50 Best TV Comedies Ever

[Schmoopie]

http://television.aol.com/insidetv/2...tv-dramas-ever

50. 'Everybody Loves Raymond'
(1996-2005)

Everybody loves put-upon Ray, who tries to please wife Debra, nosy 'rents Marie and Frank and jealous bro Robert. The Barones didn't always have happy days, but their dysfunctional family was one of the most realistic.

49. 'Newhart'
(1982-1990)

Author Dick (Bob Newhart) and wife Joanna left city life behind when they bought Vermont's Stratford Inn, but their new bucolic setting was hardly boring, thanks to a lineup of small-town loonies, including daffy caretaker George and hillbilly handyman Larry, his brother Darryl and his other brother Darryl.

48. 'Night Court'
(1984-1992)

'Night Court' was ruled by Judge Harry Stone (Harry Anderson), a magician who was as charming as he was goofy. And that made him the perfect foil for hookers and other hard-luck cases who passed through his court, not to mention womanizer D.A. Dan (John Larroquette).

47. 'Family Guy'
(1999-present)

The naughty and pop culture-obsessed 'Family Guy' is loaded with some of TV's best characters: offensive patriarch Peter, Brian the sauced dog and Peter Lorre-sound-a-like baby Stewie, whose botched matricidal missions are second in hilarity only to his perpetually thwarted plots for world domination.

46. 'The Jeffersons'
(1975-1985)

Though Archie Bunker never moved on up to a dee-luxe apartment in the sky, George Jefferson was, in every other way, the black Bunker -- from his bigoted philosophies and sweet, sympathetic wife Weezie to his rebellious child and his ownership of the liquor-laden hangout Charlie's Bar, with his frienemy Willis.

45. 'Hogan's Heroes'
(1965-1971)

You have to respect a sitcom that managed to wring laughs from a Nazi POW camp setting. Even more impressive: It was a one-note joke that kept viewers tuning in. What new ways would Col. Hogan and his clever crew find to trick bumbling Col. Klink and Schultz into giving up classified info to enemies?

44. 'Laverne & Shirley'
(1976-1983)

Not since Lucy and Ethel wreaked havoc on the chocolate factory had two female buddies sparked so many chuckles. Lenny and Squiggy provided their share of wackiness, but the heart of the show was the bottle-cappin' roomies' friendship and pursuit of love, happiness and milk 'n' Pepsi.

43. 'The Golden Girls'
(1985-1992)

Sex and the city? Before Carrie and pals were heating up NYC, Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia were painting the town red in Miami. Sure, viewers normally don't want to think about their grannies getting their freak on, but the charm of these golden gals was that they didn't act their ages.

42. 'Malcolm in the Middle'
(2000-2006)

High-IQ Malcolm often made snarky asides to viewers about his wacky family's antics. But the middle-class family was more normal than they or their neighbors though. And Malcolm, despite feeling isolated, was a true Wilkinson at heart.

41. 'Gilligan's Island'
(1964-1967)

For a three-hour tour, they sure had a lot of luggage. But hey, it's not like coconut radios were realistic, either. Nor was the stream of visitors who never helped the gang get rescued. In fact, it's Gilligan and company's haplessness that kept them on the island and viewers hooked on the show.

40. 'Scrubs'
(2001-present)

In this hospital comedy with healthy doses of drama, narrator J.D. shares his work, love and pop-culture obsessions with best pal Turk, sometime-girlfriend Elliott and wisecracking mentor Dr. Cox -- whose insistence on calling J.D. by girls' names is just one of the show's long-running bits of lunacy.

39. 'Green Acres'
(1965-1971)

CBS had its own genre of rural sitcoms with 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' 'Petticoat Junction' and 'Acres,' a standout for surreal antics involving TV-watching pig Arnold, the Monroe brothers (one of whom was female) and leads Oliver and Lisa, who still wore their fancy city duds after moving to their Hooterville farm.

38. 'Taxi'
(1978-1983)

As one of the greatest comedy ensembles of all time, the Sunshine Cab Company crew -- pragmatic Alex, boxer Tony, actor Bobby, single mom Elaine, burnout Jim, loony Latka and crabby Louie -- mixed poignant storylines with their hilarious, yet often fruitless, attempts to leave their jobs behind.

37. 'WKRP in Cincinnati'
(1978-1982)

The 'Mary Tyler Moore Show' of radio, 'WKRP' revolved around endearing boobs at an Ohio rock station. Johnny Fever, leisure-suited Herb and smart-cookie Jennifer kept the station, and the laughs, afloat; but nebbishy newsman Les (and his unfortunate flying turkey stunt) made the show a classic.

