Originals

10 Shows Like Brooklyn 99 That Balance Comedy and Charm

August 6, 2025

You know when a TV show is so good, you wake up looking forward to binge-watching more later? At Dear Media, we LIVE for that feeling—hence why we take our show roundups very seriously. We’ve given you TV shows about rich people and even shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, but we haven’t covered one very important genre: Sitcoms.

For endless laughs, lovable casts, and that true “break from reality” feeling, nothing beats a good sitcom. And if you’re anything like us, you know that not every sitcom hits the same. Some are witty and warm, others are blunt and dry, and some have an even blend of it all. Just look at Brooklyn 99—it’s like a masterclass in chemistry and comedic timing.

But let’s be real, you can only rewatch the series so many times, right? That’s why today, we’re rounding up all of our favorite shows like Brooklyn 99. It’s time to fill that satirical, quirky, sitcom-shaped hole in your heart, and we have just the thing.

10 Shows Like Brooklyn 99 That Balance Comedy and Charm

There are so many reasons people watch sitcoms. Some love the laughs, some like the easy-going storylines, and others just appreciate the calm background noise. But the truth is, once you watch one really good one (AKA, Brooklyn 99), you find yourself wanting MORE.

And we totally get that—especially when there are so many good options out there! But before we dive into our cheat sheet for finding your next favorite binge, let’s take a second to revisit what Brooklyn 99 is all about. Whether you’re a superfan or this is your first time hearing of it, revisiting the series will help set your expectations.

Is Brooklyn 99 a Good Show?

“Good” isn’t even a suitable enough word when talking about Brooklyn 99, this show is THE BEST. A lot of sitcoms are, of course, hilarious—but that’s kind of… it, right? There’s not much character development, the heartfelt moments feel kind of awkward, and there are lots of grey areas. And listen to us when we say, you don’t have to settle for subpar television. Not when Brooklyn 99 exists.

This sitcom blends heart and humor in a way that feels totally relatable—but not solely in a surface-level way. It’s full of quick-witted moments, but it also isn’t afraid to explore more vulnerable themes. Like… racial profiling, discrimination, homophobia, sexual harassment, police brutality, mental health—dare we go on?

It makes you go from viewing the characters as jokes to seeing them as actual people. Plus, it’s important to have that balance—even in comedy-styled shows. Instead of just cracking jokes the entire time, the writers have the characters approach each topic sensitively and carefully. Of course we want the humor, but we don’t want it to be distasteful or inconsiderate.

Overall, this is the kind of binge-worthy show where the characters, humor, and content don’t feel tired or overdone. Which, as we all know with comedy, can be a rare quality to find. So… Now that you know how good Brooklyn 99 is, what is this series ACTUALLY about?

What Is Brooklyn 99 About?

Created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, Brooklyn 99 is a comedy series that follows detectives of the New York City Police Department’s 99th precinct. At its core, the show seems like a typical workplace sitcom. But in reality, the strong characters and authentic development make it so much more than that.

The show centers around Jake Peralta (played by Andy Samberg), a talented yet extremely immature detective. Aside from his job, he doesn’t take things too seriously at first—which doesn’t pair well with no-nonsense Captain Holt. As the series progresses, though, we see Jake step up to the plate and go through a TON of character development.

While Captain Holt and Jake had rough beginnings, Jake views Holt as a father figure. As a result, this relationship single-handedly transforms Samberg’s entire character. By the final season, he’s still fun and quick-witted, but he’s also fiercely loyal and a lot more grounded.

Brooklyn 99 is a stand-out sitcom among the sea of one-liners and fast-paced comedy. It’s not just funny—it’s diverse, inclusive, heartfelt, and emotional. And because the characters naturally grow and connect over time, you really feel like you’re watching 8 seasons of colleagues-turned-family.

The series has won multiple awards, including the GLAAD Media Award for the depiction of LGBTQ+ characters and a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy. And, we know what you’re gonna say—“How could anything compare to Brooklyn 99?” Trust us, we’ve got some good options up our sleeves. Ready to find your new favorite series?

