Image via Pop TV
By
Christine Persaud
Published 56 minutes ago
Christine is a freelance writer for Collider with two decades of experience covering all types of TV shows and movies spanning every genre. With a particular affinity for dramas, true crime, sitcoms, and thrillers, if it's a top TV show, Christine has likely watched it and is eager to share her thoughts. When she's not furiously writing away, you can find her enjoying the next binge obsession with a glass of wine in front of the TV.
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For the most part, sitcoms of the last 20 years have been recycled concepts from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. There has been an influx of reboots, sequels, and re-imaginings. But amidst all that, there have been a few unique shows, too. Yes, some of them are indeed born from others, but they stand on their own as being among the best of the last decade.
Two of these shows hail from Canada. One sheds light on the challenges of public school teaching. Another brings attention to the idea of running a legacy newspaper in the modern age. They all have a distinct flavor to them, making them worthwhile watches for fans of the genre.
10 'Letterkenny' (2016–2023)
Jared Kesso in 'Letterkenny' holding a dogImage via Hulu
Letterkenny was created in Canada and is meant to parody stereotypes of small-town rural Canadians, but the show resonates with viewers stateside as well, making the sitcom a hit across North America. Adapted from a YouTube series, Letterkenny centers around Wayne (creator Jared Keeso) and Katy (Michelle Mylett) and their interactions with others in town.
Residents fall into one of four groups: the farmers (known as the hicks), the gym goers and out-of-towners (called jocks), the drug addicts (skids), and the natives on the First Nation reservation. A combination of mockumentary style and standard sitcom formatting, Letterkenny is a downright hoot, eh.
9 'Black-ish' (2014–2022)
The Johnson family celebrating while matriarch Bow sits looking upset in Black-ish.Image via ABC
At the heart of Black-ish are the Johnsons, a successful Black family living in a predominantly white neighborhood. Every season follows the antics with Dre (Anthony Anderson), Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their four kids.
Black-ish touches on racial topics throughout, some episodes more seriously than others. But at its heart, it's about two goofy parents handling their demanding careers and close-knit family life. This includes Dre's scene-stealing parents, Ruby (Jenifer Lewis) and Pops (Laurence Fishburne). Though not without challenges, the family always comes together, and lessons are taught and learned by the end.
8 'The Paper' (2025–Present)
Mare (Chelsea Frei) and Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) work together in The PaperImage via Peacock
As a spin-off of The Office, The Paper is a mockumentary sitcom about the workers at a declining Midwestern newspaper who are trying their best to keep it going using volunteer reporters. Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson), one of the best characters, is the new editor-in-chief tasked with turning things around.
The show is told such that it's the same documentary crew following this company that followed Dunder Mifflin back in Scranton, PA, 20 years prior. This adds a sense of familiarity, though the group and company types are different. An ode to traditional journalism, The Paper has been well-received for its first season and was already renewed for a second.
7 'Young Sheldon' (2017–2024)
Sheldon and his family in the isle of a church with empty pews, looking off-camera in Young Sheldon.Image via CBS
Young Sheldon is a prequel to the wildly successful sitcom The Big Bang Theory, focusing on the character Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons as an adult (who narrates this series) and Iain Armitage as a younger version back in the '90s. The focus is on the East Texas family led by the devoutly religious mother, Mary (Zoe Perry), and centers around Sheldon's experiences growing up with his two siblings.
The series touches on moments adult Sheldon mentioned in The Big Bang Theory, often showing events and dynamics that he may have embellished upon. It also covers the tragic death of his father, George Sr. (Lance Barber), right before Sheldon went off to university. The series and family continue in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, which follows the story of the eldest Cooper son, Georgie (Montana Jordan), as he navigates being a young father and husband with his new wife, Mandy (Emily Osment).
6 'One Day at a Time' (2017–2020)
Rita Moreno, Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, and Sheridan Pierce in 'One Day At A Time'Image via Act III Productions/Netflix
A modern reinterpretation of the classic '70s sitcom, One Day at a Time took the concept in an entirely new direction. Penelope (Justina Machado) is a former U.S. Army Nurse Corps member working as a nurse while raising her two teenage children as a single mom. She gets help from her vivacious live-in mother, Lydia (Rita Moreno). They also frequently interact with the lonely, wealthy building owner, Pat (Todd Grinnell), who becomes like family.
