Top 10 satirical TV shows

There are many different types of comedy, from parody to farce. But one type, at least on television, stands out as the most meaningful and popular form of comedy: satire. Satirical TV shows poke fun at the real world. They offer insightful commentary on concepts, institutions, genres, and all manner of elements of modern society without losing sight of the comedy’s core essence.

From a long-running comedy that pokes fun at everything and people in modern society, South Park; Sharp criticism of politics and society, e.g. the boys, The best satire shows on TV always say something interesting about the world. Without ever losing your sense of humor.

Ten The Thick of It (2005-2012)

Produced by Armando Iannucci

BBC The worst case scenario A hilarious look at the inner workings of modern British government.Chris LanghamMalcolm Tucker, the Social Affairs Secretary, is constantly being harassed by heavy-handed policy makers at No. 10 Downing Street.Peter CapaldiAll the while, he relies on a team of less-than-reliable civil servants.

The cast is superb (especially Capaldi, who gives one of the funniest performances in the history of British television), but the writing is The worst case scenario‘s main strength: edgy, clever and more than capable of delivering hard-hitting drama when it needs to be, it’s one of the BBC’s best shows of the 21st century, and it also produced what may be one of the greatest political satires of all time. Inside the Loopwhich is just the icing on the cake of an already pretty perfect series.

The Thick of It (2005)

release date

May 20, 2005

cast

Chris Addison, Peter Capaldi, Paul Higgins, Roger Allam, Joanna Scanlan, Jeffrey Streatfeild

season

Four

9 South Park (1997-)

Produced by Trey Parker and Matt Stone

South Park It remains one of the best and most memorable animated series for adults. The fact that it has been in operation for over a quarter of a century and is still going strong is testament to that.The story follows the mayhem and misadventures of four rambunctious elementary school kids living in the quiet town of South Park, Colorado.

The series has spawned a prolific series of films, video games, shorts and specials, but nothing has topped the original. There aren’t many TV shows these days that aren’t afraid to mock even the furthest corners of the political spectrum. South ParkIts edgy sense of humor, fun ensemble of characters, and the writers’ seemingly limitless imagination combine to create a timeless classic.

South Park

release date

August 13, 1997

season

26

8 MASH (1972-1983)

Created by Larry Gelbart

Set during the Korean War, Robert Altmanof mash is still remembered as one of the funniest war comedies of all time, although some argue that the series of the same name that spawned from it was even better and funnier. Larry GelbartThe film tells the story of a group of Army hospital staff during the Korean War who discover that laughter is the ideal way to overcome their many challenges.

There are jokes, for sure. mash It may seem a little dated, but that’s to be expected since the show ended over 40 years ago. But its anti-war themes and hilarious cast are timeless.critiques war and its effects in a funny yet sensitive way, but rather than focusing solely on those themes, the show lovingly depicts what it feels like to be deployed away from home.

mash

release date

September 17, 1972

creator

Larry Gelbart

cast

Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Loretta Switt, Jamie Farr, Harry Morgan, David Ogden Stiers

season

11

7 Parks and Recreation (2009–2005)

Produced by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur

One of the most popular sitcoms of the 21st century Parks and Recreation The film follows the public servants of an Indiana town as they perform many mundane tasks to make their town a better place. But the show is more than just a sitcom: it also contains satire on public services. And we celebrate the strength of what a small group of people can accomplish when they work together.

Thanks to a stellar cast and a diverse ensemble of equally compelling characters. Parks and Recreation‘s seven seasons are not only easy to watch, but engrossing to watch, and its use of mockumentary techniques provides the perfect foundation for telling some of the most entertaining and memorable stories the genre has ever seen, complete with some very clever satire.

6 The Boys (2019 – )

By Eric Kripke

What will happen to the world? Genuine A world without filters — What if superheroes were real? the boys By asking such bold questions, the result is a chaotic world filled with blood, guts, sex, and some of the strangest supernatural powers the genre has ever seen. Garth Ennis and Darick RobertsonBased on the comic book of the same name, the film tells the story of a vigilante who seeks to kill rogue superheroes who abuse their power.

