25 feel-good shows to start 2018 off right

Happy Endings

The premise: A group of friends living in Chicago navigate their 30s. Although its premise sounds deceivingly derivative, it is one of the most underrated, under-watched shows of all time.  This is not a Friends knockoff, by any means. Although both shows feature a handful of singles living in the big city, the comparison stops there. Happy Endings is the smarter, cooler, younger cousin to the megahit, and offers a much more interesting insight to the material.

Why it’s so good: It’s hilarious, and it never, ever tries to do anything else but entertain us. I know this sounds like some kind of general objective for sort of sitcom, but Happy Endings might just be the hardest working show around. They drop deep-cut pop culture references, offer pratfalls and slapstick gags, divert to cut-away gags, and commit to a bit better than any other show. I would put it up against the likes of Seinfeld or Mad About You any day.

The show, starring Casey Wilson, Adam Pally, Elisha Cuthbert, Damon Wayans Jr., Eliza Coupe, and Zachary Knighton, has amazing chemistry. It always felt like these folks had known each other their whole life, and we were getting to be a part of a well established clique that was far funnier that we were ever.

How to watch: All three seasons are available on Hulu.