Seinfeld is one of the best sitcoms of all time, and even after all these years, some of the cast remain close. However, it wasn’t always like that. Jason Alexander got real on what really happened between them after the show ended back in 1998 and I’m pretty surprised.

The NBC hit ran for nine seasons, so you would assume that the core cast, consisting of Alexander, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards, would have remained in touch. The brutal truth is that was not the case. In an interview posted by Instagram user seinfeldarchive, Alexander recalled what it was like while filming Seinfeld and what eventually happened when they wrapped. He admitted that the four of them didn’t actually get to interact “all that much” and that their lives “went in very different directions.” It only got worse when they finished shooting the series:

Even though it’s hard to hear that the four of them didn’t stay super close after filming, it is understandable. They were all busy, moving on from Seinfeld. Alexander even confessed to staying closer with the supporting cast like Bryan Cranston, Jerry Stiller, Estelle Harris, Patrick Warburton, and Wayne Knight, and it might just be because they were more on his wavelength.

It does sound like Seinfeld, Louis-Dreyfus, Alexander, and Richards have that kind of bond where they can pick up right where they left off the moment they see each other again. I do also love that they’re still supporting one another and are down for anything, as Alexander explained. That’s a pretty special bond that they have, and one that they will probably have forever, even if it doesn’t seem like it.

Meanwhile, Seinfeld, Louis-Dreyfus, and Larry David reunited over the holidays last year, and understandably, Seinfeld fans were loving it. While the trio didn’t get together to celebrate Festivus, they did get together on Christmas Eve, and from the photos, they were definitely having a blast. The only thing that would have made it better was if Richards and Alexander had joined them, but perhaps this upcoming holiday season or sooner.

Following the mini reunion last year, fans were clamoring for more, such as a reunion special, likely along the lines of Friends and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Perhaps maybe a revival like Frasier, Will & Grace, and Full House. Seinfeld definitely has the popularity to do either of those things, so it’s definitely a possibility. Even if a revival, on-screen reunion, or Seinfeld movie doesn’t happen, it doesn’t seem like the off-camera reunions will stop any time soon, even if they don’t happen as frequently as people hope. Fans can always watch all eight seasons with a Netflix subscription to get their Seinfeld fix.

Jon Favreau has had a pretty illustrious career since breaking into the entertainment industry in the ‘80s, acting, directing, writing, and producing numerous projects over the years. Between Elf, the MCU, and his first big-screen Star Wars project The Mandalorian and Grogu, Favreau has done quite a lot, but he wasn’t always so well-known. In fact, one of his earliest acting credits was on Seinfeld in the early ‘90s, and he kept getting asked one pretty ridiculous question.

Long before bringing Baby Yoda to the 2026 movies schedule, however, Favreau made his television debut in the 1994 Season 5 episode “The Fire,” portraying Eric the Clown, a birthday party entertainer who ends up getting into an argument with George (Jason Alexander). The role was brought up during an interview with Rotten Tomatoes that Favreau was doing for The Mandalorian and Grogu. He admitted that while it was a high point in his career and he had so much fun, there was one glaring problem:

Considering Favreau was in full-on clown makeup, complete with the wardrobe, hair, and red, round nose, it’s not surprising that people thought he was actually a clown. It just makes his guest appearance all the more hilarious. Plus, it just shows how great an actor he was, even back then, to make people believe he was truly a clown.

Of course, that misconception was almost definitely because of the colorful get-up, but regardless, it’s pretty funny and ridiculous finding out that people thought he was a clown.

Even with the clown mix-up, Favreau reflected on how great it was to be on Seinfeld during its peak and see the creative process up close. His scene was definitely memorable, and not just because of the clown outfit. It may have been 30 years since his episode aired, but it’s clear that it will always hold a big place in his heart. That and his convincing clown skills.

Meanwhile, Favreau is one of many actors you’ve forgotten were on Seinfeld. The beloved sitcom ran on NBC for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998 and is often regarded as one of the best sitcoms of all time. Other actors who appeared on the series include Sarah Silverman, Bob Odenkirk, Daniel Dae Kim, Mariska Hargitay, Jennifer Coolidge, Courteney Cox, Debra Jo Rupp, and Maggie Wheeler, among others. Some appeared very briefly, while others had a bit of a more prominent role, but all were memorable when you go back and rewatch.

It can be assumed that Favreau doesn’t get mistaken like he did when he was on Seinfeld anymore, thanks to all the roles and projects he’s done. But at least he has a fun story to tell about Seinfeld, no matter how ridiculous it may be. And he does seem to have a job to fall back on if acting doesn’t work out. Seinfeld is one of the best shows to binge watch on Netflix, so fans can check out his episode and the rest of the series now.

While I wasn’t old enough to watch Seinfeld when it originally ran on NBC, I’ve been a fan of the sitcom for well over 20 years now. So I’ve had plenty of time to think about what I consider to be the best Seinfeld episodes, and one of those is the third episode of Season 8, titled “The Bizarro Jerry.” The Elaine plot of the episode amusingly channels the “opposite” nature of the DC Comics villain Bizarro Superman, or just Bizarro. In fact, there was even a statue of the character included, and there’s a fun backstory behind that.

What “The Bizarro Jerry” Is About

At the beginning of “The Bizarro Jerry,” Elaine breaks up with Tim DeKay’s Kevin, who was introduced in the prior episode, and tells him that she just wants to be friends with him. Now for some people, and certainly more often than not with the Seinfeld characters, the interest in just being friends is hollow, and the ex-partners go their separate ways and never interact again. Kevin, however, is enthusiastic about the idea, which catches her off guard.

It turns out that Kevin is a much more reliable and considerate friend to Elaine than Jerry. This prompts Jerry to dub Kevin the “Bizarro Jerry,” referring Bizarro, who was introduced in 1958’s Superboy #68. Elaine then meets Kevin’s friends, Gene and Feldman, who are George and Kramer’s opposites. They’re just as nice as Kevin is, but those are far from the only differences between this trio and the main characters.

Kevin, Gene and Feldman eat at Reggie’s Diner, the Bizarro counterpart of Monk’s Cafe. They read instead of watch TV. Feldman knocks on Kevin’s door and asks to come in rather than barge into the apartment like Kramer does at Jerry’s. Kevin likes pasta instead of cereal, rides a unicycle instead of a bike, and he’s good friends with Vargus, the Bizarro Newman. I could go on, but one thing that caught my eye as a young DC Comics fan way back when was that Kevin had a Bizarro Superman statue in his apartment, representing the opposite of Jerry’s Superman fandom.

How That Bizarro Superman Statue Was Included

As I got older, I wondered about where the statue came from. “The Bizarro Jerry” aired on October 3, 1996, and while there were certainly comic book stores around and various ways to purchase Superman merchandise, I imagine a Bizarro Superman statue wouldn’t have been the easiest thing to find. As it turns out, the Seinfeld crew didn’t buy the statue, but rather made it… sort of.

In an interview with Cracked, Seinfeld writer David Mandel revealed that a Bizarro Superman “didn’t actually exist at the time,” so Stan Ascough, the show’s “prop guy,” found a regular Superman figurine and painted it to look like Bizarro. I admire Ascough going the extra mile to pull off a simple background joke, and I especially appreciate that he painted on Bizarro’s classic stone medallion that says “Bizarro #1.” No doubt that’s because inverting the ’S’ shield on the figurine would have been too time intensive.

Seinfeld can be streamed with a Netflix subscription for those interested in watching “The Bizarro Jerry” or any of the show’s other classic episodes. If you’d rather do a deep dive on Bizarro, use your HBO Max subscription to check out TV shows featuring him, like Superman: The Animated Series and Superman & Lois.

Seinfeld is regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time – but there were undeniably criticisms of the show during its run, and one concerned the performing skills of its titular lead. While Jerry Seinfeld was a talented writer and stand-up comedian, he didn't have any acting training, and particularly in the early years, it wasn't terribly hard to tell (it even became a running joke during the super meta Season 4 storyline).

Keep all that in mind as you read David Alan Grier's recent comments about auditioning for Seinfeld and being instantly convinced that the show was going to fail.

The actor currently has a great gig playing Dr. Ron Leonard on the NBC series St. Denis Medical, but he looked back on a couple of his early career mistakes during a recent visit to Today with Jenna & Sheinelle. In addition to admitting that he passed on Ace Ventura: Pet Detective because it was a "bad script," he recounted auditioning for the role of George Costanza on Seinfeld and his thoughts while doing a reading with the show's co-creator:

Grier didn't specifically say that he got an offer to play the part, but he certainly makes it sound like if he did, he would have passed.

For what it's worth, this probably worked out for the best. While David Alan Grier is a talented actor, I can't say I have ever seen him play the kind of lying, selfish, cowardly weasel that is George Costanza, and I don't know if those tools are in his toolbox. It's also just impossible to imagine anyone other than Jason Alexander playing that part, and his seven consecutive Emmy nominations from 1992 to 1998 are evidence of that (he was notably defeated by his co-star Michael Richards three times during that stretch)

David Alan Grier has never had a hit as big as Seinfeld during his career, but he has earned plenty of acclaim during his near half-century long run in film and television – up to and including his aforementioned role on St. Denis Medical. The sitcom, co-starring Allison Tolman, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Lawson, Kahyun Kim, and Mekki Leeper, is currently in the midst of its second season and has already been renewed for a Season 3. If you haven't watched, you can catch up with smart use of a Peacock subscription, and doing so soon would be a smart play, as the final two episodes of Season 2 will air across the next two Mondays (March 30 and April 6) on NBC at 8/7c.

Looking back on the career of Jennifer Coolidge, she has had a hell of a run in Hollywood. A constant presence in film and television since the mid-1990s, she was once best known for playing Stifler’s Mom in the American Pie movies, but she experienced a renaissance in the last few years thanks to her role on The White Lotus – which ultimately earned her an Emmy. She is beloved by audiences everywhere… and what makes it all particularly funny is that all of her success can arguably be linked back to a few lies.

Audiences know Coolidge from a wide number of roles, but her on screen career began with a single-episode part on Seinfeld back in 1993 – and she admits that she told a few harmless fibs that led her to getting the part. For an oral history feature by GQ chronicling the many, many girlfriends Jerry Seinfeld had on the classic 1990s sitcom, Coolidge revealed that she severely padded her resume to get the role of Jodi on the show, which was her very first television gig. She recalled,

(If you’re curious: She TV did not exactly end up having the same legacy as Seinfeld, as the woman-fronted sketch show only lasted one season and six episodes).

For those who possibly don’t remember Coolidge’s time as one of Jerry’s girlfriends, she played the titular role in the Season 5 episode “The Masseuse.” Named Jodi, she starts dating the show’s main character but frustrates him to the extreme because she is unwilling to give him a professional rub down. She ends up expressing a deep disdain for George whenever he hangs out with Jerry, causing him to unwittingly fall in love with her, but she is best known for delivering the line, “I don't submit to forcible massage,” after Jerry tries to trick her into working on him.

The 1993 Seinfeld episode allowed Jennifer Coolidge to erase one lie off of her resume, and while her other earliest work isn’t nearly as memorable (movies like Plump Fiction and a short-lived SNL competitor called Saturday Night Special), she eventually started to land more significant roles in more significant productions. Fast forward 30-plus years, and she is now a beloved Hollywood figure.

Should you care you revisit her time on Seinfeld, the show is available to stream with a Netflix subscription, and if you want to check out her latest work, you can see her as Vice Principal Marlene in A Minecraft Movie (which is now available to stream with a HBO Max account).

As one of the most rewatchable TV shows ever, Seinfeld remains a favorite among fans, even though it's been off the air for years now. Even cast member Julia Louis-Dreyfus -- who portrayed Elaine Benes on the show -- still enjoys reflecting on the beloved sitcom. However, that doesn’t mean she enjoys every aspect of the series. The successful Saturday Night Live alum recently got real about Elaine’s style, and she’s very apologetic.

Louis-Dreyfus appeared on Amy Poehler's Good Hang Podcast, during which she reflected on her time with the Seinfeld cast and portraying Elaine Benes. Elaine’s style choices also came up. Not only did the character have a “slutty/sexy phase” that included some pretty tight clothes, but Louis-Dreyfus recalled wearing those ensembles while welcoming two babies during the show's run.

As a result, Julia Louis-Dreyfus' belly had to be hidden, which is a common practice for some actresses. To remedy that, Louis-Dreyfus had to wear “huge picnic table cloths.” Poehler joked that that style and other fits from the ‘90s are back, but Louis-Dreyfus humorously issued a plea:

• Julia: Listen, if anybody in America is listening to this, please don't do the '90s again.
• Amy: You and Jen Aniston, when you look at pictures of Rachel and Elaine, everybody's dressing like that now.
• Julia: I don't know what to say. I'm just so fucking sorry, I really, really am.

Poehler disagreed with Louis-Dreyfus and said that some of the styles were jackpot, which is why she brought up Rachel from Friends as well. That being said, a lot of throwback fashion styles are making a comeback these days. Still, Louis-Dreyfus just doesn’t want anyone to copy Elaine, because she believes those looks are better left in the past, regardless of the reason she wore them in the first place.

Between her hairstyle and some of her more trendy outfits, Elaine Benes certainly made her mark on ‘90s fashion, even if Julia Louis-Dreyfus doesn’t see it that way. That decade was indeed a very different time, and there were some pretty bold choices made back then. So it’s not surprising that the Emmy winner would have some regrets. And, considering that the Jerry Seinfeld-created show remains in circulation (as its streamable with a Netflix subscription and syndicated on TV), it's likely those outfits will continue to be seen for years to come.

While Louis-Dreyfus may not have liked Elaine’s style at times, that doesn’t mean that the ‘90s were all bad fashion-wise. There are many iconic outfits from ‘90s movies and shows and, even though a lot of them wouldn’t be able to make a comeback today given the changes in sensibilities, they're still pretty great. I'd even includes some of Elaine’s style choices in that batch. (Just maybe not the picnic table cloths that were clearly used to hide JLD's pregnancy.)

There have been talks of a Seinfeld revival and, if that were to happen, I'd be eager to see what kind of outfits Elaine would wear today. Needless to say, I'd expect her clothes be a tad more conservative and very different from the outfits of that "slutty/sexy phase."

The holiday season is always a great time of year to reflect back on the highs and lows of Seinfeld, as the iconic NBC sitcom is largely responsible for "Festivus" entering mainstream pop culture as a non-Christmas way to kick off the end-of-year celebrations. While Festivus 2025 has officially passed, Jerry Seinfeld revealed a reunion that took place on Christmas Eve that has already delighted plenty of fans of the sitcom, who now have more to enjoy than just rewatching episodes with a Netflix subscription.

Jerry Seinfeld reunited with Seinfeld costar Julia Louis-Dreyfus and co-creator Larry David on Christmas Eve, and the three were evidently sharing enough laughs that it was difficult to capture a photo with all three of them looking right at the camera. The stand-up comedian/actor's caption suggests that a good time was had by all. Take a look:

Would Jerry and Elaine be sharing Christmas Eve together if Seinfeld was still on the air in 2025? The show's finale back in 1998 was notoriously divisive, to the point that Jason Alexander had to defend it all over again in 2019 after the Game of Thrones backlash. Still, there's a reason why it remains one of the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix, and fans can have fun imagining what Jerry, Elaine, and the rest would be up to nearly thirty years after that finale.

It's a sign of the enduring love for the series that Jerry Seinfeld's Instagram comment section is full of comments that range from nostalgia to quotes from memorable episodes of the sitcom. Check out just some of them:

• claudio14off_s: "Happy Festivus for the rest of us❤️"
• seinfeldepisodes: "Another Festivus miracle!"
• tatofalciano: "This is gold, Jerry. Gold!!!"
• pathgirlnyc: "You want a Christmas card?! Here’s your Christmas card!"
• relevantseinfeld: "This is my Mount Rushmore."
• i_wantmydaddys_records: "Please do a reunion season. Or a movie or something."

I'm guessing that plenty of the people in Jerry Seinfeld's comment section would agree about the appeal of a reunion season, and there may even be a wider audience nowadays than back in the '90s thanks to Netflix shelling out a lot of money for the streaming rights to all nine seasons. Even if a revival never happens a la Frasier or Will & Grace, a Seinfeld movie would surely get plenty of attention.

Personally, I think a reunion special similar to what CBS produced for Everybody Loves Raymond would be great, and even a fun option for the holiday season in 2026 for a Festivus celebration. It at least looks like Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreygus, and Larry David are still on very good terms! Seinfeld is out in 4K UHD as of 2024.

Both actors appeared in several episodes of Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm, with the HBO series also featuring Jason Alexander and Michael Richards for a Season 7 episode, fittingly called "Seinfeld," in 2009. (In case that's the closest that fans ever get to a Seinfeld reunion, you can find the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode streaming with an HBO Max subscription now.)

For now, fans can at least enjoy the photos from Jerry Seinfeld to show the mini Seinfeld reunion, even if nothing new is ever produced on the small screen. You can also obviously revisit the original series on Netflix any time.

We’d love to believe TV shows are perfect creations with choices made purely for creative reasons, and not scheduling, finances, ratings, studio exec whims, etc. However, that isn’t the case in an industry where the bottom line is the top dog, and so television history’s annals are riddled with fractured storylines, forgotten characters (like Chuck Cunningham) and completely ignored histories. Some of the biggest shows of their respective eras, like Friends and Yellowstone, are just as guilty as those with less pristine productions.

It’s a wide-ranging topic that TV audiences love to get into nitty-gritty discussions about, with yours truly in that group for sure, and one Redditor sparked a ton of conversations with a recent post asking for others’ thoughts on shows with unresolved plots. A ton of different shows were namechecked, going far beyond the usual suspects like Lost, that holiest grail of “Did that mean anything to the plot?” inquiries. (Even though some can argue that Lost’s story gaps don’t matter.) So let’s dig into some of the gripes that fans laid out.

To kick things off, quite a few commenters were quick to point to Taylor Sheridan's rather hectic writing habits as a frequent offender of introduced-and-forgotten ideas on and around the Montana ranch in Yellowstone. I'll no doubt carry the third one listed below to my grave.

Yellowstone's Forgotten Plots

• In the first few episodes of Yellowstone, Kayce is having trouble adjusting to civilian life and calls his old commander and says he wants back in. The CO says "Pack a bag, im sending a chopper". Kayce says "i never unpacked" No helicopter ever arrives, no mention is ever made again of Kayce rejoining the service. Hell, at the end Sheridan's super cowboy character is at the Yellowstone helping with the liquidation auction. Then Teeter asks him for a job, and he says "why do you want to leave this place?", she says "too many memories". Both of them apparently forgot they just finished liquidating the ranch. - @UnderwaterKarma
• Still waiting for the bomb on the airplane to blow up on Yellowstone. - @PhutukKusi
• The one that immediately springs to mind is the kid - the grandson - finding the dinosaur. - @BlackbirdsGarden
• Also, when John stops to help the lady change her tyre and they both get shot we never find out what happened to her son. Makes me think that boy was originally going to be Carter since he appears at the start of the next series - @OnafridayR

I mean honestly, those dinosaur bones could have (presumably) been used in SOME way to argue for the ranch to be seen as a historical site of value. And it's not like fake bones would have another TV show to shoot that would conflict with a resolution. The same goes for Kayce's military background, which didn't come up nearly as much as it seemed like it might earlier in the run.

Now let's shift our focus to some shows that introduced main characters' family members and then dropped the siblings from the face of the earth.

Missing Siblings

• In the first episode of Sherlock it is deduced that John Watson has an alcoholic brother named Sam all from the appearance of his phone. This sibling is then said to be a sister. They are never referenced again even at Johns wedding. Nor is this quirk of Sherlock getting something 95% right because Sherlock is the one to notice and admit he deduced poorly. - @HatOfFlavour
• Seinfeld mentions he has a sister in the Chinese Restaurant episode ... She's never mentioned again. - @RunDNA
• In Brooklyn Nine-Nine, it’s pointed out that Amy is the way she is because she has 7 brothers, and not only do we only meet one (Lin-Manuel Miranda by the way) but none of them even to come to her wedding! - @alehansolo21
• On New Girl, Jess having a sister out of nowhere, and then sister disappearing again right after she was introduced. - @nomnomsquirrel

So often, TV siblings are just vehicles to bring in guest stars, which has a lot to do with why we never see them again. That wasn't so much an issue for Friends' Joey, whose gaggle of sisters showed up several times in the show's run. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for Phoebe's long-lost-then-found dad.

Phoebe's Dad In Friends

• Also, there's no mention of Phoebe's biological father after she meets him for the first time. The storyline of her search for her dad was so great, and was the main story for a number of episodes. Then she finally meets him, and it looks like the two might be able to slowly heal old wounds and form a relationship. Then he never came up again and it's like the whole storyline never happened. For me, that's the most frustrating one in Friends by far. - @Scarred-Face

This is definitely the kind of story issue that bothers me the most, when more than a single episode of plotting goes into tracking down a specific character, where conversations are had about the importance of it all, and then it just never comes up again.

Speaking of lengthy build-ups to fatherly reveals that go the way of the do-do:

Jon Snow's Lineage On Game Of Thrones

• Everyone talked up Jon being a Targaryen for fucking YEARS too before it officially happened on the show. It was going to have such massive consequences and either put a massive wedge between him and Dany for their claims to the Iron Throne… OR it would draw them closer together to give them an undoubted authority to claim the throne together. Then as soon as its confirmed… no one really mentions it as being important that he’s the son of Rhaegar Targaryen. In a setting where names mean eveything and are the most important factor in determining who should be sitting on the throne. - @dynesor

This was one of those book plot points that the HBO series could not stop fans from talking about and theorizing over during the earlier seasons. But then when it came time to finally make Jon Snow's ancestry live-action canon, the showrunners didn't go as far as they could have in drawing out possible ramifications.

While I would have little problem with singling out tons of other TV plots that never panned out, let's go through a quick selection of snipes targeting Pretty Little Liars, Blindspot, and more.

• Aria murders someone in the season 5 premiere and this incident is barely mentioned again. The whole show was so messy but the good outweighs the bad for me so I still have a lot of love for it- even if the night Allison disappeared is extremely convoluted - @athmeystic
• Blindspot. Jane Doe shows up covered with clue-based tattoos related to various future crimes and terror attacks. We eventually find out who tattooed her and why, but not where they got the foreknowledge for them to be cued by things like sports scores and other unpredictable events - @Fancy-Television-760
• Landry killing a guy on Friday Night Lights. Just swept it under the rug - @spokanetransplanted
• Just as a new one that nobody mentioned: Thawne/Wells was seen to be stealing genetic tissue or blood or some shit from captured supervillains in a pre-credits sequence in the first season of the Flash but this never came up again. - @ContinuumGuy

If only we all had the powers of The Flash (or even Reverse-Flash) to go back in time to convince all of these showrunners to wrap up their stories in better ways. Justice for Judy Winslow!

Unless you live in the middle of the woods, you likely have neighbors. and most of the time (at least from my experience), our neighbors unfortunately tend to be more like Homer Simspson than Ned Flanders (whom I know quite a bit about as a Simpsons superfan).

However, as somebody who has watched a lot of sitcoms in my day, I can tell you that not all TV neighbors are created equally. In fact, most neighbors, for comical reasons, are the kinds who I would NEVER want to live next to – And I’ve included them on this list.

That said, there are a few who I would love to sing, “Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor?” to. So, here’s a list of both kinds of neighbors.

Would Welcome: Ned Flanders (The Simpsons)

As already mentioned, Ned Flanders is the ideal neighbor (and undoubtedly one of the best Simpsons characters who has been in some of the best episodes). Sure, he’s a little preachy, but his heart is ALWAYS in the right place. Not only that, but he’s also always looking out for people – even when they’re at their worst (like Homer).

A two time widower, Ned is also a devoted father who is doing his best to raise his children right. He brings great value to Evergreen Terrace, never tries to get in anybody’s way, and I would trust him with babysitting my kids, which is always a plus.

If there’s any one issue that I have with Ned (and this is a me thing), it’s that he seems like the kind of neighbor who likes to host events that the whole neighborhood is invited to. And, I’m more of a, “Hello, how are you doing?” kind of neighbor who is just creating small talk and doesn’t really care about how you’re doing. But again, that’s more a me thing.

Would Make Me Miserable: Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld)

Oh, God. Seinfeld’s exasperating neighbor, Kramer (Michael Richards) would be an absolute nightmare to live next to. For one thing, since he can’t just barge into my house like he does with Jerry (I lock my doors, you see), he’d probably hide in my bushes and rush out when he’d see me coming.

He also seems to attract weirdos, like Newman, and before you know it, I’d have him knocking on my door (“Hello, Newman.” “Hello, Richard.”). Kramer is also perpetually needy, as he’s always asking for something and then promising to give it back (sometimes to worse results).

However, the worst thing about Kramer is that he doesn’t seem to realize just how annoying he can be. Sure, Kramer plays a prominent role in a lot of the best Seinfeld episodes, and he’s certainly had some of the funniest moments, but that’s on TV. Let Kramer stay Jerry’s problem!

Would Welcome: Wilson (Home Improvement)

Honestly, when it comes to neighbors on this list, Wilson (Earl Hindman) from Home Improvement might be the very best for me personally. For one thing, as an introvert who occasionally likes talking to people, Wilson would seemingly be there whenever I’m in the mood to talk, which is selfish, I know, but important for me.

He’s also always doing something interesting outside, and almost always has something insightful to say. Not only that, but he’s a real bon vivant, sharing stories about where he’s been around the world, and all manner of fascinating things.

Wilson is by far one of the most ideal neighbors in sitcom history, and I’d love to go over to my fence to talk to him. I mean, I love my real neighbors (They have a cool dog named Knight…no relation), but Wilson just seems perfect. Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor is so lucky to have him!

Would Make Me Miserable: Bruh-Man (Martin)

Oh, bother. Now, here's the thing. Similar to Kramer, I probably wouldn’t even have a problem with Bruh-Man (Reginald Ballard) since I live in a house, and not in an apartment. But, let’s just say that Bruh-Man from Martin (Which is one of the best Black sitcoms from the ‘90s) did live in a house next door. What would I have to deal with then?

Well, I’d probably have to deal with constantly seeing him on my Ring Camera, since Bruh-Man (from the fifth ‘flo) is always somehow around Martin. Not only that, but he’d probably go through my drawers or raid my fridge if I ever invited him inside. Maybe both.

And, the thing is, he wouldn’t even see anything wrong with this. He’d just say, “Oh, was I not supposed to rifle through your business?” and he’d mean it! Because he’s not being malicious or anything like that. He just doesn’t understand the meaning of personal space, which would drive me insane! Chill, Bruh-Man, chill!

Would Welcome: Fred And Ethel Mertz (I Love Lucy)

Now, as somebody who doesn’t like being in uncomfortable situations, a part of me feels like I might regret wanting Fred and Ethel Mertz (William Frawley and Vivian Vance, respectively) to be my neighbors. And, that’s because they would often bicker quite a bit and not even worry that Lucy and Ricky were literally just sitting right there.

But then, I think about all of the silly antics that Fred and Ethel would get into, and I kind of change my tune. Because Fred and Ethel seem like they’d be really fun neighbors. They’re the kind who can teach you how to dance, or join you for chocolate dipping just because they want to be there for you.

They’re also entirely unpretentious and seem like they would genuinely just enjoy being around you. The only issue is that they’re kind of a package deal. But, that’s fine when they’re both so much fun to be around.

Would Make Me Miserable: Quagmire (Family Guy)

One kind of person I would not want to live next to is a sex offender, but that’s pretty much Quagmire. And look, I’m not trying to kink shame, but I’m a little too old to be living next to a sexaholic.

Plus, while I respect that he doesn’t hit on Peter’s wife, it's not cool that Quagmire immediately hit on Meg once she turned 18. I mean, who does that? Quagmire. That's who.

That said, a part of me feels like Quagmire would probably leave me alone since I wouldn’t be the kind of neighbor who finds his impulses funny, unlike Peter. Even so, I prefer not feeling like there’s somebody always peeking through their blinds at women walking down the street, thank you very much.

Would Welcome: Penny (The Big Bang Theory)

Do you know why I love Penny (Kaley Cuoco)? It’s because she’s so down to earth. She lives next to geniuses, but they all come to her because she’s kind-hearted and a great listener. She also pretty much befriends anyone she meets.

I also love her personality and the fact that she’s such a go-getter. When life deals her a blow, she pushes through it, which is a unique trait.

I mostly want her as a neighbor though because she’d be the type to just wave and go inside her house, which is truly my perfect neighbor.

Would Make Me Miserable: Steve Urkel (Family Matters)

Lastly is Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), who I would absolutely dread. It’s not that Steve is a bad kid, as he’s sweet and plays the accordion. Who could hate that?

But, he’s also really annoying. And clumsy! Two things that don’t go well together. I’d also have to worry about him always coming around, which I can’t take. I need quiet, please! Also, nobody needs a potential cheese thief.

Despite all that, Steve is a nice kid, and it’s really not him. It’s me!

But, how about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

TV characters may often lead more exciting lives than the average person, but they're just as susceptible as anyone to relaxing on the couch while watching their own televisions. Most of the time, those shows-within-shows are completely fictional, as not to cause any copyright friction, which can lead to some hilariously weird and inspired creations.

So, in the vein of fake bands we love listening to, fictional brandings we love promoting, and commercials for faux products, let's now celebrate fake TV shows that might just be as watchable as the real ones.

Married...With Children - "Psycho Dad"

Perhaps Al Bundy's favorite TV show, the "simple saga of a guy run amok in the Old West" was somehow a PBS series (and then a Fox one), despite being one of the most violent shows on TV, which the theme song alludes to. Didn't stop the spinoff Psycho Mom from happening, though.

Gravity Falls - "Duck-tective"

If it walks like a duck and solves mysteries like a detective, it can only be Gravity Falls' fine-feathered sleuth Duck-tective, who heads up the titular mystery series that relies heavily on bad puns and cheap effects, like so many shows of the '80s and '90s.

Community - "Inspector Spacetime"

Despite Community's Abed having once worn a Doctor Who T-shirt, his preferred sci-fi time-travel saga is Inspector Spacetime, a very on-the-nose homage to the long-running UK fave. (The American version introduced years later was portrayed by Luke Perry.) I'd wager I.S. has more canonical backstory than almost any other show-within-a-show, with lots of background for fans, real and otherwise, to dig into.

South Park - "The Terrance And Phillip Show"

Two of the biggest celebrities within South Park that aren't parodies of real-world celebs are Sir Phillip Niles Argyle and Sir Terrance Henry Stoot, best known to the Canadian comedy lovers as Terrance and Phillip, who have their own TV show that's a real gas...gas...gasssss.

Extras - "When The Whistle Blows"

One of the funniest things about Ricky Gervais satirizing BBC sitcoms in HBO's Extras is how little it feels like a parody, and how believable it would be as a real-world series with its lowest-common-denominator jokes, forever cementing "Are you 'avin' a laugh?" into the annals of love-to-hate TV catchphrases.

Saturday Night Live - "TV Funhouse"

Saturday Night Live has featured loads of fake movie trailers, songs, TV shows, etc., but perhaps the only applicable recurring sketch to get spun off with its own shows-within-a-show concept was "TV Funhouse," as created by Robert Smigel. Later a standalone series on Comedy Central, the OG run gave the world the Ambiguously Gay Duo, "Bambi 2002," and other SNL classics from the '90s and 2000s.

The Big Bang Theory - "Professor Proton"

I'd have to imagine Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper would have loved Mr. Wizard's World or Beakman's World if he were real, as his favorite small-screen personality was the science educator Professor Proton (real name: Arthur Jeffries). For viewers, Proton's excellence was naturally due to comedy legend Bob Newhart being cast. And you can't forget his puppet pal Gino the Neutrino, even if it's best not to bring up the puppeteer.

Parks And Recreation - "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show"

Chris Pratt's Andy Dwyer brought Johnny Karate to life initially as a guitar-playing act for children's birthday parties, but that just wasn't musical or explosive enough, so of course he got his own inspirational TV show. Johnny may have been a doofus, but alter-alter ego Jonathan Karate is the one who has it all together.

Rocko's Modern LIfe - "Meet The Fatheads"

Within Rocko's Modern Life, the Bigheads' lives were fictionalized as The Fatheads, a family sitcom centered on pretty awful and stereotypical characters. Amusingly enough, the revival special Static Cling also featured the in-universe revival of The Fatheads, which not everyone was a fan of.

Home Improvement - "Tool Time"

One of TV's ultimate "How-Not-To" characters, Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor somehow kept his job hosting the Detroit-set series "Tool Time," despite being shockingly consistent at destroying property and electrical equipment with ease. It's just as shocking that co-host Al Borland didn't quit or suffer grave injuries during that run.

Only Murders In The Building - "Brazzos"

No one remembers the detective series "Brazzos" as well as Only Murders in the Building's Charles-Haden Savage, the actor who donned the iconic hat for its surprisingly long run. (Okay, perhaps his loyal stunt double Sazz remembered it just as fondly.) But who else could have spun these banal words into an oft-ish-repeated catchphrase: "This sends the investigation into a whole new direction." So many new directions for this guy.

Rugrats - "Oodles The Talking Poodle"

As an avid Rugrats fan during the NickToons era, it's been 30+ years since I've been able to hear the world "poodle" without hearing a light "ding" behind it, as it goes in the talking dog's theme song. "OOdles. OOdles the TALking POOdle. Ding." How is this not a movie by now?

Stargate SG-1 - "Wormhole X-Treme"

While Stargate SG-1 didn't always show off its funny bone so directly, the self-spoofing 100th episode "Wormhole X-Treme," which focuses on the action-geared sci-fi series that provided the ep's title. I wish every show I love had a parody as faithful and fan-friendly as this one.

The Simpsons - "The Krusty The Clown Show"

If not for Krusty the Clown's quality-questionable variety show, Bart, Lisa and Simpsons fans around the world might never have been introduced to the hyperviolent "Itchy and Scratchy Show," which superceded its own source clown's popularity, with former sidekick Sideshow Bob amassing more notoriety.

Murderbot - "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon"

It's easy to see why Alexander Skarsgård's sentient SecUnit just wants to spend all day, all 397 (at least) episodes of the sudsy space opera "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon." With legit talents like John Cho, Clark Gregg and DeWanda Wise heading up the How to Get Away with Murder-esque series, this is easily worthy of a standalone spinoff to keep viewers rapt.

Young Justice - "Hello, Megan!"

Who knew superheroes would get into such normalcy as the sitcom "Hello, Megan!" A by-the-books sitcom from 1979-1980, the show follows a pretty cheerleader, her BFF, hunky boyfriend, and parents, and not even for large-scale adventures, but just everyday plots like taking care of the school frog. Okay, fine, I completely understand why everyone is obsessed.

Channel Zero - "Candle Cove"

The worst kind of TV show, I think we can all agree, is one that inevitably brings you harm just by watching it. So it goes for the first season of the excellent horror anthology Channel Zero, where "Candle Cove" is a pirate-based puppet show that may only exist in the minds of its viewers. Watch out for The Skin-Taker, that's all I'm saying.

Steven Universe - Crying Breakfast Friends

If you don't know the value of watching "Crying Breakfast Friends," then I don't suggest mentioning it to Steven Universe's titular crystal being. He adores watching the various food items, leaking both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Glum Glass and Weeping Egg Cup are all of us, really.

Supernatural - "Ghostfacers"

Supernatural, a show that legitimately crossed over with the animated Scooby-Doo gang, brought an equally silly spin to the never-ending number of paranormal investigator series that took over cable in the 21st century. Founded by the Ghostbusters-homaging Harry Spangler and Ed Zeddmore, the Ghostfacers appeared quite a few times over the years, and even sparked a web series of shorts.

BoJack Horseman - "Horsin' Around"

For as dramatically serious and maudlin as BoJack Horseman could get, none of that was to be found in the cornball hijinks of the in-series sitcom "Horsin' Around," centering on three kids adopted by a horse, obviously. It fights right alongside fare like Punky Brewster, with a slew of wonderfully groan-worthy lines perhaps best exemplified by the pun "Now, that's a horse of a different...crueller."

Twin Peaks - "Invitation To Love"

Oh, to explore around inside David Lynch's brain to see all of the things he might have been thinking about for the expertly crafted soap opera "Invitation to Love," which was a favorite amongst some of the characters inhabiting Twin Peaks' titular town. The fact that the storylines reference the characters' lives only makes it more interesting.

Seinfeld - "Jerry"

While Seinfeld's show-within-a-show "Jerry" really only existed as a pilot and not as a fully ordered network-aired series, given the actions of its characters, its ridiculous plot is enough to make it one of the more memorable faux TV series out there. Jerry gets into a car accident, and the other insurance-less driver has to become Jerry's butler, making "Because he's MY butler" one of the more logically accurate fake TV catchphrases.

Family Guy - "Jolly Farm Revue"

With an aesthetic that mashed up the Teletubbies with other pastoral children's fare, Family Guy's faux UK series "Jolly Farm Revue" became an obsession of Stewie's, as he believed its characters actually existed, only to find them to be less real than his teddy bear Rupert. I prefer the American remake with that li'l cutie Karina Smirnoff.

