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A comment Why “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is, in my opinion, the best sitcom of all time!
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” thrives on its unique characters.
Photo by FOX Image Collection via Getty Images
“What, you don’t know that?”
When it was announced that the police sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” would finally be available on RTL+, I wanted to jump in celebration. But I was pretty much alone in the editorial department – not because my dear work colleagues don't like the sitcom, but because they simply don't know it! I – shocked that my team had so far been deprived of this masterpiece of a series – felt called upon to do some educational work. After all, in my opinion the best sitcom of all time deserves much more attention – and I'm only too happy to tell you why!
Before we start with my damn good reasons why everyone – and really everyone – should have seen the American sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, I will first give you some background information about the (award-winning) series.
The focus of the sitcom is the (fictional) 99th Police Precinct of the NYPD (New York City Department) in Brooklyn. The station is occupied by a rather irregular group of detectives – above all the childish but talented investigator Jake Peralta. However, their chaotic everyday life is shaken when a new boss takes over the station: Captain Raymond Holt. The strict and ambitious captain wants to introduce order, discipline and professionalism – a plan that doesn't go down well with all detectives and causes a lot of friction!
The sitcom, which, according to the Seriejunkies portal, started on September 17, 2013 on the US channel Fox and only ended in 2021. primarily accompanies the detectives in their everyday work, but also provides insights into their private lives.
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The episodes have a typical sitcom length of around 20 minutes. Overall, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” 153 episodes spread over eight seasons – THAT alone should convince you that the series is damn good, right? It's good that you can now stream the series online on RTL+!
Are you still not convinced? Then here are the promised reasons!
Reason 1: The characters! In each case we can identify with at least one character
Let's start with one of the best reasons why the series is so convincing: the characters! I don't think I know of any other sitcom that packs such a variety of different – and above all unique – characters into one room and lets them attack each other. This of course causes a lot of chaos, but above all a lot of entertainment.
In addition to the immature detective Jake Peralta, who, contrary to expectations, is a damn good investigator, we have, for example clumsy but lovable Detective Charles Boyle – Jake's best friend or better said: biggest “fan boy”. He supports Peralta's pranks with devotion, but is initially obsessed with another colleague: Rosa Diaz – ice cold, unpredictable, completely inscrutable and therefore the complete opposite of the insecure Boyle.
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She also struggles with insecurities Perfectionist and over-organized investigator Amy Santiagowho is addicted to the recognition of her superior – and therefore repeatedly finds herself in competition with the childish Peralta. Still missing the two longest-serving but rather less successful investigators Hitchcock and Scullywho would rather spend their day eating at their desk than solving crimes.
This chaotic team is led by Sergeant Terry Jeffords – a braces-loving muscle with a soft heart – who, alongside his family, mainly makes yogurt. He's just sitting above him the new, strict and completely expressionless captain: Raymond Holtwho had to fight hard for his position because of his skin color and sexuality. Finally, it still applies Introducing Gina Linetti, Holt's civilian assistant: Dancer, influencer and childhood friend of Jake – the television world has never seen a more self-absorbed icon!
But enough raving! In short: “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” consists of a chaotic bunch of strong characters with its own principles that not only cause some complications, but in which we also recognize ourselves – intentionally or not. And that’s exactly what makes a really good series, right?
For example, I look for a kind of “feel-good character” in each series – someone with whom I identify, whose feelings and actions I can understand and who I root for. With “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” it was comparatively easy, which is why I firmly assume that YOU have already found yourself in one of the characters – I just hope it's not Hitchcock or Scully!
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Reason 2: the comedy! “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” covers a range of humor styles
I believe that everyone has their own sense of humor: Some people like silly gags that are so cringe-worthy that they almost make you feel ashamed, while others prefer the ironic side-swipe. And that, in my opinion, is a big advantage of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”.
Thanks to its diverse characters, the series offers something for every humor: Jake's silly manner, which is characterized by grimaces and childish reactions, is reminiscent of a slapstick comedy. Amy often provides the situational comedy with her compulsive control, Boyle with his exaggerated openness the “I can't look” feeling of alienation. Fans of dark humor will find great love in Rosa – and even lovers of dry humor will get their money's worth in every situation thanks to Raymond Holt's absolutely emotionless manner.
But above all, the dynamic between the characters has given rise to countless legendary scenes and running gags: for example, the “Halloween Heists” – an annual competition that originally only took place on Halloween, in which the team tries to outsmart and steal from each other in an absurdly comical way. Or Jake's long-running line, “Title of your sex tape,” which unfortunately always follows what are actually innocent but ambiguous statements from Amy – to the great delight of all spectators!
One of the most iconic moments, however, is a scene where Jake has the suspects sing “I want it that way” in the interrogation room – as you can see in brooklyn99's TikTok video below.
Reason 3: diversity! “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” makes diversity normal
Compared to other sitcoms, the high level of diversity in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is immediately noticeable: We have a gay, black captain with a long-term partner, a black sergeant and two Latin American female investigators – one of whom comes out as bisexual over the course of the series.
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Although there are special episodes in which queer storylines (such as Rosa's coming out) are particularly highlighted With “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” you never get the feeling that the characters are only defined by their sexuality or origins – there is no one-dimensional “Gay Best Friend” stereotype here!
In “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” queerness or origins are important parts of the characters that are given space without being limited to them. They accompany the characters quite naturally – just like in real life. This means that diversity doesn't seem like a “topic” that has to be dealt with in individual episodes in order to make the series appear “woke”. Instead, this natural representation makes it a believable and authentic reality – exactly where I believe it belongs.
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Reason 4: the relationships! “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” offers more than just a love story
Compared to other sitcoms, I think Brooklyn Nine-Nine has the strongest relationship dynamics. In addition to the central love story of Amy and Jake, which develops over several seasons and therefore seems particularly authentic, The series shows a wide variety of different relationships: the deep friendship of Jake and Boyle, the almost father-son dynamic between Holt and Jake, the long-standing queer marriage of Holt and Kevin, and even the collaborative camaraderie of Hitchcock and Scully. Not to forget the intense hostility between Holt and Madeleine Wuntch, which seems quite sexually charged!
Since every character is worked out down to the smallest detail, the relationships in the 99th precinct are incomparable and unique. As a result, the series succeeds in portraying the different circumstances just as individually and authentically as you would in real life – and develop it further step by step.
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Reason 5: the mix of seriousness and silliness! “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” isn’t just funny
Let's come to the final reason why “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is the best sitcom of all time for me: The series creates the perfect mix of entertaining and serious moments. Sure, first and foremost “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is a sitcom that is supposed to be entertaining and provide a few quick laughs. But in order for you to really love a series, it has to offer more, right?
That's exactly what “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” does for me: In addition to the funny scenes, there are also poignant storylines that create a more serious atmosphere. There are emotional lows and setbacks or conflicts that the characters have to contend with. The sitcom also shows the vulnerable sides of its characters: their weaknesses, worries and fears. But all of this happens in a balanced framework. The series entertains, but also offers space for quiet moments that seem authentic and make us empathize – even if we were laughing out loud two minutes before.
And thanks to this special narrative style, the sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” does not shy away from incorporating socially critical elements into its episodes. She deals with homophobia, racism and even police corruption – never with a raised finger, but with the necessary seriousness.
All that's left for me to ask is: Can your favorite sitcom do it too?
Sources used: Own RTL research, Instagram/brooklyn99, Serial junkies.
