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(Left to right) Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas
Saeed Adyani/Netflix; Mike Yarish/Netflix
The mega streaming platform Netflix may be more closely associated with prestige dramas (like The Crown and Ozark) and twisty true-crime tales (like Tiger King) than sitcoms, but the streaming service boasts a surprisingly deep bench of laugh-out-loud comedies — and that list continues to grow. The past few months have seen the release of the NASCAR-set series The Crew, starring Kevin James, and Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!, with Jamie Foxx and David Alan Grier. And this month will see the premiere of The Upshaws, starring Wanda Sykes, Mike Epps, and Facts of Life star Kim Fields. From high-concept political satires to effervescent romantic comedies to classic TV reboots, there are dozens of Netflix original sitcoms to choose from, but these 10 top the list (have you watched our number one pick, below?).
Aaron Epstein/Netflix
10. Space Force (2020-)
The Gist: Comedy writer Greg Daniels, 57, and star Steve Carell, 58, made magic out of workplace tedium with The Office, and in their new show, they turn their satirical gaze toward the bureaucracy of the military-industrial complex. Carell stars as General Mark R. Naird, who is assigned to help establish the United States Space Force — the military's real-life sixth branch — alongside chief scientist Dr. Adrian Mallory, played by John Malkovich, 67. The show didn't get much critical love last year, but if you can get on its Dr. Strangelove wavelength, there's a lot to enjoy about its gentle skewering of modern politics.
Awards Attention: 4 Emmy nominations, including stunt coordination
What to Watch For: The series marks the final acting role of the late great comedian Fred Willard, who died two weeks before the premiere of the first season.
Watch It: Space Force
9. Emily in Paris (2020-)
The Gist: Co-created by Darren Star, 59 — the man behind Sex and the City and Beverly Hills, 90210 — this Paris-set romantic comedy is as light and airy as a soufflé. Lily Collins (the up-and-coming actress daughter of Phil Collins, 70) stars as our namesake heroine, who moves to the City of Lights to offer an American perspective at a respected marketing firm. The dialogue is frothy, and the French settings will make you want to book a flight.
Awards Attention: 2 Golden Globe nominations, including best comedy series
What to Watch For: The kitschy and colorful couture — expect lots of berets! — comes courtesy of legendary Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field, 79.
Watch It: Emily in Paris
8. One Day at a Time (2017-2020)
The Gist: TV legend Norman Lear, 98, had the brilliant idea of updating his 1970s family sitcom for the 21st century, and his new version centers around a Cuban-American Army veteran (played by Six Feet Under's Justina Machado) and her family in Los Angeles — including the scene-stealing Rita Moreno, 89, as matriarch Lydia. Netflix canceled the show after three seasons, but Pop TV revived it for a final seven episodes.
Awards Attention: 2 Emmy wins (for editing) out of 4 nominations
What to Watch For: Perhaps the country's most famous Cuban-American, Gloria Estefan (63), guest stars as Lydia's estranged sister and sings the Latin-tinged update of the classic theme song, “This Is It!”
Watch It: One Day at a Time, 39 episodes on Netflix; 6 episodes on Paramount+
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