Getting the tone of a comedy TV show right isn’t easy, and outside the sitcoms that are nearly flawless, it usually takes a season or two for a series to hit its stride. Many ofthe best sitcoms of all time aren’t necessarily the ones that haven’t had any bad seasons.However, both draw from theclassic sitcom shows that everyone copies, forming a shared language.
These aresitcoms that everyone should watch, as they come from all eras of television and hit upon different niches of comedy that appeal to a wide range of audiences. One of the best parts of this genre is thatthese series are episodic enough for viewers to jump in at any pointin the story. However, they still provide marked character development.
8It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005–Present)
This Long-Running Sitcom Has Only Gotten Better With Time
While it’s true that most fans ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaagree it’s best to skip the pilot and that season 1 isn’t the strongest of the series, it still does a great job of setting the tone and establishing who these characters are. The most enduring aspect of the show isthe narcissistic behavior of its characters, remaining consistent even as the world changes.
This is established in season 1, making it a vital part of the show and allowing the series to grow into its iconic reputation. The fact thatIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiais still on the air and wildly popular with so many audiences speaks to the series' longevity and how fun it is to watch the characters destroy themselves and everything around them.
There’s no question thatIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiahas changed a lot since it premiered 20 years ago in 2005, but it’s remained consistent in its quality. Thoughthe series typically follows the same formula in each episode,there are standouts throughout the series that demonstrate the genius at the heart of the project.
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7MAS*H (1972–1983)
A Groundbreaking Sitcom That Feels Just As Fresh Today
Based on the 1970 movie of the same name, the long-running seriesMASHpaved the way for modern sitcoms, breaking ground when it came to blending comedy and drama onscreen.Alan Alda leads the cast as Hawkeye,the wise guy surgeon, often playing tricks on his unit as they weather the front lines of the Korean War.
Praised for its sense of humor, unflinching depictions of the realities of war, and its commentary on the Vietnam War,MASHwasn’t just entertaining television; it had something to say.MASH’s best characterscontribute to the texture of the show, and since it ran for eleven seasons, the series had to grapple with cast changes and shifting expectations from viewers.
However,MASHnever lost what made it special, and was consistently acclaimed for its funniest and most dramatic episodes. The landmark series finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” cements the show as one to be remembered. The finale, like all the best installments ofMASH, takes risks and tackles big ideological questions,but this is why it’s still worth watching today.
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6Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021)
This Workplace Sitcom Is Anchored By A Talented Ensemble Cast
SNLalum Andy Samberg leads the cast ofBrooklyn Nine-Nineas Jake Peralta, one of the many detectives who make the show one of the best comedic police procedurals in recent memory.Samberg is far from the only great actor in the show,asBrooklyn Nine-Nineassembled a terrific cast up to the challenge of making each season of the series one to remember.
Brooklyn Nine-Nineis a rare series that was able to stay just as interesting and compelling after its central couple got together.
It helps that Jake and Amy have one of the most satisfying will-they-won’t-they romantic arcs in sitcom history, resulting in a sweet relationship that didn’t take away from the tension or stakes of the show.Brooklyn Nine-Nineis a rare series that was able to stay just as interesting and compelling after its central couple got together.
Part of this is due to the fact that each member of the ensemble was a vividly realized character with plenty of conflicts and development left to navigate on the show. ThoughBrooklyn Nine-Ninesticks to the lighter side of its story and themes,it has strong moments when it engages with real issues that face the characters in their professions and their identities.
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A New York City Buddy Comedy That Became A Benchmark For Sitcoms
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer co-created, wrote, and starred inBroad City,a fictionalized comedy series about their real friendship that developed from their web series. It might sound a touch dramatic to call the pair comedic geniuses, but no matter how many times you rewatchBroad City, it’s hard to argue that the pair were at the cutting edge of comedy at the time.
Though it’s been argued that the very Millennial themes and humor ofBroad Citydate it, revisiting the series proves that this isn’t the case. Some storylines wouldn’t make sense today, butthis makesBroad Citya perfect time capsule of this period.It wouldn’t be Ilana and Abbi’s story if it didn’t engage with the age of the internet and the stereotypes surrounding Millennial coming-of-age.
As younger audiences discover the magic ofBroad Citytoday, it only becomes more obvious that the series will always have a place in the hearts of fans. The early seasons are hilarious for their chaos and scrappiness, but it’s no less exciting to watch Abbi and Ilana grow up, astheir character arcs mirror the changes the stars were going through behind the scenes.
