If you had the chance to bring a character from your favorite TV show or movie back to life, would you do it? Well, Tony Hale and D'Arcy Carden have some picks – and they name-dropped some pretty famous characters of theirs that they would bring back.

When I spoke to the pair about their new film, Sketch, which releases on August 6th as part of the 2025 movie schedule, I was curious. The film's premise focuses on a little girl's sketches that, when dropped into a magic lake, come to life and cause mayhem. This could lead to so many opportunities in real life, which, of course, absolutely led to me asking Hale and Carden about the possibility of bringing some of their past famous characters to life.

Who D'Arcy Carden Would And Would Not Sketch To Life

Sketch itself is a film where anything that Amber (Bianca Belle) sketches into her notebook comes to life when thrown into a magic lake, which could lead to so many opportunities. When I asked D'Arcy Carden what character from her past she herself would love to sketch into real life if she were given the chance, her answer didn't surprise me -- as it's a character from one of her famous TV shows, The Good Place.

What makes it even better is that her second answer -- who she would not sketch back to real life -- is also from The Good Place:

Janet is a character from The Good Place. As part of the The Good Place cast, D'Arcy Carden played Good Janet, a knowledge guide for the entirety of The Good Place. She also portrays multiple varieties of Janet, including "Bad Janet," which is a Bad Place variant of Janet, and, of course, she's a menace to society.

Who Tony Hale Would And Would Not Sketch To Life

When I asked Tony Hale the same question, his answer was everything -- because it involves one of my favorite films and favorite TV shows:

Forky was a character that debuted in the Toy Story movies, specifically the fourth in 2019, as a new toy that was purely created from Bonnie's imagination. He was also a toy that didn't believe himself to be a toy and basically had an existential crisis, which immediately helped audiences to fall in love with him.

As someone who loves all of the Pixar movies – and is looking forward to the upcoming Toy Story 5 – I think Forky is the best choice. But Hale's pick for who he would keep in the past also makes so much sense, too:

What an answer. Hale was a principal actor in the Arrested Development cast for many years, where he played Buster Bluth. The character was terrified of everything, had many panic attacks, and went through a lot of mental duress. It's actually almost sweet that Hale would rather have Buster's time to rest rather than be brought back to life and experience all that trauma again.

While we won't be seeing any of these characters come back to life any time soon, you can check both Hale and Carden out in theaters when Sketch releases and see them take on monsters from a little girl's sketchbook – and witness how a crayon picture could somehow be so terrifying in real life.

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.

Sometimes, you watch a show like The Wire and later discover that despite being almost universally acclaimed and often considered one of the best–if not the best–shows of all time, it never won an Emmy of any kind. How in the world does that happen? The classic, available to stream on HBO Max, is hardly alone with the dubious distinction of being a great show with no Emmys. This is a list dedicated to shows just like The Wire.

It's worth noting that we're talking about Primetime Emmys here, not Creative Arts Emmys. Some of these shows have won the latter.

Parks And Recreation

For seven seasons, Parks and Recreation made fans laugh on NBC. With an all-star cast that included Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Aubry Plaza, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, and Rob Lowe, the show was one of the top-rated sitcoms of its era. Still, it never managed to win an Emmy, somehow, despite eight nominations.

Chappelle’s Show

Although it only ran on Comedy Central for three seasons, Chappelle’s Show took the world by storm, and you could argue it changed sketch shows forever. There are still countless memes based on the jokes on the show, and people still quote it all the time. It was nominated for two Emmys, but didn't win either.

Better Call Saul

There may not be a show on the list of Emmy snubs that gets its fans fired up about that fact more than fans of Better Call Saul. In six seasons, the critically acclaimed show, which was beloved by fans, was nominated for 30 Emmys, including multiple times for Outstanding Drama, but never won one. It's one of the most egregious examples of a true prestige show that didn't run on HBO on this list.

