10 Underrated Sci-Fi Comedy Shows Not Enough People Talk About

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As a movie enthusiast delving into the realm of science fiction, I find this genre to be a captivating reflection of our collective unconscious, a creative sandbox where our deepest fears and dreams are brought to life. Just like Mary Shelley’s chilling tale, Frankenstein, served as a warning against the perils of unchecked ambition, or how Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower paints a hauntingly possible future based on societal decay, science fiction doesn’t just create alternate worlds—it dissects our own.

In the mid-20th century, these profound existential explorations found their way onto the silver screen, where B-movies took speculative literature and transformed it into a thrilling cinematic journey.

In contrast, comedy has a unique quality of disarming its audience. It gently presents the absurdity and shortcomings of human ambition, our flawed systems, and the ironies of progress in a way that seems relatable and even enjoyable, unlike pure science fiction which might feel too intense or overwhelming. As John Truby, screenwriter and author, explains in his book “The Anatomy of Genres”, comedy and science fiction share a common characteristic: they both enable us to confront deep questions indirectly. Comedy softens the existential anxiety often found in science fiction’s portrayal of dystopia, turning the narrative experience into one of recognition rather than despair. This blend allows us to laugh at the madness while subtly encouraging us to take action.

The evolution in television, particularly the cinematic revolution spearheaded by channels such as HBO, has played a significant role in merging various genres with fresh depth and advanced visual technology. Shows like “The Orville” and “Resident Alien” exemplify this trend by utilizing cutting-edge special effects, while their humor serves as a coping mechanism amidst the ominous situations commonly depicted in science fiction. This unique blend of cinematic creativity and humor sheds light on an important aspect of our cultural perspective towards the future: we’re captivated by what’s to come, but laughter helps us endure the unsettling prospects.

10
‘Red Dwarf’ (1988 – Present)

Three million years into the vastness of space, we find ourselves with Dave Lister, a laid-back man and the last known human, on a dilapidated spaceship. He’s joined by a hologram of his annoying old bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), a cat-like being named Cat (Danny John-Jules), and Kryten, an anxious android (Robert Llewellyn). Together, they navigate the ups and downs of life aboard this spacecraft.

The show, developed by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, first aired on the BBC in 1988 and soon gained a passionate fanbase. Its affordable production value and offbeat humor struck a chord with viewers, while its zany plotlines featuring genetically modified creatures or alternate dimensions helped establish it as a timeless British science fiction comedy masterpiece.

Existential Despair, Served with a Side of Laughter

Red Dwarf’s strength lies in its unique combination of deep existential sci-fi themes with sharp, character-focused humor. The series cleverly employs its setting – a solitary survivor adrift in the endless expanse of space – to delve into topics such as loneliness, mortality, and human irrationality.

Instead of dwelling in sadness, it uses humor to make its criticisms more palatable. Lister’s casual demeanor comically clashes with Rimmer’s rule-obsessed nature, while Kryten’s eagerness to please satirizes humanity’s reliance on validation. Viewed through the lens of science fiction, Red Dwarf critiques bureaucracy, class disparity, and human self-deception, making it both intellectually stimulating and side-splittingly funny.

9
‘The Middleman’ (2008)

In this short-lived yet adored television show titled “The Middleman,” we follow Wendy Watson, a budding artist, who gets recruited to work for an enigmatic organization that tackles real-world problems in a manner reminiscent of comic book villains. Her boss, simply known as the Middleman (portrayed by Matt Keeslar), is a character resembling a superhero caricature, complete with strict demeanor and strong jawline. He confronts various adversaries such as alien rulers, insane scientists, and cursed soap operas from other countries. This series was conceived by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and aired on ABC Family for one season, earning acclaim for its sharp humor, eccentric allure, and unabashed love for pop culture references.

The Superhero as Bureaucrat

Fundamentally, “The Middleman” employs humor to undermine the solemnity associated with sci-fi and superhero stereotypes. The title character is a caricature of the perfect, ethically sound hero figure, while Wendy’s casual, frequently skeptical responses lend the series a contemporary feel.