Arrested Development - "Mock Trial With J. Reinhold"

Arrested Development's melting pot of humor is well-exemplified by Michael Bluth having a legal case heard as part of a courtroom reality show fronted by Judge Reinhold (who definitely isn't a real judge), with a theme song sung live on-set by William Hung and a backing band. Should this have turned into an actual series? "I'm going to allow it," even if it pretty much rips on a gag from Clerks: the Animated Series.

SpongeBob SquarePants - "Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy"

Not only was the superhero series "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy" a fun show-within-a-show for SpongeBob SquarePants' characters, but the titular characters were a treat outside of their televised exploits as well. For one, they were originally voiced by legends Ernest Bornine and Tim Conway, and later boasted '60s Batman icons Adam West and Burt Ward in the respective hero and sidekick roles at one point or another.

30 Rock - "MILF Island"

A fake TV show that will likely exist before this sentence is finished, 30 Rock's reality TV-aping romance competition MILF Island was sold with the disturbing tagline "25 Super-Hot Moms, 50 Eighth Grade Boys, No Rules." Okay, maybe we should just keep this one hidden behind a locked door back in 2008.

Lost - "Exposé"

Lost's storylines didn't just flash backwards, forwards and sideways. They also went internal for the show-within-a-show Exposé, a '70s-esque action-adventure series in which Kiele Sanchez's Nikki was guest-starring. (With Billy Dee Williams as the lead of the faux show.) We see just enough to make me want more, although that would never happen, as audiences' dislike of Nikki and Rodrigo Santoro's Paolo was strong enough to get them killed off during the same season in which they were introduced.

DuckTales - "Ottoman Empire"

A TV parody that is too close to the real thing to be entirely comedic, DuckTales' "Ottoman Empire" centers on two twin rooster brothers, Johnny and Randy, who design custom ottomans for customers. It's like Property Brothers with a punnier title, and you know, roosters.

Drake And Josh - "Drew And Jerry"

Drake & Josh entered sitcom doppelgänger territory in Season 2 when Drake Bell and Josh Peck's namesake characters took a friendly break from each other, only to befriend someone else with the exact same personality. By the end, the titular teens were buds again, while their "others" were somehow given their own TV show that looks exactly like D&J. Presumably with its own Season 2 doppelgänger plot.

My Name Is Earl - "Estrada Or Nada"

We're at a point where real-life game shows are about as ridiculous as anything fictional, but My Name Is Earl's "Estrada or Nada" is still pretty special. Basically, anyone can challenge the CHiPs star to any imaginable challenge, from shooting basketballs to eating hot dogs to looking like Erik Estrada.

Futurama - "Everybody Loves Hynotoad"

I love Hypnotoad. You love Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Good show.

Garfield & Friends - "The Binky Show"

Hey, kids! No fake TV clown seemed quite as intent on waking everyone in the hosue up as Garfield & Friends' Binky the Clown, whose show seemed to be on at literally all hours. Because it was of such high production value, I can only assume.

It’s normal for professional actors to break character when a line is too funny to keep a straight face. We see it all the time on SNL, where huge stars couldn’t stop laughing in their sketches. With many blooper moments captured on camera, fans got real on which endearing TV scenes of actors breaking character stood out the most. I’ve gotta say that Arrested Development and Taxi have some great ones.

@ANDAMOVlE tweeted about loving how an actor’s uncontrollable laughter made it into the final cut of a sitcom. So naturally, X users chimed in with a bunch of hilarious examples from a wide range of the best sitcoms of all time. @bren1sly pointed out one Jason Bateman series where the actor couldn’t keep it together, and can you blame him?:

You can’t talk to someone who’s literally blue in the face and look so serious. It was clear that the Ozark actor was hoping that looking at co-star Portia de Rossi would help keep his cool, but a humorous script and performance win in the end. @TheImmortal007 used a classic scene from Taxi that can make anyone with a sense of humor laugh:

I never noticed before that Tony Danza was laughing in the background. You could also tell Jeff Conaway was trying to bury his head in his jacket to prevent laughing, only for his big grin to ultimately spill out on camera. With Christopher Lloyd’s comedic brilliance, there was no way the cast of one of history’s best NBC sitcoms had a chance of making it through a take without laughing. @TheImmortal007 tweeted another example that shows Jennifer Aniston breaking character on Friends thanks to Lisa Kudrow’s comedic timing:

I would probably laugh uncontrollably too if my couch buddy were attempting to sing along to bagpipes. How were Matthew Perry and Courtney Cox able to hold their laughter in? Seeing Jennifer Aniston barely keep it together truly makes the scene all the more fun to watch and a total standout. @FirstName736928 posted about an episode of Seinfeld, because how can you not?:

The late Philip Baker Hall, as Mr. Bookman, was outstanding in keeping such a serious persona while lecturing to Jerry about the gravity of overdue library books. But for someone getting a stern talking to, Jerry Seinfeld looked like he had too much fun. But with the stand-up comic barely able to contain his joy and Hall’s deadpan delivery, you gotta love this unforgettable episode all the more for that.

No matter how professional an actor is, it's hard not to love their lighter side when they break out of character in shows. With sitcoms like Arrested Development and Taxi, those unscripted moments show actors having fun while at work and help make a scene all the more special. You can find each of these classic shows on many of the best streaming services.

NBC has been churning out some of the best sitcoms since the dawn of television. The Peacock Network's history of hit comedies is long, but the network really came into its own in the 1980s and 1990s when it dominated the ratings with shows like Cheers, Seinfeld, and Friends. This list is what I think are most of NBC's greatest shows, most of which aired in that magical era.

Cheers

For 11 seasons in the '80s and '90s, millions tuned into Cheers to check in with their favorite barflies at the titular drinking establishment. A ratings hit right up until the end, Cheers played a big part in launching the careers of actors like Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Kelsey Grammer, Kirstie Alley, and John Ratzenberger.

Night Court

Originally part of the "Must-See TV" Thursday Night lineup on NBC, Night Court had an incredible ensemble cast and sharp writing that made it one of the more irreverent shows on this list. The show ran for six seasons, starting in 1984, in its original run, and was brought back in 2023 for three more seasons. It also had a classic theme song that still slaps today.

Friends

Without a doubt, one of the most enduringly popular shows from NBC is Friends. The show started with great fanfare in 1994, and its popularity only grew from there, until, after 10 seasons, when we all said goodbye to all our friends, the show had been #1 for multiple years. More than two decades since it ended, it's still a widely streamed show.

Sanford And Son

The chemistry between Redd Foxx, who played Fred Sanford, and Demond Wilson, who played his son, Lamont, was the magic that made Sanford and Son an all-time classic. Running for six seasons in the mid-'70s, it proved popular long after it went off the air, running in syndication for many years after it ended on NBC.

NewsRadio

I will always maintain that NewsRadio is the most under-appreciated sitcom in history. The show was brilliantly funny and had an all-star cast that was perfect for the show's witty writing. Not only did the late Phil Hartman shine, but there was Joe Rogan, Stephen Root, Dave Foley, and a whole slew of guest stars like David Cross, Patrick Warburton, and Lauren Graham.

Frasier

It's said that no actor has played the same role for as many years as Kelsey Grammer has played the titular Frasier Crane. The role began on Cheers before moving to the spinoff. The show was revived in 2023 for two more seasons after 11 during its initial run.

Parks And Recreation

NBC first found success in a mockumentary-style sitcom with The Office, and before long, they had a second hit in the same style with Parks and Recreation. The show's secret sauce was definitely in the chemistry between all the members of the ensemble cast, which included Amy Poehler and a bunch of actors whose careers would really blow up after the show, like Aubrey Plaza, Aziz Ansari, and Chris Pratt, among many others.

Taxi

Network sitcoms weren't always known for being at all subversive, even in the 1970s, but Taxi, which ran for five seasons in the late '70s and early '80s, bucked that trend with comedic actors like Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and the late Andy Kaufman.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Will Smith was already a famous rapper when he landed a sitcom with NBC in 1990. What seemed like a stunt by the network by giving a rapper a show soon proved to be a stroke of genius, and The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air became a monster hit, launching Smith's career into the stratosphere.

The Office

Along with shows like Friends and Seinfeld, The Office is Hall of Fame of great sitcoms. Although it was based on Ricky Gervais' British show of the same name and even borrowed several jokes from the early episodes, it eventually surpassed the original in popularity both in the US and abroad. By the end of its nine-season run, it was one of the most beloved shows of all time. We're still quoting Michael Scott all the time.

The Cosby Show

Of course, for a number of reasons that I'm not going to get into here, The Cosby Show's legacy has been tainted, and it's hard to watch reruns these days, but in its time, it was one of the all-time greats. It anchored Thursday nights on NBC for eight seasons in the eighties and early nineties and helped launch multiple shows on this list on account of its huge ratings.

Seinfeld

Quite possibly the GOAT sitcom of all time, Seinfeld started slow, with disappointing ratings in its first season, but soon that all changed, and the show became one of the most-watched shows of all time. It's filled with plots we still discuss, and lines that have become part of the English lexicon.

30 Rock

Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) never won an EGOT, but 30 Rock racked up Emmys during its seven-season run on NBC starting in 2008. Like a lot of shows on this list, it featured an outstanding ensemble cast that was headlined by Morgan, Tina Fey, and Alec Baldwin.

The Golden Girls

Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia came into our homes every week for seven seasons in the 1980s and brought joy to millions. It's a show that proved remarkably enduring, as it's still beloved today, even though the four wonderful actresses who played those great characters have all passed away.

Family Ties

Family Ties was a sitcom that wasn't afraid to tackle some major issues, but at its heart, it was a family sitcom that was pretty darn wholesome. It's certainly remembered these days for being the springboard that launched Michael J. Fox's career, but the whole cast was amazing, as were some of the guest stars, including Tom Hanks and River Phoenix.

The Good Place

Like a lot of sitcoms in history, both on NBC and otherwise, The Good Place struggled to find a large audience, but the fans it does have really love the quirky show about the afterlife starring Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, along with others.

227

227, especially the early seasons, was a fantastic show that is maybe a little under-appreciated these days. While it wasn't the first sitcom to feature a Black middle-class family, that was still pretty rare, even in the 1980s.

I Dream Of Jeannie

Barbara Eden, the genie in I Dream of Jeannie, started in Hollywood in the 1950s and has had a long career both before and after the show. It was this NBC sitcom that brought her the greatest acclaim and her biggest fame. Kids like me in the '80s were still watching the show, which originally aired for five seasons in the late '60s, in syndication.

Diff'rent Strokes

For kids in the '80s, no show was more popular than Diff'rent Strokes, which anchored its successful Friday night lineup. Starring Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as two brothers adopted by a rich guy on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the show provided endless laughs, and some of the craziest cameos of the era, including Mr. T and Nancy Reagan.

Will & Grace

When Will & Grace first hit the airwaves in 1998, it became one of the pioneers of LGBTQ+ representation on television, and that will always make it important in TV history. However, it never would have lasted for seven seasons (plus four more in a revival) if it hadn't been completely hilarious.

Mad About You

Helen Hunt and Paul Riser played newlyweds (at least in the beginning) on Mad About You, which was kind of a surprise smash hit in the 1990s. It won a ton of Emmys and was so beloved that it got a short revival in 2019, which got mixed reviews.

Community

Like a lot of the best sitcoms, Community was never the ratings hit it should have been. The show's quirky humor wasn't for everyone, but those who "got" the writing loved the show. It constantly fought off being canceled by NBC, and internal squabbles also helped doom the show, but not before it ran for six seasons.

A Different World

A show as wildly popular as The Cosby Show usually ends up spinning off multiple shows, but the only spinoff that came from Cosby was A Different World. The show saw Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) head off to college, where she met a ton of new friends, like the iconic Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison). Bonet left the show after one season, and A Different World proved it could stand on its own for five more seasons.

Silver Spoons

If you were anything like me in the 1980s, at least half of the time, you were thinking of ways to convince your parents to get you a race car bed like Ricky has in Silver Spoons. I never sold them on that idea, nor did I find a way to sell them on having a train run through the living room like in the insane house I always wanted to explore on the show.

Scrubs

Although it wasn't one of my personal favorites, I couldn't leave Scrubs off this list. I've watched episodes here and there over the years, and you can't help but see the endless memes that the show, which ran for nine seasons in the '00s. It helped launch Zach Braff's career, but it featured a great ensemble cast including Donald Faison, Dave Franco, and John C. McGinley.

Get Smart

One of the most enduring sitcoms of the 1960s has to be Get Smart. The spy show was unique at the time, as a sort of parody of James Bond with wacky gadgets and a bumbling superspy, Maxwell Smart (Don Adams). It also helped launch the career of Mel Brooks, who created the show.

The Facts Of Life

Few people remember that The Facts Of Life was a spinoff of Diff'rent Strokes when Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) left the Drummonds to become a house mother at boarding school. That's because it was such a huge hit on its own.

Just Shoot Me!

Just Shoot Me! is a perfect example of a show that constantly got moved around the TV schedule, but uniquely didn't suffer all that much in the ratings department because of that. Over its six seasons, it was moved all over the weekly schedule, but the show, led by David Spade, retained its audience as it did.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Adam Samberg was an established star on NBC from his days on Saturday Night Live, when he was rewarded with his own show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The show was an instant hit, and that translated into nine very successful seasons for the cops at the fictional 99th precinct in Brooklyn, NY. Samberg wasn't alone in the fantastic cast, which also included Terry Crews, Stephanie Beatriz, and the late Andre Braugher.

3rd Rock From The Sun

John Lithgow has proven over his incredible career that he can play any character, from legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on The Crown to a wacky alien in 3rd Rock From The Sun. There really haven't been many sitcoms like 3rd Rock over the years, though, at its heart, it's a great fish-out-of-water story.

Wings

Though it wasn't a direct spinoff of Cheers, Wings definitely existed in the same universe. Not only was it set in New England (Nantucket), but over the years, there were some crossover characters between the shows. Wings took off right away, as audiences loved the interactions between all the quirky characters at the regional airport where it was set.

Gimme A Break!

Before Joey Lawrence found his greatest fame on another great NBC sitcom, Blossom, he played a character also named Joey, a foster child who joined in the third season of Gimme A Break!. The Nell Carter vehicle is one of those great sitcoms that made a huge impact at the time, but people hardly talk about it anymore. Still, like the others on this list, it was one of the best NBC offerings in its golden age of sitcoms in the '80s and '90s.

Many of the best sitcoms of all time take place in New York City, and the neighborhoods they're set in often give them their unique personalities, just like the people who live in those neighborhoods. All over the city, across all five boroughs (though Staten Island is underrepresented, as always), sitcoms draw from their neighborhoods' character as much as the characters in the shows themselves. This list celebrates those shows and their 'hoods.

Seinfeld - Upper West Side, Manhattan

There is no show in TV history that quite represents the Upper West Side like Seinfeld does. The show just oozes UWS vibes in every way. Jerry's apartment, which, if we're honest, is one of the more realistic-looking NYC apartments (ahem, Friends), and everything from the restaurants to the shops and the street scenes is just pure Upper West Side.

I Love Lucy - Upper East Side, Manhattan

One of TV's earliest and most successful sitcoms is, of course, I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball and her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, star in this show about a bandleader (Arnaz) and his wife living on the Upper East Side. Most of the show takes place in the couple's apartment building, and it was all shot on a soundstage in LA, but it's still a very New York Show.

Welcome Back, Kotter - Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

John Travolta is famously the biggest breakout star of Welcome Back, Kotter, and even though Travolta is originally from New Jersey, he perfectly embodies a good Italian kid from Brooklyn. The show's high school, James Buchanan High School, is set in the quintessentially (and appropriately diverse) Brooklyn neighborhood of Bensonhurst.

Everybody Hates Chris - Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Bedford–Stuyvesant is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and one that has an amazing history, both good and bad. It has produced a ton of famous actors and musicians, not the least of which is Chris Rock, who grew up in Bed-Stuy. When the comedian co-developed a show based loosely on his life growing up, they just had to set it here.

Ugly Betty - Jackson Heights, Queens

Jackson Heights is one of the most underrated neighborhoods in all of New York. It's incredible diversity, and its central location in Queens makes it pretty great all around. Setting Ugly Betty is a perfect choice for a show.

Diff'rent Strokes - Upper East Side, Manhattan

On Diff'rent Strokes, Arnold (Gary Coleman) and Willis (Todd Bridges) are two orphans from Harlem who are taken in by their late mother's employer, Mr. Drummond (Conrad Bain), in his swanky apartment that is very much the epitome of what people expect from a really rich family on the Upper East Side. Even though much of the UES is just like many other parts of Manhattan with tiny studios and one-bedrooms, it also definitely has huge two-story units like the one here.

The Nanny - Upper East Side, Manhattan

It's hardly surprising that The Nanny was set in a townhouse in the tony Upper East Side of Manhattan. Of course, the show is about a nanny to a very rich family, played by Fran Drescher, and most of the show's shenanigans take place in the Sheffield's very nice house, the exterior of which is on East 75th St., near Central Park.

The King Of Queens - Rego Park, Queens

Would it shock you to learn that The King Of Queens, starring Kevin James and Leah Remini, is set in... Queens? Rego Park, to be exact. I've always thought of Queens as the most "New York" of the five boroughs, so setting any show here really brings out a true New York City vibe.

Mad About You - Greenwich Village, Manhattan

Mad About You was one of the most popular sitcoms of the '90s and helped propel Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser to huge fame. Like a lot of shows on this list, the couple lived in Greenwich Village.

All In The Family - Glendale, Queens

Glendale, Queens, is right smack in the middle of Queens and Brooklyn, making it the perfect location for one of the most "New York" shows of all time, the beloved All in the Family. Archie Bunker is one of the best (and worst) characters of all time, and there is no more appropriate place for the blue-collar Bunkers to live than in Queens with neighbors like the Jeffersons (who would eventually move on up).

2 Broke Girls - Williamsburg, Brooklyn

In the early '00s, Williamsburg got so famous as the home of hipsters that it became the butt of a lot of jokes about those new residents. The quirky neighborhood is a great setting for a show like 2 Broke Girls, following the lives of a couple of 20-something women making their way in the big city.

Friends - Greenwich Village, Manhattan

It seems like volumes have been written about the apartments where the friends in Friends live and how unrealistic they were on the show. When you consider that they were supposedly living in the Village, it makes it even harder to believe because even in the '90s, rents in that part of town were astronomical.

The Cosby Show - Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Brooklyn Heights is one of my favorite neighborhoods in New York. It's also never been a cheap place to live, especially in one of the beautiful townhouses near the Promenade, as the Huxtables did in The Cosby Show. It's a good thing Dr. and Mrs. Huxtable, a doctor and a lawyer, made a lot of money! Raising five kids (or more) in that part of town isn't cheap!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - - Upper West Side, Manhattan

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel takes place, mostly, in a neighborhood you would expect, the Upper West Side of Manhattan, though Maisel's adventures tend to take her all over Manhattan.

Girls - Greenpoint, Queens

Even with how "hipster" Girls is, it doesn't actually take place in Williamsburg. No, in fact, by the time Girls was created, Williamsburg was already played out, and its neighbor to the north, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, had firmly become the center of hipster NYC. Hence, that is where Girls is set.

How I Met Your Mother - "Dowisetrepla"

Occasionally, a TV show has just invented a neighborhood for the show to take place in. "Dowisetrepia" in How I Met Your Mother is one of the more famous examples of a fake neighborhood. Marshall and Lilly live in Dowisetrepla, which is a play on NYC neighborhood names like Tribeca and Dumbo, though most of the show doesn't really highlight any particular neighborhood by name. Dowisetrepla, by the way, is short for "Downwind of the Sewage Treatment Plant." That's not the best to live...

Barney Miller - Greenwich Village, Manhattan

One of the best cop comedies of all time, Barney Miller, was set in its own time, when New York City was still pretty grimy, especially downtown, where the show's precinct was located. Greenwich Village is one of the most storied neighborhoods in Manhattan, and at the time, it wasn't the Village we all know today, for better and for worse.

Broad City - Astoria, Queens And Gowanus, Brooklyn

There is a proud history of sitcoms about people trying to make it in New York City, shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and even The Jeffersons. One of the more offbeat and quirky versions of the story is Broad City. In the show, the two "broads," Abbi Abrams (Abbi Jacobson) and Ilana Wexler (Ilana Glazer), live in Astoria, Queens, and Gowanus, Brooklyn, respectively.

The Jeffersons - Upper East Side, Manhattan

They might have started in Queens as neighbors to the Bunkers in All in the Family, but once George and Weezy Jefferson got their own show, we all know what happened. They "moved on up to the East Side, in a deluxe apartment in the sky." The Upper East Side is still where many strive to move on up, so that's the perfect setting for this legendary show.

Grounded For Life - Staten Island

One of the few shows to actually take place on the oft-ignored borough of Staten Island was Grounded for Life. The show had a checkered ratings history, but it did manage to last five seasons on two networks.

The Honeymooners - Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

It's hard to imagine what sitcoms would be like today if it weren't for The Honeymooners. The classic show set the template for TV comedies in so many ways, it's impossible to overstate its importance. That includes setting the show in working-class Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

Taxi - Greenwich Village, Manhattan

Only in the Village in the 1970s would you ever find a collection of weirdos and heroes like the cast of Taxi. Like Barney Miller, Greenwich Village is the perfect place to set the legendary sitcom. It wasn't the Village we know today. In the seventies, it was the exact kind of business you might find down there.

High Fidelity - Crown Heights, Brooklyn

The book High Fidelity by Nick Hornby was set in London. The movie, based on the book starring John Cusack, was set in Cusack's hometown of Chicago. The Hulu show, starring Zoe Kravitz as the owner of a record store, is set in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. In each, the setting is actually perfect for the way the story is told.

Living Single - Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Prospect Heights has been one of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn for decades, and in the '90s, that popularity was just starting to take off when the Queen Latifah-led sitcom Living Single.

Gimme A Break! - Greenwich Village, Manhattan

This is a bit of a weird one, and if you're a fan of the '80s classic Gimme A Break!, you might have already noticed what it is. "Wasn't Gimme A Break! set in California?" is what you might be thinking. You'd be correct, but in the show's final season, Nell (Nell Carter) moves to New York, following Sam (Lara Jill Miller) to college.

And Just Like That... - Gramercy Park, Manhattan

In Carrie Bradshaw's original show, the character, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, lived on the Upper East Side. In the reboot, And Just Like That..., Carrie has moved to a much cooler neighborhood further downtown, Gramercy Park. Good choice, Carrie. Now you need to figure out what to do with Aiden.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - "East Dogmouth"

In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) has an apartment in a real building that is located in Greenpoint, but the show is set in the fictional neighborhood of "East Dogmouth." There is no solid info given on where the fictional neighborhood is, so your guess is as good as ours.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Park Slope Or Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

The cast of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the best part of the show, but its location is a little confusing. For starters, there is no 99th precinct in New York, Brooklyn, or otherwise, so while that would be one way to figure the neighborhood, it doesn't help us here. The police station used for the exterior shots in the show is the 78th precinct in Brooklyn Heights. Other fans of the show claim the station on the show is actually in Park Slope or Prospect Heights. So do with that info what you will.

Nurse Jackie - Manhattan

Edie Falco's brilliant follow-up to The Sopranos, Nurse Jackie, is a very different show from the one that made her a huge star. It's also questionable if it's really a sitcom, but it's pretty darn funny, if dark. In the show, her character, Jackie, works at a fictional hospital called All Saints Hospital, and while the show was filmed mostly in Astoria, the exteriors were various hospitals around Manhattan.

Wizards Of Waverly Place - Greenwich Village, Manhattan

Yet another classic sitcom set in Greenwich Village, Wizards of Waverly Place, starring Selena Gomez in her breakout role on the Disney Channel. It's worth noting that the spinoff, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, was a rare example of a show set on Staten Island.

What We Do in the Shadows

While the curtains were always drawn tight to keep the sun out in the horror comedy What We Do in the Shadows, based on the movie of the same name, took place in that mysterious borough of Staten Island.

Car 54, Where Are You? - The Bronx

Without a doubt, The Bronx has been way under-represented in the history of TV. The most notable sitcom set in the northern-most borough has to be Car 54, Where Are You? Even then, the specific neighborhood for the fictional precinct in the show is never identified, so like shows set on Staten Island, we stuck with "The Bronx."

Kanye West has become a polarizing figure, with some of his fans avidly following the work he does and others taking issue with his controversial actions and statements. Years ago, though, West was arguably known more for his music as well as his tendency to pop up in TV shows and movies. The hip hop icon even worked with veteran Seinfeld writer Larry Charles on a project that was set up at HBO. Now, Charles is reflecting on what it was like working with West before his romantic involvement with (and divorce from) Kim Kardashian.

Larry Charles’ list of credits is vast, as he’s written and/or directed for shows like Mad About You, New Girl and Curb Your Enthusiasm (an HBO show people still buzz about). It was in 2008, during Charles’ stint as a scribe on Entourage, that he met Ye. Charles told Page Six that the rapper, who referred to himself as the “Black Larry David” when they first met, was lighthearted at the time and had a solid sense of humor as well:

Over the years, especially during the earlier part of his career, Kanye West made several movie and TV appearances (and, with the latter, I’m not just talking about his musical guest appearances on SNL). West cameoed as himself on Entourage and voiced a somewhat fictional version of himself named Kenny West on multiple episodes of The Cleveland Show. The “Jesus Walks” performer also played himself or a character in the films State Property 2, The Love Guru and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.

Given how Ye gravitated towards comedy at the time, it makes sense that he would’ve wanted to team up with Larry Charles for a project. Charles explained that he and the Grammy winner were working on a half-hour improvisational show, which would’ve been based on the latter’s life. JB Smoove, whom Charles worked with on Curb, was also set to star in the show. Charles went on to recall the tone of the production and how the dynamic amongst the creative team, ahead of HBO making the decision to scrap the project:

Kanye West has lost a few friends (and various business deals) over the years, as he’s come under fire for making antisemitic statements and sharing other inflammatory thoughts. In terms of some of his famous buddies, fellow rapper Pusha-T didn’t mourn the loss of their friendship and, after West made inappropriate remarks about Jay-Z’s kids, that bond seems to be broken as well. Larry Charles – who recently discussed cocaine use in the ‘80s – weighed in on West’s personal problems as well and expressed empathy for him:

It’s intriguing to think about what Ye’s life and career might’ve been like had certain choices not been made. Admittedly, the show he and Larry Charles were working on also sounds interesting. While it goes without saying that Ye’s public image is very specific today, Charles’ sentiments paint a picture of a young man who was a fan of comedy and a solid collaborator.

Larry Charles, ex Seinfeld writer, has had a long career in Hollywood. He took the time to reflect on his tenure while highlighting a very specific era in showbiz: the 1980s, when cocaine was regularly circulated through La La Land. And, even more specifically, why it was common to find the drug among various TV show staffs.

While today’s 2025 TV guide may have just as great of offerings as the primetime lineups four decades ago did, many internal structures within Tinseltown have changed. Larry Charles shared with Page Six that at the beginning of his career, he started writing for Fridays in 1980 (a knock off version of SNL). The industry standards and “absurd deadlines” of the time were tight and not realistic without some intervention. He shares that’s why the stimulant voluntarily found its way into writers rooms:

What an interesting take on an experience that was so normalized back then! It's understandable how writers in the industry would have reasoned this thought into professional settings to avoid feelings of insecurities and burnout. I still just can’t believe how widespread it all seemed to be, although the prop substance that emulates cocaine on sets more recently reportedly has a kick!

Charles expanded on the behind-the-scenes usage, noting that higher ups were regular users. He also reiterated that the initial positivities of coke made it so commonplace and normalized (a la Gwyneth Paltrow reflecting on wilder times in the '90s) that none of it was all that out of the ordinary. He shared:

As someone born just after the decade and missed the full height of the drug's open regularity in showbiz, I'm a little blown away. Don't get me wrong – being a fan of Hollywood with its endless projects and stars, I know that the substance exists on screen and off. It’s just wild to get an inside look at the inner workings of a different time and place when it comes to the drug, especially comparing it with present day’s usage, including its involvement with the expansive Diddy trial.

The ex Seinfeld writer continued on the topic, sharing that even beyond the walls of any TV writers room, you could find the stuff in virtually any normal context. Charles said:

It’s absolutely a snapshot of a time and place. The commonality and the leisureliness of finding it anywhere from your favorite restaurant to a beloved show’s writers room is mind-boggling. Of course, Larry Charles then went on to explain the side effects after the stimulant’s initial stages, and considers himself lucky he was able to go cold turkey.

Thankfully today, there’s plenty more resources and informational tools along with movies about sobriety and recovery to help educate. It's certainly fortunate that the rampant regular cocaine usage has left ultra-popular sitcoms and series writers' rooms like on Seinfeld, which is now available streaming with a Netflix account.

There are so many fun, fake products in movies and TV. Sometimes, they become so iconic that they become real products. There are a few examples of that on this list of fake products from movies and TV shows, but most of them are just things we fondly remember from our favorite films and shows. So here it is, our list of just some of the best products we could come up with.

Apollo Bars - Lost

One of the things Lost did really well was building a world beyond the island. Apollo Bars were part of that world. The chocolate bars were seen all throughout the season, including when Hurley raided the pantry in the hatch when it was first discovered.

Big Kahuna Burger - Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino has done a really cool job over his career, not only inventing unique products for his movies, butalso using them in multiple films. Big Kahuna Burger from Pulp Fiction is a perfect example. We first find out about the "new Hawaiian burger joint" when Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) tries Brad's nutritious breakfast. It is a tasty burger! Eagle-eyed viewers may know that the brand was actually introduced in Reservoir Dogs when Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) is seen drinking from a cup from the fictional restaurant.

ACME - Looney Tunes

The ultimate example of fake products on TV has to be the ubiquitous ACME company from Looney Tunes. It's most often seen in Road Runner cartoons as the company where Wile E Coyote buys all the equipment he tries in vain to use to catch his nemesis. It seems it was the Amazon of the Looney Tunes world.

Sweetums - Parks & Recreation

Sweetums are the controversial candy seen a few times in Parks & Recreation. Loaded with high-fructose corn syrup, Leslie (Amy Poehler) is appalled by their popularity, while Ron (Nick Offerman) is predictably less worried about how unhealthy they are.

Wonka Candy - Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory

One of the examples on this list of a fictional food product that was eventually a real brand name is Wonka Chocolate (or candy in general). Obviously, it's been seen in all the movie versions of the classic novel by Roald Dahl.

Hoverboards - Back To The Future Part II

When Back To The Future Part II came out, it was filled with futuristic products, but by far the one kids most wanted to be real was the Hoverboards (from Mattel in the movie). We're still waiting, decades later–and no, the "hoverboards" with the one wheel don't count.

The Cornballer - Arrested Development

Perhaps the most dangerous product on this list is the Cornballer from Arrested Development. Invented by George Bluth (Jeffrey Tambor), the product was recalled because it basically burned anyone who ever tried to use one, including Michael (Jason Bateman) multiple times in one episode. Getting Richard Simmons to help sell it in an infomercial was a bad idea, too.

Kitten Mittons - It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Does your cat make too much noise? If so, Charlie (Charlie Day) from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has the solution for you. Kitten Mittons! Of course, your cat may not like them as much as you hope, so be careful!

Brawndo - Idiocracy

Brawndo has what plants crave! Actually, no... no it doesn't. It turns out water is still better for growing crops, but don't tell those corporate suits at Brawndo, they pay a lot of money to sponsor basically everything you would use water for... except the toilet.

Top Of The Muffin To You

Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) sure loves the tops of muffins. Personally, I like the whole muffin, but it seems enough people love the tops enough to make an entire bakery making only the tops of muffins in the world of Seinfeld. Just don't expect the local food pantry to accept only the stumps.

Dapper Dan - O Brother Where Art Thou?

Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) is a Dapper Dan man. He's not interested in any other pomade to style his hair. If he can't get his Dapper Dan, he'll be sure to let you know. Accept no substitute.

Allied Biscuits - The Simpsons

Apparently, Springfield is big enough to have not one or two cracker brands, but no less than eight! Luann Van Houten's family's fortune comes from Southern Cracker, but poor Kirk is a terrible manager and leads the brand to a tie for the sixth most popular with Table Time and Allied Biscuits. Marge was so embarrassed that she emptied her plate back into the box.

Soul Glo - Coming To America

Soul Glo is quite the product in Coming To America. It's made a fortune for Darryl's family, and Akeem (Eddie Murphy) seems jealous of anyone wearing the hair product. Fun fact: the song in the fake commercial was written and performed by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Nile Rodgers of Chic.

Stay Puft Marshmallows - Ghostbusters

Not only does Ray (Dan Aykroyd) manifest the giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man at the end of Ghostbusters, eagle-eyed viewers will notice that there is a bag of the sugary treats on the counter as Dana (Sigourney Weaver) is unloading her groceries before Zuul takes over her refrigerator.

Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor - NewsRadio

The legendary newsman Bill McNeil (Phil Hartman) only endorses products he uses and enjoys. Or, it turns out, anyone willing to pay him enough money. The best example of the latter is Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor, which he records ridiculous commercials for in one episode of NewsRadio.

Tracy Jordan Meat Machine - 30 Rock

Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) was always looking for ways to branch out, and that extended to endorsing a product called "Tracy Jordan Meat Machine" in the vein of the George Foreman Grill. It's not a bad strategy, as it clearly worked for the former heavyweight champion.

Los Pollos Hermanos - Breaking Bad

Los Pollos Hermanos, the fictional chicken chain in Breaking Bad, is another example of a brand on the TV show that has become real, with pop-up versions of the fictional restaurant taking over old storefronts on occasion.

Oceanic Airlines - Lost

Of the many different fictional brands in Lost, none were more prominent than Oceanic Airlines. The ill-fated flight that crashed onto "The Island" on the show was an Oceanic flight. There was even a fake website set up in the real world where fans could learn more about the airline and check out the "schedule." That flight from Sidney was on it, too... lost.

Duff Beer - The Simpsons

The Simpsons has been around a long, long time, and almost since the beginning, Homer (and everyone else in Springfield) has always been loyal to one brand of beer: Duff's. There are a lot of "flavors" of Duff, but they all come from the same vat, so it's really all about marketing. Duff Man agrees.

Cheesy Poofs - South Park

Eric Cartman loves his Cheesy Poofs. All the kids love them, but Cartman really loves them, as he's most often the one seen eating the fake snack food that seems to be off-brand Cheetos.

Mockolate - Friends

Mockolate on Friends makes light of products like Olestra that were popular in the 1990s. Mockolate is a synthetic version of chocolate that tastes terrible and is dangerous to ingest. It was eventually banned by the FDA on the show, but not before Monica tried to get a job inventing new candies with the chemicals. Yikes.

Soylent Green - Soylent Green

By far the most terrifying fake product on this list, Soylent Green is people! Never forget. And never, ever eat anything called "Soylent Green." Just starve yourself, it's safer.

Dunder-Mifflin Paper - The Office

Does anyone actually think about what brand of paper they are using? Do you sit in your office or at an office supply store, and make your decision based on the brand? I worked in a paper warehouse (for real) when I was in high school, and I never gave it a second thought ever again. Still, Dunder-Mifflin endures. on the US version of The Office. In the British version, it's the Wernham Hogg Paper Company.

Pawtucket Brewery - Family Guy

Like The Simpsons, the guys on Family Guy have a preferred brand of local beer from Pawtucket Brewery. The big difference is that the brewery in Family Guy is owned by a Willy Wonka-like character, instead of being promoted by a Superhero-looking mascot.

Mooby's - Clerks II

In the original Clerks, Randall and Dante worked in a nondescript shopping center (which is a real location in New Jersey). In the sequel, they've both taken jobs at the fictional Mooby's. It has since become a regular brand in Kevin Smith's films.

Bubba Gump Shrimp - Forrest Gump

Another example on this list of a fictional brand that became all too real is the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Started by Forrest (Tom Hanks) in tribute to his friend who was killed in Vietnam, the name was eventually licensed out and became a popular fast-casual fish joint with locations all over the world.

Pizza Planet - Toy Story

Pizza Planet must be based on the real-life pizza places like Showbiz Pizza and Chuck E Cheese, right? Kids love it, parents probably hate it, but it does look pretty darn fun in the Toy Story universe.

Rekall - Total Recall

Rekall, where fake memories are implanted in your head to make it seem like you went on a fun vacation, is...messed up. Total Recall is a wild movie, and the whole idea of having memories implanted is about as disturbing an example of a messed-up future anyone could ever come up with. Even if it's a trip to Mars.

Shotz Beer - Laverne & Shirley

When bffs Laverne and Shirley move to Milwaukee, they get a job at that most Milwaukee of places–a brewery. Of course, it helps their dreams come true, so it seems like the kind of beer we'd all like to try.

Butterbeer - Harry Potter

Butterbeer is a brand and a way of life. It also seems to be the only thing anyone wants to drink in the world of Harry Potter. It's even become a real thing, I get to try it when I toured the Harry Potter studio outside London. I'm honest, it's way too sweet for Muggle consumption. At least this Muggle.

Opti-Grab - The Jerk

I've worn glasses for most of my life, but I've never had the need for anything like the Opti-Grab from The Jerk. Sure, it makes Nathan a very rich man (at least until it's sued out of existence), so some people might be interested, but glasses can be awkward enough without having that weird thing you can pinch.

