Comedy Central, the ViacomCBS-owned network television channel, hosts a surplus of highly regarded comedy shows. The channel took off in the late '90s from the success of hits like The Daily Show and South Park, both of which are still on the air!
The official online database for movies and TV-- the Internet Movie Database, known as IMDb-- allows users to rate each title on a 1-10 scale, formatting lists of the best and worst rated films/TV shows. Let's examine the top 10 highest rated Comedy Central shows, according to IMDb.
Strangers With Candy (1999-2000) -- IMDb Rating: 8.0
In this offbeat comedy, Jerri Black (Amy Sedaris) is a 46-year-old "boozer, user, and loser" who tries to pick up the pieces of her desecrated life by going back to high school as a freshman, guaranteed to deliver some amusing results.
Jerri has trouble fitting in with her schoolmates, nearly a third her age, finding it difficult to shed the sinful persona she once identified so truly with. Also starring Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, and Mitch Rousse, a prequel film under the same title, Strangers With Candy, was released in 2005, a half-decade after the show's ending.
Workaholics (2011-2017) -- IMDb Rating: 8.1
The IMDb Workaholics plotline summary encapsulates this series perfectly: "a single-camera comedy featuring three friends who work together as telemarketers from 9 to 5, and live together from 5 to 9." These three college pals, also roommates in the ultimate millennial bachelor pad, spend their days being reamed by their uptight boss Alice (Maribeth Monroe) at TelAmeriCorp, the oh-so-typical telecommunications company they work for.
Their homeless buddy Carl is played by Kyle Newacheck, who co-created Workaholics and also directs the majority of the episodes. Check out this Comedy Central classic, rated an 8.1 on IMDb, available on Hulu.
Review (2014-2017) -- IMDb Rating: 8.3
In this eccentric mockumentary series, critic Forest MacNeil (Andrew Daly) experiments with reviewing experiences other than eating at a restaurant or watching a new release movie, such as joining a cult, stealing, and anonymous sex. Review receives an impressive 8.3 on IMDb, with three seasons and guest stars such as Ashley Tisdale, Jason Mantzoukas, Lance Bass, and Andy Richter.
Anyone tired of pursuing Amazon for those classic, hilarious reviews, need to look no further than Andrew Daly and Comedy Central's Review.
Key And Peele (2012-2015) -- IMDb Rating: 8.3
The sketch comedy classic Key and Peele features showrunners Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as they banter together in front of a live studio audience in between sketches of ridiculous scenarios, playing a variety of characters that poke fun at cultural norms and contemporary racial tensions, similar to Portlandia but through a fresh lens.
The comedic duo's tight bromance began 13 years ago after being introduced by a mutual friend. Key and Peele have also worked together on Mad TV, and their self-titled series snagged two wins and sixteen nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards. The series ended after five seasons in 2015.
The Daily Show (1996-) -- IMDb Rating: 8.4
Based on the Saturday Night Live skit "Weekend Update," The Daily Show details real-life news stories with a satirical twist. After hosting The Daily Show for 21 years, Jon Stewart retired his role to take a backseat to all of the country's insane political downfalls, a smart move to keep his sanity intact! Currently, comedian Trevor Noah hosts the Comedy Central giant, with mixed reception from critics.
Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Samantha Bee guest star as correspondents, and have all received their own spin-off shows-- The Colbert Report, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, respectively.
Broad City (2014-2019) -- IMDb Rating: 8.4
The Comedy Central hit Broad City unsurprisingly makes the list, packed with both hilarious and heartwarming moments. Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer play semi-realistic versions of themselves as they navigate millennial life in New York City. Hannibal Buress guest stars as Lincoln, the coolest dentist in the world, and brings a panache to the show that separates Broad City apart from its competition.
The series ended last year during its fifth season, before stretching itself too thin. Catch Broad City, available on Hulu.
Futurama (1999-2013) -- IMDb Rating: 8.4
Co-created by The Simpsons inventor Matt Groening, Futurama has been an adult cartoon staple for over 20 years now. Pizza-boy protagonist Philip J. Fry is sent to the year 2999 after accidentally being frozen back in 1999, which sets the stage for endless possibilities of silly shenanigans and plotlines.
Groening bought the rights to the"30th Century Fox" logo used in the show after Fox was hesitant about the idea, but the movie conglomerate came around a few months later declaring their love for the concept. Futurama receives an 8.4 on IMDb, and will forever be considered a Top 5 Comedy Central show.
Chappelle's Show (2003-2006) -- IMDb Rating: 8.7
Comedian Dave Chappelle created the genius sketch comedy show Chappelle's Show back in 2003 and broke the barrier of humor regarding race relations. Chappelle's Show featured some scandalous skits and morally questionable behavior but still holds a substantial 8.7 on IMDb due to its originality and hilarious spin on black culture.
Dave Chappelle abruptly left the show during the filming of season three and later admitted he never intended on producing a third season, but felt pressured by Comedy Central to do so. Comedy Central put Chappelle's Show on hold for over a year, but eventually released some of the already recorded footage and gave hosting duties to series regulars Donnell Rawlings and Charlie Murphy.
South Park (1997-) -- IMDb Rating: 8.7
It's no surprise the Trey Parker and Matt Stone original adult cartoon South Park is rated as one of the top three Comedy Central shows of all time, though most would expect it to be in the number one spot! The powerhouse duo has spent over 20 years fighting lawsuit after lawsuit while continuing to put out relevant content that constantly pushes the envelope, and South Park continues to impress the masses.
With twenty-four seasons under their belt, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have undoubtedly created one of the most well-known adult cartoons to date, but South Park provides more than just tongue-in-cheek potty humor. The show brings an understated intellect with intentionally scrupulous lessons given to the audience delivered in an unorthodox package. South Park receives an 8.7 on IMDb, just shy of first place.
Nathan For You (2013-2017)-- IMDb Rating: 8.8
Unless you're a fan of Nathan For You, there might be some confusion over why this small Comedy Central show made it to the #1 spot on this list. Rated higher than South Park and Chappelle's Show, comedian Nathan Fielder's docu-reality comedy series Nathan For You spoofs the idea of reinventing small business by bringing unconventional approaches to help these failing enterprises turn a new leaf.
In the opening segment, Nathan boasts "really good grades from one of the top business schools in Canada," where a camera pans to a report card filled with C's and B's, giving the viewer a true glimpse into just how serious this show should be taken. Nathan's stiff, awkward demeanor is always hilarious when he explains the newfangled hair-brained ideas he's about to implement in these businesses. Nathan For You is currently available on Hulu.