Star Trek

It's well known that Star Trek wasn't the most popular show when it first aired in the mid-'60s. Still, it's kind of crazy that the groundbreaking show was nominated for 13 Emmys during its brief three-season run, but never won one. Getting shut out for an Emmy certainly hasn't dampened the show's cultural influence or its popularity.

Yellowstone

One of the more recent shows on this list, Yellowstone, wrapped up its very successful run in late 2024 without winning an Emmy. The show has always been somewhat politically divisive, but you can't deny that it's a really great show. During its five-season run, the Kevin Costner-led show was never even nominated for a Primetime Emmy. Costner did win a Golden Globe, though.

Good Times

One of the most groundbreaking sitcoms of all time, Good Times, was probably a little too radical for the Emmys. The show wasn't just funny, it was also heartwarming and poignant. IT still couldn't win an Emmy, and that's not "dy-no-mite!"

Blue Bloods

Tom Selleck is an Emmy winner. He won for Best Lead in a Drama in 1984 for his legendary character Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I. He was never even nominated for his equally legendary role as Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods. In fact, Blue Bloods never won an Emmy of any kind despite 14 great seasons and legions of fans, who are still upset the show was canceled.

Grace And Frankie

Legends Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin starred in Grace and Frankie for seven wonderful seasons that you can watch with a Netflix subscription. Netflix is no stranger to winning Emmys, but this excellent never won one. Both Fonda and Tomlin were nominated multiple times, coming away empty each time. That's okay, they are still two of the greatest of all time.

Enlightened

A decade before Mike White kept the nation in suspense with his White Lotus series on HBO, he created Enlightened, starring Laura Dern. It's a completely unappreciated show that deserved more Emmy love than it ever got.

Veronica Mars

Kristen Bell became a hero to millions when she starred as the detective Veronica Mars in the show of the same name. It's a show that is famous for its die-hard fan support, but that support didn't translate to Emmy Awards, sadly.

My So-Called Life

Of all the shows on this list, My So-Called Life is the easiest to understand why it didn't win an Emmy. Despite being a show that helped launch the careers of stars Claire Danes and Jared Leto, the show only lasted 19 episodes and only really found its fanbase after the show was canceled.

Empire

Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson led an all-star cast in the music industry drama Empire, which despite critical acclaim and running for six seasons, the show was never bestowed with an Emmy. Howard and Henson alone should have more multiple awards, if you ask fans. Henson was nominated twice, at least, but that doesn't make up for not winning any.

The Wire

There is no small contingent of people who will argue that not only was The Wire the best show on TV when it first ran in the early '00s, but it's the best television show of all time. For five seasons, the show suffered from poor ratings, but in the years since, it's found its fanbase and more. In fact, despite all the praise it receives today, it was only ever nominated twice. Clay Davis might have something to say about that.

The Good Place

Kristen Bell and Ted Danson starred in The Good Place. It's a show that struggled to find an audience for reasons that are hard to pinpoint. It's a really funny show, and it was unique in its premise and its humor. That might be why it never managed to win an Emmy, despite certainly being deserving of some.

Narcos

Netflix's Narcos is a fantastic example of a truly great peak-era TV show that somehow got snubbed by the Emmys. There was a lot of competition, sure, but Narcos was a step above many of those shows. Wagner Moura's performance as Pablo Escobar should've won every award there was, and Pedro Pascal was fantastic as well. Maybe the content scared the voters off, or that the show was bilingual, but no matter what, it should have won something.

The Leftovers

HBO dominated prestige TV in the early 2000s with shows like The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Six Feet Under, and The Leftovers. Unlike the previous two, the latter never won an Emmy. It seemed like it would be the next show in line to collect all the Emmys like the other shows on the network, but alas, it wasn't to be, and they were left behind.

