Just signed up for Paramount+ and want something fun? Watch ‘Tulsa King’
Just signed up for Paramount+ and want something fun? Watch ‘Tulsa King’
It’s part gangster saga, part fish-out-of-water comedy, and totally addictive.
When people talk about Paramount+, the first thing that usually comes up is Taylor Sheridan’s growing TV empire. From “1883” to “1923” to “Landman,” he’s built the backbone of the platform (which is going to cause some serious issues now that he’s leaving). But if you just signed up and want something that mixes his signature grit with real laughs, there’s one show that hits that perfect balance. “Tulsa King” is part crime drama, part comedy, and all charisma. It’s also the series that quietly redefined what a Paramount+ Original could be. Here’s why I think it’s the comedy TV series to watch first when you sign up for Paramount+.
Top comedy TV show to stream first when you sign up for Paramount+
Why ‘Tulsa King’ is the must-watch comedy on Paramount+
Let’s start with the obvious: Sylvester Stallone absolutely owns this role. He plays Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a New York mobster who gets out of prison after 25 years and is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to rebuild the family’s criminal empire. It’s his first major TV role, and he leans into the fish-out-of-water setup perfectly. Watching this old-school wiseguy try to navigate modern America is both hilarious and oddly charming. Stallone plays it straight, which makes every culture clash even funnier.
The tone of “Tulsa King” is a big part of what makes it special. Taylor Sheridan, who co-created the show, steps outside his usual brooding dramas and lets things breathe a little. The result is something rare: a crime story that’s genuinely funny without losing its edge. You still get the rough talk, backroom deals, and bursts of violence, but it’s wrapped in a sense of absurdity that works. One minute, Dwight is threatening a biker gang, the next, he’s trying to figure out what an app is. It’s dark humor at its best.
“Tulsa King” also matters because of what it’s done for Paramount+. When it dropped, the show was a breakout hit that brought a ton of new subscribers to the platform. It proved Paramount+ could deliver a major, star-led series that wasn’t just a “Yellowstone” spinoff. The success of this show gave the service credibility outside its established franchise worlds and helped it build a stronger identity.
Visually, the show’s got that trademark Sheridan polish. The wide, flat Oklahoma landscapes look incredible, and the show’s pacing gives everything room to breathe. There’s a lot of grit, but it never feels heavy. The whole vibe sits somewhere between “Goodfellas” and a dark comedy road movie. The supporting cast, including Andrea Savage and Martin Starr, plays perfectly off Stallone, grounding the absurdity with real chemistry.
One of the things I love most about this show is the fish-out-of-water aspect of the generational clash. Dwight’s world runs on loyalty, power, and respect, and now he’s surrounded by influencers, legal weed shops, and people who want to Venmo him. The more out of place he feels, the funnier it gets. But beneath the laughs, there’s still heart. You can see Dwight struggling to adapt, to build something that matters, even if it’s messy and out of time. That mix of humor and humanity is what keeps you watching.
What is ‘Tulsa King’ about?
“Tulsa King” is about a man who refuses to fade quietly into retirement. After serving a 25-year sentence for his mafia family, Dwight “The General” Manfredi expects a hero’s welcome. Instead, he’s exiled to Tulsa to start from scratch. From the moment he steps off the plane, he’s on his own.
Tulsa’s not exactly built for a New York gangster, but Dwight doesn’t care. He builds a crew out of locals (a weed dispensary owner, a rideshare driver, a bartender) and turns the place into his new kingdom. It’s a mix of crime, chaos, and unexpected comedy as he tries to run things “the old way” in a world that’s long since moved on.
While the setup sounds like pure drama, the writing leans hard into humor. Dwight’s attempts to modernize are ridiculous but never forced. He’s constantly out of step but too proud to admit it, which makes his journey as funny as it is brutal. Every episode finds a new way to throw him off balance, and Stallone sells every beat.
Other must-stream comedy shows on Paramount+
If you finish “Tulsa King” and want more laughs, start with “Colin from Accounts.” This Australian comedy about two strangers brought together by an accident is one of the most charming, offbeat shows on the platform. Next up, “Star Trek: Lower Decks” takes the iconic sci-fi world and flips it into a clever animated workplace comedy. It’s self-aware, fast-paced, and packed with references for longtime fans but still accessible if you’re new to the universe. And if you want something light but genuinely clever, go with “Ghosts.” It’s about a young couple who inherit a haunted mansion and discover the ghosts are less scary than just plain annoying.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.