Top Ten Best Sitcoms In the Post-Seinfeld Era
Seinfeld has been called the sitcom to end all sitcoms, a bar set so high that nothing to follow can ever achieve its heights. Regardless, there have been a few sitcoms in the post-Seinfeld Era that are as good if not better than the show about nothing. This list only includes sitcoms on network TV (no cable, streaming service ((Netflix, HULU, AmazonPrime)), or internet series').The Top Ten
1 Arrested Development
Arrested Development is an American television sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz, which originally aired on Fox for three seasons from November 2, 2003 to February 10, 2006, followed by a two-season revival on Netflix from May 26, 2013 to March 15, 2019. The show follows the Bluths, a formerly wealthy dysfunctional family. It is presented in a serialized format, incorporating handheld camera work, voice-over narration, archival photos, and historical footage. The show maintains numerous running gags and catchphrases. Ron Howard serves as both an executive producer and the omniscient narrator and, in later seasons, appears in the show portraying a fictionalized version of himself. Set in Newport ...read more.
Arrested Development is an American television sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz, which originally aired on Fox for three seasons from November 2, 2003 to February 10, 2006, followed by a two-season revival on Netflix from May 26, 2013 to March 15, 2019. The show follows the Bluths, a formerly wealthy dysfunctional family. It is presented in a serialized format, incorporating handheld camera work, voice-over narration, archival photos, and historical footage. The show maintains numerous running gags and catchphrases. Ron Howard serves as both an executive producer and the omniscient narrator and, in later seasons, appears in the show portraying a fictionalized version of himself. Set in Newport ...read more. No sitcom better exemplifies the post-seinfeld, avant garde approach to situation comedy. Unconventional, original, and clearly ahead of its time (was cancelled after only three seasons), this sitcom remains a reminder that network T.V. can be as original and cutting edge as the stuff on cable...for at least a few seasons. After FOX prematurely pulled the plug, Netflix gave it a fourth season.
2 Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the series, along with Steven Molaro, and also some wasted guest stars from time to time.
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the series, along with Steven Molaro, and also some wasted guest stars from time to time. This perpetually number one hit is laugh out loud hilarious. I suspect this series won't age well since so much of its comedy is built on relevant pop culture refernces, but now, it's hands down the funniest thing on T.V..
3 The Office
The Office is an American television comedy series that aired on NBC from March 24, 2005 to May 16, 2013.
The Office is an American television comedy series that aired on NBC from March 24, 2005 to May 16, 2013. The American version of the British hit, hit or miss in season one and jumps the shark when Steve Carell departs, but seasons 2-7 are Emmy winning classics.
4 Scrubs
Premiering in 2001, this American medical comedy-drama follows the lives of doctors and nurses working at Sacred Heart Hospital. The series blends medical realities with humor and emotional moments, and has been acclaimed for its writing and performances.
Premiering in 2001, this American medical comedy-drama follows the lives of doctors and nurses working at Sacred Heart Hospital. The series blends medical realities with humor and emotional moments, and has been acclaimed for its writing and performances. Another unconventional sitcom featuring great performances and an incredible soundtrack. John C. McGinley should have been covered up in Emmy's for his portrayal of Dr. Perry Cox but like several on this list, despite hanging on for 10 seasons, Scrubs was never fully appreciated during its initial run.
5 Modern Family
Modern Family is an American television mockumentary family sitcom that premiered on ABC on September 23, 2009, which follows the lives of Jay Pritchett and his family, all of whom live in suburban Los Angeles. The show ended on April 8, 2020 after 11 seasons.
Modern Family is an American television mockumentary family sitcom that premiered on ABC on September 23, 2009, which follows the lives of Jay Pritchett and his family, all of whom live in suburban Los Angeles. The show ended on April 8, 2020 after 11 seasons. Turned the family sitcom on its head, with hilarious results.
6 Community
Community is an American television sitcom created by Dan Harmon that aired on NBC and Yahoo! Screen from September 17, 2009 to June 2, 2015. The series follows an ensemble cast of characters played by Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase, and Jim Rash at a community college in the fictional town of Greendale, Colorado.
Community is an American television sitcom created by Dan Harmon that aired on NBC and Yahoo! Screen from September 17, 2009 to June 2, 2015. The series follows an ensemble cast of characters played by Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase, and Jim Rash at a community college in the fictional town of Greendale, Colorado. A far more realistic take on geek culture than Big Bang Theory. Well written, complex, and on occasion outrageously funny. There are episodes of this series (Modern Warfare, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Remedial Chaos Theory) that will forever be enshrined in geek/gamer culture.
7 Malcolm In the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Broadcasting Company . The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000 and ended its six-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes . The series received critical acclaim and won a Peabody Award, seven Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award, and seven Golden Globe nominations .
Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Broadcasting Company . The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000 and ended its six-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes . The series received critical acclaim and won a Peabody Award, seven Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award, and seven Golden Globe nominations . Featuring Bryan Cranston in a character about as far away from Walter White as you can get, this comedy is the anti Leave it to Beaver.
8 The King of Queens
The far more hilarious but less successful spin-off of Everybody Loves Raymond (which just barely missed my list) was charming and endearing featuring two comedic geniunses, Kevin James and Jerry Stiller, at the top of their game.
9 How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 19, 2005, to March 31, 2014. The series follows the main character, Ted Mosby, and his group of friends in Manhattan.
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 19, 2005, to March 31, 2014. The series follows the main character, Ted Mosby, and his group of friends in Manhattan.
10 Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation, informally known as Parks and Rec, is an American political comedy television sitcom starring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a perky, mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks Department of Pawnee, a fictional town in Indiana.
Parks and Recreation, informally known as Parks and Rec, is an American political comedy television sitcom starring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a perky, mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks Department of Pawnee, a fictional town in Indiana. Rocky first season, rocky final season, but the stuff in-between was pure gold.
The Contenders
11 Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Paul Feig, with Judd Apatow as executive producer, that aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season.
Freaks and Geeks is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Paul Feig, with Judd Apatow as executive producer, that aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season.
12 Raising Hope
A complex, well written masterpiece, never fully appreciated by audiences or FOX.
13 Everybody Hates Chris
Everybody Hates Chris is an American period sitcom that is based on the troubled teenage experiences of comedian Chris Rock during the 1980s. The show is set between 1982 and 1987, although Rock himself was a teenager between 1978 and 1984, having been born in 1965. The show's title parodies the hit CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. ...read more.
Everybody Hates Chris is an American period sitcom that is based on the troubled teenage experiences of comedian Chris Rock during the 1980s. The show is set between 1982 and 1987, although Rock himself was a teenager between 1978 and 1984, having been born in 1965. The show's title parodies the hit CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. ...read more.
14 Two and a Half Men
15 Good Luck Charlie
Good Luck Charlie is an American sitcom that originally aired on Disney Channel from April 4, 2010, to February 16, 2014. The series' creators, Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen, wanted to create a program that would appeal to entire families, not just children.
Good Luck Charlie is an American sitcom that originally aired on Disney Channel from April 4, 2010, to February 16, 2014. The series' creators, Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen, wanted to create a program that would appeal to entire families, not just children.
16 American Dad
American Dad! is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman for the Fox Broadcasting Company and currently on TBS. American Dad! is the first television series made to premiere on the network's Animation Domination block. The series premiered on February 6, 2005, following Super Bowl XXXIX, with the rest of the first season airing three months later beginning May 1, 2005. American Dad! is a joint production between Underdog Productions, Fuzzy Door Productions and 20th Television Animation and syndicated by 20th Television.
American Dad! is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman for the Fox Broadcasting Company and currently on TBS. American Dad! is the first television series made to premiere on the network's Animation Domination block. The series premiered on February 6, 2005, following Super Bowl XXXIX, with the rest of the first season airing three months later beginning May 1, 2005. American Dad! is a joint production between Underdog Productions, Fuzzy Door Productions and 20th Television Animation and syndicated by 20th Television.
17 That '70s Show
That '70s Show is an American television period sitcom that originally aired on Fox from August 23, 1998, to May 18, 2006. The series focused on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin, from May 17, 1976, to December 31, 1979.
That '70s Show is an American television period sitcom that originally aired on Fox from August 23, 1998, to May 18, 2006. The series focused on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin, from May 17, 1976, to December 31, 1979.
18 Liv and Maddie
Liv and Maddie is a live-action Disney Channel sitcom that started on July 19, 2013, and ended on March 24, 2017. It is about two identical twin sisters named Olivia "Liv" Rooney and Madison "Maddie" Rooney (both portrayed by actress Dove Olivia Cameron; born in January 1996 as Chloe Celeste Hosterman) who reunite after one of them, Liv, returns to her home to see her family after four years of starring on a hit musical sitcom entitled "Sing It Loud!". The show is both a comedy and a drama, and is intended for viewers of all ages. In total it has had four complete seasons and its fourth and final season started on September 23, 2016.
Liv and Maddie is a live-action Disney Channel sitcom that started on July 19, 2013, and ended on March 24, 2017. It is about two identical twin sisters named Olivia "Liv" Rooney and Madison "Maddie" Rooney (both portrayed by actress Dove Olivia Cameron; born in January 1996 as Chloe Celeste Hosterman) who reunite after one of them, Liv, returns to her home to see her family after four years of starring on a hit musical sitcom entitled "Sing It Loud!". The show is both a comedy and a drama, and is intended for viewers of all ages. In total it has had four complete seasons and its fourth and final season started on September 23, 2016.