The Brady Bunch

Okay, okay, this one is a bit of a stretch to wonder why it never won an Emmy, but come on, who doesn't love The Brady Bunch? Multiple generations have grown up watching the show now, and there isn't a person in America who isn't aware of this classic family sitcom. It's a perfect example of critics and Emmy voters disagreeing with viewers.

The Comeback

Of all the shows that former cast members of Friends have starred in over the years, maybe the most underappreciated is The Comeback starring Lisa Kudrow. It wasn't an immediate hit when it hit HBO in 2005 for 13 episodes, but it proved enduring, and it returned for a second season in 2014. Don't call it a comeback...

Newhart

The '80s classic Newhart, starring Bob Newhart, features one of the greatest finales in television history. It was also nominated for an astounding 25 Emmys. It never won, though. It's almost too ridiculous to believe that a show this good and with this many nominations never won one. Adding insult to injury, Bob Newhart's first hit sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, never won one, either.

Parenthood

NBC's Parenthood, which was very loosely based on the 1989 movie starring Steve Martin, was a bit of a surprise hit on the Peacock Network. The show, like the movie, had just the right combination of laughs and tear-jerking moments, and it did so successfully for six seasons. Despite having all the ingredients of a multiple Emmy-winning show, it was completely shut out. In fact, it was only nominated for one, and that was a guest star (Josh Ritter).

NCIS

For decades, NCIS ruled the ratings. Despite more than 20 seasons on the air, the show has never won an Emmy. It's one of the most popular shows ever, yet it's only ever been nominated for three Emmys, total. Wild.

Hannibal

Horror shows, like horror movies, often have a difficult time show business' biggest awards, and Hannibal is no exception. Despite being a fantastic (and really scary) show, it never won an Emmy.

Oz

One of the earliest examples of prestige TV is Oz. The show is one of the hardest-hitting, raw shows in TV history, with an amazing cast. It was probably a little ahead of its time, however, as it really never got the accolades it deserved when it was on the air. That includes never winning an Emmy.

Leave It To Beaver

We had to include this one. Leave It To Beaver is a show that basically invented and defined the family sitcom, and yet it never got the appreciation it deserved from the Emmys. The awards were still pretty new when the show was on the air, but it was incredibly popular, yet ignored by the Emmys.

Supernatural

Few shows in television history have a fan base as dedicated as Supernatural. For 15 seasons, the show kept them coming back for more, through casting changes, and even a network change, the fans kept showing their love. The Emmys never did, sadly.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

The quirkiness and enduring humor of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt would seemingly be enough to win at least one Emmy. Ellie Kemper's performance as Schmidt herself was also certainly good enough to win one. Alas, over three seasons and a remarkable twenty nominations, it won none.

New Girl

146 episodes. Seven seasons. Zero Emmys. Such is the fate of New Girl. Zooey Deschanel played the titular new girl, and even though she was widely praised for her comedic performance, she didn't win an Emmy, nor did the show. It was nominated five times, including Deschanel once for Lead Actress, but walked away empty-handed.

Mindhunter

It's a crying shame that Mindhunter only ran for two seasons. It's a prime example of Netflix canceled without a proper ending. While fans are still holding hope that the show could be revived one day, for now, we'll have to live with just the two excellent seasons. Despite how good those seasons are, they didn't win any Emmys.

Sons Of Anarchy

While many might say that Sons of Anarchy never deserved to win an Emmy, that's not fair. The show had some tremendous moments, like Opie's death, and frankly, the finale. It's one show that actually ended really well. For 92 episodes over seven seasons, we laughed, cried, and bled with SAMCRO, but the show never grabbed voters, it seems. It did receive a few Creative Arts Emmy nominations, but it was never nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

Bates Motel

As horror shows go, Bates Motel is among the best ever. For five seasons, the show scared the pants off fans, but it seems to have never scared the Emmy voters into getting an award. Vera Farmiga was nominated a couple of times, but alas, walked away without a win.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It's hard to fathom just how popular and enduring It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is. It first aired way back in 2015. Now, the stars own football teams in England. It's just crazy, but not as crazy as how the gang has never won even one Emmy.

