Comedy shows with no laughter track
by vogonify | created - 09 Feb 2012 | updated - 29 Nov 2020 | PublicCanned laughter in a comedy show is pretty much what I need to switch it off. I am sure there are plenty of you who loath it as much and here's a list to pick the ones which lived on the merit of their comedy alone.
Do suggest good shows which I can add to this over time (Sorry, I cannot reply to comments here as I don't use facebook much).
Note: Admittedly, as the list keeps growing, there will be shows which I'd add even though I didn't find them funny or those that I haven't even watched. Those that I enjoyed watching will have a little comment suggesting that.
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1. Arrested Development (2003–2019)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett
Votes: 323,907
Still remains enjoyable after many, many viewings. The fourth season is a different beast, but still very clever and funny.
2. The Office (2001–2003)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Votes: 123,034
A groundbreaking comedy when it came out, it still remains funny and outrageous.
3. The Office (2005–2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium.
Stars: Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson
Votes: 709,626
More universally "likable" than the original Office, but second-best in the comedy department.
4. Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (2004)
TV-MA | 24 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
This parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.
Stars: Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Matthew Holness, Alice Lowe
Votes: 20,126
A great show about a bad show.
5. A Very Peculiar Practice (1986–1988)
50 min | Comedy, Drama
The various misadventures of Stephen Daker, a young doctor who works for the health centre of a modern British university.
Stars: Peter Davison, Graham Crowden, Barbara Flynn, David Troughton
Votes: 548
Slightly obscure comedy, but is very interesting.
6. Extras (2005–2007)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Andy Millman is an actor with ambition and a script. Reduced to working as an extra with a useless agent, Andy's attempts to boost his career invariably end in failure and embarrassment.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson
Votes: 60,344
Quite funny, though slightly more cringe-inducing than the Office. Stephen Merchant is the best part of this show despite many star cameos.
7. The Larry Sanders Show (1992–1998)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A comedic behind the scenes look at a late night talk show.
Stars: Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Wallace Langham, Rip Torn
Votes: 9,373
8. The Inbetweeners (2008–2010)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Follows four friends and their antics during their final years of school.
Stars: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas
Votes: 94,270
Can be extremely funny, but like many modern British comedies, there are moments in it which will make you wince.
9. Life's Too Short (2011–2013)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The show centers on Warwick Davis in his day-to-day life, complete with the frustrations he faces.
Stars: Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Rosamund Hanson
Votes: 16,458
If you didn't notice the slight downward slide of the Gervais-Merchant combination in the Extras, you'll definitely notice it here.
10. Flop Show (1989– )
Comedy
Jaspal Bhatti's satirical take on the common societal problems in India.
Stars: Jaspal Bhatti, Vivek Shauq, Savita Bhatti, Ravi Sharma
Votes: 1,917
Satire at its best. Jaspal Bhatti did to Indian television what no one has since bettered, and it has been 25 years.
11. Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
The absurd antics of an Indiana town's public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place.
Stars: Amy Poehler, Jim O'Heir, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt
Votes: 287,570
Amy Poehler is excellent here. But the show belongs equally to a strong support cast of Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza and Aziz Ansari.
Ron Swanson rules!
12. Party Down (2009– )
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A group of actors move to Los Angeles to make it big, but end up working as caterers.
Stars: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr
Votes: 37,109
An interesting comedy which perhaps deserves more attention than it has got.
13. Peep Show (2003–2015)
TV-MA | 25 min | Comedy
Mark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.
Stars: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Matt King, Olivia Colman
Votes: 66,493
Clever, clever oddball British comedy. What's not to like!
14. Flight of the Conchords (2007–2009)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Music, Musical
Bret and Jemaine are Flight of the Conchords, a folk-rock band from New Zealand living in New York City in search of stardom.
Stars: Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie, Rhys Darby, Kristen Schaal
Votes: 65,966
15. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Larry David stars as an over-the-top version of himself in this comedy series that shows how seemingly trivial details of day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events.
