Best tv shows like What About Joan?
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
What About Joan? is an ABC sitcom that aired in 2001 for 2 seasons. It starred Joan Cusack as Joan Gallagher, a Chicago schoolteacher and the comedy of her day-to-day life. It co-starred Kyle Chandler. It was produced by James L. Brooks, Richard Sakai, David Richardson and Ed Weinberger.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 173
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, touching, humorous, semi serious, realistic, witty
Best tv shows and movies like What About Joan? (2000):
Similar in 84%
Suddenly Susan (1996)
Plot Summary:
Suddenly Susan is an American television sitcom. Shields plays Susan Keane, a glamorous San Francisco magazine writer who begins to adjust to being single, and who learns to be independent-minded, after being taken care of all her life.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, offbeat, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 81%
Love & War (1992)
Plot Summary:
Love & War is an American television sitcom, which aired on CBS from September 21, 1992 to February 1, 1995. Created by Diane English, the series originally starred Susan Dey as Wally Porter, a Chicago restaurateur, and Jay Thomas as Jack Stein, a sportswriter with whom she had an on-again, off-again romance. After the first season, however, the show was retooled and Dey was fired by the producers of the show, claiming that she and Thomas had "no chemistry" together. She was replaced by Annie Potts as Dana Palladino, who bought Porter's restaurant and also became a love interest for Jack. The first season also featured moments when Jack or Wally would break the fourth wall and address the camera directly, generally using it as an opportunity to discuss an emotional crisis. This mechanic was dropped in later seasons. One episode featured a guest appearance from Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David as themselves, they did this as a "thank you" to creator Diane English for allowing a brief scene on Murphy Brown in an episode of Seinfeld where Kramer is cast as the titular character's secretary. The show's supporting cast included Suzie Plakson, Joanna Gleason, Joel Murray, Charles Robinson and Michael Nouri. John Hancock, who had a recurring role as a judge on L.A. Law with Susan Dey previously, portrayed bartender Ike for the first half of season one, until he died of a heart attack in late 1992. His death was subsequently written into the series and he was replaced by actor Charlie Robinson.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 246
Genere: Comedy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, sentimental, feel good, humorous, realistic, witty, talky, semi serious
Similar in 78%
The Norm Show (1999)
Plot Summary:
The Norm Show is an American television sitcom that ran from 1999 through 2001 on the ABC television network.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, semi serious, fun
Similar in 77%
Jesse (1998)
Plot Summary:
Jesse Warner is a 26-year-old single mother juggling between her job, her dreams and her family responsibilities.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 86%
Fired Up (1997)
Plot Summary:
Fired Up is a short-lived 1997–1998 situation comedy airing on NBC. It lasted for two seasons and 28 episodes. The series, the first from Grammnet Productions, starred Sharon Lawrence and Leah Remini. The series was about a self-centered promotions executive and her mouthy assistant. The pair got fired from their jobs, and instead of getting other jobs, they teamed up to create a business as equal partners. The tagline of the series was "First she got fired, then she got fired up.".
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 232
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 90%
The Mind of the Married Man (2001)
Plot Summary:
The Mind of the Married Man is a television series that ran on the HBO network for two seasons consisting of twenty episodes between September 2001 and November 2002. The story attempts to focus on the challenges of modern-day married life from a male perspective. The show drew mixed reviews from critics, but was popular with a loyal audience. After creator/star Mike Binder went on to find success with the 2005 theatrical film The Upside of Anger there was talk of bringing back a third season which Binder had already written. The third season never materialized and as yet only the first season has been released on DVD. The theme song was the title song of the musical I Love My Wife, written by Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 829
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, sitcom, clever, talky, sexual, sexy
Similar in 88%
The Loop (2006)
Plot Summary:
The Loop is an American sitcom that ran from March 15, 2006 to July 1, 2007 on Fox. The show starred Bret Harrison as Sam Sullivan, a young professional trying to balance the needs of his social life with the pressures of working at the corporate headquarters of TransAlliance Airways, a major U.S. airline. Set in the city of Chicago, whose downtown loop area acted as the setting for most of the show. The show's theme song is "Hockey Monkey" by James Kochalka Superstar and the Zambonis.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, light, realistic, mad
Similar in 81%
Kevin from Work (2015)
Plot Summary:
A workplace comedy centered on Kevin, a young man who declares his unrequited love for his coworker Audrey in a letter, believing he’ll never see her again after he accepts a job overseas. But when the opportunity falls through and Kevin is forced to return to his old job, how will he and Audrey continue to work together now that his feelings are no longer secret?.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 21 min
Plot tags: semi serious, humorous, realistic, light, feel good, sitcom
Similar in 80%
Barbershop (2005)
Plot Summary:
Calvin Palmer is the owner of a barbershop on the Southside of Chicago. Reluctantly inheriting the neighborhood establishment and popular hangout from his father, he juggles his responsibilities to his clients, his family, and his community as a cast of unique characters regularly bring their hopes, dreams and problems with them into the shop.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 320
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, feel good, captivating, light, touching, realistic, semi serious, black cinema
Similar in 89%
Alice (1976)