Gilmore Girls

One of the most enduringly popular shows on this list, Gilmore Girls is still as popular as ever with its fans, despite being off the air for more than 15 years. Fans still keep on the lookout for shows with the Gilmore Girls cast members, but none of those stars won an Emmy for the show. In fact, the show was completely shut out, just like the rest of the shows on this list.

Ted Danson’s first foray into heading up an exclusive streaming series has unsurprisingly been just as successful and well-received as most of the actor’s other big shows. Audiences love A Man on the Inside, and the most heartstring-tugging comedy on the 2024 TV schedule has also been a winner with critics, as it reconnected Danson with The Good Place creator Michael Schur and featured several on-screen reunions. But arguably the biggest cameo was the easiest one to miss, involving both Kristen Bell and a striped sweater.

The A+ Callback To Kristen Bell's Good Place Character

To say it right up top, this cameo happens in the Season 1 finale of A Man on the Inside, but I won't delve into any plot-related spoilers here, since I'm sure some readers may want to know about the appearance without learning the conclusion.

Near the end of the episode, and of the season as a whole, Danson's character Charles is giving a lecture to a class whose professor is played by The Good Place's D'Arcy Carden. It was obviously an applause-worthy moment on its own, considering how many scenes they shared together as Michael. and Janet, respectively.

Charles' lecture was shown from the students' seats a few times, which is where viewers could see a blond female wearing a sweater with colorful stripes encircling the top.

Though the woman is never seen, just the back of her brought to mind The Good Place's excellent series finale, since it's the same motherforking top that Kristen Bell's Eleanor wore in the episode, as seen below. (Fans can currently stream both Good Place and Man on the Inside with a Netflix subscription.)

Obviously we can't start up any wild fan theories here, since Eleanor was dead as soon as The Good Place started, and almost definitely would not have gone to any lectures like the one Charles was giving even when she was alive. And so the explanation here is simply were at one point two people in this universe (at least) who look exactly like Kristen Bell/Eleanor, and they both owned the same striped-up-top sweater.

D'Arcy Carden Confirmed It Really Was Kristen Bell

Obviously, it would have been easy for Michael Schur & Co. to just have an anonymous actress standing during the scene while wearing that signature sweater. But that kind of casting is for amateurs, not someone who crafts things as lovingly as Schur.

D'Arcy Carden took to Instagram with a post confirming that was indeed Kristen Bell's back that was turned to viewers, with fellowing Good Place vet Mark Evan Jacobs also popping in for the group shot.

While it's unlikely fans will ever get any kind of official follow-ups from the after-world of The Good Place, we can possibly rest assured — or perhaps rest a-Schur-ed — that its creator will keep giving us winks, nods, and split-second cameos for the foreseeable future. Now let's get Season 2 in motion, what's say?

And while I'm throwing out random requests, here's hoping Ted Danson gets to make a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the second season of Kristen Bell's Netflix series Nobody Wants This.

We've been experiencing a TV renaissance for years now, to the delight of superfans like myself who love watching my weekly stories. But even before the small screen became a place for A-listers, there were a number of iconic moments that stuck with fans. And this will be all about the single most memorable moment of 32 iconic TV shows.

Obviously not every beloved TV title can be on this list, so apologies in advance if your favorite isn't included. The small screen is simply an embarrassment of riches in this regard, especially once you factor in streaming shows that have arrived in recent years. In no particular order, here are the biggest moments from 32 beloved shows. But be warned: a major SPOILER ALERT is needed, as some of these episodes feature big plot twists and/or character deaths. You've been warned!

The Red Wedding, Game of Thrones

During its run on HBO, Game of Thrones was jam-packed with wild, violent, and truly memorable sequences. And while fans are still debating the final season, perhaps the most iconic scene occurred during the Season 3 episode "The Rains of Castamere". This is the infamous Red Wedding, where Walder Frey betrays the Starks, resulting in the brutal deaths of Robb, Catelyn, and Talisa (as well as her unborn baby).

