13 Best Workplace Comedies That Defined Office Humor

If you’re a fan of clever humor and relatable office dynamics, you’re in for a treat. Workplace comedies have a unique way of capturing the quirks and chaos of office life, making it easy to laugh at the awkward interactions, eccentric colleagues, and absurd situations we all encounter in the 9-to-5 grind. From the classic deadpan humor of The Office to the outrageous antics in Workaholics, these shows offer a hilarious glimpse into the everyday challenges and triumphs that happen behind office doors.

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The Office (U.S.)

The Office redefined the workplace comedy genre with its unique documentary-style format and relatable portrayal of office life. Set in the mundane Dunder Mifflin paper company, the humor primarily arises from the odd personalities of the employees and their interactions with each other. Michael Scott, the bumbling and inappropriate regional manager, frequently causes tension and awkward moments with his well-meaning yet misguided attempts at team building. The comedic genius of the show lies in how the characters react to these uncomfortable situations, often breaking the fourth wall with deadpan interviews. The humor is heavily rooted in the everyday frustrations and absurdities of office life, such as the endless meetings, office pranks, and strained relationships between colleagues.

The relationships between the employees, particularly the romantic tension between Jim and Pam, the awkwardness of Dwight and Angela’s secret relationship, and the competitive friendship between Jim and Dwight, add layers to the comedy. Each character’s quirks, like the obliviousness of Michael, the passive-aggressive nature of Stanley, or the eccentric behavior of Creed, contribute to the show’s appeal. What makes The Office stand out is how it combines sharp wit with moments of heartfelt sincerity, creating a comedy that not only highlights the absurdities of office life but also shows the emotional bonds that can form in a workplace setting.

Parks and Recreation

Similar to The Office, Parks and Recreation uses the mockumentary format to explore the daily lives of public servants in the Parks and Recreation department of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. The humor in the show arises from the contrast between the enthusiastic, always-positive Leslie Knope and the quirky personalities of her coworkers. Leslie’s intense passion for her job, even when it involves mundane tasks like filling out forms or trying to improve the town’s parks, leads to many comedic situations. Her interactions with her colleagues, such as the deadpan Ron Swanson, the oblivious April Ludgate, and the nerdy Ben Wyatt, reveal the ridiculousness of local government work and the personalities drawn to public service.

The show is especially known for how it embraces the peculiarities of each character and explores how they navigate their work relationships. Ron Swanson, the libertarian, has no interest in government work and often clashes with Leslie’s commitment to her job. Meanwhile, characters like Tom Haverford create humor by taking office concepts like “networking” and “business” to ridiculous extremes. The humor is largely driven by the characters’ personal flaws and how they find themselves in absurd situations while trying to accomplish simple, often unimportant tasks.

30 Rock

30 Rock offers a fast-paced, satirical look at the chaotic world of television production, focusing on the behind-the-scenes antics at a fictional live comedy show. The humor comes from the absurd situations the characters find themselves in, primarily caused by their eccentric personalities. Liz Lemon, the show’s head writer, constantly struggles to balance her career and personal life while dealing with the unpredictable and often childish behavior of her star talent, Tracy Jordan. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy, the calculating network executive, often makes hilariously misguided decisions for the show that affect everyone in the office.

The dynamics between Liz and her colleagues, including the naïve and loyal Kenneth and the egotistical Jenna, create constant tension and comedic moments. The humor often revolves around the bizarre world of television production, such as ridiculous storylines for the fictional show within the show, and how the characters’ personal lives bleed into their professional ones. The witty dialogue and quick pace of 30 Rock ensure that even the most mundane office activities, like meetings or brainstorming sessions, are turned into comedic gold, thanks to the outlandish personalities and the chaotic nature of the entertainment industry.

The IT Crowd

Set in the basement of a large corporation, The IT Crowd is a workplace comedy centered around the socially awkward employees of the IT department. The humor is driven by the disconnect between the tech-obsessed staff and the rest of the office workers, who are often portrayed as clueless when it comes to technology. The trio of characters, Roy, Moss, and Jen, navigate bizarre situations that arise from their attempts to interact with the rest of the office, all while trying to avoid any actual work. Roy’s cynicism and Moss’s complete social ineptitude create an entertaining contrast to Jen, the department’s manager, who is out of her depth in the tech world.