36. 'Arrested Development'
(2003-2006)

Bluths, we hardly knew ye. Three seasons of dysfunctional family hilarity and banana-stand shenanigans weren't nearly enough. The show gave us GOB, Buster and Michael Cera -- and, at last, a forum for Jason Bateman to showcase his comedy chops.

35. 'Sanford & Son'
(1972-1977)

Father and son, junkyard partners: Both those relationships fueled the tug of war between Fred, who schemed to keep his son by his side, and Lamont, who strove to break free. Of course, it didn't take a big dummy to see they really loved each other, though the scheming was often more fun.


34. 'Family Ties'
(1982-1989)

Ronald Reagan and economist Milton Freeman, sitcom fodder? They were when it came to rabid right-winger Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox, in a star-making role). Uptight Alex was the polar opposite of his hippie 'rents, but the Keatons were a tight-knit clan despite, and because of, their differences.


33. 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'
(1961-1966)

One of the first shows about show biz revolved around a variety series writer. That meant tons of comic storylines, which, combined with Van Dyke's physical gags and Mary Tyler Moore's sassy humor, inspired many a future sitcom.


32. 'Will & Grace'
(1998-2006)

Sure, gay lawyer Will and his best friend/ex-girlfriend Grace were likable enough. But it was Will's self-obsessed, Cher-lovin' pal Jack and Grace's boozy, equally self-obsessed receptionist Karen who provided the laugh-out-loud scenes; fans even suggested renaming the series 'Jack & Karen.'


31. 'Welcome Back, Kotter'
(1975-1979)

One of the best theme songs ever was followed by the Sweathogs' cornball quips and memorable catchphrases. The show also made a star of John Travolta, and if you don't think that's a good thing, well, up your nose with a rubber hose.


30. 'Married With Children'
(1987-1997)

It was the raunchy show that made a network (Fox). The Bundys, led by shoe-salesman dad Al and big-haired mom Peg, certainly were certainly 'Not the Cosbys' (the show's original title), but they were one of TV's funniest fams.


29. 'Happy Days'
(1974-1984)

If not for 'Happy Days,' TV land wouldn't have The Fonz, "jumping the shark," 'Laverne & Shirley' or Jenny Piccolo. Okay, we forgive the show for that last one, but only because the retro sitcom was so filled with heart and humor that one little annoying character couldn't bring it down. Aaaayy!


28. 'Maude'
(1972-1978)

Edith Bunker's cousin (and Archie's nemesis) was a "compromisin', enterprisin', anything but tranquilizing" feminist who proved to be both hilarious and groundbreaking, as she and hubby Walter tackled alcoholism, nervous breakdowns, and, in the most controversial episode, abortion.


27. 'Mork & Mindy'
(1978-1982)

'Mork' was the perfect series to launch Robin Williams into superstardom, as his manic monologues and physical humor befitted an alien who was charged with studying Earthlings. Mork wasn't supposed to fall in love with roomie Mindy, but he did, then hatched (literally) giant baby Mearth.


26. 'Soap'
(1977-1981)

So scandalous at the time that ABC received thousands of letters of protest before it even debuted, this soap opera spoof included one of the first openly gay TV characters (Billy Crystal's Jodie), murder, the Mafia, demonic possession, alien abduction and several (some unresolved) cliffhangers.


25. 'Murphy Brown'
(1988-1998)

A modern-day Mary Richards (if Mary had done a stint at the Betty Ford clinic and been an unmarried mom), Murphy (Candice Bergen) was a tough TV reporter who loved, but was annoyed by, her colleagues ... not to mention Dan Quayle, who infamously railed against Murphy's single-mom status.


24. 'Barney Miller'
(1975-1982)

A precursor to NYC workplace shows like 'The Job' and 'Rescue Me,' 'Barney' starred Hal Linden as a police captain who shepherded a lineup of quirky suspects through the precinct and mentored his detectives, from grumpy Fish (Abe Vigoda -- still alive!) to aspiring novelist Harris (Ron Glass).


23. 'The Brady Bunch'
(1969-1974)

Are the Bradys the dorkiest or the grooviest family to reside in primetime? We'll go with the latter, as there's no denying the endearing cheesiness and pop culture impact of the blended brood, who rocked the largest wardrobe of bell bottoms ever amassed.