Nomi's Wedding, Sense8

When Netflix was rolling out expensive and ambitious new content early into its run, The Wachowskis helmed the sci-fi series Sense8. The show followed eight strangers who were connected psychically and was canceled after two seasons, but fan campaigns resulted in a Sense8 finale movie being produced. After beating the bad guys, the show ends with Nomi and Amanita's wedding on the Eiffel Tower, followed by one last, wild, party.

Fonzie Jumps The Shark, Happy Days

The beloved sitcom series Happy Days is known for bringing the phrase "jumping the shark" into the pop culture lexicon. This originates from a Season 5 episode of the classic series, where Henry Winler's Fonzie jumps over a live shark while on waterskis. Say what you want about this plot point, but it's remained the most lasting and iconic plot line from the show's tenure on the air.

"Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me", Grey's Anatomy

During its long tenure on the air, Grey's Anatomy had a number of iconic love stories. But the biggest has always been Meredith and Derek. Fans waited a long time for them to be together, and one of the show's most iconic moments is when she pleads for McDreamy to "pick me" instead of his wife Addison.

Rory's Graduation Speech, Gilmore Girls

When Gilmore Girls began its run on TV, it followed as Alexis Bledel's Rory struggled to adjust to life at her new fancy school, Chilton. Eventually, she becomes a leader in the school and delivers a graduation speech in Season 3. Not only did it make characters like Lorelai and Sookie cry, but it's one of the most iconic scenes of the entire show, where she pays tribute to all that her mother has given her.

Negan Kills Glenn And Abraham, The Walking Dead

For fans who watched The Walking Dead at the height of its popularity, there's life before Negan and after Negan. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's villain made a horrifying splash when he entered the scene, brutally killing fan favorites Abraham and Glenn with his bat Lucille. Some folks thought that killing was too much for the brutal apocalyptic drama.

The Plane Crash, Lost

Lost's pilot episode started a new must-see television show, with the sci-fi series instantly becoming water cooler talk. While some folks stopped watching as it ran, the first (wildly expensive) episode remains the most iconic, thanks to the thrilling plane crash sequences.

Tyra Banks Screams At Tiffany, America's Next Top Model

There are a handful of reality TV show moments on this list because of their impact on pop culture. America's Next Top Model might not be considered one of the best reality shows of all time, but it left its mark. Particularly the episode where host Tyra Banks screamed at one of the contestants after her elimination.

The Gift, Buffy The Vampire Slayer 

The first five seasons of Buffy The Vampire Slayer aired on the WB, before it eventually changed networks to UPN for the final two entries. Season 5 went out with a serious bang, with Buffy dying after sacrificing herself to save Dawn and the world. After wondering for half the season, we finally understood that death was her gift.

The Movements, The OA

The OA was an ambitious series that ran on Netflix for two seasons and was canceled far too soon. In the Season 1 finale, the group of teenagers (plus Phyllis Smith's BBA) decide to use the reality-traveling movements to distract a school shooter, saving the day in the process. It's a moment we waited all season for, and is an emotional and epic sequence.

The Lake House Fight, Girls

HBO's Award-winning comedy series Girls was a huge hit when it was on the air, and has been getting a lot of positive attention in the years since it wrapped. One of the best episodes of all time is Season 3's "The Lake House", where the four titular girls drink, dance and have an epic argument that shows just how messed up their friendships truly are.

Dexter Finds Rita's Dead Body, Dexter

Dexter was hugely popular during its original run on Showtime, and many consider Season 4 to be its strongest chapter. While Michael C. Hall's character eventually manages to murder the Trinity killer, he doesn't realize that the villain has already murdered his wife Rita. This represented a huge switch for the series and showed the consequences of Dexter's dark passenger.

