Television in 2024 delivered plenty of laughs and unforgettable moments with its lineup of comedies. From returning favorites like Abbott Elementary and Hacks to new series and spinoffs, this year proved that comedy is as versatile as ever.
Balancing clever storytelling with outstanding performances, these shows made us laugh and, sometimes, even made us cry.
In no particular order, here’s a look at the TV comedies our writers loved most in 2024:
Hacks
The latest season of Hacks gave its sapphic viewers everything they were expecting. Ava and Deborah’s unaccepted obsession with each other was the highlight of the season. The character growth both women have gone through is extremely remarkable.
As funny as the season was, it set the stage perfectly for what’s to come. Getting to watch Ava reverse the roles on Deborah and do something she would have done was the perfect plot twist. The show knows exactly what it’s doing, delivering perfect season after perfect season.
Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage
Created by Steve Holland, Chuck Lorre, and Steven Molaro, and inspired by characters from Young Sheldon, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage introduces a fresh comedic duo to The Big Bang Theory franchise. The series follows Georgie and Mandy as they navigate the challenges of adulthood, parenting, and marriage, all while raising their young family in Texas.
The show strikes the perfect balance between laugh-out-loud comedy and heartfelt moments. With the pair already beloved by Young Sheldon fans, viewers get the chance to dive deeper into their dynamic relationship and ever-evolving storyline.
From juggling careers to enduring hilariously awkward social encounters and supporting each other through the ups and downs of life, Georgie and Mandy transform everyday mishaps into unforgettable comedic adventures, making this series a must-watch.
Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders in the Building Season 4 had a lot of fun this season by mixing things up and playing on what we’ve come to expect with this show. It introduced an actor version of a trio. They analyzed their counterparts, teamed up with them, and then took a stab at solving the murder as well.
In the midst of all the humor we’ve come to know and love about this show, Only Murders in the Building Season 4 also delivered some wonderful emotional moments as Charles grieved Sazz and found a way to honor her legacy.
What We Do in the Shadows
One of TV’s most underrated comedies is currently singing its swan song. What We Do in the Shadows has blessed us with six gloriously bloody, hilarious, and heartwarming seasons, complete with top-tier performances across the board.
The series has a knack for taking a ridiculous episodic premise and spinning it into comedy gold, whether it’s Laszlo taking care of baby Colin Robinson, Nandor joining an exercise cult, or Nadja opening a vampire-only club (sorry, Guillermo).
Best of all, it’s introduced the rest of the world to Matt Berry’s award-winning pronunciations. BAT!
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary is arguably one of the most iconic sitcoms of recent years. The show manages to emulate a feel-good vibe while also addressing important topics like the important role educators play in underserved communities of color.
Additionally, each week brings a fresh storyline that grants us deeper understandings and new perspectives of our favorite cast of wacky teachers at Abbott Elementary. Although this show already has four seasons, Abbott Elementary has the potential to live on as a legacy show in the comedy world.
Animal Control
Animal Control solidifies its spot as one of the best comedies of 2024 by avoiding the sophomore slump. The FOX show’s nine-episode season takes the animal (Skunks, mini horses, swans — oh my!) hijinx to a new level and the character work to a deeper place.
The ensemble of characters — better known as the pack — gets tighter as the stakes get higher and the jokes get sharper. Animal Control Season 2 is a wacky and wonderful from start to finish, featuring incredible guest stars (Thomas Lennon! Ken Jeong!) and reminding everyone that this show is one of the most underrated workplace comedies on TV.
English Teacher
Teachers and comedy continue to prove an entertaining pair as FX gave us English Teacher this year. The single-camera comedy follows the daily grind of a high school teacher and the nonsense they put up with.
The series has quickly become a critical favorite with its winning combination of great writing, amazingly talented cast, and that measure of heart that makes it the new comedy to watch.
Ghosts
Ghosts is the kind of show that quickly becomes more than just a weekly watch to pass the time. With its ensemble of delightful spirits and unserious bed and breakfast business ventures, the comfort comedy strikes a beautiful balance between heartfelt human stories and absurd supernatural-fuelled catastrophes.
This spooky cute sitcom will worm its way into your heart with grand gothic sets, silly recurring bits, and petty drama courtesy of some incredibly bored ghosts.
And when you think you’re safe, the cast of heavyweight performers will crush you under an avalanche of emotional trauma. Learning to grieve and process death alongside these spirits is one of the best decisions any TV viewer can make because this show is still absolutely to die for after four seasons.
Shrinking
The Apple TV+ series Shrinking continues to stand out as one of the best comedies on television. This year, the show dove even deeper into the complexities of grief, relationships, and forgiveness while somehow also being even funnier than it was in Season 1.
Shrinking Season 2 also brought in Brett Goldstein as a special character that turned Jimmy and Alice’s worlds upside down and asked the viewers to re-consider everything they thought they knew about What happened to Jimmy’s wife.
With impeccable performances and brilliant writing, Shrinking just gets better and better.
Nobody Wants This
In a television landscape that’s still largely full of procedurals and serious dramas, Netflix’s fizzy romantic comedy Nobody Wants This is a breath of fresh air.
The story about an agnostic sex podcaster (Kristen Bell) and a hot rabbi (Adam Brody, all grown up in a way that will delight original The OC fans), the show follows the pair’s surprisingly realistic relationship ups and downs as they deal with religious differences, family pressure, and divergent career goals.
Brody and Bell have fantastic chemistry with one another, and the series’ supporting cast, which includes Timothy Simons, Tovah Feldshuh, Jackie Tohn, is excellent all around.
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Contributions by: Ashley Bissette Sumerel, Allison Nichols, Alicia Gilstorf, Shelby Elpers, Lacy Baugher, Brianna Martinez, Melody McCune, Lara Rosales, Sam Huang, and Gracie Lowes.
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The post 10 Favorite TV Comedies of 2024: Abbott Elementary, Hacks, and More first appeared on Tell-Tale TV.