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When it comes to fan - favorite television , few things are as universally beloved as comedy show that can make viewers express joy out loud with each new creative episode . The best among these go beyond elementary gags and punchlines , cementing themselves as legends of the musical style known for extradite iconic character and gut - busting stories that are endlessly referenced by fans and critics alike . Whether audience are looking for quirky workplace , animated satire , or good ol’ sitcom , there ’s a classic in the genre for everyone .
From the comedic gold mine inThe Officeto the controversial , retentive - ply series , South Park , there ’s a surprising variety to be found among the greatest comedy TV shows ever made . Something they all have in common , however , is that they have carved their topographic point in TV history by prognosticate witty humor , peculiar characters , and , in some pillowcase , sharp commentary .
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10. Veep (2012-2019)
Julia Louis - Dreyfus star as the fictional Vice President of the United States , Selina Meyer , in the screaming political satire , Veep . Created by Armando Iannucci , the show is centered on her experience as a ego - serve and deeply unqualified politician with a surprising amount of ambition . Veepexposes the nonadaptive world of Washington , D.C. , through the powerless vice president ’s eye , especially as she finds herself in progressively absurd situations .
Beyond a distinctive tone - estimable drollery , Veepsoars thanks to Louis - Dreyfus ’ outstanding performance as Selina , which would garner her six Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series . The series is live for its cruel honesty about modern politics , delivered through quick - flak dialogue and smart arcs . Even years after its coda , Veepcontinues to reflect the disorderly world of politics today , making it the perfect comedy serial publication to revisit when things are getting too veridical .
9. Modern Family (2009-2020)
Modern Familyisa mockumentary - style sitcomthat revolves around the lives of the Pritchett - Dunphy - Tucker clan , made up of three interconnect families : Jay Pritchett ( Ed O’Neill ) , his younger married woman Gloria ( Sofía Vergara ) , and her son Manny ( Rico Rodriguez ) ; Jay ’s daughter Claire ( Julie Bowen ) , her husband Phil ( Ty Burrell ) , and their three children Haley ( Sarah Hyland ) , Alex ( Ariel Winter ) , and Luke ( Nolan Gould ) ; and finally , Jay ’s Word Mitchell ( Jesse Tyler Ferguson ) , his mate Cameron ( Eric Stonestreet ) , and their adopted daughter Lily ( Aubrey Anderson - Emmons ) . The series follows their day-after-day misadventures and often humourous soldering moments while imparting some deterrent example about life and relationship .
Created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan , Modern Familyquickly gain a loyal following for its canny enjoyment of the mockumentary data format , which allow characters ’ personalities and quirks to glisten through confessional - flair consultation . Over time , it became impossible not to fall in love with the family member ’ endearing moral force , which often include brush thanks to contrasting personality . With its relatable characters and consistently funny stories , Modern Familyis now remember as a rewatchable ode to family aliveness , let in all the mussy and complicated part .
8. Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur , Parks and Recreation(also known asParks and Rec ) is a political satire mockumentary set in the fictitious townsfolk of Pawnee , Indiana . Here , the Deputy Director of the Parks Department , Leslie Knope ( Amy Poehler ) , dreaming of produce the little town a estimable place despite all the bureaucratic obstacles that keep getting thrown her way . It does n’t assist that she has indifferent colleagues and an endless barrage of oddball citizen to deal .
Parks and Recmay have ab initio incur criticism for its obvious law of similarity to the workplace sitcomThe Office , but thematic and tonic changes after its first time of year helped it carve its own identity . It would later thrive , thanks to its cast of nonconcentric characters masterfully played by actors like Nick Offerman , Aubrey Plaza , Chris Pratt , and more . These character reference would be the beginning of the series ’ alone humour , which would sometimes even result in heartwarming episode ( but mostly quotable ones ) .
7. Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Often report as “ a show about nothing,”Seinfeldis a groundbreaking sitcom that follows comic Jerry Seinfeld ( playing a fictionalized version of himself ) and his deuce-ace of admirer — George Costanza ( Jason Alexander ) , Elaine Benes ( Julia Louis - Dreyfus ) , and Cosmo Kramer ( Michael Richards ) — as they go about their daily lives in New York City . The serial publication sees them experiencing and reacting to relatable and workaday things , such as return a subroutine library book or waiting for a tabular array at a restaurant .
create by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David , the show focus on the minutia that everyone is familiar with and debar the distinctive insightful lessons and heartfelt endings . rather , Seinfeld‘s very best episodesusually feature the main part not really learn from their mistakes . This resistance to sentimentality has prompt several other display that borrow a like dry , data-based panache , often with shamelessly selfish characters who remain unapologetic throughout the series .
6. Cheers (1982-1993)
Cheersis one of thebest sitcomsand a honest classic that helped work the music genre . create by James Burrows , Glen Charles , and Les Charles , it ’s set in the titular cozy Boston bar and focuses on the lives of its stave appendage and firm customers . It often follows the bartender , Sam Malone ( Ted Danson ) , a wizardly ex - baseball game player who now owns and runs the organization . He ’s supported by a sympathetic ensemble cast , including loveable regular like Norm Peterson ( George Wendt ) and Cliff Clavin ( John Ratzenberger ) .
Cheersis work up on formulaic yet in force part - driven comedy , with the clear example being Sam and barmaid Diane Chambers ’ ( Shelley Long ) “ will - they - or - won’t - they ” dynamic . The relationships and electric arc within the limited setting evolve staggeringly throughout the show ’s 11 season , ensuring that each character is distinct and fully realise by the sentence fans tune into its massively popular series finale . While some aspects have n’t aged well , anyone revisitingCheersis still likely to be draw in by its conversant warmth and telling witticism .
