The idea ofbreaking the fourth wallhas existed within television, particularlycomedy, for nearly a century now. Starting in 1949 withThe Jack and Benny Program,this concept has become increasingly popular over the decades, resulting in a myriad of contemporary media that also breaks the fourth wall. But what exactly does this mean?
The notion of the fourth wall, as we know it today, emerged from the theater in reference to the three solid walls surrounding stages, as well as the “invisible” fourth one separating actor from audience, which is broken anytime a performer acknowledges the audience or their own fictitious nature.
This is now used to a multitude of effects in television, particularly when it comes to humor. So, fromMirandatoA Young Doctor’s Notebook,here are our top 10 picks for comedy shows that break the fourth wall.
10Secret Diary of a Call Girl (2007-2011)
In 2005,The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girlwas published anonymously, detailing the experiences of a high-end London sex worker known only by the pseudonym, Belle De Jour. Following the book’s success, it was quickly adapted for television, resulting in ITV’s raunchy, but rivetingSecret Diary of a Call Girl.
What Makes It Great
Written by playwright Lucy Prebble, the show starsDoctor Who’sBillie Piperas Belle, the complex, but charismatic call girl living a double life of sorts. In what really does feel like a secret diary, Belle shares her innermost thoughts with the audience as well as tips, tricks, and the strict set of rules she endeavors to abide by. Unlike many other shows that offer a bleak and one-sided portrayal of sex work, this comedy series explores the topic with unexpected nuance, tracking both the ups and downs of Belle’s life in a graphic, at times gritty, but consistently comical series.
9Miranda (2009-2015)
Premiering in 2009, the British sitcom,Miranda, has become the epitome of fourth wall breaks with its regular and not-so-sneaky asides to the camera as we follow the life of our titular character, played by the much-loved Miranda Hart, complete with a quirky best friend andan overbearing motheras well as a dangerously handsome heart throb in the form ofLucifer’sTom Ellis.
Mirandais the televisual incarnation of a warm hug. Light-hearted and with jokes a-plenty, the audience act as confidants to the awkward and bumbling, yet hugely lovable protagonist. Written in part by Hart, her unique and almost childlike humor shines through, as well as her knack for physical comedy, resulting in a raucous and ceaselessly amusing show.
8The Goes Wrong Show (2019-2021)
In 2008, a collection of drama students created the fictitious amateur theater company, The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, a lack-luster group of thespians who perform plays that, put simply, go wrong. With this premise proving to be enormously entertaining, in 2019, the BBC went on to commissionThe Goes Wrong Show, a televised version of the company’s chaotic stage play, which, again, goes very, very wrong.
From scuffed lines, drunk actors, and deceased characters resurrecting to malfunctioning set pieces and misplaced props, everything that can go wrong very much does in this series of hysterically disorganized plays. With an exceptionally talented cast of comedic actors, absurd humor, and slapstick comedy,The Goes Wrong Showabsolutely smashes the fourth wall to hilarious effect.
7What We Do in the Shadows
What We Do in the Shadows
Following the success ofTaika Waititi’s movieof the same name, the mockumentary-style television series,What We Do in the Shadows, premiered in 2019, detailing the lives of three vampire roommates living in modern day Staten Island as they attempt to navigate the human world and life with each other in this supernatural sitcom.
The show consists of: Matt Berry as the centuries-old British nobleman; Laszlo with a penchant for porn and topiary; Kayvan Novak as the 760-year-old self-proclaimed leader of the group; Nando, who very much enjoys a supermarket stationary isle; and Natasia Demetriou as Nadja, maker of and wife to Laszlo. Withthese hilarious characters, each unique and exceptionally well written,What We Do in the Shadowsstands at the intersection of comedy and the supernatural, blending the two genres beautifully through a masterpiece of a mockumentary.
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6Modern Family (2009-2020)
Modern Family
First airing in 2009 and with an impressive 11 seasons to its name,Modern Familyhas fast become one of the ultimate comfort watches. Centering around three families, the show takes a documentary-style format as we witness the day-to-day goings-on of the group alongside their confessionals to the camera.
What Makes it Great
With a staggering 22 wins at the Emmys,Modern Familyhas been widely credited with the revival of the sitcom, re-booting as well as updating the genre. The phenomenal ensemble cast includes Ty Burrell as wanna-be cool dad, Phil and, Sofia Vergara as thenow iconic Gloria,in addition to a host of other family members, we get to see grow and develop over the show’s 11 years, becoming ever more invested in these skillfully crafted and endlessly entertaining characters.
