8 Shows to watch if you love Friends

Ah, Friends, the timeless sitcom that filled our hearts with laughter, tears, and an insatiable craving for Central Perk coffee. We watched Monica, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe navigate the labyrinth of love, life, and, well, an impressive amount of takeout.

But what to do when you have binge-watched every episode for the hundredth time, and you need more hilarious camaraderie in your life? Fear not, for we have lined up seven fantastic shows, each with its own unique charm, ready to fill that Friends-sized hole in your heart.

Leslie Knope, an enthusiastic and dedicated public servant, navigates the comical challenges of local government in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. The show follows her and her colleagues as they tackle community issues, all while showcasing their individual quirks and idiosyncrasies.

Parks and Recreation is a delightful cocktail of wit, absurdity and heart. Leslie Knope's unwavering optimism is infectious, and the show is a feel-good masterpiece that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. The humour is sharp, the friendships are tight, and the mockumentary-style format gives it an intimate and relatable feel.

Ted Mosby, in the year 2030, regales his children with the story of how he met their mother, recounting the adventures and misadventures of his friends in New York City along the way. The series dives into the lives, relationships and legen-wait-for-it-dary antics of Ted, Barney, Robin, Lily and Marshall.

The intricate storytelling, legendary catchphrases, and the enduring mystery of the mother's identity keep fans engaged. Not to mention, the humour and witty banter between the characters are reminiscent of the Central Perk gang, and the enduring theme of friendship and love is sure to resonate with Friends enthusiasts.

After a tough breakup, quirky teacher Jess Day moves in with three single men—Nick, Schmidt and Winston. This unlikely group becomes a tight family, navigating the ups and downs of adulthood while delivering an abundance of hilarious moments Jess's adorkable personality and the quirky roommate dynamic make it a feel-good comedy that leaves you in stitches.

As you settle down to enjoy New Girl, you will come to appreciate the eccentrically-decorated apartment as much as you love the shades of purple in Monica’s abode, both a perfect space for the trials and tribulations of friendship to take flight.

Do you hear that? That’s the police car siren telling you to follow the hilarious antics of the detectives of the 99th precinct of the New York City Police Department. Led by the immature yet brilliant Detective Jake Peralta, the diverse team deals with crimes, pranks, and workplace hijinks.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a riotous blend of police procedural and comedy, characterised by its lovable and eccentric characters. The humour is witty and fast-paced, and the show excels in delivering both laughter and touching moments. A winning point with fans is also the show’s ability to weave modern day societal issues seamlessly into its episodes, leaving food for thought long after the credits have rolled.

If you can hear “Bazinga!” uttered from next door, you are probably neighbours with the intelligent yet socially awkward scientists Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter. The show trails Sheldon, Leonard and their friends as they navigate the complexities of life outside the science lab with a clever blend of geeky humour that keeps fans entertained.

The characters' quirks and camaraderie are central to the show's appeal, making it both funny and endearing. While the couch in Sheldon’s apartment might not have required any pivoting, you can count on the cast of The Big Bang Theory to warm your heart exactly like the New York friends did.

Set in the fictional Cloud 9 superstore, this workplace comedy follows a diverse group of employees as they overcome the hurdles of retail life. From quirky customers to absurd corporate policies, the show is a humorous take on the everyday adventures of retail workers.

Superstore excels in finding pockets of fun in the mundane and absurdities of the retail world, and the workplace camaraderie and wits portrayed echo the spirit of friendship and laugh tracks found in Friends.

This British sitcom delves into the romantic and social lives of six friends, and is widely appreciated for its frank and at times cheeky take on relationships and dating. The down-to-earth approach not only adds to the show’s charm but also makes it easy to relate to the show’s characters.

As we follow the Coupling characters through life, we watch as they undergo personal growth and development, a progression which adds depth to the premise of the show while not losing out on dynamic interactions and entertaining narratives.

After her death, Eleanor Shellstrop finds herself in the afterlife, specifically in The Good Place. The only problem is, she doesn't belong there. Upon realisation, Eleanor teams up with a group of fellow misfits to become better people and earn their place in paradise.

The Good Place is widely lauded for its philosophical underpinnings, unexpected twists and stellar cast performance. The show's one-of-a-kind premise and lovable characters create a thought-provoking yet comedic journey, balancing laughter and contemplation.