Looking for a laugh? These 13 sitcoms have stood the test of time, earning their place as some of the most loved TV shows ever. These shows have kept audiences laughing for decades. Are you ready to binge-watch your way through the history of comedy? Then grab your popcorn, settle in, and enjoy!
Friends (1994-2004)
It would be rather unpretentious to state that Friends is one of the most popular television shows in the world. This comedy show with friends struggling through their 20s and 30s in New York is still a hit today because of its simple storytelling, colorful main characters, and famous catchphrases like ‘How you doin’?’. Despite the end of the show being witnessed in the year 2004, new users still get attached to the series, making Friends as popular as it is to this date.
The Office (2005-2013)
This workplace sitcom shot and presented in a mockumentary format focused on the ordinary lives of the employees of the Dunder Mifflin paper company’s branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Excellent and funny acting by Steve Carell as Michael Scott, along with the rest of a perfect cast, are the key success factors of this show, which tells about the lives of people that work in the office and everybody can relate to it because everybody has worked there at some point in their life.
I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
I Love Lucy is the formula for sitcoms because it was the first to reinvent the genre while offering up Hollywood’s queen of comedy. This approach of Lucy Ricardo, who, despite being a housewife, behaves as an actress and longs to be a star, causes laughter to this day, which makes the show remain on the list of the best-ever produced TV series.
Seinfeld (1989-1998)
A remarkable example of a TV series that revolves around the concept of ‘nothing’ is Seinfeld, which is still considered to be one of the most popular sitcoms. Seinfeld became the gold standard for observational comedy and followed the misadventures of Jerry, his friend George Grossman, and his girlfriend/ ex-girlfriend Elaine Benes and Kramer, his lovable eccentric neighbor. It has a great sense of humor, and it alternates between conversation and action very quickly, thus becoming a show that one can just re-watch because certain scenes can be very memorable.
Cheers (1982-1993)
Cheers, taking its place in a bar in Boston where everyone knows the customer’s name, united a group of unusual people who became more like relatives. The actors residing in the ensemble cast were Sam, Diane, Carla, and the other personalities, and the show became one of the most successful television programs, which birthed another successful spin-off, namely Frasier.
The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
It is therefore important to note that before the Golden Girls, there was little programming that centered on older women, let alone four women living in a house in Miami. This show had excellent timing and was full of funny one-liners and the interaction between the two leads was excellent, not to mention seriously dealing with serious issues believably and funnily to make it a classic.
The Simpsons (1989-present)
Because of its longevity, The Simpsons can be considered one of the biggest pop culture phenomena ever. It has provided audiences with an American satire for over three decades and has impacted numerous subsequent shows with their loveable, yet troubled protagonists, the Simpson family.
Modern Family (2009-2020)
Modern Family brought a fresh outlook to a conventional American family sitcom concept using the mock-documentary format and cast that includes a Hispanic, gay couple, an adopted child, and grandparents. The simulations of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan provided hearty laughs and relatable stories to audiences, which ensured the show’s success and numerous awards as well as the love of the audience.
M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
Combining both comedy and drama in the show, M*A*S*H gave a rather distinct view of the Korean War from the eyes of the doctors and nurses of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. I liked the humor mixed with the emotion in a few of the episodes leading up to the final episode, which was one of the most watched episodes in all of television history.
Frasier (1993-2004)
Frasier was another show in the Cheers series and was based on Dr. Frasier Crane, who has shifted to Seattle to host a radio show known as Frasier Live! Clever jokes together with complex and talented characters made Frasier one of the most outstanding series; besides, it was a critical success with the loyal audiences.
Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
P&R captured the spirit of small-town government with fun, socially awkward characters and warm-hearted comedy. This lovely and very watched show reached its popularity thanks to the wonderful character of Amy Poehler as a striver, Leslie Knope, and the smart sense of humor of other actors as well.
The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
The premise of this show is that a group of scientists are socially inept and their misadventures are played out for everyone’s amusement. This show became a cult hit by bringing geek culture into the standard sitcom. The Big Bang Theory introduced us to interesting and endearing characters, along with Sheldon Cooper and his quotes.
Full House (1987-1995)
This family sitcom, which aired from 1987 to 1995, told the story of a widowed father, struggling to raise three daughters with the help of his brother-in-law and best friend. This sitcom was warm, funny, and wise at the same time and has been amusing people since the 1990s.
