Dark, Dry, & a Little Twisted

For this month, the topic is humor. As a writer of all-things-dark-and-suspenseful, I spend a lot of time immersed in intense stories—with intricate plots and complex characters. I’ll spend months immersed in character studies, trying to understand one's psychology. What causes “good” people to do “bad” things? How is it that “good” people justify their "bad" actions? What about their childhoods helped inform their present-day behavior? How much is nature versus nurture?

Sometimes I need an escape from all of that. For me, one of the best escapes is television and film. I'll often choose humor over other genres.

Even though much of what I write tends to be dark, I love comedy—so much that I'll often find myself adding dark humor into my work. There’s something just so delicious about finding the funny side of an uncomfortable, complicated, or horrible situation.

So, in honor of this month’s theme, here are 25 of my favorite funny shows and movies, a blend of dry, dark, and a little bit twisted. And, so I don't feel guilty about lounging on the couch to watch rather than work, I remind myself it's research;) 

1. Cheers
2. Seinfeld
3. Frasier
4. Two and a Half Men
5. The ’Burbs
6. Bridesmaids
7. Meet the Fockers
8. Meet the Parents
9. Abbott Elementary
10. Kim’s Convenience
11. Dying for Sex
12. Sex and the City
13. The Hangover
14. Ted Lasso
15. Shrinking
16. The Wedding Singer
17. The Office
18. White Lotus
19. Bad Sisters
20. Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
21. Parks and Rec
22. Game Night
23. Curb Your Enthusiasm
24. Modern Family
25. Only Murders in the Building