Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. You can view/join its Facebook group. He is also the host of Game Points on THE TEAM 990AM in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.
Ordinarily, my blog is reserved for more reflective entries, but I couldn’t resist a stab at my favorite ten situational comedies of the last 30 years. Obviously, this is an exercise in opinion, nothing more. I wouldn’t pretend to speak for a generation, or two. Contrary to what sites will claim, EVERY cheesy top ten list is subjective, every single last one of them.
At any rate, I’m someone who has always found refuge, comfort and a sense of reassurance through television comedies. Call it interesting, sad, pathetic, whatever you want. But our family always bonded over a good episode of a classic sitcom. Whether it was gathering on the couch after dinner, flopping on my bed and watching after school, or catching a late night rerun – TV comedies always had their place in my life, growing up.
Nowadays, I don’t have the same amount of time to devote to these great shows. But, I still catch an episode every now and then of a great comedic program. And when I do, a specific scene or joke can instantly take me back to the first time I saw that episode. It could have been laughing alongside my dad, watching my mom cringe at a bad innuendo, or making fun of my sister after an unusually loud cackle (followed by the launch of an object, most of the time a tissue box, at my person).
What makes a good sitcom, according to me? Glad you asked. First of all, I believe you need to have at least two unique characters on the show. Characters that are no doubt funny, but also quirky, multi-layered and very charismatic.
In terms of actors, you want to great timing, a good range of facial expressions that match the dialogue and the ability to make you want to see where they will take their character.
So, as I have explained, this is not a list that I believe to be the best of all-time, it’s just my favorite ten programs. Take from it what you will.
# 10. WKRP in Cincinnati – The oldest entry on my list, this sitcom ran from ‘78-’82, but ballooned in syndication. Howard Hessman was the real genius in this program. He worked hard at making Dr. Johnny Fever look like he didn’t work hard at anything. Gordon Jump was priceless as the bumbling station manager Arthur Carlson and Richard Sanders was even more clueless as newsman Les Nessman.
The plots were outlandish, the cast turnover done seamlessly and who could forget the episode where they dropped live turkeys from a helicopter?
# 9. Family Matters - I know what you’re thinking, “Are you crazy?” But this show was well done. Think about it. A comedy that ran from ‘89-’97 and mainly on Friday night, when people are supposedly not watching television. This show really took off when the rapport between Steve Urkel and Carl Winslow was harnessed. Their misadventures and tried and tested formula of Steve pissing off Carl never got old.
The show waned towards the end when the cast kept changing, but it was a great bridge from traditional comedies from the 70’s and 80’s, to the newer sitcoms that were ushered in during the 90’s.
# 8. Cosby Show – Some readers will be shocked that this series is this low on my list. However, the last few years of the show were a shell of the first few. Changeover in cast really made this series go out with nothing more than a whimper. Still, watching Bill Cosby interact with kids and lay down his parenting laws was the key to its success.
From ‘84-”92, this NBC show broke ground and was more a part of pop culture than any other show during its tenure. The incredible guest star power also had fans coming back for more.
# 7. Night Court - Another NBC show that also ran from ‘84-’92, this series excelled by playing to the strengths of its actors. I personally liked this show so much because of the eccentric characters, the multiple ‘aside’ conversations that went on during every episode and the creative idea of having a courthouse as the central focal point.
While Harry Anderson got on your nerves every once in a while, you could never get enough of the outrageous antics of John Laroquette’s Dan Fielding character. One of the best ’skirt chaser’ creations ever hatched for television.
# 6. Fresh Prince of Bel Air - The most popular show amongst my peers during my high school days, this was the coolest show to ever come around. Mixing the element of whatever was cool at the time, and a ton of fat and short jokes helped this series stay alive and vibrant.
From ‘90-’96, this show was the talk of school recesses everywhere, and cemented Will Smith’s place in pop culture lore. It’s one of those rare shows that could have gone on another couple of seasons without losing its appeal. But Smith decided to pack it up and try his hand at feature films. I’d say it worked out well. Still, it would have been great to see another couple of seasons of Uncle Phil throwing Jazz out the front door.
# 5. Roseanne – A tremdous cast chemistry and an ever-evolving main character made this series special. The impeccable timing of Roseanne Barr and John Goodman made this series go. From ‘88-’97, it was ABC’s mainstay in the top rated Nielsen shows.
While the program started to get a little silly with its plotlines towards the end, those first few years depicting a lower middle-class family were precious, to say the least. Any family that struggled with money could intimately relate to the Connor family.
# 4. News Radio – A very underappreciated series in its time (‘95-’99), this was one of the quirkiest programs I’ve ever seen. Similar to WKRP in that it was a radio station setting, this show had some of the most silly and creative storylines on television.
The brilliance of Phil Hartman as newsman Bill McNeil and the irreverance of Stephen Root as Jimmy James, kept me watching each season. Root’s portrayal as the eccentric billionaire James was, in my opinion, one of the greatest characters in the history of sitcoms.
Still, the show could get annoying with Andy Dick and the whining of Maura Tierney. But it was still one of my favourites.
# 3. Seinfeld – Some who know me would ask how this series is only third on my list. I’m not sure. Perhaps it is because I am a little sick of it at the moment. It just never went away. The show is on more times a day than weather reports.
However, from ‘89-’98, no show was celebrated or created more catch phrases than Seinfeld. The show’s first couple of years weren’t anything to write home about. But, by the third season, it really rounded into form.
The ability to turn nothing into an entire episode was its trademark. That, and the incredible timing and chemistry the four main characters developed. Perhaps it was the lack of innovation that stunted its rise on my list. No matter, it was still a fantastic sitcom.
# 2. Two And A Half Men – Some will be surprised to see a current sitcom crack this list. But, if you have ever watched one episode, you will absolutely fall in love with the series.
Since 2003, the same formula has prevailed. A lot of sexual innuendos that push the boundaries of network television, several jokes at the expense of the dim witted son Jake and the romantically inept father Alan, and a whole lot of deadpan reactions from Charlie Sheen. Sheen and Jon Cryer are stunningly on the same page every episode and flourish as an on-screen duo. The characters have stayed true to form from day 1 until today.
# 1. Cheers - Not a contest. Airing from ‘82-’93, no program ever stimulated my imagination or had so many lovable characters as this series. The cast chemistry was outstanding, the ‘aside’ conversations and storylines were very complimentary and the lead character Sam Malone was someone you always rooted for.
I loved the blue collar characters mixing with the white collar characters and guest stars, and the ability of the show’s writers to tease a romantic plot was simply unmatched. I sorely miss seeing where each character would have ended up and I think it was by far the best sitcom I ever followed.
I hope you enjoyed my list. It was a blast to create.
Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. You can view/join its Facebook group. He is also the host of Game Points on THE TEAM 990AM in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.
