Five most underrated sitcom to check on

Who doesn't love sitcom? Well, I can't speak for anyone, but I think I can safely say that anyone loves to laugh. Or at least, love to be entertained.

I always thought that watching a comedy is the most effective way to entertain myself. It can calm your nerves and it's a chance to laugh at someone else but yourself -- especially, when you've had a hard time with your boss and became a laughing stock at your office.

While waiting for a laughable movie could take times -- you might have lost your sanity before then -- and not to mention money -- if you were to watch it on cinema, watching a sitcom on TV actually is the best and the easiest way to get some laugh. And you can get it at home, on your own couch, and on weekly basis.

Then, what sitcom in particular that could make you laugh your ass off?

I bet everyone has heard a hard core, monster-rating sitcom like 'How I Met Your Mother', Chuck Lorre's 'The Big Bang Theory', or mockumentary comedy 'Modern Family'. But, what if i were to mention 'Parks and Recreation' or 'Louie'? Doesn't ring a bell?

Having a deep interest on America's TV series, I can't help but notice that most people here in Indonesia are actually missed bunch of qualified, worth-watching shows on TV. Well, to be fair, most of the shows I was about to mention are not broadcast on our local cable, so we practically don’t have (legal) access to watch them anyway. In terms of sitcom, there are couples of names I can give you that are really underrated, people barely even heard about it. Seriously, most of it even the funniest thing you'd see on TV.

So, without further ado, I hereby presented you my version of the most underrated America's sitcom in Indonesia. Noted that the list below was applied for shows which still airing on TV.

#1. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005)

Meet the most egotistical, vain, and self-centered gang in Philly. Focused on a group of 4 friends -- and a father -- in their 30's, the show depicted how life turns out for them who always put themselves first and using anyone else for their personal gain.

When I saw the pilot, I instantly got hooked. The show really took sitcom on a totally different level. You see, most sitcom in which involving a group of friends, usually contained lovable characters, friendship, and cheesy they're-gonna/they're-not-gonna relationship. Well, you wouldn't find all that in this one.

In fact, all the main characters on 'Sunny' are so messed up, drunk all the time, and always take advantage of other people. There’s nothing to like about them in real life. Even the unity of the group itself is never solid. They always stab each other on the back, eager to betray one another every time they faced a crisis. And that's what makes this show even funnier than many other shows on TV and has lasted 8 years since its debut (season 9 is coming up this fall).

In their early year, 'Sunny' used to be an underdog sitcom, in terms of rating and budget. In fact, not until their fifth season, the show started recording on HD quality. The devoted cult following and the faith of FX' execs were the two things that keep the show going. And it turned out to be the right decision after all, seeing now the gang has created a huge show and a broader fan-based.

For you who get tired of dramedy genre, sloppy sitcom, and cheesy friendship, I highly recommend this show.

#2. Community (2009)

I promise you wouldn’t find weirder characters and storyline on any other sitcom than you’d see on this one. Every episode on this show is so random and not related, you could watch each of them not in direct order and you’d still able to catch up with their jokes.

‘Community’ centers on seven (now six) members of a study group in Greendale Community College. The show perfectly pictured the stereotype that only losers and failures get to take their diploma in community college, and how shameful it is to some people to even enroll there. As you can guess, the whole story is about how the main characters -- each of which has a different motive and background – embrace their daily life along the show.

Despite the randomness, the characters on this series are so well-build and well-written. Yes, they’re mostly weird, but the writers and casts play it with consistency, makes the viewers fall for them through times. Every character has a different role and uniqueness, plus they always came up with hilarious puns (like ‘Brita’d’ and ‘Chang’), certainly what makes me love this show even more.  

Sadly, I don’t know if it’s because this show is air on douchebag network NBC or because it’s air against huge CBS’ sitcom ‘The Big Bang Theory’ – or maybe both, ‘Community’ never gets a high rating since its debut. In fact, the show almost got canceled on the end of season four. Luckily, NBC’s execs came to their senses on last minutes and renewed the show. A decision that rejoiced by many of die-hard fans.

I strongly recommend this show if you seek a laugh and not to be bother with too complicated storyline.

#3. Parks and Recreation (2009)

Who knows that working for government could be so fun and amusing? Surely, this could happen only on NBC’s mockumentary sitcom, ‘Parks and Recreation’.

Why watch this show, you ask? Hmm, let me think. Bunch of bureaucrat make fun of each other, idiotic and incompetence characters fill in the role of government’s staffs, and a lot of ridiculous laws and regulations. What’s not to like?

‘Parks and Recreation’ offer you an insight of working for government would’ve liked. It also gives a glimpse of how competitive and sometimes unbelievably moronic the politicians could be when, let’s say, they want to pass some bill or simply just want to build a burger restaurant in the city. You could see how each of the character tries to do something (or for some of them nothing) good for society, yet ends up make everything worse. Or even get backlash for doing something (they thought was) good.

This show, no doubt is one of the most underrated sitcom in Indonesia. It’s definitely not the courtesy of the mockumentary format, because we could see that ‘The Office’ and ‘Modern Family’ which use mockumentary style as well has a pretty high popularity in this country. So, to be honest, I don’t know why many people in here barely even heard about this show.

I guarantee, ‘Parks and Recreation’ won’t let you down for wanting a laughable show involving bunch of comedians playing politicians and government’s staffs.

#4. The League (2009)

It’s no secret that Americans are crazy about football. Well, American football to be exact. This was probably the reason why the husband and wife team, Jeff and Jackie Marcus Schaffer created ‘The League’ which airs on FX in the first place.

Centers on a team of fantasy football, this show gives the audiences a closer look to the chaotic and competitive world of football’s enthusiasts. We could see the tension gets higher between the members of the team every time the football season close to an end. Even so, those were the times where the show becomes even funnier to watch and most of the best trash talks were dished out here and there by each of the member.

What I love about this show is the hilarious in-jokes, trash talks, and ridiculously funny catchphrases (including ‘vinegar strokes’ and the unforgettable ‘fear boner’). Seriously, some episodes were so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing from the start until the credits have rolled.

I know that football indeed wasn’t so popular for Indonesian, but don’t worry, you won’t miss the jokes on the show even if you don’t know a thing about this sport. I, myself, have no idea about football, yet I still can get all the fun this show has offered.

So, download or stream this series as soon as you can, especially if you love trash talks and enjoy lower other people’s self-esteem through words ;)

#5. Louie (2010)

‘Louie’ probably is the only series that based on a real life comic on TV right now. Centers on a stand-up comedian, Louis C.K., we could hear best of his own jokes in his real life gigs. And we get to see how he embraces his daily life – like spend time with his two daughters or dating a new woman after his divorce – between his job.

It took some times for me to adjust with this show at first, but then I decided to give it a chance and continued to watch the second season. And voila! It indeed got better. Part of it maybe because I’ve finally got the rhythm and get used to the style, since it was the first show of which I watch a real life character on sitcom.

On ‘Louie’, we actually get a lesson on every episode. Seriously, this show probably offers the best life lesson among many other shows on TV, as it’s based on someone’s real life. This show proved that you could get more than a laugh on sitcom. You actually can get something to learn from it.

So, curious about how a real life comic turned out to be? This show must be the best answer for your questions.