4Schitt’s Creek (2014–2020)
Watching The Characters In Schitt’s Creek Grow Up Is Hilarious & Heartwarming
The star-studded cast of comedy veterans who leadSchitt’s Creekincludes Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Daniel Levy, and Annie Murphy as the central Rose family. Beginning as a satirical exploration of class differences when the wealthy Rose family loses all their money and moves to the titular town,Schitt’s Creekbecame one of the most heartfelt series of the 21st century.
It’s hard to imagine what would have happened ifSchitt’s Creekhadn’t exploded in popularity in its later seasons.
It’s hard to imagine what would have happened ifSchitt’s Creekhadn’t exploded in popularity in its later seasons, allowing the show to continue finding itself and its tone. Though the show gained traction as it continued, the early installments are just as fun to watch, as the Roses are funny whether they’re at their most or least likable.
The relationship between David and Patrick is one of the highlights ofSchitt’s Creek’s later seasons, as the series seamlessly evolves into an exploration of small-town life and eases up on the class satire. However,the show was able to do this because the early seasons pushed the Rose family so farand gave them the space to grow as characters.
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3Seinfeld (1989–1998)
This Sitcom Set The Bar For All Others That Came After It
The 1990s saw the premiere of some of the most influential sitcoms of all time,butSeinfeldisn’t just important to the genre; it’s hilarious from start to finish. Though it was unlike anything audiences had seen on TV,Seinfeldappealed to everyone because it was simply about the daily annoyances and dramas that can become so funny.
Seinfeldseason 1 is still taking shape, not quite hitting its stride yet, but the building blocks of the story are there, and it’s interesting to see the show find its voice. Even the controversial series finale, “The Finale,” demonstrates howSeinfeldis rewarded for its boundary-pushing style and tone because even if it isn’t universally beloved,it can’t be argued that it isn’t brilliantly original.
The legacy ofSeinfeldcan’t be overstated, as audiences still return to the show today, and the creative team has gone on to create even more incredible shows, like Larry David’sCurb Your Enthusiasm. It’s nearly impossible to envision what contemporary sitcoms would look like withoutSeinfeld’s example, but luckily,we never have to find out what TV would be without this landmark sitcom.
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230 Rock (2006–2013)
Tina Fey’s Comedy Series Is A Surrealist Masterpiece
30 Rockwas airing during the era of peak TV, with an incredible lineup of sitcoms likeThe OfficeandParks and Recreationputting out new episodes on NBC.Created by and starring Tina Fey,30 Rockis a loose parody of the real sketch comedy seriesSNL, with Fey mining her experiences writing and performing on the show for the comedy of30 Rock.
30 Rockis an underrated sitcomthat should be remembered alongside the most groundbreaking of the genre, as Fey wove elements of surrealism and consistently reinvented the boundaries between genres on TV. From throwaway one-liners to the show’s best running gags, every second of30 Rockis thoughtful and well-crafted without ever feeling pedantic.
30 Rockis packed with references and homages, but it democratizes its comedy.
Somehow, both highbrow and lowbrow comedy,30 Rockis packed with references and homages, but it democratizes its comedy so that viewers can enjoy it whether they get the niche allusions or not. Though the show received no shortage of critical acclaim, every comedy fan should find out for themselves why30 Rockwill always be remembered as a masterpiece.
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1Veep (2012–2019)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Gives A Career-Best Performance In Every Season Of Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was the perfect and only choice to portray Selina Meyer, the lead character onVeep, andher six consecutive Emmy winsfor Best Actress in a Comedy Series certainly prove this (viaIMDB). However, even if Louis-Dreyfus hadn’t been recognized for her work, this wouldn’t change how game-changing it was.
Veephas been hailed as one of the most searing and realistic depictions of the inner workings of Washington, D.C.,and U.S. politics on television, and this is thanks to the writing and performances. Following Meyer’s time as the Vice President, and her later campaigns for President,Veepstarts strong and somehow only gets better as the show progresses.
While it’s easy to single out Louis-Dreyfus as a highlight of the series, it’s the entire ensemble that setsVeepapart from other sitcoms. The political premise gives the series an edge and the ability to be as topical as possible without feeling dated, andVeeptook advantage of the evolving political climate in real life,letting this inform the comedy.
