10 Shows Like Life in Pieces (2015)

Description: This shares with 'Life in Pieces' a segmented storytelling approach (though more serialized) and a focus on dysfunctional family dynamics. Both shows use rapid-fire jokes and callbacks, though 'Arrested Development' is more satirical and less sentimental in its humor.

Fact: The show was canceled after 3 seasons but revived years later by Netflix. Ron Howard's narration was a last-minute addition to help explain the complex plots. The banana stand's 'There's always money in the banana stand' became a cult catchphrase.

Description: Like 'Life in Pieces', this mockumentary-style comedy features an eccentric but lovable ensemble cast. Both shows use rapid-fire jokes and absurd situations while maintaining an ultimately optimistic view of human relationships, whether familial or professional.

Fact: Chris Pratt was 30 pounds overweight when cast as Andy, then got famously fit. The show's fictional town of Pawnee has an elaborate fake history. Amy Poehler was pregnant during season 2, hidden behind props and clever framing.

Description: Like 'Life in Pieces', 'Modern Family' is a mockumentary-style sitcom that explores the lives of a diverse family through multiple perspectives. Both shows use a segmented storytelling approach, with 'Modern Family' focusing on different family units and 'Life in Pieces' breaking stories into smaller vignettes. The humor in both is character-driven and often revolves around relatable family dynamics.

Fact: 'Modern Family' won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series five times in a row from 2010 to 201The show was inspired by creator Christopher Lloyd's own large, blended family. The iconic 'Modern Family' house was actually a facade built on a studio lot.

Description: This show shares with 'Life in Pieces' a focus on the everyday chaos of family life, though 'The Middle' follows a single, lower-middle-class family in Indiana. Both series find humor in the mundane aspects of parenting, marriage, and sibling relationships, with a warm, heartfelt tone beneath the comedy.

Fact: Patricia Heaton starred in both 'The Middle' and 'Everybody Loves Raymond'. The Heck family's house was the same set used for the Connor family home in 'Roseanne'. The show ran for nine seasons, matching the number of years the fictional Heck children were in school.

Description: This shares with 'Life in Pieces' a focus on found family dynamics and quirky character humor. Both shows blend physical comedy with witty dialogue and feature ensemble casts with strong chemistry. The visual style is similarly bright and colorful.

Fact: Zooey Deschanel was pregnant during season 3, written into the show. The famous 'True American' drinking game was completely improvised. Prince guest-starred in one of the show's most memorable episodes.

Description: While not a family sitcom, 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' shares 'Life in Pieces'' fast-paced, joke-heavy writing style and ensemble cast chemistry. Both shows balance workplace/family dynamics with absurd humor and have a similar visual aesthetic with bright lighting and colorful sets.

Fact: The show was canceled by Fox after 5 seasons but revived by NBC due to fan outrage. Andre Braugher (Captain Holt) had never done comedy before this role. The famous 'title of your sex tape' running gag was improvised by Andy Samberg.

Description: Like 'Life in Pieces', this is a family comedy that blends humor with heartfelt moments. While 'The Goldbergs' is set in the 1980s and based on creator Adam F. Goldberg's childhood, both shows celebrate the quirks and chaos of family life through multiple character perspectives.

Fact: Each episode ends with real home video footage from Adam Goldberg's childhood. The show's theme song is a cover of 'Bad to the Bone' by the actual band who performed the original. Wendi McLendon-Covey improvised many of Beverly Goldberg's most outrageous lines.

Description: While about a wealthy family losing everything, this shares with 'Life in Pieces' a focus on family relationships with both heart and humor. Both shows feature eccentric characters and find comedy in their interactions, with a similar balance of sarcasm and sincerity.

Fact: Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara are real-life friends of 40+ years. The show swept the 2020 Emmys, winning all major comedy categories. Dan Levy created the show as a vehicle to work with his father, Eugene.

Description: Similar to 'Life in Pieces', this sitcom explores family life through a specific cultural lens (in this case, a Taiwanese-American family in the 1990s). Both shows use humor to examine generational differences and the challenges of assimilation while maintaining family bonds.

Fact: Based on Eddie Huang's memoir, though he later distanced himself from the show. The first Asian-American family sitcom since 'All-American Girl' in 199Constance Wu's performance earned her a Critics' Choice Television Award.

Description: This workplace comedy shares 'Life in Pieces'' ensemble cast structure and slice-of-life storytelling approach. Both shows find humor in everyday situations and feature a mix of broad physical comedy and witty dialogue, with an underlying warmth to the character relationships.

Fact: America Ferrera was also an executive producer on the show. Many of the background shoppers were real people filmed in actual stores. The show addressed contemporary issues like immigration and healthcare.