The 50 Best Sitcoms Of All Time

Abstract

• The most effective sitcoms have made a considerable impression on viewers all through the many years, shaping popular culture and capturing slices of life.
• Streaming platforms like Netflix, Max, and Amazon Prime Video provide a big selection of the most effective sitcoms from totally different eras, permitting new followers to find and luxuriate in timeless classics.
• Exhibits like Scrubs, Peep Present, and Police Squad! are examples of the most effective sitcoms which have distinctive kinds, memorable characters, and an ideal mix of humor and storytelling.

The greatest sitcoms of all time stretch again many years and have tales from all aspects of life, with characters which have made a considerable impression on viewers over time. The most effective sitcoms have usually been the most-watched exhibits on tv, topping the rankings week after week for years at a time. Whether or not broadcast on conventional networks or a contemporary streaming hit, the best sitcoms on tv have formed popular culture and influenced tendencies, in addition to hilariously captured slices of life in a wide range of instances and settings.

There are extra locations than ever to see the most effective sitcoms from any period due to the huge variety of streaming platforms, like Netflix, Max, and Amazon Prime Video. There have been actually lots of of sitcoms all through the many years, although not all of them final. On the subject of the most effective sitcoms, the crème rises to the highest. Many of the sitcoms that outlined a era within the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and past stay accessible to observe on streaming providers and proceed to search out new followers many years later.

RELATED: The 50 Greatest TV Exhibits Of All Time, Ranked

50 Scrubs (2001-2010)

9 Seasons, 182 Episodes

Stream now on Hulu

Whereas there are some viewers who really feel Scrubs shares lots with medical dramas like The Resident, it was additionally a really humorous and quirky present. Going down in Sacred Coronary heart Hospital, the present follows the varied workers members working there whereas narrated by intern J.D. as he observes the unusual and generally tragic world they labored in. The present has an imaginative spirit, all the time keen to be absurd and ridiculous. This combined with the moments of unhappiness surprisingly nicely, making for maybe the all-time sitcom with a medical setting. The present gained a Peabody Award and remained common till a lot of the solid left earlier than the ultimate ninth season.

49 Peep Present (2003-2015)

9 Seasons, 54 Episodes

Peep Present is a British sitcom with a powerful following. It facilities round Mark and Jez, two roommates of their 20s with very totally different personalities who handle to incite mayhem by their makes an attempt at residing day-to-day life. The present has a novel fashion, usually utilizing point-of-view photographs that assist it stand out from the same old sitcom appear and feel. There are numerous cringeworthy moments all through Peepshow, and the present stays a cult basic regardless of receiving low viewing numbers throughout its preliminary run.

48 Police Squad! (1982)

1 Season, 6 Episodes

There are a variety of nice motion pictures primarily based on TV exhibits, and the comedy Bare Gun began out on the small display. Just like the film, Police Squad! stars Leslie Nielsen as hard-boiled detective Frank Drebin as he solves puzzling instances. Police Squad! was just like M Squad, which starred Lee Marvin in a criminal offense drama collection. Nonetheless, it took the mysteries and changed Marvin’s detective with the hapless Frank Drebin. Police Squad! solely lasted for six episodes earlier than it was canceled, however these episodes ended up sturdy sufficient to persuade Paramount to carry it to the massive display, and the studio made three motion pictures primarily based on the present.

47 Mr. Bean (1990-1995)

1 Season, 15 Episodes

Stream on Prime Video

Recognized for its common bodily comedy, Mr. Bean follows Rowan Atkinson’s childlike title character as he causes all types of chaos and hilarious misunderstandings by easy on a regular basis conditions, like a dentist appointment and even simply eating out. Three had been solely 15 episodes, however they ended up unfold out over 5 years. The exceptional success of the comparatively quick collection led to Atkinson reprising the position for 2 motion pictures after the collection ended; the merely titled Bean in 1997 and Mr. Bean’s Vacation 20 years later.

46 Derry Women (2018-2022)

3 Seasons, 19 Episodes

Stream on Netflix

Although it ended following its third season, Derry Women managed to realize plenty of reputation in a short while. It additionally gained a number of awards, together with Greatest Scripted Comedy on the British Academy Tv Awards for its remaining season. The 90s-set collection follows a gaggle of feminine associates (and their one ignored male buddy) residing in a small Irish city and attending a Catholic faculty. Although the present offers with the stress in Eire on the time in addition to the hardships of those ladies’ lives, it is usually hilarious with lovable characters, wild misadventures, and an plain attraction.

