For the Laughs
Everyone loves comedy shows! After all, they’re light and fun and you don’t have to worry about harrowing plot twists or cliffhanger endings. With that in mind, here are 20 of the highest-rated and most adored comedy shows ever!
1. The Office (U.S.)
This show was created by Greg Daniels and adapted from the U.K. series by Ricky Gervais. Starring Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, and John Krasinski, it offers a mockumentary-style sitcom following the mundane lives of office employees. However, the unique format and relatable characters make it a definitive comedy show worldwide.
2. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Created by Rob McElhenney, this show stars Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Danny DeVito. It follows five narcissistic friends engaging in weird schemes one after another and is adored for its dark humor and satirical social commentary.
3. South Park
South Park is created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who also star in it. Despite being an animated series, it’s certainly adult content that follows four boys tackling controversial topics with plenty of satire.
4. The Simpsons
Everyone loves The Simpsons, which was created by Matt Groening and stars Dan Castellaneta and Julie Kavner. It’s an animated sitcom following a family navigating life and is actually one of the longest-running TV shows, known for its depiction of American life.
5. Seinfeld
Starring Jerry Seinfeld, who also created the show, Seinfeld is essentially a show about nothing. It follows a comedian and his eccentric group of friends in New York City and is acclaimed for its observational humor.
6. Friends
Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, this show chronicles the lives of six friends living in Manhattan. It also led to the breakout careers of Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox and is known for its ensemble chemistry and cultural impact.
Brett Cove at https://www.flickr.com/photos/brettdcove/ on Wikimedia
7. What We Do In The Shadows
If you like The Office and vampires, this show essentially blends both. Known for its improv-style humor, hilarious one-liners, and heartfelt subject matter, this show follows four vampire roommates living in Staten Island. Oh, and their familiar Guillermo!
Paul Hudson from United Kingdom on Wikimedia
8. Modern Family
Modern Family was created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan and stars Ed O’Neill and Sofia Vergara. It too is a mockumentary-style sitcom depicting the life of a diverse family and is adored for its blend of humor and heart.
9. Married With Children
Created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt, this show also stars Ed O’Neill alongside Katey Sagal and Christina Applegate. It centers on a dysfunctional family and is known for edgy humor and its satirical take on American family dynamics.
Thomas Attila Lewis at https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomdog on Wikimedia
10. Parks and Recreation
Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, this show stars Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones. It follows the employees of the Parks and Rec department and is known for its optimistic tone and quirky characters.
Jenn Deering Davis on Wikimedia
11. Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Created by Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson, this show stars Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie. It’s considered an improvisational comedy show where the cast uses audience suggestions to create scenes. Despite this, it’s renowned for its quick wit and creativity.
Matthew G. Boyer at https://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewboyer/ on Wikimedia
12. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Created by Andy and Susan Borowitz, this show helped launch the career of Will Smith. A street-smart teenager from West Philly goes to live with his wealthy relatives, and as such, the show offers poignant social commentary and a closer look into unique family dynamics.
13. Family Guy
Created by Seth MacFarlane, who also stars in the show, this animated sitcom follows the Griffin family through their weird and quirky lives. Known for cutaway gags and satirical humor, this show has quite the grasp on pop culture commentary.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
14. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
With so many cop procedurals out there, this show offers a comedic and sitcom-style take. Created by Michael Schur and Dan Goor, this show stars Andy Samberg and Terry Crews and centers on detectives navigating personal relationships and solving crimes.
User:David Shankbone on Wikimedia
15. The Big Bang Theory
Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, this show stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, and Kaley Cuoco. It follows a group of socially awkward scientists and is known for bringing geek culture into the mainstream.
16. Arrested Development
Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, this show stars Jason Bateman and Michael Cera, and follows a dysfunctional wealthy family after their patriarch is arrested. It’s adored for its intricate storytelling, running gags, and sometimes wild family dynamics.
17. I Love Lucy
Created by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, this show centers on Lucy Ricardo’s comedic attempts as she struggles with show business. Often leading her into humorous situations, this show is credited with pioneering the sitcom format.
18. Looney Tunes
Considered a quintessential animated work, Looney Tunes is a series of shorts featuring various characters in comedic situations. It led to the fame of characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and is admired for its timeless humor and influence on the animation industry.
19. Mr. Bean
Created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, who also stars in it, Mr. Bean follows the misadventures of a bumbling but silent man. It’s similar to a Charlie Chaplin take, as it relies on physical comedy and childlike behavior rather than dialogue to achieve laughs.
20. Chappelle’s Show
Starring Dave Chappelle, this show was a revolutionary sketch comedy known for satirizing American culture. Edgy humor was used to push boundaries and provide social commentary, and it helped solidify Dave Chappelle as a comedy great.
