25 Best TV Comedies of 2022

There was no shortage of great TV comedies this year, and that’s certainly a good thing. From comedies that feel more like dramas and ones that include a murder mystery element, to the ones that are laugh-out-loud funny or simply just endearing, there was certainly a wide variety to choose from. 

That said, narrowing down the best of the best wasn’t an easy task at all. We’ve done it, though, with shows like Dead to Me, What We Do in the Shadows, Our Flag Means Death, and more.

In no particular order, here are the 25 best TV comedies of 2022:

1. Dead to Me

The final season of Dead to Me offered the perfect send-off. The Netflix comedy honored the deep friendship between Jen and Judy with some powerful emotional twists, all while continuing the high-stakes drama of wondering whether they’ll get away with murder. 

The series has always been darkly funny, but Dead to Me Season 3 elevated the series as a whole. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini each offered memorable, emotional, and hilarious performances that makes this series a clear standout. 

2. Ghosts

This network comedy has won the hearts of many with its zany, perfectly hilarious concept of a couple purchasing a haunted mansion and one of them being able to communicate with each of the ghosts.

Each ghost is funny and endearing in their own way, and seeing how they live together and poke fun at the rules that make no sense — like why they can walk through walls but can sit on a couch, is always entertaining. Most importantly, though, they all start learning a little more about themselves thanks to Sam and Jay. At its heart, Ghosts is a story of friendship and found family.

3. A Black Lady Sketch Show

Created by Robin Thede, A Black Lady Sketch Show is a witty, hilarious, and irreverent sketch comedy that has a clear voice when it comes to diversity.

The series is exactly what it sounds like — a sketch show made by some very talented Black women. A Black Lady Sketch Show includes such firsts as the first all-black women writer’s room, the first Black woman sketch director, and the first sketch series cast composed entirely of Black women.

Its brash humor and clever satire make this comedy stand out, along with memorable guest stars like Angela Bassett, Laverne Cox, Tia Mowry, and Patti LaBelle.  

4. Reboot

Hulu’s Reboot is one of the most fun comedies of the year, with a concept that pokes fun at the entertainment industry while honoring it in all its glory.

The series follows Hannah, a writer who wants to do a reboot of a classic sitcom called Step Right Up. Hilarity and family drama follow when it turns out the original writer, who wants to take the project over, is actually related to her. 

Meanwhile, the stars of the original sitcom are facing a part of their old lives with some nostalgia and a whole lot of baggage. The series boasts an incredibly talented cast that includes Keegan-Michael Key, Johnny Knoxville, Rachel Bloom, Judy Greer, and Paul Reiser.

5. The Flight Attendant

While you wouldn’t necessarily call much of The Flight Attendant funny, it’s definitely one of the most intriguing series on this list. The Flight Attendant Season 2 takes the story in a new direction as it continues to follow the journey of Kaley Cuoco’s Cassie Bowden.

Now, though, she’s helping the FBI and facing some brand new complications, all while fearing for her own life. It’s smart, thrilling, and deeply emotional. On top of that, Kaley Cuoco is really giving the performance of a lifetime on this series. 

6. Upload

The elaborate world of Upload lends itself to comedy effortlessly, with its phony after-life run by an imperfect company. Robbie Amell remains delightful as Nathan Brown, both funny and endearing while searching for deeper answers about his own death.

Of course, there’s also a love story underneath it all, and it’s impossible not to root for Nathan and Nora to wind up together. Ingrid’s ridiculous antics only make things funnier, though there’s some real emotion there too. It’s a smart, weird, entertaining comedy that’s definitely as binge-worthy in its second season as it was in its first. 

7. What We Do in the Shadows

With the funniest vampires on TV, What We Do in the Shadows is yet another brilliant comedy on our list. The comedic timing is perfect and the writing is witty, off-beat, and irreverent.

This is a series that isn’t afraid to push boundaries — by a lot. And What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 takes that another step with a wild shift in the dynamics of their group with Baby Colin. On top of that, cast members Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Harvey Guillén all offer stellar performances on this insanely funny Mockumentary series.

Watch What We Do in the Shadows online:

8. Barry

Another one that doesn’t quite feel like a comedy, Barry is as smart and entertaining in its third season as ever. This show is, quite frankly, completely unhinged — but in the best way.

