5 must watch sadcom shows for fans of BoJack Horseman

Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, BoJack Horseman premiered on Netflix in 2014. The series can be defined as a tragi-comedy or a sadcom, a term that has been gaining rapid popularity with shows that have comic elements with hints of tragedy to them.

BoJack Horseman tells the story of the titular character, a humanoid horse, who was a big sitcom star in 90s Hollywood but is now gradually fading into oblivion. As he tries desperately to become relevant again, he meets different characters through whom the story progresses.

With themes of mental health issues, sexuality, self-sabotaging tendencies, and the glittery yet hollow world of Hollywood, BoJack Horseman is one hell of a ride throughout its 6 seasons. For fans who loved that rollercoaster, here is a list of 5 shows that bring a similar vibe.

---

5 shows to watch if you love BoJack Horseman

Fleabag (2016-2019)

Fleabag can be interpreted as a female version of BoJack Horseman, as the protagonists share a lot of qualities, including their self-awareness and self-sabotaging tendencies. Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the titular creator, Fleabag undertakes a journey similar to BoJack Horseman, with the protagonist finding some kind of redemption at the end.

Both shows deal with depression and other complicated mental health issues and how that might affect personal relationships. With a sense of tragedy looming large over the comedic elements, Fleabag is bound to appeal to any fan of BoJack Horseman.

---

The Office (2005-2013)

The Office is another must-watch for fans of BoJack Horseman, as both shows deal with a central character who is extremely flawed and suffers from a sense of delusion about their roles in the lives of people around them.

Michael Scott, the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, tries his best to become the best boss, but often ends up in rather ridiculous situations given his understanding of the people around him.

In both series, it often happens that the audience laughs at the protagonists and not with them, which adds to the tragic undertone that both shows have.

---

30 Rock (2006-2013)

30 Rock is not exactly absurdist or nihilist in the sense that BoJack Horseman is, but it does deal with the shallow glamour of Hollywood and calls the industry out on multiple occasions.

30 Rock had been inspired by Tina Fey’s own experience of working in Saturday Night Live as the head writer, and that makes the series as real as it gets.

With Fey’s sharp and witty humor, the jokes in 30 Rock land smoothly, and while it does not get as bleak as BoJack, the deadpan humor is bound to impress the fans of the talking horse.

---

Archer (2009 - 2023)

Archer will also make a good watch for fans of Bojack, as both shows have their signature style of sharp and cold humor. Moreover, Archer’s complicated relationship with his mother is also quite similar in different ways to the one that Bojack shares with his, making Archer an even more enjoyable one after one finishes the horse show.

Bojack’s creator, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, had talked about the influence that Archer had on him while he was developing Bojack, which further adds to the already long list of reasons that a Bojack fan should watch Archer.

---

Daria (1997-2002)

Daria has the same cynical quality as that of Bojack, and while the focus here is on a high school girl named Daria, her worldview would appear quite similar to the humanoid horse.

Raphael Bob-Waksberg had also been influenced by Daria, and it is clearly visible in the way the protagonists often react to the excitement of others around them in a cold and rather morbid way

While Daria is funny, there is also a brooding air that surrounds the protagonist, which is why fans of Bojack are very likely to enjoy the series.

---

Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more updates on shows!