As a cinephile, I’d say this movie, “The Middleman,” masterfully satirizes the rigidness of office politics and the absurdity of bureaucratic rules, even when the world is on the brink of destruction. It brilliantly merges the bizarre with biting social criticism, portraying the surreal, almost Kafkaesque struggle of juggling authority and disorder.

8
‘Eureka’ (2006 – 2012)

The series titled “Eureka” revolves around Sheriff Jack Carter (portrayed by Colin Ferguson), an ordinary individual responsible for preserving order in a hidden town inhabited solely by brilliant minds dedicated to advanced science and technology research. Despite his limited scientific acumen, Carter’s common-sense troubleshooting abilities frequently prove crucial as the town’s experiments invariably go awry. The show, co-created by Andrew Cosby and Jaime Paglia, was broadcast on Syfy for five seasons and garnered praise for its mix of amusing humor, unique characters, and imaginative science fiction plots.

When Genius Goes Awry: Comedy in the Lab

In the series ‘Eureka‘, laughter springs from the absurdity of its setting: a town inhabited by the brightest minds on earth, who inexplicably cause disastrous incidents every week. Jack Carter functions as our stand-in, his realistic reactions and dry wit juxtaposed against the town’s peculiar inhabitants. The show employs its science fiction backdrop to delve into topics such as the boundaries of human ambition, the moral dilemmas posed by uncontrolled technological growth, and the unwanted consequences of brilliance. Through its humor, ‘Eureka‘ satirizes the arrogance of thinking that intelligence can resolve all human issues, providing a humorous yet insightful perspective on the perils of progress.

7
‘Future Man’ (2017 – 2020)

Picture this scenario: What if The Last Starfighter and Superbad had a surprising meeting, the result would resemble Future Man. This Hulu series revolves around Josh Futturman, a janitor with a passion for video games, who accidentally outsmarts an invincible game. To his surprise, he learns it was a secret recruitment tool from the future. Before long, he’s thrust into a thrilling time-travel escapade, guided by two eccentric warriors, Tiger and Wolf, as they strive to prevent human extinction.

Originally conceived by Kyle Hunter, Ariel Shaffir, and overseen by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Future Man is a comedic series that gleefully combines various science fiction elements such as dystopias, paradoxes, and menacing artificial intelligence. It does so in a cheeky, self-aware manner with a dash of adult humor.

Time-Travel Chaos Meets Stoner Comedy Nihilism

One distinctive aspect that makes Future Man so amusingly unique is its knack for poking fun at the seriousness of science fiction genres, all while maintaining a captivating time-travel plotline. The series takes the hero’s journey and turns it into a cosmic prank, where saving the world isn’t about selfless heroism but rather tripping over catastrophic mishaps with increasingly absurd outcomes.

Each time-travel venture invariably descends into utter chaos, playfully mocking franchises like Terminator, Back to the Future, and The Hunger Games. Notably, with Josh Hutcherson’s involvement, it seems intentionally witty. Buried beneath the humor and excessive violence lies a subtle critique of the futility in attempting to alter the past, especially when the root issue could very well be human nature itself.

6
‘The Orville’ (2017 – Present)

Initially, when The Orville was unveiled, it appeared to be a straightforward satire: Seth MacFarlane’s humorous spin on Star Trek, filled with risqué humor and chattering alien beings. However, what started as a sci-fi comedy soon transformed into something much more profound. The story unfolds aboard the U.S.S. Orville, a mid-level exploration spaceship in the 25th century, where we follow Captain Ed Mercer (MacFarlane), his ex-wife and second-in-command Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki), and an eccentric crew as they grapple with political complexities, cosmic mysteries, and philosophical quandaries.

At first presented as a satire, the show has turned out to be an affectionate tribute to original Star Trek, skillfully merging humorous dialogue with deep, reflective science fiction narratives.