Strictland Propane - King Of The Hill

Strictland propane and propane products! The best money can buy!

As a dog lover, I typically prefer movies in which the dog does not die, and I especially love it when dogs save the day in movies and TV shows. However, for every lovable pop culture pet, some have forced me to question the inherent innocence of domesticated animals. The following is a look back on some bad pets from movies and TV shows, which range from simply unruly to just downright evil.

Lucifer (Cinderella)

Even the kindhearted and optimistic title hero of Disney's classic animated movie, 1950's Cinderella, struggled to name a single positive quality about the aptly named Lucifer. This cat was as nasty as his owner, Cinderella's wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine.

Ben (Willard)

The lonely title character of 1971's Willard (played by Bruce Davison) is one of cinema's more sympathetic horror movie villains, but I would not say the same about the leader of his pack of killer rats, Ben. The rodent, who led his own self-titled 1972 sequel, is at first loyal to Willard, killing anyone he asks, until he begins to feel that his fellow rats have grown confused over who their true king is.

Mr. Tinkles (Cats & Dogs)

Cats & Dogs is a send-up of spy movies set in a world in which the rivalry between canines and felines is a more serious matter. The main antagonist is a fluffy, white Persian cat named Mr. Tinkles (voiced by Sean Hayes), whose master plan for world domination involves releasing a chemical that will make the human race allergic to all dogs. Good kitties don't try to take over the world.

Fluffy (Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone)

In the first Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the titular young wizard (played by Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) fearfully come face-to-face with a giant, three-headed, dog-like creature named Fluffy. Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) claims that his Cerberus means well, but it also takes its job of guarding the Sorcerer's Stone very seriously.

Mrs. Whiskerson (Friends)

In a classic episode of Friends from Season 5, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) spends $1000 on Mrs. Whiskerson, a hairless feline that Joey (Matt LeBlanc) repeatedly insists is “NOT A CAT!” When her new pet proves not to be as sweet as she hoped, leaving her covered in scratches, and creeps her out with hisses that sound like her name, Rachel tries to give her up, and the only one who agrees to take her is Gunther (James Michael Tyler), who assumes the animal is a snake.

The Lions (Roar)

One of cinema's most infamously disastrous movie productions is that of Roar, which is set on an African wildlife preserve where big cats run amok... on and offscreen. As the trailer for the 1981 thriller starring Melanie Griffith reveals, the live animal attacks did not just stop at the script, as a whopping 70 cast and crew members were injured on set.

Sylvester (Looney Tunes)

Rivalry is a recurring theme in Warner Bros' iconic Looney Tunes cartoons, and one of the most iconic quarrels is between Sylvester and Tweety. The ruthless Tuxedo cat is constantly trying to come up with ways to eat that meek bird.

The Sled Dog (The Thing)

There are all kinds of reasons why John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi thriller, The Thing, is considered one of the best horror movies of all time, including the astonishing performance by a canine actor named Jed. The film's heroes, a research crew stationed in the Arctic, take in a stray sled dog, inexplicably under attack by two Norwegians, unaware that it is really a shapeshifting alien in disguise.

Mike Tyson’s Tiger (The Hangover)

In the hilarious instant comedy classic, 2009's The Hangover, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), wake up with no memory of their friend Doug's (Justin Bartha) disastrous Vegas bachelor party and find a few interesting items in their hotel room, including a tiger that they learn belongs to Mike Tyson. The big cat would have to be sedated in order for the Wolf Pack to safely transport him to the boxing legend's home.

Cujo (Cujo)

Despite the deadly circumstances that he is responsible for, I almost feel bad about including the titular dog from Lewis Teague's 1983 adaptation of Stephen King's Cujo. Mechanic Joe Camber's St. Bernard is a perfectly friendly pet until he suffers a bat bite and becomes stricken with rabies, leading him to murder his owner and force Donna (Dee Wallace) and Tad Trenton (Danny Pintauro) to barricade themselves in their car on Camber's property for days.

Ella (Monkey Shines)

In director George A. Romero's Monkey Shines, quadriplegic Allan (Jason Beghe) is given a furry assistant named Ella. The capuchin grows so fond of her human that she is willing to kill anyone he does not like or anyone who seems closer to him than she. Her grave tendencies even seem to awaken something sinister in Allan as well.

Bolton Ramsay's Dogs (Game Of Thrones)

Not all of the most fearsome foes in Westeros are human. For example, the vicious hounds belonging to Bolton Ramsay (Iwan Rheon) are responsible for many of the most gruesome deaths on Game of Thrones, including that of their despicable owner himself.

The Bumpus Hounds (A Christmas Story)

One thing standing in the way of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his family enjoying an ideal holiday celebration is the pack of innumerable, unruly dogs owned by their neighbors, the Bumpuses. Considering how the 1983 holiday movie favorite, A Christmas Story, is told largely from a juvenile point of view, I imagine there would not be nearly as many hounds as what appear on screen in real, but I have no doubt that at least two or three of them would be capable of ruining the family's delicious turkey dinner.

Farfel (Seinfeld)

In the Season 3 Seinfeld episode, "The Dog," Gavin Polone (Joseph Maher), a man seated next to Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) on an airplane, falls ill and asks the comedian to look after his pet, Farfel. The pooch remains unseen throughout, but the episode makes it abundantly clear how horribly misbehaved he is, turning self-described animal lover Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) into the same person who agrees to kidnap and abandon her neighbor's irritating dog years later.

Mrs. Bickerman’s Crocodiles (Lake Placid)

The fun 1999 creature feature Lake Placid stars Bridget Fonda, Bill Pullman, and Oliver Platt as a trio tasked with keeping their community safe from an abnormally large crocodile. It is eventually revealed that Betty White's character, Mrs. Bickerman, has been obliging in the creature's appetites, as well as those of its offspring, in the years since it ate her husband.

The White Dog (White Dog)

In White Dog, which originally premiered in 1982 before receiving a home video release in the United States in 2008, a woman (Kristy McNichol) finds and decides to adopt a white German Shepherd. Soon after, she makes the horrifying discovery that the canine has been trained by its former owner, a white supremacist, to violently attack people of color without provocation.

Church (Pet Sematary)

In the 1989 adaptation of Stephen King's Pet Sematary, the Creeds' family cat, Winston "Church" Churchill, was a friendly pet until the day he was fatally run over by a car. By his neighbor's advice, Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) buries the cat in a Native American burial ground, and the next day, he returns, but without his soul, making him into a putrid, murderous menace.

The Hellhounds (The Omen)

In 1976's The Omen, most animals that come in contact with Damien Thorne act out in fear of the child, except for a few black dogs who are the literal pets of Satan himself, who sends them to Earth to protect his spawn.

New Brian (Family Guy)

In the Season 7 Family Guy episode "The Man with Two Brians," the Griffins fear that Brian (Seth MacFarlane) may be getting too old and decide to adopt a second talking dog whom they name New Brian. Despite making the family's original pet feel outcast, the new dog seems to be a wonderful addition, until Stewie (MacFarlane) learns of his unspeakably dark true nature.

The Hunter Dogs (Bambi)

"Man" may be the main antagonist of Disney's 1942 adaptation of Bambi, but they also come with furry accomplices. One of the animated classic's most terrifying sequences sees the titular deer chased through the forest by hounds belonging to nearby forest hunters.

Ramon (Alligator)

We first meet the eponymous scaly beast from 1980's Alligator as a baby, who is named Ramon by the little girl who adopts him soon before her cruel father secretly flushes him down the toilet. He spends the next 12 years in the sewers, where, thanks to experimental growth hormones, the reptile emerges at a monstrous size and wreaks havoc on Chicago.

Zoltan (Dracula's Dog)

The world has been introduced to Dracula's bride, Dracula's daughter, and even Blacula, but what about his pet? That would be Zoltan, a vampiric Doberman Pinscher as seen in 1978's Dracula's Dog.

The Pitbull (Green Room)

In Jeremy Saulnier's terrifying 2016 thriller, Green Room, the members of The Ain't Rights find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time and must barricade themselves in the back of a bar against skinheads and their pitbull, who is trained to kill on command.

Baroness Von Hellman's Dalmatians (Cruella)

After seeing 2021's Cruella, I suppose I can understand why the title character (played by Emma Stone) goes on to have no value for the life of a Dalmatian after seeing three of them, belonging to Baroness Von Hellman (Emma Thompson), push her mother off a cliff. I mean, it does not excuse her wretched plan to make a coat out of their spotted fur in 101 Dalmatians, but it clarifies her perspective a bit.

The Black Cat (Tales From The Darkside: The Movie)

In a wild segment from the horror anthology film, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, not even skilled contract killer Halston (David Johansen) is a match for a fearsome black feline, whose owner, Drogan (William Hickey), is convinced is responsible for several deaths that have occurred in his home.

Scud (Toy Story)

In Pixar's 1995 favorite Toy Story, the lost Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) not only have to survive Sid, but also his bull terrier, Scud, who destroys children's playthings on a regular basis. You could argue he is just acting in his nature to chew on whatever toy is thrown at him, but in the sequel, we meet Buster, who treats Andy's toys with love and respect.

Blanche (Hausu)

In the classic Japanese horror movie, 1977's House (or Hausu), a group of teenage girls must contend with many terrifying obstacles in a haunted house, including a seemingly innocent kitty named Blanche. She eventually shows her true colors when she begins shooting lasers out of her eyes and transforms herself into a blood-puking wall painting.

The Black Mamba (Venom)

Not to be confused with a Tom Hardy-led Marvel movie or a 2005 slasher of the same name, director Piers Haggard's 1981 creature feature based on Alan Scholefield's novel Venom stars Klaus Kinski as a criminal whose plans to kidnap the grandson of wealthy hotel chain owner go awry when he and his girlfriend (played by Susan George) encoounter the child's pet, a vicious Black Mamba snake.

Roger (When Evil Lurks)

Responsible for the most brutal scene in 2023's Spanish-language thriller, When Evil Lurks, and one of the most brutal horror movie deaths in recent memory, is Roger, who fatally mauls his owners' young daughter, Vicky. However, it should be noted that the family pooch is also a victim of a viral epidemic of demonic possession, so it was never really him committing the traumatic act.

Tiberius (Drake & Josh)

In a funny bottle episode of Drake & Josh, the stepbrothers are asked to look after Mrs. Hayfer's Rottweiler, Tiberius, while she is away, but end up spending an entire night barricading themselves in her bathroom out of fear of his vicious attack.

Prince (The People Under The Stairs)

In Wes Craven's underrated 1991 flick, The People Under the Stairs, Brandon Quinton Adams' Fool finds himself trapped inside his landlords' house of horrors, which is guarded by their menacing Rottweiler, Prince.

Lucky (Devil Dog: The Hound Of Hell)

In the 1978 made-for-TV movie, Devil Dog: The Hound Of Hell, a family adopts a German Shepherd they name Lucky, unaware his previous owners were Satanists who unwillingly involved him in a ritual that did a real number on his behavior.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Elaine Benes on Seinfeld is a special character in part because she doesn't specifically stand out as special on the show. Of the sitcom's four protagonists, she is the only woman, but she is just as selfish, mean, depraved, egotistical and funny as the men. It's an important part of the show's legacy – but it wasn't always the case, and there is a story behind how things changed behind the scenes.

Writer Larry Charles, who was a writer on the first five seasons of Seinfeld, has a new memoir titled Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter, and during a recent promotional interview with CBS Mornings (via Instagram), he told the story of how the sitcom's writer's room changed their approach to stories for Elaine. It started when Julia Louis-Dreyfus stood up for herself and made it known that she wasn't happy with the material she was being given:

This issue probably could have also been addressed by having more women writing the show... but I suppose it was a different era.

Larry Charles didn't specifically cite when this big change was made behind the scenes – but it is noteworthy that the show ended up addressing this issue in brilliantly meta fashion during Season 4. In the episode "The Shoes," Jerry and George are working on their pilot script for the show they are developing at NBC, and while they have told Elaine that she is going to be one of the characters, they abandon the idea when they realize that they don't know how to write for a woman. This changes when Elaine first complains and then even pitches a joke for herself.

Elaine being "one of the guys" was not a prominent thing on television during the late 20th century, as most shows kept women characters in gender-specific stories. But Seinfeld is a show that is recognized as revolutionary for many reasons, and the hilarious Elaine Benes is a significant part of the tale. Charles continued,

Unquestionably one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, Seinfeld shines thanks to the genderless madness of Elaine Benes. Should you care to enjoy her many, many ridiculous antics alongside her friends Jerry, George and Kramer, the show is available to stream instantly to Netflix subscribers, and physical media collectors would be wise to pick up the show's 4K UHD box set.

Hollywood has conditioned audiences to expect two central characters of similar romantic preferences and with great chemistry to fall in love by the end of a film or at some point in a TV series’ run. Thus, it is typically more refreshing to see these protagonists remain compatible but without giving in to a forced will-they-won’t-they dynamic. In that spirit, here is a thankful tribute to pop culture’s best platonic couples.

Max And Furiosa (Mad Max: Fury Road)

For the fourth installment of his beloved franchise of post-apocalyptic thrillers, 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, writer and director George Miller introduced a female hero to serve as the title character's equal in another road war. Not once is there a hint of any romantic connection between Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), and the modern action movie classic is beloved all the more for it.

Jerry And Elaine (Seinfeld)

One key way Seinfeld established itself early on as a groundbreaking comedy was doing away with any will-they-won't-they gimmick between Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) by starting them off as a couple, breaking them up before the show even started, and seeing them remain friends through the run. While the beloved TV sitcom occasionally dropped hints at rekindling their romance for laughs (such as when they became friends with benefits or Jerry's impromptu marriage proposal), there is no doubt they are stronger as pals.

Marlin And Dory (Finding Nemo)

Finding Nemo could have easily incorporated the typical "widowed father finds love again" trope by seeing Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) fall into a charming interbreed romance during their search for his eponymous son (voiced by Alexander Gould). However, I think most would agree that making the clownfish and Blue Tang nothing but friends is an essential aspect of what makes the Oscar winner one of Pixar's best movies.

Leslie And Ron (Parks And Recreation)

At the Paley Center for Media, Parks and Recreation co-creator Michael Schur shared that Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson were initially conceived as the "mom and dad" of the Pawnee Parks Department office, but without any intention of giving them romantic chemistry. The closest the co-workers have ever come to being more than professional is when Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman pretend to make out for the sitcom's gag reel.

Harry And Hermione (The Harry Potter Movies)

The Harry Potter movies may be named after Daniel Radcliffe's "Boy Who Lived," but the young wizard would not be able to achieve what he does at Hogwarts without the help of his very best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). In any other blockbuster franchise, the title character might end up with the girl in the end, but the thought never seems to cross their minds, and instead, Hermione and Ron come to develop feelings for each other.

Joey And Pheobe (Friends)

There always seemed to be romance in the air for the members of the Friends cast, from Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) rocky, on-again-off-again relationship to Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler's (Matthew Perry) marriage, and even Rachel and Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) attempt at being more than roommates. However, Joey and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) were practically brother and sister, even though they did kiss when he thought she was her twin sister, Ursula, and he did offer to marry her when he thought she was pregnant. That is, thankfully, the closest they ever came.

Hawkeye And Black Widow (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Natasha "Black Widow" Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint "Hawkeye" Barton (Jeremy Renner) share a deeper bond than most characters from the Marvel movies in order can claim, having known each other long before forming the Avengers together. The ultimate sign of their undying, platonic love for one another is in 2019's Avengers: Endgame when neither is willing to let the other sacrifice themselves to retrieve the Soul Stone, only for Clint to fall apart when he is forced to say goodbye to Nat.

Liz And Jack (30 Rock)

They may have gotten off on the wrong foot in the pilot for 30 Rock, but TV writer Liz Lemon (series creator Tina Fey) and her boss, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), eventually come to form a respectable professional team. I cannot imagine anyone would have ever expected these characters to fall for one another, but it was the mere unlikelihood of their romance that made their bond one of the comedy's strongest elements.

Bob And Charlotte (Lost In Translation)

I honestly feel like I might be cheating by including Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's characters from the 2000s-era movie classic, Lost in Translation, because the oft-discussed ending of Sofia Coppola's Oscar-winning dramedy suggests their bond evolves into something more. However, up until then, they share a friendship that each desperately needed and anyone would be lucky to have.

Mal And Zoë (Firefly)

One of the many issues that led to the premature cancellation of cult sci-fi series Firefly was creative demands from Fox executives, such as one note requesting that Zoë (Gina Torres) not be married to Wash (Alan Tudyk) to leave room for any romantic potential with Nathan Fillion's Captain Mal Reynolds. Thankfully, creator Joss Whedon stood his ground and adamantly refused, allowing the interplanetary outlaws to remain thick and thieves in the purest sense.

Ripley And Hicks (Aliens)

Writer and director James Cameron's second chapter of the Alien movies franchise introduced one of cinema's most revered platonic couples in the form of Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and Cpl. Dwayne Hicks (Michael Biehn). There are more than enough hints at the Xenomorph survivor and the marine sharing a romantic connection, but the sci-fi movie classic leaves their level of affection ambiguous instead of ending with a big, celebratory smooch like any other filmmaker might have pushed for.

Don And Peggy (Mad Men)

With how many women on the Mad Men cast Don Draper (Jon Hamm) had affairs with, one might have expected something to happen between him and his assistant/protege, Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss). Of course, that was never on the cards for them, as the 1960s ad executive saw her as more of a daughter, sharing with her many winning professional successes and tender personal moments throughout the hit AMC series' run.

Daisy And Hoke (Driving Miss Daisy)

Driving Miss Daisy from 1989 traces the longtime relationship between a grumpy older woman, Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy), and her chauffeur, Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman). Seeing their friendship survive racial and ageist adversaries in the mid-1900s South makes this Best Picture Oscar winner an enduring inspiration.

SpongeBob And Sandy (SpongeBob Squarepants)

As a marine biologist like SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg would know, sea sponges do not require mates to reproduce (which does make the inclusion of the title character's parents a bit nonsensical, admittedly). Nonetheless, nothing could have ever happened between SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and his squirrely pal, Sandy Cheeks (Carolyn Lawrence), anyway, even if some adult viewers of Nickelodeon's beloved animated series have theorized their shared passion for martial arts was a form of foreplay.

Rey And Finn (The Star Wars Movies)

It took some time for the Star Wars movies to embrace the idea of purely platonic relationships between characters of the opposite gender, specifically when the franchise was revived in 2015. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, loner Rey (Daisy Ridley) and reformed Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) become fast friends and remain allies in the fight against the First Order in the last of the sequel trilogy.

Will And Jack (Will & Grace)

During the revival seasons of Will & Grace, there were hints at Will Truman's (Eric McCormack) relationship with his friend, and fellow gay man, Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes), evolving into something more. However, that would have undermined the entire spirit of the sitcom because, as Will, the duo are meant to be "girlfriends, not boyfriends."

Jimmy And Dottie (A League of Their Own)

According to SlashFilm, director Penny Marshall shot a kissing scene between Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan and Geena Davis as catcher Dottie Hinson for the 1992 sports movie favorite, A League of Their Own. The scene was ultimately cut, maintaining the characters' strong bond as a baseball player and her coach.

Ted And Rebecca (Ted Lasso)

In the hit Apple TV+ original series, Ted Lasso, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) initially hires the eponymous American football coach (played by Jason Sudeikis), hoping that he will ruin the football team her ex-husband cherished. Instead, she comes to appreciate the good he does for the team on and off the field, and a trusting, loving friend in and out of the office develops.

Shang-Chi And Katy (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)

Succeeding Black Widow and Hawkeye as the definitive platonic couple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably Xu "Shaun" Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina). In 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, when Shaun tells his best friend/co-worker/karaoke partner that he has to leave town to help protect his younger sister, she insists on coming with him without a second's hesitation.

Jake And Rosa (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Having come up at the police academy together, Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) share one of the closest bonds among the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast. Refreshingly, the New York detectives' relationship never evolves into anything beyond strict professionalism and deeply supportive friendship, as Jake eventually marries Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) and Rosa goes through various relationships with both men and women, having come out as bi-sexual in Season 5.

Drax And Mantis (Guardians Of The Galaxy Movies)

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Drax (Dave Bautista) makes it abundantly clear that he has no romantic interest in Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and, in fact, is physically repulsed by the idea of being with her. In turn, the cosmic Marvel heroes prove to have a great brother-sister dynamic, especially when they team up to find Peter "Star-Lord" Quill (Chris Pratt) the perfect holiday gift in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

Jack And Chloe (24)

No one had Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) back like Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) on 24. The CTU agent's relationship with the analyst was, essentially, one-sided at first before they became strong allies and even best friends.

Dredd And Anderson (Dredd)

To even describe Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) and Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) from 2012's underrated comic book flick, Dredd, as friends would be far from accurate. However, as law enforcement officials, they could not be a better match as partners, evidenced by their impeccable compatibility while working to bring down the wonderfully over-the-top action villain, Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), and her drug operation.

Joan And Sherlock (Elementary)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson make up one of the most iconic and influential partnerships in pop culture history. A modernized, gender-swapped reinterpretation of the characters in CBS's Elementary, starring Johnny Lee Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Joan Watson, has also been recognized as a pairing for the ages.

Arthur And Iris (The Holiday)

In the acclaimed rom-com, The Holiday, Iris Simpkins' (Kate Winslet) love interest is Jack Black's L.A. film score composer Miles Dumon. However, the visiting Brit spends most of her time in the States with elderly former screenwriter Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), which quickly becomes the most charming relationship in Nancy Meyers' 2006 holiday season favorite.

Lexi And Stefan (The Vampire Diaries)

In his many, many years as an ageless creature of the night, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) took many lovers throughout the years, but there was one female The Vampire Diaries character he called one of his best friends. Arielle Kebbel plays fellow bloodsucker Lexi Branson, who, essentially, serves as Stefan's moral compass and bonds with him over the shared passion for the music of Bon Jovi.

Edgin And Holga (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves)

What made 2023's Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves such a blast, especially for experienced players of its namesake role-playing game, was the strong sense of unity and teamwork among its cast of heroes. No characters in the fantasy adventure represent those qualities better than Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), who are endlessly loyal to one another from the start.

Veronica And Wallace (Veronica Mars)

Kristen Bell's title hero from the teen mystery drama Veronica Mars first met Wallace Fennel (Percy Daggs III) when she saw him duct-taped to a flagpole and came to his rescue. This marked the beginning of a friendship that few high schoolers can claim.

Charly And Mitch (The Long Kiss Goodnight)

In The Long Kiss Goodnight, amnesiac mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) discovers, with help from private eye Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson), her past as a deadly top agent. From then on, the 1996 thriller from director Renny Harlin becomes a fun buddy action flick as "Samantha" embraces her true identity as Charly Baltimore.

Maddie And Simon (School Spirits)

The acclaimed Paramount+ original series School Spirits is a ghost story from the perspective of a ghost, namely 17-year-old Maddie Nears (Peyton List), who is unable to interact with the living... except for one person. Her unbreakable bond with her best friend, Simon Elroy (Kristian Ventura), allows him to see her, making him the only one who can help solve the mystery of her death, which she has no memory of.

Preston And Denise (Can't Hardly Wait)

Any other fun party movie would have the nerdy teen protagonist pining for the popular girl end up with his female best friend instead. However, in Can't Hardly Wait, Preston (Ethan Embry) does end up with his dream girl, Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), while his best friend, Denise (Lauren Ambrose), forms an unexpected connection with Kenny (Seth Green) after getting locked in a bathroom together.

Meredith And Alex (Grey's Anatomy)

On a medical drama in which most people seemed to be getting into bed with each other, it was refreshing to see two characters from the Grey's Anatomy cast, namely Justin Chambers' Alex Karev and Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey, sharing a relationship that was purely friendly.

Great sitcom families come in all shapes and sizes when it comes to the expansive landscape. From animated favs to semi-autobiographical cranktakorous comedians, and even classic Hollywood iconic fams, all show up, good, bad or ugly. Regardless of their grade or feelings for one another, each brood left an indelible mark on the television genre. Wherever you stand within your family tree, this list is for the fathers, mothers, step-parents, kids, siblings, cousins and much more.

The Addams - The Addams Family 5/5

Though they can be considered creepy and kooky, the Addams remain as relevant as ever in pop culture. Starting as a single-panel New Yorker comic strip, the blended oddballs continue to showcase true love through dark and dismal ways. The success of these longstanding family unit vibes is due to one of the best couples (outside of rom-coms), Gomez and Morticia, and their unwavering love and pride.

The Simpsons - The Simpsons 4/5

The long-running cartoon has become a recognizable pop culture staple worldwide. Even if Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie aren’t the Cleavers of the past thirty years, they still show up for one another however they can. Realistically, though, Marge has and continues to be the anchor of the Simpson family dynamics.

The Taylors - The Andy Griffith Show 5/5

Mayberry, North Carolina, wouldn’t be the same without the Taylors, in my opinion. Andy, Aunt Bee and Opie paved the way wholesomely for many other families, of any shape or size, in the sitcom landscape. Now and again, though, small conflicts would arise between the trio (I still can’t get over the Opie, slingshot and bird episode) that would get addressed head-on and with care.

The Bunkers - All In The Family 3/5

The Bunkers live in a working-class Queens home fueled by loud opinions, generational clashes, and sharp-tongued debates. Archie’s old-school views and Edith’s unwavering sweetness lend to the frequently boisterous home. Though daughter Gloria and husband, Mike, are no strangers to stirring the pot, either. Underneath it all lies a stubborn but constant love for each other amid all the high-strung dynamics.

The Jeffersons - The Jeffersons 4/5

The titular unit first starred on All in the Family as the Bunkers' neighbors. Not long after did George, Louise and their family moved on up. The Jeffersons showcased a pretty average but caring reflection of familial dynamics–dad’s arrogance clashed with mom’s calm, while their son, Lionel, tried to be a voice of reason. Along with the trio’s inner workings, extended relatives were added into the mix in a humorous but heartfelt way.

The Stephens - Bewitched 3/5

Though Bewitched was presented as generally lighthearted with a focus on comedic situations, the storylines made the Stephens’ experience some turbulence. Between Samantha’s relatives interfering in her everyday dealings, to Darrin initially doubting her abilities, and even her kiddos stirring the pot, the familial layers ran through a whole gamut.

The Sanfords - Sanford And Son 3/5

Fred and Lamont make up this parent-kid relationship, and while it’s relatively stable, the less-than-stellar communication skills hinder these two from leveling up. Notably, it’s a love-hate vibe between the two, with Fred’s habits and personal beliefs that cause the most trouble in their day-to-day lives.

The Munsters - The Munsters 5/5

Presented as a satirical counterpoint to the other familial shows during the 60s, the spooky eponymous unit was quite loving. Herman and Lily, Frankenstein’s monster and a vampire, respectively, were good-natured parental role models who welcomed open conversations, even when things went haywire.

The Petries - The Dick Van Dyke Show 4/5

The veteran black and white trio balances everyday life with Hollywood dealings. Filled with quick wit, heartfelt moments, and the occasional misstep (often turned laugh), they face the ups and downs of everyday personal and professional issues as a unit. The Petries are a great example of running a home with grace, humor, and even a little song and dance when needed.

The Gellars - Friends 2/5

Monica and Ross are typical sister-brother fodder. They both hang with all of their pals in a home I've wanted to explore forever, and from time to time, break out an iconic childhood dance number. When their parents come into play, that rating dives off a cliff. While Ross is viewed as a golden child, Monica continuously gets scrutinized or patronized for every element of her life, and her bro is MIA to defend her.

The Costanzas, The Seinfelds - Seinfeld 3/5

While Seinfeld isn’t centered on regular relative relations, the Seinfelds and Costanzas got featured somewhat consistently. Jerry and his parents' (and occasionally, Uncle Leo's) dynamics are pretty run-of-the-mill, but can be somewhat quirky. Meanwhile, George’s mom and dad illustrate the louder side of caring, but also outspoken heads of the family. Together, they’re a hilarious blended group poking and prodding at their kids.

The Banks - Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air 4/5

Like many of the other blended broods, the Banks show up at the end of the day for one another. Will coming to stay with the Bel-Air residents showcased from the jump what type of good-willed, community-driven people they are. Their actual reactions in their relationships on the surface may look quite different, though.

The Bundys - Married… With Children 1/5

The Married… with Children family is built differently. The Bundys are filled with insults, bad luck, and relentless sarcasm, paired with Al’s bitterness, Peg’s laziness, and the kids’ scheming--making it one unpredictable place. As miserable as they claim to be in regards to money, love and success, they’re stuck together—and wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Tucker-Pritchetts, Pritchett-Delgados and Dunphys - Modern Family 5/5

Ed O’Neill’s second run with a family sitcom was as notable as Married… With Children, but related much better to his loved ones, playing Jay Pritchett, the staunch but understanding patriarch. Between him and his OG kids, Claire and Mitchell, their respective families, his new wife and kids, and everyone interacting regularly, it’s more often than not a fun-loving and humanistic give and take of blended familial relationships.

The Flinstones - The Flintstones 3/5

The titular family of the first notable animated sitcom premiered back in the 1960s. And while it was widely successful and has multiple iterations a la The Addams Family, Fred is far from Gomez. But the fictionalized caveman continued to show up for his family even when the going got tough, or got him flustered.

The Belchers - Bob’s Burgers 4/5

As one of the most rewatchable shows ever, The Belchers' family dynamic is the stuff of magic. While they may be far from perfect, overly successful, or even popular (to some), the five humorously and oddly show up for one another every week. Now and again, Bob or one of the other four shows some defiance with the goings on, but it never lasts for long.

The Tanners (and co.) - Full House 4/5

The blended household has a lot going on within all of its floors, including regularly showing up for each other. Danny, Joey, Becky and Jesse do their best for the collective kiddos but can also lead them into trouble from time to time. All in all, though, the collective fam has nothing but the best intentions, except maybe when DJ’s neighbor's best friend, Kimmy Gibbler, comes around.

The McCulloughs - The Bernie Mac Show 4/5

The Bernie Mac Show is another classic, somewhat reflective look into the late comedian Bernie Mac’s real life. As the McCulloughs take in their two nieces and nephew after their mom has issues, lots of boundaries are explored for the new fivesome. With his bold humor but well-intended grace, they all learn to bond.

The Wilkersons - Malcolm In The Middle 3/5

Malcolm and the rest of his family live in middle-class chaos, outside of careers, much of which is due to the close-knit but quarrelsome four brothers. Regardless of how messy, wild, or outlandish it gets, Lois, with the help of Hal, is there to rein it all back in time and again. Through thick and thin, and a bonkers way of getting their feelings across, they continue to stick together.

The Barones - Everybody Loves Raymond 4/5

Ray and his family live in a whirlwind of sarcasm, guilt trips, and unsolicited visits, mostly stirred up by their impossibly close but constantly bickering dynamic. With Marie’s meddling, Frank’s gruff indifference, and Robert’s simmering resentment, Ray and Debra are rarely left in peace. Still, no matter how overbearing or absurd it gets, they always find a way to resolve any quip.

The Rocks - Everybody Hates Chris 4/5

The Chris Rock reflective sitcom is the perfect blend of comedy and heart between the core five. Even though the noted balance hangs true in most episodes, the reactions and happenings that fill out the original UPN show highlight the realities of their normalcy. All of them are trying their best in their personal and collective lives, and it’s an excellent showcase.

The Mitchells - Moesha 3/5

The Mitchells on Moesha broke barriers and still remains a part of pop culture due to breaking untrue industry perceptions. Though Frank ran his household in a tight manner, alongside his second wife, Dee (remarried after his first wife, Marguerite, passed), they faced issues head-on and together. (Including Frank’s past infidelities.)

The Lopezes - George Lopez 4/5

Another outstanding example of parents and their kids comes from the early ‘00s George Lopez series. Not that it didn’t have its issues, including Lopez’s spotty communication skills, the fivesome navigated their best through an array of ups and downs using humor and diverse perspectives.

The Davids - Curb Your Enthusiasm 1/5

In the off chance you’re not familiar with this somewhat factual Larry David sitcom, Larry has and always will be the problem. It’s exactly why Cheryl Hines divorced him during the long-running 12-season show. The writer and comedian loosely based this on his own marriage, but with a larger-than-life comedic spin to it.

The Mosbys - How I Met Your Mother 3/5

It may be a forgotten fact that the Mosby kids are sprinkled throughout the series, but their presence is the hinge of the show. From the small sampling we have of Ted with his son and daughter, it all seems pretty average (depending on who you ask). During the 9 seasons, Mosby ignores direct questions from his children, albeit comedically, and focuses on recounting the whole thing in order.

The Bluths - Arrested Development 2/5

The Bluth family and their fictional company were a comedic trainwreck from start to finish. Even though they all had shining moments of showing up for each other, their rich, out-of-touch ways, personally and professionally, wreaked some major havoc. With the corrupt and scheming patriarch George Bluth at the helm, sooner or later, all the issues were bound to hit a boiling point.

The Griffins - Family Guy 2/5

As one of the more outlandish cartoon families, the Griffiths don’t hold down the homestead title as well as others. From Peter to Stewie, each of them has some highlights, but their flaws and how they relate to each other through those traits are the glue that somehow holds them together. Overall, they have fine moments of true connectedness, but it's not commonplace.

The Landrys, Campbells - Sister Sister 5/5

The still lovable Sister Sister shows just how to work through a wildly unexpected happening together. Starring Tia and Tamera Mowry as long-lost twins of the same name to reunite and live with their respective parents under one roof takes a lot of gumption. By no means did the new era between the four run smoothly, but all were onboard to give it their best shot to let the sisters get to know each other.

Schitt’s Creek 5/5

Co-creators and real-life father-son duo, Eugene and Dan Levy, nailed this fictional riches-to-rags story’s foursome. The Canadian sitcom took over the world because of the Schitt’s humor, ridiculous banter, but a pure heart of gold for one another. From start to finish, we watched them grow as a family and as individuals who truly realized that our relationships are the most important thing any of us has.

The Hills - King Of The Hill 4/5

You’d never expect a place like small-town Texas to house one of the best animated shows and families of all time, but it does. The Hills reflect a completely average American family in suburbia, with, generally, semi-realistic issues they work through together. Hank may be a little rough around the edges when something goes wrong, but he usually works through it and celebrates by cracking open a cold one with his pals, uh-huh.

The Reynolds - It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 2/5

The Philadelphia area-based family isn’t for the faint of heart. They are a ragtag bunch that dysfunctionally can be supportive, but often through very muddied lenses of narcissism, manipulative behavior or shallowness. Somehow, through all of the dynamics, they continue to co-own and successfully tend a bar together.

The Solomons - 3rd Rock From The Sun 3/5

This case stands a little differently from the rest, in terms of human family dynamics vs. alien ones. As the Solomons, the quartet of ETs are wacky and get into a lot of antics Earthside that get them into trouble. But how they act toward one another as who they really are helps bump their score up.

People have a lot of opinions on sitcoms, and the more popular, the more opinions there are. So, for this, our list of the best episodes of the best sitcoms, we combed through sites like IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes to see if we could find a consensus. It's probably not perfect, and opinions will vary, but at the very least, it's as close as a list can get to all the best episodes of these classic sitcoms from every era of television.

Seinfeld - The Contest

There is no question that "The Contest" in Season 4 ranks among the best episodes of Seinfeld ever. There may be one or two episodes that compete for that top spot, as would be expected from a show as beloved as Seinfeld, but just hearing Kramer yell "I'm out!" is enough for us to include it on this list.

Modern Family - Caught In The Act

Everyone fears walking in on their parents doing the deed, and that's the aptly titled "Caught In The Act" in Season 2 of Modern Family. The episode hilariously explores that one thing that everyone can relate to.

The Golden Girls - One Flew Out Out Of Cuckoo's Nest

Over the many years it ran, The Golden Girls just kept getting better. In fact, it's rare to see a series finale be ranked among the best ever, but that is the case with "One Flew Out Out Of Cuckoo's Nest." The classic NBC came to a wonderful conclusion with a couple of marriages and a move out of Florida. It does have some of those classic Golden Girls insults, though! What a way to end!

Good Times - The Evans Get Involved: Part 1

Sometimes the best episodes are not necessarily the funniest. Take, for example, "The Evans Get Involved: Part 1" from Season 5 of Good Times. Not only does it introduce Penny, played by a young Janet Jackson, who would become a major character going forward, but it also addresses the deadly serious subject of abuse. So, it's not the funniest, but it is great TV.

The Brady Bunch - The Subject Was Noses

Multiple generations grew up watching The Brady Bunch, and when asked about episodes, it's inevitable that many will immediately cite Marcia's broken nose episode as one of their favorites and certainly one of the most memorable. The episode, from Season 4, is a classic, and the ridiculousness of the football hitting Marcia in the face is one of the best moments in TV history.

Scrubs - My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby

The second episode of Season 4 of Scrubs, "My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby," takes the top spot for the medical comedy. Honestly, just the title is perfect for the show's over-the-top nature and earns it this spot on the list.

All In The Family -  Too Good Edith

All In The Family was never afraid to blur the lines between drama and comedy and take on heavy subjects. The series finale, after nine incredible seasons, takes the top spot here. Titled "Too Good Edith," the show explores the love Archie has for Edith and his fear of her death. The death comes off-screen, after the show concluded, and is dealt with the the show's sequel series, Archie's Place. A fitting end to the classic show.

