# The top ten FUNNIEST TV shows (in my opinion). **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 16, 2017, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770 "2017-08-16T08:03:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/41 "2017-08-16T19:35:05Z")
My list would be something like the following (though not necessarily all the seasons). Maybe not necessarily the funniest, but my most beloved comedy shows: Arrested Development Soap It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia The Simpsons (up to about season 12) Peep Show/Mitchell and Webb (hey, if **Novelty Bubble** can cheat, so can I) The Office (I’ll cheat again by including both US and UK versions) Better Off Ted (I discovered this on a plane’s in-flight entertainment system, of all things. Such a pity it only had 27 episodes. Just love the hell out of this show.) Seinfeld Fawlty Towers Cheers Archer should probably also be up there somewhere, but I don’t know who I’d take off. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/42 "2017-08-16T19:43:15Z")
One that I’ll chuck in that is more a comedy drama is the first series of “auf weidersehn pet!” an early 80’s ensemble piece about a group of disparate regional british builders seeking work in Germany. Clement and La Frenais were the writers and I watched it again a few weeks ago and it is still a cracking show. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/43 "2017-08-16T21:26:57Z")
Okay, in no particular order, here are my top ten funniest TV shows: ALL IN THE FAMILY: Sure I said in no particular order, but in my opinion _All in the Family_ is the Gold Standard for Sitcoms. Beautifully believable vernacular writing, and magnificently acted. It changed the face of television. And the OP calls it “Not funny”? How is Edith’s cling peaches story not funny? Or Archie and cousin Maude’s argument about Nixon vs FDR not funny? Sacrilege! BARNEY MILLER: Not as intense as _All in the Family_ but equally believable, and topical, _Barney Miller_ was one of the few comedies which never went down in quality. Highlights: Harris’ book story arc, and a prisoner changing into a werewolf. THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: Technically a variety show, but the comedy was superb, and it had the best slapstick since the Three Stooges. The movie parodies and the Family (before it became, ick, _Momma’s Family_) were notable, but watching Tim Conway trying to break up his partners is a scream in itself. F TROOP: Very silly, but silly as in hilarious. Even the tower falling over never gets old. Also love the whole Hekawi takeoff on wild west indian stereotypes. THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES: Okay, it’s broad humor, but that’s the best kind when done right. Granny is a gem of a character, as is greedy Mr Drysdale, who ought to be a villain, but isn’t. Granny’s bid for Possum Queen, Jethro’s stint as a Double-Naught Spy, and the Civil War episodes are classics. MARRIED WITH CHILDREN: Agree with the OP on this one. Again, broad humor done right. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: This is either good or bad, depending on the era. I have a soft spot for the first cast, but I have liked others along the way. MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS: Okay, it’s British. But think of how many other shows that can be quoted word for word for this long. THE SIMPSONS: Animated perfection, at least during the 90’s. MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: I prefer Mike, but Joel is good too. More easygoing. But the riffing is incredible. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/44 "2017-08-16T21:32:16Z")
In no particular order. The I.T. Crowd - the British show, of course. So good. Seinfeld - so funny, our night-class teacher would let us out a half-hour early, if we got through the material, so we could go home and see it. We all worried our VCR would foul up and not record it. It has had a huge impact on our culture to this day. With some shows, you say, “That was a CLASSIC episode.” With Seinfeld, it would literally be easier to name the shows that were NOT classic. Better Off Ted - Absolutely criminal that it had such a short life, but perhaps it’s better that it had no time to decline. So very funny. The episode when a mis-typed memo says, “employees must NOW insult their colleagues” is exceeded only by the ‘Racial Sensitivity’ episode. Rick and Morty - I look forward to each episode wayyy too much. Archer - I loved this until they stopped being a spy agency and was trying to sell the big pile o’ coke. Coked-up Pam was funny, but I lost interest in this show during this season, and haven’t seen it since. Modern Family - I never actually set