Stars: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman
Votes: 146,637
16. Community (2009–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A suspended lawyer is forced to enroll in a community college with an eccentric staff and student body.
Stars: Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase
Votes: 293,115
An uneven show. Some parts work, some don't.
17. Scrubs (2001–2010)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Drama
In the unreal world of Sacred Heart Hospital, intern John "J.D." Dorian learns the ways of medicine, friendship and life.
Stars: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley
Votes: 270,456
18. The Mighty Boosh (2003–2007)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Musical
Surreal British comedy in which Vince Noir and Howard Moon have adventures filled with oddball characters while working as Zoo Keepers, before pursuing a musical career and running a second-hand shop.
Stars: Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding, Michael Fielding, Rich Fulcher
Votes: 24,016
19. Modern Family (2009–2020)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Three different, but related, families face trials and tribulations in their own uniquely comedic ways.
Stars: Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell
Votes: 482,613
20. Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Family
A gifted young teen tries to survive life with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.
Stars: Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Justin Berfield, Erik Per Sullivan
Votes: 142,390
21. The Thick of It (2005–2012)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
Stars: Chris Addison, James Smith, Peter Capaldi, Joanna Scanlan
Votes: 26,083
An excellent series. Very witty. A show which also makes poetry out of cuss words.
22. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Crime
Comedy series following the exploits of Det. Jake Peralta and his diverse, lovable colleagues as they police the NYPD's 99th Precinct.
Stars: Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero
Votes: 362,185
I've watched only a couple of its episodes, but found it quite dull. It is almost as if there was a laughter track but nothing funny enough to put it on.
23. Broad City (2014–2019)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Broad City follows two women throughout their daily lives in New York City, making the smallest and mundane events hysterical and disturbing to watch all at the same time.
Stars: Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Hannibal Buress, Arturo Castro
Votes: 35,686
24. The Mindy Project (2012–2017)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A young Ob/Gyn doctor balances her personal and professional life, surrounded by quirky co-workers in a small office.
Stars: Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, Ed Weeks, Chris Messina
Votes: 34,919
25. The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018)
TV-14 | 22 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
Almost two years after a virus wiped out most of the human race, Phil Miller only wishes for some company, but soon gets more than he bargained for when that company shows up in the form of other survivors.
Stars: Will Forte, January Jones, Cleopatra Coleman, Kristen Schaal
Votes: 63,749
Some reviews suggest this is very good. It must be based on what happens after the first episode. That was the only one I saw and didn't find it very funny.
26. Murder in Successville (2015–2017)
30 min | Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Each week D.I. Sleet is partnered by a celebrity guest as they investigate a murder in the titular town, which is in turn seemingly peopled entirely by 'celebrities'.
Stars: Tom Davis, Liam Hourican, Luke Kempner, Nico Tatarowicz
Votes: 1,417
Murder mysteries involving famous celebrities. Original and funny, but works better when you recognise the celebs. And since this is a UK-based show, many references are quite obscure for a non-British watcher.
27. The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (2009–2016)
TV-MA | 25 min | Comedy
Todd Margaret is an American who takes a job running the London sales team for an energy drink. He has no experience with British culture, knows nothing about sales and has only one employee, Dave.
Stars: Sharon Horgan, Will Arnett, David Cross, Blake Harrison
Votes: 6,847
A comedy with Tobias and GoB from Arrested Development plus Neil from the Inbetweeners, should have been better.
28. Catastrophe (2015–2019)
TV-MA | 601 min | Comedy
American man Rob gets Irish woman Sharon pregnant when they hook up for a week while he is on a business trip in London.
Stars: Sharon Horgan, Rob Delaney, Mark Bonnar, Ashley Jensen
Votes: 23,663
29. Veep (2012–2019)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy
Former Senator Selina Meyer finds that being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she hoped and everything that everyone ever warned her about.
Stars: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott
Votes: 63,395
People from the Thick of It are involved and so are Julia Louis-Dreyfuss and Tony Hale. Not as foul-mouthed as the British one. The Thick of It is a tough act to follow given how wickedly brilliant Peter Capaldi and co. were. This is not very far behind, though.
