This winter TV season has given us many entertaining new and returning shows that help make the freezing cold much easier to bear. For many of us, this winter has also been a time of mourning as we tune in to NBC every Thursday out of habit, hoping to catch a new episode of “Community,” but instead are disappointed all over again. Although it’s not the end for the show, which will be returning to NBC in the spring, it sure feels like it. In the meantime, there are other comedies that help to assuage the pain of the show’s hiatus. These new and returning shows don’t really hold a candle to the clever and campy episodes of “Community,” but they can provide a welcomed distraction.
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC), another staple of NBC Comedy Thursdays, has aged beautifully like a fine wine. The show has really come into its own in the past year with the assimilation of amazing new actors like Adam Scott and Rob Lowe. This season features Leslie Knope’s hilarious campaign for city council against Paul Rudd’s character, convincing most viewers that she should probably just run for president of the United States instead.
“Happy Endings” (ABC) is the dark horse of ABC’s Wednesday comedy line-up, a night usually taken over by the hype of “Modern Family.” The premise is simple and has been done a thousand times over – a group of friends struggling and laughing through a series of romantic entanglements – but these characters are absolutely priceless and the dialogue is razor-sharp.
“New Girl” (FOX) is a young and fresh comedy starring Zooey Deschanel as the new female roommate living with three different but equally hysterical men. Although Deschanel has the ability to rub people the wrong way, don’t watch the show for her – watch it for Schmidt, her metrosexual, cardigan-loving, OCD, philandering roommate who is probably the illegitimate love child of Jeff and Annie on “Community.”
“Episodes” (Showtime) is a new series that manages once again to prove that television shows about television shows are a formula for success. It stars Matt LeBlanc, who plays himself after being hired as the star of a new American television show based on a very successful British television series (sound familiar?). This series gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the producers and actors that help make television possible, and if Matt LeBlanc’s Golden Globe award is an indication, it’s a show worth watching.
“Cougar Town” (ABC), like “Community,” has also been conspicuously absent from TV for way too long, but we will be reunited with the cul-de-sac wine-loving crew this Valentine’s Day. The show follows Jules Cobb and her family and friends as they wake up every morning, avoid work, and start drinking before noon. Although “Cougar Town” doesn’t have the wit of “Community,” it makes up for it with endless plucky charm. Plus it’s Abed’s favorite show. Enough said.
Not all comedy television has amazing writers and lovable characters, but these shows stand out by managing to make overused plot lines seem fresh and original. Although nothing can replace Troy and Abed in the morning or the size of Jeff’s ego (and forehead), these five comedies are only getting better and will help get you through this depressing hiatus.
-Mackenzie Bronk
