Summary
Meta TV shows, a distinctive and innovative genre of television, engage audiences with a unique approach to storytelling. Likethe most meta movies of all time,meta TV showsuse certain narrative devices to acknowledge its own existence. Examples of what makes a show meta include characters breaking the fourth wall to speak to viewers, gags and jokes that recognize the show, and even parodying the film and TV industry.
Some ofthe best TV shows of all timeare also meta, and usually, a project’s success encourages its writers to reference the popularity of its plotlines or characters. By blurring the lines between fact and fiction, meta TV shows can offer an entertaining and interesting twist on overused stories and repeated tropes. Although plenty of TV shows have factors that are considered meta, only a selection is truly and completely meta to the core.
15 Best Hard Sci-Fi TV Shows Ever Made
Hard sci-fi is categorized by its adherence to scientific accuracy and realism. There aren’t many TV shows that are able to pull it off.
15Community
2009–2015
Community’s 6-season run is meta from start to finish, especially because of all of the constant fourth-wall-breaking and self-referential jokes the show makes. However,Community’s most meta quality is the character of Abed.Abed’s aspirations of being a director lead to some hilarious plotlines, such as his Christian film or recreatingMy Dinner With Andrefor his birthday. His reference to “Six seasons and a movie” is finally coming true, too, with the upcomingCommunitymoviedue to start shooting in the near future.
His use of pop culture references also ties the real world into theCommunityuniverse, such as the Nicolas Cage film class in the episode “Introduction to Teaching.”
Abed consistently remarks about the study group being in a TV show, but they often disregard his comments. His use of pop culture references also ties the real world into theCommunityuniverse, such as the Nicolas Cage film class in the episode “Introduction to Teaching.”Abed’s particular awareness of narrative structures and storytelling techniques is especially meta,notably in moments of character development for other members of the study group, a unique aspect that keeps the audience intrigued.
The others eventually embrace Abed’s metaness in individual episodes as well. Some ofCommunity’s best episodespay homage to various genres and formats, including mockumentaries, action movies, and video games. As a whole,Communitydoes an incredible job of deconstructing typical sitcom and television conventions,packed with references to movies, TV shows, and other elements of wider broadcast media.
Community
Cast
Community is a comedic television series that chronicles the lives of diverse students at Greendale Community College, a fictional and notoriously underperforming educational institution in Colorado. Released in 2009, the show explores the quirky interactions and relationships among the eclectic group navigating their academic and personal challenges.
14Black Mirror
2011–
Black Mirroris so meta that it’s become the TV industry’s defining title.The show’s name is often used to refer to a dystopian work that uses an eerie toneand makes a commentary on a real societal problem. Each episode of one of thegreatest anthology TV shows of all timetackles a new story with unique characters, but the theme of each installment differs.Black Mirror’s best episodescover topics ranging from political corruption, the dangers of space travel, and the complications of intricate technology and social media.
Although each episode is a standalone story, it allowsBlack Mirrorto use a variation of genres without committing to one.Particular episodes are more meta than others, however,because of how self-referential they are. For example, “Nosedive” focuses on a mobile app that rates humanity based on how their worth is valued in a fictional points system, and “Be Right Back” delves into the power of AI in the modern world and the concept of it gaining sentience.
Even thoughBlack Mirroris an anthology,there are a few instances in which it’s suggested that each episode takes part in the same universe.“Black Museum” has several easter eggs and references to previous episodes that are displayed as artifacts in the titular archive. Overall, the show’s central theme is the benefits and hindrances of technology, which is demonstrated throughBlack Mirror’s ability to get audiences to reflect on themselves, society’s progression, and the idea of free will.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.
13BoJack Horseman
2014–2020
One of thebest animated TV shows ever,BoJack Horseman,is meta through its primary storyline, which focuses on the titular character, a washed-up sitcom star who is plagued by his past mistakes, substance abuse, and the loved ones he repeatedly lets down.BoJack Horsemanis hugely satirical of Hollywoodand the entertainment industry in several ways. From start to finish, the show critiques and mocks celebrity culture and the nature of fame through the highs and lows of BoJack’s career, which sees plenty of peaks and valleys.
