Share your views on what makes a good sitcom couple.

For me comedy always comes first. Romance can only enter the picture if it'll make things funnier.

I think Rob and Laura Petrie were a great sitcom couple because they was sexual tension between them and their arguements are hilarious!

Lucy and Ricky were a great couple because of Lucy's desire to get "in to the act" and Ricky's equally strong desire to keep out of it!

Sam and Diane were also great. What more can I say?:lol:

I like sitcom couples better when they're already married or permanently together from the start of the series. It's very difficult to make a "budding romance" work in a comedic show. Ross and Rachel, for example, bored me to tears. But Sam and Diane were funny as hell.

My Favorite TV Couples:

Cheers and Frasier
Frasier and Lilith made the perfect sitcom couple, IMO.
What else would I say? Im a frith.
As cold and lifeless as Lilith was -- there was a huge amount of sexual tension between her and Frasier.

Cheers
Sam and Diane -- the sexual tension between the two of them is amazing. But, when they get together -- the tension dies off.
They should never get together until the entire series is complete. Meaning spinoffs/reunions/whatever.

The Dick Van Dyke Show
Rob and Laure Petrie are by far the best married TV couple. They're hilarious together.

Roseanne
Roseanne and Dan Connor were the complete opposite of what America (and the rest of the world) sees as being sexy. But the tension between them was great, and it always made me laugh.

Boy Meets World
Cory and Topanga were great together, but they were the only couple I couldnt stand when they'd fight. The writers seemed to forget I want to laugh.

Frasier
Niles and Daphne were a great couple -- when they werent a couple. Before the "romance" began, the funniest part of the series was Niles' obsession with Daphne (which she was oblivious to until the end of Season 7)


As for sitcom couples I dont like....

Ross and Rachel on Friends. Them being together didn't really bring any laughs, but when Ross said Rachel's name at his wedding to a different woman -- it was absolutely classic.

and more, Im sure.

Steven and Elyse Keaton, Family Ties, were another great married couple. They were in love with each other and made no shame in displaying it. Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter Birney looked natural together, as Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore did, as though they can be married in real life. Too bad the show did not do a lot of storylines about their relationship.

Henry and Muriel Rush, Too Close for Comfort, was another great married couple. The character of Muriel Rush was underwritten and Nancy Dussault is an excellent comic actress.

you forget one...i know it was never considered a sitcom but moonlighting...maddie and david...the sparks flew...they fought their feelings which resulted in one of the hottest bed scenes on tv...

sam and diane another couple that fought it. should have ended with them flying to ca.

of course ross and rach but also monica and chandler...when they got together in london it was hilarious and then as they kept the relationship a secret which was a plot/storyline for a large part of a season..then as people found out it got funnier especially with the Phoebe seduction and capped with the famous line..."Gettt offf my sister!!!!"from Ross.

will and grace and jack and karen...couples for the new milennium..


and finally one of the best male odd couples...chandler and joey

my faves would be

Cory and Topanga (Boy Meets World)-they were such a cute couple and belonged together

Leo and Piper (Charmed)-they are good together and a cute couple...I hope they get back together

Originally posted by mstewart
Steven and Elyse Keaton, Family Ties, were another great married couple. They were in love with each other and made no shame in displaying it. Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter Birney looked natural together, as Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore did, as though they can be married in real life. Too bad the show did not do a lot of storylines about their relationship.

Good point.
I cant believe I forgot them.
Next to Rob and Laura -- they're the best married TV couple.
In a close third -- George and Weezy Jefferson.
HILARIOUS.

Chemistry has to be there from day 1 and the sexual tension, the "will they or won't they", and when they do get together, there can be with some couples very interesting and funny episodes with them.

Amy and Alan on Boy Meets World are a great example, they loved each other and you knew it, they were there for each other no matter what, and never hesitated to tell each what they felt :)

Sam and Diane of "Cheers" are a great example of why opposites attract. Popular, laid-back Sam helps Diane feel more comfortable about herself, while Diane brings out the more responsible, mature, and affectionate side of Sam.

Lucy and Ricky of "I Love Lucy" are a great couple because their real-life affection comes through on the screen. Catch the episode where Lucy tells Ricky that's she pregnant and see how wonderful those two are together.

Originally posted by TV Guy
Sam and Diane of "Cheers" are a great example of why opposites attract. Popular, laid-back Sam helps Diane feel more comfortable about herself, while Diane brings out the more responsible, mature, and affectionate side of Sam.


I liked Sam and Diane because they brought out the worst in each other.

Originally posted by Chambers
I liked Sam and Diane because they brought out the worst in each other.

So true.
The seasons where they werent together were much better than the ones where they dated
(Seasons 1, 3, and 4 - no dating, the best Diane years)
(Seasons 2 and 5 -- they dated, it was still good, but not the same)

Ralph and Alice from The Honneymooners
Stanley and Helen from Three's Compagny
Cliff and Claire from The Cosby Show
Doug and Carrie from The King of Queens
Frank and Marie Everybody loves Raymond
Bill and Judy from Still Standing

Originally posted by barwars
So true.
The seasons where they werent together were much better than the ones where they dated
(Seasons 1, 3, and 4 - no dating, the best Diane years)
(Seasons 2 and 5 -- they dated, it was still good, but not the same)

In season 5 the whole Sam and Diane thing became very tiresome and stale.

That was one couple who enjoyed pushing each other's buttons. Sam and Diane was one unhealthy couple. Both had big time issues. The best Diane years were seasons 1 through 3.

Once they began dating in season 2 the cleverness of the show was gone. Season 1 was over the top.

Originally posted by Chambers
I liked Sam and Diane because they brought out the worst in each other.

True, but only when they were apart and trying to denying their attraction to each other. When they were together, they were much better behaved (granted, it was funnier when they were apart).

Originally posted by TV Guy
True, but only when they were apart and trying to denying their attraction to each other. When they were together, they were much better behaved (granted, it was funnier when they were apart).

They were very funny both ways. I wish Diane hadn't left after 5 seasons, they should have decided to stop production after season 5.

I like them- it makes the show better :D

Originally posted by DickVanDykeMan
They were very funny both ways. I wish Diane hadn't left after 5 seasons, they should have decided to stop production after season 5.

Noooo! Then there would be no Frasier and Lilith! And most importantly...there would be no Frasier!

Originally posted by Chambers
Noooo! Then there would be no Frasier and Lilith! And most importantly...there would be no Frasier!

haha
I think Cheers survived better than any other series with such a drastic change in focus.
And we definately needed Frasier.

Originally posted by Chambers
Noooo! Then there would be no Frasier and Lilith! And most importantly...there would be no Frasier!

Good point. Still, I think the better years of Cheers were seasons 1-5 (AKA: the Diane seasons.)

Season 11 was the best IMO.
With Season 4 in a close second.
after that, sort of a blur.

Originally posted by barwars
Season 11 was the best IMO.
With Season 4 in a close second.
after that, sort of a blur.

Season 4 is mine. Still haven't decided what my second favorite is.