Netflix’s comedy crime seriesA Man on the Insideis a lovable and funny watch for the whole family.A Man on the Insidehas a great cast, led by Ted Danson, and the series was created by Mike Schur, the brain behindThe Good Placeand co-creator ofBrooklyn Nine-NineandParks and Recreation. Unsurprisingly, the series has been well received, currently holding a 97% onRotten Tomatoes.
A Man on the Insidefollows Danson’s character, Charles, as he decides to go undercover in a retirement community to solve a crime. Similar to Schur’s other shows,A Man on the Insideis both funny and comforting, and it will leave audiences wanting more. However, with only one season andno current confirmation ofA Man on the Insideseason 2, fans of the series are already searching for similar shows to watch next.
The Good Place
Cast
Eleanor Shellstrop finds in The Good Place, both the name of the fantasy comedy series from creator Michael Schur and a fictionalized heaven where those who have done good in life will end up. However, Eleanor discovers that the life she was believed to have led was a lie, as it seems The Good Place got the wrong “Eleanor Shellstrop.” When it’s revealed that three others are there under the same false pretenses, they concoct a plan to truly become “Good” to earn their place there - while hiding the truth.
The Good Placeis the perfect next watch afterA Man on the Insidefor audiences who are looking for a similar comedic style and some familiar faces.The Good Placewas one of Mike Schur’s recent shows prior toA Man on the Inside, and it ran for four seasons. Though the premises of the two shows are very different, their light comedy styles coupled with entertaining plots will keep viewers hooked.
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Not only doesThe Good Placehave a similar comedic style and come from the same creator, butThe Good Placeis also the perfect follow-up for fans of leading man Ted Danson.Danson stars as Michael inThe Good Placealongside well-known actors like Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto, and Jameela Jamil, who all play characters trapped in the afterlife. Along with Danson in the leading role, several familiar faces fromA Man on the Inside, such as Jama Williamson and Marc Evan Jackson, appear in guest roles in The Good Place.
Elsbeth
Elsbeth follows Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute attorney with a unique perspective, as she collaborates with the NYPD to tackle elusive criminals after a successful career in Chicago. Released in 2024, this series explores her unconventional methods in solving intricate cases.
For audiences ofA Man on the Insidewho enjoyed the mystery and crime solving aspects of the show as much as the comedy,Elsbethis the perfect replacement series.Elsbethis another funny detective show focused on an unusual, but lovable, investigator. Initially a character on the CBS showsThe Good WifeandThe Good Fight, Elsbeth is a lawyer turned detective who is quirky and entertaining but also effective at solving crimes.
UnlikeA Man on the Inside, which uses the whole season to follow Charles' investigation,Elsbethuses a crime-of-the-week format which allows the show to focus on a new case in each episode. This format is perfect for fans ofA Man on the Insidewho want something fast-paced with a pay-off at the end of each episode. Though season 1 only aired in February 2024, the show became popular immediately and is already in its second season, which currently holds a 91% approval rating onRotten Tomatoes.
Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation is a television series that premiered in 2009, focusing on Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana. She encounters various challenges from bureaucrats and citizens while striving to beautify the town through her role in the Parks and Recreation Department.
While the crime solving aspect of A Man on the Inside is great,for audience members who are more interested in the comedy and the characters than the crime,Parks and Recreationis the perfect show. Also created by Mike Schur,Parks and Recreationran on NBC from 2009 to 2015, meaning that there are plenty of episodes to enjoy.Parks and Recreationfollows its characters through various daily tasks and annoyances, using a similar type of comedy toA Man on the Inside.
Additionally, similar to Schur’s other series,Parks and Recreationfeatures some familiar faces fromA Man on the Inside, creating another connection for viewers to enjoy.
Parks and Recreationcenters on characters, particularly Leslie Knope, who works for the Parks Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. The ensemble cast, led by Amy Poehler, is great becauseeach of the characters is so unique and lovable. They each have their own personality quirks and senses of humor, which is common to characters throughout Schur’s shows. Additionally, similar to Schur’s other series,Parks and Recreationfeatures some familiar faces fromA Man on the Inside, creating another connection for viewers to enjoy.
