best comedy tv shows
Best Comedy TV Shows
Comedy shows have evolved so much in the past few decades. From sitcoms to sketch shows, every series has tried to bring new material for the audience. Here are some of the best comedy TV shows that we have come to love...
A day without laughter is a day wasted.
― Charlie Chaplin
Comedy isn't just about punch lines and gags; it is so much more. A dose of humor is the best way of relieving one's stress and tension. Hence, comedy TV shows are said to be a good way of unwinding after a stressful day at work. These shows have been entertaining people for many years through the medium of television.
Moreover, apart from the shows that have been released in this century, the shows that began in the last century still continue to steal the heart of the audience through their repeat telecast. Most people will agree with me when I say that there are several shows that one can never get bored of, even though one has watched them for 'n' number of times.
So, if you are really a great fan of such series, here is a list of some of the best comedy TV shows that have appeared in television.
Note - The data compiled in the article is as of February, 2013, and in no particular order.
... Animated Series
The world of animation has grown leaps and bounds, and the quality of work we see today on television and movies is tremendous. Although it may seem that animated television shows are always direct towards comedy, there are many undertones present in them. We have provided a small list of top comedy shows that kids and adults have come to appreciate over the time.The Simpsons
Currently in its 25th season, The Simpsons is television's longest-running scripted animated show. This satirical series follows the lives of a working class family living in a fictional town, Springfield. The voice artists for the main characters also provide voices for several other characters as well.
Original Run - 1989 to Present
Main Cast - Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta), Marge Simpson (Julie Kavner), Bart Simpson (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa Simpson (Yeardley Smith), Chief Wiggum (Hank Azaria), and Mr. Burns & Ned Flanders (Harry Shearer)
South Park
The 17th season is scheduled to air in September, 2013, South Park is an adult animated TV series that follows the lives of 4 witty and mouthy grade-schoolers. The story is depicted in South Park, Colorado which has crude language, satirical and surreal humor, and unimaginable adventures.
Original Run - 1997 to Present
Main Cast - Stan Marsh & Eric Cartman (Trey Parker) and Kyle Broflovski & Kenny McCormick (Matt Stone)
Archer
The story is set at ISIS, the International Secret Intelligence Service in New York City, where Archer, a self-centered spy has to deal with global espionage on a daily basis. But that's not all. Almost all the employees working at ISIS, along with resolving crisis, undermine and betray one another too.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Sterling Malory Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), Lane Kane (Aisha Tyler), Malory Archer (Jessica Walter), Cyril Figgis (Chris Parnell), Cheryl/Carol Tunt (Judy Greer), Pam Poovey (Amber Nash), Dr. Algernop Krieger (Lucky Yates), Ray Gillette (Adam Reed), and Woodhouse (George Coe)
Family Guy
The series follows the life of Griffins who reside in a fictional city of Quahog, Rhode Island. The nonadaptive family tries to cope with everyday situations in life. The members of the family are Peter and Lois Griffin, the parents, Meg, Chris, and Stewie, the children, and an anthropomorphic pet dog, Brian.
Original Run - 1999 to 2002, 2005 to Present
Main Cast - Peter, Stewie, & Brian Griffin (Seth MacFarlane), Lois Griffin (Alex Borstein), Chris Griffin (Seth Green), and Meg Griffin (Mila Kunis)
Futurama
This science fiction series follows Philip J. Fry, pizza delivery guy. In the year 1999, he is accidentally frozen for 1000 years, and is thawed back to life on New Year's Eve, 2999. Once back, Fry starts to work with Planet Express which is an interplanetary delivery company of the 31st century.
Original Run - 1999 to 2003, 2008 to Present
Main Cast - Philip Fry & Professor Farnsworth (Billy West), Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal), Bender Bending Rodríguez (John DiMaggio), Mom (Tress MacNeille), Kif Kroker (Maurice LaMarche), Amy Wong (Lauren Tom), Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr), and Scruffy (David Herman)
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes was, is, and perhaps always be one of the best theatrical cartoon shorts. The characters, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester, Speedy Gonzales, Pepé Le Pew, Yosemite Sam, Wile E. Coyote, The Road Runner, Tasmanian Devil, and many more
Original Run - 1930 to 1969
Main Cast - Several voice actors have represented the main characters in Looney Tunes
American Dad
In its 8th season, American Dad is one of the best animated series. Stan Smith is an extreme right wing CIA agent that deals with regular family life situations along with protecting the country in the most nonsensical manners.
