Top 10 Best Comedy TV Shows of All Time

What makes a comedy TV show truly great? Is it the witty banter, the outrageous situations, the relatable characters, or perhaps a perfect blend of all three?

Throughout television history, countless sitcoms have graced our screens, each with its own unique flavor and charm. Some have made us chuckle, others have caused side-splitting laughter, and a few have even brought tears of joy to our eyes. But which ones have truly stood the test of time, earning their place in the pantheon of comedic excellence?

1. Seinfeld

   

   Four single friends, comic Jerry Seinfeld, bungling George Costanza, frustrated working gal Elaine Benes, and eccentric neighbor Cosmo Kramer, deal with the absurdities of everyday life in New York City.

   Seinfeld is a sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1989 to 1998. It is often regarded... read more

   This has always been the best. Kramer is the best part - he is always doing hilarious things! Kramer is hilarious when he says, "Yeah," as he skids on the floor into Jerry's apartment, and when he says, "Giddyup!"

   My favorite episode is "The Soup Nazi" because the Soup Nazi is called that for a reason - he supposedly "makes the best soup in the world" but he is crazy. When someone annoys him or complains, he says, "NO SOUP FOR YOU!" and takes their soup away.

   Seinfeld is the best show in the world (or at least in the USA, I haven't seen shows from other countries). And why is "Drew Carey" so low? He is hilarious too! Apparently, "Last Man on Earth" isn't even on the list (but I get it since it was meant to be a comedy at first but is more sad than funny now, since, spoiler alert: everyone is dying off, one by one). Seinfeld was so good that if it had continued airing to this day, it would still never get old!

2. Friends

   

   Friends is an American television sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. It originally aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, spanning ten seasons. As of April 2026, the series continues to be popular through syndication and streaming platforms, though it is no longer part of... read more

   It's 3 in the morning. I just watched the last episode and the episode before that. I don't think I cried that much in years. You would be surprised, but I found the episode before the Last One sadder than any episode I've ever watched in my life.

   I get that a lot of you love Seinfeld and always say how much better it is because it's a classic, but Friends is special. You realize that having just a group of close friends gets you through any tough times, and they will always be there for you.

   I mean, I was crying so hard that when Chandler cracked a joke while Rachel was saying goodbye, I didn't know if I was laughing or crying. The connection between the audience and the actors, writers, directors, and everyone that made this show happen, is very strong.

   It's not even about which is #1 or which is funnier or sadder. It's a combination of all categories, and put them together, and Friends is the best there is.

3. The Simpsons

   

   The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening. It originally aired as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show starting April 19, 1987, and debuted as a standalone series on December 17, 1989.

   As of 2026, it remains the longest-running animated sitcom. The show follows Homer Simpson... read more

   It takes loyal viewers to keep a show going, and The Simpsons has been going for 27 years, so it's obvious it has the most viewers. Plus, it's funny, and the humor isn't always about sex and stuff like that, which is very common in TV shows like Family Guy.

   And many of the ideas for other comedy shows came from The Simpsons, so this show is definitely number 1. Oh, and by the way, it's way funnier than Seinfeld.

   Seriously? South Park better than The Simpsons? The Simpsons are America's most loved family. They've got the most number of characters. Homer Simpson is the funniest guy on earth...

   I think Two and a Half Men, The Outdoor Man, Home Improvement, Arrested Development, and Everybody Loves Raymond must be in the top ten too.

4. Family Guy

   

   Family Guy is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a family consisting of Peter, Lois, their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their anthropomorphic dog, Brian. The show is set in the fictional city of Quahog... read more

   Family Guy is by far the funniest show ever. Peter is of course the biggest attraction, but it's all the lesser appearing characters that make this a huge success, like Mayor West and Herbert the Pervert. The way that Seth MacFarlane has mixed all those different characters together reflects directly to real life.

   Family Guy should be number one! Not Friends. That's crap. To me, it was never funny at all. I hate Friends!

   The Inbetweeners, Malcolm in the Middle, and Family Guy are my favorite series of all time.

