‘The Franchise’ Is HBO’s Latest Comedy Hit; Will It Crack Out Top-7 HBO Comedies of All-Time?
From ‘Curb’ to ‘The Comeback,’ HBO knows comedy.
Writing a list of the top HBO comedy TV shows of all time is hard because it’s subjective. What I think is funny and what you think is funny is different – and we’re both right (except I’m more right). Still, it’s fun to do and I can use the release of the new HBO comedy TV series “The Franchise” as an excuse to do it.
With new episodes dropping on Sunday nights, “The Franchise” follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie as they showcase the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking. Sam Mendes (who directed two Bond movies, “Skyfall” and “Spectre”) is co-creator, so he’s bound to bring the realism having spent years and years of his life making franchise movies. More importantly – as this list will exemplify - HBO knows comedy. So, here are the top 7 HBO comedy TV shows of all time you can stream right now (which perfectly coincides with my favorite HBO comedies – who would have thought!?).
Top 7 HBO Comedy TV Shows On Streaming Right Now:
No. 7: Silicon Valley (2014) | Max
Where “The Franchise” peaks behind the curtain of Hollywood, “Silicon Valley” rips the curtain off entirely for tech startups. Created by Mike Judge, John Altschuler, and Dave Krinsky, the show follows a group of software engineers trying to get rich in Silicon Valley. Judge brings his sharp satire (perfected over years of practice with hits like “Beavis and Butt-Head” and “King of the Hill”) to an authentic portrayal of tech culture, paired with fantastic performances from an ensemble cast that includes Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr, and Zach Woods.
Silicon Valley
In the high-tech gold rush of modern Silicon Valley, the people most qualified to succeed are the least capable of handling success. Partially inspired by Mike Judge’s own experiences as a Silicon Valley engineer in the late ‘80s, Silicon Valley is an American sitcom that centers around six programmers who are living together and trying to make it big in the Silicon Valley.
No. 6: Veep (2012) | Max
HBO loves Armando Iannucci - and he loves HBO. He’s an executive producer on “The Franchise,” and created “Avenue 5.” But their love affair started with “Veep.” The political satire revolves around Selina Meyer, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who starts as the VP and later becomes President of the United States. The series ran for seven seasons, with sharp, biting humor and Iannucci’s signature mockumentary style, similar to what he did with “The Thick of It” for BBC.
An actor rarely gets two hit TV shows in their career, but “Seinfeld” alumni Julia Louis-Dreyfus deserves all the success and more. She’s funny, quirky, grounded, and just all-around awesome as Selina Meyer, with a supporting cast that makes the show sing.
Veep
A look into American politics, revolving around former Senator Selina Meyer who finds being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she expected and everything everyone ever warned her about.
No. 5: The White Lotus (2021) | Max
This is one of two Mike White shows on my list. “The White Lotus” is easily his most well-known, and for good reason. Sure – HBO chose to nominate the satirical comedy-drama that explores the intersecting lives of the wealthy guests and employees at luxurious tropical resorts as a drama for award season (and it won the 2023 Golden Globe for best anthology series). But it’s a really funny show – in fact, anything that comes out of Jennifer Coolidge’s (who also won a Globe for her performance) mouth is funny!
Besides the wonderful acting and epic tropical locations, “The White Lotus” is a biting take on privilege and power dynamics. It’s often uncomfortable to watch (in the best kind of way), as White makes his viewers squirm with complicated, flawed, characters making questionable choices on vacation. It’s like a car crash (where someone dies each season) – it’s impossible to look away.
The White Lotus
Follow the exploits of various guests and employees at an exclusive tropical resort over the span of a week as with each passing day, a darker complexity emerges in these picture-perfect travelers, the hotel’s cheerful employees and the idyllic locale itself.
