10 Shows and Movies Like Animal Control (2023)

Description: 'Scrubs' and 'Animal Control' both blend comedy with the challenges of demanding jobs—medicine and animal control, respectively. Both shows use humor to explore the emotional highs and lows of their professions, with a mix of slapstick and heartfelt moments. The voice-over narration in 'Scrubs' adds a personal touch, similar to the character-driven storytelling in 'Animal Control'.

Fact: 'Scrubs' was known for its realistic portrayal of hospital life, despite its comedic tone. The show's creator, Bill Lawrence, also created 'Ted Lasso'. The janitor character was originally meant to appear in only one episode but became a series regular due to fan love.

Description: 'Arrested Development' and 'Animal Control' share a sharp, witty humor and a focus on dysfunctional yet endearing characters. Both shows use clever writing and running gags to create a unique comedic style. The mockumentary feel of 'Arrested Development' is echoed in 'Animal Control's' documentary-style approach.

Fact: 'Arrested Development' was one of the first shows to use a single-camera setup without a laugh track. The show's narrator, Ron Howard, is also an executive producer. The Bluth family's banana stand became an iconic symbol of the series.

Description: 'Reno 911!' and 'Animal Control' both use a mockumentary style to explore the absurdities of law enforcement and public service. While 'Reno 911!' focuses on the misadventures of a bumbling sheriff's department, both shows highlight the comedic potential of authority figures in over their heads. The improvisational humor and quirky characters are key similarities.

Fact: 'Reno 911!' was inspired by the success of 'Cops' and other reality police shows. The show was largely improvised, with actors given outlines rather than full scripts. It spawned several spin-offs and a feature film.

Description: '30 Rock' and 'Animal Control' share a fast-paced, joke-heavy style of comedy, with both shows featuring eccentric characters and absurd workplace scenarios. Both series are set in unique professional environments—a TV show and animal control—and use these settings to explore broader themes with humor and satire.

Fact: '30 Rock' was created by and stars Tina Fey, based on her experiences at 'Saturday Night Live'. The show won multiple Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series three times. Alec Baldwin's portrayal of Jack Donaghy is considered one of the greatest comedic performances in TV history.

Description: 'Parks and Recreation' shares with 'Animal Control' a mockumentary style and a focus on a group of eccentric government employees tackling absurd situations with humor and heart. Both shows celebrate the underappreciated heroes of public service, whether they're in animal control or parks departments, and feature a mix of satire and sincerity.

Fact: The character of Ron Swanson was inspired by a real-life libertarian who worked in local government. The show's fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, is known for its elaborate and ridiculous town hall meetings. Amy Poehler's portrayal of Leslie Knope became an iconic feminist character in comedy.

Description: Like 'Animal Control', 'Community' thrives on its ensemble cast and their dynamic relationships, blending humor with heartfelt moments. Both shows feature a mix of quirky, lovable characters who navigate bizarre and often surreal situations. The clever writing and meta-humor in 'Community' are echoed in 'Animal Control's' witty take on workplace comedy.

Fact: 'Community' is known for its high-concept episodes, like the famous 'paintball' episodes. The show's creator, Dan Harmon, also created 'Rick and Morty'. The phrase 'six seasons and a movie' became a rallying cry for fans after it was mentioned in the show.

Description: 'New Girl' and 'Animal Control' both center around quirky, lovable characters navigating life and relationships, with a strong emphasis on ensemble chemistry. Both shows use humor to explore the ups and downs of personal and professional life, with a mix of absurdity and sincerity.

Fact: 'New Girl' was originally titled 'Chicks and Dicks'. Zooey Deschanel's character, Jess, was inspired by the actress's own quirky personality. The show's loft set was so detailed that the fridge was fully stocked with real food.

Description: Like 'Animal Control', 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' is a workplace comedy that blends humor with the daily challenges of a unique profession—in this case, police work. Both shows feature a quirky ensemble cast, witty dialogue, and a lighthearted tone despite the sometimes serious nature of their jobs. The camaraderie among the characters and the balance between humor and heart are key similarities.

Fact: 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' was created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, the latter also being involved in 'Parks and Recreation' and 'The Good Place'. The show won two Golden Globes, including Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 201Andre Braugher's portrayal of Captain Holt broke new ground for LGBTQ+ representation on network TV.

Description: Similar to 'Animal Control', 'Superstore' is a workplace comedy that finds humor in the mundane and often ridiculous aspects of everyday jobs. Both shows feature a diverse cast of characters who form a makeshift family, dealing with both the absurdity of their work and their personal lives. The humor is often derived from the interactions between coworkers and the strange situations they find themselves in.

Fact: 'Superstore' was praised for its portrayal of working-class life and issues like unionization. The show frequently used background gags, such as customers behaving bizarrely, to add to the humor. America Ferrera, who played Amy, also served as an executive producer.

Description: While 'The Good Place' has a more philosophical premise than 'Animal Control', both shows share a clever, character-driven humor and a focus on moral and ethical dilemmas, albeit in very different contexts. The ensemble casts of both shows play off each other brilliantly, creating a dynamic that's both funny and endearing.

Fact: 'The Good Place' was created by Michael Schur, who also worked on 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'. The show's twist at the end of the first season is one of the most surprising in TV history. It was praised for its intelligent writing and unique take on the afterlife.