10 Best Mockumentary TV Shows Of All Time
Mockumentary-style TV shows are relatively new in TV series, with most of the best series originating in the 21st century. Mockumentaries are portrayed as a satire or parody and are designed to mimic the style and appearance of documentaries. This style of the show has become ever so popular in the last 20 odd years. In this article, let us look at some of the best mockumentary TV shows of all time.
Based on user and critics’ ratings on popular reviewing websites, here are the ten best mockumentary TV shows of all time.
10. Reno 911
Reno 911 is a parody of law enforcement documentary shows, specifically Cops, with comic actors playing the police officers. The lives of seven incompetent Reno sheriff’s deputies are detailed in this mockumentary-style show. This partially unscripted comedy brings viewers into the squad car as incompetent officers take action.
9. Documentary Now
Documentary Now spoofs celebrated documentary films by parodying the style of each documentary with a similar, but fictitious, subject. “Saturday Night Live” compatriots Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers serve as creators, executive producers, and writers of this IFC original series, using their love of documentary films and combining it with comedy to present a unique take on the form.
8. American Vandal
This mockumentary pokes fun at the true-crime documentary genre that has seen a rise in popularity. “American Vandal” takes a look at the aftermath of various high school pranks. It follows two high school students who investigate pranks and incidents at their school and one nearby. It does a great job as a satirical show, yet it also provides a good mystery drama.
7. The Office (UK)
The Office follows David Brent and his coworkers at Wernham Hogg, where he manages them in a bizarre fashion and tries to win them over in odd and unsuccessful ways. The humor is as dry and bleak as you could ever hope. The inimitable way David Brent is able to conjure up laughs with a single glance; every single thing Gareth ever said; the normalcy of Tim as he tries to get on with life while surrounded by these eccentric people. It’s just perfect.
6. Modern Family
Modern Family is about three families living in Los Angeles. Each family is diverse in age, race, and sexual identity but is linked by patriarch Jay Pritchett, played by Ed O’Neill. The show does a great job of showing diverse family dynamics with humor and dysfunctional bonding. A mockumentary about a family is an exciting concept that arguably allows characters to go deeper than coworkers can, which is why Modern Family is one of a kind.
5. What We Do in the Shadows
This comedy horror show centers around a group of vampires in Staten Island who are trying to live in modern society. They prey on innocent human victims. They have supernatural strengths and abilities. But they can’t agree on who does the chores!
4. Trailer Park Boys
This truly mind-numbing show originates from Canada and follows three Nova Scotia trailer park residents and their friends and foes as they work up schemes that are rarely legal to make money. They wind up in jail at the end of each season, but they’re always back out with new ill-conceived plans in the next.
3. Parks and Recreation
After a short, shaky first season as a too-familiar Office protege, Parks & Rec quickly adjusted into one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. When you talk about the classic sitcom casts, where every actor was perfect for the role, and every role was equally important, Parks & Rec has to be near the top of the list. With equally strong writing and the most fully developed sitcom town this side of Springfield, Parks & Rec was the ideal sitcom during its six-year run.
2. Arrested Development
Arrested Development is the most finely written comedic show of our time. It’s a show that MUST be watched from the pilot, as there are so many in-jokes, quick cutaways and callbacks that sometimes you felt like you needed a scorecard. The show maintains numerous running gags and catchphrases throughout each season, and the series as a whole.
1. The Office (US)
The Office has gone down in history as one of the most loved sitcoms of all time. It has a large cast, and yet each character is fleshed out and hilariously distinct. Admittedly, the show starts to fall apart a bit once Steve Carell leaves in season seven, but the seasons with him as the lead are strong enough to make this show one of the best sitcoms of all time.