The office is widely considered one of the best sitcoms of all time. Following the endless chaos that regional manager Michael Scott brings to the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, the 2005 mockumentary is a hilarious look at the mundane realities of life in a 9-5. The show effortlessly balances relatable humor, physical gags and eccentric characters, so it's easy to see why The office has remained so popular.
Even still, The office fans might be looking for something else to scratch that Dunder Mifflin itch, and fortunately, there are plenty of other great sitcoms out there. Although they may not be as fun as the office, fans don't have to look far to find shows with similar mockumentary formats, colorful and quirky characters or iconic cold openings, and can find their next watch in Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Parks and Recreation.
7 sitcoms to watch if you miss the office
The Office is one of the most beloved sitcoms out there. For those who miss it, here are some great shows to check out.
5
Parks & Recreation is a great next watch for office fans
The office is a phenomenal mockumentary, and fans who love the comedy that comes with that genre are sure to enjoy Parks and Recreation. The sitcom follows Amy Poehler's Leslie Knope, a patriotic bureaucrat working in her hometown of Pawnee, Indiana. Leslie is a very political person: she dreams of being president but still takes her day-to-day business as deputy director of the Parks & Recreation Department very seriously. Parks & Rec derives much of its humor from her relentless and sometimes absurd optimism, much like Michael Scott's i The office.
Parks and Recreation has some of the best comedies on TV, and that's mostly thanks to the well-developed and likable characters, hilarious dynamics (like Leslie and Ron), and impressive comedic performances. Even if it has that success, the humor doesn't quite match up The office's: the latter show takes more comedic risks and maintains a better, more grounded mockumentary format throughout the season. It's very easy to feel like the Dunder Mifflin employees could be real people, and that makes the show all the more humorous.
4
Fans of The Office's Cold Opens will love Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The office's cold opens are iconic, though Brooklyn Nine-Nine has some impressive openings in its catalog as well. The workplace sitcom is set in Brooklyn's 99th Police Precinct, which is full of weird and wonderful detectives, a lustily deadpan Commanding Officer (played by Andre Braugher) and well-constructed physical gags. It's hard not to laugh at Jake Peralta and his immature hacks, especially when contrasted with Charles Boyle and his intense line delivery.
There are constant jokes in the NYPD sitcom, which can often work in its favor, but even after eight seasons, Brooklyn Nine-Nine does not feel self-conscious about his inherent stupidity. the office, however, is much funnier because of its reliance on awkward silences, stillness, and deliberate stares at the camera, so it feels like you're in on the joke. The latter show knows what it is and fully embraces it, while it Brooklyn Nine-Nine doesn't seem to do the same.
8 Best Mock Documentary TV Shows, Ranked
Explore the best mockumentary TV shows, including The Office, that mix humor and satire to create unforgettable moments in television.
3
You'll catch new jokes with each tour of Arrested Development
Arrested Development focuses on the Bluths, a once wealthy family who lose their lavish lifestyle when the patriarch, George Bluth Sr., is arrested for embezzlement. Despite their new circumstances, they're constantly living beyond their means, and it's up to Jason Bateman's Michael Bluth to keep the family on track. There is constant comic friction within the Bluth family, though Arrested Development's joy is all thanks to its incredibly clever writing. Jokes don't always pay off right away, there's some funny physical humor and the audience will always laugh at Ron Howard's masterful storytelling.
Arrested Development is stock and you will catch new jokes every time you watch it. But sometimes this can make the performance feel too dense. You might miss a great line in arrested development, but The office will make you laugh instantly. In this sense, The office's humor is much more accessible to casual viewers, but they should definitely provide Arrested Development an hour or two.
For six seasons, Community follows the eclectic members of a study group at Greendale Community College, which is created by Jeff Winger when he is forced to enroll at the community college after being suspended. Britta, Abed, Pierce, Troy, Annie and Shirley are also part of the study group. Community is a hilarious high-concept, often meta, sitcom beloved for its clever writing, snappy dialogue, and genre parodies.
There is no doubt how fun and inventive Community is, but The office takes the upper hand because it always keeps one foot grounded in realism and never feels too niche. Still, if you love Michael Scott's absurd and quirky humor, or the constant chaos of the Dunder Mifflin office, you'll enjoy Community's quirky characters and scary moments.
20 Best Community Episodes, Ranked
Despite low ratings, Community became a cult classic and has maintained a devoted fan base since it ended in 2015. Here are some of the best episodes.
1
30 Rock has some quick comedy
With a satirical look at behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show, 30 Rock is an incredibly well-written TV series. Tina Fey stars as Liz Lemon, head writer of “TGS With Tracy Jordan,” while other cast members include more comedy legends like Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Alec Baldwin and Jack McBrayer. 30 Rock is fast-paced, high-energy and equal parts goofy comedy and sharp satire.
Despite all the successes, 30 Rock is still deeply underestimated. The cast's chemistry is almost second to none, and the show is so easily quotable, but its high joke density may be off-putting to some. The office does a lot of things well, and knowing when not to joke makes the show even funnier.
