This is the first in a series of articles which will take a look at the world of television.
The sitcom has become an institution. It has its roots in the farce of theater and radio. The sitcom helped television reach the popularity it has today, but it has also evolved and changed with the times perhaps more, and better, then any other TV genre. Narrowing down a list of 5 stand-out shows was difficult and many deserving shows are not on this list. Also keep in mind that this is a subjective list and just my opinion and that I am not claiming that this is the definitive list. In fact, I would welcome your lists in the comment sections below!
So without any further ado on with the countdown...
This has to be the most successful spin-off if all time. Frasier Crane was a supporting character on the incredibly popular, and pretty good, series Cheers, but he really shined in his own series. All the credit can't be given the prominent radio psychiatrist however because part of the success of this show, or any sitcom for that matter, was its supporting cast. Possibly more impressive was the way this show could handle straight-up farce. In some ways, more than any other sitcom, this series harkened back to the screwball comedies of the 1930's and 1940's where the rich elitists were both looked up to and made fun of, the wit was biting, and the situations were farcical. The show didn't always play to this strength however and some episodes verge on soap opera territory. Nevertheless, when Frasier stuck to what it did best it was something extraordinary.
Where Can I Watch it? Netflix or practically any other streaming service you can think of
Favorite episode: "The Ski Lodge" is an example of Frasier at its absolute best but there are many others
The classic sitcom that would normally be on a list like this would be I Love Lucy and that would be very well deserved, but in my humble opinion the best sitcom from the ""golden age of television" is this one. Why? Because it has strong characters, strong writing, and a fantastic cast. Not only do you get he comedic genius that is Dick Van Dyke but you also get the incredible talent that is Mary Tyler Moore. pretty much the entire cast deserves praise and the show was one of the first to introduce a workplace environment into the comedy. This sets the show apart and so does the writing. The show-runner Carl Reiner was a comedic genius and it shows in some of the best comedic episodes television has ever seen.
Where Can I Watch It?: Netflix, DVD, even Blu-Ray
Favorite episode: "That's My Boy?" A classic which you just have to see
This show about nothing is definitely something special. Seinfeld essentially created a whole new brand of sitcom and that brand has stuck with us to this day. Seinfeld was not based on the farce of old Broadway as Frasier was, or in the sitcoms like I Love Lucy that came before, Instead, Seinfeld demonstrated a unique personality and created characters that have been imitated time and again. On top of this, the show experimented with comedic narrative and taboo subject matter that would pave the way for other sitcoms to come. So much more could be said but I think the material speaks for itself.
Where Can I Watch it?: DVD
Favorite Episode: For its memorable characters and its ingenious plotting I'll have to go with "the Bubble Boy"
For the Record, I'm only talking about the first nine seasons here when I say that the Simpsons is one of the most important and hilarious sitcoms ever created. In these early years the show was a powerhouse of a new type of comedy: a comedy without limitations. There were seemingly no limitations in terms of narrative, content, and number of jokes that could be crammed into an episode. These golden years contain several 25-minute episodes with more humor in them that almost any feature film. It should also not be forgotten that the Simpsons was the first shows of this type and that all modern animated comedies owe their existence to it.
Where Can I Watch It: DVD, pay-streaming
favorite Episode: "Cape Fear" perfection!
Why is this the greatest comedy series of all time? because it has everything the other shows on this list have but it also brought us some of the greatest comedic characters and situations ever created as well as giving us a more serialized structure with running jokes that stretched across seasons. These things, along with the brilliant writing, make the show endlessly re-watchable. Although the fourth season was not completely up to par with the original run, with a new set of episode just announced we can look forward to seeing these wonderful characters on screen again and maybe this time they will reclaim the old magic
Where can I Watch It?: Netflix, DVD, and almost all other formats/services
Favorite Episode: There are so many but "Good Grief" is a brilliant example of everything the show has to offer.
Comment below with your favorites and check back next Tuesday for a face off between the Sopranos season 2 and Breaking Bad season 2!
