Although Brooklyn Nine-Nine came to a close in 2021, its effect on the evolution of the modern sitcom cannot be denied. The show was filled with as much laughter as heartbreaking moments, and, in its final season, managed to handle a rather sensitive slew of topics surrounding police politics and the BLM movement.
While there aren’t many shows that can satisfactorily fill the shoes that Brooklyn Nine-Nine has left behind, there are several sitcoms that are equally funny, packed with pathos, and contain a host of relatable characters that B99 fans are certain to appreciate.
10 Kim’s Convenience Maintains The Hardline Necessary For The Sensitive Topics It Covers
Kim’s Convenience manages to balance immigration and humor with outstanding success, earning kudos for its depiction of Asian-Canadian families and their experiences with admirable sensitivity.
The show’s screwball comedy style and “on point and borderline subversive” script are two main features it shares with B99, although it noticeably diverges in several other respects. Most importantly, Kim’s Convenience insists on maintaining the hardline on the delicate topics it covers.
9 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Is A Masterful Subversion Of The Sitcom Genre
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend might not have been very popular with viewers, but critics found it to be a masterful example of how the sitcom genre could be remodeled into something completely new (without sacrificing an iota of humor).
The series obtained a four-season renewal despite terrible ratings, one of the few TV programs to achieve such a rare feat. That said, one can only wonder if Brooklyn Nine-Nine would have benefited from a roster of razor-sharp musical numbers that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend banked its uniqueness on.
8 Rutherford Falls Is On The Path To Becoming A Sitcom Icon
Rutherford Falls is the brainchild of Sierra Teller Ornelas, Ed Helms, and Michael Schur—the latter is also responsible for creating B99 along with Dan Goor.
The storyline as of Season 1 is filled to the brim with unexpected punchlines (and alliances), reminiscent of the zest present in Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s first few seasons. Rutherford Falls has some ways to go before it can turn into a sitcom icon, but it’s clear that the series is on the right path.
7 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Is Among The Funniest Shows Of The 21st Century
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is hands down one of the best things to happen to television in the 2010s, not only for its scintillating protagonist and her bawdy one-liners but also for its impeccable set design and pitch-perfect dialogue.
In fact, Miriam’s father Abe is among the strongest elements in the show: his awkward yet stubborn character is the source of bittersweet mirth and deeply emotional intensity. Although The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s third season faltered in avoidable places, the sitcom has more than enough strength to get back on track.
6 The Good Place Involves Philosophical Contexts That Aren’t Overly Oversimplified
Another Michael Schur product, The Good Place is an incisive take on death and everything that surrounds the morbidly ambiguous subject. The series is radical in that it imbues its storyline with densely philosophical context that seems neither out of place nor inordinately convoluted.
In comparison, B99 doesn’t really take on the burden of moral exposition that The Good Place does, but both shows are centered around a cast of characters who are, perhaps not immediately, likable.
5 One Day At A Time Weaves Complex Subjects Into Its Plot Without Losing Sight Of Its Humor
One Day at a Time attempts to replicate the revolutionary aspects of its 1975 version, succeeding in nearly every imaginable way. It weaves complex subjects into its humor, from bigotry and gender expression to misogyny and PTSD, never once losing its overwhelmingly meaningful narrative flow.
Much like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, One Day at a Time blends a diversity of race and sexuality into its plot with a groundbreaking finesse that deserves several more seasons at the very least.
4 Parks And Recreation Is Devastatingly Funny In Every Respect
Michael Schur’s eye for satire is most evident in Parks and Recreation, although it must be noted that Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, and Aziz Ansari played a seminal role in turning the sitcom into a 21st-century landmark.
Parks and Rec didn’t inspire a lot of confidence among early reviewers, but critical appraisals began to mount with ensuing seasons, reaching fever pitch around Seasons 3 & 4. The show is devastatingly funny, at least on par with B99, if not more.
3 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Establishes Itself As A Beacon Of The Streaming Era
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt borrows heavily from Tina Fey’s magnum opus, 30 Rock, but establishes itself with ferocious originality, harking the birth of new eon in streaming TV comedy.
The series contains stellar performances from Ellie Kemper, Carol Kane, Jon Hamm, and Jane Krakowski, but the nucleus of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt‘s innovative brand of comedy lies in Tituss Burgess’ semi-self-referential character, Titus Andromedon.
2 Archer’s Animation Style, Eloquent Character Arcs, And Morbid Comedy Style Are Undeniably Fresh
Archer‘s animation style and tone are simultaneously fresh and nostalgic. However, the casual eloquence of its characters arcs and its quasi-macabre comic gags make it a show that will, when the dust settles, earn a mention in the greatest TV series lists of the 21st century.
On the surface, Brooklyn Nine-Nine shares none of its thematic substance with Archer, but a closer look into their inter-office politics reveals that both shows are surprisingly similar in terms of character relationships and how they evolve.
1 The Good Guys Left A Significant Mark On Television With Just One Season
The Good Guys was unfortunately canceled by Fox, but it still managed to leave a significant mark on television with a single season. Critics called it a “refreshing blast of laughter and almost nonstop action,” further stating that “its standout achievement may be originality.”
Distinct though the show is from B99, The Good Guys was an exceptional achievement that went into its premise guns blazing and never stopped giving audiences rich doses of humor from start to finish.
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