Network sitcoms once dominated television, with millions of families across the country tuning in each week to watch their favorite shows. Whether it’s a family sitcom, a workplace sitcom, or a friend group sitcom, these shows reflected the lives of everyday people in a humorous and relatable light. For this list, I have ranked the top ten network sitcoms from the 1970s till now. Sitcoms from the early days of television will be subject for a different list at a later date. I have ranked these shows based on their success, lasting popularity, and legacy, and yes, a little bit of my own personal opinion. To be considered for this list, the sitcom must have aired on one of the Big Four networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX). I have also excluded animated sitcoms, as that will also be a list for a later date. So here it is, “The Top 10 Network Sitcoms of the Last 50 Years (or so).”
10. M*A*S*H
Based on the satirical 1970 film of the same name, M*A*S*H tells the story of a medical unit in the Korean War. Airing during the Vietnam War, M*A*S*H used its setting as an allegory for the real-life turmoil surrounding the war, making it highly relevant to its viewers. The show was renowned for its use of tone, often shifting between comedy and drama, and its ensemble cast, which includes the talents of Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and Loretta Swit. Its series finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” is still the most-watched single episode of any television show ever, being watched by over 100 million viewers when it aired, a feat that will likely never happen again.
9. The Office
Based on the hit U.K. sitcom of the same name starring Ricky Gervais, the U.S. version of The Office follows the inner workings of the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and its employees. Developed by Greg Daniels, The Office features some of the best comedy writing and acting of the 21st century, featuring a cast that includes Steve Carell as the bumbling manager Michael Scott, John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer as Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly, who have become one of the most endearing television couples, and Rainn Wilson as the beloved Dwight Schrute and a large ensemble of lovable characters. With over forty Emmy nominations and nine seasons on NBC, The Office is also one of the most-streamed shows of all time. The Office remains popular due to its cringe-inducing humor and workplace relatability.
8. The Jeffersons
Developed by the legendary Norman Lear, this spin-off of All in the Family follows The Jeffersons after they move to Manhattan, with Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford reprising their iconic roles as George and Louise “Weezy” Jefferson. A successful spin-off, The Jeffersons ran for eleven seasons. Two seasons longer than All in the Family, and was nominated for multiple awards, with Sanford winning the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, being the first African- American woman to do so. Despite being controversially and unceremoniously canceled in 1985, The Jeffersons is consistently recognized as a significant and influential sitcom, and also has one of the most popular theme songs in sitcom history.
7. Seinfeld
NBC struck comedy gold in 1989 when it premiered its famous “show about nothing.” Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, Seinfeld follows Jerry (playing a fictionalized version of himself) living in New York City with his best friends George and Elaine (played by Jason Alexander and Julia Louis Dreyfus) and wacky next-door neighbor Kramer (Michael Richards) as they hilariously navigate everyday life in the city. Known for such iconic moments, quotes, and characters such as “The Soup Nazi”, “Festivus”, “Serenity Now”, and Elaine’s famous dancing, Seinfeld remains one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, and reruns are easy to find due to its historic syndication deal. The series finale is one of the most divisive and talked-about in television history.
6. Friends
Since its premiere in 1994, Friends has been the quintessential friend-group comedy, influencing shows such as How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, and FX’s Adults. Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and Lisa Kudrow star as the lovable group of twenty-somethings living in New York City. One of the most relatable shows of all time, there is an episode of Friends for every situation you may find in life. The show enjoyed massive popularity during its ten-year run for its theme song, talented cast, Rachel’s hairstyle, memorable moments, and quotable lines. Friends continues to grow in popularity as new generations rediscover the show, and the ongoing online debate about how many claps there are in the theme song (there are four, by the way).
5. The Cosby Show
While its legacy will forever be stained by its creator and star, The Cosby Show was a highly influential sitcom when it premiered in 1984. At the time of its premiere, the sitcom genre was in decline, much as it is today. The Cosby Show revitalized the genre’s popularity, particularly the subgenre of the “family sitcom.” The show is also historic for Black representation in television and for women’s representation, with the matriarch of the family, Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), working as a lawyer while most sitcom moms were stay-at-home moms. The show’s humor derived mostly from the Huxtable family dynamics, which were based in large part on Cosby’s stand-up act and persona as a father of five children (the Huxtable children are played by Lisa Bonet, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Sabrina Le Beauf, Tempestt Bledsoe, and Keisha Knight Pulliam). The Cosby Show was ranked number one in ratings for five years in a row, was nominated for almost thirty Emmys, winning six, and spawned a popular spin-off, A Different World, which originally followed Lisa Bonet’s character, Denise Huxtable, in college.
