Top 10 Best Sitcoms of All Time

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld were pure geniuses at work. George Costanza has to be one of the best-created and embodied sitcom characters ever - Jason Alexander was magnificent. The clever plot brilliantly mixed high-class black humor with day-to-day situations blown out of proportion, allowing viewers around the world to relate to the characters. I guess we've all tried at least once to open the door the way Kramer did when entering Jerry's apartment. Elaine was one of the best-played female characters in a sitcom. Truly brilliant.

I cannot imagine someone not knowing about the Soup Nazi, the bubble boy, and the misprint "Moops," about Newman - the archenemy, about "Mulva," about the scene where Frank Costanza asks, "Do you want a piece of me?", or about "By the way, they're real and they're spectacular," or "I don't have a square to spare," or even about the bet regarding who won't cave into the urge to masturbate, or about Elaine trying to "turn," to bring a guy from the other team to the heterosexual team.

It is said that all good things must come to an end, but I simply do not understand why the creators of a masterpiece stopped when they were still young and had so much to say.

It is sad that, to this day, they remain unmatched.

Every single episode makes you laugh out loud, even though you've memorized the punchlines. It never gets old!

Friends is the ultimate show. Once you watch one episode, you must watch the next. It has everything: laughs, tears, emotion, and suspense. You can watch the whole series over and over again, and it never gets old. It's the best TV show of all time, and it makes you want to be a part of it. It also has the best ending to a classic show - or any classic production - that I have ever seen. Ross and Rachel, Chandler and Monica, Chandler's jokes, Ross's sarcasm, Phoebe's weirdness, Joey's charming immaturity, Rachel's beauty, Monica's competitiveness, and the overall chemistry of the cast and characters are what make this the best production ever known.

With all the How I Met Your Mother hype these days, it seems that Friends is all but forgotten. But then, why is it still on for hours of daytime TV? Because it has stood the test of time as one of the best shows ever!

I was so in love with Joey and his innocent, sweet, decent ways. Ross had that sexy nerd thing going on. Rachel was trusting and sweet, and she fit so easily into a scene with anyone else. Phoebe, with her genuine nature and questionable background, was someone you knew you wanted as a friend. Chandler was always there to make you laugh. And Monica, well... I am a Monica.

Who couldn't love everything about the characters and episodes!

Seinfeld might be the greatest live-action sitcom, but there's no way it's better and more iconic than The Simpsons.

Is there anybody on Earth who doesn't know who The Simpsons are? I live in South America, and this show is a cultural phenomenon around here.

The first 10 seasons of The Simpsons are pure genius. There's no show that will ever make me laugh as hard as this one. I literally almost pass out from laughing so much.

Homer Simpson is the greatest sitcom character ever created, period. George Costanza, Cosmo Kramer, and Chandler Bing can also be funny, but they can't compete with Homer.

Early Simpsons is easily the greatest comedy ever created in the history of television, period.

Even recent Simpsons episodes aren't actually that bad. It's just that early Simpsons episodes were so good that newer ones just can't compete with them.

I feel like in 100 years, The Simpsons will still be recognized by future generations. Can you say the same for Seinfeld and Friends? I have my doubts! The Simpsons is a worldwide phenomenon and will be used in the future for historians and scientists to study human behavior.

There are compelling examples as to why The Big Bang Theory deserves to be on this list. Great scripts feature clever use of pop culture references and even manage to draw humor out of the realm of science and scientific terminology. Seamless meshing of a solid ensemble cast. Finally, the talented Jim Parsons continues to exhibit why he is quickly becoming one of the great comic actors of all time. He certainly deserves a seat in the pantheon of comic greats alongside the likes of Robin Williams, Rowan Atkinson, Ted Knight, John Cleese, John Belushi, and Jonathan Winters.

The Big Bang Theory has surpassed Chuck Lorre's other great series, Two and a Half Men, in terms of being the best American sitcom currently airing on television.

The funniest, the best, the most hilarious show of all time. Who couldn't love a show about adorable nerds, a below-average-intelligence neighbor, a socially awkward genius, etc.? The bonds and relationships are so strong between the characters. It also has a strong emotional side. Leonard and Penny make an adorable couple, and the friendship between Penny and Sheldon is extremely complicated, genuine, and sweet. Raj, Howard, Leonard, and Sheldon are also the best, cutest group of friends. All their quirks really bring the show together.
Love it!