Original Run - 2005 to Present
Main Cast - Stan & Roger Smith (Seth MacFarlane), Francine Smith (Wendy Schaal), Steve Smith (Scott Grimes), Hayley Smith (Rachael MacFarlane), Klaus Heissler (Dee Bradley Baker), and Jeff Fischer (Jeff Fischer)
The Ricky Gervais Show
This British cartoon series was made into an animated show from podcasts and audiobooks of the same name. Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington, all three discuss varied subjects in the show.
Original Run - 2010 to 2012
Main Cast - Ricky Gervais as Himself, Stephen Merchant as Himself, and Karl Pilkington as Himself
Bob's Burgers
The show follow The Belcher family, where Bob, the father, owns and runs a hamburger restaurant. The hamburgers at his restaurant is really good, however, his kids don't seem to be of much help.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin), Linda Belcher (John Roberts), Tina Belcher (Dan Mintz), Gene Belcher (Eugene Mirman), and Louise Belcher (Kristen Schaal)
The Bugs Bunny Show
Bugs Bunny, the character and the show don't really require an introduction. With approximately 1040 episodes, this cartoon series was a favorite among many children and adults. The different characters in the series brought joy to millions around the globe.
Original Run - 1960 to 2000
Main Cast - Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck,Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Speedy Gonzales, the Tasmanian Devil (Mel Blanc), Witch Hazel & Granny (June Foray), and many more
Tom & Jerry
Tom Cat has always been behind Jerry Mouse, trying to catch him and make Jerry stop pestering him. However, each time, the smart mouse would flee and find innovative ways to play pranks on Tom.
Original Run - 1947 to 1952
Main Cast - Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse didn't have any voice actors
... Of the Moment
Today, watching television has become a guessing game. With so many series featuring in the comedy genre, it has become next to impossible to choose a good show that is worth the time invested. Of course, we can help you make the decision with ease. We have compiled of some of the best comedy TV shows of the moment. Take a look.Modern Family
Three different families, but all related to one another. The show is presented in a mockumentary style where Jay Pritchett, played by Ed O'Neill, lives with second wife and her son, 2 other children, and their families. With new hardships to tackle each day, the show demonstrates how a modern family deals with them together.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez, and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons
The Big Bang Theory
A hot, not-so-intelligent girl, Penny moves right across the hall from two smart, brilliant physicists, Leonard and Sheldon. Leonard's friends Howard and Raj also make up for the main cast. When brilliance meets beautiful, frustration and comedy is definitely up for grabs.
Original Run - 2007 to Present
Main Cast - Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch, and Kevin Sussman
Louie
The show was conceived, written, directed, edited, produced, and is starred by Louie C.K.; a brilliant stand-up comedian. After being recently divorced, Louie is responsible of raising his 2 daughters in the fabulous New York City. The storylines and segments aren't projected in a chronological manner, and there are many live stand-up performances by Louie himself.
Original Run - 2010 to Present
Main Cast - Louie C.K. Hadley Delany, Ursula Parker, Robert Kelly, Pamela Adlon, Ricky Gervais, David Patrick Kelly, and Susan Kelechi Watson
Melissa & Joey
Mel the youngest Toledo's city councilwoman who, after a family scandal, has to take care of her niece and nephew. Joe, a commodities trader, used to work in Mel's brother-in-law's company who loses his job after the scandal. He takes the job as the kids' male live-in nanny.
Original Run - 2010 to Present
Main Cast - Melissa Joan Hart, Joey Lawrence, Taylor Spreitler, and Nick Robinson
Parks & Recreation
Leslie Knope is a mid-level bureaucrat in the fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana. The show is presented in a mockumentary style where the city's officials try to engage in various projects so they can make Pawnee a better place for its residents.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Paul Schneider, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O'Heir, and Retta
Community
Jeff Winger was a lawyer, until his education gets void by the bar. He then is forced to join a community college in a fictional place of Greendale, Colorado. The show also tells stories of other students who, along with Jeff Winger, join the community college.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Jim Rash, Ken Jeong, and Chevy Chase
Girls
Even after just 2 seasons of Girls have aired, the show has caught quite the audience. The series follows the life of a group of girlfriends who are in their 20s, living in New York City.