Plot Summary:
Alice is an American sitcom television series that ran from August 31, 1976 to March 19, 1985 on CBS. The series is based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The show stars Linda Lavin in the title role, a widow who moves with her young son to start her life over again, and finds a job working at a roadside diner on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona. Most of the episodes revolve around events at Mel's Diner.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, witty, talky, semi serious, telenovela
Similar in 82%
Freddie (2005)
Plot Summary:
Freddie is a television sitcom created by, and starring, Freddie Prinze, Jr. that aired from October 5, 2005 to April 12, 2006. Freddie is inspired by Prinze Jr.'s real life, growing up in a house filled with women. His lifelong friend, Conrad Jackson, co-created this series with Prinze, along with executive producers Bruce Helford and Bruce Rasmussen.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, touching, semi serious
Similar in 90%
Back to You (2007)
Plot Summary:
Back to You is an American situation comedy series, which aired on Fox from September 19, 2007 to May 14, 2008. The creators and executive producers were Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, and the director was James Burrows. The series starred Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton as squabbling anchors of a news program.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, not serious, sitcom, feel good, light, hilarious, witty
Similar in 83%
Andy Richter Controls the Universe (2002)
Plot Summary:
Fanciful series about an aspiring writer who imagines alternative life scenarios while working for a big company.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, witty, cynical, semi serious, funny, clever, offbeat, realistic, biting
Similar in 77%
Kate & Allie (1984)
Plot Summary:
Kate & Allie is an American television situation comedy which ran from March 19, 1984, to May 22, 1989. Kate & Allie first aired on CBS as a midseason replacement series and only six episodes were initially commissioned, but the favorable response from critics and viewers alike easily convinced CBS to commit to a full season in the fall of 1984. The series was created by Sherry Coben.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, sentimental, touching, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 81%
Super Fun Night (2013)
Plot Summary:
Junior attorney Kimmie Boubier and her two best friends, Helen-Alice and Marika, have had a standing date every Friday night for the last 13 years. They even have a motto for what they call "Friday Night Fun Night": "Always together! Always Inside!" However Kimmie's recent promotion throws a monkey wrench into the tradition. Not only is she now working with her idol, "Lady Lawyer of the Year" Felicity Vanderstone, but she meets a dashingly handsome British attorney, Richard Lovell, who invites her to his party at a trendy club. Determined to spend time with Richard and heed Felicity's advice to network, Kimmie sets out to convince her friends to take Super Fun Night on the road.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, not serious
Similar in 87%
Playing House (2014)
Plot Summary:
A single-camera buddy comedy about what happens when two best friends come back together, just when they need each other most. Inspired by the ultra-close friendship between the series' creators and stars, "Playing House" centers on mother to-be Maggie who asks her single and career-driven best friend Emma to return home from her job overseas to attend her baby shower, having no idea what’s truly in store.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, sentimental, not serious, realistic
Similar in 80%
Less Than Perfect (2002)
Plot Summary:
Claude Casey moved up in the secretarial world of television news, from temp to the anchor's desk. After her boss hires her full time, Claude realizes she may be in over her head in this world of assistants fighting to get ahead. But Claude is determined to prove that though she may not be perfect, she's not going down without a fight.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, hilarious, clever, biting, black comedy, suspense
Similar in 81%
Living Single (1993)
Plot Summary:
Living Single is an American television sitcom that aired for five seasons on the Fox network from August 22, 1993, to January 1, 1998. The show centered on the lives of six friends who share personal and professional experiences while living in a Brooklyn brownstone. Throughout its run, Living Single became one of the most popular African-American sitcoms of its era, ranking among the top five in African-American ratings in all five seasons. The series was produced by Yvette Lee Bowser's company, Sister Lee, in association with Warner Bros. Television. In contrast to the popularity of NBC's "Must See TV" on Thursday nights in the 1990s, many African American and Latino viewers flocked to Fox's Thursday night line-up of Martin, Living Single, and New York Undercover. In fact, these were the three highest-rated series among black households for the 1996–1997 season.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, semi serious, black cinema
Similar in 88%
Designing Women (1986)
Plot Summary:
Designing Women is an American television sitcom that centered on the working and personal lives of four Southern women and one man in an interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. It aired on the CBS television network from September 29, 1986 until May 24, 1993. The show was created by head writer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, who wrote many of the episodes in the show's initial seasons. As of 2011, the series currently airs in syndication on the Comedy Gold and TVGN channels.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, witty, sexy, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, talky, vintage
Similar in 77%
A Different World (1987)
Plot Summary:
