The 275 Greatest Sitcoms In Television History
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- Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow
A group of six pals who are inseparable through thick and thin give us a glimpse into their lives filled with laughter, love, and heartbreak. This iconic sitcom boasts an all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. Its immense popularity spawned catchphrases that still live on today - could it BE any more successful?
More Friends - Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski
A mockumentary-style gem, this sitcom is a fly on the wall peek into the daily grind of a mundane office, led by an eccentric and often cringe-worthy boss. The ensemble cast, which includes Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fischer, has viewers laughing at their relatable antics and rooting for their quirky relationships. Garnering numerous accolades such as Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe wins, this show has left a lasting legacy in television history.
- Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander
Yada yada yada, you're talking about the show that defined a generation of sitcom enthusiasts. This "show about nothing" created an unforgettable ensemble of quirky characters – none more famous than Jerry Seinfeld himself. The cast, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the iconic Elaine Benes, brought to life relatable situations with hilarious twists that are still quoted today.
- Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell
An unconventional family tree featuring diverse branches makes for endless entertainment in this hilarious domestic comedy. The Emmy Award-winning show offers gut-busting laughs while navigating complex modern familial dynamics with warmth and wit. Audiences can't help but adore Sofia Vergara's fiery Gloria or Ty Burrell's lovably bumbling Phil Dunphy.
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- Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders
It's legen-wait-for-it-dary how this sitcom weaves together the tale of one man's intricate quest to find his soulmate. With a captivating narrative framed by flashbacks galore and plenty of running gags throughout its nine-season run – Neil Patrick Harris' breakout role as Barney Stinson stole the show. As memorable as the blue French horn or the yellow umbrella might be in fans' hearts – this show remains unforgettable itself.
- Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman
Welcome to Pawnee, Indiana – home of waffles, miniature horses, and one relentless public servant! Amy Poehler leads the charge as Leslie Knope in this delightful comedy that dives into small-town government antics. With a quirky supporting cast featuring Nick Offerman's mustachioed Ron Swanson and Aubrey Plaza's deadpan April Ludgate, it's no wonder viewers keep coming back for more shenanigans.
- Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt
Where everybody knows your name – there's no better place to kick back than this Boston bar run by former Red Sox pitcher Sam Malone (Ted Danson). A motley crew of regulars adds spice to every pour of laughter served up by the likes of Shelley Long's Diane Chambers and Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane. Cheers was an all-time favorite on television during its 11-year run, racking up 28 Emmy Awards along the way.
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- #4 of 164 onThe Most Important TV Sitcoms
- Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate
A blue-collar family led by shoe salesman Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) brings laughter mixed with cynicism in this irreverent sitcom. The antics of his sassy wife, played by Katey Sagal, and their two kids make for a unique portrayal of family life that resonated with audiences during its 11-season run.
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- Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright
D'oh! The longest-running American sitcom has had audiences laughing for over three decades with its satirical take on everyday life. Featuring lovable characters like Homer Simpson, wife Marge, troublemaker Bart, prodigy Lisa, and baby Maggie – this animated comedy has become an icon of pop culture.
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- Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco
Bazinga! It doesn't take a genius to figure out why this sitcom was such a smash hit. Chronicling the lives of four socially awkward scientists and their interactions with the people around them, this show made nerd culture cool. Jim Parsons' portrayal of the brilliant but eccentric Sheldon Cooper earned him multiple Emmy Awards, and the series itself garnered an impressive fan following during its 12-season run.
- Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Maxwell-Reid
Now this is a story all about how a young man's life got flipped-turned upside down! The Fresh Prince moves from West Philadelphia to Bel-Air for a heartwarming and hilarious journey. Will Smith's charm and wit shine through in every episode as he navigates the clash of cultures with his wealthy relatives. This sitcom solidified itself as a '90s classic that still gets feet tapping to its catchy theme song.
- Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance
She's the queen of comedy who paved the way for future sitcoms with her timeless physical humor and charm. Lucille Ball's iconic role as Lucy Ricardo had viewers enthralled by her zany antics as she navigated life alongside her Cuban bandleader husband, Ricky (Desi Arnaz). This groundbreaking sitcom remains a beloved classic in television history.
- Kelsey Grammer, John Mahoney, Jane Leeves
Set in Seattle after leaving behind that iconic Boston bar, this spin-off focuses on Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Crane as he starts anew as a radio psychiatrist. While dishing out advice, he navigates his own relationships with his family and friends – including brother Niles, played by David Hyde Pierce. A critically acclaimed sitcom with numerous Emmy Awards to its name – this show is anything but tossed salad and scrambled eggs!
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- Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews
Laugh it up with New York City's finest – well, funniest! A motley crew of detectives led by an unorthodox captain keeps crime fighting light-hearted within their precinct walls. Andy Samberg's quirky humor shines as Jake Peralta, and Terry Crews flexes his comedic muscles. With a loyal fan following and two Golden Globe Awards under its belt, this cop comedy is no laughing matter when it comes to success.
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- Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher
Flashing back to bell-bottoms and disco balls, this sitcom takes us on a hilarious trip through the adventures of six teenagers in Point Place, Wisconsin. With memorable catchphrases and an ensemble cast featuring Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama – it's no wonder fans were grooving to the beat of these high school hijinks.