There are many references to real-life popular culture inBoJack Horseman,and the character Mr. Peanutbutter is a perfect example. Mr. Peanutbutter, who is BoJack’s friend and former sitcom rival, frequently asks, “What is this, a crossover episode?!” whenever any two people from different areas of his life cross paths. He is also the ex-husband of Jessica Biel, one of many celebrities who appear as themselves in the show. However, the show ensures a heavy focus on the dark side of Hollywood, too.
Several episodes inall 6 seasons ofBoJack Horsemanexamine the media and its impact on society.Multiple storylines delve into complex topics, such as the power dynamics between an older male and a younger female,addiction, mental health, and the industry’s approach to societal issues. BoJack’s shows “Horsin’ Around” and “Philbert” provide a meta-commentary on the world of fame. Although BoJack isn’t the most likable character, this is also a part of the show’s meta-ness and shows the harsh realities of stardom.
BoJack Horseman
Once the famous star of a hit sitcom, BoJack Horseman has fallen on tough times. Stuck in a major career slump and longing to relive his glory days, BoJack attempts to once more become relevant in an industry that has long since turned its back on him. With a few dysfunctional friends at his side, BoJack begins his long-overdue career comeback.
12Rick And Morty
2013–
Rick and Morty’s meta definition is clear from its pilot. The first episode wraps up with unhinged genius scientist Rick Sanchez rambling about his future adventures with his grandson, Morty.The show is almost permanently self-referential,with core moments standing out for acknowledging its existence and fourth-wall breaks. For example, Rick talks about “Szechuan sauce” repeatedly in the episode “The Rickshank Rickdemption,” a reference to McDonald’s 1998 promotion for the movieMulan. This gag led to the franchise actually bringing the dipping sauce back for a limited time in 2017.
Another example of the show’s meta commentary is inRick and Morty’s anthology episodes, notably the interdimensional cable stories. These episodes are full of references to TV and movies, often joking about the sheer ridiculousness of the industry.Rick and Mortyis also meta through its narratives. For example,the episodes “Never Ricking Morty” and “Full Meta Jackrick” focus on the “meta reality”and the concept that the titular characters are also fictional figures in the show’s universe, too, with Morty purchasing a toy based on the two of them at the Citadel of Ricks.
Another contributing factor toRick and Morty’s metaness comes from the characters speaking about their development as people, discussing themselves as if they are aware of their function within a fictional story.The show explores existential and philosophical concepts,probing into the fundamental questions surrounding the purpose of life, autonomy, and the essence of existence. Morty and Rick’s adventure sometimes sends them across multiple universes that parody or reference real life, like when Rick gives his family a pair of goggles that lets them see their alternative selves living other lives.
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an animated science fiction series that follows the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his impressionable grandson Morty Smith as they embark on perilous adventures across space and alternate dimensions. The show explores the impact of these exploits on Morty’s tumultuous family life and personal challenges.
11Fleabag
2016–2019
Although manyTV show characters break the fourth wall, none do it as much asFleabag. The hit British comedy drama follows the titular character as she grieves for her best friend, struggles with a strained relationship with her sister, and runs a local London cafe. In every episode,Fleabag fills the audience in on important plot details or her opinion, which adds an interesting layer to an already complex narrative.The contrast between Fleabag’s interactions with others and her directly acknowledging viewers makes her a fascinating personality.
Unlike the other characters,Fleabag’s monologues and commentary provide a unique perspective that allows audiences to understand her as a person better.As the show progresses, Fleabag’s relationship with the other side of the camera changes along with her. Fleabag’s character development as the truth about Boo’s death is revealed, her bond with Claire gets better and worse again, and meeting the Priest impacts her attitude and reactions to life. However, the show also uses its meta elements to comment on contemporary problems in society.
Fleabag’s hilarious approach to the world proves how important these issues are, yet treats them in such a way that it mocks how ridiculous it is that they’re being discussed in the first place.
