Really interesting topic - humour is so subjective, and also so tied into what worked in various eras.

My list, and I'm going to stretch the definition of sitcom to include sketch and animation. I pretty much have to, or the answer would be none.


-Early Simpsons
-30 Rock
-Early Futurama
-Portlandia
-Arrested Development
-Parks and Recreation
-Kids in the Hall

I remember finding Seinfeld and Friends funny at the time, but the reruns to nothing for me.

As for Big Bang Theory, I never found it that funny, but (unpopular opinion...) I find it a decently amusing distraction.

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I also didn't watch it until syndication. Once that started, I was traveling a lot for work, and it was the only thing on hotel basic cable that seemed at all appealing. 

Definitely also identify with some of the characters' geekiness.

My top picks would be:

- WKRP in Cincinnati
- All in the Family
- Bosom Buddies
- Taxi
- The Odd Couple (the '70s version with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman).
- The Carol Burnett Show (not in the sitcom category I know, but still gives me lots of belly laughs to this day).



PJ

Hansa wrote:

Barney Miller
MASH
Taxi
WKRP

Hard to disagree with any on that list or the other posts. 

Green Acres (except for the first year when it hadn't found the magic) was simply the most surrealistic show ever presented on network TV. Not even Twin Peaks surpasses it for strange and eccentric. Characters seeing the credits (and commenting on them), Arnold the Pig and Cynthia Haney the basset hound having a romance and "talking to each other," (Arnold to Cynthia via subtitles: "Oh you speak French!"), other characters reading subtitles they weren't supposed to see and more made this the funniest show I think in TV history. But I love when TV breaks the fourth and this show still has me in hysterics every time I see it.

My runner up is one no one else here would ever pick: The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show. Brilliant writing, veteran vaudeville performers and scripts that made your head spin with laughter. Yes, it was the 50s and black and white, but once they went to film from live/kinescoped episodes, there was nothing like it. 

From Gracie's twisted logic to George's "Magic TV," where he watched the show in progress and made comments on everything from the plot to the performances, there has never been anything similar on television. I dare you to watch my favourite episode, called "Too Many Fathers" and not laugh, especially in the final few minutes. 

I would choose:

Cheers
Frasier
Everybody Loves Raymond (this never gets the credit it deserves)
Friends and Seinfeld  (only select episodes)
All In the Family
Family Guy and American Dad (early seasons)
Simpsons (First Ten to Fourteen Seasons)
Married With Children (select episodes)
The Jeffersons
WKRP (early episodes, but a tad overrated beyond that)
Modern Family
The Office
30 Rock
Parks and Recreation
 

Lots of great faves here! Here are some of mine from over the years:

Superstore
Monty Python (non sitcom but very funny TV IMO!)
The Office (UK & US Version.)
Family Guy
SpongeBob SquarePants (yes, got hooked on it when my son was younger!)
30 Rock
Ted Lasso (kind of a sitcom)
Parks and Recreation
SCTV
The World According to Cunk
Modern Family
The Studio (my latest favourite!)
And I forgot Police Squad!

Last edited by Shorty Wave (May 24, 2025 10:29 am)

I agree, Curb is not really a binge watch show.  But certainly can get me laughing.

Jody Thornton wrote:

@ShortyWave and @Patterson1:

I would definitely add Superstore to my list.  I love Curb, but I can only watch so many episodes at once.  It's so cringe (and I know - by design)  

 
Superstore was a nice surprise for me when I discovered it! Recently my wife worked with Lauren Ash, who played Dina on the show. She has lost a lot of weight and looks great!

Curb is definitely a low dose series, two or three in a row max!

RadioActive wrote:

This would have been amazing!

Dick Van Dyke Planned To Remake ‘The Odd Couple’ With Ed Asner Before His Death: “Would’ve Been Such Fun”

 
This sure would have been amazing RA! Hard to believe Dick Van Dyke is 99, must be doing something right!