out to see a single episode of this, but my mom has it on often, so I see it by accident. Really quite good. 30 Rock - damn. Just. . .damn. So good. WKRP - "As God is my witness. . . ", “Phone Cops”, “That’s it for you, then.” Taxi - “slow down”, the casts dream episode with the song and dance, etc. The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year - Someone mentioned this upthread. I’ve been watching some British panel quiz shows like this and Quite Interesting. The quality depends on the guests, I’ve found, but damn, some shows are just brilliant. Any time Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding and Russell Brand are on a panel show, you’re in for a great time. Cover your keyboard. Honorable mention for comedy within an non-comedic show: Firefly ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/45 "2017-08-16T21:32:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What audience are we considering? Most nerds, for instance, find _The Big Bang Theory_ hilarious, but I expect (though can’t be certain, being a nerd myself) that a lot of the jokes probably fall flat for non-nerds (or at least, non-nerds who don’t hang out with any nerds). On the other hand, the humor in, say, _I Love Lucy_ is pretty much accessible to everyone. I’ll posit that BBT with its canned laughter is a major bummer to most nerds. Futurama is light years ahead with nerd gems packed into nearly every line. Can’t argue with Lucy, as its the least common denominator factor kicking in. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/46 "2017-08-16T21:53:42Z")
I kept it to current favorites. I loved Night Court and other shows, but I haven’t seen them for 20 years, so I don’t know if they hold up. I haven’t really watched Monty Python forever, but I still quote them and even have tickets to see John Cleese next month, so they make the list. Anyway. Rick and Morty. Right now, the funniest show on TV. Black Adder. Classic. Monty Python. Cannot leave this show off. Father Ted. Watched it again recently and it on another level. Honeymooners. Burns and Allen. Gracie Allen is one of the funniest people to ever walk the Earth. I cannot believe she is only remembered for a joke she never made )“Say goodnight, Gracie.” “Goodnight, Gracie.”). She is an outright comedic genius. Seinfeld. Still holds up. Simpsons (first 10 years). South Park. Always Sunny in Philadelphia. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/47 "2017-08-16T23:59:27Z")
Well, yeah, the canned laughter is annoying (to everyone, I think), but the jokes are still funny. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/48 "2017-08-17T02:03:11Z")
Nobody is even pretending anymore that they have read the OP. She is asking, within a thorough and carefully constructed post, what we would recommend to her based on her listed likes and dislikes. The thread has devolved into “these are my favorite shows” (with many examples already cited in the OP as her already being familiar with). Anyway, in the spirit of the OP, I shall add: \*\*Rules of Engagement \*\*- slightly obscure but very entertaining **Leave It To Beaver** - I’ve been watching it a lot recently, some of the humor is subtle and clever **The Mary Tyler Moore Show** - A classic that I don’t believe has been mentioned; the Chuckles the Clown episode is perfection mmm ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/49 "2017-08-17T02:11:52Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Nobody is even pretending anymore that they have read the OP. > > She is asking, within a thorough and carefully constructed post, what we would recommend to her based on her listed likes and dislikes. The thread has devolved into “these are my favorite shows” (with many examples already cited in the OP as her already being familiar with). > > Anyway, in the spirit of the OP, I shall add: > > \*\*Rules of Engagement \*\*- slightly obscure but very entertaining > **Leave It To Beaver** - I’ve been watching it a lot recently, some of **the humor is subtle and clever** > **The Mary Tyler Moore Show** - A classic that I don’t believe has been mentioned; the Chuckles the Clown episode is perfection > mmm “Ward, you were a little hard on the beaver last night.” Yeah. Subtle. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/50 "2017-08-17T02:54:14Z")
In (mostly) alphabetical order, Arrested Development Barney Miller Black Adder Father Ted Fawlty Towers Newhart Monty Python’s Flying Circus Seinfeld WKRP in Cincinnati But the show that I think was consistently the funniest program on television during its run would have to be: The West Wing ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/51 "2017-08-17T03:17:37Z")
