In the peak TV era, much of the attention has gone to the drama shows — the dark, morally complex, violence-filled series like “The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” “Game Of Thrones,” “Fargo” and many more. But that’s only half the story. While they might not fuel thinkpieces and fan theories in the same way, we’re in a golden age of small-screen comedy, as this month has demonstrated: the excellent “Master Of None” and “I Love Dick,” and the wonderful “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” have all recently landed.
There’s as much good comedy out there as there is drama, if not more so, and it’s sort of always been that way: while you might struggle to name more than a few TV dramas from before 1990, you can probably name half a dozen comedies or more, many of which remain on the air today in syndication.
We’ve never really examined the TV comedy in much detail, and so we’ve decided to pick out the 50 greatest TV comedies of all time. By which we mean specifically scripted sitcom — variety or sketch like “Saturday Night Live,” “The Daily Show” or “Key And Peele” were deemed to be something slightly different in the end. And we also ruled out hour-long dramedies like “Freaks And Geeks” or “Gilmore Girls”; to be considered, shows had to be predominately half-hour in episode length or less.
Even with those ground rules, there was an enormous amount to choose from, as you’ll see with our list of 50. Take a look below, and let us know your own favorites in the comments.
50. “Sex And The City” (1998-2004)
Our memories of it might have been tainted by its steady creep into self-parody, and in particular the two deeply lousy movies, but we shouldn’t forget that “Sex And The City” was something of a revolution at the time. For all its smugness, snobbishness and tone-deaf quality, it was a show that took women and their sexuality seriously, and with a hilarious frankness that undoubtedly helped paved the way for prestige comedy classics from “Girls” to “Transparent.”
49. “Undeclared” (2001-2002)
With “Freaks And Geeks” disqualified by being an hour-long show, you could accuse our placement of Judd Apatow’s other one-season wonder, “Undeclared,” as a sort of token nod in its direction. But it’s a great show in and of itself: the last really good college-set series, in fact (before this year’s “Dear White People” anyway), capturing the campus experience in the way that most of us probably went through it, with the warmth and belly laughs of the Apatow formula that he was beginning to perfect. The cast — even Charlie Hunnam, who’s actually never been better — are great too.
48. “Archer” (2009-present)
The only genre more played out than the edgy animated comedy is the spy parody, so you’d think that Adam Reed’s “Archer” would have been easy to forget — the tale of a selfish, man-baby James Bond-like spy, his monstrous mother and his workmates isn’t a particularly unique premise. But from the off, the FX show had a singular tone and approach: dense, reference-heavy scripting closer to “Arrested Development” than “Austin Powers,” increasingly gorgeous production values, a restless facility for experimentation (which has seen it shift into a “Miami Vice” parody, a Hollywood mystery and a ’40s noir show). It’s often bark-inducingly hilarious, but has steered into a surprising amount of pathos as it’s gone on too.
47. “Living Single” (1993-1998)
Few examples sum up the virtual segregation of ’90s sitcoms better than “Living Single,” an African-American-centric look at single life in Brooklyn starring Queen Latifah, which was funnier and smarter than most of NBC’s Must See TV line-up, but was mostly ignored by mainstream pop culture (though it’s having a moment more recently, with a revival in the works, and Big Sean and Chance The Rapper paying homage). Created by Yvette Lee Bowser, the first African-American woman to develop her own prime-time show, it never reinvented the wheel, but did a beautiful job of putting the wheel in a different context.
46. “Looking” (2014-2016)
When we say that “Looking” is probably the least funny show on this list, that shouldn’t be taken as an insult: Michael Lannan and Andrew Haigh’s San Francisco-set look at gay life in the 2010s leans to the drama side of half-hour comedy-drama, with a very particular tone set by Haigh, the “Weekend” and “45 Years” helmer. It was funny, absolutely, but more than that, it was beautifully made and acted, and perhaps has TV’s most complex and nuanced look at LGBT culture. If only it had got more than the two seasons and a movie it was granted.
