15 Beloved TV Comedy Friendships from ‘New Girl,’ ‘Community,’ ‘The Office,’ and More

Most, if not all, comedy TV shows focus on the main character’s romantic relationships. However, friendships are often just as important to highlight as romances. 

From classic shows like The Office to newer sitcoms like Abbott Elementary, heartwarming friendships have always been a part of comedy TV shows. The exciting part of TV friendships is how unique each friendship is.

Some characters build friendships through competitive teasing and pranks, while others form genuine connections through tough times. Regardless, these friendships make for great entertainment! 

In no particular order, here are 15 of the best comedy TV friendships: 

1. Troy & Abed (Community) 

Anybody who has watched Community can probably sing the “Troy and Abed in the Morning” jingle perfectly. True fans can recite the duo’s iconic raps and songs. 

Troy and Abed are the quintessential friendship. Troy is the only person who understands Abed’s interests and quirks, and Abed is the only person who can see Troy for his hidden strengths. Over four seasons, the two friends became inseparable, healing their friendship even after being divided by a school-wide pillow fight. 

One of the saddest parts of Donald Glover’s departure from the show was Troy saying goodbye to Abed. While Abed tried not to cry, he seemed really sad and expressed his desire for Troy to come back and visit.

Troy never returned before the show ended, but here’s to hoping Troy and Abed will be reunited in the upcoming Community movie! 

2. Janine & Jacob (Abbott Elementary) 

Abbott Elementary wouldn’t be the same without Janine and Jacob’s friendship. These two fellow teachers have an inseparable bond that lasted even when Janine left Abbott to work at the district. 

Even though Jacob supports Janine’s decision to chase her dreams, he definitely shows that he misses having her around. Similarly, Janine often relies on Jacob for support and finds herself struggling without him.

It’s also adorable that Jacob is the biggest fan of Janine and Gregory. Everyone needs a cheerleader to encourage them to follow their heart, and Jacob ships Janine and Gregory harder than anyone else at Abbott. 

With Abbott Elementary Season 4 premiering in the fall, here’s to hoping we get to see more of Janine and Jacob’s friendship!

3. Leslie & Ann (Parks and Recreation) 

When thinking of female friendships on TV, Leslie and Ann from Parks and Recreation often are the first names to come to people’s minds. While Leslie’s friends understand her extroverted personality, nobody else truly complements it as Ann does. 

Ann and Leslie are the perfect Yin and Yang. Ann is realistic and worrisome, while Leslie dreams big and is carefree. Ann helps bring Leslie back to Earth when she gets too excited about an idea that might not come to fruition. Similarly, Leslie pushes Ann to step outside of her comfort zone and try new things. 

Additionally, Leslie always has the best compliments to give to Ann (“Your brain is almost as perfect as your face!). Their friendship is one of the best parts of the show and will remain iconic in TV history for many years to come. 

4. Edwin & Niko (Dead Boy Detectives) 

Dead Boy Detectives is a newer and shorter show than the others on this list. However, Niko and Edwin’s friendship rings just as strong and true as the other ones on this list.

As a ghost who died in the early 1900s, Edwin has a personality many often see as standoffish and stuffy. Yet Niko sees through the mask Edwin puts on and finds a way to support him on his journey of self-discovery. Edwin also helps Niko realize how important her relationship with her mother is. 

This is why it’s heartbreaking when Niko dies in front of Edwin at the end of the first season. Edwin’s heartbroken scream of anguish tells us all we need to know about how much Niko means to him. Hopefully, Netflix will renew Dead Boy Detectives for a second season so we can see these two friends reunited again. 

5. Coach Beard & Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is often hailed as a feel-good show. Part of that reason is Coach Beard and Coach Lasso’s friendship. The fellow coaches stick together through thick and thin. 

Even though Coach Beard is mysterious, an essential part of his backstory is that he and Ted coached football together at Witchita State. The show highlights how Ted and Beard have been so closely bonded that Beard is willing to follow Ted around the world. 

They make references to music and movies to each other that fly over everyone else’s head. There’s no denying that Coach Beard and Ted’s friendship is an essential foundation for the Richmond team.  

6. Sydney & Carmy (The Bear)

While some fans of The Bear ship Carmy and Sydney together, there’s no denying that they have a fascinating friendship. 

What makes Sydney and Carmy’s friendship so unique is all the conflict they’ve faced. Many of the arguments stem from Carmy’s inability to process his trauma, but no matter how much they disagree, they still care about each other at the end of the day. 

This is highlighted by how hard it is for Sydney to leave Carmy’s restaurant. Even though she knows she would be working in a better workplace by leaving, throughout Season 3, she grapples with the guilt of possibly leaving Carmy.

It’ll be interesting to see how their friendship continues to evolve in The Bear Season 4. 

7. Cece & Jess (New Girl) 

Similar to Leslie and Ann, Cece and Jess are a fantastic example of female friendship. Jess is ecstatic and quirky. In comparison, Cece is more grounded and often looks out for her friend. 

