The Best Satire TV Shows
The best satire TV shows take current events and find a way to mock them in an informatively funny way. The best satire series ever shown on television capture the zeitgeist and know when to punch up. If you’ve been looking for the best satirical comedy shows to add some sharp-tongued fun to your TV nights, this list of the best satire series of all time will help you figure out what needs to go into your queue.
The really good satire TV shows have an unwavering sense of humor about what they’re making fun of. With ridiculous situations, and characters, satirical comedy uses jokes to get to the heart of the matter. But, not all funny satire shows are sitcoms or comedies, other series are satirical comedy news shows, such as The Colbert Show, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, and The Daily Show. If you’re less interested in political satire and just want genre or social satire, then Parks and Recreation, The Addams Family, and even Scream Queens might be just what you’re looking for.
Which shows do satire the best? Vote up the best satire TV shows, vote down the shows that aren’t as bitingly funny as they think they are.
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1
South Park
Trey Parker, Matt StoneHold onto your hats for a wild ride through Colorado’s fictional town, where no social or political issue goes un-skewered. This long-running animated series brutally satirizes modern society with razor-sharp wit and an unapologetic, politically incorrect style. Be it celebrities, religion, or even their own fans, nothing escapes the scathing observations of these foul-mouthed kids.
- Premiered: August 13, 1997
- Dig Deeper 20 Interesting Facts That You Didn’t Know About ‘South Park’
- Also ranks #3 on The Best Adult Cartoons Of All Time, Ranked
All Of The Best South Park Episodes, Ranked
See all-
1Butters’ Bottom Bitch3,435 Votes
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2Casa Bonita3,595 Votes
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3Scott Tenorman Must Die5,180 Votes
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4Le Petit Tourette2,118 Votes
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2
The Simpsons
Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy CartwrightStep into the hilarious world of a lovable, dysfunctional family in the iconic town of Springfield. It’s like holding up a mirror to society, as pop culture is persistently ridiculed, delivering gut-busting laughs along with biting commentary. With three decades under its belt, this animated sitcom continues to be a trailblazer in satire.
- Premiered: December 17, 1989
- Dig Deeper The Best Female Characters On “The Simpsons”
- Also ranks #1 on The Most Important TV Sitcoms
Horror Icons Who Guest Starred On ‘The Simpsons’
See all-
1Robert Englund – Freddy Krueger41 Votes
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2Guillermo del Toro – Himself25 Votes
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3Stephen King – Himself40 Votes
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4Kane Hodder – Jason Voorhees27 Votes
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3
The Office
Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John KrasinskiTake a peek behind the mundane veneer of everyday office life, where cringe-worthy moments and awkward interactions abound. Set in a drab paper company, this mockumentary-style sitcom highlights the hilarity of office politics, painful social dynamics, and the absurdity of corporate bureaucracy. It’s so uncomfortably accurate, you’ll find yourself squirming in your seat while laughing out loud.
- Premiered: March 24, 2005
- Dig Deeper 15 Reasons Why ‘Parks and Rec’ Has Always Been Better Than ‘The Office’
- Also ranks #1 on The 400+ Funniest TV Shows Ever, Ranked
The Best The Office (U.S.) Characters
See all-
1Dwight Schrute12,133 Votes
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2Michael Scott12,476 Votes
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3Jim Halpert10,834 Votes
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4Kevin Malone8,389 Votes
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4
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Danny DeVito, Charlie Day, Kaitlin OlsonJoin a group of morally bankrupt friends who own a failing bar, as they navigate life’s absurdities in the City of Brotherly Love. With selfish schemes and utterly oblivious behavior, this dark comedy shines a glaring light on humankind’s foibles. Beware: watching their antics may cause side-splitting laughter and existential dread.
- Premiered: August 4, 2005
- Dig Deeper 30 Dope Facts You Didn’t Know About ‘It’s Always Sunny’
- Also ranks #1 on Current TV Comedies You Wish You Were A Character On
The ‘It’s Always Sunny’ Cast Has Refused To Age After 16 Seasons In Paddy’s Pub
See all-
1Rob McElhenney (Mac)324 Votes
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2Mary Elizabeth Ellis (Waitress)258 Votes
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3Glenn Howerton (Dennis Reynolds)263 Votes
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4Kaitlin Olson (Dee Reynolds)257 Votes
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5
Futurama
Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggioBlast off into a comedic future with a not-so-bright delivery boy accidentally cryogenically frozen for 1,000 years. As he adapts to a bizarre new world, the show cleverly pokes fun at popular sci-fi tropes and contemporary issues alike. The animated cast of eclectic characters and witty writing will have you chuckling from start to finish.
- Premiered: March 28, 1999
- Dig Deeper Every Opening Caption from Every Single ‘Futurama’ Episode
- Also ranks #2 on The Best Adult Cartoons Of All Time, Ranked
The Best Futurama Characters of All Time
See all-
1Bender Rodríguez1,561 Votes
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2Fry1,304 Votes
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3Doctor Zoidberg1,380 Votes
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4Professor Farnsworth1,013 Votes
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6
The Boondocks
Regina King, John Witherspoon, Gabby SoleilExperience urban life through the eyes of two brothers and their cantankerous grandpa, living in suburban America. Based on a comic strip, this edgy animated series delves into hot-button issues like race, social injustice, and pop culture. Its unique blend of anime-style visuals and biting satire will keep you both entertained and thoughtfully provoked.
