· 49 comments · Save ·
For Sale Mar 29, 2026 at 9:38 AM

What are some current "episodic" shows?

Posted by MyNameCannotBeSpoken

With "episodic" meaning there is no ongoing story development, limited character development, and can be watched in any order. There are a few broadcast shows like The Simpsons but are there any streaming ones? A friend mentioned Strange New Worlds, but there are some serial elements. There are a number of reality shows that are episodic, so please exclude those.
🚩 Report this post

49 Comments

Sign in to comment — or just click the box below.
🔒 Your email is never shown publicly.
WordsAreEnough Mar 29, 2026 +40
Ok, it's hard to find stuff without any continuation at all, even some anthology series have running elements or continued stories. Leverage and Leverage: Redemption are fun High Potential is a more recent show that might work Genres that you like would help.
40
OpeningChipmunk1700 Mar 29, 2026 +8
Lowering the bar a little, what shows are like Law & Order on the episodic scale?
8
BILLCLINTONMASK Mar 29, 2026 +7
Star Trek TOS and TNG
7
MyNameCannotBeSpoken Mar 29, 2026 +2
Law & Order used to be episodic, but now there are story archs.
2
East_Coast_guy Mar 29, 2026 +4
While “High Potential” does have a new case every week (except for that weird two-part one) there is an underlying plot that underpins the entire show so far, especially where S2 is now. The show would still be enjoyable watched out of order but there would be some storylines that don’t line up.
4
beantownregular Mar 29, 2026 +37
I think you should leave, curb your enthusiasm (ended but only recently), and even though Abbott Elementary is a serial, I generally find that you can pop into any episode and not feel confused
37
WordsAreEnough Mar 29, 2026 +46
Abbott is a great suggestion, but I have to say your suggestions read like a sentence: "I think you should leave, curb your enthusiasm, and go watch Abbott Elementary." Love it
46
beantownregular Mar 29, 2026 +5
😂 that’s awesome you’re so right!
5
nouskeys Mar 29, 2026 +1
It's ironic that you were so quick to verbalize what you should do.
1
psumack Mar 29, 2026 +3
ITYSL is a sketch comedy show.
3
Matt14451 Mar 29, 2026 +4
true, OP didn't say not looking for sketch comedy show's?
4
Stef-fa-fa Mar 29, 2026 +15
I've been watching Ghosts which has been a fun, mostly episodic comedy. There's a bit of plot carry over but it's pretty minor - mostly just from introducing new characters periodically or a callback to an earlier story.
15
Funmachine Mar 29, 2026 +40
Like procedural shows? Most TV has some form of serial element these day. High Potential and Elsbeth are current, newish procedurals.
40
KungFuSnorlax Mar 29, 2026 +27
High potential would be so much better if they went full procedural. So tired of the missing husband B story.
27
Funmachine Mar 29, 2026 +16
Everyone says that about every procedural. People wanted Bones without her Dad stuff, Mentalist without Red John, X-Files without the mythology episodes etc.
16
KaladinarLighteyes Mar 29, 2026 +2
Red John Episodes (minus the final true reveal) are some of the best Mentalist episodes.
2
Funmachine Mar 29, 2026 +2
Often times the serial aspects are the best episodes (because they have weight and build up) but people hate nonetheless.
2
decidedlyindecisive Mar 29, 2026 +1
~~>X-Files without the mythology episodes etc.~~ ~~Those were my favourite ones! I was always annoyed about the constant aliens~~
1
Funmachine Mar 29, 2026 +3
The alien episodes are the mythology episodes...
3
decidedlyindecisive Mar 29, 2026 +1
Really? Lol, guess I'm confused. So mythology in this sense is being used to mean the overall world-building for the show? Not episodes that delve into different myths etc?
1
Funmachine Mar 29, 2026 +2
Yes, the show mythology.
2
decidedlyindecisive Mar 29, 2026 +1
Ah thanks. I appreciate the clarification.
1
MillennialsAre40 Mar 29, 2026 +19
The Scrubs revival is episodic
19
__ma11en69er__ Mar 29, 2026 +16
If you like The Simpsons then Bob's Burgers would be my suggestion.
16
Renzieface Mar 29, 2026 +6
I mean, honestly most sitcoms are like this.