Multiple episodes ofFleabaghighlight topics like gender roles, relationships, and societal expectations. Fleabag’s hilarious approach to the world proves how important these issues are, yet treats them in such a way that it mocks how ridiculous it is that they’re being discussed in the first place.Fleabagis deeply meta because it constantly engages with the audience through a blend of humor and introspectionbut with a narrative that is light-hearted, profound, and philosophical all at the same time.
Fleabag
Created by and starring Pheobe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag follows its titular main character through her life in modern-day London. After the death of her best friend and the imminent demise of their joint business venture, the show deals with Fleabag’s grief over the loss, her struggle to maintain the business, and her complicated relationships with her immediate family. The show is known for its use of the fourth-wall break and is based on Waller-Bridge’s award-winning one-woman show which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013.
10Supernatural
2005–2020
Although the premise ofSupernaturaldoesn’t immediately set the show up to be meta, over time, it slips into the category. Episodes in later seasons of the show are explicitly meta, such as “The French Mistake.” In this episode,Sam and Dean Winchester are pulled into another dimension whereSupernaturalis a TV show,and they are duplicates of their actors, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Padalecki is even questioned by his real-life wife Genevive, who portrays Ruby in the show.
Throughout many episodes ofevery season ofSupernatural, there are several self-referential jokes. For example, in another meta episode of the show “Changing Channels,” Sam and Dean are trapped in various TV show parodies. This episode flips between multiple TV genres, including an ‘80s sitcom, a medical drama, and an over-the-top, camp Japanese game show.Another coreSupernaturalarc that is meta is Chuck’s books,which he uses to manipulate the Winchesters’ lives. This storyline leads to other episodes that explore the concept of conventions, fan fiction, and theSupernaturalfandom itself.
AlthoughSupernaturalisn’t a sci-fi TV show by definition, its use of alternate realities and other universes allows for an interesting shift in its narrative. Considering that it’s one ofthe longest-running TV shows ever, it makes sense thatSupernaturalbecomes so meta.The combination of layered mythological elements and its characters’ awareness of its fictional status is often complicatedand can be hard to follow at times, but it also makes the lore ofSupernaturalvery easy to invest in.
Supernatural
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
930 Rock
2006–2013
30 Rock,one ofthe best sitcoms of all time, brilliantly reflects on Tina Fey’s time atSaturday Night Liveand provides a hilarious commentary on the pressures of live TV.The show is set in the chaos of a live sketch comedy show that parodiesSNL,and Fey portrays its exhausted and disorganized head writer, Liz Lemon.30 Rockheavily features a fictionalized interpretation of NBC, and the show frequently jokes about the company’s real-life controversies, failed projects, and its corporate parent, General Electric.
The show incorporates factual events from history into its storylines,such as Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. There are also other real-life issues that30 Rockreferences, like when Avery is stuck in North Korea in season 6. However, a lot of30 Rock’s metaness comes from its characters. NBC page Kenneth is a character that perfectly encapsulates through gags about him never aging and his love for television production, for example, and Jenna and Tracey are both caricatures of dramatic and petty Hollywood stars who always find employment despite their lack of tact.
30 Rockloves to joke about its cast within the show, too.There are multiple gags throughout30 Rockthat reference Fey’s resemblance to Lemon and Alec Baldwin’s film career,which adds another meta layer to an already self-referential show. Some storylines follow a similar pattern as well, mocking the industry and its popular figures in general, such as when Jack makes the TGS writers’ room incorporate product placement into sketches.
30 Rock
Tina Fey’s absurdist comedy series follows Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictional live sketch comedy show operating out of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which is where the show derives its name. Loosely based on Fey’s experiences as a writer on Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock ran for seven seasons with a supporting cast that included Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer.
8Arrested Development
2003–2019
Arrested Developmentis a groundbreaking title in the sitcom genre because of its unique format. Ron Howard’s narration gives audiences further details onthe Bluth family inArrested Developmentand those around them, making each character well-rounded and interesting. In later seasons of the show, Howard becomes a prominent character as Michael tries to make a TV show based on events of his past and dates his daughter. Amazingly,incorporating Howard as a character while continuing with his commentary makes the show even more meta.