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- Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White
Picture it: four sassy seniors sharing a Miami home, dishing out laughter and wisdom in equal measure. This beloved sitcom showcases the incredible talents of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty as they navigate friendship, love, and life in their golden years. With numerous Emmy Awards to its name, this show proves that age is just a number when it comes to timeless humor.
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- #6 of 164 onThe Most Important TV Sitcoms
- Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, Earl Hindman
Tool time! Home Improvement gained widespread popularity with Tim Allen's portrayal of accident-prone TV host Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor. The sitcom explores family dynamics with his loving wife (Patricia Richardson) and three sons while offering plenty of laughs through Tim's clumsy attempts at DIY projects.
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- #23 of 164 onThe Most Important TV Sitcoms
- Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley
Cruising back in time to the 1950s, Happy Days transports viewers to simpler times filled with jukeboxes, poodle skirts, and memorable catchphrases – hey there, Fonzie! With Ron Howard leading the ensemble cast as Richie Cunningham and Henry Winkler's iconic cool guy Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli stealing hearts – this show remains a classic slice of Americana.
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- Zach Braff, Donald Faison, John C. McGinley
Laughter is the best medicine – especially when it's delivered by a quirky group of medical interns. Scrubs follows the lives of Dr. John "J.D." Dorian (Zach Braff) and his oddball friends as they navigate the challenges of work and life at Sacred Heart Hospital. With a unique blend of surreal humor and heartfelt moments, this sitcom has become a fan favorite.
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- #25 of 302 onThe Best TV Shows Of The Past 20 Years
- Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz
It's time to play the music; it's time to light the lights! The Muppet Show brought together an unforgettable ensemble of lovable puppet characters led by Kermit the Frog for variety show-style entertainment. Featuring guest stars and musical performances alongside hilarious sketches – this Jim Henson creation left a lasting impact on television history.
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- #32 of 193 on190+ Saturday Morning Cartoons From The '80s And '90s
- Carolyn Jones, John Astin, Jackie Coogan
They're creepy and they're kooky – The Addams Family takes dark humor to new heights with their unusual take on family values. Led by John Astin as Gomez Addams and Carolyn Jones as Morticia Addams, this classic sitcom features memorable characters like Uncle Fester, Lurch, Cousin Itt, and Thing that have become iconic in pop culture.
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- Casey Kasem, Don Messick, Heather North
Zoinks! This iconic animated series follows a group of mystery-solving teens and their lovable talking Great Dane as they uncover spooky secrets behind seemingly supernatural occurrences. Scooby-Doo has become synonymous with childhood nostalgia for many generations.
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Schitt's Creek
Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie MurphyThe hilarious riches-to-rags tale follows the once-wealthy Rose family who find themselves forced to live in their only remaining asset: a small town called Schitt's Creek. With comedy legends Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara leading an incredible ensemble cast including Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, and Chris Elliott, this series was a slow burn that eventually became a phenomenon. Its six-season run culminated in an Emmy sweep for its final season, cementing the show's place as a modern sitcom classic.
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- #35 of 302 onThe Best TV Shows Of The Past 20 Years
- Rowan Atkinson
A man of few words but many hilarious facial expressions – Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean is the epitome of British wit and quirky humor. With minimal dialogue, this character manages to find himself in one ridiculous predicament after another, leaving audiences in stitches every time.
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- Trey Parker, Matt Stone
Get ready for some cutting-edge satire – South Park pushes boundaries with its no-holds-barred approach to comedy. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bring us into the bizarre world of four young friends in a small Colorado town where anything can happen – including celebrity parodies, political commentary, and outlandish scenarios that have left fans talking for over two decades.
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- Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Frankie Muniz
Middle child Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) navigates life within his eccentric family while dealing with his genius-level intellect – Malcolm in the Middle offers both laughs and heartwarming moments throughout its seven-season run. Bryan Cranston shines as well-meaning but clueless father Hal before his groundbreaking role in Breaking Bad.
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- #38 of 302 onThe Best TV Shows Of The Past 20 Years
- Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Richard Moll
Court is now in session – Night Court brings justice served with laughter! This zany legal comedy features Harry Anderson as unconventional Judge Harry Stone presiding over a night shift courtroom filled with eccentric defendants and offbeat staff. With nine seasons to its name, Night Court remains a beloved classic in the world of sitcoms.
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- Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts
Whistling into the hearts of viewers everywhere – The Andy Griffith Show is a charming portrayal of small-town America. Starring Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor who balances work responsibilities with raising his young son Opie (Ron Howard), this wholesome sitcom also introduced us to Don Knotts' hilarious Barney Fife character.
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- Danny DeVito, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson
It might always be sunny in Philadelphia, but things are far from bright for this gang of morally questionable friends running an unsuccessful bar. Dark humor and outrageous situations abound in this cult favorite, with an ensemble led by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito keeping fans laughing for 15 seasons and counting.
- Kevin James, Leah Remini, Jerry Stiller
A lovable delivery man named Doug Heffernan (Kevin James) navigates marriage and friendships in Queens alongside his sassy wife Carrie (Leah Remini) and eccentric father-in-law Arthur (Jerry Stiller). The King of Queens offers an amusing perspective on the everyday struggles of blue-collar life mixed with a heavy dose of laughter.
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