4 Underrated HBO Comedy Series You Shouldn’t Miss

by

HBO is well-known for its dramas and fantasy shows, but it also creates some fantastic comedies that don’t always get the attention they deserve. It’s a shame, because HBO clearly knows how to make people laugh. From the groundbreaking series Sex and the City to the darkly funny Barry and the excellent HBO Max original Hacks, there’s a lot to enjoy if you’re looking for a good comedy.

You know, as a movie and TV buff, I’ve noticed something cool about HBO comedies. Sometimes they have huge stars who really got their start on the network – shows people have totally forgotten about! And other times, it’s amazing to see now-famous actors in these hidden gems, shows that honestly could have been their breakout roles if they’d gotten more attention. It’s like discovering a secret history of comedy!

Vice Principals

2015-2016, 2 Seasons

Danny McBride is known for creating three funny shows for HBO. While all were good, one remains surprisingly under the radar. He’s most famous for playing the outrageous Kenny Powers in the popular series Eastbound & Down. His more recent show, The Righteous Gemstones, didn’t reach the same level of fame, but it was successful enough to run for four seasons.

That leaves the show Vice Principals. It started in 2015 and stars Danny McBride as Neal Gamby, a vice principal who’s furious when he doesn’t get the principal job. He teams up with his fellow vice principal, Lee Russell (played brilliantly by Walton Goggins), to try and sabotage their new boss.

Although Vice Principals was intentionally designed to be a short, complete story lasting only two seasons, its brief run on television might be why it hasn’t become a widely remembered show, according to creator Danny McBride in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

McBride made the right call ending Vice Principals when he did, but his fantastic chemistry with Goggins meant the show could have continued. Fortunately, the two actors teamed up again in The Righteous Gemstones, giving audiences more of their excellent comedic partnership.

Bored To Death

2009-2011, 3 Seasons

HBO’s Bored to Death is a funny and clever take on classic detective stories, and it’s a shame more people haven’t discovered it. While Jason Schwartzman is famous for working with Wes Anderson, he’s brilliantly cast as the quirky lead in this comedy series.

In the show Bored to Death, Jason Schwartzman plays a character based on writer Jonathan Ames, who starts working as a private investigator in Brooklyn after a tough breakup. The series also features Zach Galifianakis as Ray Hueston, Jonathan’s best friend and a comic book artist, and Ted Danson as George Christopher, an experienced magazine editor who acts as Jonathan’s mentor.

Considering Bored to Death debuted in 2009, just a few months after The Hangover made Zach Galifianakis famous, it’s surprising the HBO show didn’t attract more viewers.

While both were comedies, The Hangover and Bored to Death likely appealed to very different audiences. Bored to Death had a unique, independent style of humor that, although popular with some, probably wasn’t mainstream enough to attract a large viewership.

Divorce

2016-2019, 3 Seasons

Sarah Jessica Parker is strongly linked with HBO, largely because of her iconic role as Carrie Bradshaw, the fashion-loving character in the hugely popular Sex and the City and its follow-up, And Just Like That. But many viewers may have forgotten that she also starred in Divorce, an HBO comedy series that didn’t receive as much attention.

Created by Sharon Horgan, the writer behind shows like Catastrophe and Bad Sisters, this series stars Alison Bradshaw as Frances Dufresne, a wife and mother in upstate New York. Her marriage to Robert (Thomas Haden Church) is falling apart, and when he discovers she’s been having an affair, they decide to get a divorce. The show follows their journey through the divorce process and as they both navigate life as single people for the first time in years.

Despite strong performances from Parker and Church, who beautifully captured the emotional complexities of a difficult breakup, critics didn’t fully appreciate the film Divorce. Their reaction seemed unduly harsh given the actors’ compelling chemistry.

Viewers might have assumed a show about divorce would be depressing, but despite being more subdued than Sex and the City, Divorce is actually quite optimistic and genuinely funny.

Mr. Show With Bob And David

1995-1998, 4 Seasons

While dedicated comedy fans likely recall Mr. Show with Bob and David, it’s largely been forgotten by most viewers—and many may not have even known about it. The show features Bob Odenkirk, known from Better Call Saul, and David Cross of Arrested Development, performing a mix of live sketches for an audience and pre-recorded segments.

The sketches on Mr. Show often flowed into each other seamlessly and strangely, and the show featured a fantastic lineup of ’90s comedy stars. Memorable guest appearances included Brian Posehn and Scott Adsit (who later appeared on 30 Rock), as well as Sarah Silverman and Jack Black.

Before I Think You Should Leave became popular, Mr. Show paved the way with its unique blend of awkward humor and over-the-top situations. If you consider yourself a comedy enthusiast, Mr. Show is essential viewing. And even if you’re just a fan of the actors or want something to make you laugh, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Read More

2025-12-09 00:50