45. “BoJack Horseman” (2014 – present)
Netflix’s first truly great comedy came in the shape of what initially looked to be a rather dated animated look at celebrity culture, the kind of thing that was ten-a-penny on TV after the success of “The Simpsons” for a while. But once you got through the first few episodes (and subsequent seasons have been increasingly phenomenal), the story of a washed-up sitcom star (Will Arnett) grappling with failure and success proved to be a rich, ambitious, oddly beautiful show that goes to places as dark as any prestige anti-hero drama, while melding them with silliness and genuinely great gags.
44. “Everybody Hates Chris” (2005-2008)
Chris Rock was hardly the first stand-up to put out a show drawing on his own experiences growing up, but the utterly charming “Everybody Hates Chris” wasn’t quite what anyone was expecting — owing more to “The Wonder Years” than to most family shows, it saw the young Chris (Tyler James Williams) growing up in Bed-Stuy, with an authentically working-class vibe that’s too hard to find on TV, then or now; a nicely nostalgic reconstruction of the 1980s; and a pleasingly functional, if often bickering, family (including a breakout turn by Terry Crews as his dad).
43. “Silicon Valley” (2014 – present)
He was an animation king thanks to “Beavis And Butt-Head” and “King Of The Hill,” but live-action success long eluded Mike Judge, with films like “Office Space” and “Idiocracy” failing to find audiences despite their obvious brilliance. But that bad run came definitively to an end with the terrific HBO comedy “Silicon Valley,” about a house of programmers whose invention could upend the tech world. The cast (particularly T.J. Miller, Zach Woods and Kumail Nanjiani) are outstanding, but it’s the show’s oddly gripping, beautifully farcical plotting that, three-and-a-half seasons in, has already cemented the show as a classic.
42. “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” (2005 – present)
The slow-burning success of “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” has almost no precedent in TV history. Beginning as a self-financed pilot costing just $200 that was somehow picked up by FX, it’s set, if the planned 13th and 14th seasons happen, to become the longest-running (in seasons, if not episodes) comedy in history. A true successor to “Seinfeld” in many respects, but blended with the gleeful offensiveness of “South Park,” it’s an acquired taste and often uneven, but it’s a daring, fearless and frequently uproarious show once you fall for it.
41. “Broad City” (2014 – present)
It could have been taken, at first glance, as a cheap cash-in on the thinkpiece-inspiring success of “Girls.” But quickly, Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” created by and starring Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, proved itself to be a very different beast — looking at 20-something Brooklyn life from a female perspective, sure, but a pleasingly surreal, stoner-com version with its own delightful rhythms. It’s also interesting as a glimpse of a new era — the first web-series-to-TV transition that became a phenomenon.
well.
The Office (Carrell), Parks & Rec and 30 Rock are all appropriately highly ranked. Friends though was hilarious and a delight like few other shows.
