Saagar Kote
Created by Riz Ahmed, Prime Video’s ‘Bait’ stars Ahmed as Shah Latif, a struggling actor living in London who harbours great ambitions to earn his big break. As he moves through the city in search of more opportunities, he lands an audition. He performs in a stylish tuxedo while hilariously fumbling his lines. Following this, his photos appear in local media after he is followed by the paparazzi. This creates a frenzy and speculation that he could be the next “James Bond”.
For reasons unknown, he gains popularity and strives to earn his role as James Bond. However, there may also be a conspiracy surrounding him that he remains unaware of. In the British comedy-drama series, as Shah navigates his new situation, he also faces online hate and complex bonds with his family and friends. Through the puzzles of fame, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of meaning, Shah must find the strength to answer difficult questions and solve the mystery of his reality. The storyline of these shows, similar to ‘Bait,’ poignantly captures the essence of the series.
12. I’m Dying Up Here (2017-2018)
Showtime’s ‘I’m Dying Up Here,’ created by Dave Flebotte and Jim Carrey, delves into the intense culture and rise of stand-up comedy in 1970s LA. The comedy-drama series follows a group of aspiring, young comedians striving for success and a coveted spot on ‘The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson’ at Golda Herschlag AKA Goldie’s (Melissa Leo) comedy club. Goldie, the tough but supportive owner of the club, mentors the comics as they navigate the industry’s harsh competition. As the comics go through the daily grind in the era before the internet, they chase fame and fortune with the power of their souls. Based on William Knoedelseder’s eponymous book, the narrative is spiritually and thematically complementary to ‘Bait’ as it is a portrait of struggle, artistic expression, and industry realities.
11. Hacks (2021-)
HBO Max’s ‘Hacks’ centers on an improbable professional alliance between two women who come from different economic and cultural realities. Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a highly successful stand-up comedian based in Las Vegas, faces the potential end of her career as her residency contract approaches its conclusion. Determined to stay relevant in comedy, Deborah recognizes the need to inject fresh, culturally relevant ideas into her material. Her fortune changes when she encounters Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), a young, gifted, but struggling writer from LA. Deborah hires her and assigns her to develop new jokes and scripts for comedy shows.
As the established comedian and the young writer collaborate, their respective egos and insecurities generate unexpected friction. It results in a tumultuous working relationship between Deborah and Ava as they battle for creative control while simultaneously struggling to reconcile their vastly different outlooks on life, comedy, and culture. Created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, the comedy-drama series is a wild ride of creativity. Akin to ‘Bait,’ it focuses on struggling creative performers looking for a positive career shift and a sense of belonging.
10. Ramy (2019-)
‘Ramy’ chronicles the life of Ramy Hassan (Ramy Youssef), who is drifting through life in New Jersey. Hailing from a family of Egyptian immigrants, he develops a distinct perspective on faith, creating a rift with his parents. As Ramy attempts to reconcile his Muslim background with his American upbringing, he also handles financial difficulties, family issues, and a feeling of inner hollowness. Seeking moral clarity and purpose in a world that confuses him, he must pave his own path by experiencing life on his own terms. Created by Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch, and Ramy Youssef, the Hulu comedy-drama show, like ‘Bait,’ is a harrowing exploration of cultural and ethnic identity, and an individual’s battle against his own insecurities in the journey towards redemption.
9. Action (1999-2000)
Fox’s ‘Action’ is a comedy series that follows the experiences of Hollywood producer Peter Dragon (Jay Mohr), who is desperate for success after his high-stakes film bombs at the box office, costing him millions. Just when his career seems to be over, an unexpected opportunity arises. He decides to make an action movie to win back audiences, but the only person who agrees to star in it is Wendy Ward (Illeana Douglas), a former child actor who is now a sex worker. Peter must overcome immense challenges and manage Wendy’s demands to salvage his reputation and professional standing. Created by Chris Thompson, the show captures the spirit of ‘Bait’ through its commentary on the inner workings of the entertainment industry.
8. Barry (2018-2023)
HBO’s ‘Barry,’ from creators Alec Berg and Bill Hader, centers on depressed hitman Barry Berkman (Bill Hader). He is a US Marine and Afghanistan veteran from Cleveland, who travels to LA for a killing job, but finds himself drawn into the local theater scene after following his target into an acting class. This newfound passion becomes an escape for his anxieties and feelings of guilt. By taking a leap of faith, he plans to become an actor, especially due to his feelings for fellow student Sally Reed (Sarah Goldberg). However, Barry struggles to leave his violent past behind, as his handler, Monroe Fuches (Stephen Root), and his criminal connections make it difficult for him to achieve liberation easily. The comedy crime drama series is connected to ‘Bait,’ as it explores redemption, the power of art, and the transformation of a struggling actor.
