Fox’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” surprised many fans when it took home the award for Best Comedy Series at The Golden Globes on Sunday. The freshman comedy seemed unlikely to win heading into the broadcast—among the other nominees were past winners “Modern Family” and “Girls”—but it managed to pull out an upset, even scoring a Best Actor win for its star Andy Samberg.

READ MORE: Golden Globes 2014: Backstage With The Winners

The series is only halfway through its first season, but it’s already proven itself to be one of the best new shows and among the best sitcoms on television. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is clearly already watching—and loving—“Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Here’s why you should be too:

It’s from the creator of “Parks and Recreation”
Michael Schur, producer on “The Office” and co-creator of “Parks and Rec” teamed up with another “Parks” producer, Dan Goor, to create “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” All of the things that make “Parks and Rec” such a great show—the large cast of unique characters, the whip-smart writing, and the strong emotional backbone—have been carried over into “Nine Nine.”

The ensemble cast works together like veterans
Few sitcom casts gel together as well as the cast of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” has so early on. Even well-respected shows took time in early seasons to develop the chemistry that the “Nine-Nine” cast already has in spades. Andre Braugher and Andy Samberg are the only faces on the promotional poster, but the rest of the cast gets their chance to shine on screen. The way the actors comfortably bounce lines back and forth among one another rivals that of old pros like the casts of “Community” or “New Girl.”

Newcomer Chelsea Peretti is a standout
Previously a stand-up comedian and writer for shows such as “Parks and Recreation” and “The Sarah Silverman Program,” Chelsea Peretti hasn’t had a major acting role before her turn as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” hysterically unpredictable Gina Linetti. Whether she’s dancing to Christina Aguilera or firing a gun at the gun range, Gina is one of the most consistently funny characters on the show.

Great use of guest stars
For a show that has developed it main cast so well, it’s shocking how many guest stars have appeared. Patton Oswalt, “The Office’s” Craig Robinson, and even Kid Cudi have stopped by the precinct in the show’s first thirteen episodes. It’s a testament to the show’s strong writing that so many memorable recurring characters have come through without taking away from the central characters.

Puppies
Occasionally, there are puppies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reach staff reporter Reid Nakamura here.