A Different World is an American television sitcom which aired for six seasons on NBC. It is a spin-off series from The Cosby Show and originally centered on Denise Huxtable and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional mixed but historically black college in the state of Virginia. After Bonet's departure in the first season, the remainder of the series primarily focused more on Southern belle Whitley Gilbert and mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne. The series frequently depicted members of the major historically black fraternities and sororities. While it was a spin-off from The Cosby Show, A Different World would typically address issues that were avoided by The Cosby Show writers. One episode that aired in 1990 was one of the first American network television episodes to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sitcom, feel good, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, telenovela, black cinema
Similar in 77%
The Jake Effect (2003)
Plot Summary:
The Jake Effect is an American NBC situation comedy starring Jason Bateman, Nikki Cox, and Greg Grunberg. Seven episodes were produced to premiere in midseason of 2002, but NBC cancelled the series before a single episode aired. In 2006, Bravo started airing the series on the "Brilliant But Cancelled" block.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 265
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, captivating, entertaining, satirical, semi serious
Similar in 87%
The Geena Davis Show (2000)
Plot Summary:
The Geena Davis Show is an American sitcom starring Geena Davis. The show lasted one season on ABC.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 321
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, touching, humorous, semi serious, realistic
Similar in 87%
One Day at a Time (1975)
Plot Summary:
One Day at a Time is an American situation comedy that aired on the CBS network from December 16, 1975, until May 28, 1984. It starred Bonnie Franklin as Ann Romano, a divorced mother who moves to Indianapolis with her two teenage daughters Julie and Barbara Cooper with Dwayne Schneider as their building superintendent. The show was created by Whitney Blake and Allan Manings, a husband-and-wife writing duo who were both actors in the 1950s and 1960s. The show was based on Whitney Blake's own life as a single mother, raising her child, future actress Meredith Baxter. The show was developed by Norman Lear and was produced by T.A.T. Communications Company, Allwhit, Inc., and later Embassy Television. Like many shows developed by Lear, One Day at a Time was more of a comedy-drama, using its half-hour to tackle serious issues in life and relationships, particularly those related to second wave feminism. The earlier seasons in particular featured several multi-part episodes, serious topics, and dramatic moments. As in other Lear shows of the era, the show was shot on videotape in front of a live audience, giving it a sense of immediacy, and close-ups were often employed during dramatic scenes. As the social climate changed in the 1980s, the show's writing became less edgy, and as the girls became adults, the innovation of the original premise — a divorced mother raising teenage children — was lost. The show's nine years give it the second-longest tenure of any Lear-developed sitcom under its original name, after The Jeffersons.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, touching, semi serious, sexual, sexy
Similar in 75%
Traffic Light (2011)
Plot Summary:
Traffic Light is an American comedy television series that ran on Fox from February 8, 2011 to May 31, 2011. It is based on the Israeli TV show Ramzor, and was adapted to an American audience by Bob Fisher. The series aired Tuesdays at 9:30 pm following Raising Hope as a midseason replacement for Running Wilde. Fox announced its cancellation on May 10, 2011.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, entertaining, feel good, sweet, realistic
Similar in 77%
Miss Guided (2008)
Plot Summary:
Miss Guided is an American sitcom that ran from March 18, 2008 to April 3, 2008 as a mid-season replacement on ABC. The series follows the life of Becky Freeley, a guidance counselor at a high school that she attended when she was a teenager. The pilot was directed by Todd Holland. The series was not renewed for a second season.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: semi serious, humorous, realistic, sitcom, feel good, captivating, melancholic
Similar in 86%
Benched (2014)
Plot Summary:
Nina is a dedicated, career driven corporate attorney who has a very public nervous breakdown after getting passed up for an expected promotion and now finds herself working as a public defender. Her personal and professional worlds are turned upside down when she joins the ranks of the legal world’s underdogs and very quickly realizes that the law isn't quite as fair as she once thought.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 23 min
Plot tags: humorous, sitcom, semi serious, feel good, captivating, light, hilarious, realistic
Similar in 90%
Teachers (2006)
Plot Summary:
Teachers is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC. The show ran for six episodes until its cancellation on May 2, 2006. Loosely based upon a UK series of the same name, it was developed by Matt Tarses, co-executive producer of the medical comedy Scrubs.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 558
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: humorous, sitcom, light, captivating, feel good, entertaining, realistic, witty, semi serious
Similar in 79%
Bad Teacher (2014)
Plot Summary:
An always inappropriate, fearless and unapologetic former trophy wife masquerades as a teacher in order to find a new man after her wealthy husband leaves her penniless.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, light, funny, feel good, captivating, entertaining, realistic, not serious
Similar in 78%
Gidget (1965)
Plot Summary:
Gidget is an American sitcom about a surfing, boy-crazy teenager called "Gidget" and her widowed father Russ Lawrence, a UCLA professor. Sally Field stars as Gidget with Don Porter as father Russell Lawrence. The series was first broadcast on ABC from September 15, 1965 to April 21, 1966. Gidget was among the first regularly scheduled color programs on ABC, but did poorly in the Nielsen ratings and was cancelled at the end of its first season.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, teen comedy
Similar in 81%
What I Like About You (2002)
Plot Summary:
Valerie Tyler is a 28-year-old organization freak who loves her 16-year-old sister Holly. Even if Holly is rambunctious. Spontaneous. Impulsive. Disconcerting. And definitely disorganized. Then Holly moves in with Val, and the sisters discover they may make better siblings than roomies.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, witty, semi serious, light, feel good, teen, realistic, slapstick