Ranking NBC’s Workplace Comedies: From American Auto To The Office

NBC has become a leader in workplace comedies, consistently delivering popular and influential sitcoms and mockumentaries – many of which have premiered on NBC or Peacock – that explore the everyday challenges and triumphs of working life.

NBC consistently finds success with its workplace comedies. These shows typically feature clueless or quirky bosses, friendly competition between coworkers, and a generally heartwarming atmosphere where employees feel like a family. NBC has a knack for creating popular shows centered around different professions.

Comedies like The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the newer show St. Denis Medical are all different, but each one has a unique style and story that sets it apart.

11. American Auto (2021-2022)

In 2021, Justin Spitzer, known for his work on comedies, created the show American Auto. The series humorously explores what happens inside the headquarters of Payne Motors, a car company, after a completely inexperienced CEO is put in charge.

Despite featuring talented actors like Ana Gasteyer and Harriet Dyer, the show American Auto was cancelled after only two seasons. Surprisingly, it wasn’t because the writing was bad. The show struggled because it felt too real.

I really liked American Auto, and honestly, what set it apart from a lot of other workplace comedies was how real the problems felt – things like big corporations just caring about profits. It wasn’t always laugh-out-loud funny, but it also wasn’t totally cynical. That balance, or lack thereof, is probably why it’s not further down my list of favorites – it had heart, even when dealing with tough topics.

10. The Paper (2025-Present)

Peacock’s new mockumentary, The Paper, is a spin-off of The Office. It follows the employees of a local newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, that’s facing hard times. The same documentary team from The Office is filming, and Oscar Martinez from Dunder Mifflin is now working as an accountant for the newspaper.

Created by the same person as The Office, The Paper shares a similar comedic style, timing, and overall feel. It features authentic emotional moments, hilariously awkward characters, and the struggles of a traditional paper company facing a digital world.

Even though NBC renewed The Paper for a second season before anyone had even seen it, there are other NBC comedies that are actually better.

9. Night Court (2023-2025)

Night Court, starring Melissa Rauch and John Larroquette, is a reboot of the popular 1980s sitcom. The show follows Judge Abby Stone as she presides over the night shift at Manhattan Criminal Court, alongside a quirky and supportive team.

The show successfully captures the spirit of the original, especially with the return of Larroquette. It stands out as one of NBC’s strongest workplace comedies because of its positive and cheerful tone, set in a familiar location. The actors also had great chemistry together.

Sadly, the recent revival of Night Court won’t be continuing after three seasons. Although the show was generally liked, it faced a lot of comparisons to the original series.

8. Superstore (2015-2021)

Created by Justin Spitzer, the sitcom Superstore aired for six seasons and featured America Ferrera. The show centered around the employees of Cloud 9, a big-box store that wasn’t known for its amazing benefits, but did provide its workers with a sense of job security.

The show was funny and felt real, taking place in a setting people could easily recognize. It followed the lives of shoppers, employees, and company leaders, blending humorous situations with heartfelt moments that resonated with audiences.

The show was popular, and plans for a continuation were underway after it finished, but those plans have now been scrapped. While Superstore featured strong character development and interesting plots, it didn’t quite create the same level of devoted following as some other comedies on NBC.

7. St. Denis Medical (2024-)

The comedy series St. Denis Medical is a funny look inside the fictional St. Denis Regional Medical Center. Despite being a truly great show, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves – it’s already finished two seasons! Starring Wendi McLendon-Covey, Allison Tolman, and Josh Lawson, the show follows healthcare workers who often sacrifice their own well-being to care for patients.

The hospital is definitely showing its age with limited funding and not enough staff, but this actually adds to the show’s appeal. It’s easy to like the staff at St. Denis – they’re a dedicated, funny, and endearing group, even though things are often chaotic and messy.

I absolutely love this show! It feels like watching a real family at work, and it’s just a really heartwarming, funny mockumentary that always brightens my day. The second season came out near the end of 2025, and we’re all hoping the network greenlights a third season soon!