The Simpsons - Homer's Enemy

Ask 100 fans of The Simpsons what the best episode is, and you'll probably get 100 different answers (though anyone who says anything after Season 10 is wrong). The most popular answer on the internet seems to be "Homer's Enemy" from Season 8, which tells the story of Homer's hapless co-worker Frank Grimes, aka "Grimsy," may he rest in peace.

Community - Modern Warfare

Ah, the famous paintball episode of Community. It feels like all we really need to say here is, "If you know, you know."

Family Guy - Road To The Multiverse

Years before the MCU movies took us into the multiverse, The Family Guy offered us a "Road to the Multiverse" in Season 8. It's a little surprising that this one is so loved by fans. It's a great episode, but it's also very different from a standard episode. Sometimes going this far astray doesn't work, but Seth McFarlane and his crack crew nailed it here.

Cheers - One For The Road

It turns out that fans actually kind of love series finales. "One for the Road" was the last episode of the classic sitcom Cheers, and while it's a great ending to the show, there are funnier episodes, for sure. Still, these episodes clearly rank highly for many shows. The same probably can't be said for dramas like Game of Thrones and Lost.

Gilligan's Island - Don't Bug The Mosquitoes

It's become cliche to joke about all the visitors who came to the castaways' island in Gilligan's Island, only to leave without the poor stranded folks on the island. So that's not what we'll do here, but "Don't Bug The Mosquitoes" from Season 2 is a prime example of just how ridiculous (and great) the show was. The Mosquitoes are pretty much a parody of mid-'60s rock stars, just as cheesy as you'd expect from the show.

The Odd Couple - Password

There really isn't a funnier premise than Felix and Oscar from The Odd Couple trying to work together on a game show like Password, as they did on this episode from Season 3 of the classic sitcom. Hijinks ensue!

Friends - The One Where Everybody Finds Out

Like a lot of really popular shows on this–and few shows ever have been as popular as Friends–there are sure to be people who disagree that the Season 7 episode "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" is the best. But c'mon, Phoebe yelling "My eyes!" is classic Friends!

Abbott Elementary - Volunteers

Abbott Elementary seems to be an unstoppable force. The multiple Emmy-winning show is probably the best sitcom of the 2020s, and it's because of episodes like "Volunteers." Though there is likely some recency bias baked in the reviews here, as it's a relatively new episode, coming from Season 4.

WKRP In Cincinnati - Turkeys Away

WKRP In Cincinnati is an all-time great sitcom, and this episode, the Thanksgiving episode from Season 1 titled "Turkeys Away" is almost certainly considered by all of the show's fans to be the best–or at the least in the top two or three. It's a show where clips still get shared every Thanksgiving, even decades after the show aired. And no, Les, turkeys can't fly.

I Love Lucy - L.A. At Last!

What would sitcoms be without I Love Lucy? The pioneering show starring the legendary Lucille Ball broke ground in more ways than we could ever talk about on this list. Books have been written about it. The Season 4 episode, "L.A. At Last!" is a classic episode, as Lucy and Desi go to Los Angeles and rub shoulders with the stars... with predictably disastrous results.

Arrested Development - Development Arrested

Season 3 of Arrested Development was supposed to be the series finale for the show that always seemed in danger of imminent cancellation. The episode, called "Development Arrested," does a great job of tying a bow on the series and, like pretty much every episode from those first three years, is absolutely hilarious.

Schitt's Creek - Happy Ending

Yet another series finale of a classic sitcom that tops the list of best episodes is "Happy Ending" from Schitt's Creek. It's a mostly happy ending for everyone, especially David and Patrick, as they finally get married after a lot of hassle!

Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Doll

There is nothing unique about "The Doll" from Curb Your Enthusiasm; it's just classic Curb, with Larry getting angry over mundane things, like how to act in a movie theater and locks on bathrooms (or the lack thereof). There are so many great episodes of the cringy classic that picking one is impossible, but this one is as good as any, and definitely one of the best.

Full House - Secret Admirer

For a certain generation, Full House will forever be an important part of their childhood. That makes "Secret Admirer" from Season 4 the perfect choice here. Everyone has had, or wishes they've had, a secret admirer, and in this episode, every member of the family finds that wish coming true, even though it was true for any of them. It really should be ranked number one.

Designing Women - Killing All The Right People

For whatever reason, Designing Women doesn't seem to have stood the test of time as other sitcoms from the era have. It's odd because in its day, it was wildly popular and a real cultural phenomenon. It was also a show that didn't shy away from commenting on the most controversial issues of the day, as it did in "Killing All The Right People" when it addressed the AIDS epidemic in a time when few were paying as much attention as they should have been.

The Jeffersons - Sorry, Wrong Meeting

Few spinoffs in television history have been as popular as The Jeffersons, which was one of the spinoffs from All In The Family. Like the show it came from, The Jeffersons loved to poke fun at series issues, like George accidentally attending a meeting for the KKK in "Sorry, Wrong Meeting."

Roseanne - War And Peace

"War and Peace," from Season 5 of Roseanne, is all about rumors and family squabbles. That might sound like most episodes of the sitcom, but this one is actually one of the best, as is evident by its ranking at the top. It's a classic Dan episode, which, if we're honest, is the best kind of episode.

Futurama - Jurassic Bark

Any show as beloved as Futurama is going to have a lot of opinions about the best episode. Season 3's "Jurassic Bark" is surprisingly agreed upon by many, though. It's one of the rare times the show got somewhat serious, and that always bumps a show up, it seems.

Diff'rent Strokes - First Love

We have to admit, this one surprised us. Diff'rent Strokes had its fair share of episodes that tackled controversial subjects, but this episode, "First Love," is a pretty straightforward sitcom episode centered around Willis and his new girlfriend, Charlene. Willis isn't allowed to see her, but he finds a way anyway, much to Mr. Drummond's ire.

Murphy Brown - Frank's Appendectomy

Putting this list together, it seemed certain that the most popular episode of Murphy Brown would be "You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato" about Murphy raising her child as a single mother. Instead, a relatively normal, but very funny episode from Season 2, "Frank's Appendectomy," won out.

Sanford And Son - A Guest In The Yard

One of the classic re-occurring bits on Sanford and Son had Fred berating Lamont for being a "big dummy." In the classic episode "A Guest In The Yard," it's pretty much a whole episode of just that. A homeless man tries to scam Fred and Lamont, and they can't figure out how to get rid of him. Lamont wises up, but it's no use; the man still manages to have them get him drunk.

Will & Grace - Grandpa Jack

Jack McFarland on Will & Grace is one of the best supporting characters in sitcom history, and many of the shows that focus on him are among the best in the show's history. Grandpa Jack...wait, Jack is a grandpa?... is no exception, and it's no surprise that it's ranked at the top.

Frasier - Ham Radio

It's incredible that Kelsey Grammer has been playing Frasier Crane for as many decades as he has. It's one of the most enduring characters in TV history, and "Ham Radio" from the fourth season of Frasier embodies everything we love to hate about the character when he tries to create an old-timey radio drama on his station. Of course, he's controlling and bossy, and everything falls apart...

The Big Bang Theory · The Stockholm Syndrome

The series finale of The Big Bang Theory, called "The Stockholm Syndrome," is, in a lot of ways, just another episode of the popular show. The gang of nerds gets into trouble on a flight to Sweden. But it definitely feels like a finale in many ways, most notably with the revelation that Penny is pregnant. The show's enduring popularity has led to multiple spinoffs, but the original is still the best for episodes like this.

Night Court - A Day In The Life

There is no question that "A Day In The Life" from Season 4 of Night Court is the best episode. The courtroom gang has to work at warp speed to get through hundreds of cases before midnight, and the frantic pace of the episode is hilarious and wonderful.

"We're all going to be cool like Fonzie" are the words that Jules Winfield (Samuel L. Jackson) says in Pulp Fiction. It's not random, of course, that he chose Henry Winkler's character from Happy Days to define cool. The Fonz remains one of, if not the coolest characters in television history, but he's hardly alone on the small screen for his coolness. This list includes many of those cool characters you could always see yourself being friends with.

Rico Tubbs - Miami Vice

Often on cop shows, you'll get one buttoned-up straight cop and one "cool" cop. On Miami Vice, that wasn't the case. Both detectives oozed '80s cool, but in very different ways. James "Sonny" Crockett (Don Johnson) was aloof most of the time, but cared when it mattered. Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs cared all the time, but played it off as pure cool.

Charlie Harper - Two And A Half Men

Charlie Sheen has been some wild ups and downs in his personal and professional life, but his character on Two and a Half Men has always been the definition of laid-back cool. Maybe too much, compared to the other characters around him. He does bring a great balance, though.

Bunk Moreland - The Wire

The Bunk, Bunk Moreland (Wendell Pierce), on The Wire, is well-dressed and as smooth as his silk ties. He's one of the best "murder police" in the Baltimore PD, and he never misses a trick. It's easy to understand why he's on this list.

Thomas Magnum - Magnum P.I.

There are a lot of cool TV detectives, but the top of the list has to be Thomas Magnum from Magnum P.I. He drives a Ferarri, he wears short shorts, and he's got some of the best facial hair in the game. The ladies want him, and the gentlemen want to be him. He's got all the game, and he gets to live on a giant estate in Hawaii. That's winning.

Carol Peletier - The Walking Dead

In the beginning of The Walking Dead, Carol Peletier didn't seem like much of a survivor. She suffered at the hands of an abusive husband and seemed well out of her depth when the zombie apocalypse started. She used everything she learned, though, and by the end, she wasn't just one of the baddest survivors on the show; she was also one of the coolest.

Barney Stinson - How I Met Your Mother

This one might be a little controversial because despite having a ton of amazing quotes and having a classic aloof nature, Barney Stintson is pretty swarmy. Of course, everyone has a friend like that, and almost everyone lets those friends get away with their bad behavior because they are so cool.

Sydney Bristow - Alias

Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) on Alias is the epitome of cool under pressure. She always knew what to do and was as capable as any spy in Hollywood history. She deserves a spot high on any list about cool characters.

Mrs. Maisel - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Any woman in the 1950s who chooses to strike out on her own and take a chance like Midge Maisel should be cool in anyone's book. When she's as funny as Mrs. Maisel, it's an open-and-shut case. She's the coolest.

Chandler Bing - Friends

Chandler on Friends, played by the late Matthew Perry, isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's hard to deny his coolness. Of all the friends, he's easily the coolest. There is an aloofness to him that lends itself to cool, and compared to Joey and Ross? It's not even a race, really, Chandler wins every time.

Michael Knight - Knight Rider

Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) had a great perm, he wore an awesome Members-Only-looking leather coat, and he drove a Trans Am that talked to him. By any standard, that is cool. By the standards of the '80s? It was the top of the mountain. Everyone loves David Hasselhoff.

Fonzie - Happy Days

Here we are, at the coolest of the cool. Arthur Fonzarelli, or "The Fonz" or "Fonzie," if you like. He could do things like fix jukeboxes just by hitting them. He rode a motorcycle and wore a leather jacket. And he had that great hair! Plus, he's everyone's favorite person, including all the parents and authority figures. It just doesn't get cooler.

Al Swearengen - Deadwood

He's mean, he's nasty, and he makes an enemy out of everyone. Yet, for some undefinable reason, Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) is definitely cool. Maybe its his verboseness, or maybe it's his confidence, it's hard to pinpoint exactly. Even though he's a violent criminal, he's still really cool.

Daria - Daria

For an entire generation of disaffected teenagers in the 1990s, Daria on Daria summed up everything they were feeling. Unimpressed with the world, beaten down by modern life, and more interested in being sullen than anything else, Daria was everything a cool kid was in the '90s.

Daryl Dixon - The Walking Dead

Of all the characters on The Walking Dead, none were cooler than the cross-bow-wielding, motorcycle-riding, complete stud, Daryl Dixon. He was soft-spoken, but when he did speak, everyone listened. He didn't have to say much to be cool, he just had to be himself. He was always ready for a fight and always backed his friends. He's just the best.

Don Draper - Mad Men

The mid-20th Century produced a lot of "cool." Don Draper, who led the charge in culture, defines that cool. There are a million moments in Mad Men where Draper (Jon Hamm) proves just how cool he is. He may have been living a lie, but man it was a cool life!

Cosmo Kramer - Seinfeld

To paraphrase Jerry on Seinfeld, Kramer does nothing, falls backward into money, mooches food off your neighbors, and hooks up without dating. While actor Michael Richards has had a checkered career since starring on one of the best sitcoms of all time, his character on the show was always cool. He was the one we all wanted to be.

Fleabag - Fleabag

Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) is so cool, she doesn't even need a name. That's really saying something. She's smart, funny, cynical, and yeah, sometimes angry or mean, but most of the time, it's her biting wit that puts her on this list. There are a lot of people who strive to have that kind of wit, but very few ever do. Cool.

Sam Malone - Cheers

Anyone who owns a bar like Cheers is going to have to be on this list. He's loyal to his friends and regulars, he's an ex-pro athlete, and he never has problems dating beautiful women. He's also one of the funniest characters from one of the funniest sitcoms ever. We all want to be Sam, in some ways.

Face - The A-Team

Templeton "Face" Peck is the coolest character on The A-Team and usually the coolest under pressure, too. He's most likely to be the one that to go undercover because of it. He's also got some of the best lines on the show. Everyone on the team is cool in their own way, but Face takes the cake when it comes to real "coolness."

Mary Richards - The Mary Tyler Moore Show

She's gonna make it after all! Mary Richards oozes everything cool in all seven seasons of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She showed girls and women everywhere that they, too, could make it in the corporate world and in the news business, all while looking sheik and being insanely cool.

Spock - Star Trek

Of all the characters in the original Star Trek, Spock has to be the coolest, right? Bones seems like the most fun, and Kirk would be hilarious to hang out with, but Spock has them all beat. He's cool, calm, and collected at all times, and he has just even of a human side to make him real. He has all the facts, too, which is good for all those arguments in a bar, right?

Tyrion Lannister - Game Of Thrones

The list of "cool" Lannisters on Game of Thrones is a short list. It's a list of one, really, and that one is, of course, Tyrion. From the way he dances to his trial, or the way he stays as loyal as he can to people until the end, he's the one family member you can trust. Obviously he's also a lot of fun.

Columbo - Columbo

What can we say about Peter Falk's amazing character, Columbo, in the show of the same name? He plays the bumbling detective who actually knows exactly what is going on at all times. He doesn't put on airs, and he doesn't care what people think of him at first blush. In fact, his nonchalant nature is exactly what makes him so effective - and cool.

Sonny Crockett - Miami Vice

One half of the coolest '80s TV detectives, Sonny Crockett oozes cool. He drives exotic cars, looks great in a white suit and pastel shirts, and he is, in the end, Don Johnson. Don Johnson is as cool as his character, and it all comes across on the screen. With all the wild guest stars in Miami Vice history, he had to hold his own, and he more than did.

Lucy Ricardo - I Love Lucy

Lucy Ricardo was a television pioneer in every way. She not only had one of the first legitimately huge hits on the medium, she did it as a women. That only is enough to make her cool enough for this list. The fact that her character on I Love Lucy was a little goofy and a little batty only adds to the cool factor.

Buffy Summers - Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Talk about a character who became a role model for teenagers everywhere! The way Buffy Summers from Buffy The Vampire Slayer always handled herself made her formidable, but cool as heck while she was.

Lester Freamon - The Wire

"Cool Lester Smooth" is just one of Lester Freamon's nicknames on The Wire. He does have a certain tweed impertinence, but he's got all the answers. The show is too realistic to have a real Holmsian character, but Lester, played brilliantly by Clarke Peters, is as close as the show comes, and everyone knows that's cool. Plus, he looks out for his friends and has endless patience. Oodles of coolness.

Silvio Dante - The Sopranos

Every kingpin needs a trustworthy #2, and for Tony Soprano, that's his consiglieri, Silvio Dante. He is as loyal as it comes, and he does a mean Al Pacino impression. It helps that the character is played by a bona fide rock star, "Little" Steven Van Zandt from the E Street Band. Silvio was "peak cool" from the peak era of prestige TV.

Arya Stark - Game Of Thrones

Unlike the Lannisters in Game of Thrones, there are a lot of cool Starks. How can you pick just one among Ned, Robb, and all the rest? Well, really, it's easy. Arya is the coolest. In fact, she's pretty much the coolest character in the whole series, both on screen and in the books.

Sawyer - Lost

Okay we'll admit, Sawyer on Lost is often a jerk. But man, he's so cool sometimes. If you like bad boys, he's the ultimate bad boy and as we all know, bad boys are cool. It's just the way it goes. It's a fact. Plus, that hair... that hair is awesome.

Lisa Simpson - The Simpsons

This is a hill not a lot of Simpsons fans will die on, but those of us who will, will go down fighting. Lisa Simpson is the best. She's the best family member and the heart of the show's morality. If Lisa disapproves, you should do that thing. She's also really fun when she wants to be, even if some people disagree. Nerds are cool!

Wednesday Addams - Wednesday

Just like bad boys are always cool, bad girls are too. Wednesday Addams is as bad a girl can get, in the very best way. That means she's the coolest. The level of aloofness is frankly incredible and means she has to be on this list.

Despite the impression one might get from the meta storyline in Season 4, Seinfeld wasn't actually pitched originally as a "show about nothing." Instead, the premise Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David presented to NBC was about how a comedian comes up with their material. "Jerry" would live his sitcom life, and the stories would become standup jokes.

Seinfeld himself explained this bit of trivia about the legendary sitcom during a January 2014 AMA on Reddit – but as a long-time fan of the series, it has always struck me as a bit strange given what the show became. To say nothing of the fact that the standup intros/outros were completely eliminated in the last couple of seasons, Jerry's bits on stage only very rarely sync up with the plots of episodes. I've always perceived a disconnect between the standup routines and the various adventures of the main characters, and I recently had an epiphany as to why I've registered that distance.

The Weird Way I've Always Viewed The Standup Bits In Seinfeld

I feel I should emphasize "rarely" in the paragraph above, as it's not as though there are no examples in overlap in episodes between Jerry's standup and the stories that play out. Off the top of my head, I can recall that Season 5's "The Puffy Shirt" features George moving back in with his parents, and Jerry's opening joke is about how that decision is never a sign that your life is "right on track." Similarly, Season 7's "The Invitations" begins with a bit about how wedding invitations would be left on car windshields if the process were left entirely up to men.

Despite these instances, I've long carried an unintended perception of Seinfeld: I've seen the majority of the show as being the adventures of "Sitcom Jerry Seinfeld," and I've seen the on-stage moments as being "Real Jerry Seinfeld." Essentially, the beginning and ending bits are mini comedy specials cut into the series.

I've rewatched every episodes dozens of times since my childhood, and never really came across anything to specifically challenge this view – but that started to change recently when I noticed Jerry's bandaged finger at the end of Season 5's "The Bris." This discovery led me to wonder why it is I've felt there is a proverbial line drawn in the sand between the sitcom and the standup, and I have discovered the answer to my question in the final seconds of "The Sniffing Accountant."

My Seinfeld Epiphany, Courtesy Of "The Sniffing Accountant"

For those who don't recall, "The Sniffing Accountant" is the fourth episode of Season 5, and it finds Jerry, Kramer and Newman scared that Barry, an accountant who is responsible for their finances, may have a cocaine problem. Elaine, a longtime friend of the money manager, insists that they are jumping to false conclusions, but the three men go as far as to set up a sting operation to try and catch Barry using drugs. At the end of the story, it's revealed that the paranoia was actually justified, and Jerry, Kramer and Newman lose a chunk of change when Barry files for bankruptcy.

It's a terrific episode that features one of my all-time favorite bits of physical comedy (Kramer chugging a beer and smoking a cigarette simultaneously), but the important aspect to focus on in this conversation is the standup bit that concludes it. It begins,

It might be hard to catch the nuance in text, but the key words there are "actually did." As phrased in the joke, it feels like "Real Jerry" is explaining the inspiration for the episode that we just watched to the audience rather than "Sitcom Jerry" adapting the wild tale as material... and this take is further legitimized by the fact that Jerry Seinfeld in real life did lose $50,000 trusting his money to an accountant with a drug problem.

Through decades of watching Seinfeld, did I specifically internalize this moment and let it impact the entire way I view the show? I believe that it did, and it has already changed the way that I now watch the sitcom's intros and outros.

My rewatches have continued since my epiphany, and while I am personally still loving the experience of watching Seinfeld on 4K UHD (the box set having been released this past December), I also regularly stream episodes via my Netflix subscription.

There are a lot of bad companies in the world of film and TV, companies that would be brutal work for like Inotech in Office Space. Those are hardly the only ones. Imagine having to show up to work every morning for Lumon in Severance. Or even a place that might seem like fun like Dunder Mifflin in The Office, would really be awful. Here is our list of companies that would be terrible to work for from TV shows and in movies.

Inotech (Office Space)

Bill Lumberg (Gary Cole) from Inotech in Office Space would be just a terrible boss to work for. The worst part is that he was just one of the many bosses working for the company. It's no wonder everyone was so miserable that everyone had their idea on how to get out of the rat race, from embezzling money to burning the place to the ground.

InGen (Jurassic Park)

Sure, on the surface InGen in Jurassic Park would be an amazing place to work. It's on a tropical island, there seem to be great benefits, and if you're a scientist, it's cutting edge work. Of course, then you have to consider the dinosaurs. Life will find a way and when it does, you're going be in a lot of trouble.

Nakatomi Trading (Die Hard)

Let's be honest, just having to work with a guy like Ellis (Hart Bochner) would be bad enough. Adding in an attack by a bunch of psycho thieves at the Christmas party and well, yeah, it would be pretty awful working for Nakatomi Trading in Die Hard.

The Dharma Initiative (Lost)

It's pretty hard to decide what the worst job would be if you were a part of the The Dharma Initiative in Lost. Desmond being stuck in the hatch typing in the numbers ever few hours has to be close to the top of the list. It's also very cult-like and for anyone who has worked for a company like that, they know just how weird it can be.

Omni Consumer Products (RoboCop)

Omni Consumer Products in RoboCop does some terrible stuff. It's basically a company, led by an egomaniac, that has absolutely no moral compass. Sure, it's a pretty dystopian situation in the world of RoboCop, but that's no excuse, you need to do better than work for an awful company like Omni.

Kruger Industrial Smoothing (Seinfeld)

George (Jason Alexander) in Seinfeld had a few bad jobs on the show. When working for the Yankees is the best job, you know the rest have to be bad. Kruger Industrial Smoothing has to be the worst though. Mr. Kruger is a guy who just doesn't seem to care about anything at all, and what in the world is "industrial smoothing"? Christmas at Kruger Industrial Smoothing seems especially annoying.

Pierpoint & Co. (Industry)

The British hit Industry shows all the worst sides of investment banking. One of the worst aspects of working in that industry is the cut-throat competition that all bankers deal with, especially at Pierpoint & Co o the show. Some may thrive, but most people would hate it.

Weyland-Yutani Corporation (Alien)

Weyland-Yutani Corporation from the Alien franchise is one of the most morally bankrupt companies on this list, and that is really saying something. Over and over it is clear that the powers that be don't care one bit for the health and safety of their employees. Over and over, those employees wind up dead. You'd think someone would blow the whistle, but all these years later, Weyland-Yutani is still at it.

Dunder Mifflin (The Office)

Everyone loves The Office and we all love laughing along with all the whacky stuff that goes on every day at Dunder Mifflin. But think about it, how awful would you feel if you had to deal with Michael Scott (Steve Carell) every day of your life. IT wouldn't take long before you lost it on him, right? It's easy to understand why Jim (John Krasinski) is so miserable all the time.

Wernham Hogg (The Office - UK)

Perhaps the only place worse to work in a sitcom world than Dunder Miflin would be Wernham Hogg in the British version of The Office. Michael Scott is terrible, but David Brent (Ricky Gervais) is mean-spirited and just plain nasty sometimes, in addition to being a total idiot. How anyone ever works for Brent is really hard to understand.

Lumon (Severance)

This list has a lot of sketchy, miserable companies on it, but Lumon from Severance probably takes the cake for the worst. It has everything that makes everyone else terrible all wrapped up into one. Menial tasks with little reward, shady technology, psychopathic leadership, a cult-like atmosphere... the list goes on and on.

The Wonka Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory)

Working at a candy company might sound like a dream for many people, until you learn that all of your co-workers are weird orange beings that are liable to burst into song at the drop of a hat. Add on to that a wildly narcissistic CEO who is completely unpredictable and throws up little tests all the time to test your loyalty and it's safe to say you'd want no part of working for Willy Wonka.

Miller/Gold Talent Agency (Entourage)

Nobody wants to work for a boss whose base level is "yell as much as I can at everyone." It might be a great place to get ahead in a tough entertainment industry, but working for Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) on Entourage would be completely soul-sucking, right? Right.

Tyrell Corporation (Blade Runner)

Anyone working in a giant building that looks like a cross between an Imperial ship from Star Wars and a mid-century brutalist building in Germany should know exactly what kind of company they are working for, right? Building and designing replicants, who are basically enslaved techo-humans, seals the deal. You don't want to work here.

The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant (The Simpsons)

Being a low-level drone in Sector 7-G at a nuclear power plant would be a pretty miserable existence. It seems to work for Homer Simpson, and he's never permanently lost his gig, no matter what he does, but let's be honest, Homer is an idiot. Anyone of even normal intelligence would be out there in a hurry.

Bluth Company (Arrested Development)

A family filled with morons running a company mired in controversy and corruption like the Bluth Company in Arrested Development sounds pretty awful on its face alone. When you get in there, you'd realize that the one family member who is trying to make it work can't control anyone else in his family. Even working for the Banana Stand would be better than going into the office every day at Bluth.

Spacely's Sprokets (The Jetsons)

Even back in the 1960s no one wanted to work for a giant corporation like Spacely's Sprokets. Not only do they not make a real product (sprockets?) but Mr. Spacely is the worst kind of CEO, the kind that rules with fear and intimidation. That's no way to run a company no matter what year it is. We should all have flying cars by now though.

Umbrella (Resident Evil)

As the name of the show implies, Umbrella, the over-arching company in charge of seemingly everything in the world of Resident Evil is, well, evil. The list of things it does that are pure evil is far too long to list in one place, but it's safe to say that you could never truly feel good about your job here.

BiffCo (Back To The Future 2)

The future looks pretty bleak if Biff is in charge. After stealing the time machine and the Sports Almanac, Biff rakes up so much money that he can pretty much do whatever he wants. No one should have to work for a boss like Biff or a company like BiffCo. Who names a company "BiffCo" anyway? Beware the man who builds monuments to himself.

J. Peterman Company (Seinfeld)

The J. Peterman Company on Seinfeld doesn't seem like the worst place to work. it's a trendy catalog, and there is cake in the break room all the time. The serious drawback is working for an egomaniac like Peterman himself. It would be impossible to take orders from a guy like that.

Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory (Family Guy)

It would take about ten seconds to sour on a CEO like Jonathan Weed, owner of the Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory on Family Guy. His smug, pretentious behavior would get old quickly and there aren't enough toys in the world to make going to work for a guy like that every day worth it. Peter got lucky when Mr. Weed died and the whole factory was torn down.

Sunshine Taxi Company (Taxi)

Two words, Louie De Palma. Or is that three? Either way working for Danny DeVito's character on Taxi would be miserable. There are some appeals to driving a cab. You can make your own hours, and you can be alone with your thoughts a lot, but then you remember you have to return to the garage and put up with that jerk. No thanks.

Veridian Dynamics (Better Off Ted)

Senior vice-president of the Research and Development department at Veridian Dynamics sounds like a pretty sweet gig for Ted on Better Off Ted and for the most part, the day-to-day isn't bad at Veridian. The problem is that it is the definition of a soul-sucking multinational conglomerate and it takes a real toll over the long term when you realize you are a completely replaceable cog in a giant machine.

E Corp (Mr. Robot)

A company like E Corp - what kind of name is that anyway? - would make anyone want to be a bad hat hacker working to bring the whole place down. They prey on the most vulnerable and have no morals or ethics whatsoever. This is easily one of the worst companies in television history

Hooli - (Silicon Valley)

It's pretty easy to understand why anyone worth their salt would want to ditch Hooli and strike out on their own. Anyone would have been in the same kind of position with a company like Hooli, knows what it's like to watch others benefit from your good ideas and hard work. Pied Piper is chaotic, but it's theirs.

Zorg Industries (The Fifth Element)

Gary Oldman is brilliant as Zorg, the leader of Zorg Industries on The Fifth Element. The character is completely unhinged and that is not the kind of person anyone wants to work for, setting aside how awful the company itself is. It's simply a company with way too much power.

ENCOM (Tron)

On its surface ENCOM seems like a pretty standard technology company that could do a lot of good for the world. Then you realize it's being run by a total megalomanic. Ed Dillinger cheated his way to the top, and holds onto his power in a ruthless and morally bankrupt way. He's despicable.

MomCorp (Futurama)

Planet Express in Futurama may have it's own set of issues, but working for its rival, MomCorp and dealing with Mom would be way, way worse. At least Planet Express feels like a family. Sometimes, anyway.

Soylent Corporation (Soylent Green)

There is nothing worse on this list than people serving people to other people and Soylent Green is people! That's really all that needs to be said. It's not the only terrible thing that the Soylent Corporation does, it's just the worst thing in the world.

LexCorp (Superman)

It's good to have a hard and fast rule that working for a supervillain like Lex Luther is never a good idea. LexCorp does so many evil things it's hard to know exactly where to start when it comes to reasons why no one should work for a company like that. The worst thing might be that Superman, of all people, could show up and end everything you're doing in a hurry.

Buy N Large Corporation (WALL-E)

The Buy N Large Corporation might have started as an innocent yogurt company but it grew into something far too large, with far too much influence and power. Like other companies on this list, it's just too good for anyone's own good.

Oscorp (Spider-Man)

Oscorp wasn't started by one supervillain, it was started by two! Yeah, there's no way anything you could do at that company would be for the good of anyone except the two evil geniuses that run it. Easy pass.

The Grateful Dead were never really part of mainstream culture for most of their 30-year career that ended in 1995 with the death of Jerry Garcia. Sure, they had a hit song in the '80s and now they are ubiquitous, but for years they flew under the radar despite a huge fanbase of dedicated fans. With so many diehards loving the Dead, it's actually not surprising that they are referenced quite often in pop culture. Sometimes one of their songs may pop onto a soundtrack and other times it's as simple as a lyric or a bumper sticker sneaking into a movie or TV show. This list of times the Grateful Dead have been referenced in a movie or on TV is hardly exhaustive, but it's a good start - and we're not talking about concert films here, either.

Freaks And Geeks

Freaks And Geeks doesn't seem like the kind of show that would have the Grateful Dead play an important role, but in the end - literally the end - it turns out they completely change Lindsey's life. After being gifted a copy of the band's American Beauty album, Lindsey (Linda Cardellini) decides to skip her trip to Ann Arbor and "hops on the bus" as Deadheads would say and travels with her friends to Colorado to catch the Dead in concert.

Romancing The Stone

One of the funniest scenes in Romancing The Stone comes when Jack (Michael Douglas) and Joan (Kathleen Turner) come across a downed plane full of grass. The pilot, long dead and nothing but a skeleton, is shown wearing a jacket with "Grateful Dead" written on the back. Gotta love those flyboys.

Flirting With Disaster

Until we meet Mel's parents, played by Alan Alda and Lily Tomlin, Flirting With Disaster isn't the kind of movie that screams "Grateful Dead," but after, it makes total sense that Mel (Ben Stiller) would decide his unborn child after the bands guitarist Jerry Garcia and he does, at the very end of the movie as "Truckin'" plays.

Seinfeld

This is a tough one to spot, but believe it or not, there is a quick Grateful Dead reference in a Season 4 episode of Seinfeld called "The Airport." In the episode, George catches a ride with Kramer to the airport to pick up Elaine and Jerry, and while they are driving, you can see what is clearly the top of the famous "Steal Your Face" Grateful Dead logo.

Friends

There are a few hints from time to time that Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) is a Deadhead in Friends. One of the more obvious times is after she "learns" how to play basketball with a new boyfriend, she arrives at the Central Perk wearing a Dead tie-dye the band made to honor the Lithuanian national basketball team for the Olympics.

Game Of Thrones

Author George R.R. Martin, whose books were adapted for HBO's massive hit Game Of Thrones, is a self-professed Deadhead and he has sprinkled in numerous subtle Grateful Dead references into his books and the show. Dire wolves (named after a Dead tune), Weirwood trees (named after member Bob Weir) and others are all throughout the series. Martin has even said when he is writing that "I always have Grateful Dead lyrics rattling around in my head."

LA Law

One of the more ridiculous references to the Dead came in an episode of LA Law from Season 8 called "Dead Issue." One of the plotlines involves a couple getting divorced in part because of the husband's love of the Dead. Something all Deadheads can probably relate to on some level.

Tommy Boy

Another quite subtle reference comes in the Chris Farley classic Tommy Boy when Farley is seen on his sailboat at the end of the movie. He is wearing a pretty sweet looking jacket that clearly shows a Smiling Skeleton Sun patch, another logo used by the Dead.

The Simpsons

Over the years, The Simpsons have made multiple references to the Dead, including the not-so-subtle dig at Deadheads in the episode where Homer meets people who travel the country following the Krusty Burger Ribwich. A more direct reference comes in the Season 10 episode "D'oh-in' in the Wind" when Flanders accidentally takes peyote and hallucinates seeing the band's famous Dancing Bears as he drives.

The Facts Of Life

Famously, the Grateful Dead allowed their fans to record their concerts and trade the tapes. It's a big reason the band found such a loyal fanbase. This practice was even referenced on a 1982 episode of The Facts Of Life called "Kids Can Be Cruel." Carl 'Rocky' Price (Dan Frischman) is seen carrying a tape recorder and tells Mrs. Garrett that he tapes Dead shows.

Roseanne

A Season 8 episode of Roseanne brought us one of the most bizarre Grateful Dead references. In the episode, Roseanne is in the hospital giving birth to her son, and Jerry Garcia appears as a ghost telling her that everything is going to be alright and in light of the "encounter," she decides to name her baby after the singer. It's...very odd.

One More Saturday Night

Al Franken and fellow SNL writer Tom Davis were both huge Deadheads. They often appeared with the band and went to hundreds of Dead shows over the years. In 1986 they made a movie together that you might not have even heard of. They play musicians in the movie, but the band sounds nothing like the Dead. However, they did name the movie after a Grateful Dead song, One More Saturday Night.

The Office

In a Season 3 episode of The Office called "Branch Closing" there is a brief Dead reference when Pam signs a goodbye message to Kelly with the lyrics to "Truckin'", "What a long, strange trip it's been."

South Park

The guys behind South Park don't seem like the biggest fans of the Grateful Dead. In one episode, Jerry Garcia is shown as a resident of Hell, and in another Mr. Mackey gets upset when he tells Jimbo that he can't go to a Grateful Dead concert because "Jerr-bear is dead." They also take a few shots at bands like the Dead in the episode where Cartman exterminates hippies.

Splash

In a "blink or you'll miss it" moment in Splash, Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah are walking past Radio City Music Hall and you can just make part of the Dead's name on the marquee. The band famously played the venue in 1980, though the movie was shot later.

Mask

In a tear-jerking moment at the end of Mask, after Rocky (Eric Stoltz) has died, the Dead's beautiful song "Ripple" is played just as the movie ends. It's the perfect way to end the movie and there's no way you won't cry when you watch. The movie is filled with great music from the '60s and '70s.

Ted Lasso

It's really not surprising to find that Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) on Ted Lasso is a Deadhead. He admits that he once saw a concert featuring the Dead, The Black Crowes, and Phish jamming together. Unfortunately, in real life such a jam never actually happened, though the Crowes did open for Dead once in 1995, but they didn't share the stage.

My So-Called Life

The Grateful Dead are mentioned a few times in My So-Called Life, including when Rayanne (A.J. Langer) wears a tie-dye and talks about going to see them in concert while she is in an argument with Angela (Claire Danes) on the show. Graham also listens to the album American Beauty on the show.

Runaway Bride

There are numerous references to the Dead in the Julia Roberts and Richard Gere rom com classic The Runaway Bride. It might not be one of Roberts' best movies, but the band comes up repeatedly because one of her ex-fiances was a Deadhead. It's something Richard Gere throws in her face a few times, like it's a bad thing.

Around The Fire

Around the Fire is not a great movie, though it is notable for starring Tara Reid and, in his big screen debut, Colman Domingo as traveling fans of an unnamed rock band that is clearly meant to be the Grateful Dead. It is pretty unintentionally funny and although no Dead music is used in the movie, there is a soundtrack filled with the likes of Phish and String Cheese Incident.

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas

During one of Raoul Duke's many benders in Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (one of the best movies set in Vegas), there is a very brief snippet of the Grateful Dead playing in concert amongst the other images of bombs falling on Vietnam and other horrors.

Spider-Man 2

Some of the best references to the Dead come with no explanation. Take, for example, Peter's doctor in Spider-Man 2. In the scene where Peter (Tobey Maguire) meets with the doctor, the doctor is inexplicably wearing a Grateful Dead T-shirt. It's something only Deadheads would pick up on, and that is what makes it so great.