22. 'Good Times'
(1974-1979)

'Maude' spin-off 'Good Times' was another seminal series, tackling issues of race, sex and class with pointed wisecracks. Jimmie Walker's became a star as J.J. 'Dyn-o-mite!' Walker, but it was the Walker parents (Esther Rolle and John Amos) who infused heart into the show's sillier antics.


21. 'Sex and the City'
(1998-2004)

Inspiring countless copycats of sex columnist Carrie's fab designer lifestyle, 'SATC' ultimately owed its success to one of the best female ensembles in tube history, with Sarah Jessica Parker and pals just as adept at physical comedy as they were at dropping those naughty one-liners.


20. '30 Rock'
(2006-present)

We already knew Tina Fey was a brilliant comedy writer, and this 'Saturday Night Live' spoof also proves what a master of deadpan Alec Baldwin is. But it takes a true classic to mine with such deftness the humor of Kenneth the Page and wild comedian Tracy Morgan.


19. 'The Odd Couple'
(1970-1975)

The show that asked if "two divorced men (could) share an apartment without driving each other crazy" answered the question with as much hilarity as the preceding play and movie, earning Emmys for stars Tony Randall as neat freak Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as proud slob Oscar Madison.


18. 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
(2000-present)

Only Larry David could turn a happily married, wildly successful TV writer into a hapless loser. The 'Seinfeld' co-creator (who inspired neurotic George Costanza) spins awkward social situations into sometimes painful-to-watch comedy gold.


17. 'Get Smart'
(1965-1970)

Forget the cell Maxwell Smart, aka Agent 86, had a sole phone, his shoe-set rotary dial; it was just one of the gadgets that helped the bumbling spy save the day after nearly ruining it every time. He also relied on help from comely Agent 99 and the patience of The Chief in battling KAOS.


16. 'South Park'
(1997-present)

If you've never been offended by a pop culture-skewering episode of this delightfully subversive cartoon, you haven't been paying enough attention. Tackling everything from Scientology and Catholicism to Christmas poo, the filthiest grade schoolers in TV history have also proved to be the most astute.


15. 'Frasier'
(1993-2004)

Cliff and Norm seemed more obvious choices for 'Cheers' spin-offs, but it was Kelsey Grammer's uptight shrink who got his own sharply written sitcom. The Crane fellas made for one competitive yet loving family, which helped the show become the most Emmy-winning series (with 37) in history.


14. 'The Office'
(2005-present)

Some argue the original series is better, but for our Schrute Bucks, it's the Dunder Mifflin gang that most hilariously captures the monotony of 'Office' life. Michael Scott over David Brent? Yep. Dwight over Gareth? Indeed. And not since Sam & Diane have we been treated to a sitcom couple as hot as Jim & Pam.


13. 'The Bob Newhart Show'
(1972-1978)

In the sitcom that introduced laid-back, sarcastic Bob Newhart, he played a mild-mannered shrink who was the perfect foil for his sassy wife, neighbor Howard (whose "Hi Bob!" greeting led to a drinking game) and prickly patient Carlin.


12. 'The Larry Sanders Show'
(1992-1998)

No flipping! But who'd want to turn from this gem, which ripped the curtain off a talk show? If smarmy Larry (Garry Shandling) wasn't dissing his sidekick, he was kissing up to guests or pondering David Duchovny's man-crush on him.


11. 'The Honeymooners'
(1955-1956)

Before there was a 'King of Queens,' Jackie Gleason ruled Brooklyn as bus driver Ralph, whose feisty, hotter-than-him wife Alice kept the loud mouth in line. Despite his scheming, Ralph was a softie, and became one of TV's first working class heroes.


10. 'Friends'
(1994-2004)

The fact that Monica and Rachel lived in a swanky New York apartment they could never have afforded in the real world didn't diminish how much we loved the 'Friends'-ship of the Central Perk gang, the Ross-Rachel romance and our favorite TV wiseacre, Chandler Bing.


9. 'I Love Lucy'
(1951-1957)

A comedy so classic it still goes down as smoothly as a bottle of Vitameatavegamin, the first major TV ratings hit owed its success to Lucille Ball's gift for physical comedy, whether re-enacting the Marx Brothers' mirror scene with Harpo, wrapping candy with Ethel or selling that "health" tonic.


8. 'Roseanne'
(1988-1997)

This picture of a working-class family was loving but not mushy, and didn't gloss over mundane worries like paying the mortgage, working a dead-end job and dealing with sassy kids. In fact, Roseanne mined them for comedy gold, and did so without looking or sounding like the typical sitcom mom.