Psych - Season 1
Psychis the perfect replacement show for fans ofA Man on the Insidewho loved the crime solving aspect and don’t mind something a little more dramatic. WhilePsychis still quite funny, it has a different tone thanA Man on the Insidedue to its more dramatic moments. As one of the most popular TV shows of the late 2000s and early 2010s,Psychran for eight seasons and also has several movie sequels. Both for new audiences or fans who have seen the show before,Psychis a great pairing withA Man on the Inside.
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Somewhat similar to Charles' unlikely career as a private detective,Psych’s Shawn Spencer is an unusual investigator as he pretends to be psychic to solve crimes. In reality, Shawn is simply very smart and observant, which allows him to come to conclusions that the police cannot see. His ability to solve crimes while pretending to have psychic powers often leads to funny interactions as he tries to keep his secret from getting out. Though the comedy and tone of the show is slightly different fromA Man on the Inside, this difference is precisely what makes the combination work.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
From the creative minds of Dan Goor and Michael Schur comes Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a police comedy series set in the NYPD’s fictional 99th precinct. Headed by the comedically serious Captain Raymond Holt and protagonist Jake Peralta, the detectives of the 99 deal with burglaries, drug deals, and oddities in New York City, occasionally steering into real-world issues surrounding police perception and social concerns in the 2010s and earlier. Each detective has their own unique personality that makes them stand out, creating endearing dynamics that helped the show thrive for eight seasons.
A Man on the Insidefeatures Stephanie Beatriz in the main role of Didi, butherBrooklyn Nine-Ninerole as Rosa Diaz is what first brought her widespread popularity. For audience members who are interested in watching another funny show that features Beatriz in a very different starring role,Brooklyn Nine-Nineis a great choice. In contrast to Didi’s outward politeness and observational nature, Rosa Diaz is blunt and funny, and Stephanie Beatriz plays both roles perfectly.
Furthermore, as another Mike Schur comedy,Brooklyn Nine-Ninedoes feature other familiar faces as well, including Marc Evan Jackson who appears as Evan Cubbler inA Man on the Inside. While Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a police show, it largely does not revolve around the team actually solving crimes, but instead focuses on their personal interactions, which are often very funny. Thus,this series is perfect for audiences who prefer comedies but do not mind if investigating crimes is not the primary focus.
Bored to Death
Bored to Death is a comedy series starring Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ames, a struggling writer who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective. Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis co-star as Jonathan’s eccentric friends, a magazine editor and a comic book artist, respectively. The show, set in New York, blends noir-inspired mysteries with humor and explores themes of identity and self-discovery.
Bored to Deathhas a very similar introductory premise toA Man on the Inside, as.Bored to Deathstars Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ames, a writer who decides he wants to become an amateur sleuth. After placing an ad on Craigslist, Jonathan begins to receive job offers from people who need help solving crimes which are often fairly silly or strange.
However, whileA Man on the Insideis largely appropriate for most audiences, the humor and themes ofBored to Deathare more mature and are better suited to audiences who enjoyed the premise and comedy ofA Man on the Insidebut want something slightly edgier.
Alongside the perfectly matched themes of the show,Bored to Deathalso stars Ted Danson as Jonathan’s friend and mentor, George. These two actors, along with Zach Galifianakis, create a perfect comedic trio that balances each other out. However, whileA Man on the Insideis largely appropriate for most audiences,the humor and themes ofBored to Deathare more matureand are better suited to audiences who enjoyed the premise and comedy ofA Man on the Insidebut want something slightly edgier.
Based on a True Story
Based on a True Story is a Peacock original crime thriller starring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina as a married couple who starts their own True Crime podcast. Ava and Nathan Bartlett are expecting their first child despite marital troubles as their finances continue to plummet, and their decision to hire a charming plumber to install a new toilet leaves them stuck in a true crime story of their own.
