The Office Vs. Parks & Rec: Which Workplace Comedy Is Funniest, According to Reddit

Fans of The Office gravitated towards Parks and Recreation because of the similarities between the two comedies. Both shows were filmed in a mockumentary format and centered around the workplace. The characters shot hilarious looks to the camera whenever surprising or annoying things occurred, and it was moments like these that drew viewers in.

With both series being so similar, fans have gathered to Reddit to compare the two. From Leslie Knope and Michael Scott to the love stories between Jim and Pam and Leslie and Ben, which show is considered the funniest?

10 Parks And Recreation: They Get Outside Of The Office

Fans of The Office are dedicated to the series but it would have been fun to catch the characters outside of Dunder Mifflin. To be fair, The Office is centered around the office but seeing the characters in their natural habitats would have been fulfilling. This is where Parks and Rec succeeded. The characters weren’t confined to their desks. They traveled in and out of Pawnee and showed what they did outside of work. It was a nice balance between work and personal.

9 The Office: There are High Highs (And Low Lows)

While both shows dissected the characters, The Office did it best. One fan noted that The Office had “higher highs and way lower lows” in comparison to Parks and Recreation. And no matter how high of a high or low of a low the show gets, things always take a funny turn.

In “Dinner Party,” Michael and Jan hit a low point when they talked about his vasectomy. In the middle of an intense and personal argument, Michael made viewers giggle when he said “Snip snap, snip snap!” It’s the perfect example of funny things happening during low moments.

8 Parks And Recreation: The Characters Are More Likable

Any fan of both series can find similarities between the characters. However, one fan believes that the characters in Parks and Rec were more likable. In The Office, a bunch of characters dislike each other or get annoyed by the other’s behavior but in Parks and Rec, most characters like each other (except poor Jerry).

The fan goes on to say that as humorous as the characters of Dunder Mifflin are, people like Angela or Gabe aren’t as likable as Parks and Rec people like Ann or Andy. When characters are more likable, fans want to laugh along with them and ride the humor train.

7 The Office: Characters Are Perfectly Awkward

The Office is a great example of how awkward behavior can be hilarious. Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch has characters that are humorous because of how cringey they can be in public places. They do and say things that are unfathomable for many viewers. It’s because of their flaws that some fans find The Office funnier than Parks and Rec. 

Dwight’s obsession with following the rules makes him hilarious to watch because his colleagues don’t always share his philosophy. Likewise, Jim’s looks to the cameras are so hysterical that it’s hard not to burst into laughter.

6 Parks And Recreation: There’s More Consistency In Its Characters And Seasons

One criticism that viewers of The Office have is that the consistency drops off as the show continues on. Some would say that it took a nosedive after Michael left (especially in the humor department). But in Parks and Rec, fans are happy with the consistency of its characters and their storylines. Knowing their background, likes, and dislikes makes the humor more understandable. It doesn’t hurt that Parks and Rec has fewer seasons than The Office, making it easier to binge.

5 The Office: Characters That Connect

The writers of The Office did a fantastic job of making characters that connect to viewers. These are characters that fans of the show feel like they know personally. That can be hard to do on TV. That’s not saying that Parks and Rec didn’t do that with its characters, but there’s something more relatable and unprocessed about the workers of Dunder Mifflin that make them funnier than those in Pawnee’s Parks and Rec department.

4 Parks And Recreation: A Hilarious Female Lead

It wasn’t often that TV shows had a strong, smart, and hilarious woman as the main characters when Parks and Rec came out. The show knocked that aspect out of the park (literally) with Leslie Knope. The first season was shaky regarding Leslie’s personality but by the second, Leslie’s character took shape and there was no one like her on TV. It was impossible not to laugh at someone so insanely giddy to be at work, not to mention all the shenanigans she got herself into. Her humor and strength were inspiring for viewers.

3 The Office: Michael Scott Vs. Everyone Else

Is there a character on Parks and Recreation who’s funnier or more illuminating than the one and only Michael Scott? It’s hard to say. Some fans believe that the reason The Office was so brilliant was because of Michael. When he left, the humor and direction of the show took a nosedive.

Michael’s nervous energy and need to be liked by everyone was a huge source of humor for the show. He was awkward and lovable all at the same time. Viewers felt his embarrassment while also wanting him to succeed.

2 Parks And Recreation: Optimism At Its Highest Form

The beauty of Parks and Recreation is that it’s one of those shows that’s easy to watch and not too serious. Its dramatic moments don’t get too intense but instead, keep things moving so as to not lose the sense of humor. What’s more, the level of optimism that the show oozes is undeniable. From Leslie to Jerry, everyone in the Pawnee Parks and Rec department is optimistic when things get hard. They make light of dark situations.

1 The Office: Perfectly Flawed

No show or character is perfect but one fan suggests that The Office is perfectly “flawed,” which is why it’s beloved. While the characters of Parks and Recreation seemingly all get along and find a way to support each other at the end of the day, The Office proves that that’s not how real life works. At Dunder Mifflin, there are disagreements and sometimes full-on brawls, but this only adds to the show’s hilarity. Sometimes it’s the more relatistic shows that are funnier because fans can connect.

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Lynn Gibbs
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Lynn is a nomad who travels the globe on the hunt for her next adventure with her husband. A lover of being outside (and finding the best latte in town), Lynn is typically hiking, walking, or jogging when she’s not focusing on her love of writing. When it comes to shows streaming on Netflix or anything Bravo-related, Lynn’s your gal.

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