7. 'The Cosby Show'
(1984-1992)

It was the family we all wanted to be a part of: the Huxtables, led by Cliff and Clair, two professional, in-love parents who ruled with a firm hand and lots of humor, whether buying Theo a Gordon Gartrell shirt, planning the classic anniversary performances for the grandparents or throwing a funeral for a pet fish.


6. 'M*A*S*H'
(1972-1983)

From Hawkeye's womanizing to Klinger's obsession with getting a Section Eight, a constant barrage of wisecracks and juvenile pranks was just what the doctor ordered for these Korean War army surgeons, whose gallows humor was the only way they, and viewers, could deal with the traumas of war.


5. 'Cheers'
(1982-1993)

The Boston gang gave us not only a seminal workplace sitcom, but also one of the best TV romances ever with baseball pro-turned-bar owner Sam and snooty "student of life" Diane, and one of the all-time greatest ensemble casts in know-it-all Cliff, beer-lovin' Norm, gold-digging Rebecca and naive Woody.


4. 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'
(1970-1977)

She'd once played Dick Van Dyke's perfect sitcom wife, but here, MTM was the quintessential single career gal intent on conquering Minneapolis. As for the stellar supporting cast, Mr. Grant, Rhoda and Phyllis got their own spin-offs.


3. 'All in the Family'
(1971-1979)

At the center of this groundbreaking comedy was "lovable bigot" Archie Bunker, whose rants on race, sex, religion, his dingbat wife and meathead son-in-law (and his hilarious meeting with Sammy Davis Jr.) only served to highlight just how ridiculous his viewpoints were.


2. 'Seinfeld'
(1990-1998)

A show about nothing? Nah, it was about everything in the lives of four self-involved New Yorkers. Not that there's anything wrong with that, because no one but Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer -- and show co-creator Larry David -- could have turned minutiae into nine seasons of comedic brilliance.


1. 'The Simpsons'
(1989-present)

The longest-running comedy on TV holds that record for a reason -- it is, quite simply, the best sitcom in history. The animated classic has spent 19 seasons mocking and celebrating pop culture, and giving us TV's most beloved family and most delightfully ornery 10-year-old, Bartholomew J. Simpson.

[tv star collector]

Wow! An animated series came in first. Way to go, Bart! Not bad for an
"underachiever."

[rsandcm1]

This has to be a joke. 75% of the series on there are not even funny.

[catlover79]

Interesting list, but Barney Miller and Bob Newhart should've been ranked much higher. Where's Bewitched??

[MickeyMac]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Interesting list, but Barney Miller and Bob Newhart should've been ranked much higher. Where's Bewitched??

Yeah good question

[MickeyMac]

Originally Posted by rsandcm1

This has to be a joke. 75% of the series on there are not even funny.

I agree especially the show that got picked as number one

[Marvo301]

I can't believe The Honeymooners and the Beverly Hillbillies didn't make the list.

[catlover79]

How's Welcome Back, Kotter get on the list? That show I never found particularly funny. *shrugs*

[icecream]

Originally Posted by catlover79

How's Welcome Back, Kotter get on the list? That show I never found particularly funny. *shrugs*

I think it's a good show.

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by catlover79

How's Welcome Back, Kotter get on the list? That show I never found particularly funny. *shrugs*

If they wanted to have a show from the 70's on this list WKRP In Cincinnati would have been a much better choice in my opinion.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

If they wanted to have a show from the 70's on this list WKRP In Cincinnati would have been a much better choice in my opinion.

Yeah, WKRP is on this list but should've ranked higher.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by catsrule

I think it's a good show.

To each his own!!

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by catlover79

To each his own!!

I really enjoyed Welcome Back Kotter during it's original run. So it was with excitement that I purchased the entire first season on DVD last year. I found I didn't enjoy the show nearly as much as I thought I would. I think WBK is just one of those shows that doesn't stand the test of time.

[MickeyMac]

Marvo and Monika what you two said about WKRP In Cincinnati I so agree.


I kinda like Welcome Back Kotter but the last season is horrible.

[Tubehead]

the Simpsons number one why is the simpsion always number one?. if you likethe simpsion check out wait unitl your father home. its more realistic then the simpsion. i would add i love lucy as number one and then number two the hooneymooners. their lots of good show. i never could get into the office. i' been watching the gloden girls. its really funny. you should put perfect stranger. I'm glade get smart and family ties my all time favorite.i used to stay up to 5:00amjust to watch it family ties on nick at nite. i also like happy days,the jerffersons and sanfrond and son and the odd couple[/COLOR][/I][/B]