Based on a True Storyis a comedy series by the streaming service Peacock, which currently holds an impressive 82%Rotten Tomatoesapproval rating for its first two seasons.The comedy crime series is slightly darker thanA Man on the Inside, since it involves murder, but it is still funny and not too serious,making it the perfect follow-up for fans ofA Man on the Insidethat want to get more into true crime investigations.
Interestingly, there are several shows out now that take a darkly humorous approach to our obsession with crime podcasting:Based on a True Story,Only Murders in the Building, andBodkinare just a few.
The series centers on a couple who love true crime and jump at the opportunity to create a true crime podcast of their own, but in doing so, they inadvertently become more involved in the gruesome murders than they bargained for. While the crime focus of the two shows is different, they appeal to a similar audience because of their creative takes on crime shows.Based on a True Storyis a perfect comedy that still deals with crime solving without becoming too similar.
Monk - Season 1
Monkis a beloved classic police detective show that ran for eight seasons on the USA Network. The series won eight Emmy Awards during its run, making it one of the most popular television shows of the 2000s. The series stars Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, a private investigator with OCD who returns to helping the police after three years of living as a recluse. WhileMonkdoes have some comedic aspects likeA Man on the Inside,Monkis perfect for fans who want to watch a series that is slightly more seriousand focuses on the more difficult aspects of its characters' lives.
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Similar to Ted Danson’s Charles, Adrian Monk is a widow who regains his purpose in life after being able to work with the police as he used to do. As the series goes on, Monk re-proves himself as an investigator and attempts to work through his personal hardships, adding a layer of drama to the series. Beyond the similarities of the main characters,Monkeven sharesA Man on the Inside’s San Francisco setting.
Fargo - Season 5
Inspired by the movie of the same name,Fargois a black comedy series that focuses on different crimes.Fargois an anthology series, so each season has a new focus, though all maintain the same sense of humor as the movie and some contain slight overlaps or references to each other. Beyond the exciting premise, each season has a stellar cast, andseason 2 even includesA Man on the Inside’s Ted Danson.
A Man on the Inside’s lighthearted style of comedy and crime plot is a funny, but fitting, pairing with Fargo’s much darker sense of humor and more violent crimes.
WhileFargohas a much darker tone thanA Man on the Inside, the two pair well together because they highlight Danson’s ability to encompass different types of roles. Additionally,A Man on the Inside’s lighthearted style of comedy and crime plot is a funny, but fitting, pairing with Fargo’s much darker sense of humor and more violent crimes. Both series are crime comedies, but their differences highlight how broad the spectrum of crime comedies can be in the best way possible.
Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders in the Building is a mystery-comedy series following three strangers, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who bond over their shared obsession with true crime. Set in a Manhattan apartment building, the trio becomes embroiled in a real murder mystery within their residence.
Overall,Only Murders in the Buildingis perhaps the most similar show, tonally and thematically, toA Man on the Inside.Only Murders in the Buildingfocuses on a trio of true crime enthusiasts, played by Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin, who decide to do some investigating of their own when a crime is committed in their building. After its 2021 premiere,Only Murders in the Buildingquickly became one of Hulu’s most successful shows, and,having now been renewed for a fifth season, it continues to be a critical success and audience favorite.
Only Murders in the Buildinghas a very similar comedic tone toA Man on the Inside, and its characters are comforting in the same way too. LikeA Man on the Inside’s collaboration between Ted Danson in the retirement home and Julie and his daughter on the outside,Only Murders in the Buildingsimilarly thrives off the intergenerational dynamicsbetween its lead characters. Gomez’s Mabel pairs perfectly with Martin’s Charles and Short’s Oliver as they get into funny adventures and trouble. All in all,Only Murders in the Buildingis the perfect next watch for fans ofA Man on the Insidelooking for a wholesome and funny series.
A Man on the Inside
A retired professor finds renewed purpose when enlisted by a private investigator to go undercover in a San Francisco retirement home. The series unravels the mysteries and intrigues within the community, blending suspenseful investigation with the complex dynamics of aging and secrecy.
