Funny English Web Series That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud

The internet, a vast and seemingly bottomless well of content, offers a treasure trove of comedic web series that can brighten even the dullest day. Stepping away from the heavily produced sitcoms of traditional television, these web series often thrive on their low-budget charm, relatable characters, and sharp, witty writing. They embrace niche humor, experiment with unconventional formats, and cultivate dedicated online communities. This article delves into some of the funniest English web series available, spanning various comedic styles and platforms, guaranteed to elicit genuine laughter.

1. High Maintenance (HBO)

Originally a Vimeo darling, High Maintenance transitioned to HBO while retaining its unique, episodic structure and grounded humor. The series follows “The Guy” (Ben Sinclair, also the co-creator), a nameless cannabis deliveryman, as he makes his rounds through New York City. Each episode focuses on the lives of his diverse clientele, showcasing their anxieties, quirks, and vulnerabilities.

Why it’s Funny: High Maintenance is funny because it’s real. The humor arises from the awkwardness of human interaction, the absurdity of everyday life, and the relatable struggles of navigating modern relationships and anxieties. The Guy’s detached yet empathetic observations provide a wry commentary on the characters he encounters. The show avoids broad stereotypes, instead presenting nuanced and often surprising portraits of New Yorkers.
Key Elements: Episodic anthology format, character-driven humor, observational comedy, realistic portrayal of urban life, understated acting.
SEO Keywords: High Maintenance HBO, web series about weed, New York comedy, Ben Sinclair, episodic comedy, relatable humor, stoner comedy.

2. Broad City (Comedy Central/YouTube)

Before its successful run on Comedy Central, Broad City began as a web series created by and starring Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. The show chronicles the misadventures of two best friends navigating their twenties in New York City, with a focus on their hilarious attempts to make ends meet, pursue romantic interests, and generally avoid adulting.

Why it’s Funny: Broad City is unapologetically silly and raunchy. Glazer and Jacobson’s comedic chemistry is undeniable, and their characters’ outlandish antics and unwavering support for each other are both hilarious and heartwarming. The show embraces absurdity and pushes boundaries, offering a refreshing and often surreal take on female friendship and millennial life.
Key Elements: Female friendship, physical comedy, stoner humor, New York City setting, absurdist humor, relatable millennial struggles.
SEO Keywords: Broad City web series, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer, female comedy, millennial humor, raunchy comedy, New York City comedy, best friend comedy.

3. Drunk History (Funny or Die/Comedy Central)

Originally conceived as a web series on Funny or Die, Drunk History features intoxicated narrators recounting historical events, while actors reenact the stories with lip-syncing and often hilarious embellishments. The combination of inebriated storytelling and historical inaccuracies creates a unique and consistently funny experience.

Why it’s Funny: The premise of Drunk History is inherently funny. The slurred speech, rambling narratives, and creative interpretations of historical events are inherently amusing. The actors’ commitment to lip-syncing the drunk narrators’ words, even when they’re nonsensical, adds another layer of comedic brilliance. The show also manages to sneak in some actual historical information, albeit in a highly entertaining and often inaccurate way.
Key Elements: Historical comedy, drunk narration, lip-syncing, historical inaccuracies, celebrity cameos, absurdist humor.
SEO Keywords: Drunk History web series, Funny or Die, historical comedy, drunk humor, celebrity cameos, Comedy Central, history parody.

4. The Guild (YouTube)

The Guild, a pioneering web series, follows the lives of a group of online gamers who are members of a fictional online role-playing game. Created by Felicia Day, who also stars as Codex, the series explores the social dynamics, personal struggles, and often awkward interactions of these dedicated gamers.

Why it’s Funny: The Guild is funny because it satirizes the often-insular world of online gaming. The characters are relatable to anyone who has ever spent countless hours playing video games, and the show accurately captures the humor and frustrations of online interactions. The series also features clever writing and memorable characters, making it a consistently entertaining watch.
Key Elements: Gaming comedy, online role-playing games, ensemble cast, social satire, nerd culture, awkward humor.
SEO Keywords: The Guild web series, Felicia Day, gaming comedy, online gaming, nerd humor, web series about gamers, YouTube comedy.

5. Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis (Funny or Die)

Between Two Ferns is a parody talk show hosted by Zach Galifianakis, who conducts awkward and often confrontational interviews with celebrities while sitting between two potted ferns. The show’s intentionally low production value and Galifianakis’s deadpan delivery contribute to its unique comedic style.

Why it’s Funny: Between Two Ferns is funny because it subverts the conventions of celebrity interviews. Galifianakis’s insulting questions, uncomfortable silences, and general lack of preparation create a hilariously awkward atmosphere. The celebrities’ reactions to his bizarre behavior are often just as funny as Galifianakis’s antics.
Key Elements: Parody talk show, celebrity interviews, awkward humor, deadpan delivery, Zach Galifianakis, Funny or Die.
SEO Keywords: Between Two Ferns, Zach Galifianakis, Funny or Die, celebrity interview parody, awkward comedy, talk show parody.

6. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (Netflix/Crackle)

While technically a streaming series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee originated as a web series created by Jerry Seinfeld. The show features Seinfeld driving around in vintage cars with fellow comedians, engaging in casual conversations over coffee.

Why it’s Funny: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is funny because it offers a glimpse into the minds of some of the world’s funniest people. The conversations are often insightful, witty, and surprisingly personal. Seinfeld’s genuine enthusiasm for cars and comedy is infectious, and the show’s relaxed atmosphere allows the comedians to be themselves.
Key Elements: Comedy interviews, Jerry Seinfeld, vintage cars, casual conversation, observational humor, comedian camaraderie.
SEO Keywords: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld, comedy interviews, Netflix comedy, Crackle comedy, vintage cars.

7. Whatever, Linda (YouTube)

Whatever, Linda is a sketch comedy web series created by and starring Linda Cardellini and Lizzy Caplan. The series features a variety of absurd and often surreal sketches that showcase the duo’s comedic talents.

Why it’s Funny: Whatever, Linda is funny because it’s unpredictable and irreverent. The sketches are often bizarre and nonsensical, but Cardellini and Caplan’s commitment to the characters and their impeccable comedic timing make them consistently hilarious. The series embraces absurdity and pushes boundaries, offering a refreshing and unique take on sketch comedy.
Key Elements: Sketch comedy, Linda Cardellini, Lizzy Caplan, absurdist humor, surreal comedy, female comedy duo.
SEO Keywords: Whatever Linda, Linda Cardellini, Lizzy Caplan, sketch comedy, absurdist comedy, YouTube comedy, female comedy.

8. Burning Love (Yahoo! Screen/YouTube)

Burning Love is a parody of reality dating shows like The Bachelor. The series follows Mark Orlando (Ken Marino), a firefighter looking for love among a group of eccentric and often desperate contestants.

Why it’s Funny: Burning Love is funny because it mercilessly satirizes the clichés and absurdities of reality dating shows. The contestants are exaggerated caricatures of typical reality TV personalities, and the show’s over-the-top drama and manufactured romance are played for maximum comedic effect.
Key Elements: Reality show parody, Ken Marino, dating show satire, ensemble cast, physical comedy, absurdist humor.
SEO Keywords: Burning Love, Ken Marino, reality show parody, dating show satire, Yahoo Screen, YouTube comedy.

9. Epic Rap Battles of History (YouTube)

Epic Rap Battles of History is a YouTube series created by Peter Shukoff (Nice Peter) and Lloyd Ahlquist (EpicLLOYD). The series features fictional rap battles between historical and fictional figures, with elaborate costumes, sets, and carefully crafted lyrics.

Why it’s Funny: Epic Rap Battles of History is funny because it combines historical knowledge with clever wordplay and catchy beats. The battles are often witty and informative, and the performers’ commitment to their roles is impressive. The series also benefits from its high production value and attention to detail.
Key Elements: Rap battles, historical figures, fictional characters, musical comedy, YouTube series, Peter Shukoff, Lloyd Ahlquist.
SEO Keywords: Epic Rap Battles of History, Nice Peter, EpicLLOYD, rap battles, historical figures, YouTube comedy, musical comedy.

10. Garfunkel and Oates (YouTube/HBO)

Garfunkel and Oates is a musical comedy duo consisting of Riki Lindhome (Garfunkel) and Kate Micucci (Oates). Their songs are often quirky