Original Run - 2012 to Present
Main Cast - Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, Adam Driver, and Alex Karpovsky
New Girl
After Jess goes through a horrible break-up, she moves in with 3 single guys, who later become best friends. The challenges of work, dating life, love, and everything else in between is the crux of the show.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, and Hannah Simone
Veep
The show revolves around a former Senator Selina Meyer who is a fictional Vice President of the United States and is filmed in a cinéma-vérité style. Quickly enough, Meyer finds out that everything she thought being a Vice President would be, isn't how all she had expected.
Original Run - 2012 to Present
Main Cast - Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, Reid Scott, and Sufe Bradshaw
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Larry David has a good life. But then, what's eating him up? The series tells a fictional life of Larry David who is happily married, but doesn't have any kids. He is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry and is shown, comically, how he doesn't find any of it appealing.
Original Run - 2000 to Present
Main Cast - Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, and Susie Essman
The League
Men love fantasy football, and that's what this show is all about. With 4 seasons down the line, the series follows the lives of 6 friends who take part in a fantasy football league. They love to win and will do anything for it.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Stephen Rannazzisi, Paul Scheer, Jon Lajoie, and Katie Aselton
Workaholics
The series follows the lives of three friends who have been college roommates, but then drop out. Even though they are working now, their lives are still like college students with constant drinking, partying, and playing pranks on others as they learn to become and behave like adults.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, and Anders Holm
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Five friends, who own and run an Irish bar in South Philadelphia named Paddy's Pub. All of them are dishonest, selfish, egotistic, manipulative, lazy, ignorant, greedy, and so much more. They are most making plans and schemes, conspiring against one another, and how they can gain something in return; all that in good humor for the audience.
Original Run - 2005 to Present
Main Cast - Glenn Howerton, Danny DeVito, Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, and Kaitlin Olson
Happy Endings
The show is based in Chicago where 6 best friends try to learn what it means to be an adult. With love problems and life issues coming at them from every angle, the friends stick together through thick and thin.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Zachary Knighton, Adam Pally, Damon Wayans, Jr., and Casey Wilson
Nurse Jackie
Jackie Peyton is an emergency room nurse who is also a drug addict. She works at All Saints' Hospital in New York City while finding a balance between work and her personal life.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Edie Falco, Eve Best, Merritt Wever, Haaz Sleiman, Paul Schulze, Dominic Fumusa, Anna Deavere Smith, Ruby Jerins, Mackenzie Aladjem, and Peter Facinelli
Californication
Hank Moody is a novelist who's been having a writer's block for quite some time now. But that's not the only problem with Hank. He just can't seem to stay away from drugs, his constant need for sex, beautiful women, and alcohol, along with being a responsible father to his daughter and monogamous girlfriend
Original Run - 2007 to Present
Main Cast - David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone, Pamela Adlon, Madeleine Martin, Evan Handler, and Madeline Zima
Shameless
Frank Gallagher is a divorced, single father of six children. While Frank stays drunk almost all the time, is narcissistic, and completely selfish, his kids are he ones who have to be adults and take care of themselves and one another as best as they can.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Justin Chatwin, Ethan Cutkosky, Shanola Hampton, Steve Howey, Emma Kenney, Cameron Monaghan, Jeremy Allen White, Noel Fisher, Emma Greenwell, Zach McGowan, and Laura Slade Wiggins
Parenthood
The show focuses on a big, family of 18, the Bravermans who live in Southern California. The family tree spans till 3 generations where Zeek and Camille are the grandparents. Their eldest son, Adam lives with them and his wife and three kids. They have a daughter, Sarah who has 2 kids of her own. The grandparents also have another son, Crosby who has a wife and a son. Also, one more daughter, Sydney who has adopted a young boy.
