It's almost time for the Golden Globes and, in turn, a new batch of series set to start off 2024. Considering this, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Sitcoms. For inclusion on this list the series needs to be live-action and not animated.
Each writer ranks his or her top 15 series in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
For me, Arrested Development (the first three seasons, anyways) is the best sitcom of all-time. Sure, it fell off in the final two seasons, but that is more of a testament to just how hilarious the first three seasons were. The result of the combined efforts of Mitchell Hurwitz (creator) and Ron Howard (executive producer and narrator), the addition of some of the most subversively clever writing ever, and the ubiquitous comedic timing of a superstar cast is pure comedy gold. I know I will never be able to hear “The Final Countdown” by Europe without laughing and thinking of Gob (Will Arnett). If for some mystifying reason you haven’t had the privilege, I highly recommend giving it a shot, and I am jealous of what you have in store. - Preston
4. IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia flips the modern sitcom on its head, actively rejecting all of the clichéd tropes that audiences have come to expect from their traditional workplace comedies. There are no predictable “will-they-won’t-they relationships” or “adorkable” protagonists here, and there are no lessons to be learned or significant character growth of any kind. Instead, the audience gets to watch as the strange, eccentric “Gang” that runs Paddy’s Pub spirals further and further into absolute depravity. Hilariously offensive, endlessly quotable, and utterly insane, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is anything but your average sitcom… and that’s exactly why we love it so much. - Caleb
3. SEINFELD
Although Seinfeld has been famously described as “a show about nothing,” it’s actually an incredibly relatable examination of social interactions and mundane experiences that we all go through. Things like getting lost in a parking garage or waiting for a table at a restaurant are mined for comedy gold. On top of that, there are near-infinite aspects, quotes, and characters that have informed the pop culture zeitgeist for nearly three decades. You’ve got The Soup Nazi, Festivus, and being “Master of your Domain,” not to mention a Who’s Who of young guest stars like Bob Odenkirk, Bryan Cranston, James Spader, and Jon Favreau. Lastly, the “no hugging, no learning” rule instituted by show creators Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld has inspired a whole new breed of great sitcoms, including the two named above. - Quentin
2. THE OFFICE (US)
The American remake of The Office never fails to make its viewers smile. From the hilarious cold opens to the charming end credits, this over-the-top sitcom that ran for nine seasons has something for everyone, becoming one of the best comfort shows around. You can always guarantee that the Dunder Mifflin staff will make you laugh out loud, whether it's through Jim and Pam's (John Krasinksi and Jenna Fischer) shenanigans, Dwight Schrute's (Rainn Wilson) preposterousness, or Michael Scott's (Steve Carell) cringy tangents. The Office, with its distinct documentary-style format, has created a long-lasting impact on the television industry, and it still is and always will be a beloved series thanks to its devoted fans. - Paige
1. COMMUNITY
I can't think of a more unique sitcom than Community, plain and simple. Yes, its fourth season was not the best for many well-documented reasons, but the first three seasons and the final two seasons were so great that it cancels that out. The show uses its gang of misfits (played perfectly by its core cast of Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, and Chevy Chase) and its unconventional setting to create an imaginative and innovative show that blends absurdist humour and parody to create something special and genuinely heartwarming. By the final episode, I felt so connected to Greendale and its students that I couldn't let go... so I watched it again. And again. - Adriano
HONORABLE MENTIONS
THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR
FRIENDS
PARKS AND RECREATION
MODERN FAMILY
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS
Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Fox; Photo 2 - FX; Photo 3, 4, 5 - NBC