6
zacmars Mar 29, 2026 +1
Even Cheers had developing situations over seasons.
1
srlandand Mar 29, 2026 +22
If you don't count anthology show like Love, Death, Robots or Inside No. 9, my first suggestion is It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Although it's best to watch all of it, since it's one of the funniest shows of all time, but you can literally start anywhere you want.
22
Nosafune Mar 29, 2026 +5
There is absolutely continuity to sunny and I wouldn't take this advice Imagine seeing Cricket from season 9 as your first Or not knowing Dayman
5
BILLCLINTONMASK Mar 29, 2026 +19
Just because there are some recurring plot lines doesn’t mean it’s not an episodic show.
19
Nosafune Mar 29, 2026 -3
Episodes with the lawyer would miss the landing As would Cricket, Waitress, Artemis, McPoyles. Don Cheadle, Franks w**** dead wife All these characters are so much better
-3
BILLCLINTONMASK Mar 29, 2026 +4
Nothing about what you have said changes the fact that always sunny is episodic in nature. Each episode has a self contained story and any season long arcs are very slight in nature Yes, it is ideal to watch it from the start. But, you’re still going to laugh at the lawyer getting his eye pecked out if you didn’t know he stole their kitten mittons idea. You’re still going to laugh at cricket sucking down lemons even if you didn’t know he was a fallen priest.
4
Nosafune Mar 29, 2026 -1
I didn't read like, any of that but you're a total jabroni if you don't start IASIP from season 1 episode 1. Don't take this guys advice
-1
we_are_sex_bobomb Mar 29, 2026 +2
The hilarious thing about Always Sunny is that all the side characters have story arcs and character growth but the main cast doesn’t because they never f****** learn their lesson.
2
nikukuikuniniiku Mar 29, 2026 +3
I just watched s2 of *Ted*, don't think there was any continuity between episodes.
3
adjgamer321 Mar 29, 2026 +2
I think the second season was better than the first. Good turn your brain off fun and I really liked the DND episode lol
2
nouskeys Mar 29, 2026 +2
Not so-so new but Black Mirror.
2
WordsAreEnough Mar 29, 2026 +2
I feel like almost any anthology, sitcom or procedural works here.
2
MyNameCannotBeSpoken Mar 29, 2026 -3
That used to be the case but not anymore. I used to enjoy Law & Order but they've started to put in story archs. Most anthologies are episodic, though "What if?" did require a lot of MCU knowledge . Most sitcoms these days also have story arches. I'm left with reality shows like Bar Rescue or Pawn Stars.
-3
Western-Calendar-352 Mar 29, 2026 +11
*story arc/arcs Arch/arches are architectural.
11
nouskeys Mar 29, 2026 -11
You drew up the conditions and relative time of release.
-11
WordsAreEnough Mar 29, 2026 +3
I am not OP my guy...
3
nouskeys Mar 29, 2026 -11
Like I care? You just identified you are mistaken.
-11
TRUSTLYYY Mar 29, 2026 +1
The Neighborhood. 8 seasons, still airing. Cedric the Entertainer and one of those white dudes from New Girl are the main characters. 
1
Gaylord699669 Mar 29, 2026 +1
Is it funny?
1
TRUSTLYYY Mar 29, 2026 +1
I thought it’s very funny! I put it on when I need a good laugh or to destress. Here’s the summary: > A friendly Midwest family moves to LA where their new neighbor is skeptical of how they'll fit in. The dad's optimism and negotiation skills are tested as he tries to connect with his neighbor and make their diverse community like home. It’s a white family (looked up the dudes name, Max Greenfield is the one from Mew Girl) moving into a black neighborhood. 
1
Mm2k Mar 29, 2026 +1
The Orville.
1
cmarkcity Mar 29, 2026 +1
You’re best bet for current stuff would probably be cartoons
1
StrictCelery Mar 29, 2026 +1
Animal Control and Ghosts are both sitcoms that can be watched sporadically without missing anything major. They do both have some overarching canon of course, but most plots are self contained to each episode.
1
soingee Mar 29, 2026 +1
I've been watching Broad City lately. It's a hoot and each episode is just a series of goofs, strung along a random story.
1
← Back to Board