Original Run - 2010 to Present
Main Cast - Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen, Sam Jaeger, Savannah Paige Rae, Sarah Ramos, Max Burkholder, Joy Bryant, Miles Heizer, Mae Whitman, Bonnie Bedelia, Craig T. Nelson, Tyree Brown, and Xolo Mariduena
How I Met Your Mother
A love story in reverse, Ted Mosby is retelling his and his four best friends' stories, along with him dating other women and finally finding his kids' mother in New York City.
Original Run - 2005 to Present
Main Cast - Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, and Alyson Hannigan
Suburgatory
George Altman is a single father who has moved from New York City to the suburbs with his teenage daughter. However, the daughter doesn't really like the idea of moving to the suburbs after having such a "perfect" life in NYC.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Jeremy Sisto, Jane Levy, Ana Gasteyer, Rex Lee, Carly Chaikin, Allie Grant, Chris Parnell, Alan Tudyk, and Cheryl Hines
Episodes
The series follows the life of a husband-wife comedy writing team who, after winning a BAFTA Award for their British show, move to Hollywood so they can make an American version of their show. The couple are pressured by the network into hiring Matt LeBlanc as the lead. But since its Hollywood, troubles and issues soon follow.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Matt LeBlanc, Stephen Mangan, Tamsin Greig, John Pankow, Kathleen Rose Perkins, and Mircea Monroe
Wilfred
The show follows the life of Ryan Newman who tries to commit suicide by preparing a drug cocktail. However, he fails. He's a depressive man who takes care of his neighbor's dog for a day. But after that, instead of seeing a dog, he sees a fully grown man in a dog suit.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Elijah Wood, Jason Gann, Fiona Gubelmann, and Dorian Brown
Eastbound & Down
The show follows the life of a burned-out major league ballplayer, Kenny Powers. Years ago, he had turned his back on his hometown, but now, he's back at his old middle school where he ends up teaching physical education to the students.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Danny McBride, Steve Little, Katy Mixon, John Hawkes, Andrew Daly, Jennifer Irwin, Ana de la Reguera, Michael Peña, Marco Rodriguez, Efren Ramirez, and Ike Barinholtz
... Of All Time
There are many series that even after they've been off air, it hasn't made a difference in us liking them. These shows are masterpiece in their own areas, and will always be at the top of our lists. With unbeatable humor and countless unforgettable moments, let's take a look at some of the TV series that were.Arrested Development
Smart son, Michael Bluth takes over the family business after his father, George Bluth, Sr. goes to prison. But that's not all. Michael doesn't just have to deal with the business, but also find a way to keep his dysfunctional family together.
Original Run - 2003 to 2006, 2013 (season 4)
Main Cast - Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor, and Jessica Walter
Entourage
The show follows the life of a young A-list movie star, Vincent Chase and his childhood friends in Los Angeles, California. They move from New York to California, and learn to adapt to the Hollywood lifestyle. The show is loosely based on Mark Wahlberg's experiences as a movie star.
Original Run - 2004 to 2011
Main Cast - Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Jeremy Piven, Debi Mazar, Perrey Reeves, Rex Lee, Rhys Coiro, Gary Cole, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Scott Caan
The Office (UK Series)
This mockumentary show follows the lives of office employees in a fictional company. David Brent, played by Ricky Gervais, is the main character and has to manage the company at the time of downsizing its branches. The show is presented in such a way that the employees know that there is a camera present (like an office documentary).
Original Run - 2001 to 2003
Main Cast - Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis, Oliver Chris, Patrick Baladi, Stacey Roca, Ralph Ineson, and Stirling Gallacher
30 Rock
After 7 seasons, 30 Rock came to an end. The show primarily presents what happens behind the scenes of a television show. Liz Lemon, who is a head writer of a sketch comedy show "TGS with Tracy Jordan", is shown dealing with challenging tasks of trying to run a successful show. Her boss is quite arrogant and the rest of the cast and crew have their own set of problems.
Original Run - 2006 to 2013
Main Cast - Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Katrina Bowden, Keith Powell, Lonny Ross, John Lutz, Kevin Brown, Grizz Chapman, and Maulik Pancholy
The IT Crowd
The series follows the work and personal lives of 3 IT support team members in a fictional British corporation in London. Their office is in the basement which is messy and dingy.