5. 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 Ted Mosby as he recounts to his children the events leading up to how he met their mother. The show is set in Manhattan and features an ensemble cast including Josh... read more

   LOVE

   Everything about this show is great. I love the relationship between all of them. Even the temporary characters are great. I can't watch without laughing so hard.

   I am so upset that it ended, but the last season was the best. Whoever created this show was a genius. Ted, Barney, Marshall, Lily, and Robin, I love you guys, and I hope to have a group of friends as loyal as you all are to each other someday.

   I actually think there are some valuable life lessons beneath the surface narrative, and it draws you in so much that you feel like you are part of your world. I have the box set of seasons 1-8, and I've watched every episode a number of times, but they never get any less funny as time goes by.

   I also love how the writers and director use the actors' other talents wherever possible, for example, the musical numbers and dance routines throughout. Additionally, it is set in real time. Time goes by at the same speed as real life, which makes it all the more relatable. Legendary!

6. The Big Bang Theory

   

   The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, who also served as executive producers alongside Steven Molaro. The show follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with friends and romantic partners. It featured several notable guest stars throughout... read more

   This show is hilarious. The main reason why this should be number one is because it is different. Look at Friends and How I Met Your Mother, two other fantastic shows, but the reasons why The Big Bang Theory is number one are as follows.

   Instead of featuring popular young people who go to public places like bars, it showcases hilarious geeks watching Star Wars and reading comic books. Second, it keeps the characters' careers mentioned. Finally, it is amazing how the characters are played by the cast.

   My top 5:

   1. The Big Bang Theory

   2. The Simpsons

   3. How I Met Your Mother

   4. Friends

   5. Family Guy

   Just when you think that since Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Friends, etc., every kind of comedy has been shown, what is left for the viewers to laugh about?

   Then comes "the boss." The Big Bang Theory really has changed the way to approach hilarity. Any further arguments against this will be countered by SHELDON! BURN! Ha

7. The Office (U.S.)

   

   The Office is an American television comedy series that aired on NBC from March 24, 2005, to May 16, 2013. The show is an adaptation of the British series of the same name created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It became a cultural phenomenon and is especially known for its mockumentary style... read more

   Absolutely iconic. Any show that's any good that's out today is based on The Office. Every character is amazing. It's the most re-watchable show ever. I, for one, have seen The Office over 40 times, and I'm not alone in this.

   Who'd think that a show about such a mundane thing could be so funny, deep, and enjoyable?

   The Office barely had any main storyline, yet I tuned in every time, just wanting a little more of maybe the Jim-Pam romance, or Kevin's creepy smile, or the pranks on Dwight. The greatest comedy show ever, no doubt.

8. South Park

   

   South Park is an American adult animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. The show centers on four boys: Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, and their adventures in the fictional town of South Park, Colorado. It's known... read more

   Family Guy is not even funny. It's just immature rubbish. I can't believe people actually enjoy that crap.

   I've seen many Family Guy episodes, and I have laughed once. I've seen every South Park episode past season 2, because seasons 1 and 2 are old - laugh out loud - but I'll watch them at some stage. South Park is so funny and actually has a proper storyline, unlike that Family Guy crap.

   Unlike Family Guy, this show is actually funny, and the quality of the storyline and gags are outstanding for a cartoon, or for a comedy show in general.

   The offensive, racist, and sexist humor is by far the funniest kind of humor you can expect from a TV show. If I had to compare it to another show, all I can think of is "The Ali G Show" by the makers of Borat, Brüno, and The Dictator.

9. Saturday Night Live

   

   Saturday Night Live is an American late-night live television variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol. It premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, and has since become a cornerstone of American comedy. The show is known for its ensemble cast, guest hosts, and musical performances... read more

   It's a show that is always relevant because it brings new comedians, new writers, and makes comedy for new audiences constantly. A lot of people say that the first couple of seasons were the best, but that's just a matter of personal taste.

   Personally, I love people like Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, and Cecily Strong because their comedic style is a better fit for my taste. That's what is great about the show - if a comedian or cast doesn't do it for you, you will definitely find someone else that you like.