What Shows Are Like Brooklyn 99?

Parks and Recreation

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock

We obviously can’t start this list off with anything other than another series created by Michael Schur! Parks and Recreation follows the employees of the Parks and Recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana. (Could’ve guessed that, right?). The series really focuses on Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler), as she navigates the mundane, everyday responsibilities of being a mid-level bureaucrat.

Like Brooklyn 99, the show has that same level of sharp comedy and heartfelt moments. Leslie, like Jake, is also surrounded by loveable and quirky colleagues—which makes the show ten times better. You may even spot a few shared characters! (Having the same creative team means a few exciting crossovers for fans.)

The Office (US)

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock

Michael Schur also had his hands in The Office—but with how good it is, are you surprised? The show follows the lives of regular-shmegular office workers at Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, Pennsylvania, led by the world’s most chaotic boss, Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell). He’s immature, awkward, and wildly inappropriate—but also super lovable at the same time.

Instead of treating his employees like, well, employees, he sees them as a giant group of friends. The result? Lots of unfiltered, hilarious workplace chaos that no other sitcom could replicate. Even better, The Office is shot mockumentary-style, meaning the characters break the fourth wall constantly. Cue all of those iconic side-eyes to the camera that the show is iconic for.

If you’ve already seen (and loved) the office, check out our post, “Podcasts Like Radio Rental.” Radio Rental, hosted by Rainn Wilson (AKA Dwight), is one of our favorites. Hence why we had to find a bunch of other podcasts with that same vibe.

Abbott Elementary

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max

If you love workplace comedies with a side of that “too real” vibe, you’ll LOVE Abbott Elementary. The series portrays the lives of elementary school teachers in Philadelphia, who literally face challenge after challenge. There’s a lack of funding, little to no resources, and the facilities are, well, kinda awful. (Teachers everywhere, sound familiar?).

The series feels like a blend of The Office and Brooklyn 99. It’s filmed as a mockumentary comedy, with a handful of talking head interviews throughout each episode. Ava, the principal of Abbott, is definitely neglectful, unprofessional, and inappropriate. But her commentary and the employees’ reactions make it soooo binge-worthy. One of our personal favorite characters, though? Ms. Barbaba Howard—a side character with major main character energy.

Psych

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock

If you’re into the detective aspect of Brooklyn 99 but want a different vibe, Psych hits all the same high points. It follows Shawn Spencer, a freelance consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department by day, and a private detective with his friend Gus by night. He’s got everyone convinced that he’s solving cases with his psychic powers, but the catch? He’s just hyper-observant and super good at his job.

Shawn, you would’ve loved “My Psychic Is On Speed Dial” from Better Half. Instead of it being like a traditional sitcom, it’s definitely more of a detective comedy-drama. And instead of focusing on an entire workplace, we get a closer look at the dynamic between Spencer and Gus. But if you watch Brooklyn 99 for that playful, lighthearted tone, Psych is right up your alley.

30 Rock

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Disney+,

A show created by and starring the legend herself, Tina Fey? Sign us up. , 30 Rock is a workplace comedy based on Fey’s experiences as the head writer of Saturday Night Live. It follows Liz Lemon, head writer and showrunner of sketch-comedy show “The Girlies Show with Tracy Jordan.” And all Liz wants is for the show to finally have some sort of success.

But with an arrogant new VP (Alec Baldwin) and an unpredictable new star, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), she’s dealing with a lot more than she bargained for. Think of it as a self-aware, behind-the-scenes spin of one of TV’s most iconic late-night shows. It’s funny, quirky, and a little unexpected. You’ll love it.

The Good Place

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Yet another hit series from Michael Schur, The Good Place is a fantasy-comedy series that’s both hilarious and thought-provoking. After Eleanor Shellstrop (our queen Kristen Bell) passes unexpectedly, she finds herself in “the Good Place” in the afterlife. Or, at least, what she thinks is “the Good Place.” As you’ll learn soon after starting the show, this decision was surprising given her attitude and behavior on Earth. Maybe she should’ve listened to “How I Channel the Pleiadians, Receive Cosmic Downloads, & Open the Portal to Higher Guidance” from The Balanced Blonde // Soul on Fire.