The show’s humor often arises from the interactions between the oddball IT staff and their more traditional colleagues, especially when the IT team is forced to solve problems outside their comfort zone. The show plays on the absurdities of modern office life, from dealing with clueless upper management to navigating office politics. Its comedy is a mix of slapstick, absurdity, and dark humor, with plenty of moments where the characters find themselves in ridiculous situations, like attempting to fix a computer crisis with bizarre solutions or confronting the workplace’s ridiculous expectations.

Scrubs

Scrubs may be set in a hospital, but it still fits within the workplace comedy genre. The humor comes from the absurdity of medical life and the characters’ personal struggles in their professional environment. The show focuses on Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian and his misadventures as an intern, which are often exaggerated through his vivid daydreams and interactions with his quirky colleagues. His mentor, Dr. Cox, offers a contrast with his sarcastic, no-nonsense attitude, which creates plenty of comedic tension. The humor often arises from the bizarre medical situations the staff faces, as well as the odd, surreal experiences they go through, such as strange patients or bizarre hospital policies.

The relationships between the characters are also key to the show’s humor. The camaraderie and conflicts among the staff, from the practical jokes J.D. plays on his best friend Turk to the awkward romance between J.D. and Elliot, add a layer of emotional depth. The comedic moments balance with heartfelt moments that highlight the emotional challenges of working in a high-stress medical environment. What makes Scrubs stand out is its ability to combine humor with genuine moments of vulnerability, creating a show that is both funny and touching.

The Mindy Project

The Mindy Project centers around Mindy Lahiri, a successful obstetrician/gynecologist who navigates both her professional life and personal struggles with humor. The workplace humor emerges from the quirky personalities and interactions of Mindy and her colleagues at her practice. The show thrives on its humorous portrayal of office relationships, such as Mindy’s flirtatious and often inappropriate behavior, her constant pursuit of love, and the odd dynamics within her medical practice. Her relationships with her coworkers, particularly with Danny Castellano, an often gruff colleague, provide much of the humor as they clash over their different approaches to work and life.

The humor in The Mindy Project often arises from the absurd situations Mindy finds herself in, whether it’s handling difficult patients or navigating awkward office moments with her employees. The show’s charm lies in how Mindy tries to maintain a professional demeanor while managing her personal quirks. Through her attempts to balance romance and career, the show highlights the chaos of being a woman in a male-dominated field, all while offering plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

Veep

Veep offers a darkly comedic look at the inner workings of the U.S. government, focusing on Selina Meyer, a power-hungry politician who is always trying to maintain her status. The humor in Veep stems from the cutthroat world of politics, where personal ambitions often overshadow public service. The show showcases the absurdity of politics, particularly through the manipulative tactics and self-serving behaviors of Selina and her team. Her interactions with her staff, including the sycophantic Gary and the bumbling Dan, create endless comedic moments, particularly when their incompetence leads to awkward or disastrous situations.

The quick wit and sharp dialogue in Veep keep the humor flowing as Selina navigates the backstabbing world of politics. The relentless ambition of the characters and their constant failures add to the comedy, especially as they struggle to maintain a veneer of professionalism while engaging in childish rivalries and schemes. The show highlights how power dynamics within the workplace can breed a particular type of absurd, dark humor that only the political world can provide.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Set in a New York City police precinct, Brooklyn Nine-Nine uses its law enforcement setting to deliver a blend of slapstick, situational, and character-driven humor. The workplace comedy in this show is defined by the quirky personalities of the officers, particularly Jake Peralta, a goofy yet talented detective, and his interactions with his no-nonsense captain, Raymond Holt. The humor emerges from the awkward and hilarious moments that come from their attempts to solve crimes while navigating office politics, miscommunications, and personal dynamics. The show’s ensemble cast, including characters like the deadpan Rosa and overly enthusiastic Terry, adds depth to the comedic situations.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine stands out by portraying a workplace that is full of lovable, oddball characters, each with their own quirks and flaws. The humor often arises from how they mismanage investigations, create chaos during stakeouts, or struggle to communicate effectively with one another. What makes the show especially relatable is its portrayal of the daily absurdities in a high-stakes workplace, such as competing for the title of “best detective” or dealing with difficult criminals, all while keeping things lighthearted and fun.

