10 Shows Like New Girl (2011)

Description: Like 'New Girl', 'Friends' is a sitcom centered around a group of close-knit friends navigating life, love, and career challenges in a big city. Both shows emphasize humor derived from everyday situations, quirky characters, and the dynamics of friendship. The ensemble casts in both series create a warm, relatable atmosphere that resonates with audiences.

Fact: 'Friends' was originally titled 'Insomnia Cafe'. The iconic fountain dance in the opening credits was improvised by the cast. Each main cast member earned $1 million per episode in the final seasons.

Description: Similar to 'New Girl', 'The Big Bang Theory' features a group of friends with distinct, exaggerated personalities who support each other through life's ups and downs. Both shows blend humor with heartwarming moments, and they explore themes of friendship, romance, and personal growth. The nerdy humor in 'The Big Bang Theory' parallels the quirky humor in 'New Girl'.

Fact: The show's theme song was performed by the Barenaked Ladies. Mayim Bialik, who plays Amy, holds a PhD in neuroscience in real life. The apartment numbers (4A and 4B) are a nod to the show's airtime (4A = April, when the show premiered, and 4B = the Big Bang).

Description: Both 'Parks and Recreation' and 'New Girl' feature optimistic, somewhat naive female leads (Leslie Knope and Jess Day) who bring energy and enthusiasm to their surroundings. The shows share a similar mockumentary style (though 'New Girl' abandons this after the pilot) and focus on the bonds between eccentric characters who become like family.

Fact: The show was originally conceived as a spin-off of 'The Office'. Chris Pratt was cast as Andy just days before filming began. Many of Ron Swanson's libertarian views were improvised by Nick Offerman.

Description: 'Community' shares with 'New Girl' a quirky sense of humor and a focus on a found family of eccentric characters. Both shows feature meta-humor and pop culture references, though 'Community' takes this to more extreme levels. The ensemble dynamics and character growth in both series create similar appeal.

Fact: The show was nearly canceled multiple times during its run. Donald Glover (Troy) left to pursue his music career as Childish Gambino. The famous 'paintball' episodes were inspired by action movies.

Description: Both 'Cougar Town' and 'New Girl' feature strong female leads (Jules Cobb and Jess Day) surrounded by a tight-knit group of friends. The shows share a similar balance of humor and heart, with characters who are flawed but lovable. Like 'New Girl', 'Cougar Town' evolved from its initial premise to focus more on the friend group dynamic.

Fact: The title became a running joke as the show moved away from its original premise. The cast drinks wine from oversized goblets in nearly every episode. Bill Lawrence created the show as a vehicle for Courteney Cox after 'Friends'.

Description: Like 'New Girl', 'Happy Endings' is a fast-paced, joke-dense sitcom about a group of friends in their 30s navigating relationships and life in the city. Both shows feature quirky characters with distinct personalities who play off each other comedically. The rapid-fire pop culture references and absurd humor are similar in both series.

Fact: The show was originally titled 'Happy Endings'. Eliza Coupe (Jane) and Elisha Cuthbert (Alex) are actually close friends in real life. The show was canceled after 3 seasons despite critical acclaim.

Description: Similar to 'New Girl', 'Young & Hungry' features a quirky, somewhat clumsy female lead (Gabi) navigating life and love in the city. Both shows blend romantic comedy elements with workplace humor and feature strong female friendships. The lighthearted tone and comedic timing are comparable between the two series.

Fact: The show was created by David Holden, who also worked on 'Sex and the City'. Emily Osment (Gabi) is the younger sister of actor Haley Joel Osment. The show was originally developed for ABC Family before moving to Freeform.

Description: Like 'New Girl', 'The Mindy Project' features a quirky, optimistic female lead navigating work and romance. Both shows blend romantic comedy elements with workplace humor and feature strong supporting casts. The shows share a similar tone of smart, character-driven humor with heartfelt moments.

Fact: Mindy Kaling wrote many episodes while also starring in 'The Office'. The show was canceled by Fox but picked up by Hulu. Chris Messina (Danny) was originally only supposed to appear in the pilot.

Description: Like 'New Girl', 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' is a workplace comedy with a strong ensemble cast featuring quirky, lovable characters. Both shows were created by Michael Schur (though 'New Girl' was created by Elizabeth Meriwether) and share a similar fast-paced, joke-heavy style. The shows balance humor with genuine emotional moments and character development.

Fact: The show was canceled by Fox after 5 seasons but revived by NBC due to fan outrage. Andre Braugher (Captain Holt) improvised many of his deadpan lines. The cast did real police training to prepare for their roles.

Description: 'Superstore' shares with 'New Girl' a workplace setting where a diverse group of characters form close bonds. Both shows feature a mix of physical comedy, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments. The ensemble casts in both series play off each other's quirks to create humorous and relatable situations.

Fact: The show was inspired by creator Justin Spitzer's experiences working at Target. America Ferrera was pregnant during filming, which was written into the show. The background shoppers often engage in bizarre behavior as running gags.