Confused, Eleanor reaches out to philosophy professor Chidi to figure out, essentially, how to earn her spot. Except, things aren’t what they appear to be, and Eleanor has no idea what she’s dealing with. While it’s not quite the workplace comedy like Brooklyn 99, it’s packed with humor, questions about morality, and plenty of surprises.

Superstore

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Disney+

Superstore isn’t a spin on cop shows like Brooklyn 99, but it does have that classic workplace comedy vibe we love. Set in St. Louis, Missouri, Superstore delves into the lives of the employees of box store Cloud 9. And if you’ve ever worked in retail, a handful of episodes will definitely hit that “been there, done that” feeling.

Like Brooklyn 99, the show does address very real issues, like unfair wages, discrimination, and a lack of benefits. But instead of making it feel heavy and hard to follow, the show approaches it with humor, chemistry, and feel-good convos.

Scrubs

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Disney+

If you’ve ever watched Grey’s Anatomy but wanted a bit more humor to break up the drama, turn on Scrubs. Written as a medical comedy-drama, this series has the perfect blend of humor and emotion. It follows John Dorian (J.D.), a doctor in Sacred Heart Hospital, who really just wants to advance his career.

But with quirky colleagues and unhinged patients, he’s realizing it won’t be as easy as it seems. And, don’t get us wrong, there are still tons of emotional moments and heartfelt scenes. But instead of sitting in that heaviness, J.D.’s hilarious fantasies and daydreams add in a much-needed light-heartedness. Scrubs is like if Brooklyn 99 was set in a hospital and not a police precinct.

Super into the medical side of it all? Fortunately for you, we’ve got a ton of fantastic hosts that get deep about health and wellness. Check out Treated with Dr. Sara, The Art of Being Well, and SHE MD to get started.

Mythic Quest

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

A workplace comedy that takes place in a video game development company? We’re into it! As a team of developers works to create the biggest multiplayer video game EVER, they quickly realize that the ultimate challenge would be workplace drama.

The show is led by creative director Ian Grimm, who is extremely talented but also egotistical and manipulative. Because he was such a HUGE part of coming up with Mythic Quest, he refuses to let anyone else on the team take control. And, like with many other shows on this list, the series balances serious topics with heartfelt humor. When you want a unique perspective on a workplace sitcom, Mythic Quest is a great addition to your lineup.

Tacoma FD

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

We’ve talked about medical sitcoms, sitcoms about cops, and now sitcoms involving video game developers. The one thing we haven’t touched on yet? Firefighters! And Tacoma FD is the only firefight sitcom we need in our lives.

Set in the rainiest city in America, the Tacoma Fire Department doesn’t have much going on. Basically, imagine watching a show about firefighters who… never have any fires to fight. THAT’S what makes it sooo good! Instead of all the action, we watch hilarious emergency calls, random animal rescues, and lots and lots of FD pranks. It’s definitely got a raunchier sense of humor, but we love every second of it.

With this list of feel-good recs, you’ll never run out of binge-worthy shows to watch.

There are so many good shows out there to watch. From dramas and romances to thrillers and true crime, it’s seriously impossible to get bored. And while we’re a huge fan of all of those other options, none offer high-quality humor like sitcoms do. Truthfully, there’s only a handful of shows that can execute it well without feeling cringy or hard to follow.

Brooklyn 99 set the bar prettyyyy high for satire and workplace comedy, but that’s why we found the best options to recommend. Since each show has a similar vibe, you’ll never run out of feel-good episodes, characters, and moments to watch.

Want even more recs based on your favorite shows? We’ve got you. Check out:

And, if you’re craving anything from pop culture updates to love life advice, check out the Dear Media Blog! We’re always posting helpful advice and exciting updates that you have to stay updated on. Also, don’t forget to hit up the DM Shop for all the latest and greatest products. Like, how fun would it be to sip on this “C’est Le Point” Mug while you watch all of your new shows?