45 Letterkenny (2016-)

11 Seasons, 75 Episodes

Stream on Hulu

As a uncommon present that began on YouTube, Letterkenny turned a breakout Canadian collection exterior its residence nation. It follows the lives of the varied residents of the titular rural Canadian city. Letterkenny options countless operating jokes with a really distinct humorousness, mixing Canadian tradition with some good wordplay. It additionally options quite a few great characters, led by the stoic but hilarious Wayne (Jared Keeso), whose varied sayings are the highlights of the present. The sitcom gained the Canadian Display Award for Greatest Comedy Sequence in 2017 and has been nominated yearly since.

44 Archer (2009-2023)

14 Seasons, 142 Episodes

Stream on Hulu

The spy style has been ripe for parody with motion pictures like Austin Powers poking enjoyable on the tropes, and Archer brings the world of secret brokers and world-saving missions to the animated sitcom format. Archer follows the exploits of Sterling Archer, a dim-witted, reckless, and self-involved spy inside a dysfunctional top-secret group. The present has plenty of enjoyable mixing the motion of those sorts of tales with the standard relationship troubles, misunderstandings, and wacky characters of the sitcom world. The animated collection gained 4 Primetime Emmy Awards and started testing totally different storytelling kinds beginning in season 8.

43 What We Do In The Shadows (2019-)

5 Seasons, 50 Episodes

Out there on Hulu

It’s shocking that among the finest vampire TV exhibits can also be one of many funniest exhibits on tv proper now. What We Do within the Shadows relies on the mockumentary film of the identical title. The 21 time Emmy-nominated sitcom facilities round a documentary being made a couple of group of vampires residing collectively on Staten Island. The present has plenty of enjoyable with vampire and monster lore, discovering enjoyable new methods to discover acquainted concepts. Nonetheless, the relationships between the characters in What We Do within the Shadows are much more fascinating, with their love for one another, their petty disputes, and their misadventures making for a number of the funniest moments.

42 The Thick Of It (2005–2012)

4 Seasons, 23 Episodes

Stream on Brit Field

There have been many sitcoms with a political premise and setting, however The Thick of It was one of many first to indicate it as a very imply, immoral, and hilariously vulgar enterprise. It focuses on the “spin” staff that’s always doing injury management on political mishaps. The fast-paced setting of the present provides The Thick of It an depth that the majority sitcoms haven’t got. Additionally it is endlessly hilarious to observe Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker relentlessly insult and berate these round him with countless anger.

41 The IT Crowd (2006-2013)

4 Seasons, 25 Episodes

Stream on Prime Video

The IT Crowd is a British collection that follows a three-person tech help workplace squatting within the basement of a bigger firm, the nerdy misfits being comprised of two conventional pc geeks and their largely computer-illiterate supervisor. The comparatively small core group of the present was usually joined by equally proficient supporting characters, however the simplicity of the setup allowed the primary trio of actors to essentially shine, significantly Richard Ayoade because the exceptionally awkward Maurice Moss, a personality who would show to be an fascinating precursor to the socially awkward Dr. Sheldon Cooper in The Huge Bang Idea.

6 Seasons, 110 Episodes

Stream on Netflix

Earlier than discovering nice success with the animated comedy present Rick and Morty, co-creator Dan Harmon made a reputation for himself with sitcom followers with the extremely self-referential collection Group. Set in a fictional group school, the collection follows the schooling of a close-knit research group made up of lovably eclectic characters led by an unscrupulous former lawyer who’s usually extra of a conman. Group is understood for each its high-concept style parody episodes and its concentrate on meta-humor, traits that ensured it picked up 4 Emmy nominations, profitable one for Greatest Comedy Sequence in 2012.

39 Freaks And Geeks (1999-2000)

1 Season, 18 Episodes

Stream on Amazon Prime Video

Freaks and Geeks is taken into account among the many greatest sitcoms of all time even if it solely acquired one season. It tells the story of a sensible highschool pupil who turns into associates with a gaggle of slackers in Detroit in the course of the early ’80s. The collection was canceled for controversial causes after its inconsistent scheduling broken its viewership (by way of The Washington Publish). Regardless of this, nonetheless, Freaks and Geeks is a notable undertaking within the early careers of actors together with James Franco, Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, and Busy Phillips and ranks as among the finest cult basic sitcoms of all time.