The New Girl

The New Girl centers on Jess Day, a quirky teacher who moves into a loft with three single guys. The comedy arises from the dynamic between Jess and her roommates, each with their own peculiarities. Schmidt, the arrogant but lovable character, often provides humor through his awkward attempts to gain attention or control situations, while Nick’s sarcastic and disillusioned persona contrasts sharply with Jess’s upbeat nature. The humor in The New Girl comes from their interactions and how they help one another navigate the ups and downs of both their personal and professional lives.

While the show is more focused on the personal relationships between the characters, their work lives also provide comedic material. Jess’s awkwardness in professional settings, her clashes with coworkers, and her attempts to fit in at work create laugh-out-loud moments. The humor of The New Girl is largely driven by the characters’ over-the-top personalities and their ability to find themselves in bizarre, yet hilarious situations.

Superstore

Superstore takes place in a big-box retail store called Cloud 9, where a group of employees navigate the absurdities of working in customer service. The humor is rooted in the strange and often ridiculous situations that arise in the store, such as dealing with demanding customers, awkward employee relationships, and the often confusing corporate policies. The diverse cast of characters, including the awkward Jonah, the tough Amy, and the sarcastic Dina, brings their unique personalities to the workplace, often clashing with one another in hilarious ways.

The show’s comedy shines through the daily challenges of working in retail. The employees’ interactions, particularly when they deal with the ups and downs of customer service, bring a relatable level of humor to the show. From avoiding corporate surveillance to coping with the bizarre demands of customers, Superstore captures the strange, often comical side of working in retail, offering a humorous look at the challenges of everyday work life.

The Middle

The Middle focuses on the Heck family, with a particular focus on the mother, Frankie, who works at a car dealership while raising three kids. The workplace humor arises from her daily struggles to juggle her demanding job and her chaotic home life. Frankie’s inability to keep her work and family lives separate often leads to awkward situations, especially when she brings her personal issues into the workplace. The comedy arises from her interactions with her quirky coworkers, who often add to her stress by being just as eccentric as she is.

What makes The Middle unique is how it blends the everyday challenges of working a middle-class job with the humor that arises from family dynamics. The contrast between Frankie’s home life and work life creates plenty of comedic tension, as she tries to keep it all together while dealing with her eccentric family and bizarre customers. The humor comes from the relatability of the characters and how they all struggle to make ends meet in the face of everyday challenges.

Workaholics

Workaholics follows three college friends who work together at a telemarketing company. The humor is driven by their juvenile behavior and how they bring their carefree, often reckless approach to work. The show thrives on the absurd antics that the trio gets into, from pranks on their boss to over-the-top partying during work hours. Their refusal to act professionally leads to ridiculous situations, making Workaholics a wild ride through the world of telemarketing.

The humor often arises from their interactions with their uptight colleagues and their attempt to keep their jobs while engaging in behavior that goes against everything their office represents. The show pushes the boundaries of workplace humor by showing how these characters refuse to conform to office expectations, often creating chaos and tension with hilarious results. Their immature behavior stands in stark contrast to the corporate world around them, making every situation they face comically absurd.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Curb Your Enthusiasm follows Larry David, the creator of Seinfeld, as he navigates his everyday life in Los Angeles. Though it’s not set in a traditional office, the workplace humor arises from Larry’s interactions with various colleagues, friends, and acquaintances, especially as he finds himself in awkward situations due to his lack of social filters. The humor emerges from his ability to inadvertently offend people through his blunt honesty and the many misunderstandings that arise from it.

Larry’s experiences in the workplace, particularly his interactions with coworkers in the entertainment industry, often highlight the absurdity of office politics and the social norms that govern professional life. The humor is dark and observational, with Larry’s social awkwardness often resulting in comically uncomfortable situations. His insistence on questioning everyday social rules makes the show a unique take on workplace humor, as it highlights how small office misunderstandings can snowball into major conflicts.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.