The sitcom has become an institution. It has its roots in the farce of theater and radio. The sitcom helped television reach the popularity it has today, but it has also evolved and changed with the times perhaps more, and better, then any other TV genre. Narrowing down a list of 5 stand-out shows was difficult and many deserving shows are not on this list. Also keep in mind that this is a subjective list and just my opinion and that I am not claiming that this is the definitive list. In fact, I would welcome your lists in the comment sections below!
So without any further ado on with the countdown...
#5 Frasier
This has to be the most successful spin-off if all time. Frasier Crane was a supporting character on the incredibly popular, and pretty good, series Cheers, but he really shined in his own series. All the credit can't be given the prominent radio psychiatrist however because part of the success of this show, or any sitcom for that matter, was its supporting cast. Possibly more impressive was the way this show could handle straight-up farce. In some ways, more than any other sitcom, this series harkened back to the screwball comedies of the 1930's and 1940's where the rich elitists were both looked up to and made fun of, the wit was biting, and the situations were farcical. The show didn't always play to this strength however and some episodes verge on soap opera territory. Nevertheless, when Frasier stuck to what it did best it was something extraordinary.
Where Can I Watch it? Netflix or practically any other streaming service you can think of
Favorite episode: "The Ski Lodge" is an example of Frasier at its absolute best but there are many others
#4 The Dick Van Dyke Show
The classic sitcom that would normally be on a list like this would be I Love Lucy and that would be very well deserved, but in my humble opinion the best sitcom from the ""golden age of television" is this one. Why? Because it has strong characters, strong writing, and a fantastic cast. Not only do you get he comedic genius that is Dick Van Dyke but you also get the incredible talent that is Mary Tyler Moore. pretty much the entire cast deserves praise and the show was one of the first to introduce a workplace environment into the comedy. This sets the show apart and so does the writing. The show-runner Carl Reiner was a comedic genius and it shows in some of the best comedic episodes television has ever seen.
Where Can I Watch It?: Netflix, DVD, even Blu-Ray
Favorite episode: "That's My Boy?" A classic which you just have to see
#3 Seinfeld
This show about nothing is definitely something special. Seinfeld essentially created a whole new brand of sitcom and that brand has stuck with us to this day. Seinfeld was not based on the farce of old Broadway as Frasier was, or in the sitcoms like I Love Lucy that came before, Instead, Seinfeld demonstrated a unique personality and created characters that have been imitated time and again. On top of this, the show experimented with comedic narrative and taboo subject matter that would pave the way for other sitcoms to come. So much more could be said but I think the material speaks for itself.
Where Can I Watch it?: DVD
Favorite Episode: For its memorable characters and its ingenious plotting I'll have to go with "the Bubble Boy"
#2 The Simpsons
For the Record, I'm only talking about the first nine seasons here when I say that the Simpsons is one of the most important and hilarious sitcoms ever created. In these early years the show was a powerhouse of a new type of comedy: a comedy without limitations. There were seemingly no limitations in terms of narrative, content, and number of jokes that could be crammed into an episode. These golden years contain several 25-minute episodes with more humor in them that almost any feature film. It should also not be forgotten that the Simpsons was the first shows of this type and that all modern animated comedies owe their existence to it.
Where Can I Watch It: DVD, pay-streaming
favorite Episode: "Cape Fear" perfection!
#1 Arrested Development
Why is this the greatest comedy series of all time? because it has everything the other shows on this list have but it also brought us some of the greatest comedic characters and situations ever created as well as giving us a more serialized structure with running jokes that stretched across seasons. These things, along with the brilliant writing, make the show endlessly re-watchable. Although the fourth season was not completely up to par with the original run, with a new set of episode just announced we can look forward to seeing these wonderful characters on screen again and maybe this time they will reclaim the old magic
Where can I Watch It?: Netflix, DVD, and almost all other formats/services
Favorite Episode: There are so many but "Good Grief" is a brilliant example of everything the show has to offer.
Comment below with your favorites and check back next Tuesday for a face off between the Sopranos season 2 and Breaking Bad season 2!
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