Let’s be real - not every TV show is worth your time. With hundreds of new series dropping every year, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. But some shows? They don’t just entertain. They change how we laugh, how we think, and sometimes even how we talk to our friends. If you’re looking for the top 10 TV series ever - specifically in comedy - this list cuts through the fluff. These aren’t just popular. They’re timeless. They shaped the genre. And they still hold up, no matter how many years have passed.
Seinfeld (1989-1998)
It’s called a "show about nothing," but that’s the genius of it. Seinfeld is a sitcom built on the tiny, awkward moments of everyday life. Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer don’t solve crimes or save the world. They argue over who gets the last muffin. They try to return a sweater. They get stuck in a parking garage. And somehow, it’s hilarious. The show had zero moral lessons, zero emotional arcs - just pure, unfiltered observation. It ran for nine seasons, won six Emmys, and became the first TV show to earn over $1 million per episode in syndication. Even today, if you say "yada yada yada," anyone under 50 will know exactly what you mean.
Friends (1994-2004)
It’s easy to roll your eyes at Friends - it’s set in New York, everyone looks perfect, and the coffee shop never closes. But that’s the point. It gave us a fake family we all wanted to be part of. Ross and Rachel. Phoebe’s weird songs. Chandler’s sarcasm. Monica’s OCD. The show didn’t just make us laugh - it made us feel seen. It aired on NBC for ten years, averaged over 24 million viewers per episode, and still pulls in 1.5 billion streams annually on Netflix. It’s not high art. But it’s comfort TV at its finest.
The Office (U.S.) (2005-2013)
Before The Office was a hit, it was a risky idea - a mockumentary about paper salesmen. No laugh track. No studio audience. Just cringe, awkward pauses, and Michael Scott saying things like, "That’s what she said." The show’s genius was in its realism. The characters weren’t exaggerated caricatures - they were people you’ve worked with. Dwight’s loyalty. Jim’s pranks. Pam’s quiet strength. It won a Golden Globe and two Emmys. Even now, if you’ve ever had a boss who didn’t know how to lead, you’ll find Michael Scott painfully familiar.
Ted Lasso (2020-2023)
It sounds ridiculous on paper: an American football coach with zero soccer knowledge moves to England to manage a failing Premier League team. But Ted Lasso became a global phenomenon because it wasn’t really about soccer. It was about kindness. About showing up even when you’re broken. Jason Sudeikis’ performance as Ted - endlessly optimistic, emotionally honest, and hilariously clueless - turned a niche idea into an emotional rollercoaster. The show won 19 Emmys in its first two seasons alone. It proved that comedy doesn’t need cynicism to be powerful.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
This show blends police procedural with absurd humor, and somehow it works. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is set in a New York precinct where the detectives are equal parts brilliant and ridiculous. Jake Peralta? A man-child who solves crimes with video game logic. Rosa Diaz? A stoic, tattooed badass who hates hugs. Captain Holt? A gay Black police captain who speaks in perfect, deadpan sentences. The show tackled real issues - racism, homophobia, workplace inequality - without ever losing its sense of fun. It had a 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and became a cult favorite for its sharp writing and diverse cast.
Arrested Development (2003-2006, 2013-2019)
It’s the show that was canceled too soon - then resurrected. Arrested Development follows the Bluth family: a dysfunctional clan of con artists, egomaniacs, and delusional dreamers. Every joke has a callback. Every line hides a detail you didn’t catch the first time. The narrator (Ron Howard) drops hints like breadcrumbs. It’s dense. It’s clever. And it’s the reason so many modern comedies now use rapid-fire callbacks and visual gags. It only lasted three seasons originally - but its influence? It’s everywhere. From Modern Family to Succession, you can trace its DNA.
The Good Place (2016-2020)
What if heaven wasn’t what you thought? The Good Place starts as a sitcom about a selfish woman who accidentally ends up in the afterlife. Then it becomes a philosophical exploration of ethics, morality, and what makes a person good. It’s packed with jokes about afterlife bureaucracy, bad yoga, and zombie pandas. But it also asks real questions: Can people change? Is doing good enough? The final season is one of the most emotionally satisfying endings in TV history. It won two Emmys and turned philosophy into must-watch comedy.
Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
Leslie Knope is the most relentlessly optimistic character ever put on TV. Parks and Recreation follows her as she tries to make her small-town government work. She organizes festivals, writes fan letters to her heroes, and believes in the power of waffles. The show’s humor is warm, not sarcastic. It’s about community, not chaos. Ron Swanson’s love of meat and disdain for government? Iconic. April Ludgate’s deadpan nihilism? Perfect. It ran seven seasons and quietly became one of the most beloved comedies of the 2010s - not because it was loud, but because it was kind.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
Yes, this one’s a movie. But it’s also TV. And it’s comedy. Sort of. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is an interactive episode of the dystopian anthology. You make choices for the main character - a game developer trying to adapt a choose-your-own-adventure book. The humor? Dark. Absurd. And strangely funny. When you pick the wrong option, the show mocks you. It breaks the fourth wall. It asks: "Are you really in control?" It’s not a laugh-out-loud show, but its satire of free will, corporate control, and gaming culture is razor-sharp. It won a Primetime Emmy and redefined what interactive TV could be.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003)
It’s British. It’s slow. It’s about two brothers selling junk in Peckham. But Only Fools and Horses is one of the most-watched comedies in UK history. Del Boy and Rodney’s get-rich-quick schemes always fail - but they never give up. The show ran for 22 years, with its Christmas special in 1996 pulling in 24 million viewers - more than half the UK population. The humor is physical, heartfelt, and rooted in working-class life. It’s the British equivalent of Seinfeld - but with more rain, more pies, and a lot more heart.
Why These Shows? Not Just Laughs
These ten aren’t just funny. They’re smart. They’re brave. They take risks. Some of them make you cry before you laugh. Others make you rethink your own life. They all have something in common: they didn’t chase trends. They trusted their voice. Whether it’s the quiet dignity of Leslie Knope or the chaotic brilliance of Michael Scott, these shows gave us characters we didn’t just watch - we cared about.
What Makes a Comedy Last?
Most sitcoms die after five seasons. Why do these ten stick around? It’s not just the jokes. It’s the world they built. The rhythm of their dialogue. The way they handle failure, loneliness, and hope. Seinfeld taught us that nothing is too small to be funny. Ted Lasso showed us kindness can be a superpower. Arrested Development proved comedy can be a puzzle. And Only Fools and Horses reminded us that sometimes, the most meaningful thing you can do is try - even if you fail.
What’s Missing? Why Not Other Shows?
You might be thinking: "What about The Simpsons?" Or Family Guy? Or 30 Rock?" All great. But this list focuses on live-action, character-driven comedies that changed how stories are told on TV. Animated shows, sketch comedy, and parody series have their own legacy - but this list is about shows where the characters feel real enough to call your friend after watching.
Where to Watch
Most of these are on streaming platforms. Friends and The Office are on Max. Ted Lasso and Brooklyn Nine-Nine are on Apple TV+. Parks and Rec is on Peacock. Arrested Development is on Netflix. Only Fools and Horses is on BritBox. If you’re looking for a binge that’ll make you laugh, cry, and rethink your life - start here.
Are these the only great comedy TV shows ever?
No, there are dozens of other brilliant comedies - like Barry, Atlanta, Succession (yes, it’s darkly funny), and Abbott Elementary. But this list focuses on shows that had the biggest cultural impact, changed how comedy was made, or defined an era. They’re the ones people still quote, rewatch, and recommend decades later.
Why is Seinfeld still relevant today?
Because it turned ordinary life into comedy gold. Today’s shows like Barry and Reservation Dogs still use its "no lessons, just laughs" formula. The way it captured social awkwardness, petty grievances, and meaningless routines? It’s the blueprint for modern observational comedy. You can’t watch a single episode of Seinfeld and not see its influence in today’s best sitcoms.
Which of these shows is best for someone who hates sitcoms?
Try The Good Place or Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. They’re not traditional sitcoms. The Good Place blends philosophy with absurd humor, while Bandersnatch turns you into part of the story. Both challenge what comedy can be. If you hate clichés like laugh tracks or perfect endings, these will surprise you.
Is Friends still worth watching in 2026?
Absolutely. The jokes hold up. The chemistry between the cast is real. And if you’ve ever felt lost, lonely, or just trying to figure out adulthood - you’ll still relate. It’s not perfect. But it’s comforting. And comfort is still one of the most powerful things comedy can offer.
Why include Only Fools and Horses on a global list?
Because it’s one of the most influential comedies ever made. It didn’t just entertain Britain - it shaped how other countries told working-class stories. Its mix of slapstick, heart, and social commentary inspired shows from Australia to Canada. And its Christmas special remains the most-watched sitcom episode in history. Global impact doesn’t always mean worldwide popularity - sometimes, it means changing how an entire culture laughs.
