Funny Tv Shows That Take Things Too Literally
The dark comedy has been present in television since arguably the '70s, but in the last few years has gone through a bit of a renaissance. The dark TV comedy has become ever more dominant in the televisual landscape, but its increased presence has also come with a bevy of mediocre-to-downright-bad series. Dark comedy is an art form, and one often difficult to capture in a serialized television show (especially one with censors). Not only must the show have a darker/more serious main plot line, but it must also toe that line and manage to not take itself too seriously so that the show can be funny for viewers as well. It should be mocking in certain ways which intelligently sheds light on the issues it parodies.
Some shows are able to encapsulate the art of dark comedy perfectly, some even going so far as to be confused for the very thing they're parodying. The shows on this list are more recent, and also exhibit the recent trend toward women who are antiheroes in certain ways, but decide to seize more control over their own lives. Nonetheless, they make for the perfect dark comedy at a time when the genre has become so oversaturated. These are some comedy shows that have gotten ridiculously dark, and are perfect for a darkly delicious binge-watch.
5 Kevin Can F*** Himself
Kevin Can F*** Himself is two shows in one, literally. The first follows a traditional, laugh-track-backed sitcom couple in which the wife lives and exists only to serve her husband. This trope has been seen at least a billion times before (as in Kevin Can Wait, a show the title is clearly referencing) and, to be frank, audiences are sick and tired of it. Thus comes the second show within Kevin Can F*** Himself is one where the wife, Allison (played by Annie Murphy from Schitt's Creek), is able to have a life of her own and hate her husband openly. Allison's portion of the show is the perfect dark comedy-- her view of life seems to emulate 'prestige TV' shows like Breaking Bad in that it follows a morbid plot (in which Allison schemes to murder her husband with the help of the local drug trade), and the color scheme and lighting of the show changes to a much darker tone when it breaks from the brightly-lit, awful sitcom. If Kevin Can F*** Himself sounds like your next binge-watch, you can stream it currently on AMC+ and prep for season 2.
4 Made for Love
Made for Love is one of the best dark comedies to come out in the last several years. It follows Hazel (played by Cristin Milioti) as she escapes an abusive relationship with her tech billionaire husband. Once she leaves, Hazel realizes that her husband has implanted a tracking device in her brain. Hazel's journey throughout the show is to escape her husband time and time again and to remove the tracking device without dying. Not only is this show hilarious, but it makes viewers think a bit more about technology and the billionaires who get rich off our data (looking at you, Mark Zuckerberg). Cristin Milioti in particular is a stand-out in this role. Coming hot off of her successful role in Palm Springs, Milioti is able to keep the ball rolling and stay hilarious, while nevery shying away from the trauma at the heart of her story. Made for Love is likely your next favorite show, and you can watch and prep for season 2 on HBO Max.
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3 Succession
To talk about Succession feels repetitive at this point, because everyone seems to know how great this show is. Succession follows the Roy family as their business and family dynamic ebbs and flows. The comedy of Succession is less obviously funny and more of a satire about the tragedy of the characters. The show is first and foremost a drama, but the elements of satirical, dark comedy are ever-present throughout, even if they are often overlooked. Not many viewers know that the show is actually from British comedy writer Jesse Armstrong. His excellent comedy roots (in Peep Show and Fresh Meat) help to influence the satirical, dark comedy storylines within Succession. Though it's easy to get caught up in the drama of Succession, keep an eye out for its comedic undertones on HBO Max and you can enjoy it in a whole new way.
2 Dead to Me
Dead to Me is one of the least talked-about but funniest dark comedies currently out there. Starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me follows the two women as they navigate the death and murder that seems to continuously bring the two of them together. Since the show deals primarily with death and grief, but also has two great actors with impressive comedy pedigrees, it makes sense that it has the recipe for a ridiculously dark comedy. The series is able to spin the trope on its head and allows viewers to laugh and joke through their grief with the characters. The show also addresses that grief is not universal and how everyone must grieve in their own way and at their own pace. The show also takes a look at revenge and remorse, and how they can often occur with one's grief, in a refreshing and comedic way. If you want a hilarious (and maybe a little sad) binge-watch, you can check out Dead to Me now on Netflix, and wait for season three to come out later this year.
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1 Fleabag
Fleabag is certainly one of the most critically acclaimed dark comedy series, often considered the genre's zenith over the last decade; anyone who has been on the internet in the recent probably knows the genius of Fleabag. The show follows the titular character as she navigates her life, frequently talking to the camera in a familiar metafictional device, and yet creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge manages to incorporate tropes like this into her perfect tragicomedy. The topics in the show are objectively dark, but the most important element is how the character's inner commentary directly involves and implicates the viewer in her story. In the last five years, there hasn't been a show like Fleabag in which so many people see themselves mirrored in a protagonist. This makes the story more relatable and even the darkest of comedy just that much funnier to viewers. When an audience can relate to a character on an extremely personal level, even the darkest of comedies can get away with delving into deep, difficult topics. While Fleabag as a series has ended, you can watch it as many times as you like on Amazon Prime.
Source: https://movieweb.com/tv-dark-comedies/
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