If you’re a fan of the classic comedy-drama genre, you’ll love exploring TV shows similar to Designing Women. This iconic series, which aired from 1986 to 1993, combined humor with heartfelt moments, focusing on the lives of four women running a design firm in Atlanta. Here are 16 TV shows that capture the same spirit, wit, and warmth.
1. Murphy Brown
Murphy Brown stars Candice Bergen as the titular character, a hard-hitting journalist and news anchor. The show delves into her professional and personal life, blending comedy with social commentary.
2. The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls features four older women sharing a home in Miami, navigating friendship, love, and life’s challenges. Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty, this series is a beloved classic.
3. Cheers
Cheers centers around a Boston bar where everybody knows your name. With a memorable cast including Ted Danson, Shelley Long, and Rhea Perlman, it’s a delightful mix of humor and camaraderie.
4. Living Single
Living Single follows the lives of six friends living in a Brooklyn brownstone. Starring Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, and Erika Alexander, the show is a vibrant and funny portrayal of friendship and career struggles.
5. Frasier
Frasier features Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist with a radio show. The series, a spin-off of Cheers, is known for its witty dialogue and strong supporting cast, including David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves.
6. Will & Grace
Will & Grace stars Eric McCormack and Debra Messing as best friends navigating life and love in New York City. The show is celebrated for its humor and groundbreaking representation of LGBTQ+ characters.
7. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Mary Tyler Moore Show follows Mary Richards, a single woman working in a Minneapolis TV newsroom. Starring Mary Tyler Moore, the series broke new ground with its portrayal of an independent career woman.
8. Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal stars Calista Flockhart as a quirky lawyer working in a Boston law firm. The show blends legal drama with whimsical fantasy elements, making it a unique and engaging watch.
9. Cagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey features Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly as two female detectives in New York City. The series is notable for its strong female leads and tackling of social issues through a dramatic lens.
10. Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls centers on the close relationship between single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory. Starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, the show is beloved for its witty dialogue and heartwarming moments.
11. Sex and the City
Sex and the City follows the lives of four women navigating love and career in New York City. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon, it’s a candid and often humorous look at modern relationships.
12. Grace and Frankie
Grace and Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two women who form an unlikely friendship after their husbands reveal they are in love with each other. The series is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of life’s second acts.
13. Hot in Cleveland
Hot in Cleveland follows three friends who move to Cleveland after their plane makes an emergency landing. Starring Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, and Wendie Malick, the show is a comedic take on starting over.
14. The Nanny
The Nanny stars Fran Drescher as Fran Fine, a quirky woman who becomes the nanny for a wealthy British family. The show is known for its humor, fashion, and the chemistry between Drescher and co-star Charles Shaughnessy.
15. Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation is a mockumentary-style series following the employees of the Parks Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Starring Amy Poehler, the show is celebrated for its humor and ensemble cast.
16. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel follows Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a housewife who pursues a career in stand-up comedy after her marriage falls apart. Starring Rachel Brosnahan, the series is acclaimed for its sharp writing and period detail.
Dive into these shows and enjoy the blend of humor, drama, and memorable characters that made Designing Women a classic.