Best Comedy Shows Of All Time
Night Court (1984-1992): ‘Night Court’ was ruled by Judge Harry Stone (Harry Anderson), a magician who was as charming as he was goofy. And that made him the perfect foil for hookers and other hard-luck cases who passed through his court, not to mention womanizer D.A. Dan (John Larroquette).
Family Guy (1999-present): The naughty and pop culture-obsessed ‘Family Guy’ is loaded with some of TV’s best characters: offensive patriarch Peter, Brian the sauced dog and Peter Lorre-sound-a-like baby Stewie, whose botched matricidal missions are second in hilarity only to his perpetually thwarted plots for world domination.
Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983): Not since Lucy and Ethel wreaked havoc on the chocolate factory had two female buddies sparked so many chuckles. Lenny and Squiggy provided their share of wackiness, but the heart of the show was the bottle-cappin’ roomies’ friendship and pursuit of love, happiness and milk ‘n’ Pepsi.
Green Acres (1965-1971): CBS had its own genre of rural sitcoms with ‘The Beverly Hillbillies,’ ‘Petticoat Junction’ and ‘Acres,’ a standout for surreal antics involving TV-watching pig Arnold, the Monroe brothers (one of whom was female) and leads Oliver and Lisa, who still wore their fancy city duds after moving to their Hooterville farm.
Arrested Development (2003-2006): Bluths, we hardly knew ye. Three seasons of dysfunctional family hilarity and banana-stand shenanigans weren’t nearly enough. The show gave us GOB, Buster and Michael Cera — and, at last, a forum for Jason Bateman to showcase his comedy chops.
Family Ties (1982-1989): Ronald Reagan and economist Milton Freeman, sitcom fodder? They were when it came to rabid right-winger Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox, in a star-making role). Uptight Alex was the polar opposite of his hippie ‘rents, but the Keatons were a tight-knit clan despite, and because of, their differences.
Married With Children (1987-1997): It was the raunchy show that made a network (Fox). The Bundys, led by shoe-salesman dad Al and big-haired mom Peg, certainly were certainly ‘Not the Cosbys’ (the show’s original title), but they were one of TV’s funniest fams.
Happy Days (1974-1984): If not for ‘Happy Days,’ TV land wouldn’t have The Fonz, “jumping the shark,” ‘Laverne & Shirley’ or Jenny Piccolo. Okay, we forgive the show for that last one, but only because the retro sitcom was so filled with heart and humor that one little annoying character couldn’t bring it down. Aaaayy!
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