I have this theory. OK, more like an unsupported hypothesis. It goes like this:
Most sitcoms suck. The vast majority are stupid, vapid, poorly written, and pander to the lowest common denominator. A handful suck slightly less, and a select few are pretty good. But every now and then there’s one that’s head and shoulders above the rest. Clever writing, excellent production values, great acting, and stories that tend to stand the test of time. Such shows often receive critical acclaim and popular acclaim, and also tend to enjoy a nice career in reruns. And all this despite being edgy and new.
It seems to me that such sitcoms come along about once per decade. In your opinion, what shows deserve the title of the best in each decade starting with the 50s? For me this is a no-brainer for every decade except the 60s.
(I’ll render my opinion after a few others have had a chance to answer.)
1950s: Life of Riley
1960s: The Andy Griffith Show
1970s: All in the Family
1980s: Golden Girls (Stop looking at me like that!)
1990s: NewsRadio
2000s: Arrested Development
70’s - Sanford and Son
80’s - Family Ties
90’s - Seinfeld (I think the Simpsons DO count as a sitcom)
00’s - Scrubs shortly followed by Curb Your Enthusiasm
Whoops. I forgot to give my selections. I was born in 82, and haven’t seen too many older sitcoms (other than MASH, which I don’t really consider a sitcom, either).
80s - Cosby Show
90s - Seinfeld
00s - Empty for lack of any palatable choices. God, I hope something good comes along soon.
Frasier probably had the best writing staff.
All In The Family was a breakthrough in television, and I doubt the show would be green-lighted in today’s political climate.
I Love Lucy is a classic that will have people laughing for decades to come, plus it is a fun time capsule on life in the 50’s.
Curb Your Enthusiasm is an acquired taste, but continues to be funny…FYI, new season starts in September.
Golden Girls was a hoot, and believe it or not, is a cult comedy sitcom in Germany!
I know it is unpopular on this board, but I think Sex And The City was laugh out loud funny…sometimes.
Seinfeld, Friends, Raymond, Simply Fabulous…all had some pretty classic episodes.
Keeping Up Appearances still makes me chuckle, even after seeing the episodes several times.
50’s: I Love Lucy
60’s: Get Smart
70’s: Taxi (hurt by lack of longevity I admit, but still belongs in the Pantheon)
80’s: Cheers
90’s: Seinfeld (best sitcom ever, hands down, IMHO)
2000’s: sorry, I’ve pretty much stopped watching.
60s The Addams Family neck and neck with Get Smart
70s MASH
80s WKRP in Cincinatti or Blackadder (if that counts as a sitcom)
90s Seinfeld and The Games
00s Malcolm in the Middle (I haven’t seen Arrested Development though, I’ve heard it’s better).
Not only do the Simpsons count as a sitcom, the show is actually FUNNY - unlike the vast majority (in my opinion) of canned-laughter situation “comedies” on television.
I’m going to have to vote for the Simpsons for the 90s. Not because I like it,* but simply because in Seinfeld vs. the Simpsons, the Simpsons has more viewers and is more oft-quoted. I do think that the Seinfeld croud is more loyal; but a relatively small percentage compared to how many of everyone likes the Simpsons.
I do like the episodes of the Simpsons I have seen, but the Gods of Reruns cursed me with always somehow hitting one of about four episodes that they had decided were the only four I was allowed to watch. So yes, I enjoyed the Halloween, Cape Fear special–but only the first eight times, thank you. The Gods of Reruns, however, did however bless me with a whole new Star Trek: The Next Generation episode almost every time…and so the universe remains balanced.