Arrested Developmentis packed with jokes about itself. For example,when the show returns after cancelation with season 4, there are numerous comments and gags about it.The show’s use of recurring gags and callbacks is notably meta, too, especially ones that refer to network decisions and budget constraints. Two key storylines inArrested Developmentare Maeby’s secret career as a movie executive and Tobias’ failed attempts at becoming an actor, both of which mock the industry as a whole.
What’s so intriguing aboutArrested Developmentis how these meta storylines are blended into the characters' lives. In season 5, there is a series of flashbacks that show the Bluth siblings as children and the events that lead to Buster accidentally killing his grandmother. These scenes from the past are later revealed to be recreations for Buster’s trial.Arrested Developmentknows how to mock itself and the wider world brilliantly,which is why it’s so meta.
Arrested Development
Arrested Development, a television series premiered in 2003, follows the dysfunctional Bluth family who are coping with the loss of their fortune. Central to the narrative is Michael Bluth, the diligent son attempting to stabilize the family amidst their eccentricities and financial turmoil.
7The Rehearsal
2022–
Nathan Fielder’s hilarious meta show begs the question:IsThe Rehearsalreal?The HBO show follows Fielder, who helps people prepare for real-life situations by recreating creepily accurate environments and outlining every possible response and reaction they may face. Throughout the show,it’s hard to determine exactly whetherThe Rehearsalis fact or fiction because of its filming style and Fielder’s approach.The premise blurs the lines between reality and performance, an incredibly meta quality for the show to possess.
Fielder frequently acknowledgesThe Rehearsal’s constructed nature,but his self-awareness is too endearing at points that it makes the show appear to be still false. The show’s elaborate setups and the involvement of actors to play real people within the rehearsals are wild, but the fact thatThe Rehearsaldoesn’t fit within a single genre makes it even more meta. The show uses fragments of documentaries and reality TV shows to demonstrate its focus on performance in daily life.
The Rehearsalprovides a commentary on human behaviorand society’s imaginary rules about how social interactions are supposed to play out. Fielder even comments on how this impactsThe Rehearsal’s narrative structure and storytelling techniques, especially how his role as both creator and actor affects them. From the first episode, Fielder makes audiences constantly aware of its structured and imaginary elements through his meta dialogue.
The Rehearsal
The Rehearsal is a television series created by Nathan Fielder, in which he assists individuals in preparing for significant life events through meticulous simulations. Each episode explores the intricate and often humorous process of refining these rehearsals, highlighting the complexities and unexpected outcomes inherent in the pursuit of perfection. The show blends scripted and unscripted elements, offering a unique take on human behavior and the lengths people will go to to achieve their goals.
6South Park
1997–
South Parkis a show that never hesitates to tackle a real-life event as soon as possible,using cruel and mocking humor to comment on society. In fact, severalepisodes ofSouth Parkare bannedbecause the show takes things too far, but its willingness to speak out is one of the reasons why it’s so successful. Although a lot ofSouth Park’s comedy initially seems to be simple and stupid, the show is actually very intelligent because of how satirical it is.
South Parkintroduces real celebrity figures as characters, either directly or through other ridiculous means. For example, Elon Musk, Elton John, and Meat Loaf all star inSouth Parkas themselves, but pop artist Lorde appears as Randy Marsh’s musical alter-ego.South Parkalso recognizes its similarities and differences with other animated TV shows,likeFamily Guy,which is criticized in a scene that implies its writers are a group of manatees.
South Parkmay take meta to the extreme in some ways, there’s no doubt that it uses its ability to critique the wider world brilliantly.
The show often references itself and its characters, and evenSouth Parkcreators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are mentioned in the episodes. For example,there are a few instances in whichSouth Parkdiscusses the audience’s response to certain controversies,such as Chef’s final episode, which is full of jokes about Isaac Hayes and Scientology. AlthoughSouth Parkmay take meta to the extreme in some ways, there’s no doubt that it uses its ability to critique the wider world brilliantly.
South Park
South Park follows the irreverent misadventures of four grade-schoolers—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny—that take place in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado. The animated series explores various social and political issues through its characters' humorous and often absurd escapades.
