These shows have had lasting impacts on popular culture and have been recognized for their comedic writing, strong ensemble casts, and relatable storylines. They have also been successful in syndication and are still widely watched today.
A list of the top 10 US sitcoms
Table of Contents
- FRIENDS
- The Big Bang Theory
- How I Met Your Mother
- The Office
- Modern Family
- The Simpsons
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- That ’70s Show
- Family Guy
- Two and a Half Men
FRIENDS
“Friends” is a popular U.S. sitcom that aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004. It follows the lives of six friends living in New York City: Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, and Phoebe. The show was known for its ensemble cast, relatable storylines, and iconic opening theme song. It has since become a cultural phenomenon and has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The show’s characters and catchphrases have become well-known, and it has been referenced and parodied in numerous other TV shows and movies. “Friends” has also been successful in syndication and is still widely watched today.
The Big Bang Theory
“The Big Bang Theory” is a popular U.S. sitcom that aired on CBS from 2007 to 2019. It follows the lives of four socially awkward friends: Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj, all of whom are brilliant scientists. The show also features Penny, a waitress and aspiring actress who becomes Leonard’s love interest, and Bernadette and Amy, who become Howard’s and Sheldon’s respective love interests. The show is known for its comedic portrayal of science and nerd culture, and for its ensemble cast of likable and relatable characters. It was a ratings success and received numerous awards during its run, including multiple Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series. The show has also been successful in syndication and is still widely watched today.
How I Met Your Mother
“How I Met Your Mother” is a popular U.S. sitcom that aired on CBS from 2005 to 2014. The show follows the story of Ted, a young architect living in New York City, as he searches for love and eventually meets his future wife. The show also features his close group of friends: Lily, a kindergarten teacher and his best friend’s wife; Marshall, a law student and Lily’s husband; Robin, a journalist and Ted’s love interest; and Barney, a womanizing corporate salesman. The show is known for its comedic portrayal of relationships and for its unique storytelling structure, with each episode taking place in the year 2030, as an older Ted tells his children the story of how he met their mother. The show received critical acclaim and was a ratings success during its run, and its cast has gone on to star in other successful TV shows and movies.
The Office
“The Office” is a popular U.S. sitcom that aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013. It is a mockumentary-style show set in the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, and follows the everyday lives of the company’s employees. The show is known for its comedic portrayal of office life and its ensemble cast of quirky and relatable characters, including the lovable but mischievous salesman Jim Halpert, the well-meaning but bumbling regional manager Michael Scott, and the no-nonsense receptionist Pam Beesly. The show is also known for its use of improvisation and its clever writing, which often includes elements of satire and irony. “The Office” was a ratings success and has had a lasting impact on popular culture, with many of its catchphrases and characters becoming well-known. It has also been successful in syndication and is still widely watched today.
Modern Family
“Modern Family” is a popular U.S. sitcom that aired on ABC from 2009 to 2020. It follows the lives of three interconnected families living in Los Angeles: Jay Pritchett and his second wife Gloria, their adult son Manny and Gloria’s teenage son from her first marriage, Jay’s adult daughter Claire and her husband Phil, and their three children. The show is known for its comedic portrayal of family life and its diverse cast of characters, which includes Jay’s traditionalist father and Claire’s eccentric mother. It is also known for its clever writing and its use of multi-camera setup and narration. “Modern Family” was a ratings success and received numerous awards during its run, including multiple Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series. It has also been successful in syndication and is still widely watched today.
The Simpsons
“The Simpsons” is a popular animated U.S. sitcom that has aired on Fox since 1989. It follows the lives of the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, and their life in the fictional town of Springfield. The show is known for its satirical portrayal of American culture and society, as well as its memorable characters and catchphrases. “The Simpsons” has been a ratings success and has had a significant impact on popular culture, with many of its jokes and references becoming widely known. The show has also been recognized for its cultural and historical significance, with numerous episodes being selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. “The Simpsons” is the longest-running U.S. animated sitcom and the longest-running U.S. scripted primetime TV series. It is still being produced and is currently in its 33rd season.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is a popular U.S. sitcom that has aired on NBC since 2013. It follows the lives of the detectives and staff of the 99th Precinct of the New York City Police Department, located in Brooklyn. The show is known for its diverse cast of characters and its comedic portrayal of police work and office culture. The show’s main characters include Jake Peralta, a talented but immature detective; Amy Santiago, a competitive and ambitious detective; and Captain Raymond Holt, a strict but fair commanding officer. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” has received critical acclaim and has been recognized for its representation of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. It has also been a ratings success and has won numerous awards, including three Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
That ’70s Show
“That ’70s Show” is a popular U.S. sitcom that aired on Fox from 1998 to 2006. It follows the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin, during the late 1970s. The show’s main characters include Eric Forman, a high school student; his girlfriend, Donna Pinciotti; his best friends, Steven Hyde and Michael Kelso; and his neighbor, Jackie Burkhart. The show also features Eric’s parents, Red and Kitty Forman, and their next-door neighbors, Bob and Midge Pinciotti. “That ’70s Show” is known for its comedic portrayal of 1970s culture and its relatable depiction of teenage life. It was a ratings success and has had a lasting impact on popular culture, with many of its catchphrases and characters becoming well-known. It has also been successful in syndication and is still widely watched today.
Family Guy
“Family Guy” is a popular U.S. animated sitcom that has aired on Fox since 1999. It follows the lives of the Griffin family, which consists of Peter, Lois, their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their talking dog Brian. The show is known for its irreverent and often controversial humor, as well as its use of cutaway gags and pop culture references. “Family Guy” has been a ratings success and has been recognized for its cultural and historical significance, with numerous episodes being selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. It has also been successful in syndication and has spawned several spin-off shows, including “The Cleveland Show” and “The Orville.” “Family Guy” is currently in its 23rd season.
Two and a Half Men
“Two and a Half Men” is a popular U.S. sitcom that aired on CBS from 2003 to 2015. It follows the lives of two brothers, Charlie and Alan, and Alan’s son Jake, who live together in a beach house in Malibu, California. The show is known for its comedic portrayal of the relationships and domestic situations of its characters, as well as its strong ensemble cast. The show’s main characters include Charlie Harper, a hedonistic womanizer; Alan Harper, a uptight divorced chiropractor; and Jake Harper, their rebellious and lazy nephew. “Two and a Half Men” was a ratings success and received numerous awards during its run, including three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for actor Charlie Sheen. The show had a controversial end, with Sheen being fired from the show and replaced by actor Ashton Kutcher. Despite the controversy, “Two and a Half Men” has been successful in syndication and is still widely watched today.