Here’s my list (I decided to include sketch comedy/variety shows):
1. “The Office” (Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, 2001—2003)
2. “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” (Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2007—2010)
3. “Summer Heights High” (Chris Lilley, 2007)
4. “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (Monty Python, 1969—1974)
5. “Jackass” (Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, and Jeff Tremaine, 2000—2002)
6. “Nirvanna the Band the Show” (Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol, 2016—PRESENT)
7. “Kickstarter TV” (Sam Hyde, 2016)
8. “The IT Crowd” (Graham Linehan, 2006—2013)
9. “Peep Show” (Jesse Armstrong & Sam Bain, 2003—2015)
10. “Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace” (Million Dollar Extreme, 2016)
11. “Arrested Development” (Mitchell Hurwitz, 2003—PRESENT)
12. “Nathan for You” (Nathan Fielder & Michael Koman, 2013—PRESENT)
13. “Tim and Eric’s Bedtime Stories” (Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2013—PRESENT)
14. “The Tom Green Show” (Tom Green & Derek Harvie, 1998—2002)
15. “The Mighty Boosh” (Julian Barratt & Noel Fielding, 2004—2007)
16. “The Andy Milonakis Show” (Andy Milonakis & Jimmy Kimmel, 2005—2007)
17. “The Modest Adventures of David O’Doherty” (David O’Doherty, 2007)
18. “The Thick of It” (Armando Ianucci, 2005—2012)
19. “The Trip” (Michael Winterbottom, 2010—PRESENT)
20. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Larry David, 2000—PRESENT)
21. “On Cinema at the Cinema” (Tim Heidecker & Gregg Turkington, 2012—PRESENT)
22. “Decker” (Tim Heidecker & Gregg Turkington, 2014—PRESENT)
23. “Enlightened” (Mike White, 2011—2013)
24. “Angry Boys” (Chris Lilley, 2010)
25. “Nirvana the Band the Show” (Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol, 2007—2009)
26. “Come Fly with Me” (Matt Lucas & David Walliams, 2010—2011)
27. “Tim and Eric Nite Live!” (Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2007—2008)
28. “Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule” (Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, and John C. Reilly, 2010—PRESENT)
29. “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” (Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jed Whedon, 2008)
30. “Eastbound & Down” (Ben Best, Jody Hill, and Danny McBride, 2009—2013)
31. “The Ricky Gervais Show” (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington, 2010—2012)
32. “Da Ali G Show” (Sacha Baron Cohen, 2000—2004)
33. “Fawlty Towers” (John Cleese & Connie Booth, 1975—1979)
34. “Louie” (Louie C. K., 2010—2015)
35. “People Just Do Nothing” (Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp, Hugo Chegwin, and Asim Chaudhry, 2012—PRESENT)
36. “Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace” (Richard Ayoade & Matthew Holness, 2004)
37. “Gavin and Stacey” (James Corden & Ruth Jones, 2007—2010)
38. “DumbLand” (David Lynch, 2002)
39. “Flowers” (Will Sharpe, 2016—PRESENT)
40. “Love” (Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, and Paul Rust, 2016—PRESENT)
41. “Extras” (Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, 2005—2007)
42. “W/ Bob & David” (Bob Odenkirk & David Cross, 2015—PRESENT)
43. “Mr. Show with Bob and David” (Bob Odenkirk & David Cross, 1995—1998)
44. “Limmy’s Show” (Brian Limond, 2010—2013)
45. “Xavier: Renegade Angel” (John Lee, Vernon Chatman, Jim Tozzi, and Alyson Levy, 2007—2009)
46. “The Day Today” (Chris Morris & Armando Iannucci, 1994)
47. “I’m Alan Partridge” (Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan, and Armando Iannucci, 1997—2002)
48. “Ja’mie: Private School Girl” (Chris Lilley, 2013)
49. “Lucky Louie” (Louie C. K., 2006)
50. “The Life & Times of Tim” (Steve Dildarian, 2008—2012)
Here’s my list (I decided to include sketch comedy/variety shows):
1. “The Office” (Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, 2001—2003)
2. “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” (Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2007—2010)
3. “Summer Heights High” (Chris Lilley, 2007)
4. “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (Monty Python, 1969—1974)
5. “Jackass” (Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, and Jeff Tremaine, 2000—2002)
6. “Nirvanna the Band the Show” (Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol, 2016—PRESENT)
7. “Kickstarter TV” (Sam Hyde, 2016)
8. “The IT Crowd” (Graham Linehan, 2006—2013)
9. “Peep Show” (Jesse Armstrong & Sam Bain, 2003—2015)
