Fox introduced viewers to several new and eccentric characters in the small town of Flatch, Ohio in the new mockumentary sitcom, Welcome to Flatch. The series unites newcomers Holmes and Sam Straley as Kelly and Shrub, respectively, with veterans, Seann William Scott of the American Pie franchise and The Boys’ Aya Cash as Father Joe and Cheryl.
The series received a unique launch in mid-March, with the first seven episodes being released all at once on Hulu. While these are still on Fox’s weekly schedule, viewers can wait for new episodes by watching these similar shows.
This Country
There is no better option than the original. Welcome to Flatch is actually an American adaptation of the British sitcom, This Country, starring and created by hilarious siblings, Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper. Interestingly, they play cousins and are joined in the cast by other real-life family members.
The premise for This Country is largely the same, just move the setting from Ohio to central England and adjust culturally. It ran for three seasons, finishing up in March 2020, and was very well-received by critics and audiences. Both Daisy May and Charlie garnered consistent BAFTA nominations and wins for both writing and performing during the show’s run.
Call Me Kat
Welcome to Flatch is not the only American adaptation of a British sitcom currently running on Fox. Mayim Bialik stars in the titular role in Call Me Kat with was partly based on Miranda, starring Miranda Hart. Bialik is joined by Cheyenne Jackson, Leslie Jordona, Kyla Pratt, and Swoosie Kurtz in this show about Kat opening up a cat café.
Call Me Kat actually has an interesting connection to Welcome to Flatch as there will be a crossover episode, titled “Call Me Flatch” on April 28th, with Holmes and Straley showing up as Kelly and Shrub. The show is close to finishing up its second season, and though it hasn’t been officially renewed yet, hopes are high.
Letterkenny
Another funny TV show highlighting rural life is the Canadian sitcom, Letterkenny. The series was created as a web series on Youtube by star and writer, Jared Keeso, but it was eventually picked up by Crave. Since then it has already sported ten seasons and spawned two spin-offs, including Shoresy, of which a first-look trailer was released recently.
The series revolves around the lives of the town’s different residents, from the “hicks” to the “skids” and the hockey players to the native population. Letterkenny is particularly special for showcasing each group’s exceptional wit and unique brand of humor. Since its creation, it has been consistently nominated for awards and is definitely one of the best Canadian TV shows out there.
Abbott Elementary
With the recent news of its renewal for a second season on ABC, Abbott Elementary is possibly the most talked-about comedy currently running. The hilarious sitcom was created, written by, and stars Quinta Brunson alongside Tyler James Williams, Jannelle James, Cheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, and Chris Perfetti.
Like Welcome to Flatch, it is in a mockumentary style, following a group of teachers at an underfunded and poorly-managed elementary school in Philadelphia. It was immediately met with positive reviews and critical acclaim, with many now expecting it to nab several nominations at the next Emmy awards. The first season is close to finishing, with the finale airing on April 12th.
American Vandal
Taking a different approach to the mockumentary style is the short-lived, but hilarious, American Vandal. The Netflix series ran for two seasons and parodied and contextualized popular true crime documentaries for high school stories. The show stars Tyler Alvarez and Griffin Gluck as Peter and Sam, respectively – along with Jimmy Tatro in season 1, who now stars in Home Economics on ABC.
The decision to cancel American Vandal came as a surprise to many since it was positively received by audiences and critics due to its particular humor and styling. It even earned a Peabody Award and an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing.
Schitt’s Creek
For some time, the epitome of a smalltown sitcom was Schitt’s Creek, starring Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy. It famously swept the 2020 Emmys by winning all major comedy awards – being the first series to ever do so. The show follows the affluent Rose family as they’re forced to withdraw to the eponymous town following the loss of their fortune.
Not only was it rich with comedy, but also with compelling and moving storylines. In particular, the romance between David and Patrick touched many viewers – including a group of mothers as shown in the documentary special, Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt’s Creek Farewell.
Champaign ILL
The relationship between Kelly and Shrub in Welcome to Flatch is part of its captivating charm – it’s like they speak their own language. A similar dynamic duo exists in Champaign ILL. The series ran through YouTube Premium and starred Happy Endings’ Adam Pally and Veep’s Sam Richardson and Ronnie and Alf.
Like Kelly and Shrub, they are a team unlike any other, as a rap crew grieving the loss of their leader, played by Jay Pharaoh. Champaign ILL would make a great and entertaining fit for Welcome to Flatch fans. Although it was canceled following its first season, it was given new life through Hulu, and perhaps there’s a renewal in the future.
Raising Hope
Another Fox sitcom full of peculiar and unorthodox characters comes in the form of Raising Hope. It ran for four seasons until an unexpected cancellation in 2014 and followed Lucas Neff as Jimmy in raising his daughter, Hope after her mother is sentenced to death. While the premise might sound quite dramatic, the show is exceptionally comedic.
Neff was joined by Marth Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt, Shannon Woodard, and Cloris Leachman – a legend as both the most-awarded and -nominated performer in Emmy history. Plimpton and Dillahunt received consistent praise by critics in particular throughout the show’s run for their eccentric performances.
My Name Is Earl
For four seasons, Greg Garcia’s sitcom My Name is Earl ran on NBC until its sudden cancellation on a cliffhanger never to be resolved. Interestingly, the show eventually did receive some closure later on in Garcia’s next sitcom, Raising Hope. It starred Jason Lee in the titular role – along with Ethan Suplee, Jaime Pressly, Nadine Valazquez, and Eddie Steeples – as Earl tries to make up for all the bad things he’s done in his past.
The cancelation came as a surprise to audiences at the time since the cast, writers, and directors had received several accolades and award nominations. Nevertheless, even nearly two decades later, it remains a highlight of TV in the 2000s.
Parks And Recreation
There is perhaps no more similar American show to Welcome to Flatch other than Parks and Recreation. The hit show also showcased rural and smalltown America in the mockumentary style, though gradually on a larger scale as the show evolved. Amy Poehler stands at the helm of the all-star cast as Leslie Knope – arguably one of the most iconic and best-recognized roles in tv comedy history.
Parks and Recreation was part of the legendary “Comedy Done Right” grouping on NBC throughout its run alongside such beloved classics as The Office, 30 Rock, Scrubs, and My Name is Earl. With seven seasons and a special in 2020, it is locked in as one of the best and highest-rated comedies in TV history.
