Top 5 Comedy Shows That Premiered in 2025

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In 2025, comedy on television, especially on traditional broadcast networks, leaned heavily into familiar faces. Three new sitcoms starred well-known actors: Tim Allen in ABC’s Shifting Gears, Reba McEntire in NBC’s Happy’s Place, and Damon Wayans alongside his son, Damon Wayans Jr., in CBS’s Poppa’s House – though that show didn’t perform as well as the others.

Even streaming services jumped on the sitcom bandwagon, with shows like Netflix’s Leanne and Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern. Although the competition between streaming services has calmed down and most new shows premiere online, streamers still rely on traditional TV for comedy. They’re good at producing dramedies and unique comedies, but the most popular comedies on streaming platforms are usually older hits from network television, such as The Office, New Girl, and Friends.

The top comedy shows debuting in 2025 offer a variety of humorous styles. Some feel like traditional sitcoms, while others, available through streaming services, are notable for their innovative and unconventional formats.

This new comedy streams online and blends heartwarming sports themes with humor, similar to Ted Lasso, but features a well-known movie star who’s also a producer on the show. It’s one of the five best new comedies on television this year, 2025.

5. Stumble

NBC’s Cheerleading Mockumentary

The series Stumble, though new with only five episodes available, is already promising. While TV has often featured football in shows like Friday Night Lights, All American, Blue Mountain State, and The League, cheerleading hasn’t received much attention as a compelling backdrop for stories.

The sitcom Stumble was created by Jeff and Liz Astrof, who were inspired by the Netflix docuseries Cheer. They wanted to create a funny show about the competitive world of college cheerleading, focusing on the underdogs, high pressure, and colorful characters. Building on the success of cheerleading documentaries like America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Stumble playfully satirizes the world of collegiate cheer with a strong cast.

Taran Killam is fantastic as the kind-hearted but injured husband, and his worsening condition is made even funnier by the film’s repeated use of flashbacks. Kristen Chenoweth is just as great as the competitive coach, Tammy Istiny, whose larger-than-life personality and name – a playful reference to her height – provide plenty of laughs.

The show’s comedy ranges from broad physical gags to clever wordplay. Almost every name is a joke, from Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College to athletic director Tom Bâtchet, pronounced “bats**t.”

Even though it just started, Stumble has a surprisingly strong and unique style, happily leaning into its silliness while still being charming. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, like a scrappy underdog cheer squad, but it’s quickly becoming one of the best comedies you’ll find.

4. The Chair Company

Tim Robinson’s Experimental HBO Comedy-Thriller

Tim Robinson’s comedy style is definitely unique, and that’s okay. He’s already found a large audience – his show, The Chair Company, was a major hit for HBO, becoming one of their most successful comedy launches in years. The show mixes awkward, uncomfortable humor with a strange, intriguing mystery, and really highlights Robinson’s quirky acting and a vibe that’s both disturbing and funny.

The show was captivating because it skillfully blended uncomfortable humor, bizarre scenarios, and a hint of mystery, constantly surprising the audience. Starting as a quirky, small-scale comedy, it blossomed into something much bigger with each new episode, especially for viewers who appreciated its unique pace and stayed tuned.

The Chair Company reunites Robinson with Zach Kanin, his former collaborator on shows like Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. This new series proves Robinson isn’t afraid to experiment, transforming uncomfortable moments into hilarious comedy and pushing the boundaries of what a TV show can be.

Despite doubts about its future, HBO has renewed The Chair for a second season. It’s a great option for fans who enjoyed Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal and are searching for a new show to become obsessed with.

3. Chad Powers

Glen Powell’s Hulu Sports Comedy

The show Chad Powers presents a compelling and athletic character created by comedian Nate Powell. It’s a football-themed comedy series from Peyton and Eli Manning, inspired by Eli’s famous hidden-identity football experiment – and some viewers also see similarities to Powell’s character Chad Radwell from the show Scream Queens.

