Exploring themes such as depression, self-loathing, sexuality and what it means to be human while maintaining a reputation as a comedy, and a good show, is a hard thing to do, but BoJack Horseman has definitely delivered over the years.
BoJack’s series has finally come to an end at Netflix’s behest, and it’s likely that the satirical show with its anthropomorphic cast and penchant for exploring some of the more complex realities of human (and Horseman) life has left a big hole in fans’ hearts. While the series is definitely one like no other, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great television shows out there that can’t scratch the same itches. Here are a few suggestions.
Flaked
If the part of BoJack Horseman you’ll likely miss the most is BoJack himself, might we recommend checking out Will Arnett’s other Netflix original series, Flaked? Arnett is both creator and star of this show about a recovering alcoholic in Venice Beach sporting some serious emotional baggage.
Sound familiar? That’s because it’s basically BoJack Horseman in live-action, exploring some of the same themes of alcohol abuse and depression while presenting a bright Venice Beach tone. The show’s not perfect, but with characters this flawed yet lovable, and only 2 seasons, what have you got to lose?
Tuca & Bertie
One of the very unique factors of BoJack Horseman that fans adored was the art style and anthropomorphized characters created by Lisa Hanawalt. Well, good news she has another Netflix original that sports the same bizarre cosmetics in Tuca & Bertie.
While at first glance, Tuca & Bertie may seem like a spin-off of BoJack Horseman, it very much isn’t. Taking on a far more surreal approach to its comedy and storytelling, it touches on some very different themes, while mostly focusing on the idea of discovering yourself. It might be a different beast, but it’s a good watch and a feast for the eyes all the same.
Californication
It’s safe to say that BoJack Horseman was at its best when BoJack was at his worst, and the same can be said for Showtime’s Californication and its protagonist, Hank Moody, played by The X-Files alum, David Duchovny. The show explores some similar terrain in just what exactly makes a character completely irredeemable.
Running for seven seasons, the show centers around a self-loathing yet narcissistic writer from New York who finds himself surrounded by the sunny and naive locals of California. Like BoJack, Hank tends to complicate his relationships through his self-indulgent attitude, drinking, and drug use, leading him to some dark places. So, if you liked BoJack Horseman for its dark humor and themes, give Californication a try.
Russian Doll
If you only really started to enjoy BoJack Horseman as a show when he began to ruminate and begin to reject his narcissism and other negative personality traits then you’ll really get a kick out of Russian Doll. This Natasha Lyonne-starring Netflix original sees its narcissistic and impulsive protagonist stuck in a Groundhog Day-esque time loop until she learns to change her ways.
It’s a part of the current wave of character dissections that allows its audience to revel in a character’s flaws before bringing their world crashing down to insight change. Plus, Season 2 is just around the corner.
You’re The Worst
Do you like watching terrible people with massive egos clash? The bombastic nature of narcissism and doing the wrong thing not out of spite but out of simply not caring is something shared by BoJack Horseman and FX sitcom You’re The Worst.
Focusing on the relationship between raving egotists Jimmy, a writer who’s as selfish as he is insensitive, and Gretchen a cynical PR executive with seriously self-destructive tendencies, the show circulates around love and cynicism. Discussions about romanticized love’s place in the real world are commonplace in You’re The Worst, as they were in BoJack Horseman.
Fleabag
Even if you weren’t looking for a new show to watch, you’d be crazy not to give Fleabag a full watch. This insanely popular and critically acclaimed BBC comedy-drama written by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge is all of the dark and witty humor and stellar writing you might be missing now that BoJack has ended.
Fleabag only has two seasons, but that’s for good reason and only adds to its quality, with a definite ending that could give BoJack Horseman’s thematic and human finale a run for its money. The titular Fleabag may not be as toxic as BoJack, but her dry wit and indulgent attitude land her in the same sort of trouble. Throw in some fourth-wall-breaking and themes of coping with death and choosing to keep on living, and you’ve got a winner.
Wilfred (U.S.)
There have been two versions of Wilfred over the years: the original Australian comedy and then later the American remake. Feel free to check both out, but we’re recommending the U.S. version of the surreal comedy. In the show, Ryan (Elijah Wood) is asked to look after his neighbor’s dog after his failed suicide attempt. The twist is that Ryan is the only person who sees Wilfred as a man in a costume (Jason Gann).
While the original is a solid laugh-a-minute comedy, the U.S. version actually ran longer and was a rare occasion where an American reboot actually surpassed the original. Taking a deeper dive into why Wilfred has manifested into Ryan’s mind and what that means for his mental health, exploring what drove him to suicide in the first place.
Moral Orel
This stop motion animated gem is likely responsible for paving the way for dark-humored and depressing animated comedies like BoJack Horseman and Rick and Morty. In fact, its exceedingly dark tone was exactly why it was canceled, with Adult Swim execs worried that it would disturb some viewers. How times have changed.
A satire of suburban American life, the show centers on Orel Puppington as he and his family try to live by their Christian moral code to disastrous extremes. It was a show with a lot of emotion and doubt in the system bubbling under the surface that only got deeper as it went along.
Ugly Americans
Adult animated comedies have been dominated by Adult Swim as of late, but before that, and even BoJack Horseman, came Ugly Americans. Originally airing in 2010 with only two seasons, it focuses on social worker Mark Lilly, as he navigates living in a New York cohabitated by humans and a wide assortment of supernatural entities.
His roommate is a zombie, his girlfriend is the literal spawn of Satan (and his boss), and his closest work friend is an alcoholic wizard. If an insane world populated by characters that don’t even blink at the insanity they’re surrounded by is what you’re craving, watch Ugly Americans.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
The show that became the poster child for flawed characters acting with only their own self-interests at heart, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia might skew more towards pure comedy over exploring real-world issues than BoJack Horseman, but it does make full use of toxic people in destructive and hilarious situations to full effect.
It follows a group of misfits who own a bar in Philadelphia called Paddy’s Pub as they fall into various money-making misadventures. The cast is lovably flawed and played perfectly by Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, and of course Danny DeVito. It gets pretty dark and never stops being funny, so if terrible people getting stuck in punishing situations is your bag, this is the one to watch.
