The Best Female-Lead Comedy TV Shows of the 21st Century
by kjtenorman | created - 26 May 2016 | updated - 26 May 2016 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Ally McBeal (1997–2002)
TV-PG | 45 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Follows the personal and professional life of lawyer Ally.
Stars: Calista Flockhart, Greg Germann, Jane Krakowski, Vonda Shepard
Votes: 36,412
2. Sex and the City (1998–2004)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Four female New Yorkers gossip about their sex lives (or lack thereof) and find new ways to deal with being a woman in the late 1990s.
Stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Votes: 142,838
3. Strangers with Candy (1999–2000)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A 46-year-old ex-drug addict returns to high school as a freshman.
Stars: Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, Greg Hollimon
Votes: 6,592
4. Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)
TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Drama
A dramedy centering around the relationship between a thirtysomething single mother and her teen daughter living in Stars Hollow, Connecticut.
Stars: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Keiko Agena, Scott Patterson
Votes: 148,093
5. Reba (2001–2007)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Reba McEntire stars as the titular character in this smash sitcom about a single mom of three, navigating life in a Houston suburb.
Stars: Reba McEntire, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Steve Howey, Christopher Rich
Votes: 17,209
6. Dead Like Me (2003–2004)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
After being hit on the head by a toilet seat that fell from Mir space station, a young temp clerk becomes a grim reaper in death.
Stars: Ellen Muth, Callum Blue, Jasmine Guy, Mandy Patinkin
Votes: 43,901
7. Wonderfalls (2004)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
24-year-old loner B.A. Jaye lives in a trailer park and sells souvenirs in Niagara Falls. Animal figurines and dolls speak to her and force her to interact with people and try to help them.
Stars: Caroline Dhavernas, Katie Finneran, Tyron Leitso, William Sadler
Votes: 13,112
8. Desperate Housewives (2004–2012)
TV-14 | 45 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Secrets and truths unfold through the lives of female friends in one suburban neighborhood after the mysterious suicide of a neighbor.
Stars: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria
Votes: 139,748
9. The Comeback (2005–2014)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
An ex A-list celebrity attempts to rekindle the flame of her once prominent acting career with nothing but a camera crew and some determination.
Stars: Lisa Kudrow, Lance Barber, Robert Michael Morris, Laura Silverman
Votes: 7,819
10. Weeds (2005–2012)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
When a suburban mother turns to dealing marijuana in order to maintain her privileged lifestyle after her husband dies, she finds out just how addicted her entire neighborhood already is.
Stars: Mary-Louise Parker, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Kevin Nealon
Votes: 117,370
11. 30 Rock (2006–2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Liz Lemon, head writer of the sketch-comedy show "TGS with Tracy Jordan", must deal with an arrogant new boss and a crazy new star while trying to run a successful television show without losing her mind.
Stars: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer
Votes: 131,983
12. So Notorious (2006)
30 min | Comedy
A parody of the life of Tori Spelling, by Tori Spelling.
Stars: Tori Spelling, Zachary Quinto, James Carpinello, Mimi La Rue
Votes: 593
13. Ugly Betty (2006–2010)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Smart but wholesome Betty embraces her unique appearance and independent attitude in the cutthroat world of New York fashion.
Stars: America Ferrera, Eric Mabius, Tony Plana, Ana Ortiz
Votes: 47,860
14. Samantha Who? (2007–2009)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Mystery, Romance
A woman suffers from amnesia and is forced to find out who she really is.
Stars: Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito, Kevin Dunn, Melissa McCarthy
Votes: 11,396
15. The Sarah Silverman Program. (2007–2010)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Sarah's immature, only thinks of herself and has no inhibition nor work. Her sister Laura pays her rent. She has a gay couple as neighbors. Laura's seeing cop Jay.
Stars: Sarah Silverman, Laura Silverman, Brian Posehn, Steve Agee
Votes: 7,974
16. Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
The absurd antics of an Indiana town's public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place.
Stars: Amy Poehler, Jim O'Heir, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt
Votes: 287,987
17. Nurse Jackie (2009–2015)
TV-MA | 27 min | Comedy, Drama
A drug-addicted nurse struggles to find a balance between the demands of her frenetic job at a New York City hospital and an array of personal dramas.
Stars: Edie Falco, Merritt Wever, Paul Schulze, Dominic Fumusa
Votes: 29,327
18. Cougar Town (2009–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
Follows the escapades and relationships of a group of neighbors living in Gulfhaven, Florida.
Stars: Courteney Cox, Christa Miller, Busy Philipps, Dan Byrd
Votes: 45,881
19. United States of Tara (2009–2011)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A woman struggles to find a balance between her dissociative identity disorder and raising a dysfunctional family.
Stars: Toni Collette, John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt, Keir Gilchrist
Votes: 25,175
20. Drop Dead Diva (2009–2014)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
A vapid aspiring model killed in a car crash gets brought back to life as an intelligent, overweight lawyer, hoping to find the meaning of inner beauty.
Stars: Brooke Elliott, Margaret Cho, Kate Levering, April Bowlby
Votes: 20,999
21. The Big C (2010–2013)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.
Stars: Laura Linney, Oliver Platt, Gabriel Basso, John Benjamin Hickey
Votes: 15,731
22. Awkward. (2011–2016)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
An unpopular 15-year-old gains immediate, yet unwanted, popularity at her high school when the student body mistakes an accident she has for a suicide attempt.
Stars: Ashley Rickards, Beau Mirchoff, Jillian Rose Reed, Brett Davern
Votes: 45,831
23. New Girl (2011–2018)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
After a bad break-up, Jess, an offbeat young woman, moves into an apartment loft with three single men. Although they find her behavior very unusual, the men support her - most of the time.
