I'm a massive fan of all US TV of all genres but especially sitcoms, quite simply they do them better than us. I've been meaning to write this blog post for years, the problem has been that the no.1 and no.2 slots often change in my head. However on reflection I think the no.1 spot should deservedly go to Frasier, it's characters, warmth and quite often slapstick storylines still make me laugh out loud to this day. Don't get me wrong, Friends is brilliant but Frasier ever so slightly has the edge in the funny stakes.
And before anybody complains saying that the US Office is inferior to the UK Office it's not & you're wrong. Ricky Gervais agrees with me too so no arguments.
So, here we are...
1. Frasier
2. Friends
3. Everybody Loves Raymond
4. Cheers
5. The King Of Queens
6. The Office
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. Spin City
9. Modern Family
10. 30 Rock
Almost made it into the top 10..
Just Shoot Me
8 Simple Rules
Will & Grace
Rules of Engagement
The Big Bang Theory - thanks to Simon for reminding me in the comments
Yes I know there are lots that I have left out, most noteably Seinfeld & Curb Your Enthusiasm, even M.A.S.H but for my money the definitive top 10 is as above.
What's in your top 10?
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Top 10 American sitcoms of all time
15 Responses to Top 10 American sitcoms of all time
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Welcome to my blog. My name is Kieron Donoghue and I am the founder of ShareMyPlaylists.com, ContentNow.co.uk and some other stuff. I have no idea why I'm blue on this photo though but I like it!
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You’re wrong.
The Office UK is far better than The Office USA.
Now that’s out the way, my top 5:
1. Seinfeld
2. Curb
3. KIng of Queens
4. Everybody Loves Raymond
5. Cheers
Agree with most of it. I’d move Spin City to 2 and Cheers to 3. I’d also lose The Office, which would leave space for Will & Grace. Have never seen Modern Family, so might replace that with Just Shoot Me.
I nearly didn’t approve your comment for being totally and utterly wrong about the office but thought twice as am in a good mood
I’ve recently discovered “The Big Bang Theory” on E4 and think it’s one of the best sitcoms I’ve seen in ages.
Good link bait but terrible list!
Raymond and King of Queens are dire. I’ve watched all of the US Office and when watching it I do think it’s better but then a re watch of the uk version reminds me the uk one is better but I don’t blame you for forgetting.
To not mention Arrested Development is a crime.
I would have had these three in there somewhere –
Curb your enthusiasm
Arrested development
Better off ted
Friends. Still watch this sometimes just to try and get why folk think it’s funny. It’s just contrived and mostly completely unfunny to me. Different strokes I guess (what you talkin bout Willis?!)
Seinfeld and Larry Sanders would be up there for me. Curb Your Enthusiasm too.
How about the one that stared them all – Soap – anyone remember that??!!
Hmmm..not a big fan of the old US sitcom.
Cheers was cool and number one for me on this list..not that I’ve seen 70% of them.
BUT where is Taxi?! Disappointing. Danny DeVito at his best, Latka (the Eastern European), the hippy funny guy and of course the ever pragmatic Alex.
I am really fond of The King Of Queens, I have literally seen every single episode. Two years ago I purchased all the seasons, and just watched from season 1, till the end, episode by episode! I still watch it from time to time too, great sitcom! Arthur made it golden in my opinion.
-Jean
Yes, I agree.. Americans do the sitcoms really well. My all-time favorite has always been Home Improvement. I also liked most of the ones on your top-10, particularly Frasier, Raymond and Cheers.
MASH and frasier would be right up there, more as well as:
community
psych
30 rock
weeds (if it counts)
3rd rock from the sun
big bang theory
you just reminded me about spin city which has been added to my lovefilm que :-p
i am surprised that Sienfield didn’t make the cut?
Got to agree with Frasier myself, though I find more people buy Friends box sets than Frasier. They’re both good, though!
thumbs up for the 10, like them a lot, How I Met Your Mother is totally great.
1_Married With Children
2_The Nanny
3_Friends
4_Ellen
5_The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
6_The Simpsons
7_Just Shoot Me
8_Will & Grace
9_How I Met Your Mother
10_Dharma & Greg
11_Seinfeld