Its dark, twisted storytelling is so much more than meets the eye. The story Barry tells is one that carries deeper meaning, all while taking wild swings and offering incredible performances.

In addition to the always incredible work by Bill Hader on this series, Henry Winkler gets the chance to shine even more this season, and Sarah Goldberg gives a standout performance that’s ultimately one of the most memorable TV moments of the year. 

9. Abbott Elementary

A real standout of network TV, Abbott Elementary has won the hearts of many as the latest mockumentary comedy series. What makes Abbott Elementary special is that, while it focuses on teachers, they aren’t the butt of the joke like they are in so many teacher-focused comedies before them.

Instead, Abbott Elementary shows these hard-working teachers in an underserved area doing everything they can to help their students, and there’s still plenty of humor to go around. This is a show with a whole lot of heart, and one of the more delightful TV comedies of the year.

Watch Abbott Elementary online:

10. Girls5Eva

Women who grew up in the ’90s might appreciate Girls5Eva most, but the comedy series tells a story that many can relate to. Girls5Eva follows a recently reunited girl group from the ’90s as they take new ownership of their music and attempt to reclaim their fame — but with one member missing.

Over-the-top performances and hilarious antics make the show comedy gold, but it’s the friendship between the women and their own individual stories that give the story real substance. 

11. Hacks

Hacks Season 2 takes Deborah and Ava on the road, where plenty of shenanigans ensue as Ava works to hide a big mistake. As usual, their relationship is rocky, yet there continues to be a deep respect between these two women. Deborah’s tour takes a few unexpected turns as well, with several difficult moments along with some really satisfying ones.

Much of what makes Hacks so intriguing is the way it tackles gender issues, sexuality, and aging. And Jean Smart and Hannah Einbender are both, unsurprisingly, impeccable in the second season. 

12. Home Economics

The cast of Home Economics is one of the comedy’s strengths thanks to their incredible chemistry. This network comedy centers on three siblings, all with varying financial situations that make for complicated dynamics. That means there’s plenty of drama along with the series’ funny moments.

Each character is loveable in their own way, and the issues the show deals with are incredibly relevant. Mostly, though, this is an endearing comedy that’s just a whole lot of fun to watch. 

13. I Love That For You

This is the role Vanessa Bayer was made for. I Love That For You stars Bayer as Joanna Gold, a childhood cancer survivor with one big dream: to be on a home shopping network. Even more than that, the person she looks up to most is a long-time star of the network, played by Molly Shannon.

To make her dream come true, though, Joanna winds up pretending that her cancer is back, for one of the most unsettling, cringeworthy, and hilarious comedies of the year. The setting also makes this comedy stand out, with incredible detail paid to the home shopping network itself. 

14. Only Murders in the Building

Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez make a memorable trio on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, which is somehow even funnier and more brilliant in its second season than it was in its first.

Only Murders in the Building Season 2 has a new murder case that puts them all front and center, which is only more complicated because of a rival podcast. The murder mystery element combined with fun guest stars and stellar performances by the three lead actors easily make this one of the best comedies of the year

15. Atlanta

With everyone back in their hometown for Atlanta Season 4, the show’s final season marks its best season yet. Atlanta is unique due to its dark humor and narrative creativity, all while addressing timely issues with great performances from its cast.

It’s another thought-provoking comedy, and it’s one that takes some seriously big risks and doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics — but it does so with great reward. That’s especially true with the show’s series finale, which engages the viewer in something extra special. 

16. Reservation Dogs

Reservation Dogs Season 2 was even better than Season 1, as it dove deeper into each character’s individual emotional journeys and also expanded beyond its lead characters. The series boasts brilliant writing and groundbreaking representation, both on screen and behind the scenes.

Every writer, director, and series regular on the show is Indigenous, giving the show its clear authenticity. The show is funny, but it’s also a poignant and endearing coming-of-age story that is well worth the watch.

17. Rutherford Falls

Peacock’s endearing sitcom Rutherford Falls is another win for Native American representation on our list. The way Ed Helms navigates his character in Season 2 is perfection as he comes to terms with where he really stands in the town’s history as a white man.

