There are many amazing sitcoms worth watching, but only a few can be considered perfect from start to finish. The best sitcoms of all time are celebrated for their usually long runs, but even some of the highest-rated titles have their weaker moments. Television has also changed a lot recently, and even the definition of sitcom is now more fluid.
Sitcom is an abbreviation of situational comedy, so if a TV show makes normal, day-to-day events comical, it can be labelled as a sitcom. It can be difficult, not to say impossible, for a TV show with dozens of seasons and hundreds of episodes to maintain a certain level of quality.
This is why the greatest sitcoms should be celebrated for doing so, especially because of how difficult it is to keep a comedy series fresh and clever for several years. That being said, some of the most memorable comedies of all time only ran for a couple of seasons and were also perfect from start to finish.
10
Superstore
6 Seasons, 2015-2021
Superstore
- Release Date
-
2015 – 2021-00-00
- Showrunner
-
Justin Spitzer
- Directors
-
Justin Spitzer
- Writers
-
Justin Spitzer, Lauren Ash
Since the release of The Office, there have been several attempts over the years at creating the next big workplace sitcom, and Superstore is one of the best shows to come out of it. Superstore follows the various employees and management staff at a Cloud 9 retail store, and the show does a great job of taking mundane situations and turning them into hilarious moments.
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There is the odd weaker moment, like when Amy and Jonah’s relationship in Superstore ends for a brief time in the last season, but even then, the rest of the episodes’ subplots and character arcs make up for it. Without fail, you can turn on any installment of Superstore and find an episode that’ll make you laugh.
9
30 Rock
7 Seasons, 2006-2013
30 Rock
8/10
- Release Date
-
2006 – 2013-00-00
- Showrunner
-
Robert Carlock
- Writers
-
Tina Fey, Robert Carlock
30 Rock is a brilliant TV show about making TV, following Liz Lemon, the head writer of the fictional series TGS, as well as the employees of NBC and the stars of the show. 30 Rock is full of brilliant and meta jokes, and audiences can easily pick things up based on context if they haven’t seen the entire show.
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What makes Tina Fey’s 30 Rock stand out from other shows is its character development. Unlike other sitcoms, 30 Rock doesn’t throw in a random high-stakes romance between main characters or a pregnancy storyline when things get boring. Instead, it finds new ways to keep its characters interesting, while ensuring their development and personality changes make sense.
8
Derry Girls
3 Seasons, 2018-2022
Derry Girls
9/10
- Release Date
-
January 4, 2018
- Showrunner
-
Lisa McGee
- Directors
-
Lisa McGee
- Writers
-
Lisa McGee
Despite the deep subject matter, Derry Girls is a brilliantly funny Irish sitcom about a group of teenagers growing up during the Troubles in Ireland. Plenty of real-life events occur in Derry Girls, but it keeps viewers laughing throughout, anyway. There are some more profound moments, too, but it doesn’t shift the tone of the show in a bad way.
Derry Girls was the TV show that launched Nicola Coughlan’s career and helped her earn her role in Bridgerton. Coughlan was 31 when she portrayed 16-year-old Claire in Derry Girls season 1.
Derry Girls is a hilarious coming-of-age title, and unlike some shows, it handles the time jump in the last season very well. It doesn’t rely on romances, either, although the show does delve into one between Erin and James in later installments. Even those who are unfamiliar with Irish culture can find something relatable in Derry Girls.
7
BoJack Horseman
6 Seasons, 2014-2020
BoJack Horseman
10/10
- Release Date
-
2014 – 2020-00-00
- Network
-
Netflix
- Showrunner
-
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
- Directors
-
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
- Writers
-
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
While audiences can be divided over whether or not an animated TV show is a sitcom, BoJack Horseman definitely fits the bill, and it’s an astounding watch. BoJack Horseman focuses on the titular character, a washed-up former sitcom actor with a substance abuse problem who struggles with his mental health, and those who surround him in his daily life.
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Every season of BoJack Horseman has moments of hilarity, heartbreak, and confusion, but it draws viewers in time and time again. For example, “The View from Halfway Down” and “Free Churro” are two of the most profoundly written TV episodes ever. BoJack Horseman is deep but still funny, and audiences who like a bit of heartache will love this animated sitcom.
6
Malcolm In The Middle
7 Seasons, 2000-2006
Malcolm in the Middle
9/10
- Release Date
-
2000 – 2006-00-00
- Network
-
FOX
- Showrunner
-
Linwood Boomer
- Directors
-
Linwood Boomer
- Writers
-
Linwood Boomer
Many are excited about the upcoming Malcolm in the Middle revival, and so they should be, considering the original show is so good. The sitcom focuses on the titular character, the genius middle child of the family who gets into all kinds of scrapes with his brothers, much to the dismay of their parents, Lois and Hal.