The two girls are fiercely protective of each other. Throughout New Girl, both girls have romances that never get in their care for each other. For example, at both of Cece’s weddings, Jess works hard to prevent disasters from breaking out. 

Jess also brings out a side of Cece that rarely comes out. Cece is able to be silly and free around Jess, which contradicts the usual put-together act she has as a model. Their friendship is adorable and one of the best parts of the show. 

8. Laszlo & Guillermo (What We Do in the Shadows) 

In recent seasons of What We Do in the Shadows, Laszlo and Guillermo’s friendship has been in the spotlight. 

When Guillermo is struggling with his vampiric transformation, he turns to Laszlo to help. Laszlo then performs a bunch of hilarious and interesting experiments to help Guillermo figure out what vampiric powers he has. 

Even though Laszlo tries to act aloof, he truly does enjoy Guillermo’s company. He knows that Nandor would be furious if he found out that he was helping the familiar, but he decides to support Guillermo anyway. 

Perhaps we’ll get to see more of this unexpected friendship in the next and final season of What We Do in the Shadows.

9. Dwight & Jim (The Office) 

On the surface level, Dwight and Jim from The Office seem like enemies. But at the end of the day, they have a friendship built on teasing and mutual respect. 

Throughout the show, Dwight and Jim continuously try to outdo each other. While Dwight wants to focus on work and make his way up the ranks, Jim spends more time pulling pranks on Dwight that make him burst into funny fits of rage. 

However, there are moments when their friendship becomes obvious. When Andy gets Dwight fired, Jim pranks Andy until he can’t take it anymore. When Jim is attacked by Roy, Dwight pepper sprays him. It’s no doubt that Dwight and Jim have more than proven that they’re not enemies but best friends. 

10. Gary & Selina (Veep) 

Gary and Selina from Veep have one of the most loyal friendships. Gary has been by Selina’s side as an assistant during her journey from VP to president. 

Selina relies heavily on Gary, and Gary equally wouldn’t know what to do if he didn’t have Selina. Gary’s devotion shines through how he anticipates Selina’s every need. He manages her hectic schedule and knows her favorite snacks and past romantic affairs. 

Admittedly, there’s a power imbalance, and boundaries between work and personal life can often get blurred. Nevertheless, Gary and Selina’s friendship is both comical and touching. 

11. Charles & Jake (Brooklyn 99) 

There are plenty of great friendships in Brooklyn 99, but there’s no denying that Jake and Charles have the most memorable one. 

Jake’s laid-back, reckless behavior is matched by Charles’ awkward but earnest personality. Charles often idolizes Jake, and Jake recognizes Charles’ sincerity and good intentions. They make the perfect pair to go on adventures as they are always looking out for each other. 

Their friendship is also a refreshing defiance of traditional masculinity stereotypes. They frequently express their feelings to each other, providing a positive example of male friendship that allows for vulnerability. 

12. Michael & Eleanor (The Good Place) 

Eleanor and Michael share one of the most unique friendships in The Good Place. While Michael initially deceives Eleanor, they slowly become closer as Eleanor helps Michael see the good in humanity. 

Originally, Michael has a black-and-white view of humanity and morality, proclaiming that Eleanor and her friends don’t deserve to a chance to go to the Good Place. Over time, he begins to develop empathy for Eleanor especially after firsthand seeing her strained relationship with her mother.

Both characters learn invaluable lessons from being friends with each other. Their bond emulates the show’s themes of redemption and growth, perfectly illustrating how friendships can improve people.  

13. Deborah & Ava (Hacks) 

Like Sydney and Carmy, Ava and Deborah have a friendship that’s frequently tested by rocky situations in Hacks. 

The two have generational and ideological differences that come out when they struggle to collaborate. However, they challenge each other to improve their craft. Ava’s honesty pushes Deborah to rework her material and take more risks. 

Ava and Deborah also find common ground in their experience as women in comedy. They both understand the pressure of facing expectations in a male-dominated industry and support each other through the process of making it big in the world of comedy. 

14. Molly & Nicholas (Loot) 

In Loot, the friendship between Molly and Nicholas is a compelling story that viewers can follow. 

Like Gary from Veep, Nicholas is always by Molly’s side and addresses her every need. However, Molly also considers Nicholas’ needs as well, including his desire to become an actor. She actively encourages him to pursue his dreams of acting and writing. 

Their interactions are often the most genuine and funny parts of the series. Between Molly’s naive actions and Nicholas’ grounded outlook, the pair make an unstoppable, iconic duo. 

15. Emma & Marie (Gen V) 

Gen V might be set in the bloody, brutal world of The Boys, but from the chaos emerges Marie and Emma’s amazing friendship. 

Both girls face a lot of expectations and struggle with their abilities. However, they find comfort in each other’s company. Marie relies on Emma’s kind-hearted nature, and Emma finds safety in Marie’s unwavering support. 

Their friendship deepens as they get more involved in the twisted plot of Godolkin University. As they face countless dangers and dilemmas, their friendship remains a constant, serving as a reminder how essential friendship is in a competitive environment. 

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Are there any friendships we forgot to mention from your favorite shows? Let us know in the comments below! 

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