ADOPTION AND DEATH OF A LOVED ONE are among life’s top tribulationsthat two underrated comedies tackle with infectious charm. Both Tryingand Fisk demonstrate that when faced with grief and impossible odds,it’s time to roll out the indecent humor—done only the way the Brits andAussies can.

Warning! Spoiler Alert!

TRYING

An Apple TV Original, Trying follows the lives ofNikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall), who are faced with the devastingnews that it will be near impossible for them to conceive. After muchsoul-searching, they decide to adopt (“Do you think we’ll get a kid today?”Nikki asks hopefully on their intro to the adoption process). Well, not quitewithin a day, try more like a year—and that’s if they can pass the paperwork,home visits, and a grueling council interview—before we get to the kids. With adysfunctional family night and day apart from being a cohesive group (one greatscene features Jason’s dad who would rather keep sneaking off to fix thingsaround the flat than engage in conversation with the in-laws) and pittedagainst bougie couples keen to snag kiddos for their mansions, the road toparenthood seems like a pipe dream—kept alive by Nikki’s ineffable spirit andJason’s commitment to Nikki.

Luckily, the couple has Social Worker Penny (ImeldaStaunton) on their side! At first I was expecting another Dolores Umbridge, butthis Staunton character is wacky and kind-hearted, been in the world of socialservices for decades, and has no qualms about setting people straight. The lessobvious scene stealer turns out to be Scott (Darren Boyd), prickish beau ofNikki’s sister, the uppity know-it-all we’ve all encountered at one point oranother. He spends the first season making you just plain hate him, beforeemerging with an unforeseen redemption arch.

The first three seasons of Trying are effortlesslyhilarious. Season Four (currently streaming) has a bit of a lackluster start,likely due to all the casting changes. Hopefully it can recover its footingbefore it makes all of its well-developed characters into caricatures (like theterritory the supremely well-done Suits found itself in at the end).Less is sometimes more. However, the first three seasons will certainly bringthat fresh touch of originality and spunk as did The Office, Ted Lassoand other comedy classics. 

FISK

Australian ABC Television; Streaming on Netflix

HELEN TUDOR-FISK was a big-time contracts lawyer before hercareer, marriage, and housing situation took a nose-dive, landing her at theshabby little probate law firm Gruber & Associates. Helen (Kitty Flanagan),a no-nonsense plain mouse unable to read social cues, is probably the lastperson you would want helping you through the grief process, but it sure makesfor hilarious television. The sibling pair running the firm are playedperfectly by Roz (Julia Zemiro) and Ray Gruber (Marty Sheargold), their personalitiesequal parts ridiculous and yet incredibly authentic for the family-runoperation. Rounding out the small office is the receptionist/IT Administratorsimply called “George” (Aaron Chen), the inspiration for deadpan comebacks.

It does give The Office vibes, tackling cases ofwills and probate ranging from a woman whose deceased spouse signed her up toreceive repeated calls from “beyond the grave” that the telecommunicationscompany refuses to cancel, to a daughter duking it out with her deceasedfather’s much younger wife. Put Helen in the middle with her dutifully literalinterpretation of the law and let the fireworks begin. As humorless as Helenstarts out (the temp Peggy informs her she’s ‘no fun’), she proves she iswilling to go above and beyond for her clients, ultimately forming her owncareer outside the shadow of her father (an esteemed judge), and maybedeveloping some empathy.

Not too soon, though—Fisk is short, sweet, andfocused with limited episodes for each of its two seasons, and I can’t wait forseason 3. Who knew the world of probate and wills could be so entertaining!