Web Series Hall of Fame: The Best of the Best

The digital landscape has revolutionized entertainment, and at the forefront of this transformation stands the web series. No longer relegated to amateur productions, web series have evolved into high-quality, innovative, and captivating narratives, often rivaling traditional television and film. This article delves into the pantheon of web series, celebrating the shows that have not only achieved critical acclaim and audience adoration but have also pushed the boundaries of storytelling, production, and distribution. We’ll explore the pioneers, the game-changers, and the enduring classics that have earned their place in the Web Series Hall of Fame.

1. High Maintenance (2012-2020): The Art of the Vignette

Created by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair, High Maintenance started as a Vimeo-based series before being picked up by HBO. Its brilliance lies in its episodic structure, each installment focusing on a different New Yorker who connects with “The Guy,” a nameless marijuana deliveryman played by Sinclair. Through these fleeting encounters, High Maintenance paints a vivid and nuanced portrait of urban life, exploring themes of loneliness, connection, addiction, and the human condition.

Why it’s Hall of Fame material: High Maintenance demonstrated the power of short-form storytelling and the potential for web series to explore complex characters and narratives. Its authentic portrayal of New York City and its inhabitants, coupled with its understated humor and poignant observations, set a new standard for independent web series. The show’s transition to HBO proved that web series could achieve mainstream success without sacrificing their artistic integrity. It also pioneered a unique funding model, relying on Vimeo subscriptions and donations before securing traditional financing.
Key elements: Intimate character studies, realistic dialogue, naturalistic performances, and a consistent tone that balances humor and pathos. The show’s use of music and cinematography contributes to its distinctive atmosphere.
Lasting impact: High Maintenance inspired a wave of vignette-based web series and demonstrated the viability of online platforms for showcasing original and independent content. It also popularized the “stoner comedy” genre in a more thoughtful and nuanced way.

2. Broad City (2009-2019): Millennial Mayhem and Female Friendship

Created by Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, Broad City began as a web series on YouTube before becoming a critically acclaimed Comedy Central show. The series follows the misadventures of Ilana and Abbi, two best friends navigating their twenties in New York City. Their experiences, often absurd and hilarious, resonate with a millennial audience struggling with work, relationships, and the everyday challenges of urban life.

Why it’s Hall of Fame material: Broad City captured the zeitgeist of millennial culture with its irreverent humor, relatable characters, and authentic portrayal of female friendship. The show’s creators not only starred in the series but also wrote and directed many of the episodes, ensuring a consistent vision and voice. Its success on YouTube and Comedy Central paved the way for other female-led comedy series.
Key elements: Observational humor, physical comedy, witty dialogue, and a strong emphasis on the bond between Ilana and Abbi. The show’s use of surrealist elements and dream sequences adds to its unique comedic style.
Lasting impact: Broad City challenged traditional representations of women in comedy and demonstrated the power of female creators to tell their own stories. It popularized the term “yas queen” and contributed to the broader cultural conversation about feminism, sexuality, and millennial identity.

3. The Guild (2007-2013): Gaming Culture and Online Community

Created by Felicia Day, The Guild is a comedy web series about a group of online gamers who meet in real life. The series follows the lives of the members of a fictional online game guild, “The Knights of Good,” as they navigate their relationships, both online and offline.

Why it’s Hall of Fame material: The Guild was one of the first web series to successfully tap into the growing popularity of online gaming and geek culture. Its low-budget production values and DIY aesthetic resonated with its target audience, and its clever writing and relatable characters quickly gained a loyal following. The Guild demonstrated the power of online communities to create and support independent content.
Key elements: Self-aware humor, relatable characters, inside jokes about gaming culture, and a strong sense of community. The show’s use of online platforms for distribution and promotion was groundbreaking for its time.
Lasting impact: The Guild helped to legitimize web series as a viable form of entertainment and inspired a wave of independent creators to produce their own content. It also paved the way for other shows that explore gaming culture and online communities.

4. Burning Love (2012-2013): Parodying Reality TV Romance

Created by Erica Oyama and Ken Marino, Burning Love is a hilarious parody of reality dating shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. The series features a star-studded cast, including Marino as the clueless bachelor and a group of eccentric contestants vying for his affection.

Why it’s Hall of Fame material: Burning Love perfectly captured the absurdity and artificiality of reality dating shows. Its sharp writing, over-the-top characters, and spot-on parodies made it a critical and commercial success. The show’s transition from Yahoo! Screen to E! demonstrated the growing appeal of web series to mainstream audiences.
Key elements: Satirical humor, exaggerated characters, ridiculous scenarios, and a self-aware tone. The show’s use of celebrity cameos and its willingness to push the boundaries of good taste contributed to its comedic impact.
Lasting impact: Burning Love helped to popularize the web series format as a platform for comedy and satire. It also influenced the way reality dating shows are perceived and discussed in popular culture.

5. Drunk History (2007-Present): Educational (and Intoxicated) Storytelling

Created by Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, Drunk History features comedians recounting historical events while intoxicated. The stories are then reenacted by actors, often with hilarious results.

Why it’s Hall of Fame material: Drunk History is a unique and innovative web series that combines comedy, history, and alcohol. Its premise is inherently funny, and its execution is consistently clever and entertaining. The show’s success on YouTube led to its adaptation into a popular Comedy Central series.
Key elements: Humorous narration, historical inaccuracies, celebrity cameos, and a lighthearted tone. The show’s use of reenactments adds a visual element to the storytelling and enhances the comedic effect.
Lasting impact: Drunk History demonstrated the potential for web series to educate and entertain audiences simultaneously. It also popularized a new form of historical storytelling that is both accessible and engaging.

6. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012-2019): Simple Concept, Stellar Execution

Created and hosted by Jerry Seinfeld, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is a simple yet brilliant web series. Seinfeld picks up a fellow comedian in a classic car, and they drive to get coffee, engaging in conversation along the way.

Why it’s Hall of Fame material: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is a masterclass in minimalist filmmaking and insightful conversation. Seinfeld’s interviewing skills and his passion for cars and comedy make for a consistently engaging and entertaining viewing experience. The show’s success on Crackle and Netflix demonstrated the appeal of web series to established comedians and mainstream audiences.
Key elements: Natural conversation, celebrity guests, classic cars, and a focus on the craft of comedy. The show’s simplicity is its strength, allowing the personalities of the guests to shine through.
Lasting impact: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee demonstrated the power of a simple concept executed with excellence. It also helped to legitimize web series as a platform for high-profile talent and quality programming.

7. Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis (2008-Present): Awkward Interviews and Uncomfortable Comedy

Created by Scott Aukerman and Zach Galifianakis, Between Two Ferns is a comedy web series featuring Galifianakis conducting awkward and uncomfortable interviews with celebrities.

Why it’s Hall of Fame material: Between Two Ferns is a brilliantly subversive and hilarious web series that pushes the boundaries of comedy. Galifianakis’s deadpan delivery and his willingness to ask inappropriate questions create a unique and unforgettable viewing experience. The show’s viral popularity and its adaptation into a Netflix film demonstrate its enduring appeal.
Key elements: Awkward interviews, uncomfortable humor, celebrity guests, and a low-budget aesthetic. The show’s spontaneity and unpredictability are key to its comedic impact.
Lasting impact: Between Two Ferns helped to popularize a new form of comedy that is both subversive and hilarious. It also demonstrated the power of web series to create viral sensations and influence mainstream culture.