The show is clearly more of a darkly humorous drama than a comedy.But the fact remains that its use of satire is brilliant. It pokes fun at the culture wars, modern society, the entertainment industry, and all sorts of other concepts and institutions. the boys has never been afraid to make nasty comments, and frankly, fans wouldn’t want it any other way.

the boys

release date

July 26, 2019

season

Four

Five Atlanta (2016-2022)

Created by Donald Glover

Donald Glover He is simply one of the funniest comedians currently working on television. AtlantaAmong them are Arn (Glover) and his cousin Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry) tries to make it in the Atlanta rap scene and faces many social, political and economic issues along the way.

The show is less interested in telling a linear story, instead focusing on a kind of surreal structure akin to a short story, as opposed to a typical show progression. This offbeat tone is also apparent in the series’ satire. It’s so much fun to see people making jokes about current issues like race, class, and politics.Meanwhile, the story’s more dramatic moments are filled with poignant scenes and thought-provoking elements.

Atlanta

release date

September 6, 2016

season

Four

Watch on Hulu

Four It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)

Produced by Rob McElhenney

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia No introduction needed: this dark comedy follows five friends with big egos and small brains who run an Irish pub in Philadelphia. Charlie Day and Danny DeVitoSome of the funniest episodes any sitcom fan could want. It’s Always Sunny It feels impossible to dislike.

The show has been on the air for 16 seasons (and is still running) for almost 20 years. This left plenty of time to lampoon all sorts of elements of modern American society. — From Hollywood to gun control to racism, the show is surprisingly good at almost every satire.

3 The Office (2005-2013)

Developed by Greg Daniels

office Another groundbreaking sitcom that needs no introduction, it’s widely credited as the show that popularized the mockumentary sitcom genre for many years to come. Ricky Gervais and Stephen MerchantBritish version of officeIt’s a mockumentary about a group of typical office workers at a paper company in Pennsylvania.

Who knew the workplace could be such a breeding ground for inappropriate behavior, touching romantic relationships, and absurdly funny situations? The show is a fun and authentic way to poke fun at workplace culture, aided by a horde of vibrant, lovable characters played by some of the funniest actors in the industry. Anyone looking for a good, long-lasting satirical TV show need look no further.

office

release date

March 24, 2005

cast

Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Mindy Kaling, Craig Robinson, BJ Novak, Creed Bratton, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Ellie Kemper, Ed Helms

season

9

2 BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)

By Raphael Bob-Waksberg

If I could travel back to 2013 and someone told me that one day there would be an adult cartoon made in which a fallen actor was also a talking horse, It proved to be one of the most mature, complex, and entertaining drama-comedies in the history of television.You’ll probably think I’m crazy. But… BoJack Horsemanis the story of just such a character: After years of living in Hollywood after his career takes a nosedive, BoJack’s life suddenly changes when he hires someone to ghostwrite his memoir in an attempt to get his career back on track.

BoJack Horseman is mostly very funny and full of sharp critiques of Hollywood and modern American culture in general, but what really makes the show stand out is its ability to deal with some very dark subject matter and delve deeply and sensitively into issues of addiction and mental health that very few shows handle so perfectly.

BoJack Horseman

release date

August 22, 2014

creator

Raphael Bob-Waksberg

season

6

1 Succession (2018-2023)

By Jesse Armstrong

During its four fantastic, nearly flawless seasons, Inheritance I have seen many words used to describe it. Some were Shakespearean, some heartbreaking, some incredibly dramatic. Some were darkly humorous, some insightful, some shameless.All this and more is true in this family drama about the Roy family, a wealthy clan known for running one of the world’s largest media and entertainment companies.

The show lampoons politics, wealth, and the media, and deconstructs themes of power and control. But while the show’s satire is always used to create interesting dramatic moments, that doesn’t mean the humorous moments are any less clever or funny. Culminating in one of the most moving series finales in television history, this show is a mix of jokes, tears, and chills that you’ll never forget.

Inheritance

release date

June 3, 2018

creator

Jesse Armstrong

season

Four

Next: Ranking of the greatest sitcoms of all time