30. Car Share (2015–2020)
30 min | Comedy
Assistant manager John Redmond and promotions rep Kayleigh Kitson are forced to commute together every day. But will they get along?
Stars: Peter Kay, Sian Gibson, Danny Swarsbrick, Guy Garvey
Votes: 5,567
31. Outnumbered (2007–2016)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A part-improvised comedy about a couple bringing up their three young children.
Stars: Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche
Votes: 12,157
32. Silicon Valley (2014–2019)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Follows the struggle of Richard Hendricks, a Silicon Valley engineer trying to build his own company called Pied Piper.
Stars: Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, Josh Brener, Martin Starr
Votes: 165,633
Terrific comedy about the software business. Can be quite nerdy at times, ridiculous at others, but all quite fun.
33. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City.
Stars: Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane
Votes: 78,643
34. Psych (2006–2014)
TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Crime, Mystery
When a novice sleuth convinces the police he has psychic powers, he and his reluctant best friend are hired on as consultants to help solve complicated cases.
Stars: James Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Corbin Bernsen
Votes: 105,622
35. Samantha Who? (2007–2009)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Mystery, Romance
A woman suffers from amnesia and is forced to find out who she really is.
Stars: Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito, Kevin Dunn, Melissa McCarthy
Votes: 11,394
36. Up All Night (2011–2012)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Takes an irreverent look at parenthood through the point of view of an acerbic working mother, along with her stay-at-home husband and opinionated parents.
Stars: Christina Applegate, Maya Rudolph, Will Arnett, Jennifer Hall
Votes: 9,540
37. Web Therapy (2008–2014)
TV-14 | 5 min | Comedy
Dr. Fiona Wallice is sick of hearing about "dreams" and "feelings". She then decides that 3 minutes over web cam is better than 50 minutes of patients rambling on.
Stars: Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Julie Claire, Tim Bagley
Votes: 2,190
38. My Name Is Earl (2005–2009)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A ne'er do well wins $100,000 in the lottery and decides to right all the wrongs from his past with his newfound realization!
Stars: Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jaime Pressly, Nadine Velazquez
Votes: 109,513
39. Modern Family (2009–2020)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Three different, but related, families face trials and tribulations in their own uniquely comedic ways.
Stars: Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell
Votes: 482,613
40. The Royle Family (1998–2012)
45 min | Comedy
A British sitcom about the everyday life of a working-class family in Northwest England: watching telly, smoking, drinking, and bickering.
Stars: Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson
Votes: 9,075
41. The Day Today (1994)
30 min | Comedy
A spoof of the British style of news broadcasting - including ridiculous stories, patronising vox pops, offensively hard-hitting research and a sports presenter clearly struggling for metaphors.
Stars: Christopher Morris, Steve Coogan, Patrick Marber, Doon Mackichan
Votes: 5,542
42. Marion & Geoff (2000–2003)
30 min | Comedy, Drama
Keith is a taxi driver who records a monologue on his video camera, which relates the story of his failed marriage after his wife Marion left him for her work colleague, Geoff.
Stars: Rob Brydon, Regina Freedman, Stuart Maconie, Mark Mason
Votes: 547
43. Brass Eye (1997–2001)
TV-MA | 25 min | Comedy
Controversial spoof of current affairs television, and the role of celebrity in the UK.
Stars: Christopher Morris, Mark Heap, Kevin Eldon, Doon Mackichan
Votes: 11,545
44. The Comeback (2005–2014)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
An ex A-list celebrity attempts to rekindle the flame of her once prominent acting career with nothing but a camera crew and some determination.
Stars: Lisa Kudrow, Lance Barber, Robert Michael Morris, Laura Silverman
Votes: 7,809
Many rate this quite highly, but I may need some more patience to sit through an episode. The "documentary" style can be a bit jarring given it is not a novelty anymore.
45. The Tick (2001–2002)
TV-14 | 201 min | Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
The story of superhero The Tick, based on the popular comic book.