A Love Letter to Trek with a Comedic Edge

What makes The Orville unique is its ability to blend humor seamlessly with genuine science fiction elements. Unlike other shows that rely solely on sci-fi for comedic purposes, The Orville delves into complex moral dilemmas, political analogies, and profound explorations of the cosmos – all while interjecting casual banter about office politics, romantic entanglements, and the unease of socializing with alien beings. The humor stems from the characters’ relatability; they may be traversing the universe, but they still grapple with relationship issues, workplace disputes, and the awkwardness of chatting up extraterrestrial life forms.

In contrast to the more serious and action-focused modern versions of Star Trek, The Orville serves as a refreshing alternative for fans seeking the essence of The Next Generation. This is because it maintains the spirit of optimism, exploration, and intellectual discourse, which were just as significant as the humor in that series.

5
‘Extraordinary’ (2023 – Present)

In a world where every adult acquires a unique superpower, the story unfolds around Jen, a 25-year-old woman (portrayed by Máiréad Tyers), who finds herself in a rut during her mid-life transition while those around her exhibit extraordinary abilities such as flight, necromancy, and even transforming objects into PDF files.

Juggling insecurities, unfulfilling jobs, and the weight of being the only ‘normal’ individual amidst superhumans, Jen navigates her life alongside her best friend Carrie (Sofia Oxenham) and her transformative feline-turned-boyfriend, Jizzlord (Luke Rollason). Conceived by Emma Moran and produced by the team behind Killing Eve, Extraordinary offers a fresh take on the superhero genre, delivering sharp, highly identifiable humor.

Superpowers as a Metaphor for the Millennial Struggle

In most superhero tales, the focus lies on the weight of responsibility. However, Extraordinary explores a different angle: what transpires when extraordinary abilities become commonplace—another milestone expected to be achieved by a certain age. The character Jen’s lack of powers serves as comic relief, yet it also mirrors the uneasy apprehension of not meeting expectations in an environment where everyone else appears to excel.

The series playfully critiques a society overly preoccupied with capabilities, where individuals resort to necromancy for family squabbles or use dating apps to select partners based on their powers. The humor is biting and self-reflexive, mocking not only the superhero genre but also the adult world’s stresses. For those who have experienced feelings of inadequacy in life, Extraordinary turns these sentiments into something hilariously absurd, disturbingly chaotic, yet surprisingly relatable.

4
‘Inside Job’ (2021 – 2022)

In “Inside Job,” we envision a scenario where every conspiracy theory unfolds as office gossip, with bickering colleagues taking the place of shadowy cabals, managing global events in a chaotic environment filled with HR meetings, interoffice conflicts, and the constant struggle for work-life harmony.

In the animated series crafted by Shion Takeuchi (creator of Gravity Falls), we follow the life of Reagan Ridley, portrayed by Lizzy Caplan. A gifted yet socially awkward scientist, she is employed at Cognito Inc., a clandestine organization that orchestrates world events from the shadows. Her father, who lacks emotional intelligence (Christian Slater), and her chaotic workplace only add to Reagan’s struggles as she tirelessly works to prevent global conspiracies from leading to catastrophe.

Bureaucratic Dystopia: When the Deep State Has Performance Reviews

The unique aspect of Inside Job is its portrayal of life-threatening issues being presented within the monotony of a typical corporate workplace environment. The humor arises from the surprising contrast between discussing topics like mind-control satellites, reptilian rulers, and Illuminati gatherings as if they were routine work tasks on an ordinary day at the office.

In every episode, I find a unique blend of science fiction dystopia and office satire, poking fun at various aspects, such as detrimental startup dynamics and Silicon Valley’s self-proclaimed grandeur. However, the humor serves as a veil for a keen examination of modern capitalism, highlighting how even highly advanced or risky entities continue to be governed by office politics and personal animosities. It’s a darkly amusing reflection that even the forces shaping history might still be dealing with Slack messages and inept supervisors.

3
‘Resident Alien’ (2021 – 2024)

The show, titled “Resident Alien“, centers around an alien invader named Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle (Alan Tudyk), who assumes the role of a local doctor in a small town. Beneath this facade, he is actually on a mission to find his missing weapon intended for humanity’s destruction. However, as time goes by, he seems to develop a certain fondness for Earth and its inhabitants.

