Adding to its vast collection of sitcoms like The Office, The Good Place, and Superstore, NBC recently aired the first season of the new comedy, Grand Crew. It stars Nicole Byer, Echo Kellum, Aaron Jennings, Grasie Mercedes, Carl Tart, and Justin Cunningham as Nicky, Noah, Anthony, Fay, Sherm, and Wyatt, respectively – humorously exploring their interworking relationships, friendships, and careers.
So far there has been no announcement of renewal for season two and beyond, but with the comedic chops in charge and performing, hopes are high. In the meantime, viewers can find additional entertainment in the following tv shows.
Insecure
Issa Rae has become one the biggest names in tv comedies with her show Insecure, which concluded last year following its fifth season. What initially started in part as the web series, Awkward Black Girl grew and evolved into a hit comedy-drama on HBO, earning consistent awards and nominations along the way.
Similar to Grand Crew, Insecure is also set in Los Angeles and features a predominantly Black cast. Though they differ in styling and technique, they both earnestly share their own unadulterated glimpse into the vast and varying Black experience in America.
Abbott Elementary
A fellow new TV show that has quickly captured the hearts of viewers and critics alike is ABC’s Abbott Elementary. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, along with Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Watler, Chris Perfetti, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, the show has already been renewed for a second season, and fans rejoice.
This mockumentary sheds light on the inner workings of a Philadelphia public elementary school. Not only is it immensely funny – especially with the meme-worthy performance by Janelle James as the school's principal, Ava – but it is also, incredibly heartwarming. In the end, Grand Crew and Abbott Elementary make an entertaining and wholesome pair when watched in tandem.
Happy Endings
An ever-classic trope in sitcoms is the simple premise of following an often-dysfunctional and quirky bunch of friends in their late-twenties or early-thirties. Grand Crew adheres to this, as does the short-lived, but still beloved ABC series, Happy Endings. This show ran for three seasons and was unfortunately canceled, despite its popularity, charm, and decent ratings.
At the time, it had to compete with powerhouses like New Girl and Modern Family, but since its untimely demise, Happy Endings has acquired a bit of a cult following. The humor and absurdity make it a good fit for fans of Grand Crew.
New Girl
Another classic friend group on TV is Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and Cece from Fox’s New Girl. Each character is uniquely funny and charismatic – there are too many hilarious quotes to reference as proof – and they excel both individually and together. It is also set in Los Angeles and since its final season in 2018, it has remained incredibly popular.
Grand Crew similarly relies on the character’s individual quirks and habits, and how they either marry with or butt up against each other. All seven seasons of New Girl are still available to stream on Netflix.
Mr. Mayor
Also on NBC’s current comedy slate is Mr. Mayor, starring Ted Danson, Holly Hunter, Bobby Moynihan, Vella Lovel, Mike Cabellon, and Kyla Kenedy. This show follows Danson as Neil Bremer, the new and deeply unqualified mayor of Los Angeles, as he ineptly learns how to manage the city.
Both Grand Crew and Mr. Mayor exude the bright, bubbly energy and silly sensibility that naturally draws in and satiates an audience. They are amusing and carefree, making an entertaining respite once a week or an easy binge all at once. Fans of Mr. Mayor will be excited as the second season has just started airing.
Kenan
Kenan Thompson has been a mainstay on NBC ever since he started on Saturday Night Live in 2003, and he continues his good work in his own sitcom, Kenan, garnering an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The show humorously follows Thompson as a widowed father to two daughters and a morning TV host in Atlanta.
Kenan shares a comedic flair and natural exuberance with Grand Crew, and with a cast further including Chris Redd, Don Johnson, Kimri Lewis, and Taylor Louderman, it stands likely to receive continued renewal and acclaim.
How I Met Your Father & How I Met Your Mother
For nearly a decade How I Met Your Mother ran on CBS and viewers were rapt to learn who exactly mothered Ted Mosby’s kids. Recently, the sequel series How I Met Your Father finished its first season on Hulu, with the announcement that a second one has also been picked up.
Like Grand Crew, which emulates the heart and energy of living in Los Angeles, both HIMYM and HIMYF, as they’re referenced by fans, show a perspective on life in New York City. All three’s premises are akin to each other – an unpredictable friend group trying to make the most of their lives in a big city with a local bar as a base of operations per se.
The Neighborhood
Another show that highlights the ins and outs of Black America is The Neighborhood. The CBS comedy starring Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Tichina Arnold, and Beth Behrs sets its stage in a predominantly black neighborhood in Pasadena, CA. Cedric’s Calvin and Greenfield’s Dave are not immediate friends, but they do come to be so after a bit.
Fans of Grand Crew can enjoy The Neighborhood for its sitcom structure – with the ever-classic laugh track that is popping up less and less in TV shows – yet it doesn’t shy away from important social and racial issues. So far four seasons have been released and a fifth is in the works.
The Unicorn
Walton Goggins stars as Wade, a widowed father of two reassessing his life after his wife’s death, in CBS’s The Unicorn. The comedy was unfortunately canceled in 2021, but the two seasons – which can be streamed on Paramount+ – are still funny, endearing, and showcased Goggins in a role distinct to his impressive resume.
The Unicorn co-stars Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Omar Miller, and Maya Lynne Robinson, who plays Wyatt’s wife, Kristen in Grand Crew. Nicole Byer even guest-appears in a few episodes, so this makes a good option to watch for fans of Grand Crew.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
After five seasons Fox unpredictably canceled Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but thankfully, NBC saved it the following day and it continued for three more years until they decided to end the show on their own terms. With an all-star ensemble cast, the show was beloved not only for its innumerable funny moments but also for its heart.
Specifically, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was praised for humorously, yet sincerely highlighting serious and prevalent issues. Andre Braugher and Stephanie Beatriz were further fan-favorites as Captain Holt and Rosa Diaz, respectively, for their positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters