Though the facts of life tell us to take the good with the bad, but today, we’re celebrating the good. Rather, the great. No, the masterpieces. The evolution of the television sitcom is quite a fascinating journey. From black-and-white to color, multi-cam comedies to single-camera mockumentaries. What the 20 shows on this list have in common is that they bring us non-stop laughs.
There are certainly more than 20 extraordinary sitcoms, many that are beloved, but to take a spot here, you have to be timeless. You must have made a long-lasting impact on the genre. The actors and characters must be iconic. As you read through this journey with laughs, hopefully these entries will spark some fond memories.
20
‘The Good Place’ (2016-2020)
For the most part, sitcoms tend to take place in reality. We’ve had some iconic fantasy sitcoms in the past, like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, but none have been as charming and thought-provoking as The Good Place. Created by Michael Schur, we all wonder where we go when our time on earth is over. Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) believes she’s found her utopia in the Good Place. Well, the joke’s on her because Michael (Ted Danson) has created the exact opposite. Though the concept may have seemed a bit bleak, the lightness surrounding The Good Place made it a comfort and joy. With a wonderfully unique premise and an outstanding ensemble, The Good Place had us thinking while we laughed along.
A brightly colored, whimsical world, Michael’s facade stood out amongst the other single-camera series of the time. The Good Place had the ability to stretch scenarios as the rules of the world were intricately crafted by the creator, but loose enough for audiences to believe the journey. With its brilliant premise, we watched a group of individuals who would likely never interact had it not for being stuck in this place together. Through that, it proved that a shared experience can bring anyone together, even in the real world. What The Good Place did that no sitcom had dared to do was explore morality and faith in an accessible manner. A wonderful binge-watch, The Good Place is that show that drops Easter eggs and clues that help you see the twists coming that you likely didn’t see during your first pass. Which is OK, because we were enamored!
19
‘Atlanta’ (2016-2022)
Not every sitcom has to follow the classic format common with multi-cam or single-camera shows. In fact, as the genre evolved, it was those shows that stood out that made a major impact. Such was the case with FX’s Atlanta. Created by actor, rapper, and producer Donald Glover, Atlanta is a somewhat surreal story about the daily life of Earn Marks (Glover) as he navigates being a dropout-turned-music manager and baby daddy. As he attempts to handle the burgeoning rap career of his cousin, Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), Earn does his best to secure a better life for his family. A masterpiece story about the Black American experience, fame, and the modern world, Atlanta celebrated the hustle and the moments of everyday life.
With an unwillingness to cater to a mainstream audience, Atlanta‘s unconventional approach allowed it to form its own identity while revolutionizing the types of comedies that would follow. The pioneering mix of deadpan comedy and surrealism enabled the series of stories to present stand-alone bottle episodes that redefined the structure of comedy television. With artistic ambition, the mission of Atlanta was to present an authentic vantage of the Atlanta rap scene and the Black American experience. And it succeeded.
18
‘Friends’ (1994-2004)
There truly isn’t a series so beloved and timeless as Friends. A defining series of the 90s that set the tone for the new millennium, Friends was a show that was genuinely there for you. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, the series centered around six young adults—Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Monica Geller (Courtney Cox), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), and Ross Geller (David Schwimmer)— navigating life, relationships, and careers in New York City. Though those of us who live in New York know the show isn’t as realistic as Friends made it out to be, the allure of the series was watching six individuals form a lasting friend group. It brought our own aspirations to find the same.
Friends succeeded because it leaned into the successful sitcom tropes while building six robust characters to follow. They each had their own character traits that often collided for the sake of comedy, but when they united to create something special, we cherished the sentiment. From the ten-season-long, will they or won’t they arc of Ross and Rachel to watching Monica and Chandler find love and build a family, Friends revealed just how to take care of a character’s arc. Everything was natural and believable.
Perhaps the most successful element that Friends had going for it was the cast. There’s the age-old story about the stars taking one last Las Vegas trip to bond, but, as predicted by James Burroughs, it was also their last shot at anonymity. And he was right. Friends made six superstars overnight. Friends became so big, Hollywood’s finest raced to get a chance to guest-star. The revolving door of celebrities, whether playing romantic partners or family members, elevated the storytelling. As a constant in syndication, it’s pure bliss being reminded of the who’s-who of stars. The definition of a comfort show, no hang-out series about six friends will ever be quite the same.
There are certainly a whole host of brilliant ensemble-led sitcoms on this list, but the dynamic created by the most random array of individuals made Community stand out as one of the biggest hits of the single-camera generation. Riding high through its dysfunctional found family and the series’ ability to navigate absurdist adventures and pop-culture-infused satire, it became an instant cult classic. The Dan Harmon-created masterpiece follows a suspended lawyer, Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), who fakes a bachelor’s degree and is forced to attend Greendale Community College. He forms a study group that evolves into an absurdly close-knit family of eccentric misfits who fight through their educational experience. Known for its high-concept meta-humor and pop culture parody, Community proved to be a brilliant postmodern take on the sitcom.
A series that deconstructed television tropes, Community played by its own rules. From stop-motion romps and paintball westerns to horror-tinged allegories and alternate timelines, Community struck a balance between exploring ambitious episodes and preserving its initial premise. A great sitcom needs great comedians. Community was stuffed with them. McHale may have been the cog of the story, but each individual had their moments to shine. Watching the odd couple-type pairing of Abed (Danny Pudi) and Troy (Donald Glover) was a weekly treat. Seeing Ken Jeong go absolutely berserk as Ben Chang was the gift that kept on giving. Observing the weird tension between Jeff and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) defied the obvious, instead forming a lasting love-hate relationship that made Community intriguing. Community was playful and fun, and we’re still crossing our fingers that a movie will come one day.
16
’30 Rock’ (2006-2013)
They say write what you know, and that’s exactly what Tina Fey did with 30 Rock. Fresh from her tenure with Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock pulled the curtain back at a fictitious sketch comedy show. 30 Rock provided viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at Liz Lemon (Fey), the overworked, neurotic head writer of TGS, as she desperately tries to manage her show and personal life, while handling the eccentric personalities around her. Mocking real-time situations through a satirical lens, 30 Rock was pointed, poignant, and perceptive. Named after the place where Fey worked, 30 Rock capitalized on the single-camera boom by creating a new type of sitcom.
Though not everything holds up great on a rewatch, at the end of the day, 30 Rock is a laugh riot. It was a comfort show that was wonderfully character-driven. The core cast was simply brilliant. The characters that Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, and Alec Baldwin brought to life were wildly absurd, yet lovingly engrossing. A genuine comfort series, 30 Rock‘s smart writing kept it at the top of the pack. For seven strong seasons, 30 Rock pushed the bounds of comedy, willingly satirizing its industry and even its own parent company’s real-world actions. 30 Rock is one of those meta masterpieces you truly wonder how they would approach the industry today. Fey didn’t hold back then; she certainly wouldn’t now.
15
‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015-2020)
Television has certainly benefited thanks to the evolution of social media. As a way for viewers to interact with their community, it’s provided a place to share iconic moments, hilarious quotes, memes, and gifs. No show capitalized on going viral quite like Schitt’s Creek. The little Canadian series that could, Schitt’s Creek picked up where Arrested Development left off. The series followed the formerly wealthy Rose family after their business manager embezzled from the family company. Losing their entire fortune, save a motel in the fictitious town of Schitt’s Creek, the Rose clan must adjust to a very different life alongside some unique individuals. Brilliantly led by sensational leads, Schitt’s Creek was a show that celebrated personal growth and self-discovery.
Schitt’s Creek found its own path into our lives as the hype reached its peak. An award show darling, Schitt’s Creek would not be what it is had it not been for Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy. At first, we laughed at their characters as they tried to assimilate. But once they did, they became wonderfully endearing. In a sense, being forced to Schitt’s Creek became the best thing for each of them. It’s where the heart of the series lies. From a fish-out-of-water story to a tale of transformation, Schitt’s Creek never faltered. For many fans, Schitt’s Creek is “simply the best.”
14
‘Frasier’ (1993-2004)
Very seldom do spin-offs succeed the way that Frasier did. The second attempt at extending the Cheers universesaw Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) depart Boston to head home to Seattle. The pompous yet lovable, Harvard-educated psychiatrist moves in with his father, Martin Crane (John Mahoney), a retired, working-class Seattle police officer, and reunites with his equally intellectual and even more pretentious younger brother, Niles (David Hyde Pierce). Taking a new job as a host of a popular radio call-in advice show, Frasier gets a new lease on life as audiences see the former Cheers character in a new light. Known for its witty dialogue, sophisticated humor, and farcical plots, Frasier became an immensely successful and popular series that proved iconic characters can truly be transported anywhere.
Through smart writing and exceptional writing, Frasier was uniquely distinct from other shows. Yes, there were smart characters in sitcoms, but two Cranes ultimately were better than one. Owning their intellect as a punchline proved a winning formula. Just because you were book-smart did not mean you were street-smart. The joy was seeing Frasier get one-upped in comical fashion. Fans of Cheers did get wonderful treats with cameos by nearly every surviving cast member, but bringing Bebe Neuwirth’s Dr. Lilith Sternen in a recurring capacity was a true gift. A reboot series ran for two seasons on Paramount+. Though it wasn’t as revered as the original, once again, it was all about the brilliance of Grammer’s longevity in the role.
13
‘The Golden Girls’ (1985-1992)
There had been a certain demographic that characters tended to fill in order to lead a sitcom. Young. They had to be young. Then, Susan Harris brought the world The Golden Girls, and television soon learned that a comedy following four women of a certain age was just the show we needed. The beloved comedy follows four older, single women who share a house in Miami, Florida. Focusing on their friendship as they navigated life, dating, and aging, the late-night cheesecake-fueled kitchen chats led to wonderful conversations that resonated with its devoted viewers, then and even now.
The Golden Girls worked because it was sharply written and unexpected. Television used to present these characters as sweet, innocent grandmas. Here, that trope has gone out the window. On The Golden Girls, they were outspoken, vibrant, sexual, and independent. The Golden Girls not only gave the four central characters a new lease on life, but it also extended the careers of four incredible actresses — Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty — who just so happened to craft the most iconic characters of their careers. A groundbreaking comedy that proudly tackled taboo topics while paving the way for future female quartet comedies. Thanks to The Golden Girls, we identify as one of the broads in our own friend groups.
12
‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009-2015)
If you need a hearty laugh and a genuine pick-me-up, look no further than Parks and Recreation. A comedy that didn’t need to be mean, cynical, or biting, the wholesome, sweet single-camera hit followed Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), an optimistically perky employee of the Pawnee, Indiana, Parks and Recreation Department. Showcasing the daily lives and often absurd antics of a group of public employees, the mockumentary may have depicted a niche governmental branch in a fictional small town, but the characters we watched for seven seasons represented a small part of us all. Parks and Recreation was a feel-good series that brought you hope and a smile.
A smartly written workplace comedy, the episodic stories served as a wonderful way to dip in and out, thanks to meticulously crafted characters. Even when Parks and Recreation veered into the goofy and impractical, it focused on people over story. From the core cast introduced in the first season to the new friends layered in later on, it was a truly cohesive ensemble. Everyone was simpatico. You may not have predicted they would be a wonderful friend group, but they were. And that’s why we loved them. The epitome of optimism, Parks and Recreation championed friendship, civic duty, and kindness, ultimately becoming a comfort show for many. Rarely can a sitcom inspire you, yet Parks and Recreation did. Greg Daniels and Michael Schur sure made a special masterpiece.
11
‘The Honeymooners’ (1955-1956)
If there is one classic sitcom that epitomized the spirit of the 50s, it was The Honeymooners. Created by Jackie Gleason, the beloved series followed Ralph Kramden (Gleason), a hot-tempered New York City bus driver constantly dreaming of a better life. Joining in on his day-day antics are his wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows), Ralph’s best friend, Ed Norton (Art Carney), and Ed’s wife, Trixie (Joyce Randolph). From quick get-rich schemes to Ralph’s iconic, “To the moon, Alice!” The Honeymooners brought classic comedy to a realistic, working-class narrative, blending gritty urban reality with heartfelt humor.
Across 39 perfect episodes, The Honeymooners became a blueprint for how sitcoms on network television could be told. The unmatched chemistry was a major factor in the show’s success. The series started a pop culture legacy, even inspiring the Hanna-Barbera animated classic, The Flintstones. At the end of the day, The Honeymooners is a timeless series. Even today, the same financial struggles persist. The power of friendship still keeps us moving through life. A landmark series, The Honeymooners truly pioneered sitcoms forever.
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