I guess you could come out of left field with an obscure one like Sledge Hammer, and you could probably make a good arguement for that, it was funny.
But let’s be serious folks, the only logical choice for best sitcom of all time is The Simpsons.
Taxi, especially the seasons with both Reverend Jim and Latka. The thing about Taxi was you felt the characters were somewhat real, as there were always touching episodes about relationships etc. But damn funny.
NewsRadio - I never saw this when it was on the air, but now I’ve seen most of the episodes in syndication. This show is hilarious.
Cheers - this one defined intelligent comedy. The only drawback is the Kirstie Alley years.
Fawlty Towers - classic.
As far as the others, Seinfeld had some good episodes, but I never felt it was consistently great, and the characters were all cardboard. Fawlty Towers had cardboard characters but was far funnier.
Friends can be very funny, but by god it’s become annoying and is not even watchable anymore (for the last few years, actually).
There, that defines my lifespan. I remember watching Mary Tyler Moore and Bob Newhart (original) as a kid with my parents, and those were funny too. Especially Bob.
I’d have to say Roseanne. My all time favorite. Still love to watch the reruns!
What, everyone forgot about AKA Pablo?
Just kidding…
Seinfeld
Cheers
Three’s Company
And while it’s not a sit-com, I think that Northern Exposure is the best TV show ever.
I have to go along with The Dick Van Dyke Show. Of all the shows mentioned, it’s the one that feels the least dated – it ages well.
And it’s certainly funnier than most of the shows on today.
Soap was probably the best sitcom EVER. If only other sitcoms could do what they did.
Red Dwarf is also hilariously funny.
The Simpsons set a new level of funny with animated shows etc, but I don’t consider it to be a sitcom. It seems to be its own thing. . .
There’s been a lot of them. But here goes, generationally.
The Early Years: The Honeymooners
The Pre Boomer Era: Green Acres
The Boomer Era: Taxi
Post Boomer Era: Cheers
Modern Era: Seinfeld
Special Award for: Dream On, Larry Sanders and Sex and the City for being able to say “Fuck” on a sitcom
The Andy Griffith Show (black-and-white episodes only).
I’m gonna go with Seinfeld. I started to think of a favorite episode but then I kept listing episode after episode after episode…
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Newsradio was one of the very few shows that could consistently make me laugh out loud. The only current show that does that is Scrubs.
Technically, a “sit-com” is TV comedy where the situation will inherently create comedy–at least, that’s what they hope. “Green Acres” is a sit-com; others would include: My Favorite Martian, I Dream of Jeannie, the Beverly Hillbillies, The Brady Bunch, etc.
If you notice, a lot of the shows that people nominated are either character comedies, comedies of manners, parodies, or satires. Situations tend to run themselves into the ground too quickly or end up jumping the shark.
But, for best TV comedies, here’s my choices–
American: Cheers, Simpsons, Dick van Dyke, Honeymooners, Burns and Allen, Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart show (Chicago version), Seinfeld. WORST–Mash, anything with Lucy, All in the Family and its spawn, anything with Three’s Company alums.
British: Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, Good Neighbors, To the Manor Born. We don’t tend to get their crap as much, at least not that I’ve seen.
Hey! I have a Master’s in this! That and five bucks will get you a cup of coffee (I like a lot of espresso in mine…)
I have to disagree with you to a certain extent Bucky. I do agree with your definition of situation comedy. However, there were episodes of MAS*H that were situation comedy. Especially in the early years. They kind of got away from that later, especially when Alan Alda started to direct eps. IMHO, those were the best eps of the show, although the more emotional stuff was good as well, it just wasn’t the same and it doesn’t fit the definition.
Going by your definition, I would have to agree with your choices, with the exception of the original Three’s Company. It was situational for the most part, the only problem was they had a tendency to reuse the same thing over and over again. That being that Jack was gay and living with the girls. It got old.
Three off the top of my head
MAS*H (still I watch reruns daily)
Are you being served? (Has withstood the test of time)
Red Green (OK, not a sitcom but damn funny none the less.)
All in the Family (Purely for not being allowed if it was put on now in our PC world)
Not technicaly a comedy program, always a gigglefest the Chicago Cubs
Soap(father wouldn’t let me watch it when I was young, but catching up on it as an adult, I think it’s brilliant.
Simpsons
Seinfeld
Roseanne(the first few seasons)
Frasier
Keeping up Appearances, I love this one too, each episode cracks me up.
It’s a Living
Gimmie a Break
Charles in Charge
Saved by the Bell
Unhappily Ever After
Herman’s Head
Joanie loves Chachi
Kate and Allie
Oh wait you wanted SERIOUS answers…