   By saying that the show sucks now, you are being disrespectful to the hard work of the current cast. The way SNL works is just unbelievable. It's so physically demanding and nerve-wracking. I don't think most people know how the show works and how difficult it is to be a part of it.

10. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

    

    It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American sitcom that first premiered on FX on August 4, 2005, and moved to FXX beginning with its ninth season. The series was created by Rob McElhenney and stars McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito. It is known for its dark... read more

    For a show about a bunch of psychopaths, it makes a damn good comedy. It really lets you look at what would happen if you took a situation from a 1 to a 100, and then made it a 0.

    From Dennis, who is possibly a serial killer, to the scatterbrained lovable drug addict Charlie, the characters are so well written I never feel like I'm watching a TV show, and thank God I am.

    Anyone who's as baffled as I am about the fact that How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang are considered comedy (even good ones?!) should give this a go. Definitely a fresh take on the writing, very original plots, and characters.

    It takes time to adjust to the loudness and dysfunctionality of the folk, but it proves to be a good investment, especially after the 3rd season.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Amphibia

    

    Amphibia is an American animated television series created by Matt Braly. It originally aired on Disney Channel from June 17, 2019, to May 14, 2022. The show follows a young girl named Anne Boonchuy who is magically transported to a fantastical world inhabited by anthropomorphic amphibians.

12. ?

    Earthworm Jim: The Animated Series

    
The Contenders

13. Arrested Development

    

    Arrested Development is an American television sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz. The series originally aired on Fox for three seasons from November 2, 2003, to February 10, 2006. It was later revived on Netflix for two additional seasons, which aired from May 26, 2013, to March 15, 2019.... read more

    I'm sorry, but this show isn't just a contender. There are so many jokes in this show. You'll have to watch each individual episode thousands of times to get each joke, and all of them are hilarious! There is no unfunny character on this show and no unfunny episode.

    If anyone wanted to try this show out, I would suggest watching the first 3 seasons first. The new season was okay, but for me, it didn't quite cut it (I wish it did). There are so many great things about this show. Give it a try if you haven't!

    Number 1! The best show ever! I watch it over and over again, and there is always something new! The lines, the facial expressions, and body language! And Jason Bateman's impeccable delivery.

    Love it! Sometimes I just start laughing out of remembering scenes! And it can be anywhere! My family and I can replicate a lot of scenes, and we just laugh ourselves to tears!

14. Modern Family

    

    Modern Family is an American television mockumentary family sitcom that premiered on ABC on September 23, 2009. The series follows the lives of Jay Pritchett and his extended family, all of whom live in suburban Los Angeles. The show concluded on April 8, 2020, after 11 seasons.

    Great actors and amazing episode morals. You can't get a more complete show, with each and every episode ending with a feel-good factor.

    With How I Met Your Mother gone and The Big Bang Theory losing its edge, I'm delighted by Modern Family. It's the best sitcom on TV right now.

    A very decent and amazing comedy series that anyone of all ages could watch. They are like a real family!

15. 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 airs on TBS. It was the first television series to premiere on the network's Animation Domination block. The series premiered on February 6, 2005... read more

    Even though I will always enjoy Family Guy, American Dad has always had that little something that made it more enjoyable for me and my family. Roger has to be one of my favorite animated characters ever.

    The funniest animated show on TV right now. If only it were more popular than its inferior counterpart, Family Guy.

    American Dad is Family Guy's younger, wiser, more clever, and funnier brother, who happens to have better taste.

16. SpongeBob SquarePants

    

    SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It has become one of Nickelodeon's most popular and longest-running shows, attracting both children and adults.... read more

    In all honesty, SpongeBob SquarePants seasons 1-3 were the bomb! Nonstop funny. But then came the SpongeBob SquarePants movie, and it wasn't the same ever again. It became more kid-friendly and corny to the point that I just couldn't bear to watch it.

    Those first three seasons, though, were legendary.

    One of the most iconic shows of all time. This show was my childhood, and even now at 23 years old, I still laugh at the over-the-top referential humor and exaggerated facial expressions. It's so clever for a kid's show.

    Even adults will like it! There was a pretty good one in "Christmas Who?" where Squidward said, "I feel like a... I feel like a..." and then a donkey appears. Think about it.

