What they didn’t seem to take into account was the impact certain shows had. Beyond the writing and acting — some shows made a big imprint in popular culture while others were popular at the time but quickly disappeared. Since we’re talking about 70+ years of shows, it seems you’d need someone in their 80’s who really had an overview select the list. On the other hand, someone in their 80’s would have no appreciation for more recent shows.
And what is considered a “sitcom?” ROLLING STONE lists THE SIMPSONS as the number one sitcom of all-time? THE SIMPSONS is one of the greatest television shows in the history of the medium, but do animated shows qualify as sitcoms? Some could argue yes; others could argue no. The fact that there’s an argument at all seems to suggest it’s not.
With all that in mind, let me comment on the Top 10. Throughout the 100 there are some rankings that are so absurd they’re not even worth discussing. But let’s center on the Top 10. Setting aside taste, or bias, or anything else — the number one sitcom of all-time has to be I LOVE LUCY. It’s not even close. It was groundbreaking, created an art form, and has continued to run and get amazing ratings for close to 70 years. Six generations from around the world adore that show. And six more generations will discover and love it. I say that and two of the shows above it (CHEERS and THE SIMPSONS) are shows I wrote. They’re not Lucy.
You can’t have an all-time Top 10 without including FRIENDS. You just can’t. That show is so globally beloved it belongs in the Top 3.
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW also needs to be in the Top 10. That show changed the direction of situation comedies, won a boatload of Emmys, and still is being seen and admired today. The Golden Age of smart multi-camera comedy that sprung up in the 70’s and 80’s was because of THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW.
I love both PARKS & REC and LARRY SANDERS but both are niche shows. LARRY SANDERS is a favorite of a smart media-savvy portion of the audience, but in the grand scheme of TV it didn’t move any Seismic Meters. It was for “those in the know.” PARKS & REC never got much attention, was not a ratings juggernaut, got very little Emmy love — it was a terrific well-crafted sitcom, but not worthy of the all-time Top 10.
And as much I love CHEERS, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW needs to rank above it. MARY is where it all started. From MARY came TAXI came CHEERS came FRASIER. Alan Burns & Jim Brooks set a tone and created a style of excellence that led to those other wonderful series. So points for being the first.
MASH belongs in the Top 10. Like LUCY and FRIENDS, it continues to do extraordinarily well in syndication and streaming. ALL IN THE FAMILY turned this country on its ear. SEINFELD was a sensation and inspired comedy — I don’t know how well it’s aging. My sense is it’s fraying. THE HONEYMOONERS is my personal all-time favorite, but would I put it in an overall Top 10? I’m not sure.
So those are my thoughts. Would love to hear yours?
from By Ken Levine
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