I can't even begin to express just how incredible this show was. It was hilarious, smart, deep, heartfelt, sad, happy, well-written, and unique in its delivery of an otherwise old style. But most of all, it was beautiful. Each and every character actually developed over nine years, and the story itself was actually dependent on previous episodes (not really a sitcom thing to do). This show made me laugh in every single episode, but it also made me literally cry in more episodes than I can count (and I'm a DUDE). Why did it make me cry? Because it tapped into my own experiences (as I'm sure it did for millions of others). This show played the heartstrings of everyone's reality and managed to be completely sincere and hilarious at the same time. Truly,... yes... "legendary." I watched Friends, and I liked Friends, but there was still something a little too fake about it. Another hundred years may pass before something even comes close to How I Met Your Mother. I'm so glad I was in my 20s for it.

How is this show only at #8? Every time I watch it, I laugh at old jokes and ones I hadn't even noticed the first time around. It just gets funnier each time. If it had a laugh track, it would've just gone on for an obnoxiously long time, but without one, it's 101% better. Michael's annoying but lovable nature is amazingly portrayed by Steve Carell, and after he left, Rainn Wilson kept the mood going. Jim and Pam are an unforgettable power couple that you'll find yourself comparing every good couple to. The supposed background characters have become some of the funniest - Kevin, Creed, and Stanley are some of my favorites - and the perpetual grudge against Toby never gets old. Speaking of Toby, I think the writer-actor roles some of them had just made it better. The awkward scenes, relationships, and jokes that would normally seem, well, awkward on most shows are the highlight of this one. Around every corner lies a new quote for me to incorporate into my life. I know this is long, but I could talk for hours about how amazing this show continues to be. Viewers need to unite and get this show at least to the top 5!

You've got to be kidding me. There's no way The Fresh Prince should be 11th on this list. I've never seen another sitcom that could make you laugh, cry, and make you care about the characters the way this show did. I think Friends is the closest that could come to this show. This show taught lessons to kids. There was meaning behind every episode. This show should be number 1 above all others. Sure, Friends was a great show. You also cared about those characters, but most of the episodes lacked true meaning other than to be entertaining.

Deserves #1. If we didn't have this show, Will Smith probably wouldn't have ended up doing I Am Legend, Suicide Squad, Independence Day, Focus, Hancock, After Earth, Bad Boys, Wild Wild West, and much more. Will Smith has to be my favorite, and I love watching the show. It is the best. It beats any other show and is hilarious. I especially like the theme song. Well, that's enough from me. Vote for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Seriously! #8, what a joke. How I Met Your Mother is in the top ten? Who made this list? Obviously, people with no sense of humor. Friends was one of the most overrated shows ever, and most of the shows in the top ten use the same jokes over and over again, and people are too stupid to figure it out. Seinfeld should definitely be #1, and then Cheers. If you like cartoons, then The Simpsons is OK for #3. The Office and Modern Family are great and original in their own way. That '70s Show was also great and original. All other shows on the list should never be mentioned again... ever!

Cheers is the best sitcom of all time. It maintains a consistency of tone and caliber from the first episode to the last and offers the viewer precisely the mental escape it offers the bar's clientele. If you're feeling anxious or stressed, watch just one cold open and the theme song. You will feel better, and you will smile.

I absolutely love Modern Family! The characters are really funny, and I love how they all have different personalities. One of the best things about Modern Family is that I could see someone 18 watching this, but also someone who is 50. I also love how many of the main characters are kids. Many of the other sitcoms I watch have adults as main characters and kids in supporting roles. Anyway, this is the best show ever!

I watched this show when it first came onto Amazon Prime UK, and I had low expectations. But after I watched the first four episodes, I really started to enjoy it. The more seasons I watched, the more I loved it. It's an amazing sitcom. A little underrated in the UK, but it did rise a little when they put it on Netflix.

This can't be in the 10th position. It's definitely much better than How I Met Your Mother or any of the other sitcoms apart from Friends and Seinfeld in the top 10. It definitely deserves a top 5 rating. Every possible character and episode that this modern family conjures or will conjure is lovable.