This shift makes the second season of the already very funny series even better. It’s too bad this series has been canceled after two seasons.

18. The Righteous Gemstones

Wildly outlandish and ridiculously funny, The Righteous Gemstones follows a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work.

The HBO series stars John Goodman, Danny McBride, Edi Patterson, Adam Devine, Cassidy Freeman, Tony Calvero, Tim Baltz, and Greg Alan. These characters are bold and over the top, yet we still can’t help but want to root for them. And who doesn’t love a story about a dysfunctional family? 

19. Somebody Somewhere

One of the most endearing TV comedies of the year, Somebody Somewhere tells the story of a woman’s journey to find her voice and find her people. 

In this beautifully written series, Bridget Everett stars as Sam, a woman struggling with loss as well as acceptance. Everett offers one heck of a memorable performance throughout the season, especially as she uses singing to be able to find her way. It’s powerful storytelling at its absolute finest.

20. The Afterparty

A high school reunion afterparty ends in a shocking death, leaving everyone as a suspect in this wildly funny comedy series. The Afterparty is plenty of fun to watch, especially thanks to incredible performances by Ben Schwartz and Tiffany Haddish.

The murder-mystery element makes the story engaging, but mostly, this is an entertaining comedy guaranteed to make you laugh. 

21. The Bear

Yes, chef! The Bear stars Jeremy Allen White as Carmy, a chef returning home to run his family’s sandwich shop after the loss of his brother. It’s a fast-paced kitchen, and Carmy has new ideas to help the restaurant, but those aren’t always welcomed by the rest of the staff.

The series is more than meets the eye, with more drama and baggage underneath the surface, and some decidedly heartwarming moments. It’s another one that centers on dysfunctional dynamics, and one that winds up being incredibly relatable.

Watch The Bear online:

22. A League of Their Own 

The beauty of the queer community is that no one person is like the other, and A League of Their Own represents that perfectly. The characters are different, with different backgrounds and experiences. The show allows a community to feel seen, represented, and loved in a way it hadn’t been before.

The writing brings to life some of the rawest emotions we’ve seen on TV, remembering everyone the reality of what being queer was like way back then. By taking a known story and giving it its own spin, the show becomes a brand beyond the movie. One that has made a lot of people happy.

23. Starstruck 

So many romcoms give viewers the story and the “happily ever after.” Starstruck went beyond that, telling fans the story of what comes after. And though there’s plenty of room for error in that strategy, the show managed to be just as charming, hilarious, and heartwarming in its second season.

After Jesse decides to stay in the U.K., she and Tom have to navigate a path forward in their relationship. Filled with cheeky references to iconic romcoms and no shortage of heart, Starstruck is one of the best comedies of the year while bringing back the romance to the romantic comedy.

24. Mythic Quest

Nothing beats a hilarious workplace sitcom in the comedy world. When you have It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creatives Rob McElhenney, Megan Ganz, and Charlie Day behind the wheel; the comedic hijinks are cranked up to an 11. Like the aforementioned show, Mythic Quest features morally questionable, often unlikable people doing morally questionable, unlikable things.

However, the difference here is the employees of Mythic Quest have hearts. We see glimmers of vulnerable, tenderhearted people beneath the layers of chaotic moral grayness. Ultimately, we root for the narcissistic Ian Grimm to find success and the headstrong Poppy Li to fight her way to the top of the gaming industry.

Mythic Quest experiments with fun sitcom tropes, but above all, it’s a hysterical character-driven narrative with pitch-perfect performances from an all-star cast

25. Our Flag Means Death

This year, HBO Max broke the comedy mold when they released a comedic, queer retelling of famous pirates Stede Bonnet and Edward “Blackbeard” Teach. Our Flag Means Death says “we are in the 18th century but time doesn’t actually exist” which adds a level of unexpected fun to our viewing.

Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi lead a diverse cast of quirky characters who just want to survive life on the high seas. There is humor in just how little the show cares about logic or even timeliness — the pirates mention fanfiction at one point, and they always seem to know where each other is on the high seas without a map.

We get a rewarding payoff in the romance department by the end of the season. This makes us over the moon excited about the upcoming second season.

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* Additional contributions by Lara Rosales, Brianna Martinez, Melody McCune, and Mads Misasi.

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