The Ben Stiller Show

In the '90s, it was never surprising to see hip comedians like Bob Odenkirk and Ben Stiller taking shots at the Dead and their fans. In one skit on The Ben Stiller Show, Odenkirk plays an insurance salesman who specialized in selling his policies to Deadheads. Of course it's filled with cliche jokes about the band and their fans and drugs, but it's hard to admit some of it isn't pretty funny.

Family Guy

In one of Family Guy's patented flashbacks, Stewie is seen at a Grateful Dead concert wearing no shirt and clearly, um, messed up, based on the state of his pupils. He makes a joke about trading his shirt (a tie-dye, of course) for a grilled cheese. Honestly, it's not that far off from reality, if we're honest, even if it is the easy joke to make.

Indian Summer

In the underrated movie Indian Summer, Bill Paxton's character is a Deadhead and is seen wearing a tank top with a classic Steal Your Face logo on it. He also mentions that work is what he does between Dead shows. In another scene, he's wearing a Crosby, Stills, and Nash tie dye, so it's easy to see what kind of music he loves.

WKRP In Cincinnati

One of the more predictable references comes from WKRP In Cincinnati. In one episode Johnny Fever (Howard Hessman) plays "Shakedown Street" by the Dead. The only thing surprising about it is that there weren't more references to the band on a show all about great '70s rock.

30 Rock

One of the most famous quotes in 30 Rock history has to be Jack advising Liz to "never go with a hippie to a second location." In another hippie reference, Jack (Alec Baldwin) tells Liz (Tina Fey) that he isn't interested in quashing his argument with the Post Master General over a Jerry Garcia stamp.

Half Baked

Half Baked is a terrible movie filled with lazy stoner jokes. It's just not a funny way to ever portray smoking. In one scene, Jim Breuer (the worst actor in the movie) "preys" to Jerry Garcia to protect them. It's stupid, but hey, it's a reference, so we'll count it.

The Wonder Years

In a TV show filled with great music from the '60s and '70s, of course there has to be a little Grateful Dead. In one scene, the whole class loads up in a bus for a field trip and as the bus heads down the highway, the all-too-appropriate "Truckin.'"

Black Hawk Down

One of the weirdest references to the Dead has to be the taxi driver in Black Hawk Down. How a cab driver in Mogadishu would end up wearing a Dead shirt is a mystery, but there it is, as he pulls up to the target he is sighting for the US military.

Apocalypse Now Redux

This one only sort of counts for this list, but it's an important one. When Francis Ford Coppola started making Apocalypse Now, he originally had the drummers in the Dead, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman create the soundtrack. In the end, Coppola went a different direction with the music, but when he recut the movie for the Redux version, some of their original work was used.

The Music Never Stopped

Deadheads love the song "The Music Never Stopped" so it's not surprising that it was used a movie title for a movie about a father and son reconnecting with the Dead music in common.

For its ability to bring both football obsessives and non-sports fans together, the Super Bowl is regarded as a national holiday. Thus, just like with any other major day of celebration, there are plenty of movies and special TV show episodes that make “The Big Game” a focal point of the plot. These are some of the best examples of small and big screen favorites that were clearly ready for some football!

Heaven Can Wait (1978)

Heaven Can Wait is actually a remake of the 1941 drama Here Comes Mr. Jordan, in which a boxer is sent back to Earth in another body after he is taken before his time. Co-writer, co-director, and star Warren Beatty's version makes Joe Pendleton a football player who aspires to bring the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl when he is sent back to Earth in a new body and ultimately succeeds.

"Monday Night Football" - How I Met Your Mother (2007)

In Season 2 of How I Met Your Mother, the gang misses the Super Bowl to attend a MacLaren's employee's funeral but still decides to honor their annual tradition of watching it together by recording the Big Game for the following night. The catch is that they want to keep the outcome of the game a surprise and jump through hoops to prevent spoilers, from Ted (Josh Radnor) wearing the "Sensory Deprivator 5000" while picking up wings from a sports bar and Robin (Cobie Smulders) bribing her producer to avoid any mentions of the winning team in her news broadcast.

American Underdog (2021)

In 2000, Kurt Warner achieved his lifelong dream of playing in the Super Bowl at 29 years old and became the third oldest quarterback at the time to do so for the first time, with the St. Louis Rams. The inspiring moment was dramatized in the sports biopic, American Underdog, starring Zachary Levi as the two-time Most Valuable Player winner.

"Death Has A Shadow" - Family Guy (1999)

The very first episode of Family Guy, called "Death Has a Shadow," features a pivotal scene taking place at the Super Bowl. It is where Peter Griffin (creator Seth MacFarlane), with Brian's help, attempts to get rid of the excess money he has received from his welfare fund by dumping it from the sky in a blimp.

Black Sunday (1977)

Not to be confused with a horror movie from 17 years earlier, Black Sunday is an espionage thriller based on the novel by Thomas Harris. It follows an Israeli commando who works with the FBI to prevent a terrorist plot involving an explosive device mounted to a Goodyear blimp that is scheduled to fly above a packed stadium during the Super Bowl.

"The Label Maker" - Seinfeld (1995)

"Re-gifting" is a phrase introduced in Seinfeld in Season 6's "The Label Maker," in which Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), after he is invited to a wedding, gives up his Super Bowl tickets to his dentist, Tim Whatley (Bryan Cranston), who thanks him by giving him a "Label Baby Jr." However, when the wedding is called off, he tries to get the tickets back to no avail, which makes him especially mad after learning Whatley regifted the label maker, which he originally received from Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). After Whatley and Elaine make up, Jerry ends up going to the Big Game but has to sit next to Newman (Wayne Knight).

The Replacements (2000)

Director Howard Deutch's The Replacements stars Keanu Reeves as one of several football players hired to fill in when a team's regular members go on strike. The sports dramedy, also starring Gene Hackman as the Sentinels' reinstated head coach, is loosely based on the true story of how the Washington Redskins managed to win Super Bowl XXII in a season with replacement players during an NFL strike.

"Sunday, Cruddy Sunday" - The Simpsons (1999)

Fox aired a special Season 10 episode of The Simpsons that involved the Big Game right after the network broadcasted Super Bowl XXXIII. "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday" sees Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) traveling to see the event until they discover their tickets are counterfeit, forcing them to sneak into the stadium.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

One of the best Jim Carrey movies (or, at least, the one featuring his definitive, star-making performance) is director Tom Shadyac's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. In the uproarious comedy, the goofy eponymous sleuth is given the assignment of his life when he is tasked with finding the Miami Dolphins' beloved mascot, Snowflake, before the team plays on Super Bowl Sunday.

"Band Geeks" - SpongeBob Squarepants

To be fair, "Band Geeks" – a classic episode of the beloved animated series, SpongeBob Squarepants – does not actually revolve around the Super Bowl, but the undersea equivalent, the Bubble Bowl. Squidward attempts to upstage longtime rival Squilliam Fancyson by putting together a marching band to play at the game which he assumes will be a trainwreck until he sees their truly victorious performance of "Sweet Victory."

"Super Bowl Fever" - Home Improvement (1995)

Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) and his nigh-obsessive love of football has been known to get him in trouble on a few occasions on Home Improvement. However, the trouble in "Super Bowl Fever" stems from his wife, Jill (Patricia Richardson), coming down with the flu on the day he invites his friends over for a Super Bowl party at the house.

80 For Brady (2023)

In the tradition of comedy films that include a famous athlete's name in the title – such as Like Mike and Bend It Like Beckham – we have 80 for Brady, which is inspired by a true story and features a cameo by the real Tom Brady as himself. The film takes place in 2017 during Super Bowl LI, in which a quartet of older women (played by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field) travel to see and root for their beloved New England Patriots quarterback.

"Super Bowl Sunday" - All In The Family (1978)

The Season 8 All in the Family episode "Super Bowl Sunday" fittingly followed CBS's broadcast of Super Bowl XII and told a story related to the big event. Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) anticipates that the game will bring great business to his bar, only for it to become the site of a robbery.

Kelce (2023)

Director Don Argott's Kelce follows Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce as he wrestles with the decision to retire after 13 seasons. The climax of the Amazon Prime original documentary sees him compete against his own brother, Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce, at Super Bowl LVII, which came to be known as the "Kelce Bowl."

"Our Parents, Ourselves" - Frasier (1999)

A Season 6 episode of Frasier – a series equally as good as the show it spun off from, Cheers – called "Our Parents, Ourselves" sees the titular psychiatrist (played by Kelsey Grammer) attempting to play matchmaker for his father (John Mahoney) and Roz's (Peri Gilpin) mother. So, he invites the woman to his Super Bowl party at his apartment to surprise Martin, only to discover that he cannot stand her.

"Easy Com-mercial, Easy Go-mercial" - Bob's Burgers

For some people, the best thing about the Super Bowl is the commercials, especially if you are one of the businesses advertising during what is, typically, the most-watched television event of the year. The Season 4 Bob's Burgers episode, "Easy Com-mercial, Easy Go-mercial," reflects on that with a story that sees the Belchers attempting to film an ad for their restaurant with the hope that it will air during the Big Game.

"My Name is Bev" - Roseanne (1995)

Roseanne's Super Bowl-themed episode touches on the serious topic of drunk driving, which Roseanne's (Roseanne Barr) mother, Beverly (Estelle Parsons), is caught doing and is forced to attend an AA meeting. Later on in the show, she appears at Dan's (John Goodman) Super Bowl XXIX party, which prompts Roseanne to tell the guests to hide their keg.

A Saintly Switch (1999)

Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, A Saintly Switch is a family film made for ABC's The Wonderful World of Disney series in which two children cast a spell that causes their bickering mother (Vivica A. Fox) and father (David Alan Grier), who recently started playing for the New Orleans Saints, to switch bodies. The story concludes with the father, having returned to his own body, playing in the Super Bowl just as his pregnant wife has gone into labor.

"Super Bowl" - Everybody Loves Raymond (2001)

Of course, there would be an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond in which the titular character (Ray Romano), who makes a living as a sports columnist, goes to the Big Game. In the aptly titled, "Super Bowl," Ray acquires a pair of tickets to the event and opts to take his friend, Gianni (Jon Manfrellotti), much to his family's chagrin.

The Great Brady Heist (2020)

There are quite a few movies where some interesting criminal activity takes place during the Big Game, but it is all just make-believe, right? Well, there was one amusing instance in which New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's game jersey was stolen from his locker during Super Bowl LI, as covered in the Fox Sports original documentary, The Great Brady Heist.

"Super Bowl" - Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2003)

Even in the bizarre world of Adult Swim's hit series, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, such a thing as the Super Bowl exists. In a Season 2 episode of the popular animated TV show, Master Shake (Dana Snyder) and Carl (Dave Willis) bow to Meatwad's (also Willis) every will in hopes that he will pick one of them to accompany him to the Super Bowl after he wins two tickets.

"The Eskimo" - Boy Meets World

In a classic episode of Boy Meets World, Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) assigns Shawn (Rider Strong) the challenge of getting Super Bowl tickets, Cory (Ben Savage) the challenge of helping him succeed, and Topanga (Daniell Fishel) to avoid helping either of them in any way. Shawn does find a way to score the tickets, which requires him to sit at the top of a billboard in freezing temperatures for as long as possible.

“Super Bowl” - George Lopez (2003)

To some people, the Super Bowl is more important than even family, as expressed in a Season 2 episode of George Lopez. It follows George (Geoge Lopez) and his wife, Angie (Constance Marie), attempting to convince his mother, Benny (Belita Moreno), to reconcile with the dying Uncle Joe (Ismael 'East' Carlo). She agrees, but only because she really just wants to get her hands on his tickets to the Big Game.

"Rooferman, Take One" - Smart Guy

In the underrated WB sitcom, Smart Guy, a commercial for Floyd's (John Marshall Jones) roofing business airs in the wee hours of the morning, prompting T.J. (Tahj Mowry) to sneak into the network's studio and try to get the ad a better time slot. Much to his surprise, he accidentally schedules it during the Super Bowl, helping his father's business immensely but also getting himself into trouble.

"Lisa The Greek" - The Simpsons

In "Lisa the Greek," Homer enlists his bright daughter, Lisa, to help him predict the outcome of football games. The episode marks one of several mysterious instances in which The Simpsons correctly predicted future events, having aired just days before Super Bowl XXVI and foretold that the Washington Redskins would win.

Natural Born Killers (1994)

Director Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers is a disturbing crime thriller that has nothing to do with sports, save one small connection. Robert Downey Jr's overzealous journalist Wayne Gale convinces notorious murderer Mickey (Woody Harrelson) to participate in a live interview that would air after the Super Bowl.

"Super Sunday" - The Middle (2011)

One of the multiple storylines in this episode of ABC's hit sitcom, The Middle, involves Mike (Neil Flynn) encouraging Brick (Atticus Shaffer) to take an interest in football right as the Super Bowl is impending.

Maybe This Year (2019)

It was not until Super Bowl LII that the Philadelphia Eagles finally became season champions. Kyle Thrash and Jenifer Westphal's documentary, Maybe This Year, chronicles that journey from the perspective of the team's famously passionate fans.

You're In The Super Bowl, Charlie Brown! (1994)

Originally airing on NBC and later distributed on VHS through Shell Gasoline, You're In The Super Bowl, Charlie Brown! is a fun, 25-minute special in which Charlie Brown and the other kids from Peanuts try to win tickets to the Super Bowl by participating in a football punt pass kick contest.

Superdome (1978)

Superdome follows various dramatic storylines occurring around the Super Bowl, including a killer running amuck during the game. The star-studded cast of this ABC movie of the week includes David Janssen, Edie Adams, Tom Selleck, and more.

"Rabbit Or Duck" - How I Met Your Mother (2010)

This Season 5 episode of How I Met Your Mother was cleverly promoted during the Super Bowl as faux footage of the real game which was also featured in the cold open. The B-plot sees Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) struggling to balance the excess of female attention he receives after attending the Super Bowl and holding up a sign displaying his phone number.

The Sum Of All Fears (2002)

To be fair, the nuclear attack on U.S. soil from director Phil Alden Robinson's The Sum of All Fears, starring Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan, merely takes place at a typical pro football game in Baltimore. However, in Tom Clancy's 1991 novel that inspired it, the tragedy takes place at the Super Bowl, so it technically counts.

It’s not too much of a stretch to say that we’ve all been in a position where we put off folding laundry for so long we’re left with a giant mound of clothes, sheets, towels, and orphaned socks. What do you do in that situation? Put on a show that is perfect for background noise, of course!

With some of the best cartoons of all time, one or two of the greatest sitcoms ever made, or random docuseries and educational programs, here’s a list of 32 shows that are perfect for background noise while folding laundry.

Law & Order (1990 - 2010; 2022 - Present)

Law & Order, with its 500-plus episodes, has made the laundry-folding process a little better for decades now thanks to its grisly murders, captivating courtroom sequences, and too many “Jack McCoy” moments to count. This isn’t a knock on the show, but you don’t even really have to pay attention all that much to know what’s going on.

How It's Made (2001 - 2019)

Okay, you might get distracted by the manufacturing processes for things like Crayons, crackers, pillows, bowling balls, and thousands of other items featured on this long-running educational program, but How It’s Made makes for some great background noise. The soothing narration, that catchy music, and endless shots of everyday items being made make this a perfect option.

Home Improvement (1991 - 1999)

Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor (Tim Allen) probably never folded a shirt in his life (at least not properly), but that doesn’t mean Home Improvement is a great option for the laundry-folding machine in all of us. If you’re folding one basket, or two baskets, or trying to save your room from the pile that never goes away, this beloved ‘90s TV show will help you pass the time.

The Simpsons (1989 - Present)

With countless characters we love to hate, all kinds of zany situations, and more than 700 episodes to choose from, The Simpsons is one of those shows you can have on in the background in any situation. So, it’s not all surprising that this is a great option for laundry day.

The West Wing (1999 - 2006)

Considered one of the “peak TV era” shows, The West Wing was a staple of network television in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. That said, it’s not hard to imagine that at least a few people have gone through much of the Bartlet Administration while folding and pressing their laundry.

Friends (1994 - 2004)

When you have an episode with a title like“ The One with the East German Laundry Detergent,” you know Friends is going to be a great show to have on while folding your clothes. The landmark sitcom is pretty much the TV equivalent of a warm blanket, so it makes total sense.

Unsolved Mysteries (1987 - Present)

One of the greatest true crime shows to ever hit the small screen, Unsolved Mysteries has been there for many of us for years. First, the classic episodes hosted by Robert Stack helped us pass the time and eat snacks after school. Now, those very same episodes (as well as the Netflix revival) are there for… laundry. Where all these clothes come from is the real unsolved mystery in households around the country.

Scrubs (2001 - 2010)

Bill Lawrence’s Scrubs is one of the best comedies set in a hospital and one of the best medical shows of all time. That said, it’s also a perfect show to watch while folding laundry. Well, unless you experience one of J.D.’s elaborate daydreams while sorting socks. Maybe that explains where those missing socks have gone.

Cheers (1982 - 1993)

No judging here, but some of us have a certain stack of clothes that are pretty much like Norm from Cheers at this point. You know that the laundry will be there tomorrow like it was there today and yesterday (and the day before that).

Planet Earth (2006)

Planet Earth is one of those shows that’s perfect for just about any task around the house, especially with David Attenborough’s comforting narration perfectly explaining everything on the screen. And who knows, maybe you’ll go through the entire docuseries and its various sequels and spinoffs by the time you finish.

Burn Notice (2007 - 2013)

Aziz Ansari’s cousin Harris loves Burn Notice, but does he love watching the USA Network original show while folding his clothes? We’re kind of afraid to ask. Regardless, this spy series starring Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, and Bruce Campbell is one of those shows that feels tailor-made for the mindless task of laundry sorting.

Trailer Park Boys (2001 - 2007; 2014 - 2018)

Trailer Park Boys probably isn’t the first show that comes to mind when you’re trying to be productive, but this Canadian comedy series about the residents of Sunnyvale Trailer Park is the very definition of mindless, crude entertainment. Sure, you won’t want the kids around with the show’s profanity, but this would be great for a late-night laundry session.

30 Rock (2006 - 2013)

With seven seasons and nearly 140 episodes to watch, 30 Rock has more than enough laughs and crazy moments to get you through even the biggest of laundry piles. With its cast of characters working on the fictional TGS sketch comedy series, this beloved NBC comedy will do the trick.

Full House (1987 - 1995)

What would Danny Tanner do? Well, he probably wouldn’t let his laundry situation get out of hand, despite having an ever-growing group of roommates. All jokes aside about the Full House patriarch’s obsession with cleanliness and order, this long-running sitcom has gotten millions of people through laundry baskets over the years. Join in on the fun.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 - Present)

Now, there’s a chance you get distracted by all those absurd It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia side characters (or even the main cast), but this FX comedy series is peak-laundry folding material. Just make sure you don’t come up with some ridiculous scheme to hide the clothes or pass the task on to someone else.

The Office (2005 - 2013)

Though the series did “jump the shark” near the end, The Office is still one of the best American sitcoms ever made. With a total of 201 episodes and thousands of hilarious and iconic jokes, there’s more than enough to keep you entertained while you work your way through that basket of socks that’s been taunting you for years.

Pawn Stars (2009 - Present)

With more than 650 episodes, all kinds of remarkable and odd pieces of memorabilia and historical artifacts, Pawn Stars has been one of the most popular shows on the History Channel for years now. And while we would love to be able to say “I know a guy” who can handle all these clothes, Rick Harrison and company at Gold & Silver Pawn Shop will help make the folding process a little more entertaining.

American Pickers (2010 - Present)

Like a lot of other great History Channel shows, American Pickers is one of those series perfect for background noise. You don’t really have to follow along to the finer points of the reality program, which is perfect when you’re about halfway through a load of clothes that you really need to finish.

Seinfeld (1989 - 1998)

Who would have thought that a show about nothing would be perfect for laundry? Well, that’s the case for Seinfeld. Sure, you’re probably going to get distracted, put mismatched socks together, or accidentally merge the “keep” and “give away” stacks on the foot of the bed, but it’s worth it.

Parks And Recreation (2009 - 2015)

Though it’s unlikely that Ron Swanson would be too fond of spending hours folding clothes, Parks and Recreation is a show that is perfect for the task. Sure, you may be stuck in a pit of clothes that were washed weeks ago before you finally pull yourself out, but it’s all about the journey.

Family Guy (1999 - Present)

Family Guy, one of the best-animated series of the 21st century, is also a great show to have on in the background while doing just about anything. This includes doing laundry. Sure, there are things we’d rather be doing than folding clothes, but this long-running Fox show certainly makes the task less mind-numbing.

Gilmore Girls (2000 - 2007)

Lorelai and Rory Gilmore guiding us through the ups and downs of small-town life is a great way to make doing laundry a lot more fun, or at least more melodramatic. With seven seasons, 153 episodes, and so many romances to explore, this is definitely a great option for folks who’ve put on laundry for like two months.

The UnXplained (2019 - Present)

How did this stack of clothes get so big? Is this clean, cleanish, or dirty? Does William Shatner fold his own clothes? These are questions with no answers, but The UnXplained will distract you from those mysteries while you search for that missing sock or No Country for Old Man bootleg t-shirt that disappeared in the wash.

Suits (2011 - 2019)

From 2011 to 2019, few shows reached the heights experienced by Suits. This USA Network drama about the high-stakes world of corporate law introduced viewers to all kinds of characters and intense situations along the way. And while few, if any, of those managing partners and ladder-climbing associates did their own laundry, they can help you do yours.

The X Files (1993 - 2002; 2016 - 2018)

A show that made it more than 10 seasons, The X Files was one of the most well-known and watched series of the ‘90s. If you want to mix things up with the laundry and imagine a world in which aliens and other paranormal creatures appear (and possibly help fold those fitted sheets), this landmark sci-fi show will do the trick.

The Great British Baking Show (2014 - Present)

The Great British Baking Show, or The Great British Bake Off as it’s known in its native United Kingdom, is one of the most delicious, hilarious, and watchable cooking shows to ever grace the small screen. While we typically prefer seeing these delectable creations (or disasters) in all their glory, maybe folding clothes will distract and prevent you from mindlessly eating as you watch.

Modern Family (2009 - 2020)

There’s nothing dysfunctional about the Dunphy and Pritchett families from Modern Family, right? Well, maybe a little. This long-running sitcom is one the best options when you’re trying to fold clothes, or really do anything around the house. You’ll be so fixated by Phil coming up with some scheme, Cameron and Mitchell having a meltdown, or Jay being over it all that you’ll forget you’re doing laundry.

Somebody Feed Phil (2018 - Present)

Somebody Feed Phil, a show that follows Everybody Loves Raymond co-creator Phil Rosenthal as he travels the globe to eat anything and everything in his field of view. With so many seasons, so many culinary explorations, and some hilarious moments involving a man loving food way too much, there’s a lot to enjoy.

House (2004 - 2012)

House is one of those shows you can start watching halfway through an episode and still get a lot of enjoyment out of it. One of the best medical dramas of the 21st century, this show starring Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House will allow you to solve all sorts of medical problems and mysteries as you fold your kids' clothes that never really seem to get clean.

Grey's Anatomy (2005 - Present)

Since its debut in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy has combined elements of the medical drama genre with romance and sometimes action to create an experience like no other. If you’re looking for hundreds of hours of TV to help make the laundry go from a mound of madness to a stack of clothes you’ll soon forget to put away, this is the stuff.

MTV True Life (1998 - 2017)

MTV True Life was a long-running documentary series that chronicled pretty much every aspect of life for teenagers, adults, and everyone else. With dozens of episodes about everything from wrestling to odd obsessions, you’ll have a lot of variety when you’re folding the sheets.

How I Met Your Mother (2005 - 2014)

How I Met Your Mother has nine seasons of romance, bromance, chaos, and more twists and turns than anyone can count. That’s why it’s such a darn good show for the weekly (or monthly) laundry experience. Watch Ted Mosby fall in and out of love and back in it again as you contemplate your own life, or at least laundry decisions.

Having watched every episode of Seinfeld dozens of times, it is not at all lost on me that Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer are not good people. They have positive qualities, but they are selfish and petty individuals who have a knack for stirring up conflict and chaos. They haven’t ruined as many lives as the gang from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, but during recent reflection, it occurred to me that their actions directly resulted in the shuttering of multiple businesses.

This is a common occurrence during all nine seasons of one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and I’ve put together this feature to highlight what is perhaps one of the more underrated and hilarious elements of the Seinfeld legacy. It’s something to think about before the next time you stream the show with your Netflix subscription or pop in a disc from the amazing new 4K UHD set that was released in December.

The Dream Cafe

In Jerry’s defense, Babu Bhatt’s Dream Café wasn’t exactly doing gangbusters before he got involved. After all, the reason the comedian became so fascinated with it in the first place was the fact that he never saw anybody go in there. That being said, it is Jerry’s suggestion have the restaurant pivot to a menu with all Pakistani food in Season 3’s “The Café”, and when that expensive transition ends up being a failure, the business collapses.

Frozen Yogurt (Non-Fat Frozen Yogurt Place)

When characters cause businesses to get shut down on Seinfeld, it’s typically the result of malice or ignorance, but the frozen yogurt place from Season 5’s “The Non-Fat Yogurt” (simply called “Frozen Yogurt” on its signage) is a special case: it’s the result of positive action that is intended to benefit the local community. Despite what the proprietor claims, the tasty deserts served by the shingle have a substantial fat content, and that lie being exposed by Jerry and Elaine results in all of its customers never going back.

Pendant Publishing

Elaine is generally smarter and more successful than her friends, resulting in better decisions, but she gets really screwed by the universe in Season 5’s “The Opposite,” as George’s good fortune becomes her bad fortune. While the stocky, dim-witted bald man starts a new relationship and gets a job with the New York Yankees, Elaine accidentally causes the downfall of Pendant Publishing. Stuffing her mouth with Jujyfruits means that she can’t tell an ill Mr. Lippman that he left his handkerchief on her desk, and when he doesn’t shake the hand of the Japanese businessman who is set to bail the company out, the deal entirely falls apart.

Hot Soup (The Soup Nazi’s Soup Restaurant)

Elaine getting Pendant Publishing shut down is definitely an accident, but the same cannot be said about Hot Soup – the restaurant that is the main subject of Season 7’s “The Soup Nazi.” While she certainly appreciates the culinary talents of Yev Kassem, she is unable to abide by his extreme strictness and rudeness, and so she takes action. With nothing more than revenge on her mind, she makes plans to publish all of Hot Soup’s recipes, and the Soup Nazi immediately decides to close up shop and move to Argentina.

Jimmy’s Shoe Business

In Season 6’s “The Jimmy,” the titular character makes his money as private seller of plyometric athletic shoes, but everything goes to hell when he slips on a pool of drool and ends up breaking his leg. Jimmy entirely blames Kramer (the source of the drool) for the incident, and punches the hipster doofus in the face when they run into each other at a benefit, but not to be left out of the finger pointing is George, who partners with Jimmy and is unable to win over potential investors due to his lacking abilities physically.

Play Now

As noted, there are incidents on Seinfeld where characters want certain businesses to be shut down, but in the case of George and Play Now, that is definitely not so. The bespectacled weasel is at war with the playground equipment outfit in Season 9’s “The Voice,” but he wants the company to thrive because he has a one-year contract that they legally have to honor. Unfortunately for George, that scheme falls apart when Kramer and his intern throw a ball of oil out of one of the company’s windows as a means of testing a tanker bladder system they’ve designed. The end result: Play Now gets sued into oblivion.

Magic Pan Crepes

It’s not a great business model when you insist that all of your restaurant’s food be prepared by people who are in the owner’s family, so I don’t know how long Magic Pan was ever going to last, but Jerry doesn’t do anything to help the franchise in Season 8’s “The English Patient.” First, his macho head games (real or imagined) put Izzy Mandelbaum and his family in the hospital, and then he makes the mistake of suggesting Kramer’s Dominican cigar rollers take over the crepes-production operation – which results in diners getting severely burned by squirting hot fruit.

The Mom And Pop Store

I’ll give Kramer a fair bit of credit in this case: in Season 6’s “The Mom & Pop Store,” he comes upon a struggling independent retailer run by two elderly people and makes legitimate efforts to try and improve things for them. He gets them some new business when he brings in all of Jerry’s shoes to be repaired/cleaned, and he is only trying to help when he points out a bunch of exposed wires in the ceiling that could be a potential fire hazard. It’s just bad luck that the repairs end up being a terrible mix of necessary and too expensive, and the store has to close as a result.

Leapin' Larry’s Electronics

Most of the companies on this list close down because of actions Seinfeld characters take to compromise their business, but Leaping Larry’s Electronics from Season 7’s “The Secret Code” is unique. There is no financial ruin; the place simply burns to the ground. Blame can be shared by both Jerry and Kramer: the former starts the inferno when he accidentally spills a can of paint thinner on some exposed wires, and the latter prevents the building from getting saved when he tries to live out his dream of steering the rear end of a fire engine deployed to stop the blaze.

Kenny Rogers’ Roasters

Things don’t get so bad in Season 8’s “The Chicken Roaster” that the entire Kenny Rogers Roasters chain gets shut down, but Jerry’s actions do lead to the shuttering of one of the franchise’s locations. It’s actually a case of backfiring intentions, as Jerry wants the place to stay open after his former college buddy becomes the manager, but the board of health immediately takes action when Jerry shakes out a rat hat after coming in from the rain and covers the place in nutria fur.

Frank Costanza’s Computer Business

Operating out of a garage in Queens, Frank Costanza’s business selling computers in Season 9’s “The Serenity Now” was never going to properly compete with major retailers, but George does his part to hasten the venture’s demise. Lloyd Braun shoulders some of the blame here, as all of his sales are 100 percent imagined, but George straight up commits fraud by buying computers himself and faking purchases.

This is the kind of thing that I’ll now always think about every time I watch Seinfeld, which is honestly super often. I suppose I’ll wonder why it is that none of the businesses tried to file lawsuits against Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine – but that just adds more queries to the list of questions that the show never answers.

From Downton Abbey to the Red Keep to 742 Evergreen Terrace, there are so many cool houses I'd love to explore from television shows. Some have even gotten quite famous for their use on these shows. Obviously I understand these are mostly sets on a soundstage with an exterior of a completely different house, but let's take a moment to use our imagination and talk about how fun and cool these houses I've always wanted to explore would be.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Of course with have to include Uncle Phil and Aunt Bev's house on The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air. Most of the show pretty much takes place in two rooms, the kitchen and the living room, with other scenes in various bedrooms and occasionally other spots. There must be so much more to see!

The Addams Family

Who doesn't want to explore a house like that of the Addams family? It's creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky! It's got a dismembered hand running around, a cousin covered in hair, and an uncle who can light up a light bulb in his mouth! This is the kind of house I want to learn a whole lot more about!

Friends

Much has been made about the apartments on Friends and how unrealistic they are. Sure, that may be true, but that doesn't mean they aren't cool, especially where Monica and Rachel live. As someone who lived in a shoebox in the East Village for years, this is the kind of place I'd love to explore and dream about how I could have been living... in a fever dream.

Full House

The Painted Ladies in San Francisco are some of the most iconic houses in the entire United States Of America. For that reason alone it's worth it to explore the Tanner home on Full House. I might not have a chance to explore one otherwise (not that would in this fictional scenario anyway!)

Succession

Let's be honest, I can't stand the Roy family and it makes it hard for me to love the show Succession, because I need someone to root for and there is no one on this show worthy of that. Except maybe the houses and locations, those all look amazing. So that's decides it, I'm rooting for fictional houses.

Game Of Thrones

I've included the Red Keep here from Game of Thrones, but really it's a stand-in for basically every castle, keep, and ancestral home on the show. They all look really cool and I love old European castles, so an architectural tour of Westeros is right in my wheelhouse. Winterfell, Dragonstone, the Eyrie, Sunspear... they are all amazing. Even the ruins of Harrenhal would be awesome to hang out in for a bit.

Gossip Girl

I lived a very different life in my shoebox in the East Village when I lived in New York than the families in Gossip Girl lived. Frankly, every location looks incredible in its own way and I want to see them all and the well-dressed people who live in them.

Frasier

Frasier Crane doesn't live in the most extravagant condo in TV history, but it still seems like a really cool place. Seattle is a beautiful city and the view they had would make a quick tour very worthwhile. Plus, who doesn't want to have a good sit in Martin's chair?

Diff'rent Strokes

The 1980s was filled with over-the-top residences, and the Drummonds apartment in Diff'rent Strokes is close to the top of the list. We really only got to see a little bit of the two-story New York apartment, as almost every scene was in the living room, kitchen, or Willis and Arnold's bedroom. I want to see more! There must be a cozy study in there somewhere with a fireplace filled with many old books and rich mahogany!

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is one of the few fictional houses on this list that one can actually spend some time in. The house, which is known as Highclere Castle in real life, is open for tours to the public, and not only can you explore the grounds, but many of the rooms from the show as well. I've not done it yet, but I'd love to do the tour at some point.

Silver Spoons

As a kid of the '80s, the Stratton's mansion on Silver Spoons is close to the top of my list of houses I wished I lived in. There was a train running through the living room, multiple arcade games, and a racing car bed! It's everything I ever wanted and more. Plus, we never got to see much other than a couple of rooms, there has to be so much to explore!

Dynasty

The 1980s were a time when incredibly rich families stirred up melodrama among themselves on shows like Dynasty. Set in Denver, the show's family, the Carringtons, lived in an amazing home. The exteriors of the home were actually a palatial home in Pasadena called Arden Villa.

Modern Family

Jay and Gloria Prichett's house on Modern Family fits the name of the show well. It's...well... modern and it's the kind of house I like to stalk on Zillow. It's not the most over-the-top, or biggest (nor the smallest, for sure), but it seems like a really awesome, realistic house that would be perfect for a week-long AirBnB rental.

Mork & Mindy

This is one of those homes on TV that actually seems like a place I could actually afford and live in. It's a simple house in Boulder, CO, where the show is set and while the prices all over Colorado for real estate are kind of insane, it's still a very cool looking, sensible house. Mork (Robin Williams) is the only thing that isn't sensible about it.

The Munsters

There are few houses in TV history as iconic as the Munster's mansion from The Munsters. Though I'm not a big fan of horror movies, even I can appreciate all the Easter eggs and tributes to old monster movies that must be hidden all over the house. It's the kind of place that is a museum of the weird as much as it is a home.

The Brady Bunch

I love Mid-Century Modern architecture, especially houses. There is no better example of a cool Mid-Century Modern house in TV history than the house designed by Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch. It's also one of the rare shows where we basically see every room in the house in almost every episode. The one part we never see is where Alice lives, so that's something new to explore.

The Golden Girls

I'm a total sucker for those weird Florida gated communities like the one in The Golden Girls and for that reason, I'd love to check the house shared by the four retired roommates in the classic NBC sitcom. It's not the most extravagant, nor the most interesting, but it's still the kind of realistic house I love.

The Sopranos

This is a little bit of an outlier because really, the house in The Sopranos is everything I kinda hate in a house. It's pretty much a standard suburban McMansion, so that means my exploration would really be to make fun of it. I get that it's not a great idea to criticize Carmela's decorating or Tony's house in general, but it's a risk I'd be willing to take.

Mad Men

Don Draper's apartment in Mad Men looks amazing. It's not the biggest home on this list, but it's so perfectly set in its time, it would be amazing to spend a few hours in listening to some jazz and smoking cigarettes.

Dallas

Southfork Ranch is a real place. It's a popular spot in Dallas to hold weddings and other events. That means that exploring the house, which is home to the Ewing clan in Dallas is possible, but I'd want to go back in time and see it as it was when the Ewings lived there (on the show anyway). There would be so much to see across all of the property.

The Simpsons

There are few addresses as famous as 742 Evergreen Terrace. It's not the grandest house on this list, obviously, but still, it's just so iconic. I can just see myself having a Duff on the back patio while Homer relaxes in his hammock, or lying on the floor with Lisa and Bart watching the latest episode of Itchy & Scratchy. Maybe even helping Marge in the kitchen cooking pork chops for dinner.

Dexter

Okay, I'll admit, this one is the most depraved choice on this list. Checking out Dexter's apartment from Dexter is sure to be disturbing and morbid, so it's the kind of place where it's good to keep in mind this is all fictional! Demented and sad, but fictional!

Seinfeld

Jerry's apartment on Seinfeld is probably the smallest home on this list. It's really just the kitchen and living room open-plan space (that doesn't actually make sense) and Jerry's bedroom, but there is always some cool stuff in the background, like Superman memorabilia and cereal boxes. Those are worth exploring, right? Maybe not, but Kramer may have the hot tub open in his apartment.

Charmed

Like a few others on this lit, visiting nd exploring the house on Charmed is less about the house - though it does look stunning - and more about learning about what is really going with these three witches. It has to be fascinating to see how they live when they aren't fighting demons and the like.

The Nanny

I'll admit I'm pretty fascinated by huge New York City apartments. It's just so different from how most people live in the city. The opulence and ease of living in multi-story dwellings in the city must be amazing, and the home on The Nanny certainly fits the bill like others on this list.