7. Atlanta (2016-2022)
Created by Donald Glover, FX’s ‘Atlanta’ follows the trials and tribulations of cousins Earnest Marks AKA Earn (Donald Glover) and Alfred Miles AKA Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) as they navigate Atlanta’s rap scene. Earn, a Princeton dropout and aspiring manager, works to elevate Paper Boi’s burgeoning rap career to improve his own life and that of his daughter Lottie and her mother, Vanessa. The comedy-drama series explores social and economic issues such as race, poverty, and relationships through the difficult, at times surreal, journeys of the two cousins in the city. The narrative, due to its focus on identity, redemption, culture, and the power of art, complements ‘Bait.’
6. Party Down (2009-2023)
‘Party Down’ is a sitcom that chronicles the struggles of individuals seeking careers as Hollywood screenwriters and actors. To make ends meet and facilitate this dream, they work at Party Down, a high-end LA catering company. Henry Pollard (Adam Scott), a disheartened, unsuccessful actor who reluctantly joins the catering team, and Ron Donald (Ken Marino), the team leader, are part of this equation, along with Casey Klein (Lizzy Caplan), an aspiring actress. As dreams and the tough work environment challenge them, the team members must figure out a way to stay afloat in a competitive world. Created by John Enbom, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge, and Paul Rudd, the narrative shares similarities with ‘Bait,’ exploring acting aspirations, the demands of the film industry, and the price of pursuing dreams in an unfair world.
5. Episodes (2011-2017)
‘Episodes,’ a British-American sitcom created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, chronicles the experiences of British comedy-writing couple Sean Lincoln (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly Lincoln (Tamsin Greig). They relocate to Hollywood for a profitable opportunity offered by network executive Merc Lapidus (John Pankow) to adapt their successful British show. However, they soon find themselves stuck due to studio interference, unable to make crucial decisions about how their show should be handled and what it should look like.
The couple’s show is subsequently recast with actor Matt LeBlanc, who plays a satirical version of himself and turns it into a terrible, predictable mess. As Sean struggles to adapt to the Hollywood scene and Beverly considers going back to the UK, their fates hang in the balance. The surprises that Sean and Beverly face in the story, and their ambitions, resemble Shah’s experiences in ‘Bait.’
4. The Studio (2025-)
Apple TV’s ‘The Studio’ revolves around the ups and downs in the life of Matt Remick (Seth Rogen), who becomes the new head of Continental Studios, a legacy-driven, legendary institution known for its epic films. His newfound authority and career growth take a beating when Matt realizes that running a studio in the age of streaming is not easy. With the help of his colleagues, Sal Saperstein, Quinn Hackett, and Maya Mason, who all hold important portfolios in Continental, Matt attempts to redefine his legacy. However, the changing morality in Hollywood and viewers’ dynamic tastes make things difficult for Matt and the team. The engaging and culturally relevant comedy series is created by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez. Akin to ‘Bait,’ it features scenarios in which artists battle the odds to achieve their goals while also grappling with the issue of relevance.
3. Ten Percent (2022)
‘Ten Percent’ centers on the personal and professional lives of Jonathan Nightingale (Jack Davenport), Rebecca Fox (Lydia Leonard), Stella Hart, and Dan Bala, all employees of the London talent agency, Nightingale Hart. The agency faces upheaval with the arrival of Misha Virani, who is spontaneously hired as an assistant. The agency’s severe financial struggles challenge the staff as they deal with the death of Richard, Jonathan’s father, who was the company’s founder. Throughout all this, the team struggles to handle their demanding clients while resisting interference from the American company that has purchased the agency. Developed by John Morton, the British comedy-drama series is based on the French series ‘Call My Agent!’ It is similar to ‘Bait’ in that it delves into the destinies of creative people, the struggle to find a place in a competitive industry, and the journeys of complex individuals.
2. The Comeback (2005-2026)
HBO’s ‘The Comeback,’ a sitcom created by Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King, centers on Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow), a woman in her forties striving to regain her footing in the entertainment industry. Once a well-known sitcom star, she is now unemployed and in self-doubt, prompting her to attempt a professional revival. As part of this effort, she agrees to let a camera crew film her, documenting important moments in her life. Beyond the professional hurdles, Valerie also navigates her personal life as a wife. The series offers a meaningful, deep dive into Valerie’s experiences in Hollywood, exploring themes of celebrity and career longevity through highly amusing, awkward encounters. Lisa’s overwhelming struggle to become popular and a relevant actress connects her character arc to that of Shah in ‘Bait.’
1. Extras (2005-2007)
Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, BBC’s ‘Extras’ centers on the life of Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais), who leaves his regular job to chase stardom. In this journey, the most important people in his life are his friend Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen) and his subpar agent Darren Lamb (Stephen Merchant). Andy’s ambitions are hampered by his agent’s incompetence, and he ends up working as a background extra.
Though this is not the situation he hoped for, Andy tries to make the most of his job as an extra, which gives him the opportunity to meet major celebrities and learn about their world. His attempts to further his career invariably lead to increasingly ridiculous situations and humorous moments that define his personal journey. The British sitcom, like ‘Bait,’ is a story of relentless ambition, the value of stardom in the entertainment industry, and the convergence of personal and professional issues in an actor’s life.
Read More: Shows Like The Comeback