AWESOME and MUST-WATCH series.

My favorite characters in order! This was so hard to decide! Every character just edged out the other by just a strand of hair! That's how close it is! Here it goes:

1. Topher Grace
2. Wilmer Valderrama
3. Ashton Kutcher
4. Danny Masterson
5. Mila Kunis
6. Laura Prepon

If I were to rate the whole cast, I'd have Tommy Chong at number 2, man! He makes me crack up every time. I have to put Kurtwood Smith at 3 behind Kelso because Red Foreman is just so funny, and that makes Eric really effective and funny. I just love this show to death. I've watched the whole 8-season series like 100 times each! Even though I know almost all the lines, they still crack me up! My favorite show of all time!

OK, when you think of a sitcom, what can you think of other than a bunch of friends in high school doing crazy stuff? These actors and actresses made the experience. The story left you on the edge of your seat, and every episode makes you laugh your guts out. Between the circle scenes and Fez making some perverted remarks, who has time to breathe?

This show was my childhood. It was a masterpiece! Zoey 101, Victorious, and iCarly are all really good shows, but they're mediocre compared to this masterpiece!

It's nice to see this so close to the top. This may be an unpopular opinion, but from my point of view, Drake and Josh is an underrated masterpiece.

This show deserves to be number one. You'll laugh your butt off in every episode ever made. It's just hilarious - the greatest show ever.

My favorite show! I watch it every day. Mung laugh out loud (World Wide Recording Concert) is my favorite phrase now, besides heinous! I also saw the movie. The boys' foul language makes me laugh out loud, and they're only in the fourth grade, which is funny but, I guess, relatable to reality by today's standards because people cussed all the time when I was in elementary school last year. I also love all the boys but strongly dislike Wendy. South Park for life!

I think the reason this is so low is because people don't give it a chance. They just see a clip and make up their minds. But seriously, watch an episode like "Scott Tenorman Must Die" or even the most recent "Cartman in Love," and you will see that this show is fantastic.

A lot of the humor parodies today's events and celebrities as well, like the Presidential Election/Oceans 11 skit. Watch, guys - all the shows on here are good.

It's better than a kid misbehaving or doing something stupid, and then an adult pulls up a chair and gives the child a "talk." Married With Children is more realistic. None of us have the luckiest lives, and their lives are more realistic.

Nothing before or since has approached the comedic level of the second season's Christmas episode. My children have grown up with it as a yearly tradition. The WKRP turkey drop was close - and also a tradition.

Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother, and The Big Bang Theory are three of the least funny TV shows of all time. Seinfeld, Friends, and Married with Children are the top 3, 100 million percent. LET'S ROCK!

It is one of the best shows ever. When Charlie Sheen got fired and removed from the show, no one watched it even though the director tried for four more seasons. No one was interested. As far as I know, with Charlie Sheen, the show is a 10/10. Without Charlie Sheen, it's -99/10. And the director showed his fantasies through Charlie Harper's actions in the last episode's animation, which is even worse. It was the worst ending to a great character. Kudos to the director for directing that poorly. No one can direct worse than that (the last episode of season 12).

But up to season 8, it is a great show and highly recommended.

My greatest sitcom ever. A very funny show with Charlie Sheen, but the show was finished when he got fired. I recommend series 1 to 8. The comedy is gold. The rest was unwatchable drivel when Ashton started. For me, there are only eight seasons of Two and a Half Men, and it finished after that. I will not watch the ones with Ashton, but I will continue to enjoy my season 1-8 Two and a Half Men box set - great comedy.

The most influential year for sitcoms was 1951, because it brought us I Love Lucy. This sitcom revolutionized the television industry and became the most important sitcom in history. It ran for five years and produced 179 episodes about a Cuban bandleader and his spunky red-headed actress wife. It ultimately became the best-loved television program of all time. Its effects on the industry can still be seen today. It was the first show based out of California and was the first sitcom to be shot on film by multiple cameras in front of a live studio audience. It paved the road for many of the sitcoms seen on TV today, and its effects are so lasting that it can still be seen on air from time to time.

Absolutely a resounding number one, and that includes any other genre or show from the '50s to the present. Classic. Lucy's zany antics, the catchphrases, and the countless well-known guest stars, along with the chemistry between this foursome, just can't be gauged. A pure delight. I own the whole series, and it was well worth the investment and has paid for itself many times over. Carol Burnett, another beloved comedy legend, has cited Lucy as her biggest inspiration. A savvy businesswoman, devoted mother, talented actress, comedic delight, full of wit, grace, and beauty - she had it all! There will never be another.

My personal favorite sitcom, coming from someone who doesn't like sitcoms in general. Captures family life perfectly. You will hate each other most of the time and have things that are definitively awful about yourself and each member, but you're there for each other when it counts.

Again, not a fan of sitcoms in general, but I have seen the ones everyone talks about as being their favorite (though I have yet to see much of Seinfeld, which I keep meaning to remedy). But this one is my favorite because it seemed the least formulaic and the characters just worked for me, which is all I can ask of a sitcom.

The funniest sitcom ever! Ten episodes and I was hooked. I never watched this until it was in syndication. I just absolutely love the characters and scripts. I'm one of the few who never thought Seinfeld was funny... Not even slightly funny. I don't know. I just never got it. Final thoughts on Raymond... Having seen most of the shows now in syndication, I think the best scripts were written about three years into its run. The later episodes seem much funnier to me than the earlier episodes as a new show.

When I think of groundbreaking shows, I always think of this one. I'm black, but I personally think that Archie is one of the funniest sitcom characters (if not the best ever) of all time. The show proved that sitcoms didn't have to be about a perfect life. The actors are excellent and really fun to watch on screen. Edith is personally my favorite character because she is so naive and kind, and we can all see a bit of Edith in all of us. I hope that one day, sitcoms will have the guts that this show did, but I know truly that there will never be another All in the Family.

All in the Family - a classic that was number one for five straight years in the early '70s. The Archie Bunker character is the best. Two and a Half Men was great, especially Seasons 1-9. The Big Bang Theory is very funny but can be quite silly at times. I Love Lucy is a perennial favorite of older people. Most people only know of the episodes considered "classic," but Lucille Ball's physical comedy was hilarious. It's underrated on this list.

This is the first sitcom on the list that is non-American. That's funny. Anyway, this is a great show. It is absolutely hilarious. It has great characters: Mr. Fawlty is brilliant. He is designed so well that you feel sorry for him despite the fact he's a total jerk. Every episode is so clever and always makes you laugh. It's hilarious how Basil tries to get out of situations dishonestly and almost always does until it all collapses on him. Watch all twelve episodes, and you will agree.

The fact is this is the most brilliant sitcom of all time. I'm a little narrow-minded when it comes to sitcoms, though. If it doesn't have a laugh track, then it's not a sitcom. All of the episodes of Fawlty Towers are tight and hilarious. It shows off John Cleese's comedic ability better than anything you'll ever see him in. The only shortcoming is that Cleese and Booth only made twelve episodes. I wish they had had the courage to make more.

A heartfelt gem resonating with the innocence of a bygone era: Sunday school, ice cream socials, front-porch swinging, chess-playing in the town square, first kisses stolen by the river or at the drive-in. Perhaps many clichés abound. However, given the time period, this served as the norm. How refreshing, given much of the violence and gore prevalent in today's TV.

Further, a deep moral compass surrounds not only the premises/topics/issues covered weekly for 8 seasons, but it also connects this beyond-talented cast who possess an authentic bond. Andy's down-to-earth, homey charm stems from his steadfast ideology and philosophy of life, lending itself to his self-deprecating, pivotal performance. Don Knotts is hilarious, engaging, and lovable as the bumbling Barney Fife, and Ron Howard (who went on to become one of Hollywood's most noted directors) radiates tons of natural charm as Opie, Andy's doe-eyed son.

An indelible classic forever etched in our hearts and minds!

It seems like the voters have almost entirely neglected to mention British sitcoms. This is an amazing show, not to mention laugh-out-loud funny, as well as having a fantastic conclusion. The only qualm I have regarding this show is that the first season was a disappointment, but the rest of the four are legendary.

Simply brilliant, well-researched. Hugh Laurie before he became House, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson - oh, just ever so jolly japes!