Desperate Housewives

This entry isn't about one house, it's about all the house and the neighborhood that makes up Wisteria Lane on Desperate Housewives. There isn't anything particularly special about any one house, but wow what a subdivision to live in! My suburban street was nothing like this... or maybe it was and I was just ignorant of it. Probably not.

The Crown

There are a lot of palaces and castles in Netflix's The Crown and all of them are real places, though none of the show was actually filmed in them, of course. Of all the castles and palaces that Queen Elizabeth is seen in on the show, the coolest and most interesting has to be Balmoral, her castle in Scotland where she ultimately died in real life. That's the castle and grounds I want to explore.

Billions

Even by TV show standards, Bobby Axelrod (Damien Lewis) on Showtime's Billions has a ridiculous beach house in the Hamptons. I mean, it looks like a country club clubhouse or a hotel, it's insane. It feels like you could spend a month there and never hang out in the same room twice.

Ozark

I've been to the Lake of the Ozarks a bunch of times in my life and while it's a super fun place, you don't really think of it as having interesting houses. On the show Ozark, the Byrdes definitely live in one that you wouldn't ever expect to see there, and it's based on a real place there. It's exactly the kind of house I love. It's also one of the few places that is actually based on a real thing at Lake of the Ozarks, as the show was primarily shot in Georgia.

Beverly Hills, 90210

As someone who grew up watching Beverly Hills, 90210 every week, this is definitely a very personal choice. I just always thought the house was really nice looking and I'd love to spend some time hanging out with the Walshes.

Arrested Development

Yes, it's only a model house, and yes, it's basically cheap construction of plywood and chewing gum, but still, the house in Arrested Development would be a wild place to hang out for a while. You could look for George in the attic, or count the number of blue handprints on the wall... there's just so much. I wouldn't mess around with the cornballer though.

Falcon Crest

One of the wildest wealthy fictional families on TV in the '80s was the Channing/Gioberti clan on Falcon Crest. It's a show that no one talks about anymore, but the house, set in a fictionalized version of Napa Valley is amazing and really, we should be talking about it as the star of the show, though Jane Wyman is pretty fantastic on the show too.

I am what some might call a Seinfeld obsessive. More than just thinking of it as the greatest sitcom of all time, I have watched every episode and the funniest moments enough times that they practically play in syndication in my brain. I've deeply mined all sorts of behind-the-scenes featurettes and stories, and I ace every trivia quiz I come across. I like to think that I know everything there is to know about the show – but that just means that I'm especially tickled to make new discoveries like the one I found during my most recent rewatch.

Like many other Seinfeld fans, I was blissed-out this fall when it was announced that the NBC comedy series had been remastered and was getting a 4K UHD release (in the original aspect ratio no less), and I was immediately curious what kind of details I would find watching the series in pristine quality when my purchased copy arrived earlier this month. What I ended up discovering at the end of Season 5's "The Bris" can admittedly be seen in any prior release of the show, but my brain is still blown nonetheless.

To quickly recap the episode: a couple who are friends with Jerry and Elaine ask them to be the godfather and godmother of their new baby, and that requires the two friends to help plan the child's circumcision (a Jewish tradition known as a bris). Naturally, everything goes terribly wrong, and the nutjob moyle that Elaine hires (played to comedic perfection by guest star Charles Levin) ends up slicing the tip of Jerry's index finger.

Like all episodes in early seasons, "The Bris" ends with Jerry doing a standup bit (specifically one about people all around the world willing to do super disgusting jobs), but during my most recent rewatch, I picked up on a super minor detail that I absolutely love: Jerry's bandaged finger.

To be honest, one of the reasons why particularly love this discovery is because of how it relates to the way I've always felt about the intros and outros in Seinfeld. Even though I know the Jerry character in the series is a comedian, I've always perceived a barrier between the standup and the sitcom – which can at least partially be attributed to the fact that the jokes only rarely have any correlation with the stories. Seeing the character's bandaged finger at the end of "The Bris" effectively breaks that barrier, and I love it for doing so.

If you want to see this wonderful detail for yourself, you can stream the episode in question (along with the entire show) using your Netflix subscription – but if you're a Seinfeld fanatic like myself, allow me to personally recommend picking up the recently released 4K UHD box set. The filmmakers developing the release did a tremendous job remastering the show, and watching it in such great quality gives it a wonderful, fresh feel.

Is there a single TV show that, for the entirety of its run, managed to keep its story going without any retcons? For one reason or another, it is common to see a popular series amend or completely disregard a pre-established story or character detail, often leading fans to wonder if they are losing their minds. Don't worry: you're not crazy but merely a victim of some confusing or even just annoying TV retcons like the following.

Cory And Topanga's Origins (Boy Meets World)

The romance between Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) could have been the perfect sitcom love story if the classic TGIF comedy could keep the details of their relationship straight. When Fishel first joined the Boy Meets World cast, she was initially introduced as the weird student in Cory's elementary school class but, when she is later reinvented as his love interest, the show tries to play them off as sweethearts since childhood.

Dan Is Alive (Roseanne)

Not only is Season 9 of Roseanne, in which the Conners' lives change when they win the lottery, revealed to be a fantasy in the series finale but we also learn that Dan (John Goodman) was dead the entire time, having suffered a heart attack. This controversial plot twist was ignored in 2018 when the sitcom was revived for a tenth season before it was rebranded as The Conners.

The Fate Of Frasier's Father (Cheers/Frasier)

On one episode of Cheers, Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) tells his friends at the bar that his late father was a research scientist. However, in Frasier's self-titled and equally beloved TV show spin-off, we see Martin Crane (John Mahoney) is alive and well and a retired cop. In an episode where Ted Danson appears as Sam Malone, the show tries to explain that Frasier's dad was "dead to him" at the time after a bitter argument.

Sara Was Not Dead After All (Prison Break)

In the third season of Prison Break, Michael (Wentworth Miller) learns that Sara (Sarah Wayne Callies) was kidnapped and beheaded, only to see her come back in Season 4, which reveals it was never actually her head. In reality, the reason for the character's demise was due to a dispute involving Callies' contract but, when she was able to work out a deal to return to the series, her earlier death was rewritten as a head fake.

Jimmy Olsen Was Not Who We Thought He Was (Smallville)

In its sixth season, the acclaimed DC TV show Smallville introduced the iconic character of photographer Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore), only to kill him off three years later. It is at his funeral that we learn that his real name is Henry James Olsen and that the real Jimmy Olsen was his never-before-seen little brother the whole time.

Kramer Was Originally Named Kessler (Seinfeld)

In the pilot episode of Seinfeld, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) calls his next-door neighbor by the name Kessler but, from the next episode on, Michael Richards' character is referred to as Kramer, after Larry David's real-life friend on whom the role is based. The series tries to explain this in Season 9's "The Betrayal" with a flashback to the characters' first meeting when Kramer tells Jerry that the name on his buzzer is incorrect.

Bobby's Death Was All A Dream (Dallas)

When Patrick Duffy decided to quit the CBS primetime soap opera, Dallas, his character, Bobby Ewing, was written off the show in Season 8 when he was run over by his sister-in-law, Katherine Wentworth (Morgan Brittany), and was buried after succumbing to his injuries in the Season 9 premiere. However, after the writers urged the actor to come back to the cast, the Season 10 opener revealed everything that happened in the previous season was imagined by his wife, Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal), in her sleep.

Gossip Girl's True Identity Does Not Make Sense (Gossip Girl)

As revealed in the series finale of Gossip Girl, Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) was the mysterious blogger the entire time but, if that's true, why does he act surprised by several posts about him, his friends, and his relatives in earlier episodes? Furthermore, Gossip Girl publicizes the fact that Dan and his girlfriend, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively), share a half-sibling, which he adamantly wants kept secret. So, why on Earth would he make that public, even anonymously?

What Ever Happened To Judy Winslow (Family Matters)

YouTuber Vee Infuso debunked an urban legend believing that the youngest Winslow child, Judy, once walked up the stairs in a Season 4 episode never to be seen again. While Jaimee Foxworth's actual final appearance in the Family Matter cast came later that season in "Mama's Wedding," her subsequent absence (due to the writers having nothing interesting to come up with for her) was never explained nor acknowledged for the remainder of the series.

The First Time Chandler Said "I Love You" To Monica (Friends)

In one of the most ridiculous Friends episodes, "The One Where Everyone Finds Out," Chandler (Matthew Perry) is coerced by Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) feigned seduction into admitting that he is in love with Monica (Courteney Cox) to everyone's surprise, including her own. However, the otherwise touching moment seems to forget about an earlier Friends Thanksgiving episode, "The One With All The Thanksgivings," in which Chandler lets his feelings for Monica slip when she surprises him with a turkey on her head.

A Time Lord's Maximum Number Of Regenerations Changes (Doctor Who)

Early on in the long-running, classic sci-fi TV show's history, it is established that the title character of Doctor Who, like all Time Lords, can only regenerate a total of 13 times. However, that rule has since been negated as the 13th Doctor actor, Jodie Whitaker, was later replaced by Ncuti Gatwa.

The History Of Superheroes Dates Back Longer Than We Thought (Arrowverse)

After adopting his vigilante alter ego at the beginning of the hit series, Arrow, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) is said to have become the first superhero. Yet, later down the road as the Arrowverse franchise would continue to evolve with its multiple spin-offs, it was discovered that superhero teams have existed as early as World War II.

Kimmy Gibbler's Sibling Count (Full House/Fuller House)

When Kimmy Gibbler is first mentioned in the 1987 pilot for Full House, D.J. Tanner (Candace Cameron Bure) says she has three sisters but the character (played by Andrea Barber) says in Season 3 that her parents stopped having kids after her. This could imply she is merely the youngest in her family but she was also known to mention having an unseen older brother named Garth. Furthermore, in Netflix's revival, Fuller House, we are introduced to her younger brother, Jimmy (Adam Hagenbuch).

Dean Loses His Urban Philosophy (Gilmore Girls)

When Jared Padalecki first joined the Gilmore Girls cast as Dean, the character was introduced as a Chicago native who had moved to Stars Hollow fairly recently and loves obscure books and movies. However, when New York transplant and obscure book and movie lover Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) is brought into the mix, Dean is suddenly reinvented as a more rural individual who has lost his cultural interests and thinks of Stars Hollow as his true home after living "most of his life" there.

The Disappearance Of Donna's Sister (That '70s Show)

We are willing to bet that, even if you considered yourself a huge That '70s Show fan, you had absolutely no recollection that Donna (Laura Prepon) had a sister. Tina Pinciotti (Amanda Fuller) makes one appearance in Season 1 and is subsequently mentioned only once more in a throwaway joke from Season 2's "Vanstock" but, from that point on, Donna is referred to as an only child.

Daenerys Goes Bad (Game Of Thrones)

Here is an example of something that is not so much a retcon but a deeply confusing and quite maddening TV character evolution that suddenly comes out of nowhere. One of the most heavily criticized aspects of the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones sees the normally level-headed and fair Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) become a coldhearted tyrant who commits unimaginably brutal crimes without a second's hesitation.

Are Jason And Cheryl Really Twins? (Riverdale)

There are a number of notable inconsistencies regarding the characters in the Riverdale cast, but one of the more glaring involves Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) and her brother, Jason (Trevor Stines). While initially established as fraternal twins, later episodes of the Archie Comics-inspired dramedy imply that they are in two different grade levels at school.

Who Made Spike A Vampire? (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

A lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans like to count the sudden appearance of Buffy's never-before-seen younger sister Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) as a retcon. However, the sentient form of power's inclusion is explained by fake memories implanted into the characters' minds after she is sent to Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) to protect, so we are not counting that. Instead, we will mention how Spike (James Marsters) refers to Angel (David Boreanaz) as the vampire who turned him until it is later revealed that Drusilla is his true sire.

Why Sheldon Knocks Multiple Times (The Big Bang Theory)

One of the most iconic running gags on The Big Bang Theory is Sheldon Cooper's (Jim Parsons) compulsion to knock on people's doors three times, which was only first introduced in Season 2. However, in Season 10, he explains that he formed the habit after accidentally walking in on his father having an affair and wants to give people enough time to "get their pants on" with his courteous and incessant signal.

When Claire Gets Her Powers (Heroes)

In the first season of Heroes, it is established that Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere) developed her rapid healing ability later in life when she hit puberty. However, in a later episode when she meets her birth mother, it is revealed that she was indestructible even when she was an infant.

The Rules Of Being A Vessel Are Inconsistent (Supernatural)

At one point in the 15-season run of Supernatural, it is established that being a vessel for a spiritual entity will result in the host's death once the entity no longer requires their physical form. However, Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles), and even the Lucifer-possessed President Jefferson Rooney (David Chisum) end up just fine after their time as a vessel ends.

Tina Admits She Was Faking Her Stutter (Glee)

When Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) is first introduced in the first season of Glee, she speaks with a stutter that suddenly disappears after she joins the glee club. She eventually reveals she faked it hoping that it would make Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) like her more.

Randy Suddenly Gains An Uncle (Monk)

Even a detective show as clever as Monk has been known to make a few logical errors from time to time. For instance, Lt. Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) says at one point that he has two aunts but no uncles but, in the Season 5 episode "Mr. Monk Visits a Farm," he inherits land from a recently deceased family member... his uncle, Harvey (Jack Kehler).

President Barlett's Death Tax Repeal Veto Is A Surprise (The West Wing)

In Season 2 of creator Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing, it is mentioned by political commentator Mark Gottfried (Ted McGinley) that President Josiah Bartlett (Martin Sheen) vetoed a Republican-backed education package. However, in the following season when he vetoes a repeal of the "death tax," it causes an uproar as people claim he had never used the veto before.

Barney Suddenly Knows How To Drive (How I Met Your Mother)

In Season 2 of How I Met Your Mother, we discover that Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) not only does not know how to drive a car but is absolutely terrified to get behind the wheel. Yet, two seasons later, in one of the best HIMYM episodes, "As Fast as She Can," he makes multiple attempts to get a speeding ticket to prove he can talk his way out of one and is also seen driving plenty of times afterward. Perhaps he could have worked up the courage to finally learn how to drive by then but there is absolutely no mention of it, making his sudden acquirement of this skill a bit sudden.

Fans Still Missed Moriarty (Sherlock)

At the end of Sherlock's third season, a message from the detective's archnemesis, Moriarty (Andrew Scott) suggested the criminal mastermind would play a pivotal role in the following season. Unfortunately, fans would discover that he had no involvement in Season 4, which is less of a retcon and more of an infuriating cop-out.

Walker Blood Is Not A Source Of Infection (The Walking Dead)

Early seasons of The Walking Dead established that getting blood from one of the undead in your eyes or mouth or in a wound would prove fatal, yet later seasons ignore this rule almost completely. This retcon goes further than just the TV series as it is an acknowledged and important detail in the Robert Kirkman-penned comic book series that inspired the AMC hit.

Al Dreamt Peg's Pregnancy (Married…. With Children)

By the end of Married… with Children's first season, half of which saw Peg (Katey Sagal) pregnant, it is revealed to have been all Al's (Ed O'Neill) dream but there is actually a dark truth to this retcon. As the actor explains in her memoir, Grace Notes, Sagal's real-life pregnancy at this time was written into the show but when she suffered a miscarriage, it was decided that the show would not bring another child into the cast.

SpongeBob Knew Sandy As A Child (SpongeBob SquarePants/Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years)

In the second-ever episode of SpongeBob Squarepants, "Tea at the Treedome," we see the title character (voiced by Tom Kenny) meet Sandy Cheeks (Carolyn Lawrence) for the very first time. However, the prequel spin-off, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years, suggests that the sea sponge and the squirrel knew each other when they stayed at the eponymous camp as children.

Peggy's Mom Keeps Changing (King Of The Hill)

The first time King of the Hill introduces Peggy's mother, she is depicted as a suburban homemaker but is later reinvented almost completely as the wife of a bitter old rancher. That is not even counting the fact that, in an episode when Bobby's secret admirer turns out to be his grandmother playing a trick, the elderly woman in question is neither Hank's nor Peggy's mother.

Andy's Father's Name Changes (The Office)

In NBC's The Office, after proposing to Angela (Angela Kinsey), Andy (Ed Helms) refers to his mother and father as Andrew and Ellen Bernard, implying that he is Andy Bernard Jr. However, when we meet his parents in "The Garden Party," the father is identified as Walter Bernard Sr. (Stephen Collins) and Andy explains that he used to be named Walter Jr. before his younger brother (played by Josh Groban) was deemed more worthy of the moniker.

The Rules For Transferring Powers (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)

In Season 2 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, when Jason (Austin St. John), Trini (Thuy Trang), and Zack (Walter Emanuel Jones) are forced to leave, the team needs to acquire a special sword to transfer their powers to Rocky (Steve Cardenas), Aisha (Karan Ashley), and Adam (Johnny Yong Bosch). However, in the following season, when Kimberly (Amy Jo Johnson) needed to give her powers to Kat (Catherine Sutherland), she just handed over her power coin.

Sitcoms are meant to bring joy into the homes of those who watch them. However, not every episode manages to please every viewer and, in some instances, might stir up enough outrage to get banned. Such a fate actually befell some of the following episodes from the best sitcoms of all time which caused controversy.

"The Puppy Episode" - Ellen

At the same time Ellen Degeneres came out of the closet in real life, so did her sitcom alter ego – the first lead character on a TV series to do so – in "The Puppy Episode." While the two-part Season 4 episode of Ellen proved to be an Emmy-winning success and a big ratings win, many affiliates of ABC refused to air the episode and several sponsors chose not to advertise during its broadcast

"Edith's 50 Birthday" - All In The Family

In a two-part episode from the eighth season of All in the Family called "Edith's 50th Birthday," Jean Stapleton's character is nearly assaulted by a stranger posing as a detective whom she manages to escape but not without traumatizing circumstances. While remembered as one of the most powerful dramatic moments in a sitcom, seeing a character like Edith involved in such a harrowing situation was overwhelmingly "heartbreaking" for some to watch.

"Partial Terms Of Endearment" - Family Guy

Originally intended to be the Season 8 finale for Family Guy, "Partial Terms Of Endearment" sees Lois (Alex Borstein) agree to carry a child for a couple but, when they suddenly die in an accident, she considers having an abortion. The episode's satirical approach to a hotly debated serious topic led it to be banned from airing on American television but has been made available in the United States on DVD.

"Running Zack" - Saved By The Bell

Zack Morris is known today as one of the most ill-behaved sitcom kids for many reasons but one time Saved by the Bell tried to pain him in an admirable light has since backfired heavily. Star Mark-Paul Gosselaar later voiced regret over this Saved by the Bell episode in which his character discovers he has Native American ancestry and actually dons a headdress for a class presentation.

"You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato" - Murphy Brown

In the Season 4 finale of Murphy Brown, Candace Bergen's title character chooses to raise her new baby on her own – a decision that was criticized by then-Vice President Dan Quayle. The following season's premiere was written in response to this and even directly acknowledged the vice president's comments.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - Roseanne

Roseanne was a revolutionary moment in sitcom history as a TV show featuring blue-collar characters but it also pushed boundaries in many other ways, such as an episode when Roseanne Barr's title character kisses a woman in a lesbian Barr. The comedian had to fight ABC on their hesitation to air the episode fearing there it would spark a backlash from religious conservatives and they turned out to be right.

"The Bicycle Man" - Diff'rent Strokes

In a famous "very special episode" of Diff'rent Strokes, Arnold (Gary Coleman) and his friend, Dudley (Shavar Ross) discover that a bicycle shop owner named Mr. Horton (Gordon Jump) is the kind of grown-up parents would not want their children to be alone with. While acclaimed for its bold depiction of the dangers of inappropriate attention from adults directed at minors, it was criticized for not downplaying its humor as much as it could have.

"Episode #1.1" - Soap

Right out of the gate, the revolutionary daytime drama spoof Soap garnered intense backlash by a wide margin for its approach to topics that were still very sensitive in the late 1970s. Billy Crystal's character, Jodie Dallas, was criticized both by anti-gay groups as well as the gay community, which felt that the otherwise groundbreaking characters portrayed their culture in a stereotypical and mocking fashion.

"Maude's Dilemma" - Maude

In the premiere season of Maude, the also beloved spin-off from All in the Family aired a two-part episode in which Bea Arthur's title character becomes pregnant and decides that, at her age, she would rather not have the baby. "Maude's Dilemma" was the first episode of a television show to acknowledge the abortion debate, which led to CBS receiving thousands of letters in protest.

"The Puerto Rican Day" - Seinfeld

The penultimate episode of Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David's mega-hit comedy is not considered one of the best episodes of Seinfeld for the same reasons it was taken out of circulation for years. "The Puerto Rican Day" – in which the gang gets stuck in traffic due to the eponymous parade – was viewed as culturally insensitive, particularly for one scene when Kramer accidentally lights a Puerto Rican flag on fire and tries to stomp it out, but has since been made available in syndication and on streaming.

"Lucy Is Enceinte" - I Love Lucy

In the 1950s, saying the word "pregnant" was not permitted on television, which is why you never actually hear Lucy (Lucille Ball) say the word in her many attempts to tell Ricky (Desi Arnaz) her big news in this classic I Love Lucy episode. Despite its clever censorship, "Lucy is Enceinte" almost did not air due to advertisers' reluctance because the mere topic of making Lucy pregnant would mean acknowledging that she and Ricky had been intimate.

"The Speech" - The IT Crowd

In the third season of the hilarious British sitcom, The IT Crowd, Matt Berry's Douglas Reynholm discovers his girlfriend, April, is a transwoman (as demonstrated in a tasteless montage of her performing traditionally masculine tasks), which leads to a violent end to their relationship. Considered abhorrent upon broadcast, the U.K.'s Channel 4 decided to pull the episode from its streaming service in 2020, prompting creator Graham Lineman to cut ties with the network.

"The One With The Lesbian Wedding" - Friends

The first TV series to depict the marriage between two women was Friends in Season 2's "The One with the Lesbian Wedding." However, many NBC network affiliates, including in Texas, refused to air the episode in which Ross' ex-wife, Carol (Jane Sibbett), and her girlfriend, Susan (Jessica Hecht), tie the knot.

"Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" - Community

For years, the Season 2 Community episode, "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" was not available to stream, due to a moment when Ken Jeong's Chang dons what appears to be blackface to cosplay as a "dark elf." However, Community cast member Yvette Nicole Brown, when speaking to Gizmodo, defended the episode, especially since her character, Shirley Bennett, calls out Chang's insensitive act.

"Stark Raving Dad" - The Simpsons

Michael Jackson makes an uncredited appearance in an episode of The Simpsons as the voice of an institutionalized man who believes he is the "Thriller" singer. In 2019, following the release of the documentary, Leaving Neverland, the episode was pulled from circulation and has since been made unavailable to stream.

"Eric's Buddy" - That 70s Show

Joseph Gordon-Levitt guest starred on That '70s Show as Buddy, whom Eric (Topher Grace) discovers is interested in more than lab partners when he plants a kiss on him. The otherwise refreshingly open-minded episode has been criticized for reducing the openly gay character to not much more than a punchline and a means for Eric to reinforce his identity as a straight man.

"200" - South Park

South Park is known for its many boundary-pushing moments, which creator Matt Stone and Trey Parker decided to pay tribute to in the animated series' two-part 200th episode. Unsurprisingly, the episode would face heavy backlash and, since its initial broadcast, has been censored for its depiction of Muslim faith.

"Koi Pond" - The Office

One example of an ill-fated prank from The Office that some fans have probably never seen comes from the since-removed cold open for an episode called "Koi Pond." In it, Michael (Steve Carell) stages a suicide for Dunder-Miffling's Halloween haunted house attraction, traumatizing the young trick-or-treaters and angering viewers for its insensitive approach to the subject.

"Comedians" - Beavis And Butt-Head

When Beavis and Butt-Head pursue stand-up comedy careers and fail, they retaliate by setting fire to the club where they performed and happily giggle as it burns to the ground. In 1993, a The New York Times report claimed that five-year-old Austin Messner watched the episode and accidentally killed his sister by setting his own home on fire, prompting MTV to pull it from rotation. However, in 2008, the 20-year-old Messner revealed (via PopCulture) that he never watched Beavis and Butt-Head because his addict mother could not afford cable.

"I'll See You In Court" - Married... With Children

While Married... with Children never had the squeakiest reputation, Fox refused to air an episode in which Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg Bundy (Katey Sagal) discover their night at a motel was recorded and file a lawsuit. While initially deemed in poor taste, an edited version of the episode finally made it to air on FX years later.

"Live Show" - 30 Rock

Both times 30 Rock put on a live episode, the shows were met with backlash for the use of Blackface. For instance, the East Coast broadcast of Season 5's "Live Show" would be pulled from syndication for a scene in which guest star Jon Hamm's character shows off his hand transplant from a Black donor.

"Prom-ises, Prom-ises" - Boy Meets World

Some episodes of the beloved TGIF comedy Boy Meets World were removed from Disney Channel's rotation of reruns, including Season 5's "Prom-ises, Prom-ises." The plot sees teen lovers Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) considering the decision to consummate their relationship on prom night, only to discover his parents are having their own fun in a nearby hotel room.

"The Hunger Strike" - The Boondocks

It took 12 years for "The Hunger Strike," an episode of The Boondocks that was originally called "BET Sucks" and set to air on Adult Swim in 2008, to finally be shown on American television. The actual reason for the banning has not been confirmed but reports claim that BET threatened litigation, due to its overtly scathing spoofing of the cable network's programming.

"Mid-Life Crustacean" - SpongeBob Squarepants

Even a Nicktoon as beloved as SpongeBob Squarepants has a couple of episodes that modern audiences will never see on Nickelodeon or with a Paramount+ subscription and, in retrospect, it is surprising that one of them ever made it to air. Season 3's "Mid-Life Crustacean" involves a scene when Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), in a bid to reclaim his youth, joins SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) to raid a woman's undergarment drawer, only to discover too late that they have broken into his mother's house.

"Boston" - Aqua Teen Hunger Force

In 2007, battery-powered LED placards designed to resemble Aqua Teen Hunger Force characters called The Mooninites were placed around Boston as a marketing strategy for the adult animated movie, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, but were mistaken for explosive devices. The original show's writers decided to create an episode based on the incident, in which Frylock (Carey Means), Master Shake (Dana Snyder), and Meatwad (Dave Wilis) are mistaken for explosives in Boston. The episode would become the first in the series to get banned but was later leaked online in 2015.

"Something's Up There" - Back To You

The short-lived Fox sitcom Back to You – starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton as bickering news anchors – has been largely forgotten since it ended in 2008. However, one episode was deemed controversial upon airing for the following line said to a Polish character when trying to convince them to go bowling: "Come on, it's in your blood, like Kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis."

"Leap Frogs" - Rocko's Modern Life

Not only was Rocko's Modern Life one of the weirdest Nicktoons ever but it was especially one of the lewdest. Nickelodeon let plenty of mature humor slide but did ban an episode in which Mrs. Bighead tries to seduce the titular wallaby.

"Elephant Issues" - Tiny Toon Adventures

The Steven Spielberg-produced Tiny Toon Adventures served as a new era for the Looney Tunes legacy but did make a few dark turns during its run. For instance, one banned episode, which was meant to serve as a PSA of sorts, saw Buster Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton J. Pig getting intoxicated and suffering a car accident

"Dentist" - Adventure Time

The plot of the Adventure Time Season 6 episode, "Dentist," – in which Finn (Jeremy Shada) receives oral treatment from a colony of ants – offers nothing controversial in concept. However, it caused a bit of an internet uproar when a character named Lt. Gamergate (which is the name of a type of ant) was interpreted as a reference to the recently developing "GamerGate" movement.

30. "Fat Like Me" - Daria

Spun-off from Beavis and Butt-Head, Daria followed the misadventures of the cynical, monotone titular teen (voiced by Tracy Grandstaff). One episode of the animated never aired in reruns on the Nickelodeon subsidiary Teen Nick (formerly known as The N) because of the way it depicts obesity's connection to high school social status.

"Terms Of Endearment" - Drawn Together

Drawn Together is a mockumentary-style animated Comedy Central series following a group of cartoon characters living together. One episode was met with controversy for its satirical portrayal of the horse riding accident that paralyzed Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who passed away shortly before the series premiered.

"Man's Best Friend" - Ren & Stimpy

One of the most unhinged episodes of Ren & Stimpy was banned on Nickelodeon for a violent scene in which Ren beats up a character with an oar, as well as the depiction of dog treats that, for some reason, look like cigars and feces. The episode was later broadcast on MTV, which is certainly a more appropriate home for its subject matter.

A "bottle episode" is a term used when a TV show, usually in an attempt to save money on sets, keeps the action all in one place. Some of these episodes justify their singular setting by trapping the characters inside against their will while others incorporate more clever storytelling devices. Let's cover some of the most interesting and entertaining examples of a bottle episode in TV history with the following.

Mad About You - "The Conversation"

Sometimes, raising an infant might have parents feeling trapped in their own home (or even a singular location in their home) which is a topic explored in an episode from the sixth episode of the hit Paul Reiser TV show, Mad About You. Filmed in one single-shot take, "The Conversation" depicts Paul (Reiser) and Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt) talking while they wait for their infant daughter to cry herself to sleep.

Breaking Bad - "Fly"

Considered by some to be one of the best Breaking Bad episodes and by others to be the worst, "Fly" earns its title from an insect that Walter White (Bryan Cranston) discovers making itself at home in the lab owned by Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). Directed by Rian Johnson, the episode sees him and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), determined to save their jobs (and lives), spending an entire night struggling to rid the lab of the "contamination," while having heartfelt and complex discussions regarding the current state of their lives.

Seinfeld - "The Chinese Restaurant"

In an episode of one of the all-time best sitcoms that left some network executives confused from behind the scenes, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) spend 20 minutes waiting to be seated for dinner before heading to the movies. Despite not featuring Michael Richards' Kramer, Season 2's subdued yet witty "The Chinese Restaurant" is one of the best Seinfeld episodes and one that most strongly defines the NBC comedy's schtick as a "show about nothing."

The West Wing - "Isaac And Ishmael"

One of the most powerful bottle episodes in TV history was a standalone from Aaron Sorkin's Emmy-winning political drama called "Isaac and Ishmael," which was broadcast before the official Season 3 premiere as a tribute to the victims of the tragedy on September 11, 2001. Described as a non-canonical play by the West Wing cast in a cold open where the actors directly address the audience, the episode is primarily set in the mess hall of the White House, which has been put on lockdown amid a terrorist attack, forcing some of those inside to investigate the matter and others to discuss it from a philosophical perspective with some visiting students.

Friends - "The One Where No One's Ready"

In Season 3's "The One Where No One's Ready," the Friends cast is hanging out when Ross shows up urging them to prepare to leave for an event. Depicted in real time and taking place almost entirely in Monica's living room, the episode proved popular enough to convince the producers to do at least one bottle episode per season for the remainder of the hit series' run.

The Twilight Zone - "Five Characters In Search Of An Exit"

Some of the most interesting stories told on horror anthology TV shows are bottle episodes but that is not the only reason why "Five Characters in Search of An Exit" is a shoo-in for one of the best Twilight Zone episodes. As the apt title suggests, the Rod Serling-penned Season 3 story, following a group of strangers trapped in a room with no windows or doors and no memory of how they got there, is a wickedly surreal mystery with a killer twist ending.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - "The Box"

One of the best episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, "The Box," sees Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Captain Holt (Andre Braugher teaming up to see if they can get a dentist suspected of murder to give a confession before they are legally forced to release him from the interrogation room. Sterling K. Brown gives an Emmy-nominated performance in the Season 5 favorite as the stone-cold potential perp who forces Peralta to pull out every trick in the book to break.

Frasier - "My Coffee With Niles"

The Season 1 finale of Frasier (a spin-off show as good as its predecessor, Cheers) served as an homage to the 1981 dramedy, My Dinner with Andre. "My Coffee with Niles" takes place entirely during a cafe conversation between the title character (Kelsey Grammer) and his brother (David Hyde Pierce), during which they discuss happiness and Niles, for the first time, admits his feelings for Daphne (Jane Leeves).

Family Guy - "Brian & Stewie"

For its 150th show, Family Guy aired a bottle episode that stripped away its opening credits, musical score, the typical cutaway gags, and most of the characters. The entire plot of "Brian & Stewie" takes place inside a bank vault where the eponymous dog and baby (both voiced by creator Seth MacFarlane) find themselves accidentally locked inside for more than 24 hours.

Community - "Cooperative Calligraphy"

Likely responsible for teaching a generation of viewers about the concept of a bottle episode, one of the best episodes of Community, "Cooperative Calligraphy," is identified as such by Abed (Danny Pudi) in one of his signature meta moments. The Season 2 favorite sees the study group lock themselves in the study room for an entire night at the request of Annie (Alison Brie) to figure out who among them took her pen.

Parks And Recreation - "Leslie And Ron"

The seventh season of Parks and Recreation saw Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) on non-speaking terms for mysterious reasons until it was addressed and resolved in the season's fourth episode, aptly titled "Leslie and Ron." Locked in a room at the office by Ben (Adam Scott), the former coworkers are forced to talk through their feud, which we learn was caused by a sidelined Ron asking Leslie for a job to be closer to his old friends, only to be stood up.

Archer - "Vision Quest"

One of many examples of a bottle episode in which multiple characters find themselves trapped in an elevator comes from the sixth season of Archer. In "Vision Quest" much of the main cast of the animated spy comedy series get at each other's throats more than usual when they share a lift at ISIS that suddenly breaks down.

Kenan & Kel - "Freezer Burned"

Nickelodeon's Kenan & Kel aired a few episodes that saw the eponymous duo (played by All That cast members Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell) stuck in one place. One instance is Season 3's "Freezer Burned" in which Kel accidentally points a restaurant's restroom sign in the wrong direction, causing himself, Kenan, Kenan's family, and many others to become trapped in the freezer.

Grey's Anatomy - "The Room Where It Happens"

While all bottle episodes take place in one setting, not all are necessarily set during just one period of time. For instance, "The Room Where It Happens" from Season 13 of Grey's Anatomy takes place in a single operating room in which multiple characters recall their own memories of the most significant moments they have experienced there.

How I Met Your Mother - "The Limo"

Some TV shows get away with covering more ground than the typical bottle episode allows by keeping most of the action inside a mode of transportation. For instance, "The Limo" follows the How I Met Your Mother cast hopping between multiple New Year's Eve parties in a limousine driven by the recurring character Ranjit (Marshall Manesh), marking the beginning of his transition from taxi driving.

Hey Arnold! - "Das Subway"

Sometimes even a bottle episode set in a mode of transportation still sees the characters stuck in one place, like in the Season 1 Hey Arnold! episode, "Das Subway." Arnold and his friends decide to get home from the movie theater by taking the subway but end up sharing it with a bunch of stir-crazy passengers when it breaks down mid-trip.

Castle - "Cuffed"

Some bottle episodes manage to show scenes from outside the main setting by the use of flashbacks. That is how the Season 4 Castle episode, "Cuffed," explains how Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) ended up handcuffed together and trapped in a small room where they struggle to retrace their steps.

Supernatural - "Baby"

Rarely do bottle episodes and road trip episodes crossover but Supernatural achieved it in its eleventh season with "Baby," which is named after Dean Winchester's (Jensen Ackles) beloved Impala. The entire story – following him and Sam (Jared Padalecki) on a demon-hunting journey – is entirely told from inside the car.

Drake & Josh - "Tree House"

In the fourth season of Drake & Josh, the titular pair of stepbrothers (played by Drake Bell and Josh Peck) must reconstruct a neighbor's tree house that they accidentally destroyed. Upon finishing it, they find themselves trapped inside, having forgotten to cut out an exit before putting up the final wall. Their sister, Megan (Miranda Cosgrove), refuses to help them find a way out, and, to make matters worse, two twin sisters are waiting to meet them at the movie theater.

The X-FIles - "How The Ghosts Stole Christmas"

"How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" is a fun holiday episode from the sixth season of one of the all-time best sci-fi TV shows, The X-Files. It sees FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) becoming trapped in a house haunted by the spirits of a dead couple (played by TV icons Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin) who want to prove to them how lonely the season can be.

Chicago Fire - "My Lucky Day"

The rescuers fall desperate for a rescue in a Season 9 episode of NBC's Chicago Fire ironically called "My Lucky Day." Firefighters Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) and Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) become cut off from outside communication when they and two others board a freight elevator that breaks down in the middle of a building fire.

Eureka - "H.O.U.S.E. Rules"

In the first season of the hit SyFy series Eureka, newly appointed sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) considers leaving the small town of brilliant people after being blocked from investigating a crime. However, his A.I.-equipped smart house tries to convince him to stay by luring other locals into the home and locking them inside.

Leverage - "The Bottle Job"

The title of the Season 2 episode of Leverage, "The Bottle Job," has a triple meaning – one being that it is a bottle episode. The other meanings refer to Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton's character, Nate, taking up his drinking habit again, as well as the team's task to commit an elaborate con that would take weeks in only 90 minutes.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - "Did The Earth Move For You?"

While there are many examples of bottle episodes used to help two characters mend their issues with one another by trapping them together, the Season 2 premiere of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sees two characters grow apart as a result. In "Did the Earth Move for You?" the victims are Will Smith (Will Smith) and his new girlfriend, Kathleen (Tisha Campbell), who learn too much about each other after an earthquake leaves them trapped in the Banks' basement.

