Adam Scott, albeit in a different setting from Parks and Rec, despite its comedic overlap. The Good Place's premise follows its protagonist, Eleanor, a recently deceased woman who arrives in the afterlife at a location called the Good Place. However, it's revealed early on that Eleanor was accidentally sent to heaven instead of hell, leading to the character trying her best to avoid detection while under the surveillance of the Good Place's overseer, Michael.
Bolstered by its distinct premise, Eleanor's journey of self-rehabilitation in a show that offers satirical sensibilities and riveting twists led to a sitcom that thrived in the second half of the 2010s.
6 Abbott Elementary
Modern Hit That Examines School Teachers And Their Relationships
Abbott Elementary
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- December 7, 2021
WHERE TO WATCH
- Showrunner
- Quinta Brunson
- Seasons
- 5
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, MAX
So far in the 2020s, the leading mockumentary has emerged to be Abbott Elementary, a sitcom from the mind of Quinta Brunson that has taken television by storm since its opening season. Heavily inspired by The Office, Abbott Elementary documents the work of teachers and their efforts to better support their students at Abbott Elementary, a predominantly Black school that struggles with insufficient funding.
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Abbott Elementary not only thrives off its brilliant writing and performances, but the sitcom's combination of slice-of-life elements, variety of personalities, and examination of the education system, a relatable topic everyone engages in one way or another, has seen the show become a phenomenon.
7 The Office
Workplace Comedy That Sparked The Mockumentary Boom In The 21st Century
The Office
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2005 - 2013-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- NBC
- Cast
- Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, Phyllis Smith, Creed Bratton, Oscar Nunez, B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, Ed Helms, Paul Lieberstein, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper, Zach Woods, Melora Hardin, Andy Buckley, Catherine Tate, David Denman, Rashida Jones, James Spader, Robert R. Shafer, Hugh Dane, Jake Lacy
- Seasons
- 9
Birthing the mockumentary style of comedy in North America was The Office, a US remake of Ricky Gervais' British show of the same name, which catapulted to instant success upon its airing. Following the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, a paper supply company, Steve Carell leads a comedic ensemble for the ages as his portrayal of office manager Michael Scott sees an aloof and painstakingly perplexing persona captivate viewers almost immediately.
Not only does The Office thrive through its uncomfortable comedic bits, but The Office manages to offer compelling storylines that get audiences to invest in and relate to the show and its characters, particularly with Jim and Pam's slow-burn romance in the workplace becoming one of TV's most iconic couples alongside Parks and Rec's Leslie and Ben.
- Release Date
- 2009 - 2015
- Network
- NBC
- Showrunner
- Michael Schur
- Directors
- Dean Holland, Ken Whittingham, Troy Miller, Craig Zisk, Morgan Sackett, Randall Einhorn, Michael Trim, Nicole Holofcener, Tristram Shapeero, Wendey Stanzler, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Jason Woliner, Charles McDougall, Daniel J. Goor, Nick Offerman, Tucker Gates, Alan Yang, Alex Hardcastle, Jorma Taccone, Seth Gordon, Adam Scott, David Rogers, Jaime Eliezer Karas, Jeffrey Blitz
- Writers
- Harris Wittels, Aisha Muharrar, Dave King, Katie Dippold, Joe Mande, Megan Amram, Matt Murray, Donick Cary, Mike Scully, Rachel Axler, Alexandra Rushfield, Chelsea Peretti, Matt Hubbard, Greg Levine, Sam Means, Jen Statsky, Emma Fletcher, Rachna Fruchbom, Emily Kapnek, Emily Spivey, Greg Daniels, Tucker Cawley, Nate DiMeo
Cast
-
Amy PoehlerLeslie Knope -
Aziz AnsariTom Haverford -
Nick OffermanRon Swanson -
Aubrey PlazaApril Ludgate
WHERE TO WATCH
- Seasons
- 7
- Streaming Service(s)
- Peacock