17. Scrubs

    

    Premiering in 2001, Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama series that follows the lives of doctors and nurses at Sacred Heart Hospital. The show blends medical realities with humor and emotional storytelling. It has received acclaim for its writing, performances, and innovative narrative techniques... read more

    I love this show. I don't watch much T.V. because I usually find it repetitive and boring, but I have seen every episode of Scrubs. It always holds my attention, and as crazy as it usually is, it even has serious moments that really make you think. My husband and I usually make a surprised face several times throughout an episode.

    This is the only show ever aired on T.V. that I have watched every episode of and have seen every episode multiple times. Sure, there are some dumb parts of the show, and JD became kind of a douche bag as the show went on, but you can't deny all the awesome stuff and originality of the show. Man, I miss this show.

18. Monty Python's Flying Circus

    

    I can't believe sanitized and lame American comedy like Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Seinfeld, and worst of all, The Big Bang Theory, is ranked above this. I guess seeing this on TV even today would blow the brains out of the Bible-belt rednecks.

    Truly a landmark show that still holds up today.

    At least Saturday Night Live isn't on the top ten.

    Best comedy series ever. I am only 19 and massively into this show. The comedy proves to be timeless and has stood the grand test of time because they have a substantially large youthful fan base.

    This show has paved the way for more controversial styles of comedy. It really deserves to be number 1!

19. Futurama

    

    Futurama is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show follows Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy who's cryogenically frozen and wakes up 1,000 years in the future. It blends satire, science fiction, and social commentary.

    This and Robot Chicken undoubtedly deserve higher placement on this list. However, Futurama furthered what Matt Groening accomplished even with the likes of The Simpsons, with utterly hilarious, but also well-conceived, characters and endlessly entertaining plotlines.

    The Simpsons is a classic, but which show is funnier, and more consistently so? Futurama. (Someone with a profile, please, please, please post Aqua Teen Hunger Force.)

    Smart, creative, hilarious, visually pleasing, and a pop culture fan's delight. Its place on the list, as of yet, makes sense, though. Most 'Family Guy' type audiences today ignore this comedy because it's typically non-offensive. That's why I like it. It doesn't (usually) try to be funny. It just uses setting and logical writing for humor.

20. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    

    The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The show starred Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. It became a cultural touchstone and launched Smith's successful acting career.

    Very funny!

    Will Smith is super funny. At first, I didn't understand the jokes and I thought it was boring, but now I love it.

    What could be better than The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Other great shows are Here's Lucy and Friends. Love them all.

    I don't know why this is only 33! This is easily the funniest TV show ever!

21. Frasier

    

    Frasier is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for 11 seasons, premiering on September 16, 1993, and concluding on May 13, 2004. The program was created and produced by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee in association with Grammnet and Paramount Network Television. It is a spin-off of... read more

    During the 11 years that Frasier was on top, the writers and actors continuously exceeded our lofty expectations. In my opinion, it's the best sitcom of all time. The cast melded perfectly, and the jokes were hilarious and always seemed to come out of left field.

    Most of all, the storyline from its inception to its conclusion read like a great comedic novel. Thank you, Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Jane Leeves, and Peri Gilpin, for your many hours of great entertainment.

    Frasier should be at least in the top 5. I have never missed an episode and I even watch the reruns. This show inspired me to become a psychiatrist and have better tastes in life.

    Not only is it funny, it gives you something to ponder about every day.

22. Two and a Half Men

    

    Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that began broadcasting on CBS on September 22, 2003, and ended on February 19, 2015, after twelve seasons.

    The show was well received due to the comedic onscreen chemistry between Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer.... read more

    I love this show! It's an amazing mix of dirty humour and amusing real-life situations. It's very enjoyable for a laugh and some fun! The entire show appears to be dedicated to making the audience laugh at the characters' dilemmas, and it is very amusing to see how everyone's situation entwines and turns into a large but hilarious plot. The entire cast is very amusing, and their voices, attitudes, appearances, and body language portray their characters to their full potential.