5Fleabag (2016-2019)
Adapted from Phoebe Walller-Bridge’s massively successful stage play of the same name,Fleabagdebuted in 2016, blowing audiences away with its candid exploration of grief, morality and sexuality. Starring Waller-Bridge as our flawed protagonist, known only to us as “Fleabag,” the audience is invited to share her innermost world with frequent and irresistibly amusing asides to the camera.
Fleabag, as a character, draws us in with her quick, dry wit, lack of inhibitions, and moments of vulnerability. Both the show and its protagonist address topics and issues that are seldom talked about, with a unique combination of sensitivity and humor, resulting in a highly original and, at times, very poignant roller coaster of a series. With sublime writing and a fantastic castincluding Olvia Colmanand, later, Andrew Scott,Fleabaghas become somewhat of a cultural icon as well as an absolute must-watch.
4The Office (2005-2013)
The Office (U.S.)
When it comes toThe Office,there’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said. Based on the original British show of the same name,The Officepremiered in 2005, amassing an extensive and devout cult following over the years. And for good reason. The series follows the employees of Dunder Mifflin paper company through a combination of fly on the wall scenes and talking head segments, most of which are set in the titular office.
With many of the show’s writers also doubling as actors, the script is sharp and the characters authentic. The self-proclaimed “world’s best boss,” Micheal Scott, masterfully played by Steve Carell, is a source of unwavering comedy and awkward moments. Assistant to Micheal and proud beet farmer, Dwight is perhaps the strangest character you will ever encounter and the love story between workers Jim and Pam has gone down in history as one of the best. Joined by a host of other unforgettable and utterly bizarre characters,The Officeis a joy to watch from beginning to end…and then all over again.
3This Is Going to Hurt (2022)
Based on the memoir of former doctor, Adam Kay,This is Going to Hurtfollows our professional protagonist through the messy and unpredictable world of genealogy and obstetrics. Adam, struggling to balance his personal and professional life, and played by the magnificent Ben Whishaw, is sharp and witty, with a distinct lack of bedside manner and a habit of sharing his snide remarks with the audience.
The series has received a lot of praise for its honest and unabashed portrayal of the British National Health Service, highlighting the many difficulties that both doctors and patients face within a system that is widely recognized as underfunded and overcrowded. With moments of joy, tragedy, inspiration and humor,This Is Going to Hurtoffers an elegant, intelligent, and refined take on thetraditional medical drama, with fourth wall breaks that are sure to leave you in stiches.
2A Young Doctor’s Notebook (2012-2013)
Returning to the vein of medicine, we have the hidden gem that isA Young Doctor’s Notebook, a British dark comedy series based on the experiences of yet another doctor. Set in the fictional Russian town of Muryevo during the year 1917, Daniel Radcliffe portrays the titular young doctor as he struggles to treat the less-than genius local populus whilst contending with his own lack of training as well as his dangerous attachment to morphine.
The show switches between 1917 and 1934 as an older version of our young doctor, portrayed by Jon Hamm, recounts parts of his story, even showing up in his own former timeline to offer words of wisdom to his younger self. With this comes a sense of foreboding as we witness our young doctor make one mistake after another, knowing it will eventually lead to his demise. Despite this, however, the show is packed full of dark humor, twisted in nature, but undeniably riveting and well-crafted.
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1American Vandal (2017-2018)
American Vandal
American Vandal is a true crime mockumentary that follows investigations led by high school student Peter Maldonado, with help from his friend Sam Ecklund, to uncover the truth behind epic school pranks.
The Netflix series,American Vandal,is a crime mockumentary-parody, following high-schoolers, Sam and Peter, as they investigate an alarming spike in phallic graffiti in season one, followed by an equally serious laxative laced lemonade incident in season two.
Premiering in 2017 and parodying various popular crime documentaries, the series was praised for its stellar writing and pitch -perfect tone. The ridiculous crimes depicted on the show, in combination with the deadpan nature of the interviews and investigations, makes for a hysterical take on this genre, drawing on well-known tropes and twisting them into something new and arguably much more entertaining! With an abundance of artfully written, unforgettable and surprisingly complex characters,American Vandalas a mockumentry is one of the very best that there is.
