1. Parks and Recreation (2009–2020) – When Local Politics Are Chaotic
Synopsis:
The series follows Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), a passionate public servant for the parks and recreation department in the town of Pawnee, Indiana. She strives to improve the town with optimism, but often encounters obstacles from her colleagues, bureaucracy, and the local people.
Similarities to The Office
A pseudo-documentary style with live interviews.
An office environment with unique, sometimes eccentric colleagues.
Exploring the absurdity of everyday work, similar to how The Office reflects the chaos at Dunder Mifflin.
Differences:
Parks and Recreation has a more positive tone than The Office, with a main character who is ambitious and passionate.
The cast of characters grows stronger, from bored employees to a cohesive team.
The humor often comes from the contrast between Leslie Knope’s ideals and the bureaucratic realities of local politics.
Why watch?
If you love The Office but want something more inspirational, Parks and Recreation is a great choice.
2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021) – When the Office Is a Police Station
Synopsis:
The series follows the police team of Precinct 99 in Brooklyn, New York, with the main character being Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), a brilliant but childish cop. He and his colleagues Amy Santiago, Rosa Diaz, and Terry Jeffords must solve cases while dealing with their strict but fair boss, Captain Holt.
Similarities to The Office
A diverse cast of characters with unique personalities that create humorous situations.
Office situations but set in a different environment – a police station instead of an office.
Exploring the absurdity of work, with strange tasks and unorthodox ways of working.
Differences:
No documentary style.
Faster paced, with more action than the light comedy style of The Office.
The characters are more professional than the Dunder Mifflin staff, but still have awkward and humorous moments.
Why watch it?
If you like the co-worker comedy of The Office but want more drama and a faster pace, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a compelling choice.
3. 30 Rock (2006–2013) – When TV Goes Wrong
Synopsis:
The series takes place behind the scenes of a late-night comedy television show, with Liz Lemon (Tina Fey), the show’s head writer. She has to deal with the ridiculous demands of her boss, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), as well as keep the eccentric cast of Tracy Jordan and Jenna Maroney from causing too much trouble.
Similarities to The Office
Humor based on office situations, especially the absurdity of the entertainment industry.
A cast of quirky characters, each with their own distinct comedic style.
Emphasis on the interactions between coworkers and how they navigate their way through work.
Differences:
Not a mockumentary.
The show is faster-paced, with sharper dialogue and more biting satire than The Office.
The situations are more exaggerated, reflecting the craziness of the television industry rather than the dullness of the office.
Why watch?
If you like The Office but want a show with sharper satire, 30 Rock is the perfect choice.
4. Superstore (2015–2021) – When the Office is a Supermarket
Synopsis:
The show is set at Cloud 9, a Walmart-style retail supermarket, following employees like Jonah (Ben Feldman), Amy (America Ferrera) and many other quirky coworkers. They face unreasonable policies from management, quirky customers and absurd office situations.
Similarities to The Office
Humor based on everyday office situations.
Diverse cast of characters, with interesting interactions between coworkers.
There are many touching moments, not only humorous but also exploring the lives of the working class.
Differences:
No fake documentary style.
The supermarket setting creates humorous situations with customers, not just between colleagues.
More emphasis on working class issues, such as low wages, unstable jobs, employee rights.
Why watch it?
If you like The Office but want a different setting and closer to the common working class, Superstore is the ideal choice.