Original Run - 2006 to 2010
Main Cast - Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, and Matt Berry
The Office (US Series)
The American version of the British hit show, The Office is a comedy series which follows the everyday office lives of the employees in a fictional company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The show is filmed with a single camera, mockumetary style, where the employees deal with each others' ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and the usual boredom at work.
Original Run - 2005 to Present
Main Cast - Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Kate Flannery, Creed Bratton, Oscar Nuñez, B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, Ed Helms, Paul Lieberstein, Craig Robinson, and many more
Scrubs
The series follows the professional and personal lives of the employees at a fictitious teaching hospital named Sacred Heart. The central character, J.D. (Dr. John Dorian) presents most of the episodes with his daydreams and slapstick comedy. The show is different from other comedy shows in terms of writing and presentation. Along with the elements of humor, the show also deals with friendship, love, life, and loss.
Original Run - 2001 to 2010
Main Cast - Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins, John C. McGinley, Judy Reyes, Eliza Coupe, Kerry Bishé, Michael Mosley, and Dave Franco
Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld plays a fictional version of himself in this series based in New York City. Each episode has Seinfeld doing a stand-up act. Along with him, the show depicts the stories of his three New York friends.
Original Run - 1989 to 1998
Main Cast - Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander
F•R•I•E•N•D•S
The show focuses on the professional and personal lives of 6 friends living in Manhattan.
Original Run - 1994 to 2004
Main Cast - Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer
3rd Rock From the Sun
The series is about 4 extraterrestrials/aliens who have been sent to earth, disguised as a human family. They are supposed to lead a normal human life, learning and experiencing it thoroughly.
Original Run - 1996 to 2001
Main Cast - John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jane Curtin, Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, and Wayne Knight
M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H was adapted from the 1970 movie of the same name. It follows the lives of an army hospital staff in the Korean war. In between the war, the show depicts how laughter can be the only way to deal with situations that come your way.
Original Run - 1972 to 1983
Main Cast - Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Gary Burghoff, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, and David Ogden Stiers
Everybody Loves Raymond
Ray Barone is a successful sports writer who lives in Lynbrook, New York with his wife and 3 children. The interesting part is, his parents and elder brother, who's a New York City police officer, live across the street from them. The show focuses on how Ray tries to keep sanity alive amongst all the drama that enfolds each day.
Original Run - 1996 to 2005
Main Cast - Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin, Sawyer, and Sullivan Sweeten
Weeds
Nancy Botwin is a widow and a mother of two boys. After her husband's sudden death due to heart attack, in order to support her family, she begins to sell marijuana.
Original Run - 2005 to 2012
Main Cast - Mary Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Tonye Patano, Romany Malco, Indigo, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Andy Milder, Allie Grant, Justin Kirk, and Kevin Nealon
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The shows focuses on Will Smith who lives in Philadelphia with his mother. After getting into some trouble, her mom asks her sister, who lives in California with her husband and 4 kids, to take him in. The series depicts what happens when a street-smart kid from Philadelphia cope and adjust to the high life of Bel Air.
Original Run - 1990 to 1996
Main Cast - Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Ross Bagley
That '70s Show
The show is set in Wisconsin, from 1976 to 1979. The series focuses on the lives of 6 teenage friends in the 70s who have varied personalities and aspirations from life.
Original Run - 1998 to 2006
Main Cast - Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Tanya Roberts, Don Stark, Lisa Robin Kelly, Tommy Chong, and Josh Meyers
Frasier
Dr. Frasier Crane is a radio psychiatrist who moves to Seattle, Washington after he separates from his wife. He moves to Seattle and takes brings his father and Moose (the dog) to live with him, a retired Seattle Police Department detective. Since his father has issues with mobility, he hires an English physiotherapist, Daphne. His brother Niles, who's also a psychiatrist, is infatuated with her.
Original Run - 1993 to 2004
Main Cast - Kelsey Grammer, Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce, Peri Gilpin, John Mahoney, and Moose (the dog)
I Love Lucy
Who doesn't love Lucy?! Lucy is a sweet, yet silly housewife married to Ricky Ricardo, a Cuban conga drummer. They live across the hall from their landlords and best friends, Fred and Ethel Mertz. While trying various ways to become famous with her husband's band, she ends up getting into weird situations.
