"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is a workplace comedy set in a New York City police precinct. While primarily a character-driven sitcom focused on the relationships and antics of its diverse ensemble cast, it shares the workplace setting and ensemble focus with shows like "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation".

Known for its quick pacing, positive tone, and ability to blend humour with occasional serious topics, it's less focused on satire than the other shows on this list. Its appeal comes from its lovable characters, clever gags, and optimistic portrayal of a found family in the workplace.

Created by Tina Fey, "30 Rock" is a fast-paced, joke-a-minute sitcom that satirizes the world of television production. Loosely based on Fey's experiences at Saturday Night Live, the show follows the harried head writer of a sketch comedy show as she deals with a crazy boss and an unpredictable cast.

While not a mockumentary or surreal satire like "The Day Today", it shares a focus on the absurdity of the media world, albeit through a more conventional sitcom format. Its strength lies in its incredibly witty writing, bizarre cutaways, and the comedic talents of its cast, including Fey, Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan.

"Arrested Development" is a highly influential comedy known for its complex, layered writing, running gags, and unique narration style. While not a mockumentary in the traditional sense, it uses a documentary-like narrator (Ron Howard) and frequent archival footage and cutaways to tell the story of the dysfunctional Bluth family.

Its humour is incredibly dense, rewarding rewatching to catch all the callbacks and foreshadowing. It satirizes wealth, privilege, and family dynamics with a sharp, witty script and fantastic ensemble cast. Its innovative structure and commitment to its own internal logic set it apart.

Spinning off from a potential "Office" concept, "Parks and Recreation" also employs the mockumentary style to depict the lives of quirky characters working in a local government parks department in Pawnee, Indiana. Initially similar in tone, the show quickly evolved to become more optimistic and character-driven.

Starring Amy Poehler as the indefatigable Leslie Knope, it's known for its ensemble cast, positive outlook, and hilarious character-specific humour. While less satirical than the shows higher on this list, its use of the mockumentary format places it within the lineage of influential comedies that broke from traditional sitcom structures.

The American adaptation of "The Office" took the mockumentary format and premise of the UK original and successfully transplanted it to a U.S. paper company, Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Initially following the UK plot closely, it quickly found its own voice and became one of the most popular sitcoms of its era.

Led by Steve Carell as the well-meaning but clueless boss Michael Scott, the show balances cringe humour with genuine heart and developed a large ensemble cast of beloved characters. While less bleak than the UK version, it still uses the mockumentary style effectively to explore workplace relationships and absurdities.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's original UK version of "The Office" redefined mockumentary comedy. While not directly linked to the surreal satire of "The Day Today", it shares the fly-on-the-wall style and a focus on the awkward, often pathetic realities of everyday life, specifically in a paper company in Slough.

Its humour comes from the painfully relatable characters, particularly the deluded manager David Brent, and the observational comedy of workplace dynamics. It was hugely influential, paving the way for many subsequent mockumentary sitcoms and establishing a different, more grounded form of cringe comedy.

A continuation and expansion of the "Screenwipe" format, "Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe" broadened its scope to cover news, politics, and internet culture alongside television. Brooker's acerbic wit remains front and center as he dissects the week's events with insightful, often hilarious, commentary.

It features contributions from guests like Philomena Cunk and Barry Shitpeas, adding extra layers of absurdity. Like "Screenwipe", it shares a lineage with "The Day Today" through Brooker's involvement and its fundamental goal: to cast a satirical, critical eye over the media and the world it presents to us.

Charlie Brooker, who collaborated with Chris Morris on "Nathan Barley", offers his unique perspective on television itself in "Screenwipe". This series is less a traditional comedy and more a critical, often cynical, and very funny analysis of what's on our screens.

Brooker deconstructs TV trends, genres, and specific shows with sharp wit and insightful commentary, presented in his signature direct-to-camera style. It's an intelligent and entertaining look at the media landscape, sharing a satirical spirit with "The Day Today" by turning a critical eye onto the mechanisms of broadcasting.

Taking the reins from "The Thick of It", "Veep" transports Armando Iannucci's brand of political chaos to the American political landscape. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Vice President Selina Meyer, the show delves into the frantic, ego-driven world of Washington D.C.

Like its British predecessor, it excels in sharp, witty dialogue and cringe comedy, portraying politicians as deeply flawed, often clueless individuals obsessed with power and image. Louis-Dreyfus's performance is phenomenal, earning her multiple Emmy awards, in this biting and hilarious look at the absurdities of high office.

Armando Iannucci's other major contribution to satirical television shifts focus from media to politics, but maintains the rapid-fire, profanity-laden dialogue and mockumentary style he honed in "The Day Today". "The Thick of It" plunges viewers into the chaotic, often absurd world of British government.

Led by the terrifyingly creative insults of Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi), the show is a masterclass in political satire, showcasing the incompetence, infighting, and sheer panic behind closed doors. Its fly-on-the-wall style feels incredibly authentic, making the ridiculousness all the more hilarious and believable.

Co-written by Chris Morris and Charlie Brooker, "Nathan Barley" takes aim squarely at the self-promoting, style-over-substance culture of early 2000s London hipsters. The titular character, played by Nicholas Burns, is a 'self-facilitating media node' who embodies everything irritating about the scene.

The show's satirical eye is sharp, predicting many trends in online self-aggrandisement. It features early appearances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Ayoade. While perhaps less overtly surreal than Morris's earlier work, it retains a cynical edge and a keen observation of cultural trends that makes it a fascinating time capsule and critique.

Diving even deeper into the abyss of surrealism, "Jam" is Chris Morris at his most experimental and unsettling. Based on his radio show "Blue Jam", this series is less about direct satire and more about creating a pervasive atmosphere of dread, melancholy, and bizarre humour.

Using distorted audio, dreamlike visuals, and sketches that often end abruptly or take disturbing turns, "Jam" is a unique and challenging viewing experience. It's a testament to Morris's willingness to explore the darker corners of comedy and human nature, making it a cult classic for those who appreciate comedy that pushes boundaries.

If "The Day Today" was a warning about media sensationalism, "Brass Eye" is a full-blown, no-holds-barred assault. Chris Morris takes the mock news format and pushes it into truly dark and controversial territory, often tricking celebrities and politicians into endorsing ludicrous campaigns (like 'Cake', a fictional drug).

It's shocking, uncomfortable, and undeniably genius. The show's fearless approach to satire sparked outrage but also cemented its status as a fearless critique of media manipulation and public gullibility. It's not an easy watch, but its brilliance is undeniable and its impact still felt today.

Prepare yourself for a relentless barrage of surreal news satire! Chris Morris and Armando Iannucci's masterpiece, "The Day Today", is a foundational text in modern British comedy. It brilliantly mimics the style of early 90s current affairs programmes but warps it into something utterly absurd and hilariously unsettling.

The show introduced iconic characters like Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) and poked fun at everything from sensationalist headlines to awkward vox pops. Its influence on subsequent satirical comedy is immense, setting a high bar for both wit and sheer, glorious weirdness. It's sharp, frantic, and will make you question everything you see on the news.