The series is funny, but it also focuses on serious real-life issues like gender identity, racism, addiction, PTSD, and immigration. Fans were outraged when Netflix canceled the series, though it was picked up by Pop for another season, then canceled again. It remains one of those deeper, more meaningful sitcoms and was taken away too soon.
5 'Home Economics' (2021–2023)
The three siblings and their families from Home Economics sitting around a couch watching TV.Image via ABC
Another sitcom that was canceled too soon, Home Economics is about three siblings who have all grown up to live different lives. Tom (Topher Grace) is a middle-class husband, father, and author struggling with his next book; Sarah (Caitlin McGee) is a child therapist barely making ends meet with her wife and two adopted kids; and Connor (Jimmy Tatro), the baby of the family and the troublemaker, has become incredibly wealthy thanks to some smart investments, but he's in the middle of a divorce and navigating being a single father.
As the three come together, their economic differences become apparent, inspiring Tom to write his next book about this dynamic. While the premise sounds heavy, the show has laugh-out-loud moments thanks to the talented cast and clever writing.
4 'Ghosts' (2021–Present)
Ghosts Season 5 ensemble standing in the basementImage via CBS
A surprise hit and one of the best CBS shows in the last five years, Ghosts is about married couple Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who inherit a luxurious country house from Sam's great aunt. But they discover the house is inhabited by ghosts, including people from different eras in American history, all of whom died on the same property at some point in time. Each one, who still looks as they did when they were alive, period dress and all, is stuck there until they can get to the afterlife.
The twist is that Sam is the only one who can see and hear them after she has a near-death experience that helps her tap into their existence. The series is quirky and fun with an eclectic mix of characters, like the aggressive and melodramatic Viking Thor (Devan Chandler Long) and uptight lady of the manor, Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky).
3 'Superstore' (2015–2021)
The Cloud 9 crew looks at something off camera in Superstore.Image via NBC
Kicking off the decade, Superstore is a wonderful workplace comedy about employees of a big box store called Cloud 9 and their day-to-day dealings at work, as well as their personal lives. The stories center around a few characters, including Amy (America Ferrera), a studious employee who is eventually promoted to store manager, Jonah (Ben Feldman), a sales associate and college dropout with an upper-middle-class upbringing, and Dina (Lauren Ash), the intense assistant store manager who takes her job way too seriously.
Superstore is delightfully light-hearted and a relatable watch since it features working-class folks doing everyday jobs. The show is one of those underrated sitcoms that never got the credit it deserved.
2 'Schitt's Creek' (2015–2020)
Johnny and Moira at a store looking confused in Schitt's CreekImage via CBC
Another sitcom from Canada, Schitt's Creek blew up in popularity when it started streaming on Netflix and ended up sweeping the Emmys the year it premiered its final season. The series stars Canadian icons Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara as a wealthy married couple who lose everything when their business manager embezzles their money. Johnny (Levy) has one thing left to his name: a small rural town he once bought as a joke, so he relocates the family there while they figure things out. But it's a culture shock for his famous actress wife, Moira (O'Hara), and his two spoiled and entitled grown kids, David (Daniel Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy).
Developing a cult following, what makes the underrated comedy gem so beloved is not just the humor (and there's a lot of it), but also the handling of the subject matter. It's meant to show what's truly important through the eyes of a materialistic family stripped of everything and forced to reconnect with one another.
1 'Abbott Elementary' (2021–Present)
The ensemble cast of Abbott Elementary in Season 4Image via ABC
Teachers praise Abbott Elementary for providing a glimpse into what it's really like to work in the underfunded public school system versus the glossy schools usually depicted on television. While humor is at the heart, the series also centers around the challenges faced by school officials. This includes mismanagement and school board personnel who don't truly understand what’s needed.
At its heart, Abbott Elementary is a love letter to underappreciated teachers who do their best for the kids because they're truly all that matters. Plus, there are plenty of interpersonal hijinks along the way.
Abbott Elementary
Like Follow Followed TV-PG Comedy Mockumentary Release Date December 7, 2021 Network ABC Showrunner Quinta Brunson Writers Quinta BrunsonCast
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Quinta Brunson
Janine Teagues
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Tyler James Williams
Gregory Eddie
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Schitt's Creek
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