The 5 Best Sitcoms Of All Time
by: Anthony D. Richards
A whopping 90% of respondents in a December 2018 Statista survey about the most popular movie genres among adults in America said comedy was their favorite. This statistic is hardly surprising, given that comedy is easy-to-consume, highly engaging, and relaxing content. Sitcoms are one of the most popular ways people consume comedy in America and beyond, and many of the classics have become key aspects of modern pop culture. Many sitcoms have graced the big screens over the years, but some stand out for their excellent casting, great writing, and top-notch humor. Below are the top five of the best sitcoms of all time.
5. Modern Family (2009 - 2020)
ROTTEN TOMATOES: 85% CRITIC RATING | 89% AUDIENCE RATING
Modern Family revolves around three different California-based families (nuclear, blended, and same-sex) trying to deal with their quirky spouses, children, and jobs in unique ways that are often hilarious. For many good reasons, it is a rare hit in the situational comedy sub-genre. For example, every character on this show has incredible chemistry with their fellow actors. Also, the show gives a lot of room for the characters to grow and evolve for the better. The cast also excellently portrays family dynamics, with interesting adult-kid and sibling relationships. Modern Family is also naturally progressive, and the writers deserve immense credit for their outstanding writing and hilarious episodes. Finally, fan-favorite TV Dad Phil Dunphy, played to perfection by Ty Burrell, is hands down one of the biggest reasons to watch this sitcom due to his infectious spirit and comical character.
4. Friends (1994 - 2004)
ROTTEN TOMATOES: 79% CRITIC RATING | 93% AUDIENCE RATING
This famous 90's comedy TV show set in Manhattan is about six friends going through pretty much every life experience as a unit: marriage, divorce, children, love, fights, heartbreak, and all kinds of drama. The on-screen chemistry between the actors is palpable, and the storyline never gets old because it is very relatable. Also, irrespective of the sarcasm and humor that defines the show, each episode ends with a valuable life lesson. Furthermore, it features several celebrity cameos from some of the biggest names in Hollywood today, like Danny DeVito, Brad Pitt, Alec Baldwin, and Stranger Things' Winona Ryder.
Love it or hate it, there is no denying that not many other sitcoms left a huge pop culture impact as the all-time classic Friends. Indeed, Friends gave us 'The Rachel,' an iconic haircut inspired by Jennifer Aniston's hairstyle and a favorite of millions of girls worldwide. In addition, it helped expand Western English slang's vocabulary and assisted millions of people worldwide in learning English.
3. The Big Bang Theory (2007 - 2019)
ROTTEN TOMATOES: 81% CRITIC RATING | 83% AUDIENCE RATING
The nerd topic is always a gold mine for comedy, and no sitcom proves this better than the Big Bang Theory. This show has massive ratings and attracted a huge and devoted audience despite being about geek culture. It follows the life of four brilliant but socially inept friends who struggle to navigate their careers, friendships, romantic relationships, and other aspects of daily life. The Big Bang Theory deserves a place on this list for helping the geek subculture become mainstream. It reflects the natural evolution of our modern pop culture ecosystem, and its widespread popularity indicates the mass acceptance of the brainy and outlier instead of making them outcasts. Therefore, audiences can identify with and indulge in the geek world, a refreshing relief from jocks and high school prom queens. Also, it has no complex story arcs, allowing any viewer to enjoy the humor without necessarily having to watch preceding episodes. The characters are also quite relatable, and the jokes are consistently funny, reflecting the work and collaborative effort the writing staff put into its creation.
2. The Office (US) (2005 - 2013)
ROTTEN TOMATOES: 81% CRITIC RATING | 89% AUDIENCE RATING
The Office certainly needs no introduction since it has established itself as one of the most beloved and iconic sitcoms. Nielsen estimates that The Office was by far 2020's most-streamed show, racking up an insane 57 billion minutes of viewing on Netflix alone. It is an adaption from a BBC series of the same name and follows the lives of the staff of paper company Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch, managed by their goofy boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carrell). The Office's unique mockumentary style, where characters spoke straight to the camera, was certainly innovative. As such, the sitcom feels much more real because the characters act so natural that it is easy to forget you are watching a TV show.
Also, the cast has amazing chemistry, and they work well in pairs as well as small, medium, and large groups. It is also rich in inside jokes, classic pranks, and awkward humor and is arguably the king of cold opens. The Office's nostalgic theme song is also worth mentioning, and you can flaunt your love for the show by adding it to your Instagram posts using this shortcut. Furthermore, the show has received praise and recognition from many critics, including two SAG awards, four Emmys, a Golden Globe for Steve Carrell's performance, and a Peabody Award. Finally, it has an enduring sense of timelessness, so it is no surprise that it is heavily rewatched.
1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013 - 2021)
ROTTEN TOMATOES: 95% CRITIC RATING | 87% AUDIENCE RATING
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, produced by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, is undoubtedly one of the best and uniquely fresh sitcoms to hit our screens in the last decade. It follows the exploits of the fictional 99th NYPD precinct, headed by a stoic and staunchly professional captain who must deal with his detectives' antics. Brooklyn Nine-Nine received widespread acclaim and attracted a devoted fan base for its relatable characters and the obvious chemistry between the cast. Indeed, every actor plays a defined, unique role to absolute perfection, contrasting excellently with every other actor.
Many fans love Brooklyn-99 because it shatters many stereotypes, celebrating the characters for their diversity instead of milking it for distasteful jokes like other TV comedies. The show also deviates sharply from gender norms and touches on sensitive issues like sexism, corruption, and racism that many sitcoms ignore. What's more, it's worth mentioning how the show delicately balances the funny aspect of these hard-hitting social problems instead of simply making light of things. Finally, it is infused with romance, creative storylines, and many serious and heartfelt moments. However, Brooklyn 99's production did not enjoy the smoothest ride, despite being considered one of the best sitcoms of all time. Fox originally canceled Brooklyn 99 after five seasons, but it was instantly picked up by NBC, which continued it till its eighth and final season.