    Charlie lives the perfect life. A different girl every night, a beach house in Malibu, and filthy rich (talking about the character, not necessarily Charlie Sheen). But he does have to put up with his brother Alan and his nephew Jake. It all makes for a funny show, even more so when Jake wasn't such a half-man anymore.

23. Married With Children

    

    Married. . with Children is an American live-action television sitcom that aired on Fox. Created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt, it was originally broadcast from April 5, 1987 to June 9, 1997. It is the longest-running live-action sitcom on Fox and was the first to be broadcast in the network's primetime... read more

    More laughs per minute than most shows.

    Other shows have a big build with a big laugh at the end. Married With Children built up with funny, had a big laugh at the end, and then kept going with more funny. There should be a test to see how many laughs per minute and how strong the laughs are.

    Married With Children would be first.

    This is such a time-honored example of silliness, hilarity, and off-the-wall, outlandish television comedy. It should easily be included in any list of greatest comedy shows.

    This is my favorite comedy show of all time. I have viewed every episode and have never seen a bad one. Lowbrow, slapstick, and funny. I became "Bundified" from the very first episode! Go, Bundy's!

24. Everybody Loves Raymond

    

    Everybody Loves Raymond is an American sitcom created by Philip Rosenthal that aired on CBS from September 13, 1996, to May 16, 2005. The show ran for nine seasons and produced a total of 210 episodes. It was developed by Where's Lunch and Worldwide Pants in collaboration with HBO Independent Productions.... read more

    This show is so real, down-to-earth, and relatable! It's hilarious, too! There will never be a great show like this for a long time.

    How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory suck compared to Everybody Loves Raymond!

    It captures perfectly the humor to be found in the everyday irritations of real families. Amazingly, it's just as relevant now as when it was made.

    How is this not number one? Classic humor. Jokes I will never forget. Everybody loves Raymond!

25. That 70's 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 focuses on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin. The storyline is set between May 17, 1976, and December... read more

    That '70s Show makes me laugh every time I watch it. The last season did kind of suck because Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher were not on it, but the show was still hilarious.

    It showed what teens REALLY did in the '70s. AWESOME SHOW!

    Even though it ended, it's still the funniest TV series of all time. I miss it so much. I don't know how it is number 14. I love Friends, but How I Met Your Mother?

    It definitely deserves a higher place on this list! And we still don't know where Fez is from...

    Between all the circles in the basement, Red's emphatic "dumbass" remarks, and a burnt-out hippie named Leo, this show has some hilarious moments.

    The awesome intro song is also by far the best for any TV show ever.

26. Parks and Recreation

    

    Parks and Recreation, often referred to as Parks and Rec, is an American political comedy television sitcom. The show stars Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a perky mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks Department of Pawnee. Pawnee is a fictional town located in the state of Indiana.

    I STILL wish this show would get the ratings it deserves. It works because it uses its characters so well. You laugh at them just making their way through life. The characters are all so kind towards one another. It's never really mean-spirited, after the admittedly terrible first season. Best characters are Ron Swanson, April Ludgate, and Andy Dwyer. Watch it, you'll love it! Start with season 2 though.

    Amazing cast that clicks and works so well together! There's a great combination of fast-paced comedy, similar to Arrested Development, and also subtlety and realism, like The Office or 30 Rock. It defies the stereotype that "women aren't funny" through Amy Poehler's, Rashida Jones', Retta's, and Aubrey Plaza's vibrant and skilled comedic abilities.

27. Archer

    

    Archer is an American adult animated spy sitcom created by Adam Reed. The series premiered in 2009 on FX and later moved to FXX. It follows the misadventures of Sterling Archer and his dysfunctional coworkers at a fictional intelligence agency.

    Quite possibly the best adult sitcom of all time. I started watching earlier this year and have been watching in a continuous loop all 10 series, plus the 11th, which I have watched 3 times already. There are so many jokes that you will have missed the first time around, or even the second time around.

    H. Jon Benjamin as the voice of Archer is quite possibly the best sustained performance in an animated show.

    Seriously? Ranked #123? With 0% of the votes? Archer is a surefire top ten. The first series is pure comedic gold. It's the best cartoon ever, competing against South Park and Family Guy. So underrated.