Lois finds out she is pregnant for the sixth time in the Malcolm in the Middle finale, “Graduation,” so audiences are keen to find out who this child is in the upcoming revival.
Malcolm in the Middle’s best episodes are full of chaos, and it’s a great watch for relatable, family-focused content. Malcolm’s family aren’t perfect, and they don’t try to be, but their attempts to give themselves a better life are often snatched away. Audiences love watching the siblings grow up on-screen, and there are loads of amazingly funny episodes to enjoy.
5
Peep Show
9 Seasons, 2003-2015
Peep Show ironically labels itself as an anti-sitcom, and it follows Jez and Mark, two roommates who live very different lives. Jez and Mark’s stories are both hilarious and incredibly strong, and it’s really interesting to witness the events of Peep Show through their eyes, quite literally. There are endless cringeworthy moments, but Peep Show’s characters are hysterical.
Peep Show is easily the crowning jewel of David Mitchell and Robert Webber’s filmographies.
Peep Show is also Olivia Colman’s breakthrough TV show in the UK, and she plays Sophie, Mark’s girlfriend and later ex-wife. The sitcom looks at the hardships of normal life and how having a wacky person by your side can push you into wild adventures, and Peep Show is easily the crowning jewel of David Mitchell and Robert Webber’s filmographies.
4
Schitt’s Creek
6 Seasons, 2015-2020
Schitt’s Creek centers on the Rose family, who lose their riches and are forced to relocate to the titular small town they bought as a joke. Schitt’s Creek is frequently praised for its witty and rather quotable dialogue, incredible comic timing, and hilarious storylines. However, the show is also known for its more profound moments.
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Throughout its six seasons, Schitt’s Creek produced some hilarious and heartwarming episodes as the Rose family adapted to their new life.
For example, David’s arc is fantastic. The development of David’s friendship with Stevie is both exciting and wholesome, and his eventual wedding to Patrick is one of the most heartwarming moments in the entire series. Schitt’s Creek is undoubtedly one of TV’s most inclusive shows, and the implementation of these themes and stories doesn’t stop the laughs from rolling in.
3
The Golden Girls
7 Seasons, 1985-1992
The Golden Girls
- Release Date
-
1985 – 1992-00-00
- Showrunner
-
Susan Harris
- Directors
-
Susan Harris
- Writers
-
Susan Harris
The Golden Girls is a legendary sitcom that focuses on the four titular characters, a group of women who live together in Miami, living out their twilight years together. The best episodes of The Golden Girls all brilliantly demonstrate the unique and quirky personalities of the four main characters, ranging from being man-obsessed to sweet and innocent.
The Golden Girls isn’t afraid to be serious, though. Some of the show’s most notable episodes tackle difficult topics like HIV, assault, and Alzheimer’s, and each of them is handled with incredible care and respect. The Golden Girls is stellar from start to finish; it’s just a shame that the spinoffs don’t receive the same appreciation.
2
Fleabag
2 Seasons, 2016-2019
Fleabag
9/10
- Release Date
-
2016 – 2019-00-00
- Showrunner
-
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
- Directors
-
Harry Bradbeer
- Writers
-
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag is a beautiful and powerful TV show that doesn’t always feel like a sitcom. Fleabag follows the titular character, whose busy life involves running a guinea pig cafe, clashing with her sister, and her grief over the death of her best friend, Boo. Every episode of Fleabag leaves viewers deep in thought, but still laughing, too.
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The main character is witty and dry, but she is avoidant and struggles to face her trauma properly, which is something many viewers find both relatable and comical. Considering how great the show’s best moments are, like the main character stealing a statue or her flirting with the Hot Priest, it’s still disappointing that Fleabag ended after just two seasons.
1
Fawlty Towers
2 Seasons, 1975-1979
Fawlty Towers
- Release Date
-
1975 – 1979-00-00
- Network
-
BBC Two
- Showrunner
-
John Cleese, Connie Booth
- Directors
-
John Howard Davies, Bob Spiers
- Writers
-
John Cleese, Connie Booth
Many sitcoms are perfect from start to finish, but the one title that doesn’t have a single bad episode is Fawlty Towers, one of the best British sitcoms of all time. Fawlty Towers takes place in the titular hotel, which is run by the blunt Basil Fawlty and his domineering wife, Sybil. The iconic sitcom is a masterclass on physical comedy.
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Installments such as “Communication Problems” and “Gourmet Night” are considered some of the best sitcom episodes in TV history, and they prove why John Cleese is such a powerful comedic performer (other than Monty Python, naturally). There are only two seasons of Fawlty Towers, too, which makes the sitcom’s strong run even more impressive.