5. 30 Rock (2006-2013)
create by and starring Tina Fey,30 Rockis a zany , satiric sitcom loosely ground on the actor ’s experience backstage atSaturday Night Live . It survey the headway writer of the fabricated sketch showTGS with Tracy Jordan , Liz Lemon ( Fey ) , as she balance keeping upper management happy while managing her star - studded but unmanageable cast . central histrion include the irregular web executive Jack Donaghy ( Alec Baldwin ) , the stereotyped diva Jenna Maroney ( Jane Krakowski ) , and the often unreasonable Tracy Jordan ( Tracy Morgan ) .
30 Rock‘s brilliant writing is an obvious thrust and meta - comment on the entertainment industry , with each new instalment revealing the savage antics behind bouncy tv display . It claim jabs at NBC ’s corporate cultivation ( where bothSNLand30 Rockaired ) and renown self-importance when the camera is n’t rolling ( or even when it is ) . At the same meter , it ’s very clearly a love letter to the industry it critiques , with that contradiction in terms helping insure that it never bring itself too seriously .
4. South Park (1997-)
South Parkis a notoriously controversialanimated serial publication for adultsthat has been airing for nearly three decade . Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone , the show is set in the titular town where four wicked boys — Stan Marsh , Kyle Broflovski , Eric Cartman , and Kenny McCormick — get into worry and encounter interesting situation that go beyond distinctive antics at school . Fans be intimate well enough not to be fool by its vulgar animation style , asSouth Parkhas delivered some of the most scathing social commentary about several topics .
Whether it ’s political relation , religion , or protrude acculturation , the series is known for assume current event and turning them into comedic episode at breakneck speed . Parker and Stone — who save , direct , and voice many of the characters — often produce episodes within a calendar week , admit the show to deal topical events in near real - clock time . South Parkis undoubtedly polarise , peculiarly when it tackle divisive topics like political correctness and modern politics , but it ’s this fearless approach to drollery that has made it a legendary long - running series that is n’t likely to end anytime before long .
3. Friends (1994-2004)
Even those who have never seen a exclusive episode ofFriendshave likely heard of it , with the situation comedy being a generation- and genre - defining clowning series that remains a cultural phenomenon today . create by David Crane and Marta Kauffman , the series follows six booster — Rachel Green ( Jennifer Aniston ) , Ross Geller ( David Schwimmer ) , Monica Geller ( Courteney Cox ) , Chandler Bing ( Matthew Perry ) , Joey Tribbiani ( Matt LeBlanc ) , and Phoebe Buffay ( Lisa Kudrow ) — as they go about their day-by-day lives in New York City .
Though some parts ofFriendsare see , there ’s no denying the comforting show ’s universal appeal . It film the world by violent storm for the cast of characters ’s chemistry , with lover hooked on their date stamp mishaps , calling progressions , and other well - developed arcs . Tasks like make a sofa up the stairs ( “ Pivot ! ” ) become instantaneously unforgettable thanks to the player ’ comedic delivery , with more serious plot line providing a good premix of humor and heart . Friendscontinues to entertainnew genesis through streaming and reruns , with its gist stamp becoming synonymous with their iconic roles .
2. The Simpsons (1989-)
A cultural institution , a literary genre - delineate satire , and the longest - run American sitcom , The Simpsonsis a comedic staple fiber anywhere in the universe . Created by Matt Groening , the serial publication mostly takes place in the fictional Ithiel Town of Springfield , where the Simpson syndicate deals with the senior high and low of lifetime . While it largely focuses on the family member — Homer , Marge , Bart , Lisa , and Maggie — its hundreds of episodes have helped it research numerous other quirky residents and introduce funny visitors over the age .
At its gist , The Simpsonsis a lampooning of American family life and values , but it also bosom in some smart satire aimed at pop cultivation and politics . No instauration , celebrity , or ethnical movement is off - limit , and while its later season have seen a decline in lineament , its shrewd and insightful humor has allowed the series to stay relevant across tenner . From catchphrase like “ D’oh ! ” to foretelling that often seem spookily precise , The Simpsonsis always finding itself as the topic of discussion one fashion or another , which is n’t likely to change anytime soon .
1. The Office (US) (2005-2013)
The Office(US ) is the superlative of workplace sitcoms , with the adaptation of the UK serial quickly surpass the original and becoming one of the most popular and influential drollery of all clip . Developed by Greg Daniels , it depict both the workaday and bizarre experiences of the employees of Dunder Mifflin , a small paper company in Scranton , Pennsylvania . Led by the uproariously inept and often cringe - worthy regional managing director Michael Scott ( Steve Carell ) , the serial captures awkward interaction and unnumberable gut - snap moments between coworkers .
Mostepisodes ofThe Officeare straight off recognizable due to its documentary - stylus scenes where characters often break the fourth wall by cover the camera directly . It also has a colorful cast of characters that fans adore , include the very acute Dwight Schrute ( Rainn Wilson ) , the initially shy Pam Beesly ( Jenna Fischer ) , and the often sarcastic Jim Halpert ( John Krasinski ) . The serial ’ character are the secret to its monolithic success . Whether laughing at a stapling machine in Jell - O or rooting for Jim and Pam ’s making love report , the cast ’s natural endowment and fantastic chemistry guarantee laughter - out - trashy laughter with each floor , freehanded or little .