This Is Us - "The Waiting Room"

Most episodes of This Is Us jump back and forth between different time periods but Season 3's "The Waiting Room" takes place entirely in the modern day without any flashbacks. However, for what it lacks in appearances by Milo Ventimiglia as Jack, it makes up for it by keeping the Pearsons (and the audience) on their toes as they stay in a hospital waiting for the birth of Kate's baby.

MacGyver - "Phoenix Under Siege"

Before Die Hard, there was the Season 2 MacGyver episode, "Phoenix Under Siege," which boasts a few plot similarities. Mac (Richard Dean Anderson) and his grandfather, Harry Jackson (John Anderson), stop by the Phoenix Foundation to look for some tickets to a hockey game only to become trapped inside the building when it is invaded by terrorists.

Scrubs - "My Full Moon"

The Season 8 Scrubs episode, "My Full Moon," is a notable bottle episode as being one of the few times we see Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliot (Sarah Chalke) teaming up. They are left in charge of four interns at Sacred Heart on the night of a full moon, hence the title.

Teen Titans Go! - "Bottle Episode"

Never has a series taken the concept of a bottle episode as literally as the 29th show from the third season of Teen Titans Go! Aptly called "Bottle Episode," it sees the team of young superheroes struggling to figure out an escape when they become trapped in a large glass bottle.

Moonlighting - "Between A Yuk And A Hard Place"

Taking place months after the previous episode when Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) suffers a miscarriage, "Between A Yuk and a Hard Place" sees her and David (Bruce Willis) reunited when they become trapped in an elevator. At the end of the episode, it is revealed that Agnes (Allyce Beasley) and MacGillicudy (Jack Blessing) intentionally caused the elevator to break down, giving the couple a chance to work out their issues.

The Dead Zone - "Cabin Pressure"

In the second season of USA Network's series adaptation of Stephen King's The Dead Zone, Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) has a psychic vision that the plane he is currently traveling on is bound to crash. The episode is set entirely on a jet and is even depicted in real-time.

Black-ish - "Hope"

Creator Kenya Barris' ABC dramedy Black-ish was never afraid to address tough real-life topics and one of the most powerful examples is Season 2's "Hope." It takes place entirely in the Johnsons' living room as they watch a news report of a police brutality case, which prompts a difficult discussion regarding racial injustice.

That's My Bush! - "Trapped In A Small Environment"

From South Park creator Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Comedy Central's short-lived series That's My Bush poked fun at common sitcom cliches while also offering a humorous inside look at the then-current George W. Bush administration. It once took aim at the "trapped in a small environment" trope in an episode called "Trapped in a Small Environment," in which the president and his neighbor, Larry (John D'Aquino) get stuck in an elevator, giving them an opportunity to work through a feud.

There are few comedy shows in the history of television as deft and intelligent as Seinfeld
which is why it’s one of the greatest sitcoms ever and one of the most rewatchable shows of all time, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some notable holes. During the series’ nine-season run, there are many questions presented that never get answered – and that even includes the best of the best Seinfeld episodes.

It can be fun for fans to examine and debate these particular mysteries, so we’ve made the effort of collecting 32 of them for you below so that you can parse them yourselves and come up with your own answers.

Why Did Audrey Reject The Pie?

When Jerry shakes his head and silently rejects Poppie’s pizza, we know it’s because Poppie doesn’t wash his hands after going to the bathroom. When George does the same thing when offered dessert by a potential employer, we know it’s because he is avoiding a revenge scheme by the chef. But why does Audrey shake her head and not offer an explanation when Jerry offers her a slice of apple pie at Monks?

Why Did George Stop Doing The Opposite?

At the end of Seinfeld Season 5, George’s life seems to be forever changed when he decides to start doing the opposite of every natural instinct he has. By the time we see him again in Season 6, however, he is back to being the selfish, neurotic jerk he has always been, and there is no mention of when he halted his new way of life.

What Was Uncle Leo’s Crime Of Passion?

It’s a mild shock in Season 9’s “The Bookstore” when it’s revealed that Uncle Leo has a criminal record… but we never actually learn any details about his felonious past. Whenever it’s brought up, it’s merely dismissed as a “crime of passion,” and that could basically be anything.

Did Manya Really Ruin Jerry’s Softball Game?

What is the nature of the universe in Seinfeld? Is there an afterlife? Do ghosts exist? The show never really dives into those questions, but events in “The Pony Remark” make one wonder. Because Seinfeld is by its nature a fictional world, we can’t outright dismiss the idea that Manya haunted Jerry and caused him to have the worst softball game of his life.

Did Whatley Actually Take Advantage Of Jerry In His Dentist Chair?

Let’s be real: Dr. Tim Whatley is a shady character. He has a surprisingly boorish reaction when Elaine accidentally rejects him at his Thanksgiving party, and he is a proven regifter. But did he actually take advantage of Jerry while he was unconscious for a tooth filling? Rewatching the episode, it’s not made clear if his shirt was tucked or untucked before going under the gas.

What Happened To George’s Sable Russian Hat?

I’m willing to give Heather the benefit of the doubt that she really doesn’t have George’s sable Russian hat after he performs a “leave behind” in “The Chicken Roaster.” But if she truly doesn’t have the furry $8,000 accessory, where did it go?

Why Do Jerry And Newman Hate Each Other?

In Seinfeld, Jerry and Newman first come face-to-face in Season 3’s “The Suicide,” and there is already clear animosity between them, as the latter is almost giddy at the prospect of telling the comatose Martin about Jerry’s affair with his girlfriend. The dislike goes both ways… but where does it originate from? What was the event that got the neighbors to hate each other? It’s a story that the sitcom never tells.

What Is Newman’s First Name?

Those who watched Seinfeld week-to-week in the 1990s will remember the surprise that came with finally learning Kramer’s first name in Season 6’s “The Switch,” but fans never got a similar reveal for Newman. Some have argued based on a line at the end of Season 7’s “The Bottle Deposit” that his full name is Norman Newman, but that’s not widely accepted as canon.

How Does Kramer Afford His Apartment?

One of Kramer’s standout qualities as a character is that he is a moocher: he takes food from Jerry with impunity, and with some exceptions, he doesn’t make a habit of picking up the bill at Monks. He also has charisma and connections that clearly get him by in life. Those things tell us how he gets by in life day-to-day…but how he affords the monthly rent for the apartment across from Jerry’s place is a forever mystery.

Did Ray Thomas Really Take George’s Statue?

There is no doubt that Ray Thomas from Season 2‘s “The Statue” is a theatrical, affected weirdo… but is he a thief? Jerry is certainly convinced that he stole the statue that he had gifted to George, and Kramer is more than happy to assist in its “retrieval” – but whether or not Ray is guilty of robbery is never confirmed.

What Was In The Report That Mr. Wilhelm Turned In For George?

How bad does a report have to be that a boss could use it as evidence to have an employee thrown into a mental health facility? That’s a question that Seinfeld fans are left with at the end of “The Bottle Deposit” when an off-his-meds Mr. Wilhelm submits a project on George’s behalf.

Why Does Christie Repeatedly Wear The Same Dress?

To be fair, the dress that Christie wears in Season 7’s “The Seven” is nice: it has a cool black-and-white pattern and, as Jerry puts it, a scoop neck reminiscent of a superhero costume. But why does she wear it all the time? And does she have multiples, or somehow keep the same single garment fresh?

Why Was Ellen Considered “A Loser”?

I’m sorry, but in the conversation about Ellen from Season 8’s “The Van Buren Boys,” I’m not willing to accept that everyone simply sees her as a loser because she’s the kind of girl your parents would want you to date. There must be something deeper there… but it’s a bottomless pit in terms of understanding a true answer.

What Do Bob Sacamano Or Lomez Look Like?

There is a long tradition of unseen characters in sitcom history, from Vera Peterson on Cheers to Wilson on Home Improvement, and in Seinfeld’s case, we have Bob Sacamano and Lomez. Kramer frequently talks about these friends off-handedly, but they never appear on screen. The closest we get to seeing either of them is when Kramer is waiting for Lomez in a Portapotty in Season 9’s “The Betrayal.”

What’s The Deal With The Night Club That Turns Out To Be A Meat Packing Plant?

One could make the argument that there are only two elements of the supernatural in Seinfeld. One is Manya potentially haunting Jerry, and the other is the beautiful people nightclub that evidently takes the form of a meat packing plant to anyone who isn’t invited. What is the answer to the mystery here? We have no idea.

What Happened During Jerry’s Hawaiian Vacation With Lois?

Jerry seemed to have a really good thing going with Lois in Season 6’s “The Race,” and not just because she shares a first name with Lois Lane. They prepare to go off on a magical Hawaiian vacation together at the end of the episode… but she is then never heard from again. I’ll accept that Jerry has a history of breaking up with women based on ridiculous reasons, but I still wonder what went down during the tropical trip.

What Happened To Kramer And Noreen's Baby?

Does the Kramer name live on? That’s a possibility at the end of Season 6’s “The Chinese Woman,” as Cosmo giddily announces to Jerry that Noreen’s menstrual cycle is late. Noreen never appears again after that episode, so what happened to the baby is unknown.

Who Really Invented The Umbrella Twirl?

Do we as an audience trust everything that Jerry Seinfeld says? Watching the entirety of Seinfeld suggests that we shouldn’t – and that extends to his claim of creating “the twirl” as an umbrella salesman trick in Season 8’s “The Checks.” Jerry says that he was the one who came up with the idea to spin an umbrella on his shoulder to entice customers, but Teddy Padilac makes the same claim, and it’s left unclear who we should believe.

Exactly How Much Did Jerry Pay For The Suede Jacket?

Based on the “game” played by George, we know that Jerry’s new suede jacket in Season 2’s “The Jacket” cost the comedian over $1,000… but how much more we do not know. It’s never specifically revealed just how much Jerry paid for the garment, and it’s perhaps for the best, as we may not be able to look at him the same way if we did.

Why Was Kramer Discharged From The Military?

It’s only because of an off-handed comment in Season 9’s “The Strongbox” that we know of Kramer’s military service. It’s mentioned that he keeps his discharge papers among his valuables after being in the army “briefly” – but we never get the full story of what happened or when it happened.

Did Mrs. Landis Actually Get Angry About Elaine Trying To Take Back Mr. Pitt’s Racket?

As noted by Jerry in “The Switch,” it’s crazy to think that anyone would get mad if you tried to take back something that you lent to someone else, but that’s the exact circumstance that Elaine deals with when she tries to retrieve Mr. Pitt’s tennis racket from Mrs. Landis after letting her borrow it. By the end of the episode, however, it’s actually unclear if Mrs. Landis would have been angry about Elaine’s effort or if she simply ran into the snootiest personal assistant of all time.

Did Crazy Joe Davola Face Charges For Interrupting The Filming Of The Pilot?

The last we see of Crazy Joe Davola in Seinfeld is when he leaps off of a balcony screaming, “Sic semper tyrannis” in Season 4’s “The Pilot.” He clearly causes a disruption to filming, but it’s never stated if he faced criminal charges and/or got locked up for his behavior in the aftermath.

Where Are Jerry, George And Elaine’s Siblings, And What Kind Of Lives Do They Lead?

In “The Chinese Restaurant,” Jerry mentions he has a sister; in both “The Suicide” and “The Parking Space,” George mentions that he has a brother; and Elaine” is revealed to have a sister in “The Pick.” None of these siblings, however, ever appear on screen. Where are they, and why do they choose not to associate with their closest relatives?

How Did Kramer’s Coffee Table Book Get Published After The Fall Of Pendant Publishing?

In “The Opposite,” Elaine’s love of Jujubes leads to the downfall of Pendant Publishing, and the events seem to kill the plans for Kramer’s coffee table book about coffee tables… but he must have gotten it published somewhere, as the mooching neighbor mentions in Season 9’s “The Wizard” that a big movie studio optioned it for a movie. So what happened behind the scenes to make that happen? We have no idea.

Did The Doorman Actually Steal The Couch From The Lobby Of Mr. Pitt’s Building?

The eponymous character in Season 6’s “The Doorman” is clearly a crafty fellow, but does he really have the chaos energy required to set Jerry up as the patsy for a sofa robbery? Part of me says no, part of me says yes… and there is no answer to settle the debate.

What Was George’s Comeback After Learning Riley’s Wife Was In A Coma?

“The Jerk Store called, and they’re running out of you” isn’t much of a comeback (despite George’s insistence), and both Jerry and Kramer come up with much better retorts to Reilly’s shrimp cocktail zing in Season 8’s “The Comeback”… but I nonetheless still want to know what George thought up as a “perfect” comedic response to learning that the man’s wife is in a coma.

Did They Ever Catch The Smog Stranger Or The Lopper?

The Office provided viewers with closure regarding the tale of the Scranton Strangler, but Seinfeld keeps its serial killer tales open-ended. The show introduces murderers nicknamed The Smog Stranger (“The Trip”) and The Lopper (“The Frogger”) in Season 4 and Season 9, respectively, but we never hear about what happens to them or if they are ever caught.

Why Did Jerry And Elaine Break Up Again After Getting Back Together?

One of the strangest endings of any Seinfeld episode is the conclusion of Season 2’s “The Deal,” which sees Jerry and Elaine reunite as a couple. This isn’t strange on paper, but what makes it strange is that the conclusion holds no weight in the canon, and in the very next episode they are single friends again. So what happened?

Did The Junior Mint Actually Cure Roy’s Infection?

Should surgical suites across the world include Junior Mints to sew up inside of patients to prevent infection? If one bases one’s medical opinions entirely on the science of Seinfeld, the answer is… maybe. It’s not directly declared in Season 4’s “The Junior Mint” that the piece of candy is what ends up saving Roy’s life, but it is heavily implied.

Who Are All The People At Susie’s Funeral?

In Season 8’s “The Susie,” Elaine remarks that the funeral for Susie is more populated than hers will likely be when she dies, but that ignores a bigger question: who are all of those people? The most logical answer is that they are people gathered by the ultra-dramatic J. Peterman, but it’s never actually explained.

How Did Elaine Get Her Job Back After The English Patient Incident?

At the end of Season 8’s “The English Patient,” J. Peterman gives Elaine the opportunity to keep her job provided she is willing to fly to Tunisia and live in a cave… but she never actually makes it to the desert, as the plane she is on gets hijacked and taken to Cuba. She is clearly back and employed with the catalog a couple of episodes later in “The Muffin Tops,” so what happened?

What Happened To Tony The Mechanic After He Stole Jerry’s Car?

The last we saw Tony The Mechanic, he was driving Jerry’s Saab through Ohio chucking golf clubs at a mail truck driven by Kramer and Newman. So what happened to him after that? Did he ever return to New York, and if so, what did he do with Jerry’s car? We never hear about him again after “The Bottle Deposit,” so the world will never know.

There are so many shows out there that are perfect for your next binge. They could be one of the best shows to watch on Netflix or even be an original series for a streaming service – either way, they are full of life and hilarity. And if you're looking for a new show to watch, you might want to consider any of the following options for your next best sitcom.

Friends

I can't have a sitcom list and not write about Friends. The series was a huge hit for several years, running for ten seasons and making the Friends cast the vast stars they are today. The series follows a group of friends who live in New York City and follow their personal and professional lives.

How I Met Your Mother

For nine seasons, How I Met Your Mother dominated the world. The How I Met Your Mother cast was exceptionally popular, with skyrocketing careers, and featured some of the funniest jokes ever. If you ignore the finale (which most tend to do), it's honestly one of the best shows out there. The series follows the main character as he tells his children about how he met their mother.

30 Rock

Created by Tina Fey, 30 Rock ran for seven seasons and was a hilarious addition to the sitcom's run. The series follows the lives of workers at a fictional sketch show in New York City, based on Fey's time working on Saturday Night Live. The 30 Rock cast is hilarious in so many ways.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Okay, so this series is the definition of a long binge. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has run forever, it seems. It follows the story of a group of friends (and one annoying father) who live in Philadelphia and get up to the craziest things (usually illegal). I mean, this series is iconic—it can't really get better than this one.

Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary is on the fast track to becoming an all-time great show. The series follows the lives of teachers who work at a public school in Philadelphia and the struggles they have to go through to make their children happy and give them a good environment, as well as their own personal lives.

Frasier

Running for eleven seasons, Frasier is a spinoff of Cheers and follows the psychiatrist Frasier Crane, who travels back home to Seattle and documents his personal and professional life. Talk about an incredible spinoff – and it earned a reboot several years later on Paramount+.

The Office

I mean, obviously, I have to include The Office. Running for eleven seasons, the series followed the lives of workers in a paper company in Scranton and is considered one of the best mockumentary sitcoms of all time. The Office cast is super iconic, and after one watch, you'll be returning to this show like a security blanket.

Community

With six seasons, Community is a fun one to watch. It follows five misfits who go to a community college and form a study group together – which gets them into hilarious situations. The series is hysterical, and while Season 5 is a little iffy (in my personal opinion and many others), it's still worth a binge – especially since a Community movie is in the works.

Cheers

Running for eleven seasons, Cheers is one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. The show mainly revolves around patrons and friends who gather at a bar as we follow their lives both in and out of the world. The series is responsible for creating several big stars, such as Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Kelsey Grammer, and Woody Harrelson.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

While it only ran for four seasons, I personally love Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The series follows a young woman who was locked away in a bunker for several years only to emerge and find herself a stranger in this new modern world. With the help of some unlikely friends, she finds her path.

Two And A Half Men

As someone who watched Two and a Half Men for the first time a few years ago, I find this series hilarious. Running for twelve seasons and originally starring Charlie Sheen (before switching over to Ashton Kutcher years later), the series follows a man who houses his brother and his son during a divorce and the craziness they get into as time goes on. This series is wild, so be prepared for some jokes that most likely did not age well but are still fun.

Parks And Recreation

Parks and Recreation aired a few years after The Office ended, and people loved this show just as much. The series mainly follows Leslie Knope, who works at the Parks Department in a fictional town and cares deeply about her job, causing headaches for others. If you take a look at the Parks and Recreation cast, you'll see a ton of familiar faces.

That '70s Show

Running for eight seasons, That '70s Show was a series that raised me as a kid. The series follows a group of teenagers who are living in the 1970s and their experiences with the culture there. The series was so popular that it spawned a spinoff years later called That '90s Show, although it was short-lived.

Seinfeld

I mean, obviously, I have to put Seinfeld on here. Created by comedy legends Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, Seinfeld is "a show about nothing," following the lives of a fictionalized version of Seinfeld and his friends in New York City during the 1980s and 90s. The series ran for nine seasons and created the famous Seinfeld cast.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Where was he raised? In West Philadelphia, of course. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air starred Will Smith and followed the story of a young man who is sent to his uncle in Bel-Air after getting into trouble back home in Philly. His mother hopes that his uncle can straighten him out, and it just turns into hilarity for this fresh prince. The series ran for six seasons.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast is hilarious in every way possible, and I thoroughly recommend this series with my whole heart. The series follows the lives of workers at a fictional police station in New York City, from their professional lives to their own, and how they all intertwine.

The Golden Girls

I have to recommend The Golden Girls. Running for seven seasons and just as iconic as you would expect, the show starred Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty as four older women who lived together in their later years in Miami and the crazy lives they got into.

Bob's Burgers

Animated shows are probably some of the best series to binge because they often have so many seasons, and Bob's Burgers is an excellent example of that. The series, which has been running for fifteen seasons and counting, follows the lives of a family who own a burger shop and what they get up to when they're not in the kitchen—as well as the drama that unfolds in their restaurant. It's hilarious, and I highly recommend it.

I Love Lucy

Of course, I have to put the original sitcom here. I Love Lucy is a classic sitcom starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky, a couple living in New York City, and the shenanigans that Lucy gets into all the time. I'm often not the best person to recommend older TV shows because most tend to miss the mark, but this is one of the best you can watch. The series ran for six seasons.

Modern Family

Modern Family is an absolute icon, and yes, you need to watch it. Running for eleven seasons, It is exactly what you would expect it to be—it follows the lives of a modern-age family and the craziness they get into. The Modern Family cast is hysterical, and I can assure you that you will laugh several times throughout the show.

The Nanny

"She's the nanny, the nanny named Fran!" I can assure you that the theme song for this show will be stuck in your head by the end of this binge. Running for six seasons, The Nanny, starring Fran Drescher, follows the lives of a fashionista who decides to take on the role of a nanny for three children when she needs the money, only for her life to intertwine with their father, Peter Marc Jacobson.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Created by Larry David and running for twelve seasons (despite that twenty-four-year-long streak), Curb Your Enthusiasm is a hilarious HBO series that stars David as a fictionalized version of himself as he lives in Los Angeles and his days as a retired TV producer and writer, and the stuff he gets into as he deals with all the drama Hollywood can bring.

Full House

The Full House cast is iconic because of how great this series was and how many of us were raised on it, honestly. Full House follows the lives of three men, one a widow, one a brother-in-law, and the other a best friend, who all live in the same house, and work together to raise the children of one after his wife passes away. The series ran for eight seasons.

The Simpsons

Obviously, I have to put The Simpsons on this list. The Simpsons is probably one of the most iconic TV families ever, following the animated tales of Homer and his family as they get into the craziest shenanigans you could ever think of and more.

The Big Bang Theory

Running for twelve seasons, The Big Bang Theory was an extremely successful modern-day sitcom that followed several people living in California. It mainly followed the lives of Leonard and Sheldon, who they ran into as total science nerds, and the friends they surround themselves with.

South Park

South Park has some outrageous episodes, but this is the perfect binge if you want something that's way more adult. The series follows the lives of four fourth-graders in the world of South Park, a fictional town in Colorado, where literally nothing is off the table for the drama they get into. This series is just a lot to handle but so freaking hysterical.

Scrubs

Created by Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Shrinking) and running for nine seasons, Scrubs is the medical sitcom that you're in need of. The series follows the lives of workers at a hospital, following the medical interns as they work their way up in the world and the hilarious things that happen to them.

Schitt's Creek

While Schitt's Creek only ran for four seasons, its impact on pop culture is widely known. The series follows the lives of the Rose family, who suddenly lose everything in their name except for a little town the father bought as a joke years ago – Schitt's Creek, the place where they will begin their return to wealth. The Schitt's Creek cast is absolutely hysterical.

Veep

Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and running for seven seasons, Veep is a hilarious HBO sitcom and political satire show that will make you laugh for hours on end. The series follows the life of political figure Selina Meyer, who is the Vice President of the United States, and how she deals with what is thrown at her, as well as working with the president who drives her nuts.

Rick And Morty

Created by Dan Harmon, Rick and Morty is one of those animated sitcoms where you never know what is going to happen next, but you know it'll be hilarious. Rick and Morty follows the scientific adventures of Grandpa Rick and his grandson, Morty, as he takes him across multiple dimensions and into situations that really no young boy should ever experience.

Arrested Development

Running for five seasons, with two of them happening in the later years of the 2010s, Arrested Development is the type of show that will make you laugh for hours. The series follows a formerly wealthy family as they try to adjust to normal everyday life – and they most certainly have a hard time doing it.

Everybody Hates Chris

Created by Chris Rock, Everybody Hates Chris stars Tyler James Williams and is loosely based on Rock's life when he was a teenager and what it was like living in New York City back in the 1980s as a teenager. It ran for four seasons (but to me, it should have ran for way more).

Any of these shows would be excellent picks for you to watch next. Now, I feel like I need to have a TV marathon. It's time to dim the lights and get the popcorn once again.

Even the best shows have their fan-favorite seasons. The seasons that most fans are perfect, or at least close to perfect. It's hard to judge based on reviews and even on Rotten Tomato rankings which one fans think is the creme de la creme of their favorite show, so we looked at Ranker, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB, and other spots to nail down just which season of these classic shows fans love the most.

The Office - Season 2

Season 2 holds the top spot for The Office. That makes a lot of sense as it's really when the classic sitcom came out from under the shadow of the British show on which it was based and found its own footing. Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) separated himself from David Brent (Ricky Gervais) and the rest is history.

The Sopranos - Season 3

The Sopranos is one of the few shows that most fans agree doesn't really have any bad seasons. Some are better than others, sure, but, especially out of the first four, how do you separate them? Season 3 is as good a choice as any as Junior gets out of prison and begins his power grab against Tony, Tony's mother is at her worst, and it ends with one of the most devastating murders in the show's run.

Atlanta - Season 1

It's no surprise here that the first season of Atlanta sits on top. The show's four-season run is great, but it never quite matched the incredible impact or lofty heights of that first magical season. It won a slew of awards in the first year, something it also never matched again.

Seinfeld - Season 5

"The Puffy Shirt," "The Marine Biologist," "The Dinner Party," and "The Hamptons" are just a few of the stone-cold classic episodes of Seinfeld in Season 5. This is a show where almost any season could be the favorite as there are classic episodes in all of them, even the first. But Season 5 seems to be the one fans love the most.

Cheers - Season 4

As much as hardcore fans of Cheers love Coach (Nicholas Colasanto), it's not surprising to see the first season with Woody (Woody Harrelson) rank at the top. Season 4 is when the show really came into its own and became the ratings monster it would remain for the rest of its run on NBC in the '80s.

The Wire - Season 4

This is one choice that some fans will definitely disagree with. Not because Season 4 of The Wire is bad, because, oh boy, it certainly is great, but because Season 3 is at least as good if not better in the eyes of many fans, with a bunch of the best episodes. Still, the season following the kids in school comes out on top here, as viewers are introduced to a whole new generation of corner boys and future crew members.

The West Wing - Season 2

It's hard to pick just one season out of the first four for The West Wing. What probably puts this one over the edge is the season finale, "Two Cathedrals," which is one of the best episodes of any television show, ever. The whole season is incredibly good, but the ending is magical.

Gilmore Girls - Season 3

Season 3 of Gilmore Girls hits the top spot for the WB favorite likely pushed to the top for moments like the big reveal of Jess' father towards the end of the season and other milestones throughout the season.

The Simpsons - Season 4

This one is sure to spur some debate. The general consensus of fans of The Simpsons is that basically Seasons 2 through 8 or 9 are basically perfect. Still, it's easy to see why Season 4 won out here, with classic episodes like "Marge vs. the Monorail," "Homer the Heretic," "Duffless," "Mr. Plow," "Last Exit to Springfield," and "Whacking Day," which has a number of the best quotes from The Simpsons.

This Is Us - Season 1

It's hard to argue that the first season of This Is Us isn't the best. The first episode ends with an incredible twist and throughout the rest of the season, audiences get, well, emotionally connected, to the characters in a way that few other shows have ever matched. The tears of later seasons would have never happened without that incredible foundation.

Saturday Night Live - Season 15

How do fans choose one season of a show that has been on the air as long as Saturday Night Live? Surely every generation has its own favorite, but Season 15 is as good a choice as any with a powerhouse cast that includes the great Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, and Mike Myers in his first season as a full cast member.

Breaking Bad - Season 5

Yet another show on this list that has multiple amazing seasons that could be in contention here. There have been very few shows that have ended as well as Breaking Bad so it tracks that its final season would come out on top here. Even the Guinness Book of World Records named it the "most acclaimed" series of all time after it ended.

Friends - Season 5

No doubt that hardcore fans of Friends will have something to say here, but most will agree that if Season 5 isn't the best, it's one of the best. The season starts with the aftermath of Ross saying "Rachel," and ends with their drunken wedding in Vegas, all while Monica and Chandler's relationship grows into more than just hooking up.

Game Of Thrones - Season 4

This one was pretty surprising as well, as most might expect Season 3, with The Red Wedding to rank at the top, but maybe the death of Joffrey at The Purple Wedding and the rise of Daenerys as a conquerer is too much to resist. Not to mention the fight between Oberyn and The Mountain. And Tyrion killing Tywin... Okay, yeah it makes sense.

Abbott Elementary - Season 1

Abbott Elementary burst onto the scene as the freshest and best network sitcom in years. It won every award it could after that first season and while it's remained consistently great, it's never matched those early heights when it was all so new and so funny.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Season 5

Sometimes it feels like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia has been on since the dawn of time, and it kind of has. There have been many great seasons, dozens of great episodes, and even more legendary scenes and lines. For fans, it reached its zenith in Season 5, but it's not like they've turned away from it in later seasons.

24 - Season 5

The most impressive thing about 24 is how it continued to raise the stakes season after season. Just when it seemed like it couldn't get any better, Season 5 came out and blew everyone away. It cleaned up at the Emmys and it's easy to see why as it was Jack's most exciting adventure, and at times the most devastating, of his brutal career at CTU.

Slow Horses - Season 3

Slow Horses is one of the outliers on this list because the seasons are so short, only six episodes in each, but they pack a ton into those six. Every season of the show has been acclaimed, with most having scores of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, Season 3 ranks best for fans, with Season 2 right behind it.

Sherlock - Season 2

The first two seasons of Sherlock are two of the best seasons of TV ever, even if they are only three episodes each. Season 2 ended with one of the all-time great cliffhangers - or cliff-fallers as it may be. In the third and final episode, "The Reichenbach Fall," Sherlock takes a dive off a building to outwit Moriarty, and viewers are left wondering about his fate.

Lost - Season 1

Lost is one of the most dissected, discussed, and disagreed over shows in TV history. One thing that almost no one argues over though, is how great the show's first season was. From the moment Jack's eyes open in the first episode to Jack and Locke looking down at the blown-open hatch in the last scene, it's a white-knuckle ride that takes viewers on one of the greatest adventures ever.

Grey's Anatomy - Season 6

Well, of all the seasons of Grey's Anatomy, and there are many, it's easy to understand why Season 6, which ends with a cliffhanger when multiple characters were shot in a mass shooting at the hospital. It was the peak of the show.

Mad Men - Season 4

Season 4 of Mad Men is really the downward descent into booze and bills for Don Draper as he continues to struggle with who he really is. It marked a shift in the decade in which it takes place as the wholesome early sixties start to get darker, just like Don's life. Of course fans are going to love this season most.

Blue Bloods - Season 1

Despite its controversial canceling, Blue Bloods has a ton of hardcore fans. Those fans still love Season 1 the most, which is understandable as it really sets the tone for the show and for the dynamics of the Reagan family and includes all the original members, some of whom left the show years before it ended.

Black Mirror - Season 3

Yet another show on the list that is sure to have people arguing over which season really is best. The consensus seems to be that Season 3, Black Mirror's first on Netflix is the best, though that may just be because of exposure. To be sure though, it's a great season with some powerful episodes that resonate, as well as some of the more controversial ones among fans.

Downton Abbey - Season 1

Downton Abbey is not a show anyone would have expected to gain such a large and loyal following, given that it's a period drama set in Edwardian England. But fans it has and passionate they are, especially for the show's excellent first season when we meet the upstairs and the downstairs parts of the Crawley family.

House - Season 1

Medical Procedurals often go on and on, but House is a show that only works with its main character so when Hugh Laurie was ready to go, so was the show. There is no question it felt like it was just running through the motions at the end, but in the beginning, there was no other show like it and that's what makes its first Season the fan favorite.

Dexter - Season 4

Season 4 of Dexter was unquestionably the peak of the show. The race to find the Trinity Killer was in full swing and by the end of the devastating season, viewers learned that maybe there was a killer out there more resourceful, more evil, and more cunning than Dexter as it ends with one of the most tragic seasons in TV history.

Luther - Season 1

Idris Elba got everyone's attention as Stringer Bell on The Wire but he proved he was more than a one-hit wonder with Season 1 of Luther. He could play a cop with loose morals as well as he could a criminal and we loved him for it.

True Detective - Season 1

Until the fourth season of True Detective, called True Detective: Night Country, there was no question that Season 1 would be at the top of fan favorites. Even now, with the show back on its feet after a couple of misses, Season 1 still wins, at least for now.

Law & Order - Season 5

Of all the Law & Order seasons, it makes total sense that Season 5 would top the list of favorite seasons. it's when the show cast really coalesced into the characters fans really love. Most notably, Sam Waterston joined as Jack McCoy and Chris Noth took his final bow on the show.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Season 6

Is there really a "best" season of Curb Your Enthusiasm? There are great, cringy moments in every season but Season 6 comes out on top for fans for one important reason: it introduced Leon (JB Smoove) and the rest of his family to the show and the show began to reach new heights it never would have without them.

Westworld - Season 1

This one really isn't a huge surprise, as many fans really didn't like Seasons 2 or 3 of Westworld, but Seasons 1 and 4 are so good we had to include them. Season 1, especially, is brilliant.

Seinfeld is widely considered both one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and one of the most rewatchable shows ever. The antics of Jerry, George, Elaine, Kramer and the large collection of lovable side characters never get old, and one can always be dazzled by the incredible writing that sees the various stories surprisingly merge before the end of an episode – the best of the best episodes of Seinfeld being all-time classics.

As amazing as it is to watch all 180 episodes of Seinfeld, however, that takes a lot of time. That in mind, we’ve assembled this shortcut for you, allowing you to reflect on 32 of the funniest moments on the beloved series.

George Tries To Convince A Woman He’s Not Insane While Dressed As King Henry VIII (Season 7, "The Gum")

Here's a bit of free advice: if you're ever trying to convince somebody that you're not crazy, don't chase after them while wearing a King Henry VIII costume while screaming that the outfit came from "The Institute." It's a lesson George teaches us well in the final moments of "The Gum."

Elaine Gets Toilet Paper Revenge (Season 5, "The Stall")

While it's not a great way to go about building character, petty revenge can definitely be satisfying, and Elaine gets a hefty dose of it when she manages to strand Jerry's girlfriend in a public bathroom without toilet paper (realizing that the woman did the same thing to her earlier while they were unknowingly together at the movie theater).

Kramer Has A "Serenity Now" Freak Out (Season 5, "The Serenity Now")

As explained by Lloyd Braun in "The Serenity Now," bottling in your emotions can be a bad thing, as the bad feelings don't go away; they just stack up until you explode. Kramer demonstrates this quite vividly when his plans to turn his apartment into a suburban paradise goes awry. Not only does he go out of his mind, but he manages to destroy a number of computers that George is storing at his apartment.

George Leaps From The Bathroom To Stay On Unemployment (Season 3, "The Boyfriend")

George Costanza is many things, but laziness is a top quality. In fact, he will make great efforts so that he can do nothing at all. This dedication is on full display in "The Boyfriend" as he leaps from a bathroom with his pants around his ankles trying to get Kramer to support his lie about the existence of Vandelay Industries.

Elaine Snatches George’s Toupee (Season 6, "The Beard")

I think we can all relate to Elaine's actions in "The Beard." Wearing a hairpiece turns George into an even bigger jerk than normal, so she takes the only reasonable action available to her: she snatches the toupee right off his head and throws it out the window.

Jerry Becomes A Diva Director Shooting Bootleg Movies (Season 8, "The Little Kicks")

Jerry Seinfeld only recently made his feature directorial debut with the Netflix comedy Unfrosted, but he first showed hints of his filmmaking future all the way back in Season 8's "The Little Kicks." Jerry discovers an innate skill for making bootleg movies in the classic Seinfeld episode, and it's impressive how quickly his ego magnifies.

George Threatens Loud Jerks In A Movie Theater To “Show Them What It’s Like” (Season 5, "The Opposite")

I'd estimate that pretty much everyone reading this article has had to deal with an obnoxious person or group of people at a movie theater – and we all wish that we could display the guts that George demonstrates in "The Opposite." His rant is epic and worth memorizing: "Shut your traps and stop kicking the seats! We're trying to watch the movie! And if I have to tell you again, we're gonna take it outside, and I'm gonna show you what it's like, you understand me?!"

Elaine Gets Goofy On Muscle Relaxers (Season 3, "The Pen")

Anyone who has experienced back pain can sympathize with the suffering experienced by Elaine in Season 3's "The Pen." But hopefully not all of us can relate to what happens when she takes too many muscle relaxers. The medication turns her into the kind of total goofball who, given an opportunity to reference On The Waterfront, screams "STELLA!" so loud that it can silence an entire reception hall.

Kramer Tries To Get Rid Of Some Muffin Stumps (Season 8, "The Muffin Tops")

Would it actually be that hard to dispose of a bunch of muffin stumps as Kramer is employed to do in Season 8's "The Muffin Tops"? Probably not, but it sure is hilarious watching Kramer take his J. Peterman Reality Bus Tour passengers from dump to dump screaming to various managers about taking his complaints to business affairs.

George Has Jerry Call In A Bomb Threat To Yankee Stadium (Season 8, "The Nap")

The whole scene with George hiding under his desk from his boss in "The Nap" is comedy magic. The stressed phone call that he has with Jerry is amazing, as the stand-up comedian can't help but mess with his pal in his time of need, but you also have to love the interruptions from George Steinbrenner's grandson Brian and a very friendly dog.

Kramer Drops A Junior Mint Inside A Patient Mid-Surgery (Season 4, “The Junior Mint”)

Seinfeld features a number of darkly hilarious storylines during its nine-season run, but one of the darkest is kick-started when Jerry and Kramer nearly inflict accidental homicide by dropping a Junior Mint into the body of a patient during surgery in an operating theater. While on the subject: has anyone done any serious research related to the potential life-saving qualities of Junior Mints since the airing of this episode?

