Movies - TV
Shows Like Community That You Really Need To Watch
By SIMON BLAND
Parks and Recreation
With its local-government setting, mockumentary-style framework, and lack of any pop-culture references whatsoever, “Parks and Recreation” doesn’t seem to have a lot in common with “Community.” However, the show’s kooky cast of characters and subsequent ability to make you truly care for them — flaws and all — makes this show well worth the watch.
30 Rock
If you’re a fan of the smart narratives and smarter humor found in “Community,” then “30 Rock” is probably for you — there’s hardly a smarter, more tightly-written show out there. The show follows the day-to-day chaos of producing a weekly live television program, and Tina Fey, as both star and creator, delivers razor-sharp humor and deftly-packed gags.
Arrested Development
Like “Community,” “Arrested Development” was a bit of an underdog at the time of its airing, but a strong fanbase has kept it alive. The show centers on a wealthy family and their struggles to hold on to their fortune and their dignity, and although the show was axed after its third season, its word-of-mouth following brought it back for two more seasons.
Scrubs
In the early 2000s, TV didn’t get any better than “Scrubs,” which brought a levity to the medical world which had previously only been seen through doctor dramas. The show follows J.D., a newbie medical student, and his fellow staffers, and like “Community,” “Scrubs” doesn't shy away from escaping into fictional or heightened-reality worlds and themed episodes.
What We Do in the Shadows
As far as heightened reality goes, things don’t get any more outlandish than “What We Do in the Shadows,” which follows a quartet of barely-functioning vampire roommates and their familiars. Their adventures frequently bring them in contact with a host of characters — played by unexpected guest stars — and produce some hilariously quotable lines.