8 Biggest American Sitcoms of All Time, In accordance with IMDB
TV comedies have develop into a beloved medium, bringing us favorites from The Workplace to the newer St. Denis Medical. Whereas each are sitcoms, the time period has been misunderstood. Sitcoms, or “situational comedies,” usually contain a recurring solid in a constant setting, producing humor by means of character quirks and relatable conditions.
Although many assume sitcoms have to be round half-hour lengthy, that is merely a typical conference somewhat than a defining function. Their mix of humor and on a regular basis situations permits sitcoms to resonate deeply with audiences, securing spots on IMDB’s Top 250 TV Shows record. Sitcoms proceed to evolve, reflecting societal adjustments and developments, making sitcoms a timeless staple within the leisure panorama. Whether or not revisiting a basic or exploring one thing new, there’s one thing for everybody on the earth of sitcoms.
8
‘Silicon Valley’ (2014 – 2019)
Going down within the southern a part of the San Francisco Bay Space, Silicon Valley is the epicenter of innovation and expertise, making it an ideal backdrop for a office comedy. This impressed the HBO collection Silicon Valley, created by Mike Choose, John Altschuler, and Dave Krinsky. The present follows Richard Hendricks (Thomas Middleditch) as he navigates the trials and tribulations of launching his startup, Pied Piper, whereas dealing with competitors from bigger firms.
The ensemble solid contains notable actors similar to Kumail Nanjiani, T.J. Miller, Josh Brener, Jimmy O. Yang, and Martin Starr. The collection has been praised by critics, incomes 41 Emmy nominations, together with 5 for Excellent Comedy Collection in consecutive years. These concerned in the tech business have lauded the present for its humorous but correct depiction of life in Silicon Valley, highlighting the challenges and quirks of the work setting.
7
‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009 – 2015)
NBC’s Parks and Recreation, conceived initially as a spin-off of The Workplace, advanced right into a standalone office comedy mockumentary pushed by the comedic skills behind iconic reveals like Saturday Night time Stay. Led by Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, an optimistic authorities employee within the fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana, the collection additionally featured a powerful solid together with Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, and Rashida Jones. Whereas it initially confronted criticism for being too much like The Workplace, with Knope likened to Michael Scott (Steve Carell), the present finally obtained optimistic evaluations because it carved out its personal distinctive voice and humor.
Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, Parks and Recreation turned a beloved fixture throughout its run. The collection launched the careers of many actors, together with Aziz Ansari and Plaza, and obtained 12 Emmy nominations, illustrating its affect on the comedy panorama.
6
‘Arrested Improvement’ (2003 – 2019)
Arrested Improvement is a critically acclaimed sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz. The present revolves across the dysfunctional Bluth household, led by Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), who struggles to maintain their lives and household enterprise afloat after patriarch George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor) is arrested for white-collar crime.
Recognized for its intelligent writing and distinctive comedic fashion, the collection includes a proficient solid, together with Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, and Michael Cera. Regardless of low rankings throughout its authentic run, Arrested Improvement gained a faithful fan base and received six Primetime Emmy Awards. After its cancellation in 2006, it was revived by Netflix in 2013, persevering with to showcase the eccentricities of the Bluth household.
5
‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000 – 2024)
Whereas HBO is broadly recognized for its stellar dramas like Sport of Thrones and Succession, it has additionally been residence to unimaginable comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm. Created and starring Larry David, the collection ran for 12 seasons and 120 episodes from 2000 to 2024. Much like David’s different collection, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm follows its characters’ on a regular basis lives. On this case, the present follows a semi-fictionalized model of David, who writes a framework for the episode’s storyline, and the actors improvise the dialogue.
This distinctive format and spectacular demonstration of improvisational comedy led to the collection receiving 55 Emmy nominations. The collection additionally featured many fictional variations of celeb visitor stars. Due to its mix of weird and awkward conditions and David’s “quirky” persona, the collection has a particular comedic fashion that locations Curb Your Enthusiasm in its personal lane.
4
‘It’s At all times Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005 – Current)
In recent times, there was no sitcom fairly like It’s At all times Sunny in Philadelphia. Along with being one of many wordiest sitcoms, the collection has develop into the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time. It has been renewed for 18 seasons, with the seventeenth season concluding in August 2025.
The sitcom follows a solid of terrible, narcissistic mates who run a bar in Philadelphia. The premise is that if you put a gaggle of a number of the worst folks collectively, they get themselves into probably the most ridiculous conditions. The collection has develop into a beloved sitcom and is praised for its confidently egocentric characters all through all seasons. Due to its cult following and darkish humor, it is unclear if the present will ever finish except the creator, Rob McElhenney, and solid determine to place the collection to relaxation.
3
‘Associates’ (1994 – 2004)
Operating for 10 seasons and over 230 episodes, Associates turned one of the vital beloved sitcoms of all time, fascinating audiences with its witty writing and a proficient solid. The story follows six mates — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer — as they navigate life in New York Metropolis. When you droop your disbelief at how these characters can afford their residences with the roles they’ve, it’s a 10-season journey that you just received’t wish to finish. Every character has their distinctive personalities, from Kudrow’s kookiness to Perry’s sharp sarcasm, creating iconic moments that followers nonetheless debate right now.
Regardless of ending over twenty years in the past, Associates continues to resonate with new followers by means of streaming platforms. In 2021, the reunion particular was an enormous hit for Max. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, the present earned 62 Emmy nominations and received six. Associates stands as a cultural touchstone, showcasing the facility of friendship and humor that is still related to audiences right now.
2
‘Seinfeld’ (1989 – 1998)
Seinfeld is commonly described as “the present about nothing,” but its distinctive portrayal of on a regular basis life is what really propelled it to iconic standing. In contrast to different sitcoms of the time, which usually centered on office or household dynamics, Seinfeld adopted a gaggle of 4 mates as they navigated their egocentric, usually flawed behaviors. This groundbreaking method allowed audiences to see themselves within the not-so-good features of the characters, making a relatability that resonated with viewers. With a unfastened storyline and a give attention to on a regular basis happenings, the present cleverly raised the stakes by means of its humor.
Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, Seinfeld ran for 9 seasons and 180 episodes, turning into one of the vital beloved sitcoms of all time. The principle characters, performed by Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander, are depicted as their very own worst enemies, showcasing egocentric and immodest traits that paradoxically make them lovable. By discovering humor within the unlucky conditions that come up from their flaws, the present invitations viewers to chortle at shared life experiences.
1
‘The Workplace’ (2005 – 2013)
The Workplace, primarily based on the British model created by Stephen Service provider and Ricky Gervais, turned a cultural phenomenon within the U.S. The present, set within the Dunder Mifflin Paper Firm, launched the careers of many actors, together with Mindy Kaling, John Krasinski, and B.J. Novak. With over 200 episodes, it has develop into a favourite consolation watch, particularly for Gen Z, who usually discuss falling asleep to it. Carell’s character, Michael Scott, leads the crew with a mixture of cringe-worthy and lovable humor, and the present’s signature “wanting into the digicam” fashion has influenced many others, resulting in the rise of mockumentary collection like Fashionable Household and Abbott Elementary.
Tailored by Greg Daniels for an American viewers, The Workplace began with simply six episodes in its first season. Regardless of combined evaluations initially, Daniels made changes to the collection, making it extra relatable and optimistic, which helped it acquire recognition. Twelve years after its conclusion, a follow-up collection titled The Paper premiered on Peacock, that includes the identical documentary crew and the returning character Oscar Nunez.