573 Best TV shows of Under 30 Minutes (Page 9)

This new six-part comedy series is as razor-sharp as a vampire’s fangs, skewering everything from the horror genre’s historically iffy treatment of people of color, lazy media stereotypes of Muslims, and real-life fixtures of Islamic communities. It never feels bogged down by the weight of the issues behind it, though, always staying true to the lightness of its silly — but ingenious — concept.

The show follows the goofy Abdulla (Arian Nik), a British-Pakistani trainee doctor and horror nerd who has enough on his plate — what with an unavailable crush and the social pressures of being a not-so-perfect Muslim — without also having to contend with being turned by vampire-dominatrix Kathy (played with gusto by Jaime Winstone). Writer Kaamil Shah manages to pack an impressive amount of cutting humor into each 20-ish-minute episode, whether through Kathy railing against the appropriation of vampire culture during Halloween (presented less as an anti-woke joke and more as a wry analogy to media misrepresentation of real minorities) or a wink to Muslims about the epidemic of hypocritical haram police in our communities. This balance between universal humor and inside jokes that speak directly to — rather than over the heads of — British Muslims makes Count Abdulla a very welcome addition to TV comedy in general, as well as a refreshing widening of the horror genre.

Genre: Comedy, Horror

Actor: Jonny Green, Manpreet Bambra, Mariska Ariya, Sia Alipour

Director: Asim Abbasi

This bittersweet comedy centers on Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon), a single mother and working actress doing her best to get by in LA. In between juggling the pressures of both parenthood and Hollywood, Sam lets loose in brave and funny ways. Things often get the better of her and her three young daughters, but her bold, funny, and always loving approach to life is what makes Sam—and indeed the show—a true knockout.

Better Things is a semi-autobiographical story, with Adlon also having daughters of her own, so it's no surprise that many things ring true in this big-hearted show about single motherhood.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family

Actor: Celia Imrie, Hannah Alligood, Hannah Riley, Kevin Pollak, Mikey Madison, Olivia Edward, Pamela Adlon

Rating: TV-MA

Part court drama, part medical procedural, and part detective mystery, The Apothecary Diaries is the sort of anime that easily handles multiple genres and does it so well. With the insatiably curious Maomao investigating certain court ailments as a poison tester, it naturally creates a new mystery of the week, all deduced from her apothecary beginnings and her life in the red light district. It’s also integrated well into the main plot, as Maomao’s whole promotion starts from her sense of justice, with each mystery carefully revealing the court dynamics, various motivations each player has, and how the overall world of this Imperial China-inspired court operates. The Apothecary Diaries ties it all together with excellent writing.

Genre: Animation, Drama, Mystery

Actor: Aoi Yuki, Atsumi Tanezaki, Katsuyuki Konishi, Takeo Otsuka

Reminding us that there's so much more to American sketch comedy than Saturday Night Live, Sherman's Showcase transports us into a bizarre variety show run by an egomaniacal host, where all the laws of space and time seem to be broken. It's all ultimately very silly, but the jokes that this mock-variety series pulls out of nowhere are so funny because of how unexpected they are—lampooning every niche of the entertainment industry with pure confidence in every line. But even if you don't get the humor here, Sherman's Showcase remains a delight to watch just because of the imagination poured into the performances. There are dancers aplenty and novelty songs done in countless styles that stand strong on their own as great music.

Genre: Comedy, Music

Actor: Bashir Salahuddin

Abuse can manifest itself in subtle ways that can be hard to recognize, especially when you’re used to the behavior. Marry My Husband takes the familiar downtrodden female lead we’ve seen in K-dramas, but gives her a do-over, another chance to escape her abuse not just by romance, but by recontextualizing the Cinderella-esque hardships and allowing her, and us, to recognize abuse for what it is. The show is able to navigate all this without letting go of its breezy approach, and it’s just so satisfying to see Ji-won actively and successfully achieve her revenge.

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Gong Min-jeung, Kwon BoA, Lee Gi-kwang, Lee Yi-kyung, Na In-woo, Park Min-young, Song Ha-yoon

Director: Park Won-gook

This is an easy and funny Canadian TV show about a Korean store owner in Toronto.

He completely lacks awareness of modern gender, sexual orientation, and race issues - yet his good nature redeems him. In the first episode he is confronted for saying something homophobic, but replies by pretending he has an ongoing 15% “gay discount” (except he decides who’s gay or not by looking at them).

There are many other interesting themes, such as his daughter being pressured to find a “cool Christian Korean boyfriend” and her insisting that those words don’t go together.

Kim's Convenience is about the Korean-Canadian experience, but it also feels geared towards a Korean-Canadian audience. It’s authentic, refreshing, and most importantly, funny.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Andrea Bang, Andrew Phung, Jean Yoon, Nicole Power, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Simu Liu

Rating: TV-14

With teenage insomnia rates increasing worldwide, it’s a wonder how a story like this hasn’t been made until now. Insomniacs After School takes a charming approach to this issue– viewing it not as a reason to shame the youth over but just as an unfortunate circumstance that requires support. In this case, it's heartwarming to see how support comes from the school community. While restarting the astronomy club may not be sound medical advice, it's clear how valuable the school observatory is as a safe space for Nakami and Magari. It's uplifting to see the school nurse, alumni, student council, and fellow classmates root for the club and their events. Most of all, it's comforting to see Nakami and Magari help each other with their insomnia. Their shared comfort and support, along with the backdrop of Japan's most photographable night skies, make this slow-burn romance anime incredible.

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama

Actor: Gen Sato, Haruka Tomatsu, Konomi Tamura, Lynn, Mamiko Noto, Natsumi Fujiwara, Seiichiro Yamashita, Sho Karino, Sumire Morohoshi

Rating: TV-14

Based on a forthcoming memoir by queer music duo Tegan & Sara, High School follows the twin sisters in '90s Canada as they figure out their place in school, in family, and ultimately in each other’s lives. Despite the well-worn premise and the throwback setting, High School feels fresh and honest in ways that are not always present in teen stories. It’s delicate and subdued while still being potent and edgy—a great alternative if Netflix’s brasher teen fare isn’t for you. High School has been likened to other great authentic coming-of-age shows like Freaks and Geeks and My So-Called Life.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Amanda Fix, Brianne Tju, Cobie Smulders, Esther McGregor, Geena Meszaros, Kyle Bornheimer, Olivia Rouyre, Railey Gilliland, Seazynn Gilliland

Rating: Not Rated