As a movie buff, I’d describe this show as a captivating blend of murder mystery, hilarious fish-out-of-water humor, and heartwarming character exploration. It’s a genre-bending masterpiece that hides an unexpectedly emotional core within its unique mix of science fiction quirkiness and small-town allure. Created by Chris Sheridan and inspired by the Dark Horse comic, Resident Alien, garnered critical acclaim for Alan Tudyk’s spot-on comedic portrayal and its remarkable ability to balance sci-fi absurdity with the endearing simplicity of small-town life.

Blending the Cosmic with the Comedic

The reason why Resident Alien is so engaging lies in its knack for finding humor from both monumental sci-fi scenarios and ordinary human quirks. Harry’s attempts to decipher human customs, such as casual conversations, dating, or the peculiar idea of friendship, often result in some of the show’s most hilarious scenes. At the same time, his internal conflict between fulfilling his mission and embracing his newfound humanity adds a significant emotional depth to the series.

The show’s science fiction perspective enables it to critique a wide range of topics such as immigration policies and administrative blunders, all while emphasizing the complex, illogical charm of human relationships. It’s a blend of Mork & Mindy and Fargo, demonstrating that an alien’s unique viewpoint might offer some of the most captivating insights into the human condition.

2
‘Misfits’ (2009 – 2013)

In an unusual turn of events, when a gang of young offenders serving community service are caught in an unexpected electrical storm, they don’t just get wet—they gain extraordinary powers. However, instead of transforming into heroes, they continue to be their crude, self-destructive selves, misusing their abilities for activities such as shoplifting, concealing unintentional murders, or (in one character’s case) attempting to seduce others in a desperate manner.

Howard Overman’s creation, “Misfits,” offered a uniquely British, unpolished take on the superhero genre. This groundbreaking series catapulted the careers of notable stars such as Robert Sheehan and Iwan Rheon. Although subsequent seasons experienced numerous cast changes, the early seasons stand out as exceptional television within the genre during that period.

Superpowers, But Make It Social Realism

Misfits is essentially Skins with superpowers, a series that acknowledges that ordinary individuals, particularly the reckless youth, might not initially use their newfound abilities to combat crime. The humor is gritty and frequently over-the-top, focusing on the characters’ immaturity, moral gray areas, and profound resistance to taking heroic actions. However, beneath its profane skepticism lies a keen social commentary: power doesn’t automatically make people noble. The science fiction elements function as an extension of the characters’ personal challenges, transforming their powers into symbols for insecurity, trauma, and social estranglement.

As a fan, I can’t help but appreciate the refreshingly genuine and comical portrayal of power dynamics that “Misfits” offers. This show predates the Marvel superhero films and “The Boys,” yet it still manages to depict what it might truly be like to possess powers in a way that feels incredibly relatable.

1
‘Undone’ (2019 – Present)

Undone is an animated series that seamlessly blends elements of science fiction, psychological drama, and philosophy. The captivating story revolves around Alma (Rosa Salazar), who finds herself experiencing time in disjointed pieces following a severe car accident. Her journey is guided by the ethereal presence of her late father (Bob Odenkirk). Together, they work to solve the enigma behind his demise while delving into the very essence of existence itself. The creators, Raphael Bob-Waksberg (BoJack Horseman) and Kate Purdy, employ rotoscope animation—a seldom-used technique in television—to construct a surreal, mesmerizing atmosphere.

Time Travel as Emotional Reckoning

In contrast to typical science fiction comedies, Undone shuns jokes and slapstick; instead, it derives humor from the absurdity inherent in consciousness itself. Alma’s sharp wit and her unwilling hero’s journey provide a light-hearted touch to a storyline that might otherwise delve into heavy existentialism.

The science fiction setting of this series, which employs time travel and altered consciousness as storytelling tools and symbolic representations, enables it to delve into themes such as generational trauma, mental health issues, and grief in a deeply personal and emotionally intense manner. It’s like blending the soulful introspection of ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ with the thought-provoking exploration of ‘A Scanner Darkly’. The question it poses is: could you truly mend your past if given the chance?

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2025-02-02 23:35