# What are your five favorite sitcoms of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 6, 2013, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487 "2013-08-06T12:18:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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 7, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/61 "2013-08-07T04:04:45Z")
Dick Van Dyke Show Good Neighbors (The Good Life) Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister Big Bang Theory Fawlty Towers Hon. mention: Barney Miller ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/62 "2013-08-07T06:13:50Z")
Based upon how often I re watch them, I’d have to say: Blackadder Yes, Minister Black Books Better Off Ted Bob Newhart Show ---
**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 7, 2013, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/63 "2013-08-07T07:30:34Z")
I’m Alan Partridge The Office (UK) Blackadder The IT Crowd Fawlty Towers ---
**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 7, 2013, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/64 "2013-08-07T08:39:48Z")
This is difficult for me, as I can’t decide to judge on how funny they were at the time, or how funny they are now. I don’t think I can pick 5 sitcoms I’ve watched in the past few years worthy of ‘all-time’ acclaim, but some that were incredibly funny many years ago don’t necessarily hold up now. 1. Better Off Ted - So very, very funny. 2. WKRP in Cincinnati - it’s near-criminal that we can’t see these as they were broadcast due to music rights issues. Some of it doesn’t hold up, but when it hit, it hit BIG: I thought turkeys could fly, phone cops, godless tornadoes, Mother Carlson, etc. 3. Seinfeld - It was HUGE at the time of it’s airing. My A & P class got to go home a little early on Seinfeld nights. 4. Raising Hope - I like the cast better than My Name is Earl, and it has much of the same charm. 5. 30 Rock - Loved this show. Great writing, entertaining performances. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/65 "2013-08-07T09:52:11Z")
Things from my childhood that I could remember whole episodes of, decades later, having seen some of them only once. I guess they were a big influence in terms of what I laughed at later. _The Honeymooners_ _I Love Lucy_ _Hancock’s Half Hour_ _The Likely Lads_ And although there are lots and lots of other shows I have enjoyed since then my all time favorite is a show that, a few years ago when I was away on business, late at night in the hotel I caught an episode. I had already seen it at least once but watched it again and it was still laugh out loud funny. When I got home the next night I was roaming around late night TV looking for something to watch and found the same episode on. I watched it again and it was still funny. I can’t think of many shows that I could have watched two days in a row and laughed at. That show was : _Cheers_ ---
**Author:** ![Longshanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/66 "2013-08-07T09:53:52Z")
My name is Earl Scrubs Blackadder Arrested development Community ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/67 "2013-08-07T10:11:27Z")
Arrested Development Community Simpsons Louie Parks & Recreation ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/68 "2013-08-07T10:42:03Z")
Dick Van Dyke Andy Griffith Hogans Heroes MASH Alice Alice is often forgotten these days but the portrayal of the single mom working at Mels Diner was really well done. Vera,Flo, Mel, Alice were great characters. ---
**Author:** ![jvpbos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@jvpbos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jvpbos)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/69 "2013-08-07T13:35:52Z")
Corner Gas Seinfeld Bob Newhart Show M_A_S\*H The Odd Couple ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/70 "2013-08-07T13:45:48Z")
> [@jvpbos](#): > > Corner Gas Oh, yeah! ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/71 "2013-08-07T13:57:45Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > 1. WKRP in Cincinnati - it’s near-criminal that we can’t see these as they were broadcast due to music rights issues. Some of it doesn’t hold up, but when it hit, it hit BIG: I thought turkeys could fly, phone cops, godless tornadoes, Mother Carlson, etc. The single best moment of WKRP (and possibly any other sitcom) that’s been ruined by music rights issues is an early ep. Les has won an award (the Silver Sow or something). He wants to ask Jennifer to go with him. Herb not only laughs out loud at Les, he actively discourages Les from even trying. Les (stammering) asks anyway\*. Jennifer (of course) accepts. Herb’s jaw drops. Cut to Les, in his “office”. He’s got a mirror out and is about to comb his hair and get dressed. And he pauses for a minute…and turns on the speaker-box near his desk. And (perfectly) Foreigner’s “Hot Blooded” comes on. And he dresses/grooms himself to the rhythm of the song as his confidence grows. In the neutered version, it’s just some generic elevator rock music. Totally ruining the entire scene. \*This is early enough in the run that Les isn’t as annoying/fussy/obnoxious as he is shy and awkward ---
**Author:** ![ruh-roh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ruh-roh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruh-roh)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/72 "2013-08-07T15:43:05Z")
Pretty much all of the above. Trying to pick top 5 keeps changing as I read, although there are a few I would move to the bottom in a hurry. Also, I notice a definite dearth of anything current. A few others I would throw in as contenders for my top 5… Doctor in the House. (British, ran on PBS here in the colonies.) The Drew Carey Show Does Pushing Daisies count as a sit com? (an A+ for originality). ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/73 "2013-08-07T16:49:16Z")
Arrested Development Seinfeld NewsRadio Soap It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Difficult - Taxi, WKRP, The Larry Sanders Show, Community and Parks & Recreation were all in the running, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/74 "2013-08-07T17:23:09Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [ol] > [li]Taxi[/li][li]All In The Family[/li][li]Seinfeld[/li][li]M_A_S\*H[/li][li]Barney Miller[/li][/ol] You and I could share a zapper. Those were the first that came to my mind, though I’d probably put them in a different order. Favorites from my childhood: Get Smart Dick Van Dyke Gilligan’s Island Hogans Heroes Other honorable mentions: Fawlty Towers - wish I’d seen enough episodes to really know the show! Mary Tyler Moore - “I hate spunk,” one of the best lines ever WKRP - I still have a crush on Bailey Friends Cosby Roseanne - first sitcom with believable kids Simpsons - allusions! Cheers / Frasier Soap - brilliant All That Glitters - clever experiment, but only deserved one season Are You Being Served - silly Britcom What was the Britcom where a guy was setting up his own little army? That was a good one too. ---
**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 7, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/75 "2013-08-07T17:40:35Z")
In no particular order, without having read the thread: WKRP in Cincinnati Fawlty Towers How I Met Your Mother Barney Miller Hogan’s Heroes Tomorrow, or in five minutes when I read through and see all the shows that slipped my mind on first go-round, my list will probably change… ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/76 "2013-08-07T17:51:28Z")
M_A_S\*H The Simpsons Cheers All In The Family The Bob Newhart Show ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/77 "2013-08-07T18:04:16Z")
WKRP MASH Fawlty Towers The Nanny (I’m sorry. I can’t help it. Niles walked on screen - and I fell down laughing) Bob Newhart ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/78 "2013-08-07T19:52:49Z")
Must add Peep Show. ---
**Author:** ![Fluke54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ac8455/32.png) [@Fluke54](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluke54)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/79 "2013-08-07T20:34:28Z")
Not in any particular order Cheers Taxi The Office (I liked both the British and the American versions) Coupling( the British version) Keeping Up Appearances ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487/80 "2013-08-07T22:40:26Z")
You guys voting for My Name Is Earl are seriously making me want to revisit my list. WHY ONLY 5??? UGHHHH!!! My Name Is Earl is by far and away the most under appreciated sit com ever. I don’t get why it wasn’t wildly popular and go on for 8 or 9 seasons. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-five-favorite-sitcoms-of-all-time/665487.md?page=5)