No. 4: The Comeback (2024) | Max
Sure, “The Comeback” only went two seasons, with nine years between them. But that’s the reality in Hollywood – you’re in one day and out the next. And it’s especially fitting for a show that mirrors the real-life reality of its lead, Lisa Kudrow, who plays a washed-up sitcom star, Valerie Cherish, trying to return to fame through a reality TV show documenting her comeback attempt.
Created by Kudrow (“Friends”) and Michael Patrick King, there’s plenty of cringe-comedy to be had here, and it really showcases the range of Kudrow. She’s desperate, confident, and clueless all at the same time, yet resilient enough to make it in this town. The finale of Season 2 had me on the verge of tears, where Valerie has to choose between her dream and her husband.
The Comeback
For Valerie Cherish, no price is too high to pay for clinging to the spotlight. Desperate to revive her career, she agrees to star in a reality TV series, allowing cameras to follow her every move as she lands a part on a new network sitcom.
No. 3: Enlightened (2011) | Max
This is the other Mike White show on my list – and yes, it ranks higher than “The White Lotus” (*ducks for cover). Much of what I love about “Enlightened” is the lead and co-creator, Laura Dern. She’s the perfect mix of sad and self-destructive to elicit empathy, while her character is just crazy enough to keep the plot exciting. The show follows Laura Dern as Amy Jellicoe, a corporate executive whose breakdown leads her to a path of self-discovery and attempts at improving her life. Luke Wilson and Diane Ladd also star.
It’s a smaller show than “The White Lotus” – and by that I mean it’s a bit like a character study of Dern’s character – but it asks important questions about personal growth, systemic injustice, and the search for meaning in modern life. If you like “The White Lotus,” make sure to check it out.
Enlightened
After a very public breakdown and a subsequent philosophical awakening in rehabilitation, Amy tries to get her life back together.
No. 2: Flight of the Conchords (2007) | Max
Another two-season gem, “Flight of the Conchords” is a musical comedy that follows the struggles of Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, two New Zealanders trying to succeed in the New York music scene. With epic guest stars like Rhys Darby as their eccentric manager and Kristen Schaal as their obsessive fan, the show has a strong cult following and helped launch Clement’s now dominant Hollywood career as both creator (“What We Do In The Shadows”) and actor (“Avatar” movies).
The show has a very peculiar point of view, making it the kind of comedy you either love or hate. Either way, the musical numbers are fantastic (my favorite is “Business Time”), Jemaine and Bret have great chemistry, and the off-beat humor offers a mix of quirky deadpan comedy and charming awkwardness. Check it out if you’re looking for something off the beaten comedy path.
Flight of the Conchords
The trials and tribulations of a two man, digi-folk band who have moved from New Zealand to New York in the hope of forging a successful music career. So far they’ve managed to find a manager (whose “other” job is at the New Zealand Consulate), one fan (a married obsessive) and one friend (who owns the local pawn shop) — but not much else.
No. 1: Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) | Max
In my opinion, there’s no funnier human being on earth. Larry David is it. It’s as good as it gets. And boy is it good. The man followed up the greatest sitcom ever in “Seinfeld” with an even funnier, longer-running show! David did the impossible with 12 seasons of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
In “Curb” – which is entirely improvised by the actors based on a detailed outline for each episode - Larry plays a fictional version of himself. Except he’s more neurotic, vengeful, and candid than any real human being should possibly be. Oh, and he’s just really funny as he calls out the social norms and unwritten rules of society with blunt honesty and cringeworthy directness.
My favorite season is number four, which features Mel Brooks in a storyline where Larry is chosen to lead the Broadway musical production of “The Producers.” That season also features Ben Stiller and David Schwimmer, along with the usual suspects of Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, and Susie Essman. Unless you’ve been living under a comedy-resistant rock, you’ve heard of Curb. But if you have never watched it, consider this your call to do so. Larry David doesn’t disappoint.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The off-kilter, unscripted comic vision of Larry David, who plays himself in a parallel universe in which he can’t seem to do anything right, and, by his standards, neither can anyone else.