10. “Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace” (Million Dollar Extreme, 2016)
11. “Arrested Development” (Mitchell Hurwitz, 2003—PRESENT)
12. “Nathan for You” (Nathan Fielder & Michael Koman, 2013—PRESENT)
13. “Tim and Eric’s Bedtime Stories” (Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2013—PRESENT)
14. “The Tom Green Show” (Tom Green & Derek Harvie, 1998—2002)
15. “The Mighty Boosh” (Julian Barratt & Noel Fielding, 2004—2007)
16. “The Andy Milonakis Show” (Andy Milonakis & Jimmy Kimmel, 2005—2007)
17. “The Modest Adventures of David O’Doherty” (David O’Doherty, 2007)
18. “The Thick of It” (Armando Ianucci, 2005—2012)
19. “The Trip” (Michael Winterbottom, 2010—PRESENT)
20. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Larry David, 2000—PRESENT)
21. “On Cinema at the Cinema” (Tim Heidecker & Gregg Turkington, 2012—PRESENT)
22. “Decker” (Tim Heidecker & Gregg Turkington, 2014—PRESENT)
23. “Enlightened” (Mike White, 2011—2013)
24. “Angry Boys” (Chris Lilley, 2010)
25. “Nirvana the Band the Show” (Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol, 2007—2009)
26. “Come Fly with Me” (Matt Lucas & David Walliams, 2010—2011)
27. “Tim and Eric Nite Live!” (Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2007—2008)
28. “Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule” (Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, and John C. Reilly, 2010—PRESENT)
29. “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” (Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jed Whedon, 2008)
30. “Eastbound & Down” (Ben Best, Jody Hill, and Danny McBride, 2009—2013)
31. “The Ricky Gervais Show” (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington, 2010—2012)
32. “Da Ali G Show” (Sacha Baron Cohen, 2000—2004)
33. “Fawlty Towers” (John Cleese & Connie Booth, 1975—1979)
34. “Louie” (Louie C. K., 2010—2015)
35. “People Just Do Nothing” (Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp, Hugo Chegwin, and Asim Chaudhry, 2012—PRESENT)
36. “Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace” (Richard Ayoade & Matthew Holness, 2004)
37. “Gavin and Stacey” (James Corden & Ruth Jones, 2007—2010)
38. “DumbLand” (David Lynch, 2002)
39. “Flowers” (Will Sharpe, 2016—PRESENT)
40. “Love” (Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, and Paul Rust, 2016—PRESENT)
41. “Extras” (Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, 2005—2007)
42. “W/ Bob & David” (Bob Odenkirk & David Cross, 2015—PRESENT)
43. “Mr. Show with Bob and David” (Bob Odenkirk & David Cross, 1995—1998)
44. “Limmy’s Show” (Brian Limond, 2010—2013)
45. “Xavier: Renegade Angel” (John Lee, Vernon Chatman, Jim Tozzi, and Alyson Levy, 2007—2009)
46. “The Day Today” (Chris Morris & Armando Iannucci, 1994)
47. “I’m Alan Partridge” (Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan, and Armando Iannucci, 1997—2002)
48. “Ja’mie: Private School Girl” (Chris Lilley, 2013)
49. “Lucky Louie” (Louie C. K., 2006)
50. “The Life & Times of Tim” (Steve Dildarian, 2008—2012)
Why did you ask to share my favourites in the comments below, and then delete my comment?
Seems as objectively correct as a list like this could be. My own personal tastes would probably reorganize it slightly and skew more contemporary (some of the older sitcoms I have never seen).
With the ever growing trend of dramedy shows, which I definitely appreciate for the attempts at creating full nuanced emotional experiences, the definition of comedy is going to consistently be challenged. 99/100 times I would defend such a show as a comedy, however, Transparent just doesn’t feel like a comedy. Its place among the comedies feels more due to its 30 minute runtime than anything else. Even though it is often funny and generally cathartic in a positive way (rather than tragic), it still generally feels like a drama.
Leaving off the Dick Van Dyke show seems absolutely insane to me. I could also rail against the lack of the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (the most worthy possible successor to 30 Rock), but I will let it pass due to it’s relative newness.
PEEP SHOW, for my money the funniest British series ever, doesn’t even get an honorable mention. 🙁 They must be smoking whatever Super Hans has got.
“The Wayans Bros.” was okay, but how do you justify mentioning that and not “Malcolm in the Middle”?
Better Off Ted
Just watch it!!!!!
Only Fools And Horses is the best TV comedy of all time, by a long way.
Where’s “Car 54 Where Are You?” Come on.