The end of Parks and Recreations [1] perhaps made us sadder than the loss of Li'l Sebastian, and that's saying something! Seven seasons of the colourful, bighearted Michael Schur series cheered us up relentlessly with its constant gags [2] surrounding everything from Ron Swanson's mild misanthropy to Andy and April's goofy shenanigans. It made us fall in love with Chris Pratt [3] and Amy Poehler [4] even harder (yes, it's totally possible!), while introducing us to the equally wonderful Retta and Nick Offerman. If you're missing Pawnee's zany bureaucrats, watch these 12 shows on Netflix that you'll love even more than Leslie loves waffles.
The Good Place
Right after Parks and Recreation, Michael Schur created The Good Place, a screwball comedy about the afterlife. Kristen Bell [5] plays Eleanor Shellstrop, a woman who believes that she was put in The Good Place by accident. Similar to the gang in Parks and Recreation, Eleanor and her new friends try their best to be good people despite their personal flaws.
Watch it now. [6]
American Vandal
American Vandal gives the true crime genre a hilarious and satirical makeover as it explores a high school forever changed by someone tagging staff cars with phallic images. Like Parks and Recreation, the series will surprise you with hidden depths that go beyond its silly humour.
Watch it now. [7]
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Amy Poehler [8]'s Saturday Night Live [9] BFF Tina Fey [10] is the creator of Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a colourful and fiercely optimistic series about a young woman (Ellie Kemper) who moves to New York City after being kept in a bunker for many years by a creepy cult leader (Jon Hamm [11]). Its sweet and funny stories will remind you of the tender workplace relationships in Parks and Recreation.
Watch it now. [12]
Queer Eye
If you need a little bit of sunshine in your life, Queer Eye [13], like Parks and Recreation, will give it to you in a jiffy. The show revolves around a group of five gay men with different specialties who give people makeovers. If you love Pawnee's local politics, there's even an episode where they jazz up a mayor!
Watch it now. [14]
GLOW
GLOW showcases a bit more drama than Parks and Recreation, though its warm humour, strong characters, and colourful set design will feel familiar to fans of the Michael Schur show. Plus, it features a few seasoned comedy actors, such as Alison Brie [15] and Marc Maron.
Watch it now. [16]
Arrested Development
Arrested Development revolves around a much more dysfunctional cast of characters than Parks and Recreation. Still, it'll certainly give you that kick of goofy humour. Jason Bateman [17] plays a man who must hold together his spoiled and wealthy family when his father ends up in prison for shady business practices.
Watch it now. [18]
Santa Clarita Diet
Besides launching her own makeup line, Drew Barrymore [19] is keeping busy as the realtor mom turned zombie in Netflix's hilarious Santa Clarita Diet. On top of lots of blood, you'll still get a full course of sweet characters and silly jokes.
Watch it now. [20]
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls [21] shares with Parks and Recreation an offbeat sense of humour and a small town setting. Plus, you'll see a bit of Leslie and Ann in the smart, fast-talking Gilmore women!
Watch it now. [22]
The Office
Like Parks and Recreation, The Office is a sweet, often goofy workplace comedy about a tight-knit group of employees with an idealistic and sometimes flighty boss. (Well, technically Ron's the boss of the Parks and Recreation office, but we'll say that Leslie is Michael Scott's counterpart.) Both shows will give you a fix of hilarious office pranks and wonderfully memorable characters.
Watch it now. [23]
Cheers
Before charming us on The Good Place, Ted Danson stole our hearts as Sam Maloney on Cheers. While most of the action takes place at a regular Boston bar, don't be fooled by the show's humble setting. You'll find yourself caught up in the sharp jokes, lovable characters, and wholesome storylines.
Watch it now. [24]
The West Wing
We know, we know, The West Wing is a straight-up drama. Still, it has a few key Parks and Recreation elements: Chris Traeger's smouldering Rob Lowe [25] and political scandals (though they're of the lighter variety on the comedy).
Watch it now. [26]
Portlandia
Fred Armisen previously worked with Amy Poehler [27] on Saturday Night Live [28], developing an offbeat, absurd brand of humour. On Portlandia, he and guitarist Carrie Brownstein put on quirky sketches portraying colourful residents in Portland, OR.
Watch it now. [29]