- Premiered: November 6, 2005
- Also ranks #4 on 11 Anime That Incorporate Hip Hop
- Also ranks #7 on 25 Non-Japanese Shows People Always Think Are Anime
The Best Boondocks Episodes of All Time
See all-
1The Fundraiser212 Votes
-
2The Red Ball162 Votes
-
3Granddad’s Fight130 Votes
-
4Stinkmeaner Strikes Back89 Votes
South Park
Hold onto your hats for a wild ride through Colorado’s fictional town, where no social or political issue goes un-skewered. This long-running animated series brutally satirizes modern society with razor-sharp wit and an unapologetic, politically incorrect style. Be it celebrities, religion, or even their own fans, nothing escapes the scathing observations of these foul-mouthed kids.
- Premiered: August 13, 1997
- Dig Deeper 20 Interesting Facts That You Didn’t Know About ‘South Park’
- Also ranks #3 on The Best Adult Cartoons Of All Time, Ranked
All Of The Best South Park Episodes, Ranked
-
1Butters’ Bottom Bitch3,435 Votes
-
2Casa Bonita3,595 Votes
-
3Scott Tenorman Must Die5,180 Votes
-
4Le Petit Tourette2,118 Votes
The Simpsons
Step into the hilarious world of a lovable, dysfunctional family in the iconic town of Springfield. It’s like holding up a mirror to society, as pop culture is persistently ridiculed, delivering gut-busting laughs along with biting commentary. With three decades under its belt, this animated sitcom continues to be a trailblazer in satire.
- Premiered: December 17, 1989
- Dig Deeper The Best Female Characters On “The Simpsons”
- Also ranks #1 on The Most Important TV Sitcoms
Horror Icons Who Guest Starred On ‘The Simpsons’
-
1Robert Englund – Freddy Krueger41 Votes
-
2Guillermo del Toro – Himself25 Votes
-
3Stephen King – Himself40 Votes
-
4Kane Hodder – Jason Voorhees27 Votes
The Office
Take a peek behind the mundane veneer of everyday office life, where cringe-worthy moments and awkward interactions abound. Set in a drab paper company, this mockumentary-style sitcom highlights the hilarity of office politics, painful social dynamics, and the absurdity of corporate bureaucracy. It’s so uncomfortably accurate, you’ll find yourself squirming in your seat while laughing out loud.
- Premiered: March 24, 2005
- Dig Deeper 15 Reasons Why ‘Parks and Rec’ Has Always Been Better Than ‘The Office’
- Also ranks #1 on The 400+ Funniest TV Shows Ever, Ranked
The Best The Office (U.S.) Characters
-
1Dwight Schrute12,133 Votes
-
2Michael Scott12,476 Votes
-
3Jim Halpert10,834 Votes
-
4Kevin Malone8,389 Votes
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Join a group of morally bankrupt friends who own a failing bar, as they navigate life’s absurdities in the City of Brotherly Love. With selfish schemes and utterly oblivious behavior, this dark comedy shines a glaring light on humankind’s foibles. Beware: watching their antics may cause side-splitting laughter and existential dread.
- Premiered: August 4, 2005
- Dig Deeper 30 Dope Facts You Didn’t Know About ‘It’s Always Sunny’
- Also ranks #1 on Current TV Comedies You Wish You Were A Character On
The ‘It’s Always Sunny’ Cast Has Refused To Age After 16 Seasons In Paddy’s Pub
-
1Rob McElhenney (Mac)324 Votes
-
2Mary Elizabeth Ellis (Waitress)258 Votes
-
3Glenn Howerton (Dennis Reynolds)263 Votes
-
4Kaitlin Olson (Dee Reynolds)257 Votes
Futurama
Blast off into a comedic future with a not-so-bright delivery boy accidentally cryogenically frozen for 1,000 years. As he adapts to a bizarre new world, the show cleverly pokes fun at popular sci-fi tropes and contemporary issues alike. The animated cast of eclectic characters and witty writing will have you chuckling from start to finish.
- Premiered: March 28, 1999
- Dig Deeper Every Opening Caption from Every Single ‘Futurama’ Episode
- Also ranks #2 on The Best Adult Cartoons Of All Time, Ranked
The Best Futurama Characters of All Time
-
1Bender Rodríguez1,561 Votes
-
2Fry1,304 Votes
-
3Doctor Zoidberg1,380 Votes
-
4Professor Farnsworth1,013 Votes
The Boondocks
Experience urban life through the eyes of two brothers and their cantankerous grandpa, living in suburban America. Based on a comic strip, this edgy animated series delves into hot-button issues like race, social injustice, and pop culture. Its unique blend of anime-style visuals and biting satire will keep you both entertained and thoughtfully provoked.
- Premiered: November 6, 2005
- Also ranks #4 on 11 Anime That Incorporate Hip Hop
- Also ranks #7 on 25 Non-Japanese Shows People Always Think Are Anime
The Best Boondocks Episodes of All Time
-
1The Fundraiser212 Votes
-
2The Red Ball162 Votes
-
3Granddad’s Fight130 Votes
-
4Stinkmeaner Strikes Back89 Votes
