Black comedy-drama television series “Lucky Hank” follows Hank Devereaux (Odenkirk), an English department chairman at an underfunded college. Hank is struggling with a midlife crisis and is trying to navigate the offbeat chaos in his personal life. He is also dealing with the challenges of his job, which include dealing with a difficult department chair, a demanding faculty, and a student body that is increasingly apathetic about education. Developed by Paul Lieberstein and Aaron Zelman based on the 1997 novel Straight Man by Richard Russo.
“Lucky Hank” has received positive reviews from critics, with praise for Odenkirk’s performance and the show’s dark humor. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 88% based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. If you like humorous TV series as much as we do, here is a list of shows like Lucky Hank, you can watch these shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.
1. After Life (2019-2022)
As someone who enjoys dark comedies, I found “After Life” to be a well-crafted and poignant series. The writing and direction by Ricky Gervais were excellent, with the series striking a perfect balance between humor and heart-wrenching emotion.
“After Life” is a British dark comedy-drama television series created, written, produced and directed by Ricky Gervais. The series follows Tony as he contemplates suicide and tries to make sense of his life without his wife. Along the way, he forms relationships with the people around him, including his colleagues at the local newspaper, his brother-in-law, and a local sex worker.
2. The Chair (2021)
“The Chair” follows Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, the newly appointed chair of the English department at prestigious Pembroke University. As the first woman and person of color to hold this position, Dr. Kim faces a variety of challenges, including institutional sexism, racism, and ageism. In addition to navigating these obstacles, she also has to deal with the personal challenges of being a single mother to her adopted daughter.
The series explores themes of identity, diversity, and the changing landscape of academia. It offers a nuanced, often humorous portrayal of the challenges faced by women and minorities in leadership positions, while also questioning the traditional values and structures of higher education.
3. The Kominsky Method (2018 – 2021)
“The Kominsky Method” is an American comedy television series created by Chuck Lorre that premiered on Netflix in 2018. The show centers on the life of Sandy Kominsky, an aging actor and acting coach, as he navigates his way through the ups and downs of his career and personal life.
It offers a poignant portrayal of aging in Hollywood, exploring themes of friendship, family, and mortality with both humor and sensitivity. Sandy faces a variety of challenges, including a health scare, the death of a friend, and the difficulties of maintaining a romantic relationship in his golden years. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to live life on his own terms and to find joy and purpose in the twilight of his career.
“The Kominsky Method” has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike for its sharp writing, nuanced performances, and emotional depth. It has won several awards, including two Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for star Michael Douglas.
4. Loudermilk (2017 – 2020)
“Loudermilk” stars Ron Livingston as Sam Loudermilk, a former music critic and recovering alcoholic who now works as a substance abuse counselor.
The plot follows Loudermilk as he navigates his own struggles with addiction while helping his clients overcome their own substance abuse issues. Along the way, he forms relationships with the people around him, including his roommate and fellow recovering addict Ben, his sardonic assistant Allison, and a motley crew of clients. The writing by Peter Farrelly and Bobby Mort was excellent, with the series balancing humor and drama in a way that felt both authentic and entertaining.
5. HAPPYish (2015)
“HAPPYish” is a 2015 drama series that follows Thom Payne, a middle-aged advertising executive who is struggling to find happiness in his professional and personal life. After being passed over for a promotion, Thom is forced to confront the reality of his career and begin to question the values of the advertising industry.
The show explores themes of identity, ambition, and consumerism, often using surrealist humor and irony to comment on contemporary culture. Throughout the series, Thom grapples with a variety of personal and professional challenges, including his strained relationship with his wife, his difficult teenage son, and the changing landscape of the advertising world.
6. Living With Yourself (2019)
American comedy-drama “Living With Yourself” is created by Timothy Greenberg. The story follows both versions of Miles as they navigate their new lives, with the original Miles struggling to come to terms with his own shortcomings and the clone Miles striving to build a new life for himself. Along the way, they form relationships with the people around them, including Miles’ wife Kate and his co-worker Dan.
The series has one season, consisting of eight episodes. While it may not be for everyone, I highly recommend giving “Living With Yourself” a watch for fans of smart and well-crafted comedies and dramas alike.
7. Fleabag (2016-2019)
“Fleabag” has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike for its bold storytelling, strong performances, and distinctive voice. It is definitely a must-watch for anyone interested in edgy, thought-provoking television that isn’t afraid to push boundaries.
British television series “Fleabag” is created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The story follows the life of the titular character, a young woman known only as Fleabag, as she navigates her way through life in modern-day London. “Fleabag” is known for its sharp writing, dark humor, and unflinching exploration of sex, relationships, and mental health. Fleabag is a complex and flawed character, and the show doesn’t shy away from depicting the messy realities of her life, including her struggles with addiction and grief.
Throughout the show, Fleabag has to deal with a variety of personal challenges, including her strained relationship with her family, her romantic entanglements, and her own internal demons. Despite the heavy subject matter, the show manages to be both funny and poignant, offering a nuanced and honest portrayal of modern womanhood.
8. Corporate (2018-2020)
The series stars Ingebretson and Weisman as two junior executives at a soulless multinational corporation. Follows the two protagonists as they navigate the cutthroat world of corporate America, dealing with office politics, ruthless bosses, and their own existential crises. Along the way, they form relationships with their colleagues, including their boss Christian DeVille and their HR representative Grace.
“Corporate” presents an unvarnished and often bleak view of the world of work, highlighting the ways in which workers are often treated as disposable resources rather than human beings.
9. Community (2009-2015)
“Community” is an American television series that ran for six seasons from 2009 to 2014. The show follows a diverse group of students at Greendale Community College as they navigate their way through classes, friendships, and various misadventures. The series is known for its meta humor, pop culture references, and quirky characters. It often parodies other television shows, movies, and genres, while also offering insightful commentary on contemporary culture and society.
Throughout the show’s six seasons, the characters face a variety of challenges, including love triangles, identity crises, and even a zombie apocalypse. Despite the often absurd plotlines, the show manages to be both funny and heartfelt, offering a nuanced and relatable portrayal of life in community college. “Community” is currently available to stream on Netflix in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
10. How to Make It in America (2010 – 2011)
The show follows the lives of two young entrepreneurs, Ben and Cam, as they try to make a name for themselves in the New York City fashion scene. “How to Make It in America” is known for its stylish aesthetic, strong performances, and upbeat soundtrack. It offers a fresh take on the classic “rags to riches” story, depicting the struggles and triumphs of two friends as they navigate their way through the cutthroat world of business.
Throughout the show’s two seasons, Ben and Cam face a variety of challenges, including financial setbacks, relationship problems, and competition from more established brands. Despite these obstacles, they remain determined to succeed and are willing to do whatever it takes to make their dreams a reality.
While “How to Make It in America” was cancelled after only two seasons, it remains a fan favorite and is often cited as an underrated gem of television. It offers a unique and authentic portrayal of life in New York City, and its characters are both relatable and aspirational.