The Top 25 Sitcoms of All-Time
written by: Clarkey
This list was one of the hardest things to create, as there are countless good sitcoms out there. The list has already gone through numerous of changes and it will more than likely go through more after it is posted. The criterion is a half hour, non-animated comedy situational shows.
In a Few Seasons:
My Name is Earl
The Loop
The War at Home
Honourable Mentions:
3rd Rock From the Sun
Becker
Friends
Gilligan’s Island
Home Improvement
Smartguy
Student Bodies
Two and a Half Men
#25 Alf
One of my favourite shows as a kid. Just good stuff.
#24 Full House
If this show didn’t make the list, Suj wouldn’t have put it up.
#23 Breaker High
It’s pretty pre-teenish, but it was fun to watch when I was younger.
#22 Happy Days
Near the end, it got really bad, but when Richie, Ralph, Potsie, Fronzie and Chachi had their years together, it was good episode after good episode.
#21 Everybody Loves Raymond
This show definitely had its moments and was quite funny at times.
#20 Spin City
I’m talking the Michael J. Fox years. This show was hilarious, especially with Stuart (played to perfection by Alan Ruck).
#19 Coach
Craig T. Nelson’s longest running show was a solid one in my mind. I still enjoy the re-runs.
#18 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter
Had John Ritter not died so suddenly, this show would be higher up. When Ritter was there, the show was one of the best on TV in my mind, but when he passed away and they tried to keep it going, it got pretty bad. Also, Kaley Cuoco should be in more movies and shows.
#17 Hangin’ Time
For the longest time this was my favourite pre-teen/teen show. I haven’t seen it in ages, but I remember loving it when I was younger.
#16 That 70s Show
Although it struggled through the last few seasons, but this show had some great moments and a great last episode.
#15 Family Matters
When I was back in elementary school, I rarely missed an episode. Urkel went on to become an icon of early 90s television.
#14 Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
This show made a star out of Will Smith.
#13 Charles in Charge
Scott Baio is in charge of our days and our lives.
#12 Married With Children
Ed O’Neil is priceless as Al Bundy in this hilariously raunchy show.
#11 How I Met Your Mother
Now, I know that this show has only been on for one season, but the brilliance of this show is undeniable. It’s one of the best recent sitcoms.
#10 The Office (UK and US versions)
This stroke of genius first came from BBC and lasted 2 short seasons. Americans took the idea and kept it going with the always great Steve Carell.
#9 Scrubs
It shows no signs of slowing down like most sitcoms that last 5 years. It’s always funny with excellent dramatic moments, such as when Dr. Cox hits the bottle after some patients died.
#8 The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby is awesome as Dr. Cliff Huxtable, who just wants his children to get out of his house as they get older, especially his not so bright son, Theo. Theo has countless great moments throughout the 8 years that the show was on.
#7 Cheers
It’s the show that takes place in a bar where everybody knows your name and it is still great to watch.
#6 Saved by the Bell
It’s just simply a great teenage show. I’m still watching the re-runs even now.
#5 Doogie Howser M.D.
I’ve been watching the DVDs of this gem of a show for the last little while and I’ve been loving every minute of it.
#4 Undeclared
The shortest lived show on the list. It lasted only 16 episodes and it was a crime that it was cancelled.
#3 Boys Meet World
This was probably my favourite sitcom for the longest time, even when it became more a dramatic show at the end. Ben Savage was great as Corey Matthews.
#2 The Wonder Years
From one Savage brother to next one. Fred Savage is great as Kevin Arnold in this gorgeous story told over five years. Daniel Stern is great as the older Kevin narrating the story.
#1 Seinfeld
The show about nothing is the best show to ever grace the television. Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David created a cultural phenomenon. All 4 of the stars worked well together and shined throughout the years. Jason Alexander was perfect as George, (who is in my mind the best television character ever). Michael Richards is Kramer. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jerry Seinfeld also shined as Elaine and Jerry respectively. The show is still quoted on a regular basis after it has been cancelled for 8 years. Just too many great moments and lines to mention.
