Part one of Stranger Things season 4 is just about to drop on Netflix on May 27th, 2022, and it marks one of many fan-favorite series to return to screens this year. As the first half of the year in television comes to a close, it is easy to see that 2022 is already full of new and returning series. The landscape of television comedy, in particular, has evolved along with premium cable and the streaming revolution, and it can be overwhelming to decide what to watch.
However, according to critics, the following 10 comedy series, deserve the most attention and currently have the highest scores on Metacritic. These shows feature a wide range of comedic sensibilities, from dark comedy to surreal satire.
Minx (S1): 77
The new HBO Max series, Minx, follows the formation of the first erotic women's magazine in 1970s Los Angeles. The show stars Ophelia Lovibond and New Girl's Jake Johnson and was created by Ellen Rappaport.
The series became a critical darling and was praised for its balance of sharp wit and entertaining fun. The success of Minx hinges on the on-screen dynamic between its two leads and its tongue-in-cheek self-awareness. Fans can expect to see more of the characters Joyce and Doug, as Minx was recently renewed for a second season.
Russian Doll (S2): 79
The second season of the Netflix dark comedy co-created by and starring Natasha Lyonne continued to receive praise for its strange tone and dynamic lead performance. The first season followed Nadia, who was stuck in a time loop in which she kept dying and waking up at the same party.
When Russian Doll was initially renewed for a second season, fans may have been confused as to where the show would go, given the definitive end to the first season. However, season 2 of Russian Doll exceeded expectations by cleverly devising a new conflict in which Nadia finds herself transported back in time by the New York City subway station.
The Righteous Gemstones (S2): 82
HBO's The Righteous Gemstones was another one of many comedy series returning for the first time in 2022 since before the pandemic. Returning in full force, the second season's Metacritic score increased by 15 points.
The series, which stars comedic actors Danny McBride, Adam DeVine, and John Goodman, follows a family of televangelists and includes some of the most laugh-out-loud moments on television this year. Jack Hamilton of Slate referred to Gemstones as the "best comedy on HBO right now" and drew comparisons to Succession, another show about corruption within a wealthy family.
Girls5eva (S2): 83
The Tina Fey-produced half-hour comedy Girls5eva returned for its second season on Peacock, with even better notices than the reviews for the first season. The show follows a failed female pop group from the '90s that reunites for a comeback.
Much like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Girls5eva has a larger-than-life quality to its comedy that is both quintessentially Tina Fey-esque and unique when compared to the other hit comedies on television right now. The music is catchy and clever, and the performances (particularly by Paula Pell and Renée Elise Goldsberry) are endlessly entertaining to watch.
Heartstopper (S1): 84
The breakout Netflix comedy Heartstopper might be considered one of the best romantic shows of the season. An LGBTQ+ romance based on the graphic novels of the same name, Heartstopper tells the story of Charlie (Joe Locke), a student at Truham Grammar School as he develops a crush on Nick (Kit Connor), a popular rugby player who is also a year older.
An instant hit, Heartstopper was praised by critics and audiences alike for its on-screen chemistry and empathetic storytelling. The casting of all the students was spot on and the dynamic between the two lead actors is undeniable. Plus, Olivia Colman delivers another effortless performance as Nick's mother.
Somebody Somewhere (S1): 86
Comedian Bridget Everett finally gets to play a leading role in the new HBO dark comedy Somebody Somewhere. Created by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, the new series tells the story of Sam (Everett), a woman from Kansas, who grieves the loss of her sister.
With only seven episodes, three of which were directed by Jay Duplass, Somebody Somewhere leans into dark humor while also providing a warm and intimate quality that few shows have these days. The series also provides a true showcase for Bridget Everett's varied talents. Thankfully, HBO has renewed the series for a second season.
Hacks (S2): 88
Last year's breakout comedy, Hacks, recently began airing its second season on HBO Max. Even though Jean Smart collected seemingly every trophy she could for the show's first season, she is likely to repeat that feat yet again as stand-up comedian Deborah Vance.
This season, Hacks deepens the relationship between Deborah and Ava (Hannah Einbinder), with an intriguing storyline in which Deborah sues Ava while the two are on tour together. The fluctuation between love and hate within this dynamic is what makes the show unique, and even with a well-received first season, Hacks has managed to build on that success with impressive results.
Atlanta (S3): 91
Donald Glover's surreal comedy Atlanta took a four-year hiatus after its widely acclaimed second season. This past spring, the FX comedy returned and, true to form, it was as thought-provoking and creative as ever.
Although the series initially followed Earn (Glover) as he steps into the role of manager for his cousin, rapper Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), the third season veers towards the abstract, with half of its episodes following an anthological format and exploring themes of race that do not directly involve the show's main cast members. Even if audiences don't get to follow the central characters as much, Atlanta's third season raises socially relevant issues through its distinct, surreal lens.
Better Things (S5): 94
Better Things is Pamela Adlon's semi-autobiographical series, in which she serves as creator, writer, director, and star. Its fifth and final season returned this past spring and followed Sam Fox and her three daughters as they navigate adulthood, adolescence, and existence in the universe.
For its final season, Adlon maintained the grounded realism of family dynamics while exploring larger cosmic questions as well. Although Better Things may not have the name recognition and fanbase of some of these other series, it is a unique and special show that deserves more attention. In fact, the past four seasons of the series each have a Metacritic score of 90 or above.
Barry (S3): 94
The third season of Bill Hader and Alec Berg's HBO series continues to lean into darker and darker subject matter. Barry follows a hitman turned aspiring actor who is never able to leave the world of his former job of crime and violence behind, no matter how hard he tries.
Despite a three-year hiatus, Hader's return to the title role remains an entertaining watch and a fascinating tight rope walk between humor and violence. The bleak direction serves the show well, especially in tense scenes between Hader and Henry Winkler, Barry's problematic acting teacher who at one point becomes his hostage. The cast is first-rate, and Sarah Goldberg, in particular, has an exciting character arc this season. Fans can expect Barry to be remembered when the Emmy nominations are announced this summer.