5 Shows to Watch if You Like ‘Abbott Elementary’

While you wait for the return of 'Abbott Elementary,' here are some other shows you might like to keep you busy.

by Chelsea Stewart

Published on April 13, 2022

3 min read

Audiences are loving Abbott Elementary, the new comedy series from Quinta Brunson. The TV show, shot in mockumentary style, revolves around the staff of a West Philadelphia public school and how they deal with the everydayness of the job. It is the first comedy series on ABC to quadruple its early ratings and has garnered widespread praise from critics. Truly, it’s one of a kind. But there are some shows like Abbott Elementary that fans might enjoy. If you need something else to watch until Abbott Elementary returns, here are five shows to check out.

Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues of Abbott Elementary, wearing an orange floral dress, gives a look to the camera in the mockumentary style that shows like Abbott Elementary also use. — Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues in ‘Abbott Elementary’ | Scott Everett White/ABC via Getty Images

1. ‘Arrested Development’

Arrested Development follows the Bluth family. When patriarch George Bluth is sent to prison, his son Michael steps up to try and help. But dealing with his wild and eccentric family is not easy. The cast includes Jason Bateman (Ozark), Michael Cera (Superbad), David Cross (Mr. Show), Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman), Alia Shawkat (Search Party), and others.

Arrested Development achieved an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes in its first season and continued to see success later. After running for five seasons, it came to an end in 2019. Viewers can find it on Netflix.

2. ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’

This comedy TV series revolves around a police station in Brooklyn, New York. It stars Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta, a detective known for his childish and annoying personality. When the stoic and serious Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) becomes the new captain, Peralta is forced to clean up his act and take his job more seriously. The cast also includes Stephanie Beatriz, Melissa Fumero, and Terry Crews.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine lasted eight successful seasons and concluded in 2021. It is available to watch on NBC, Hulu, Peacock, and TBS.

3. ‘Parks and Recreation’

Parks and Recreation is a hilarious series featuring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope. Leslie works in the parks and recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana, and is committed to making the world around her a better place. She and a friend try to build a public park on an abandoned construction site. But Leslie faces various hurdles, including from some of her colleagues. Rashida Jones, Adam Scott, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, and Retta were also in the show.

Parks and Recreation premiered in 2009 and became a huge success. It enjoyed seven seasons and concluded in 2015. Talks of a revival have since come up, but nothing has materialized yet. In the meantime, the original is available on Peacock.

4. ‘Reno 911!’

Reno 911! lets viewers ride along with the inept and incompetent members of Reno, Nevada’s Sheriff’s Department. It was filmed in the same style as Cops and ran on Comedy Central for six seasons.

Niecy Nash, Thomas Lennon, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Kerri Kenney-Silver, and Cedric Yarbrough make up the cast. Watch it on Comedy Central and HBO Max.

5. ‘The Office’

Fans often compare Abbott Elementary and The Office. This show revolves around Dunder Mifflin, a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Steve Carell’s character, Michael Scott, manages the branch, but he’s not at all that equipped for the job.

Michael is awkward and usually doesn’t take work seriously. He works alongside the equally annoying Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), will-they-or-won’t-they friends Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), and a variety of others. As a result, there’s a lot of drama and clashing. But some great relationships are forged, too.

The Office achieved widespread acclaim and ran for a whopping nine seasons on NBC. Watch the show now on Peacock, Hulu, and Freeform.