Are you joking? This is, without a doubt, the best sitcom ever. Rowan Atkinson is brilliant, and this is what made Hugh Laurie famous.

This is undoubtedly the best show that I have watched to date. It features a combination of unique yet relatable characters and extremely clever writing, qualities that are rare in television shows nowadays. The episodes offer light-hearted entertainment through witty lines but also take audiences on an emotional journey. These experiences provide lessons in love, family, and life that remain applicable even decades after the show has ended. Having watched all eleven seasons five times, I recommend this series to everyone. This is the show I always return to, and I enjoy every moment of it.

The best sitcom ever, hands down, is Frasier. This show has something for everyone. No matter who you are, there will always be a character or a situation to which you can relate. It's intellectual, yet at the same time, it's good old-fashioned, down-to-earth fun. The laughs are plentiful, and the storylines are fun to follow.

I've seen all eleven seasons' worth of episodes, some more than three or four times, and somehow it's always fresh and delightful. I missed seeing the series during its first run. While my friends and family were enjoying new episodes in prime time, I was either studying, interning, or working shifts. Then, when I went on long-term medical leave and had the time to watch TV, I discovered Frasier, which was by then in reruns.

My goodness, what a wonderful surprise! I had no idea just how purely delightful, entertaining, and addictive the show could be. By addictive, I mean the characters and their lives sort of grow on you. Each week you get to know them better. They become like members of your family, so you actually look forward to turning on the TV and seeing them live their funny and unpredictable lives.

The aging dad, an all-American retired cop who moves in (duct-taped recliner, six-pack of beer, and frisky little terrier Eddie in tow) to live with his fussy, highbrow psychiatrist son Frasier, is a riot to watch. Younger brother Niles is the 'Yin' to Frasier's 'Yang.' There is never a dull moment. Add in the remaining key characters and you've got a magical mixture of endless fun.

I guarantee your blood pressure will drop if you've had a tough day. You'll melt into observing the wacky, everyday lives of the Crane family and friends. The show is sheer genius.

This show is pure perfection. It flawlessly portrays the struggles of everyday life, yet puts a perfect comedic spin on it. The acting is great, and even when it feels a bit fake (which is rare), it feels deliberate. Somehow, I'm in love with all four of the brothers, and if Jamie were older, I'd love him as well. The show was always coming up with new and better material every season, and it will always be my number one.

"It's actually Malcolm in the Middle," is probably something Malcolm would say. This show is hilarious through all seven seasons. The plot is fantastic - a kid with a photographic memory raised in a weird home, trying to get through middle school and high school while giving his parents a hard time with his and his siblings' ridiculous but rule-breaking stunts. The characters are so unpredictable and funny that it just makes for an all-around amazing TV show, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

How could It's Always Sunny be so low? It is on its 12th season and still going. Sunny doesn't have well-known, famous people on the show, besides Charlie Day. That is the only fault in the series, which isn't really a fault because having big actors makes the show look cheesy, as if it's just trying to get better ratings. But it's flat-out hilarious, always going too far with their schemes. All the characters are well-done, except for Dee (no one likes Dee). Even with their low budget, they create creative stories like court cases and flashbacks of what happened (who pooped the bed?). Maybe it's ranked low because it's not meant for young viewers, but you could say that about many other shows ranked ahead of it.

Perfect comic timing, well-developed characters, and fast-paced storylines feature some of the most outrageous situations that I could have never fathomed in the far reaches of my imagination. Totally hysterical and unexpected every episode. One of my friends describes this show by saying, "Every time they have to make a decision, they make the absolute worst decision possible," which makes for some interesting scenarios.

It should be a good deal higher than 20! All the characters are well-developed. The Henry Blake years are equally as good as the Sherman Potter years. Frank Burns is a character who deserves greater recognition.

How can M*A*S*H be so low? I would understand if it were 3rd or 5th. In my opinion, this show is number one, without any doubts. It makes you laugh, makes you cry, and makes you believe in humanity and kindness. Hello, people! If you have not seen M*A*S*H, run and dive in now.

Best show ever. It was funny, dramatic. Cast changes didn't hurt it. The only thing that can hold this show back in popularity rankings is that too many young people don't remember how great it was.