Josh Powell delivers a compelling performance as Russ Holliday, a former quarterback looking for redemption. To get another shot at the game, Russ transforms into Chad Powers – a remarkably earnest and optimistic persona achieved with the help of prosthetics. Powell seamlessly shifts between the arrogant confidence of Russ and the genuinely sweet nature of Chad, showcasing a natural talent that feels destined for stardom.

Okay, so for a good portion of this show, I was genuinely cracking up – especially in the beginning. But it does a really interesting thing: it slowly starts blending comedy with drama. And honestly, it works. It turns out this isn’t just about jokes; it’s a surprisingly thoughtful look at who we are, how much we lie to ourselves, and whether you can really ever change who you are at your core. It’s a character study disguised as a comedy, and it’s really effective.

The main deception at the heart of the show actually makes for a more compelling story than you typically find in sports comedies. Although it shares the heartwarming and genuine qualities of shows like Ted Lasso, Chad Powers often goes further, embracing awkwardness and tackling very specific emotional experiences.

Hulu ordering another season means the show has a good opportunity to build on its current success. While Chad Powers didn’t become a massive sensation, it’s a surprisingly strong and genuinely touching new comedy from 2025.

2. Going Dutch

Fox’s Underrated Military Sitcom

“Going Dutch” is a hilarious and surprisingly good comedy series that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. The show’s setup is brilliant: a tough, aggressive U.S. colonel is sent to a peaceful base in the Netherlands as a punishment, and his boss happens to be his own daughter, with whom he has a strained relationship.

Stroopsdorf isn’t a military base in the traditional sense; it’s more like a high-end resort, complete with a gourmet kitchen and the army’s only cheese-making facility. What starts as a funny idea quickly becomes a genuinely touching and hilarious show filled with quirky, endearing characters and surprisingly real emotional depth.

“Going Dutch” playfully critiques how the world views America’s strong focus on the military. It uses humor to highlight misunderstandings and cultural differences, gently poking fun at American confidence while still showing empathy for the people involved.

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The show really shines thanks to its incredible supporting cast. These characters, ranging from laid-back supply experts to clumsy diplomats, are consistently more complex than you’d expect. Danny Pudi is especially great in Going Dutch as Leary’s dependable assistant – a rule-following officer who starts to develop feelings for the colonel’s daughter.

I was so relieved to hear Fox is bringing Going Dutch back for a second season! It didn’t pull in huge numbers initially, but honestly, it’s a gem. If you’re like me and love a smart, funny ensemble comedy with a bit of heart – think Brooklyn Nine-Nine – you absolutely need to check it out before it’s gone. Season two is coming in January 2026, so mark your calendars!

1. The Studio

Seth Rogen’s Prestige Satire On Apple TV

It’s fitting, though a bit surprising, that a show celebrating the art of filmmaking won so many Emmys. The Studio, Seth Rogen’s series on Apple TV+, is a powerful mix of hilarious, awkward, visually stunning, and surprisingly poignant moments. Once again, Apple demonstrates its willingness to invest heavily in quality productions.

The Studio’s episode, “The Oner,” which details the making of a single-take shot, is likely to be remembered as one of the most impressive feats of filmmaking ever shown on TV. Beyond being a technical accomplishment, the episode brilliantly captures the pressures, worries, and drive that come together on a movie set.

Throughout its run, the show The Studio cleverly points out that Hollywood is already ridiculous and often mocks itself. One particularly strong episode, “Casting,” highlights how the team’s attempts to avoid even the appearance of racism ironically lead to an all-Black film filled with harmful stereotypes. It’s funny and uncomfortable, delivering a pointed critique without resorting to mean-spirited jokes.

Seth Rogen’s deep knowledge of and passion for movies are clear throughout the show, both as its creator and its central figure. The script was so well-written that major stars like Martin Scorsese, Zoë Kravitz, and Ron Howard all signed on for cameos, and Rogen even had to turn down other actors eager to join the cast of The Studio.

While Entourage offered a cynical look at Hollywood, The Studio is fundamentally optimistic. Having been picked up for another season, it’s not only the funniest TV comedy of 2025, but potentially one of the best comedies ever made for television.

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2025-12-21 19:13