This list was one of the hardest things to create, as there are countless good sitcoms out there. The list has already gone through numerous of changes and it will more than likely go through more after it is posted. The criterion is a half hour, non-animated comedy situational shows.
In a Few Seasons:
My Name is Earl
The Loop
The War at Home
Honourable Mentions:
3rd Rock From the Sun
Becker
Friends
Gilligan’s Island
Home Improvement
Smartguy
Student Bodies
Two and a Half Men
#25 Alf
One of my favourite shows as a kid. Just good stuff.
#24 Full House
If this show didn’t make the list, Suj wouldn’t have put it up.
#23 Breaker High
It’s pretty pre-teenish, but it was fun to watch when I was younger.
#22 Happy Days
Near the end, it got really bad, but when Richie, Ralph, Potsie, Fronzie and Chachi had their years together, it was good episode after good episode.
#21 Everybody Loves Raymond
This show definitely had its moments and was quite funny at times.
#20 Spin City
I’m talking the Michael J. Fox years. This show was hilarious, especially with Stuart (played to perfection by Alan Ruck).
#19 Coach
Craig T. Nelson’s longest running show was a solid one in my mind. I still enjoy the re-runs.
#18 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter
Had John Ritter not died so suddenly, this show would be higher up. When Ritter was there, the show was one of the best on TV in my mind, but when he passed away and they tried to keep it going, it got pretty bad. Also, Kaley Cuoco should be in more movies and shows.
#17 Hangin’ Time
For the longest time this was my favourite pre-teen/teen show. I haven’t seen it in ages, but I remember loving it when I was younger.
#16 That 70s Show
Although it struggled through the last few seasons, but this show had some great moments and a great last episode.
#15 Family Matters
When I was back in elementary school, I rarely missed an episode. Urkel went on to become an icon of early 90s television.
#14 Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
This show made a star out of Will Smith.
#13 Charles in Charge
Scott Baio is in charge of our days and our lives.
#12 Married With Children
Ed O’Neil is priceless as Al Bundy in this hilariously raunchy show.
#11 How I Met Your Mother
Now, I know that this show has only been on for one season, but the brilliance of this show is undeniable. It’s one of the best recent sitcoms.
#10 The Office (UK and US versions)
This stroke of genius first came from BBC and lasted 2 short seasons. Americans took the idea and kept it going with the always great Steve Carell.
#9 Scrubs
It shows no signs of slowing down like most sitcoms that last 5 years. It’s always funny with excellent dramatic moments, such as when Dr. Cox hits the bottle after some patients died.
#8 The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby is awesome as Dr. Cliff Huxtable, who just wants his children to get out of his house as they get older, especially his not so bright son, Theo. Theo has countless great moments throughout the 8 years that the show was on.
#7 Cheers
It’s the show that takes place in a bar where everybody knows your name and it is still great to watch.
#6 Saved by the Bell
It’s just simply a great teenage show. I’m still watching the re-runs even now.
#5 Doogie Howser M.D.
I’ve been watching the DVDs of this gem of a show for the last little while and I’ve been loving every minute of it.
#4 Undeclared
The shortest lived show on the list. It lasted only 16 episodes and it was a crime that it was cancelled.
#3 Boys Meet World
This was probably my favourite sitcom for the longest time, even when it became more a dramatic show at the end. Ben Savage was great as Corey Matthews.
#2 The Wonder Years
From one Savage brother to next one. Fred Savage is great as Kevin Arnold in this gorgeous story told over five years. Daniel Stern is great as the older Kevin narrating the story.
#1 Seinfeld
The show about nothing is the best show to ever grace the television. Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David created a cultural phenomenon. All 4 of the stars worked well together and shined throughout the years. Jason Alexander was perfect as George, (who is in my mind the best television character ever). Michael Richards is Kramer. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jerry Seinfeld also shined as Elaine and Jerry respectively. The show is still quoted on a regular basis after it has been cancelled for 8 years. Just too many great moments and lines to mention.