Stars: Patrick Warburton, David Burke, Liz Vassey, Nestor Carbonell
Votes: 5,762
Works primarily because of its great premise: of people choosing to be superheroes as if it's a vocation. Around this premise is spun a quiet comedy. Not quite laugh-out-loud, but is likable overall.
46. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005– )
TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy
Five friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia.
Stars: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson
Votes: 251,515
47. The Middle (2009–2018)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Family
The daily mishaps of a married woman and her semi-dysfunctional family and their attempts to survive life in general in the town of Orson, Indiana.
Stars: Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher
Votes: 53,633
48. New Girl (2011–2018)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
After a bad break-up, Jess, an offbeat young woman, moves into an apartment loft with three single men. Although they find her behavior very unusual, the men support her - most of the time.
Stars: Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone
Votes: 245,251
49. Louie (2010–2015)
TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy, Drama
The life of Louie C.K., a divorced comedian living in New York with two kids.
Stars: Louis C.K., Hadley Delany, Ursula Parker, Pamela Adlon
Votes: 82,156
50. Outsourced (2010–2011)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A manager is sent to India to oversee a staff of customer service representatives.
Stars: Ben Rappaport, Anisha Nagarajan, Diedrich Bader, Parvesh Cheena
Votes: 12,739
51. Family Guy (1999– )
TV-MA | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
In a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strives to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.
Stars: Alex Borstein, Seth MacFarlane, Seth Green, Mila Kunis
Votes: 363,733
52. Pacific Heat (2016–2017)
TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
A group of ragtag Australian agents working hard to recover their reputation in order to prevent having their team shut down.
Stars: Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rebecca Massey, Lucia Mastrantone
Votes: 1,174
53. Archer (2009–2023)
TV-MA | 22 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
Covert black ops and espionage take a back seat to zany personalities and relationships between secret agents and drones.
Stars: H. Jon Benjamin, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, Chris Parnell
Votes: 165,750
54. Toast of London (2012–2020)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Steven Toast, an eccentric middle-aged actor with a chequered past, spends more time dealing with his problems off stage than performing on stage.
Stars: Matt Berry, Robert Bathurst, Doon Mackichan, Shazad Latif
Votes: 10,584
55. White Gold (2017–2019)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The story of a double-glazing showroom in Essex in 1983, led by charismatic salesman Vincent who will happily break the rules if it guarantees a sale.
Stars: Ed Westwick, James Buckley, Joe Thomas, Linzey Cocker
Votes: 12,953
Quite good, actually. Not laugh-out-loud funny, but does have a sense of humour; this despite the lead character being annoying.
56. Crashing (2016)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A comedy series following the lives of six 20- and 30-somethings living together as property guardians of a large, disused hospital.
Stars: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jonathan Bailey, Julie Dray, Louise Ford
Votes: 26,062
If the Brits did Friends...
57. Fleabag (2016–2019)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Series adapted from the award-winning play about a young woman trying to cope with life in London whilst coming to terms with a recent tragedy.
Stars: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman, Jenny Rainsford
Votes: 200,662
The usual loneliness comedy which also manages to get teary eyed at times.
58. Love (2016–2018)
TV-MA | 50 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A program that follows a couple who must navigate the exhilarations and humiliations of intimacy, commitment, and other things they were hoping to avoid.
Stars: Gillian Jacobs, Paul Rust, Claudia O'Doherty, Mike Mitchell
Votes: 45,975
59. Jean-Claude Van Johnson (2016–2017)
TV-MA | 31 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
Jean-Claude Van Damme has two lives: Damme as an actor and Johnson as a secret agent.
Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kat Foster, Moises Arias, Bar Paly
Votes: 10,130
60. Schitt's Creek (2015–2020)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
After being a victim of fraud, Johnny Rose and his family go from extremely wealthy to penniless overnight. The only asset left to them is a small, unsophisticated town: Schitt's Creek. They relocate there. Culture shock ensues.
Stars: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy
Votes: 145,699
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