What are the top 10 best sitcoms of all time? Sitcoms have a special place in our hearts. They have the power to turn a bad day into an excellent one. In those thirty minutes, when you are glued to the TV while the characters deliver punchline after punchline, all your worries melt away. In fact, sitcoms have managed to create legendary standup comedians and vice versa as well, as evidenced in 11 Funniest Stand Up Comedians in the World. This is why sitcoms will always be one of the most popular genres for TV shows.
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
Of course, it is never easy determining which sitcom stands out amongst the greats and which failed to make the cut. However, we have used variables such as average viewership during the run (obtained from Wikipedia) and the number of seasons for each sitcom (obtained from IMDB) to rank the best sitcoms of all time. In our rankings we allocated a 70% weight to average viewership simply because it takes into account viewers’ attitudes towards the TV show. Usually a sitcom may come to an end because of a decline in viewership but it is also possible that other factors play a big role. Longest running sitcoms aren’t always the best ones. That’s why we allocated a weight of only 30% to the number of seasons.
Based on our calculations here are the top 10 best sitcoms of all time:
10. The Office (U.S.)
Average viewership during the run: 7.31 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 10
Number of seasons: 9
Ranking based on number of seasons: Joint fifth
Considered to be one of the best sitcoms of all time by a wide variety of critics and viewers alike, it is a surprise that The Office had a smaller audience than deserved. However, it left behind an enduring legacy once its run ended in 2013.
Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
9. Modern Family
Average viewership during the run: 9.70 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 9
Number of seasons: 6
Ranking based on number of seasons: 7
One of the most popular sitcoms currently on television, Modern Family is also considered to be one of the best written shows out there, regardless of genre. While it may only have six seasons to its name, that is set to increase as the show has been renewed for a seventh season.
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
8. How I Met Your Mother
Average viewership during the run: 9.18 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 6
Number of seasons: 9
Ranking based on number of seasons: Joint fifth
Unique from most sitcoms in both structure and humor, How I Met Your Mother managed to attain a level of mainstream success which few sitcoms can boast.
s_bukley/Shutterstock.com
7. Two and a Half Men
Average viewership during the run: 14.07 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 6
Number of seasons: 12
Ranking based on number of seasons: 2
Enjoying unparalleled success, the show did lose its popularity once Charlie Sheen left, even though Ashton Kutcher managed to do an admirable job.
Tinseltown/Shutterstock.com
6. The Big Bang Theory
Average viewership during the run: 14.9 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 3
Number of seasons: 8
Ranking based on number of seasons: Joint sixth
Currently the most popular show on television, The Big Bang Theory is chalk full of jokes that will leave you in stiches. While it may only have 8 seasons to its name, that number is only going to grow since it has been renewed for a ninth season.
Helga Esteb/Shutterstock.com
5. The Simpsons
Average viewership during the run: 13.28 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 4
Number of seasons: 26
Ranking based on number of seasons: 1
Rounding up the top half of the top 10 best sitcoms of all time, the most influential animated sitcom of all time, The Simpsons has been watched by tens of millions of people, and has had a huge impact on pop culture. It is no surprise that the show has been going strong for 26 years, even though viewership has fallen over the years.
PAISAN HOMHUAN/Shutterstock.com
4. Home Improvement
Average viewership during the run: 17.89 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 5
Number of seasons: 8
Ranking based on number of seasons: Joint sixth
A 90s favorite, Home Improvement was one of the most watched TV shows in that decade, garnering critical appreciation, a host of awards and kick-starting the career of Tim Allen.
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
3. M*A*S*H*
Average viewership during the run: 18.28 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 6
Number of seasons: 11
Ranking based on number of seasons: 3
A mix between a drama and a sitcom, M*A*S*H* was universally acclaimed, culminating in the most watched finale of all time as well as over 100 Emmy Award nominations.
s_bukley/Shutterstock.com
2. Friends
Average viewership during the run: 23.61 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 2
Number of seasons: 10
Ranking based on number of seasons: 2
One of the most popular sitcoms of all time, Friends managed to revolutionize television like no other show. It is next to impossible to find a person who hasn’t at least heard of the show, which was nominated for an incredible 62 Emmy Awards, winning six of them during its ten year run.
1. Seinfeld
Average viewership during the run: 26.58 million.
Ranking based on average viewership during the year: 1
Number of seasons: 9
Ranking based on number of seasons: Joint fifth
The legendary sitcom changed the face of television while launching Jerry Seinfeld into superstardom. The show about ‘nothing’ was one of the few shows whose fan base increased throughout its run, culminating in one of the highest watched series finales of all time. The unprecedented success has allowed Seinfeld to claim the top position in the top 10 best sitcoms of all time.
Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