Original Run - 1951 to 1957
Main Cast - Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, and Keith Thibodeaux
The Cosby Show
The show focuses on an affluent African-American family, the Huxtables, living in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Heathcliff Huxtable, the father, is an obstetrician and Clair Huxtable, the mother, is an attorney. They have 5 kids, 4 daughters and 1 one. The show depicts the family's everyday life and how each day teaches us something new about ourselves and the world.
Original Run - 1984 to 1992
Main Cast - Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashād, Sabrina Le Beauf, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Geoffrey Owens, Raven-Symoné, and Erika Alexander
My Name Is Earl
Earl Hickey is a petty criminal and can't do anything else. He wins a $100,000 lottery but loses the ticket when he's hit by a car while he's celebrating. As he recuperates in the hospital, he gets an epiphany or a realization that it was karma. So from then onwards, he decides to right all the wrongs he has done till date.
Original Run - 2005 to 2009
Main Cast - Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jaime Pressly, Eddie Steeples, and Nadine Velazquez
Mind Your Language
Jeremy Brown is an English teacher who teaches English as a Foreign Language class to immigrants. The students are from various countries like India, Italy, Germany, China, Spain, France, Japan, Greece, Pakistan, Sweden, and Hungary.
Original Run - 1977 to 1986
Main Cast - Barry Evans, Zara Nutley, Albert Moses, George Camiller, Jacki Harding, Ricardo Montez, Robert Lee, Pik-Sen Lim, Kevork Malikyan, Jamila Massey, Françoise Pascal, Dino Shafeek, and Anna Bergman
...Sketch, Improvisational, Talk Show
In this category, we have compiled a list of shows which don't follow the sitcom format of comedy series. These sketch or improvisational comedy shows, talk shows, and stand-up series have been popular and loved by many. With witty remarks about our world in general, these shows truly deserve a mention.Saturday Night Live
For 38 years now, Saturday Night Live has been one of the best and most popular live sketch comedy shows in television history.
Original Run - 1975 to Present
Main Cast - Huge cast list with guest stars and musical guests each week
Key & Peele
It is a sketch comedy where Key and Peele perform in front of a live studio audience. There are also many film shorts and sketches in between.
Original Run - 2012 to Present
Main Cast - Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
The show is an improvisational comedy series, a spin-off of the British show of the same name. Drew Carey presents the show, while the three other cast members are performers along with a fourth guest member. Each episode, the members are given different situations, games, and sketches on stage and they have to improvise as they go along.
Original Run - 1998 to 2007
Main Cast - Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, and Wayne Brady
Portlandia
The show is set and filmed in Portland, Oregon. It is a satirical sketch comedy show where both the cast members perform different characters and situations.
Original Run - 2011 to Present
Main Cast - Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein
Tosh.0
Pronounced as Tosh point oh, this show is hosted by Daniel Tosh. As our world is today, seen by the common man through television, news, celebrity gossips, and stereotypes, Tosh provides commentary about it all.
Original Run - 2009 to Present
Main Cast - Daniel Tosh
The Whitest Kids U'Know
The show is a sketch comedy program where different sketches are being performed by the cast members and other actors.
Original Run - 2007 to 2011
Main Cast - Sam Brown, Zach Cregger, Trevor Moore, Darren Trumeter, and Timmy Williams
The Burn with Jeff Ross
This panel show is hosted by Jeff Ross where he chooses targets to roast (public presentation of comedic insults, praises, and outlandish stories)
Original Run - 2012 to Present
Main Cast - Jeff Ross
The State
This sketch comedy show combines bizarre situations with incredibly-bizarre cast members.
Original Run - 1993 to 1995
Main Cast - Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, and David Wain
In Living Color
The sketch comedy show is an African-American focused series (as the majority of the cast members were African-American) which was created, written, and starred by Keenan and Damon Wayans, along with several cast members (who are now famous comedians).
Original Run - 1990 to 1994
Main Cast - Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, Kim Wayans, Tommy Davidson, Kelly Coffield Park, Shawn Wayans, Deidre Lang, Al Chalk, Marlon Wayans, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Jamie Foxx, Damon Wayans, Twist, Jennifer Lopez, and many more