Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Menu
Menu
TV Show

11 Shows Like Silicon Valley For The Workplace Comedy Fan In You

November 27, 2022
shows like silicon valley

Silicon Valley, HBO’s great sendup of technology, is a relevant, and incredibly hilarious take on the contemporary tech world and the geeks who create it. For the comedy fan in you, we have listed down some awesome shows like Silicon Valley. This series is not only hilarious but highly clever in its storyline that not only entertains but educates viewers on the everyday lives of developers and businessmen. I have to say, without the brilliant set of actors, the show wouldn’t have been as good, their chemistry and comedic timing take Silicon Valley beyond the lines of codes and empty offices. Silicon Valley portrayed an accurate depiction of the current struggles and successes of the California tech scene in the most amusing way possible.

List of Shows Like Silicon Valley

  1. The IT Crowd
  2. Veep
  3. Mythic Quest
  4. Arrested Development
  5. Nathan For You
  6. Avenue 5
  7. Succession
  8. Betas
  9. Vice Principals
  10. Workaholics
  11. The Office

1. The IT Crowd (2006)

The British comedy sitcom The IT Crowd may be wittier and more sarcastic in comparison to the straight-up comedy of Silicon Valley, but the humour is brilliant regardless. Jen is one of the protagonists of the show. The story follows her getting a job at Reynholm Industries in the IT department despite knowing nothing about IT. Trust me; she knows ABSOLUTELY nothing to the point that you will question if she lived under a rock.

Here’s a clip from the S1 Ep2 :

Jen works with 2 guys, Moss and Roy, and while Roy is a cynical and sarcastically shallow man, Moss is a socially awkward guy. The absurd situations and interactions between the 3 are comedy gold. The IT Crowd is the perfect example of nerd comedy done right and which is why it is the perfect choice for similar shows like Silicon Valley. 

2. Veep (2012)

Veep is a popular American political satire-comedy TV series created as an adaptation of the British show The Thick of It. Seinfeld’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the protagonist Selina Meyer; a former senator turned Vice President of the United States. Her entertaining misadventures in this new position are enhanced by the use of dark humour in the show. 

Veep is an outstandingly well-written show, and the characters are perfectly executed. While the show mainly focuses on the realistic representation of the political climate, the subtle wackiness and the fast-paced jokes shall remind you of TV shows like Silicon Valley. Check out Veep on HBO. 

3. Mythic Quest (2020)

Mythic Quest OR Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet is an American comedy series. It follows the owner of a successful video game company and his staff struggling to keep their hit MMORPG game ‘Mythic Quest’ on the top. Tension centres on Rob’s character Ian as the company try to monetize the game. 

McElhenney creates an accurate portrait of the gaming and tech industry. The show has everything you would wish from a routine workplace comedy, but it just so happens to focus on the world of video games. Some fans of Silicon Valley consider this show to have a similar kind of light-hearted humour. If you want to see comedy shows like Silicon Valley, give Mystic Quest a try.

Also Read: Shows like Trailer Park Boys

4. Arrested Development (2003)

Arrested Development is an American TV sitcom that ran on Fox for 3 seasons from 2003 to 2006. Later it was picked up by Netflix for two more seasons from 2013 to 2019. The show is reminiscent of the Wes Anderson film The Royal Tenenbaums since the sitcom is about a hilarious dysfunctional Bluth family in Orange County, Calif.

The Pilot Episode clip for Arrested Development

Once a prominent name in the business, the Bluth family loses everything after the head of the family is convicted of fraud. Now all except one sane member (Michael) of the family squander the profits from the real estate development business in pursuit of their interests. I found Arrested Development to be bizarre and quite hilarious. Watch this show if you are looking for more TV series like Silicon Valley. 

5. Nathan For You (2013)

Nathan For You is an American docu-reality TV series that centralises Nathan Fielder, a Canadian comedian who is also a business school graduate. As a consultant, Nathan aims to help struggling businesses. However, Nathan’s marketing proposals are usually outlandish, and the so-called business docu-series is more of a comedy show.

Nathan’s exaggerated social awkwardness makes this a masterpiece of awkward comedy. Despite the shaky ethics, he grows on you and becomes quite a relatable character. If you are in search of Tv shows similar to Silicon Valley, then Nathan For You should be a good choice.

