TVLine has compiled a ranking of the 12 best comedy series in HBO's history, highlighting the network's contributions to the genre from the 1990s to recent years. The list tops with Veep and includes classics like Sex and the City and Curb Your Enthusiasm. It features shows that blend humor with drama, satire, and social commentary.
Overview of the Ranking
HBO's comedy legacy spans decades, from pioneering mockumentaries to sharp political satires. TVLine's list evaluates series based on humor, innovation, and cultural impact, noting HBO's shift to streaming via HBO Max. The ranking includes both long-running hits and shorter runs that left lasting impressions.
Top Picks and Highlights
At number one, Veep (2012) earns praise for Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Emmy-winning portrayal of Vice President Selina Meyer, satirizing American politics with foul-mouthed intensity. Creator Armando Iannucci drew from his BBC work, creating a show that feels prescient today.
Second place goes to Mr. Show w/ Bob & David (1995), a sketch comedy influential for seamless transitions and alternative humor, featuring Bob Odenkirk and David Cross before their dramatic turns.
Girls (2012-2017) ranks third, lauded for Lena Dunham's incisive writing on millennial life in Brooklyn, despite initial polarization.
Lower entries include The Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998), which innovated late-night satire and single-camera techniques, and Barry (2018), blending hitman action with Hollywood comedy via Bill Hader.
Recent and Upcoming
Newer shows like Hacks, with Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder exploring comedy writing, and The Rehearsal's second season in 2025, showcase HBO's ongoing evolution. The Comeback renews for a third season in 2026, tackling Hollywood's changes through Lisa Kudrow's meta character.
The list underscores HBO's underrated comedy strength, from Flight of the Conchords (2007) to Insecure (2016), emphasizing diverse voices and genre-bending narratives.