The Final Scene, The Sopranos

The Sopranos' ending is one that has lived in infamy since it aired back in 2007. With an all-out mob war looming, fans expected Tony and the rest of the crew to go out with a bang. Instead, the finale famously cut to black during the final sequence, with audiences thinking their cable broke when it originally aired.

I Am The One Who Knocks, Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad was a delightful slow burn, with audiences following as Bryan Cranston's Walter White goes from chemistry teacher to bonafide drug lord. Things got more and more dangerous for Walt and his family throughout the show's run, to the dismay of his wife Skyler. When she finally confronts him in Season 4, he gives a truly iconic speech where he claims that he isn't waiting for someone dangerous to knock on the door because "I am the one who knocks."

The Final Sequence, Six Feet Under

Six Feet Under goes in the long list of quality shows to come from HBO. But it stands out as having arguably the best series finale of all time, where the audience is shown how the characters live and (more importantly) die. Set to the tune of Sia's "Breathe Me", try to get through that final sequence without crying.

The Departure, The Leftovers

The Leftovers was a thrilling drama with a super fascinating concept: on October 14th, 2% of the world's population suddenly vanished. While the show follows the fallout of that event, the pilot episode opened on The Departure, with a mother desperately searching for her baby after he disappeared.

Jessie's Song, Saved By The Bell

During its run in the late '80s and early '90s, Saved By The Bell was a favorite show among young people. While it was largely a comedy, certain episodes got more serious. Case in point: the episode "Jessie's Song", where Elizabeth Berkley's character becomes addicted to caffeine pills.

Fiona confronts Monica, Shameless

The US version of Shameless had a super long run on Showtime, ending after a whopping 11 seasons on the air. But it was best during its early years, and perhaps the most iconic moment came back in Season 1. When Monica returns to the Gallagher family and tries to take Liam away with her, Emmy Rossum's Fiona reaches her breaking point and confronts her over years of neglect.

Ross Says The Wrong Name, Friends

Throughout all of Friends' decade-long run on the air, the biggest question was whether or not Rachel and Ross would end up together. They had plenty of starts and stops (they were on a break!) but perhaps the most dramatic part of this saga came during Ross' wedding to Emily. In the middle of his vows, he accidentally refers to Emily as Rachel, ending his marriage before it even began.

The Hallway Fight, Daredevil 

While Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock is taking center stage in the MCU with Daredevil: Born Again, his tenure as the hero began with the Netflix Daredevil show. The series was gritty and featured dizzying fight choreography, with the most iconic being the long hallway fight, which was a thrilling one.

The Family Portrait, Modern Family

The Emmy-winning comedy Modern Family had a long life on the air, with the audience watching as the child actors grew up before their eyes. Season 1 was especially great, and the first finale "Family Portrait" is the show at its best. After stressing to try and pose for the perfect picture, the mixed family ends up throwing mud on each other and letting it all go in a heartwarming story.

Don Draper's Happy Ending, Mad Men

While it had a wildly successful run on AMC, arguably the most iconic moment from Mad Men came from its series finale. Fans have long debated the meaning behind the final shot, where Don Draper is seen happy and meditating, seemingly leaving the advertising world behind him. Although Jon Hamm's interpretation of the ending offers another, less hopeful perspective.

Pam And Jim's First Kiss, The Office

The Office had plenty of long love stories, with fans rooting for the staff of Dunder Mifflin. Jim and Pam's is the biggest example of this, and fans had to wait years for them to finally get together. In Season 2 the pair finally share their first kiss, although they didn't end up together just yet.

Teresa's Table Flip, The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The Real Housewives franchise is a huge behemoth at this point, but in the beginning, there were just a handful of cities. Chief among them was The Real Housewives of New Jersey, which entered the pop culture zeitgeist forever when OG Teresa Giudice flipped a table during a heated argument with Danielle Staub in the Season 1 finale.

