6 Best Dramedy Shows That Are Equal Parts Funny and Emotional

Comedy and drama have always been central to movies and TV, creating some of the most beloved scenes in entertainment history. However, successfully blending the two genres is uncommon. Great dramedy series recognize the surprising similarities between comedy and drama—they don’t have to be separate, and often, one enhances the other.

Humor can help us cope with difficult feelings, either by letting us escape them or by facing them head-on. When shows successfully blend drama and comedy, they feel especially powerful because they tap into real human experiences. These shows aren’t afraid to make you laugh and cry, often within the same episode, creating a truly emotional experience.

6
‘Shameless’ (2011 – 2021)

Showtime

Britain has a strong history of using humor – especially self-deprecating and dark humor – to deal with difficult subjects. This approach works really well in shows that blend comedy and drama, and it’s perfectly showcased in Shameless. The original British series, set in a struggling community, was adapted for American audiences, and it’s one of the rare remakes that truly captures the original’s unique blend of dry wit and emotional depth.

This show follows the chaotic lives of the Gallagher family after they move from England to Chicago’s South Side. William H. Macy gives an incredible performance as the family’s flawed and irresponsible father. While dealing with tough topics like addiction, poverty, and difficult relationships, the show manages to be both funny and deeply moving, using witty dialogue and absurd situations to create a truly unique and memorable television experience.

5
‘Kevin Can F**K Himself!’ (2021 – 2022)

AMC

Kevin Can FK Himself! is a fantastic show that doesn’t get enough attention. It cleverly challenges and mocks the predictable, often damaging, patterns found in many sitcoms. While some shows try to smoothly mix comedy and heartfelt moments, this one starts by keeping them completely separate, telling its story through two very different styles.

The show deliberately clashes two distinct styles: a traditional, brightly lit sitcom with canned laughter and predictable jokes, and a more serious, emotionally driven drama focusing on the wife’s perspective. These worlds collide in unexpected and jarring ways. It’s a bold commentary on how harmful behaviors are often accepted as funny in American comedy. While sharply satirizing the sitcom format, it’s genuinely funny, but the humor fades, revealing underlying themes of loneliness, frustration, and quiet sadness.

4
‘Flowers’ (2016 – 2018)

Channel 4

The British comedy series Flowers tackles difficult themes like depression and suicidal thoughts using a strange, playful, and often ridiculous style. The show centers on the Flowers family – Maurice, a depressed writer, his wife Deborah, a music teacher, and their grown-up children. The humor is unusual and a little unsettling, relying on awkward moments, long pauses, and over-the-top situations as the family struggles to cope with their crumbling lives. Flowers is known for being a remarkably honest and direct portrayal of depression, finding humor not in covering up the pain, but in acknowledging it. It’s a uniquely quirky comedy that feels both uncomfortable and strangely relatable.

3
‘Kidding’ (2018 – 2020)

Showtime

Jim Carrey is famous for his hilarious physical comedy in films like Dumb and Dumber, The Mask, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. However, he’s also proven he can handle serious roles, successfully combining humor with genuine emotion in movies such as The Cable Guy, The Truman Show, and Man on the Moon. While he became a huge movie star, Carrey hasn’t often appeared in starring roles on television. He first gained attention on In Living Color and has made guest appearances on shows like The Office and 30 Rock, but it wasn’t until 2018 with the series Kidding that he returned to lead a TV show.

The show centers around Mr. Pickles, a popular children’s TV host who is secretly dealing with a devastating loss in his personal life. It’s a unique blend of silly, imaginative comedy and deeply emotional moments, honestly portraying grief, mental health struggles, and the difficulty of hiding pain while maintaining a public image. The result is a show that’s both funny, strange, and incredibly moving.

2
‘After Life’ (2019 – 2022)

Netflix

Ricky Gervais’s series, After Life, centers on Tony Johnson, a man struggling with immense grief after his wife’s death. Rather than end his life, Tony copes by lashing out at others, masking his pain with cynicism and anger. Gervais, who wrote, directed, and stars in the show, masterfully blends his signature dark comedy with a surprisingly honest and moving portrayal of grief and depression. The show uniquely balances humor and heartbreak, perfectly capturing the complicated emotions Tony experiences.

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The show is known for being blunt, awkward, and unflinching, taking viewers on an intense emotional journey that mirrors the ups and downs of real life. It was a critical and popular success, showcasing significant artistic growth from its creator, and stands out as one of the funniest and most heartbreakingly poignant comedies ever made.

1
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 – 2020)

Netflix

Many adult animated shows, such as American Dad, South Park, and Family Guy, frequently use dark humor. However, BoJack Horseman stands out with its darker, more satirical style, focusing on thoughtful jokes and ironic characters. The other shows tend to rely more on quick, unrelated gags, shocking moments, and general social commentary.

The show remains incredibly funny, filled with visual jokes, bizarre situations, and clever satire. However, the humor is now sharper and feels as unsettling as the world and characters it portrays. This makes BoJack Horseman much more emotionally complex, tackling difficult subjects like depression, addiction, and trauma, and exploring the downsides of fame in a way that most animated comedies don’t. The result is a comedy that’s both funny and surprisingly poignant.

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6 ‘Shameless’ (2011 – 2021)

5 ‘Kevin Can F**K Himself!’ (2021 – 2022)

4 ‘Flowers’ (2016 – 2018)

3 ‘Kidding’ (2018 – 2020)

2 ‘After Life’ (2019 – 2022)