Frank Costanza Falls Onto A Fusilli Jerry During A Fight With Kramer (Season 6, “The Fusilli Jerry”)

The Fusilli Jerry just seems like an odd Kramer creation when it is first introduced as a gift to Jerry on Seinfeld, but even awareness that it is the eponymous subject of the episode in which it's featured doesn't prepare you for how it ends up playing into the climax. A million-to-one shot, doc! Million to one.

George Desperately Excuses His "Shrinkage" (Season 5, "The Hamptons")

George Costanza has a number of memorable freakouts in Seinfeld, but no one who has ever seen "The Hamptons" will forget his arm-flailing desperation as Jerry's girlfriend walks in on him while he is naked and he loudly exclaims, "I was in the pool!!" Of course, this also led to the creation of the term "Shrinkage," which is one of the great Seinfeld-isms.

Elaine Gets Revenge Against The Soup Nazi (Season 7, "The Soup Nazi")

As great as the Soup Nazi's cooking may be, he has no right to treat his customers as he does. Jerry and George don't have the spines to confront his problematic behavior, and Kramer is disturbingly sympathetic to it. That just leaves it to Elaine to right the wrong, and she does so in brilliant fashion by destroying his business and forcing him to flee to Argentina.

Newman’s Gets Set On Fire (Season 8, "The Pothole")

Newman is only off-handedly mentioned early in "The Pothole" (Kramer notes that he does surreptitious fish deliveries with his mail truck), but he ends up being a brilliant part of the episode's climax. The combination of Kramer spilling paint thinner on the highway and Elaine letting a sewing machine fall out of her car while driving sets up a dangerous, explosive combination that sees Newman as its victim. Oh the humanity indeed.

George Meets Corbin Bernsen And George Wendt Behind The Scenes Of The Tonight Show (Season 4, "The Trip: Part 1")

Everyone wants to be impressive when we meet impressive people, but boy does George swing and miss while talking with both Corbin Bernsen and George Wendt in "The Trip: Part 1". His ideas for both L.A. Law and Cheers are individually so wretched that they inspire the actors to drag him in front of an audience of millions watching The Tonight Show. They don't mention his name, but that just means that it's George's private utter humiliation.

Jerry Makes Out With His Girlfriend While Watching Schindler’s List (Season 5, “The Raincoats”)

It is practically impossible to think of a worse make-out movie than Steven Spielberg's devastating holocaust drama Schindler's List... but that's really just what makes this scene so perfect (with Newman's display of utter disgust being the cherry on top).

George And Jerry Team Up To Replace A Marble Rye (Season 7, "The Rye")

When you think about it, George simply asking for Susan's help trying to create peace between their parents in "The Rye" would totally solve the issue of the stolen marble rye... but if that were the case, we wouldn't get the brilliant image that is George holding up the bread on a fishing hook like the prized catch of the day.

Elaine Internally Freaks Out On The Subway (Season 3, "The Subway")

It is a miserable experience to be packed into a subway car among a bunch of random strangers for any amount of time – but it is a true nightmare when the underground transportation stops with no explanation. All this in mind, Elaine's internal monologue in "The Subway" is absolute perfection. No notes.

Kramer Goes Undercover For A Sting Operation (Season 5, "The Sniffing Accountant")

Michael Richards performs some miraculous physical comedy playing Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld, but I would make the argument that the greatest achievement of his career is featured in "The Sniffing Accountant" when he manages to smoke a cigarette and chug a mug of beer simultaneously.

Newman Hallucinates Kramer As A Turkey (Season 9, "The Butter Shave")

Newman has an extended history in Seinfeld of being a slave to his appetites, but no episode features a more extreme example than "The Butter Shave," which has the merry post office employee nearly driven to cannibalism when Kramer accidentally cooks himself while tanning with butter.

George Pretends To Be A Marine Biologist And Saves A Whale (Season 5, “The Marine Biologist”)

The history of Seinfeld has a number of genius punchlines, but is there anything better than the end of George's story about saving a beached whale being the revelation of a golf ball? Kramer practicing his drive at the beach in "The Marine Biologist" seems like a total non sequitur for the majority of the episode, but it sneaks up and provides a brilliant setup for a long-play joke.

Elaine’s Intelligence Takes A Dip Due To Celibacy (Season 8, "The Abstinence")

Of the four main characters on Seinfeld, Elaine is arguably the smartest, but it's absolutely wonderful to see her IQ dip a few dozen points when she is practicing abstinence so that her med school boyfriend can focus on his MCAT studies. It's delightful to witness her giddy excitement as a bunch of tires spin around outside of a mechanic's garage.

Jerry Wins A Race Against His High School Rival (Season 6, "The Race")

Jerry Seinfeld's deep love of Superman is reflected throughout the full run of Seinfeld (the comic book hero is either referenced or visually represented in nearly every episode), but there is no better, more hilarious tribute than the finale of "The Race," which sees Jerry triumph over his high school rival in a footrace while John Williams' iconic score from Superman: The Movie plays non-diegetically.

George Eats Some Trash (Season 6, “The Gymnast”)

George comes oh-so-close to impressing his new girlfriend's family in "The Gymnast," making light jokes and being effortlessly affable... but then he makes the classic mistake of taking a partially eaten eclair out of the trash and chowing down (and by "classic mistake" I obviously mean "classic George mistake").

Elaine Does Her Little Kicks At A Work Function (Season 8, "The Little Kicks")

When characters sing and dance on television shows, it's often an excuse for the production to showcase some extra special, untapped talents possessed by the stars. That's not the case with Seinfeld. Instead, the greatest example of someone cutting a rug on the sitcom is Elaine doing her "little kicks" at an office party, and to quote George, "Sweet fancy Moses!"

Elaine Becomes Convinced That She Has Rabies (Season 5, "The Glasses")

Here's a "fun" fact about rabies: as soon as a person starts showing symptoms, there is a 100 percent fatality rate. As such, we can assume that Elaine is just experiencing a hypochondria attack in Season 5's "The Glasses," but it's a super funny one that sees her going from raging out at Kramer to foaming at the mouth.

George Double Dips A Chip And Stirs Chaos At A Funeral (Season 4, “The Implant”)

While trying to advance his latest romantic relationship, George makes mistake after mistake in "The Implant," but none is greater than double dipping his chip in front of his girlfriend's brother at a funeral. It's definitely uncouth behavior, and his obstinate behavior ends up costing him hundreds of dollars as he is unable to get a bereavement discount on his flight.

Elaine Reveals She Knows About "The Panty Remark" (Season 4, "The Cheever Letters")

In "The Cheever Letters," Jerry has to make special efforts to try and avoid Elaine learning about his odd dirty talk during a romantic session with her former assistant... but, of course, all of that effort is actually just service to set up a punchline. Elaine revealing that she knows Jerry's secret is among Seinfeld's best final moments.

Elaine Realizes She Has Turned Into George (Season 5, "The Opposite")

While George is typically the character who the universe bullies on Seinfeld, Elaine gets a sufficient dose of the Costanza Experience in "The Opposite," and it is brutal/hilarious. While George is off living his best life while ignoring all of his natural instincts, her life becomes chaos (she manages to lose her job and her boyfriend in quick succession), and her realization that she has become like her bespectacled, bald friend is comedic gold.

Kramer Makes A Deal With A Sick Kid For George Steinbrenner’s Birthday Card (Season 7, "The Wink")

Not many TV characters could get caught up in a plot that sees them needing a professional baseball player to hit two home runs so that he can get an autographed birthday card from a sick kid in the hospital, but Cosmo Kramer is definitely an exception, and his exchanges with said kid in "The Wink" are priceless.

Frank Costanza Hosts Festivus Dinner (Season 9, "The Strike")

Let's be real: Festivus is a crazy holiday, as there is no seasonal celebration that should feature an aluminum pole as a principal decoration and conclude with a wrestling match between father and son. That said, it makes for classic, unforgettable television.

Even the best shows need to end, and some of the classics had endings that are still remembered to this day. Apologies if you don’t see some of your favorites like Lost or The Sopranos on this list, as those series ended outside of the “classic” cutoff of 2004. But now, let’s get into some comfort shows, cult favorites, and overall stunners, and see how they all ended.

Cheers

In “One For The Road,” Sam Malone (Ted Danson) was this close to running off one last time with Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). But after the couple decided they’re better apart, Sam heads back to Cheers, in a finale that would become one of the highest rated TV episodes on IMDb, and surely wouldn’t be undone by any future guest appearances on a Frasier Crane spinoff.

Newhart

After eight seasons, Newhart’s series finale “The Last Newhart” seemed to have sold the entire town the Stratford Inn resided in… save for that respite run by Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart). However, in one of the most ingenious endings of TV history, the entire series turned out to be a dream in the mind of The Bob Newhart Show’s Dr. Robert Hartley (also Newhart). Now that is a proud member of the club for TV shows that ended well.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

WJM-TV's Six O'Clock News gang is fired… except for everyone’s favorite blowhard Ted Baxter (Ted Knight). With The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s cast of comedic ringers sharing a famous final hug, and the same box of tissues, our friends send the long running sitcom out during “The Last Show” the exact way it came in: with heartfelt laughs.

Friends

“The Last One” is, thankfully, not on the list of the most ridiculous Friends episodes. And how could it be, with the two-part finale seeing the gang finally move into their own lives. Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) finally agree to set their relationship status to “they will,” and sweethearts Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) move to suburbia to start their family’s life.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Sunnydale’s Hellmouth finally collapses… taking the entire town Buffy The Vampire Slayer called home with it. But not before claiming the lives of Spike (James Marsters) and Anya (Emma Caulfield), and helping Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) realize that there are plenty of other Slayers that she can assist in a world still filled with supernatural danger. And of course Angel (David Boreanaz) and Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) return, to make “Chosen” a proper send off.

The Dick Van Dyke Show

Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) writes a memoir, which sends us into The Dick Van Dyke Show’s flashback laden finale “The Last Chapter.” Unfortunately for him, the publisher isn’t as pleased with the results as his wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). That’s ok, Alan Brady (Carl Reiner) plans to adapt it into a TV show; which puts a beautifully funny bow on this sitcom classic.

Angel

Angel (David Boreanaz) finally seems to defeat the forces of evil at Wolfram & Hart, with several of Angel’s gang of misfits surviving the aptly titled “Not Fade Away.” Unfortunately for fans, the spinoff to Buffy the Vampire Slayer ends on a pumped up cliffhanger that doesn’t feel like the end of a series. Not to mention the death of Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof) probably still rubs some fans the wrong way; especially when creator Joss Whedon admitted to the A.V. Club that the former librarian would have survived… if the show hadn’t been canceled.

Roseanne

While ABC’s Roseanne would not only find itself revived, but also spun off into the sequel series The Connors, the original run of Roseanne Barr’s hit sitcom ended on a rather odd note. After a final season of increasingly weird and out of place twists, Roseanne Conner was revealed to have become a writer, and husband Dan (John Goodman) had actually died… a decision that would be retconned in a series revival decades after the fact.

Frasier (NBC)

Everyone Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) knows and loves is moving on in their lives, with the Cheers mainstay having his own new lease on life waiting for him in Chicago. Moving to the Windy City for a new job and the woman he loves, “Goodnight, Seattle” was a finale that was sure to have the final say, and not be undone by a future Paramount+ revival series.

Blackadder

For four seasons Blackadder saw Rowan Atkinson and a who’s who of British comedians, including but not limited to Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Rik Mayall, and Miriam Margolyes, sending history up with a laugh. But in the series finale “Goodbyeee,” the World War I centered story ended with our heroes engaged in one final push into combat, which somberly transitioned to a field of poppies. Lest we forget.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Leave it to Star Trek: The Next Generation to show us once more that “All Good Things…” do indeed come to an end. With Q (John DeLancie) resuming the prosecution of humanity he began in the series’ premiere, the finale sees Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) become the species’ greatest defender. The captain finally joins the ship’s regular poker game, with a future of motion picture and legacy-quels awaiting.

ER

Cook County General Hospital’s life on TV ended pretty much the way it started. As ER finally said goodbye with the episode “And In The End…” Dr. Carter (Noah Wylie) and his colleagues were swamped with cases that came from the same industrial accident. Ushering in what looks like the start of Rachel Greene (Hallee Hirsh) and her medical career, and with a recent reunion of old friends lingering in the air, life goes on.

Seinfeld

You’d be hard pressed to find a finale as controversial as Seinfeld’s “The Finale.” Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Kramer (Michael Richards) are all tried and convicted for violating the Good Samaritan law in Massachusetts, thanks to a parade of character witnesses who claim they are indeed the worst. It’s ok, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s series finale would relitigate, and seemingly correct this choice, in the funniest way possible years later.

Beverly Hills, 90210

One of the mainstays of ‘90s TV fittingly said farewell in 2000, as Beverly Hills, 90210 struck up “Ode To Joy” and sent West Bev’s finest fully into adulthood. Don’t worry: Kelly (Jennie Garth) and Dylan (Luke Perry) finally committed to each other in the end, in a decision that surely wouldn’t be undone by a CW legacy-quel series decades after the fact.

M*A*S*H

“Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” wasn’t just the last episode of M*A*S*H, it was a two and a half hour TV movie sending the men and women of the 4077 into that good night gracefully. The gang commemorated the end of the Korean War, and their eventual returns to civilian life. But not before ​​B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) sends Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) a final message that would live in television history.

The Fugitive

“The Judgment” finally brought an end to The Fugitive’s search for the One Armed Man, with Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen) being exonerated for the murder of his wife. In a two-parter that was staggered between two weeks of airtime, Part II was billed as “The Day The Running Stopped,” with Dr. Kimble and his dogged pursuer Lt. Philip Gerard (Barry Morse) parting ways as friends.

St. Elsewhere

St. Elsewhere’s Season 8 finale "The Last One" implied the entire series to be the creation of Tommy Westphall (Chad Allen), the autistic son of series regular Dr. Donald Westphall (Ed Flanders). That decision led to what Unsupervised Nerds dubbed “The Tommy Westphall Universe,” which implies that other series like Cheers, Homicide: Life on the Streets, and even Law and Order: SVU exist in that same sphere, thanks to various crossovers and references.

The Golden Girls

“One Flew Out of the Cuckoo's Nest” saw The Golden Girls closing the Lanai one final time, thanks to Dorothy (Bea Arthur) marrying Lucas (Leslie Nielsen), uncle to fellow housemate Blanche (Rue McClanahan). The two-part episode ended the seven season run of the network TV mainstay, while leading to one of the great TV spin offs you might have forgotten, The Golden Palace.

Dinosaurs

While Dinosaurs seems rather short-lived when compared to some of these other titans of TV, ABC’s four-season sitcom still landed a crushing blow with its series finale “Changing Nature.” As a chain of events doomed Pangea to perish in a freshly begun ice age, we see Earl Sinclair (Stuart Pankin) and his family struggling to find hope in the bleakest of situations.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s series finale, the two-parter entitled "I, Done," spawned a meme thanks to the moment where Will (Will Smith) looks around at the mansion he called home for six seasons one last time. As the Banks family move on to the next chapters in their lives, the West Philadelphia transplant actually stays in California, ready to get an education and finally make a name for himself.

Family Matters

For a series that started with Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) as a secondary comic relief, Family Matters’ final episode “Lost in Space Part 2” showed how far the series had shifted in nine seasons. With Steve actually engaged to Laura Winslow (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and a mission to space ending in what felt far from a series finale, the show that switched networks from ABC to CBS during its run saw its nosy neighbor become the star of the show.

Star Trek

Star Trek’s initial five-year mission actually only lasted three seasons on the NBC network, and “Turnabout Intruder” showed just how abruptly this cancellation was carried out. In what seemed like another day aboard the USS Enterprise, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) switched bodies with former lover Dr. Janice Lester (Sandra Smith), who then proceeds to try and kill Kirk to assume his command. By the end, everyone’s back in their own bodies, with a future in the motion pictures just around the corner!

Home Improvement

The three-part epic “The Long and Winding Road” saw Home Improvement end on a note that was both bittersweet, and totally bonkers. With Tim (Tim Allen) and Jill (Patricia Richardson) deciding to stay in Detroit after watching Al (Richard Karn) getting married in their backyard. While Jonathan Taylor-Thomas’ Randy would be a no-show for the finale, the series ended with the Tool Man’s ultimate hare-brained scheme: towing and tugging the family home to wherever they might choose to move to in the future.

The Wonder Years

In an act that resembles the bittersweet nostalgia The Wonder Years always embodied, "Independence Day" provides us with closure through one last narration from older Kevin (Daniel Stern). Young Kevin (Fred Savage) and Winnie (Danica McKellar) weren’t the endgame we all expected, family wounds were healed, and life went on.

Quantum Leap

Say the words, "Sam Becket never returned home" to any Quantum Leap fan, and they’ll probably glare at you as if you’d kicked their puppy. But that’s exactly how NBC’s sci-fi fan favorite ended in the episode “Mirror Image: August 8, 1953.” Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) was doomed to this horrific fate, and a misspelled name in the final title card, before sadly never returning.

Dallas

In a series as wild as Dallas, a crazy finale was all but assured. Sure enough, the Season 14 two-parter “Conundrum” saved the nuttiest for last, as J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) saw what life would have been like if he had never been born… and then was assumed to have shot himself after seeing the result. Five years later, the TV movie Dallas: J.R. Returns would prove that he didn’t shoot himself, allowing the Texas oil man to continue his reign of soapy terror.

The Cosby Show

After 8 seasons and 201 episodes, The Cosby Show saw “And So We Commence” closing the book on the Huxtables once and for all. What starts with Cliff (Bill Cosby) getting into another comedic scrape over graduation tickets eventually gives way to his son Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) graduating from college. As the show drew to a close, our last image was of Cliff and wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad) dancing to the tune of a freshly fixed doorbell.

ALF

“Consider Me Gone” saw ALF ending after four seasons on NBC in a cliffhanger that was initially labeled “To Be Continued…” As ALF/Gordon Shumway (Paul Fusco) attempted to return home to Melmac, the nefarious Alien Task Force intercepted him at the last minute, and that was it. At least until the sequel movie Project ALF would provide a fitting, if not disappointing end, six years later, naming our alien wisecracker an official ambassador of Earth.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

The two-part episode “The Seven Wonders of the World Affair” drew The Man from U.N.C.L.E. to a close, with Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Ilya Kuryakin (David McCallum) achieving the following result: "The battle (between good and evil) ends once and for all in favor of good." If only Guy Ritchie’s fan favorite film adaptation could have gotten the same ending.

Benson

Benson never intended to have a cliffhanger ending, but that’s exactly what “And the Winner is…” gave fans at the end of Season 7. Salon actually revealed that three different endings were filmed… with a tie being the most likely choice, leading into the hypothetical Season 8. But as it stands, Benson (Robert Guillaume) and Governor Gatling (James Noble) will forever be in a tie for the governorship.

Get Smart

In an ingenious spoof of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, Get Smart ended in a way similar to how The Man with the Golden Gun started. In “I’m Curiously Yellow,” Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) is brainwashed by an evil KAOS agent to sabotage his home agency CONTROL. But, as you might expect, the day was eventually saved… in an ending that kind of felt like another day at the office.

Freaks And Geeks

Nobody wanted to see NBC’s Freaks and Geeks end after just one season of magic, but alas that’s what "Discos and Dragons" did. After eighteen episodes of adolescent dramedy, Linda Cardellini’s Lindsay Weir ditched an academic event to follow the Grateful Dead on tour. Honestly, that feels like a rather poetic, if still unfortunate, way for creator Paul Feig’s beloved series to end.

From the best sitcoms that are perfect for a comfort watch to intense dramas that you rewatch in an effort to dissect a juicy story even more, there’s something incredible about returning to a great show. It’s a pastime many enjoy, however, the choices of what to watch seem endless. With that in mind, here are some of the most rewatchable television shows. 

Parks And Recreation 

If you are like me, you’ve seen the best episodes of Parks and Recreation – like “Flu Season,” for example – so many times you can recite the majority of said episodes from memory. OK, maybe that’s an over-exaggeration, however, it highlights just how good and rewatchable this workplace mockumentary is. Led by Amy Poehler, the Parks and Rec cast was always firing on all cylinders, cracking viewers up with hilarious one-liners, fantastic inside jokes (like Treat Yo’ Self) and a heartfelt story about a dysfunctional parks department. 

The Office

From deeply funny office shenanigans to heartfelt relationships like Pam and Jim’s The Office captured folks’ hearts from 2005 to 2013, and it’s continued to in the years since. To this day, this workplace mockumentary is a favorite among many, and it’s a zeitgeist staple as viewers continue to watch it on repeat, quote it constantly and use iconic memes that have surfaced because of it. As it gets older, it just feels like The Office gets stronger, because not only is it finding new audiences all the time, but it’s also infinitely rewatchable. 

New Girl

While workplace comedies are great, there's nothing quite like simply hanging out with friends, and that’s what New Girl is. Filled with a cast of quirky characters, New Girl follows Jess (Zooey Deschanel) as she moves in with three random guys, and what ensues is a hilarious and lovably chaotic story about found family. It’s because of silly inside jokes and bits, like True American, deeply complex and romantic storylines like Nick and Jess’s and the adorable friendship that’s formed between these roommates that makes this Fox comedy something folks always return to. 

The Good Place

The Good Place is one of those projects that you’ll have a different experience with every time you view it. The first time, you’re simply trying to figure out what in the afterlife is going on, and once you have the epiphany with Kristen Bell’s Eleanor and yell “Holy mother-forking shirtballs” your entire perspective on the show changes. However, it’s not just the plot twists that make this philosophical comedy rewatchable; its cast, led by Bell and Ted Danson, is beyond lovable and hilarious, and The Good Place’s heart is so big, all you’ll want to do is spend more time in this afterlife. 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Led by Saturday Night Live legend Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a delightful comedy all about a group of detectives working together in New York City. While whodunnits and crimes of the week are involved, what makes this show rewatchable is Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s silly cast of characters who are played by incredible comedic actors like Samberg, Andre Braugher, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews and so many more. 

Gilmore Girls

These days, Gilmore Girls is considered the perfect autumnal comfort show, and many go back to it over and over again because of its cozy vibes. On top of the lovely energy that radiates out of Stars Hallow, the Gilmore Girls cast is also staked with an incredible crew of regulars and a revolving door of iconic recurring characters. Plus, how could you not want to rewatch the love story of Luke and Lorelai, Rory’s messy romantic drama with Dean, Jess and Logan as well as the incredible tale of a mother and daughter that lies at the heart of this beloved show? 

Gossip Girl

You know, sometimes you just need a good drama that will make you want to scream at the TV, and Gossip Girl is just that. The 2000s CW drama was a teen staple back in the day as it followed a group of high schoolers whose lives were always on blast because of the titular gossip site. It was praised and criticized at the time for how scandalous it was, and to this day people come back to Gossip Girl for the relationships, fashion, characters and, of course, the gossip, because as the titular writer says, “you know you love me…”

Arrested Development

Dysfunctional comedy is always fun, however, it’s hard to think of a show that does it better than Arrested Development. Of course, the series is rewatchable for its hilarious storylines and quippy dialogue, however, it’s the incredible ensemble that really makes it, as actors like Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Will Arnett, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat and more brought the funny all the time.  

Futurama

While it’s been canceled, renewed and moved networks numerous times, Futurama remains one of the most rewatchable shows, and that’s why these attempted cancellations and moves haven’t sent it to its ultimate end yet. The animated series has been around since 1999, and for over two decades, it has been a fun animated comfort show that many have turned to when they need a good laugh and some fun sci-fi. 

Friends

Whether you tuned in live during the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, caught chunks of episodes on Nick at Night when it was in syndication or streamed all ten seasons on Netflix (back in the day) or Max (now), Friends has been a seminal show for many. Watching the shenanigans of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe and Monica was not only hilarious but relatable. It’s simply a show about six friends living their lives, and I think it's that relatability mixed with an incredibly special cast that has kept people coming back to it for decades. 

Breaking Bad

The story of Walter White almost feels like a legend now. Widely considered one of the best television shows of all time, Breaking Bad tells the story of a down-on-his-luck man who turns into a drug lord. Led by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, this series made an unforgettable mark on television history when it was released in 2008, and it’s something worth studying and watching over and over again. 

Bob’s Burgers

Can I apply a few personal anecdotes here? When I was in high school, I had a friend who would watch Bob’s Burgers every night before going to bed. As an adult, I have another friend who just completed another rewatch of the series. So many adore this wonderful animated series about a family who owns a burger joint, and it is so easy to rewatch and fall in love with. So, it rightfully deserves a place on this list. 

Dexter

The world loves an anti-hero, and it doesn’t get much better than Dexter. The series follows a blood splatter expert, played by Michael C. Hall, however, the thing is, he’s also a serial killer. Going on this journey with the titular character, and getting into his mind to figure out why he goes about life in the way he does is fascinating. It’s also one of many reasons why people keep coming back to Dexter. 

Fleabag

If you need a short, sweet and perfect two seasons of television, Fleabag is the show for you. The series was created by and stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and it follows her titular character as she goes about life in London while handling grief. On top of that, Season 2 introduces Andrew Scott’s Priest – a.k.a. The Hot Priest, as the internet likes to call him – and the incredible love story between him and Fleabag. 

Scrubs

Bill Lawrence has made a lot of terrific shows, however, Scrubs is his classic. The series, starring Zach Braff, is a fun workplace comedy about a hospital, and its irresistible ensemble and heartfelt friendships are what keep many coming back to it. 

Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso started out as an ad for NBC Sports, and then by some miracle it turned into one of the best comedies in recent memory. The titular coach of AFC Richmond is played by the mastermind behind the show, Jason Sudeikis. And he and his creative team brought together Ted Lasso’s epic cast that made names like Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein and Phil Dunster those of the household variety.

Overall, this show about an American football coach in the UK coaching soccer (I know, I know...it’s actually football) is heartfelt and thoughtful, and it’ll have you smiling from ear to ear from beginning to end. You know what they say, “We’re Richmond ‘til we die!”

The X-Files

What makes a supernatural case of the week show even better? Having David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson lead it as the beloved crime-solving duo of Mulder and Scully. 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Vampires, action, romance and high school drama. Honestly, this show has everything. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a seminal early 2000s teen drama about Sarah Michelle Gellar’s titular vampire slayer, and it was impossible not to fall in love with her and her friends. 

The West Wing

If you are in need of a fast-talking, snappy and fun drama, The West Wing is your show. It follows Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet and his incredible staff who are played by fantastic actors like Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff and Rob Lowe. From the mind of Aaron Sorkin, this show all about what it’s like to be the president is a quippy yet thoughtful series about running a country and it’s irresistible and infinitely rewatchable. 

Yellowstone

Between the deep family story at the center of this show and the intense moments in Yellowstone, this modern Western was born to rewatch. It’s filled to the brim with compelling stories about the Dutton family that will have you hitting the next episode button immediately. While the show’s primary conflict has always been the same – they’re always battling to save their ranch – the new threats and long-lasting deep relationships are what make it so great.  

Seinfeld

Seinfeld is famously “a show about nothing,” and that might be the primary reason why it’s so easy to view over and over again. The series, starring Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards, works because of these four and their chemistry, and watching them simply live life and make jokes is something so many can do over and over again.

Sherlock

It’s elementary my dear Watson, the Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman-led Sherlock is a fantastic modern adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work, and with each viewing new details emerge that make it even better. The series was comprised of 15 episodes across four seasons, and each mystery Sherlock and Watson solved was dense with detail and intrigue.

There’s a reason the story of the great detective keeps getting told, and you’ll understand why when you realize that you can watch Sherlock over and over again. 

Supernatural

I realize 15 seasons – or 327 episodes – is overwhelming, however, it also proves just how beloved Supernatural is. The series about Jared Padalecki’s Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles’ Dean Winchester is beloved by many, and watching the two of them fight off evil over and over again is something so many fans can do on repeat, as proven by its 15 seasons. 

That ‘70s Show

That ‘70s Show is all about a group of teens growing up in the suburbs of Wisconsin who all gather in a basement to hang out. It’s a simple and relatable concept, and between that and its stellar ensemble, it’s no wonder everyone loves to say “Hello Wisconsin!” more than once. 

Psych

A silly case-of-the-week show about a guy who is pretending to be a psychic is obviously made for comfort viewing, and fans have been doing just that since 2006. 

Avatar: The Last Airbender

No matter what age you are, it’s always a good time to watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. As someone who watched the show for the first time in elementary school, and has seen it many times since, I can attest to this. Seeing Aang master the elements and work to defeat the Fire Lord and his evil plan is a masterful work of animation that is action-packed, deep, silly and heartfelt. 

Its handling of hard themes like prejudice and colonization are poignant and accessible, and its morals about love and acceptance are something everyone needs. So, yeah, this is 100% a show you should see multiple times throughout your life. 

Schitt’s Creek

How can you not want to watch David and Alexis bicker, Johnny aimlessly try to wrangle his family and Moira be Moira over and over again? The beloved comedy from Dan and Eugene Levy about a rich family who loses their money and has to move to a small town is quirky and unique while also fitting right in with the best comedies. Also, how can you not rewatch it simply to try and nail Moira’s ambiguous accent?

Community

Between the silly classes, paintball battles and Troy and Abed’s end credits, Community is a quirky comedy that’s one for the ages. It’s so fun to go back and remember all the silly inside jokes and ridiculous moments that happened at Greendale Community College. 

Cheers

Sometimes, you just want to go where everybody knows your name. Need I say more? No. But I will, because returning to that bar to see Sam, Carla, Cliff, Norm, Frasier, Woody and more is always a wonderful time. 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

This fast-talking period piece about a woman making her way in the world as a stand-up comedian in the 1950s is a wonderful romp. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, this series has the quick-witted silliness Gilmore Girls has, and it’s chock full of incredible and high-octane performances from Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Tony Shalhoub and more. 

The Simpsons

Talk about an all-time classic. The Simpsons has been around since 1989, and it’s still going strong. The animated comedy is so easy to watch, and the characters – like Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa – are so iconic that this show is one that fans want to come back to over and over again. 

Grey’s Anatomy

Medical drama, romance, McDreamy; Grey’s Anatomy has it all. Between its heart-pounding medical cases and simultaneously heartwarming and heartwrenching romance, it’s easy to understand why this show has been on for over two decades and why folks keep coming back to see what’s going on at Grey Sloan Memorial. 

What all these shows have in common is they’re all deeply loved by their fans, which is why they keep returning to them time and time again. 

Three are a lot of places around the world that have become famous for being set locations or exterior shots from television shows. From restaurants, to prisons, to houses, to everything in between. These are just a few of these now-famous locations everyone recognizes from their favorite shows. 

Tom's Restaurant - Seinfeld

In virtually every episode of Seinfeld, the gang met up at Monk's Diner. The interiors were a set, of course, but all the exterior shots for Monk's were of Tom's Restaurant at the corner of Broadway and 112th Street in New York City. The cast of Seinfeld is enshrined in caricatures on the wall. One more fun fact about the eatery, it was also the restaurant that inspired the song "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. 

Highclere Castle - Downton Abbey

Grand houses dot the English countryside, many of which are quite famous for their ornate beauty. One house now stands out from the rest, Highclere Castle in Hampshire. As hardcore fans of Downton Abbey know, not only was it used for the exterior of the house, but many of the interiors, including the iconic library, were used in the production. 

The Painted Ladies - Full House

San Francisco was once home to thousands of grand Victorian homes, though many were destroyed by the earthquake in 1906. A notable row that survived across from Alamo Square Park is famously known as "The Painted Ladies" and is a big tourist destination for fans of Full House after they featured prominently in the show. 

Police Beach - Lost

The mysterious island in Lost was in actually many filming locations across Oahu in Hawaii. One of the most famous locations is known as Papailoa Beach or Police Beach. It is located on the North Shore and was used a lot in the show as the spot where the plane crashed and where the survivors lived for a time. 

94 Bedford Street - Friends

94 Bedford Street, at the corner of Grove and Bedford, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City. Not because anyone famous has lived there, but because that's the building used for the exterior shots of where most of the characters on Friends lived.

St. Michael's Mount - House Of The Dragon

St. Michael's Mount in southeast England is less famous than its cousin, Mont-Saint-Michel in France, but they are very similar monasteries. Both were built on little spits of land surrounded by a tidal area that leaves them completely separated from the mainland much of the time. St. Michael's Mount serves as the exterior for Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon in House Of The Dragon.

Salish Lodge & Spa - Twin Peaks

On Twin Peaks, one of the most prominent locations is The Great Northern Inn, where Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) lives during his time in the town investigating the murder of Laura Palmer. The exterior of the hotel, located above a beautiful waterfall, is actually the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, WA.

The Bull & Finch Pub - Cheers

Tourists in Boston are often startled to see the exterior of Cheers as they walk around the Public Garden at the foot of Beacon Hill. The famous bar from Cheers was once called The Bull & Finch Pub and has been in that spot since the late '60s. In the early '00s, the owners changed the name to Cheers. 

Pasadena City Hall - Parks And Recreation

Parks & Recreation may be set in the town of Pawnee, Indiana, but the exterior shots of the City Hall on the show were filmed much closer to where the show was actually filmed in LA. The building is, in fact, the City of Pasadena's City Hall. A far cry from rural Indiana, but these days the building is more famous for being in a fictional TV town in the Hoosier state than the City of Roses. 

Richmond, London - Ted Lasso

A little alley in Richmond, London, has become one of the most visited tourist spots in a town chock-full of great tourist spots. That's because it served as the exterior to Coach Lasso's apartment in Ted Lasso. The pub nearby was also one of the most-used shooting locations for the show and fans of the hilarious show have been flocking ever since. 

The Belnord - Only Murders In The Building

There are a few famous apartment buildings on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, including The Belnord. The grand building is one of the most prominent of all, especially now as it serves as the titular building in Only Murders In The Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. It's located at 86th St. and Amsterdam.

Dubrovnik Harbor - Game Of Thrones

HBO's Game of Thrones made quite a few locations around the world famous, and while the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia was already famous among historians, it entered popular culture in a big way when it was the stand-in for King's Landing throughout many episodes of the show. There is a little harbor on the city's west coast that was one of the locations used in some of the most famous scenes.  

The Waybury Inn - Newhart

In Newhart Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) moved to Vermont to run the Stratford Inn. The real-life Stratford Inn is actually The Waybury Inn in Middlebury Vermont. And yes, it's still a hotel, and you can still stay there. 

Ranger's House - Bridgerton

The stately home of the Bridgerton family in Bridgerton is, in fact, called Ranger's House. Built in 1722 in what is now London, it's located near Greenwich Park, just a couple hundred yards from the famous Royal Observatory, Greenwich, which was where time was set for the world for centuries, but it is now a museum. 

Mr. Beef - The Bear

Chicago is famous for a lot of different foods. Pizza and hot dogs are probably the two most people think of first. Or at least, they used to. After the wild success of The Bear, one of the best shows on Hulu, the Windy City is increasingly famous for Italian Beef sandwiches, like the ones served at Mr. Beef. The small eatery stood in for The Beef on the show. 

15 Washington Street, Brooklyn - Gossip Girl

Located basically under the Manhattan Bridge in the Dumbo neighborhood, 15 Washington Street has become iconic for its use as the exterior of the Humphrey loft in Gossip Girl. 

Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ - Severance

The Bell Works building in Holmdel, NJ was locally famous for decades before the Apple TV+ show Severance made it famous everywhere. Long a favorite in architectural circles, the building, designed by Eero Saarinen, was the R&D headquarters for Bell Labs for decades starting in the early '60s. It is a perfect building to house the mysterious Lumon Industries on the show.  

Chief Joseph Ranch - Yellowstone

Some terrible things have gone down on the Dutton Yellowstone Ranch in Yellowstone. It has to be the most violent place in all of Montana, in the context of the show. Luckily, the real ranch where it is filmed, Chief Joseph Ranch is like it in looks only. It's a guest ranch and fans of the show can even stay there. Just try not to murder anyone. 

Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary - The Sopranos

One of the most controversial and possibly one of the best endings of a show in TV history took place at Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionery in Bloomfield, NJ. The Sopranos ended when Meadow walked through the door of the diner and the screen went black. Did Tony die or didn't he? The arguments will last forever, an argument you could have over some onion rings at Holsten's.

Twisters Restaurant - Breaking Bad

A Twisters Restaurant in Albuquerque, NM is better known to Breaking Bad fans as Los Pollos Hermanos. The chain restaurant location on Isleta Boulevard in Albuquerque was re-dressed as Los Pollos Hermanos for the show and its spinoff Better Call Saul. 

Speedy’s Cafe - Sherlock

221B Baker Street is one of the most famous addresses in literary history as the home of Sherlock Holmes. On the BBC show Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the flat is located next door to a cafe called Speedy's. Not only is the restaurant's exterior featured on the show, but the interior is shown on occasion, such as when Watson (Freeman) meets with Mycroft (Mark Gatiss). 

Senoia, Georgia - The Walking Dead

Senoia, Georgia is a small unassuming town on the far southwest edge of the Atlanta metro area. It's a quaint, picturesque southern town that is not a hotbed for tourism by fans of The Walking Dead as it became the setting for the settlement of Alexandria on the show. 

Buckingham Fountain - Married... With Children

The Buckingham Fountain in the heart of Grant Park in Chicago has long been a local landmark in The Windy City. When it was used in the opening moments of the credits on Fox's Married... With Children, it became a national landmark, recognized the world over. Along with having one of the most famous musicians ever singing the theme song, Frank Sinatra, it became an iconic opening.