If there’s one thing America does well it is situation comedies. There is absolutely no doubt that they have produced some of the best-loved television shows in the world, which are still being viewed by millions every day and they show no signs of slowing down when it comes to producing timeless laugh-out-loud entertainment. Here are just a few of what we deem to be the most classic…
1. Cheers (1982-1993)
‘Where everybody knows your naaaa-aaaaaame’. Yes, this is where you know that the theme tune from. Running for over 10 years, Cheers was the ultimate pick-me-up, depicting the lives of a group of friends and employees who all congregate in their local bar in Boston.
Image source: independent.co.uk
2. Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Never has a show depicted the neurosis of a person so well. This is what made the world fall in love with New Yorker Jerry Seinfeld and his group of equally misguided friends.
Image source: kym-cdn.com
3. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990-1996)
‘In west Philadelphia born and raised. On the playground was where I spent most of my days.’ Oh yes, another theme tune that most of us know like the back of our hands. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was the first time we were introduced to one of the world’s favourite actors, Will Smith, and we haven’t looked back since. Well, that’s a lie; we watch the re-runs of this amazing show all the time.
Image source: huffpost.com
4. Frasier (1993-2004)
There was just something about the character Frasier when he starred in Cheers that made him worthy of his own show. Perhaps his loveably ironic neurosis (considering he is a psychiatrist) or even his tendency to get himself in to the most awkward of situations. Either way, the world loved him and his equally hilarious friends and family so much that the show ran for 11 years.
Image source: zap2it.com
5. Friends (1994-2004)
I think we all knew that Friends was going to be a huge contender on this list and it isn’t hard to see why. What better subject is there to base a show on than friendship? And the day-to-day lives of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe had us captivated for 10 seasons. Oh how we miss them!
Image source: comedycentral.co.uk
6. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000 – present)
When the genius behind Seinfeld announces that he’s going to be creating and starring in his own show there is every reason to get excited and this was very much the case back in 2000 when Larry David hit our screens as an exaggerated version of himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Image source: hbo.com
7. Arrested Development (2003 – present)
The ultimate dysfunctional family, the Bluths will go down in comedy history as one of our favourites, offering no end of misguided blunders. There really is no show to match the individual comedy calibre of each of these characters and it is no surprise to see it is still running today.
Image source:
8. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
Following hot on the heels of its predecessor Friends, How I Met Your Mother filled the gap in our lives that required the comedic ups and downs of a group of friends living in New York. And let’s be honest, they certainly couldn’t have done a better job, bringing in an A-list cast including Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel and Neil Patrick Harris.
Image source: huffpost.com
9. The Big Bang Theory (2007 – present)
One of the most loved television shows of this decade, The Big Bang Theory is the ultimate clashing of cultures following the life of out-of-work actress Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) when she moves across the hall from the brilliantly minded yet socially awkward Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter.
Image source: pogd.es
10. Modern Family (2009 – present)
Albeit slightly more toned-down than Arrested Development, Modern Family is equally as captivating, following the lives of an LA family who haphazardly tread their way through the modern world, along with all its obstacles.
Image source: wetpaint.com