4. 30 Rock
A personal favorite, 30 Rock is a satirical, absurdist workplace sitcom created by Tina Fey, who also stars as Liz Lemon, a comedy writer who produces her own sketch comedy show, The Girlie Show (later TGS), on NBC at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Based loosely on Fey’s experience as head writer of Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock also stars Alec Baldwin as General Electric CEO Jack Donaghy, who interferes with Lemon’s show by hiring falling comedy movie star Tracy Jordan (played by Tracy Morgan) as the new star of TGS. The show also stars Jane Krakowski, Judah Friedlander, and Jack McBrayer as Kenneth the Page. Hilariously written, 30 Rock is known for its wit, self-referential humor, and its satire on NBC’s history and corporate culture.
3. All in the Family
Norman Lear’s All in the Family remains one of the most groundbreaking shows in all of television history. At a time when most TV comedies were still playing it safe, All in the Family brought real discussions and uncomfortable moments to millions of Americans’ screens every week. All in the Family directly addressed the changing and divisive times of the 1970s through its protagonist, the bigoted Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), the patriarch of the Bunker family, which included wife Edith (Jean Stapleton) and daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers). Archie frequently clashes with his counterculture son-in-law Mike “Meathead” Stivic (Rob Reiner). A ratings hit that won numerous awards, All in the Family took the sitcom genre to new heights. Balancing serious topics such as racism, politics, and generational divides with brilliantly executed dramatic moments, All in the Family wasn’t just “water cooler television”; it sparked genuine cultural discussions that remain relevant today.
2. Community
Ranked number two is my personal favorite sitcom, Community. Created by Dan Harmon, Community follows a group of misfits at the fictional Greendale Community College. When Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale) pretends to be a Spanish tutor to get close with classmate Britta Perry (Gillian Jacobs) his plan quickly goes awry when he finds himself in charge of an entire study group consisting of film nerd Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi), the studious and high achieving Annie Edison (Alison Brie), single mother Shirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown), ex-jock Troy Barnes (Donald Glover), and moist towelette heir Pierce Hawthorne (Chevy Chase). Rounding out the cast are the eccentric school Dean, Craig Pelton (Jim Rash), and one-time Spanish teacher-turned fellow classmate Chang (Ken Jeong). While not a ratings success, Community consistently received glowing reviews for its humor, writing, and talented young cast, many of whom have since become big stars in film and television. The show has developed a devoted cult following, which I am proud to be part of. The recurring joke of “six seasons and a movie” has become a rallying cry for fans of the show and also a popular hashtag. After being canceled by NBC, Community got its sixth and final season in 2015 on the now-defunct Yahoo Screen, and reports of a movie have continued to circulate, with star Joel McHale recently stating on Conan O’Brien’s podcast, “It will happen.”
1. Cheers
In the number one spot, we have Cheers. Cheers follows the patrons and staff at the titular Boston bar where everybody knows your name. Ted Danson stars as Sam Malone, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who owns and operates the bar along with his coworkers Carla Tortelli (Rhea Perlman), Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson), and “Coach” (Nicholas Colassanto). Joining them are the bar regulars, the heavy-drinking Norm Peterson (George Wendt), the know-it-all postal employee Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger), and psychiatric professional Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar), who had his own successful spin-off after the show’s run. Sam is introduced to the intellectual and somewhat snobby Diane Chambers, played by Shelley Long. Sam and Diane would go on to become one of the most famous (and one of the most comedically insufferable) on-again, off-again relationships in television. While not an immediate ratings hit when it premiered in 1982, Cheers would go on to have an eleven-season run, earning over 100 Primetime Emmy nominations and serving as the definitive blueprint for every sitcom since. Cheers has continued to charm audiences since it first aired in the 1980s. It is an early example of a successful “workplace comedy,” and viewers get the sense that they are fellow Cheers regulars and the characters are their real-life friends. The show is endearing for its sharp writing, heartfelt moments, beautifully executed series finale, and a memorable theme song you can’t help but sing along to.