Stars: Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone
Votes: 245,519
24. 2 Broke Girls (2011–2017)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business - if only they can raise the cash.
Stars: Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, Garrett Morris, Jonathan Kite
Votes: 104,873
25. Enlightened (2011–2013)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Drama
A self-destructive woman who has a spiritual awakening becomes determined to live an enlightened life, creating havoc at home and work.
Stars: Laura Dern, Diane Ladd, Sarah Burns, Luke Wilson
Votes: 10,206
26. The Mindy Project (2012–2017)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A young Ob/Gyn doctor balances her personal and professional life, surrounded by quirky co-workers in a small office.
Stars: Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, Ed Weeks, Chris Messina
Votes: 34,945
27. Veep (2012–2019)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy
Former Senator Selina Meyer finds that being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she hoped and everything that everyone ever warned her about.
Stars: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott
Votes: 63,497
28. Girls (2012–2017)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Drama
A comedy about the experiences of a group of girls in their early 20s.
Stars: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Adam Driver
Votes: 77,849
29. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Chloe is a New York party girl with the morals of a pirate. She causes trouble for her best friend James Van Der Beek and her naive small-town roommate June.
Stars: Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker, Michael Blaiklock, Eric André
Votes: 40,403
30. Smash (2012–2013)
TV-14 | 44 min | Drama, Musical
More drama occurs behind the scenes than on stage, as the team prepares an ambitious Broadway musical on the life of Marilyn Monroe.
Stars: Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee, Christian Borle
Votes: 18,068
31. Inside Amy Schumer (2013–2022)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Amy Schumer switches from sketches to doing stand-up to interviewing people on the street and people of interest, usually following a certain theme.
Stars: Amy Schumer, Kevin Kane, Kyle Dunnigan, Kim Caramele
Votes: 13,805
32. Mom (2013–2021)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A newly sober single mom tries to pull her life together in Napa Valley while dealing with her wayward mother.
Stars: Allison Janney, Anna Faris, Mimi Kennedy, Beth Hall
Votes: 39,380
33. Trophy Wife (2013–2014)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
A reformed party girl finds herself an insta-family after falling in love with a man with 3 manipulative children and two judgmental ex-wives.
Stars: Malin Akerman, Bradley Whitford, Michaela Watkins, Natalie Morales
Votes: 7,369
34. Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019)
TV-MA | 59 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Convicted of a decade-old crime of transporting drug money, ordinarily law-abiding Piper Chapman is sentenced to 18 months behind bars and quickly discovers the realities of life-changing prison time.
Stars: Taylor Schilling, Danielle Brooks, Taryn Manning, Emma Myles
Votes: 320,170
35. Getting On (2013–2015)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Cranky nurses, anxious doctors, and administrators wrestle with the darkly comic, honest, and compassionate realities of caring for the elderly in a rundown hospital.
Stars: Laurie Metcalf, Alex Borstein, Niecy Nash, Mel Rodriguez
Votes: 3,969
36. Devious Maids (2013–2016)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Four Latina maids with ambition and dreams of their own work for the rich and famous in Beverly Hills.
Stars: Ana Ortiz, Dania Ramirez, Roselyn Sanchez, Judy Reyes
Votes: 25,625
37. Jane the Virgin (2014–2019)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy
A young, devout Catholic woman discovers that she was accidentally artificially inseminated.
Stars: Gina Rodriguez, Andrea Navedo, Yael Grobglas, Justin Baldoni
Votes: 59,034
38. Broad City (2014–2019)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Broad City follows two women throughout their daily lives in New York City, making the smallest and mundane events hysterical and disturbing to watch all at the same time.
Stars: Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Hannibal Buress, Arturo Castro
Votes: 35,715
39. Playing House (2014–2017)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Childhood best friends Maggie Caruso and Emma Crawford have shared countless adventures growing up together. Now, Maggie and Emma are in store for one of their biggest adventures - raising a baby.
Stars: Lennon Parham, Jessica St. Clair, Keegan-Michael Key, Brad Morris
Votes: 3,062
40. Faking It (2014–2016)
TV-14 | 21 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
After numerous attempts of trying to be popular two best friends decide to come out as lesbians, which launches them to instant celebrity status. Seduced by their newfound fame, Karma and Amy decide to keep up their romantic ruse.
Stars: Rita Volk, Katie Stevens, Gregg Sulkin, Bailey De Young
Votes: 15,195
41. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019)
TV-14 | 42 min | Comedy, Musical
A young woman abandons a choice job at a law firm and her life in New York in an attempt to find happiness in the unlikely locale of West Covina, California.
Stars: Rachel Bloom, Donna Lynne Champlin, Vincent Rodriguez III, Pete Gardner
Votes: 22,660
42. Grace and Frankie (2015–2022)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Finding out that their husbands are not just work partners, but have also been romantically involved for the last twenty years, two women with an already strained relationship try to cope with the circumstances together.
Stars: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, Martin Sheen
Votes: 57,042
43. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City.
Stars: Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane
Votes: 78,714
44. Younger (2015–2021)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
After being mistaken for younger than she really is, a single mother decides to take the chance to reboot her career and her love life as a 26-year old.
Stars: Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, Nico Tortorella
Votes: 25,322
45. Lady Dynamite (2016–2017)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Series is based on what Maria has accepted to be "her life." The occasionally surreal episodes, refracted across multiple periods of the actor/comedian's life, tell the story of a woman who loses - and then finds - herself.
Stars: Maria Bamford, Fred Melamed, Mary Kay Place, Ana Gasteyer
Votes: 4,000
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