38 Father Ted (1995-1998)

3 Seasons, 25 Episodes

Father Ted is a superb instance of a beloved sitcom that did not get as a lot consideration exterior of Britain, because it was an enormous smash within the UK with out ever connecting with American audiences. It follows a well-meaning priest residing in a small island group in Eire. The present presents large laughs as Father Ted offers with the congregation of colourful characters in addition to his two fellow monks, who’re a handful themselves. The collection was named Greatest Comedy Sequence on the British Academy Tv Awards twice, with a number of different notable nominations.

37 Silicon Valley (2014-2019)

6 Seasons, 53 Episodes

Stream on Max

It looks like the tech world of startups was ripe for satire and Silicon Valley brilliantly skewered this world and its figures. The sitcom follows a gaggle of younger tech entrepreneurs who wrestle to remain afloat within the high-pressure world with issues always going improper. The collection was elevated by some actually clever writing that crafted huge laughs, fascinating story developments, and various surprises. And the terrific ensemble stored delivering laughs for six acclaimed seasons, because the present picked up 5 straight Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Excellent Comedy Sequence.

36 The Phil Silvers Present (1955-1959)

4 Seasons, 144 Episodes

There are a variety of basic sitcoms primarily based on life within the navy, from Hogan’s Heroes to M*A*S*H. One present that is perhaps forgotten however that also ranks among the many greatest sitcoms of all time is The Phil Silvers Present, which was initially titled You may By no means Get Wealthy. It follows the adventures of Sgt. Bilko, an officer overseeing a military camp who is much extra all in favour of his varied get-rich-quick schemes and dealing as a con man. The basic collection has a lot enjoyable and attraction, from its entertaining setting to its hilarious and likable lead character. It went on to win three straight Emmy Awards for Greatest Comedy Sequence.

35 Brooklyn 9-9 (2013–2021)

8 Seasons, 153 Episodes

Stream on Peacock Premium

Brooklyn 9-9 follows the exploits of a fictional NYPD precinct headed by a severe captain who should deal with the antics of his detectives, Andy Samberg’s immature Jake Peralta specifically. The present acquired widespread acclaim and developed a loyal fan base for its likable characters and the chemistry between the proficient solid. Initially canceled after 5 seasons, the beloved sitcom discovered a brand new residence on NBC, which continued the collection for a number of extra years earlier than ending within the eighth season. The primary season gained two Golden Globes awards and in 2018 it gained a GLAAD Media Award.

34 The Honeymooners (1955–1956)

1 Season, 39 Episodes

Few exhibits have been as influential within the historical past of sitcoms as The Honeymooners. The Fifties comedy was a very ground-breaking strategy to any such story, and it’s nonetheless being imitated all these years later. The collection spun off from skits on The Jackie Gleason Present and focuses on a pair of blue-collar associates always searching for methods to get wealthy whereas their wives tirelessly put up with their shenanigans. From the home humor of married life to the relatable struggles of an unfulfilling job to the hilarity of the hijinks, it turned a sitcom template. Artwork Carney gained 5 Emmy Awards for his position as Ed Norton, the third for The Honeymooners.

33 The Workplace UK (2001-2003)

2 Seasons, 14 Episodes

Stream on Hulu

Created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Service provider, with Gervais starring within the lead position, the UK model of The Workplace solely lasted for 2 seasons however made a huge effect, propelling Gervais specifically into stardom and ultimately being remade into the beloved US model. Following the workers of a dreary workplace for a paper firm, The Workplace is well-known for its cringe fashion of comedy, homing in on essentially the most awkward elements of office interactions and discovering plenty of relatable humor within the course of.

32 Fawlty Towers (1975-1979)

2 Seasons, 12 Episodes

Among the many many British exhibits which were named among the many best sitcoms of all time, Fawlty Towers stays a beloved basic. The collection stars John Cleese because the impolite and hot-tempered proprietor of a resort. By means of his horrible mismanagement of the enterprise, there are all the time numerous disasters to cope with. Together with the standard British wit and a few actually outrageous conditions, Fawlty Towers offers so many laugh-out-loud moments that many viewers nonetheless discover humorous in any case these years.

31 Broad Metropolis (2014-2019)

5 Seasons, 50 Episodes

Stream on Hulu

With a present about two feminine associates residing in New York Metropolis and navigating the worlds of affection and work, Broad Metropolis may sound like a really typical sitcom. Nonetheless, the just about cookie-cutter premise doesn’t put together viewers for the way bizarre and wild the present is. Creators and stars Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson have good chemistry as greatest associates and neither is shy in regards to the hilarious and awkward issues they do all through the collection. And as absurd as Broad Metropolis is, it was all the time about that central friendship in the long run. The present picked up a number of awards from the Emmys, Critics Alternative, MTV, and WGA Awards.