Please check out ' **Better Off Ted** … Also - as for Frasier - if you don’t laugh at [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mWiPaQ872c) - well, I’m not quite sure what to say. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/52 "2017-08-17T04:31:28Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The American version of _Who’s Line is It Anyway?_ has some of the funniest moments in TV, ever. The episode with Richard Simmons had me literally in tears. The show is all over YouTube - do a search on “who’s line is it anyway scenes from a hat” and be prepared to wet yourself laughing. > > Regards, > Shodan Definitely go to YouTube for the “Whose Line” highlights. And every episode can be viewed for free here: [The CW Network | Stream Free | The CW](http://cwseed.com/shows/whose-line-is-it-anyway/) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/53 "2017-08-17T11:59:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > “Ward, you were a little hard on the beaver last night.” > Yeah. Subtle. > 😃 Except that June never said that. (if I am wrong, please show me) “Hope you weren’t too hard on the Beaver” is the actual line. A subtle 🙂 but important distinction than renders the line much less humorous. [LINK](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7AQkui_fcA) mmm ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/54 "2017-08-17T22:04:43Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > One of the funniest series I’ve ever seen is _The Games_. It’s a mockumentary set among the organizers of the Sydney Olympics. It’s similar to _The Office_, but also distinctly Australian. Here’s a [clip](https://youtu.be/j5TewuwFkUo). You might recognize a couple of the actors. > > And would you consider a radio show? I recently discovered a BBC show called _Cabin Pressure_. It takes place at the world’s smallest airline, a charter operation with one plane. The main characters are the owner, Carolyn, who got the plane in her divorce settlement, Martin and Douglas, the two pilots, and Arthur, Carolyn’s son and the in-flight steward. There’s been a thread on it before. It is, in a word, brilliant! Geez, man - talk about stealing my thunder! _The Games_ is the funniest thing I have ever seen. (The Brits copied the idea for their Olympics, but it had a different feel and wasn’t as good. Still not bad. Ok, I like radio, so - Aaaargh no, you’ve got\* Cabin pressure\*, too!! The two of us could have the greatest session down the pub - everyone else would avoid us like the plague, but that’s their problem. Yellow Car. ---
**Author:** ![ralfy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ralfy/32/600_2.png) [@ralfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralfy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/55 "2017-08-18T01:40:10Z")
_Barney Miller_, _Fawlty Towers_, and _All in the Family_ are great. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/56 "2017-08-18T01:43:54Z")
There’s Sanford and Son, and then there’s everything else. Lamont: Did you get the liquor for the party? Rollo: I couldn’t man. The store was still open. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/57 "2017-08-18T02:15:52Z")
1. Coronation Street 2. Marcus Welby, M.D. 3. Teletub’s 4. Me and The Chimp 5. Hill Street Blues 6. The Young Ones 7. The Mad Dash 8. most public access TV 9. The Littlest Hobo 10. Alias Smith and Jones ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/58 "2017-08-18T02:17:06Z")
> [@Wallaby](#): > > Geez, man - talk about stealing my thunder! _The Games_ is the funniest thing I have ever seen. (The Brits copied the idea for their Olympics, but it had a different feel and wasn’t as good. Still not bad. One of Clarke and Dawe’s videos, _The Front Fell Off_, went a bit viral several years ago. I hoped that would lead to them being a bit better known here, but it wasn’t to be. > [@](#): > > Ok, I like radio, so - Aaaargh no, you’ve got\* Cabin pressure\*, too!! > > The two of us could have the greatest session down the pub - everyone else would avoid us like the plague, but that’s their problem. > > Yellow Car. I’ll meet you in Qikiqtarjuaq for some 25-year-old Talisker single malt. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770/59 "2017-08-18T03:14:31Z")
I got a few of them mixed up so here’s the revised list: Monty Python Fawlty Towers Dick Van Dyke Show Bob Newhart Show Larry Sanders Show about 80% of first five seasons of SNL …Sunny… Peter Serafinowicz Show Aqua Teen Hunger Force Childrens Hospital/Odd Couple I guess I didn’t find anything funny in the 80s and 90s, then. (with the exception, there, of Mr. Bignose Blubberlipped Squirmface) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-ten-funniest-tv-shows-in-my-opinion/793770.md?page=2)