6. Avenue 5 (2020)

Avenue 5 is a recently created sci-fi show with the talented actor Hugh Laurie as the main protagonist. The show is set 40 years in the future; within it,  travelling the solar system is a booming luxury business. The series also features Silicon Valley’s Zach Woods as a central character. Avenue 5 is a mix of the cruise ship and an interplanetary rocket ship packed with luxury amenities.

The premise opens up with Avenue 5 facing technical problems. The cruise is filled with spoiled, wealthy, snotty space tourists. Now the crew must try and keep everyone calm after their ship gets thrown off course into space and needs more time to return to Earth than expected. Hilarious and entertaining, Avenue 5 is a great futuristic tv series similar to Silicon Valley. 

7. Succession (2018)

The American drama and satirical dark comedy show Succession is one of the most well-made shows on this list. Succession’s unique omnipresent camera work and hyper-fast diplomatic dialogues create a language of their own. The show focuses on the Roy Family. Logan Roy is the creator of the large media conglomerate empire, and the father of 4 children, namely Kendall, Siobhan, Roman and Connor.

However, the world for the Roy siblings changes when Logan decides to step down from the company.  Succession highlights the heartless yet comical portrayal of a dysfunctional, powerful family dealing with power, money, and their own relationships. Succession received 25 Emmy nominations in 2022, this is the biggest haul by any show. This is one of the best shows like Silicon Valley that you can watch.

8. Betas (2013)

Betas is a television series by Amazon Studios. It looks at 4 computer geeks who develop an idea for a social networking and dating app. The app requires a hacking algorithm in already existing social networking apps and, most importantly, an investor. The quirky and hilarious geeks target a man called George Murchison, who passes on investing in Facebook, Foursquare, and Pinterest. 

When the geeks cannot get an appointment, they decide to crash a party at his house. With the world of Silicon Valley at the centre, both shows are highly similar. Being dramedies, both have inspiring messages within. If you want to see tv shows like Silicon Valley, then Betas should be an excellent pick for you.

9. Vice Principals (2016)

Lee Russell and Neal Gamby are two high school Vice principals. Hilarious situations arise when they are both in an intense struggle to get the Principal’s seat. As this obsessed VP and overprotective father, Walton Goggins’s performance as Lee is an exceptional example of comedy gold.

Vice Principals is a brilliant American dark comedy. When both the VPs have to team up, hilarious, deeply awkward, and surprisingly humanistic moments arise. The show is courageous in its writing and, sometimes, oddly a bit trippy. Surely give Vice Principals a try if you enjoyed the quirky seriousness of shows like Silicon Valley. 

Also Read: Shows like The Mentalist

10. Workaholics (2011)

Running for 7 seasons, the comedy show Workaholics is a creation of three talented comedian-actor friends, namely Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson. They wrote, directed, and starred in the show as the 3 main protagonists. The names and mannerisms of the characters are based on their personalities. The show follows the 3 college dropouts, housemates and colleagues in the telemarketing company ‘Rancho Cucamonga, California’.

On page, the show sounds pretty lame, but the flawless chemistry by the actors makes it work. The sheer idiocy of the guys and their struggle to keep up with the 9 to 5 work will undoubtedly crack you up. Workaholics comedy punch is halfway between Schitt’s Creek and the beloved cartoon Ed, Edd n Eddy. If you like silly office comedies of shows like Silicon Valley, then you should try watching Workaholics.

11. The Office (2005)

In a list of work-related comedy shows, it is impossible not to mention the iconic comedy mockumentary show The Office. There’s a good chance you already have seen or heard of this show from the endless pop-culture memes. This American show is a remake of the British version. The story follows a group of office workers through their hilarious misadventures at the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. 

The company’s Regional manager, Michael Scott, is an immature and delusional funny man. While Jim, one of the Salesmen, is often the sane one, he engages in various pranks on his eccentric colleague, Dwight. Jim is also in love with the receptionist Pam. On the off chance that you haven’t seen The Office, I would highly recommend it to you if you like shows like Silicon Valley.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few similar shows like Silicon Valley that didn’t make the list, but there’s a chance you might enjoy them as well: 

  1. Start-Up
  2. Mr Robot
  3. Ted Lasso
  4. Space Force
  5. Parks and Recreation
  6. Community 
  7. The BIllion Dollar Code
Share Post

When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
Similar Lists