6. Scrubs (2001-2009)

Among the many medical shows on television, Scrubs offered a unique and funny perspective on NBC. The comedy centered around the lives of doctors and staff at Sacred Heart Hospital. Thanks to the great chemistry between its stars – Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison – the show became a hit.

The show was famous for its quick, funny moments and was told from the perspective of Dr. J.D. Dorian over eight seasons. It often featured wild and imaginative daydreams during his time working at the hospital.

Viewers and critics loved the show’s funny writing and great cast, and it quickly became a popular comedy on NBC, earning 17 Emmy nominations. After seven seasons on NBC, the show moved to ABC for its final two seasons, concluding in 2010. But fans will be happy to hear that a new version of Scrubs is planned for release in 2026.

5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)

Originally on Fox, Brooklyn Nine-Nine moved to NBC for its sixth season. The show stars Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, and Terry Crews, and its fantastic cast is a big reason why it’s so popular. The series follows a group of detectives working at the 99th Precinct in Brooklyn, New York.

The show centers around Jake Peralta, a detective played by Andy Samberg, who’s famous for his goofy behavior at work. The series follows Jake and his fellow detectives as they adjust to their new, no-nonsense boss, Captain Raymond Holt.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine stands out as a truly enjoyable and popular sitcom because of its dry wit and the heartfelt connections you feel with the characters. The show’s running gags and clever wordplay provide a comforting and rewatchable experience for fans who love to binge-watch.

4. Parks And Recreation (2009-2015)

The TV show Parks and Recreation starred Amy Poehler and followed her and her coworkers in the Parks and Recreation Department of the made-up town of Pawnee. It was created by Greg Daniels, who also wrote The Office, and shared a similar style and sense of humor.

The first season of Parks and Recreation closely resembled The Office, so the show changed direction in season two to develop its own unique style. Once it found its footing, Leslie Knope became a remarkably inspiring and positive character on television. She was sharp, funny, intelligent, and motivated everyone around her to pursue their goals.

Beyond its cheerful outlook, Parks and Recreation is highly praised for the warm, family-like relationships between its characters. Despite occasional conflicts, they genuinely care for each other, making the town of Pawnee—even with all its quirks—feel like a place you’d want to be a part of.

After a few seasons, Parks and Recreation really hit its groove and became one of the most beloved sitcoms ever. But it wasn’t NBC’s greatest show filmed in a documentary style.

3. Night Court (1984-1992)

The original Night Court is considered one of NBC’s best sitcoms. What made it stand out then – and continues to in the revival – was its unusual concept: a quirky judge presiding over cases with unpredictable characters. Harry Stone, played by Harold Stone, was the judge, and the show was known for its clever writing, funny reactions, and delightfully strange, yet hilarious, plots.

Reviewers often compared Night Court to Cheers, noting its similar focus on quirky, regular characters who worked together. A highlight of the show was its running joke of having the same defendants appear repeatedly. Night Court wasn’t shy about being silly and over-the-top.

Night Court was a popular NBC comedy that aired for nine seasons, and it’s considered a classic – that’s why it’s being brought back now. The show was successful thanks to its slapstick humor, relatable characters, and clever writing.

2. Cheers (1982-1983)

Cheers is often considered one of the greatest sitcoms ever to air on NBC, running for 11 seasons. The show was set in a Boston bar called Cheers, a neighborhood hangout where people came to relax, have a drink, and talk about their lives.

The show Cheers introduced memorable characters like Sam Malone, Diane Chambers, and Carla Tortelli, all of whom worked at a popular neighborhood bar. Though it got off to a slow start, Cheers quickly became a huge hit, eventually becoming one of the most-watched sitcoms on television. The series finale was so popular it became the highest-rated single episode of any TV show in the 1990s.

The idea behind Cheers was simple: it showed a group of people connecting at their neighborhood bar, and that resonated with audiences. The bar felt like a welcoming haven for the characters, and eventually, the show became a source of comfort for many viewers.

I always loved Cheers – it was such a perfectly balanced comedy and really became one of NBC’s all-time greats. But, honestly, there was another show that really changed things with how stories were told on TV, and that one felt special too.

2026-01-14 15:33