19 Victorious
Victorious is an American sitcom created by Dan Schneider that originally aired on Nickelodeon from March 27, 2010 through February 2, 2013 . The series revolves around aspiring singer Tori Vega, a teenager who attends a performing arts high school called Hollywood Arts High School, after taking her older sister Trina's place in a showcase while getting into screwball situations on a daily and more and more adventures.
Tori Vega is played by actress Victoria Justice.
Victorious is an American sitcom created by Dan Schneider that originally aired on Nickelodeon from March 27, 2010 through February 2, 2013 . The series revolves around aspiring singer Tori Vega, a teenager who attends a performing arts high school called Hollywood Arts High School, after taking her older sister Trina's place in a showcase while getting into screwball situations on a daily and more and more adventures.
Tori Vega is played by actress Victoria Justice.
20 Girl Meets World
Girl Meets World is an American coming of age television sitcom. The series made its debut on Disney Channel on June 27, 2014.
Girl Meets World is an American coming of age television sitcom. The series made its debut on Disney Channel on June 27, 2014.
21 Best Friends Whenever
Best Friends Whenever is an American multi-camera sitcom developed for Disney Channel, created by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas and executive produced by Jed Elinoff, Scott Thomas, and Michael B. Kaplan. The series stars Landry Bender as Cyd, Lauren Taylor as Shelby, Gus Kamp as Barry, Ricky Garcia as Naldo, Benjamin Cole Royer as Bret, and Matthew Lewis Royer as Chet. The series premiered on June 26, 2015.
Best Friends Whenever is an American multi-camera sitcom developed for Disney Channel, created by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas and executive produced by Jed Elinoff, Scott Thomas, and Michael B. Kaplan. The series stars Landry Bender as Cyd, Lauren Taylor as Shelby, Gus Kamp as Barry, Ricky Garcia as Naldo, Benjamin Cole Royer as Bret, and Matthew Lewis Royer as Chet. The series premiered on June 26, 2015.
22 Icarly
iCarly is an American teen sitcom that ran on Nickelodeon from September 8, 2007 until November 23, 2012. The series, created by Dan Schneider, focuses on teenager Carly Shay, who creates her own web show called iCarly with her best friends Sam Puckett and Freddie Benson.
iCarly is an American teen sitcom that ran on Nickelodeon from September 8, 2007 until November 23, 2012. The series, created by Dan Schneider, focuses on teenager Carly Shay, who creates her own web show called iCarly with her best friends Sam Puckett and Freddie Benson.
23 Wizards of Waverly Place
Wizards of Waverly Place is an American fantasy teen sitcom which ran from October 12, 2007 to January 6, 2012 on Disney Channel. The series was created by Todd J. Greenwald, and stars Selena Gomez, David Henrie and Jake T. Austin as three wizard siblings with magical abilities competing to win sole custody of the family powers. Further main cast includes Jennifer Stone, María Canals Barrera, and David DeLuise.
Wizards of Waverly Place is an American fantasy teen sitcom which ran from October 12, 2007 to January 6, 2012 on Disney Channel. The series was created by Todd J. Greenwald, and stars Selena Gomez, David Henrie and Jake T. Austin as three wizard siblings with magical abilities competing to win sole custody of the family powers. Further main cast includes Jennifer Stone, María Canals Barrera, and David DeLuise.
24 Drake & Josh
Drake & Josh is an American television sitcom created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon. The series follows the lives of two teenage boys with opposite personalities, Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck), who become stepbrothers. Both actors previously appeared in The Amanda Show along with Nancy Sullivan, who plays Drake and Megan's mother in the series. Miranda Cosgrove plays Megan, Drake's mischievous younger sister, and Jonathan Goldstein plays Walter, Josh's father. The series' opening theme song, "Found a Way", is written by Drake Bell and Backhouse Mike and performed by Bell. The series ran from January 11, 2004, to September 16, 2007, totaling 57 episodes in 4 seasons. ...read more.
Drake & Josh is an American television sitcom created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon. The series follows the lives of two teenage boys with opposite personalities, Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck), who become stepbrothers. Both actors previously appeared in The Amanda Show along with Nancy Sullivan, who plays Drake and Megan's mother in the series. Miranda Cosgrove plays Megan, Drake's mischievous younger sister, and Jonathan Goldstein plays Walter, Josh's father. The series' opening theme song, "Found a Way", is written by Drake Bell and Backhouse Mike and performed by Bell. The series ran from January 11, 2004, to September 16, 2007, totaling 57 episodes in 4 seasons. ...read more.
25 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is an American web television sitcom created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, starring Ellie Kemper in the title role, that has streamed on Netflix since March 6, 2015. Originally set for a 13-episode first season on NBC for early 2015, the show was sold to Netflix and given a two-season order.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is an American web television sitcom created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, starring Ellie Kemper in the title role, that has streamed on Netflix since March 6, 2015. Originally set for a 13-episode first season on NBC for early 2015, the show was sold to Netflix and given a two-season order.BAdd New Item