Sue Hawk's Speech, Survivor

The first season of Survivor changed the TV world forever, and the show is still running to this day. Perhaps the most memorable moment from that prolific first chapter was Sue Hawk's scathing speech about snakes and rats, where he let out her rage about runner-up Kelly Wiglesworth.

Poussey's Death, Orange Is The New Black

Orange is the New Black was one of the first original Netflix shows, and it remained wildly popular until it ended. Fans know that the show was forever changed when Poussey was tragically killed in Season 4, inspiring a prison-wide riot that would take up all of Season 5.

Nina Kills Teri, 24

24 became a wild sensation when it started airing on Fox, with an entire season of action taking place in just one day. The Season 1 finale offered one more gut punch for audiences, when Jack finds the body of his wife Teri, realizing that she was killed by his former friend and colleague Nina.

Diane And Sam Breakup For Good, Cheers

Diane and Sam were the will they/won't they couple in the comedy Cheers, and fans all had their own opinions about them. In the series finale, we finally get some closure, and the pair realizes they shouldn't be together after all.

Nancy Burn Her House Down, Weeds

When Weeds started airing on Showtime, it was about a single mother who resorts to selling drugs to her suburban neighborhood. In Season 3 she burns down her house to avoid being caught, and the show was never the same after.

Kurt Dances To 'Single Ladies', Glee

Season 1 of Glee hit the world by storm, thanks to its colorful cast of characters and non-stop stream of hit songs. The first season was a huge deal, and there are perhaps no more iconic episodes when Kurt dances to Beyonce's "Single Ladies", and has to try and keep his identity from his father.

'Let's Go To The Mall', How I Met Your Mother

During the How I Met Your Mother episode "Slap Bet" the group of friends (and the audience) are introduced to Robin's teen pop culture persona Robin Sparkles. The song "Let's Go To The Mall" is a hilarious spoof on '80s stars like Tiffany, and is arguably the most iconic moment of the comedy series' run on TV.

Eleanor Realizes The Truth, The Good Place

The Good Place ran for four seasons on NBC, offering a hilarious and complex story. Season 1 was arguably its best, and the most memorable moment came when Kristen Bell's Eleanor realizes that they've been in the Bad Place all along.

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. 

Some TV shows stumble their way to the finish line, such as these series that went on way too long. But others end the race cruising to victory, with final seasons and series finales that satisfyingly wrap up the journey their characters were on over the years. From classic comedies like Cheers to acclaimed dramas like The Americans to sci-fi standouts like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, here are TV 32 shows that absolutely nailed their farewells. (WARNING! Obviously there are spoilers ahead!)

Succession

Succession creator Jesse Armstrong could have milked all of that Shakespearean family drama for one or two more seasons but smartly decided to end the hit HBO drama after four seasons because "this was simply how this story had to go," Armstrong told Vulture. And it ended in brutally brilliant fashion, with outsider Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) sniveling his way to the top of Waystar Royco over Roy siblings Connor (Alan Ruck), Kendall (Jeremy Armstrong), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Shiv (Sarah Snook). 

Breaking Bad

It was inevitable: after five seasons of greed and ruthlessness, chemistry teacher-turned-meth cooker Walter White (Bryan Cranston) had to die. But what a way to go, with an explosive, critically acclaimed final run — both halves of season five won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014 — that not only offered up some of the drama's greatest episodes ("Ozymandias" is one for the history books) but cemented the TV series as one of the best ever.

Newhart

Nowadays, the "it was all a dream" twist has become a cliché but when the CBS sitcom Newhart pulled that very move back in 1990, it cemented itself as one of the most memorable moments in pop culture history. In the final minutes of the comedy's series finale, lead character Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) woke up after getting knocked out by a golf ball in Vermont — the surprise was that he was now in a Chicago bedroom as Bob Hartley, his famous The Bob Newhart Show character, with TV wife Emily (special guest Suzanne Pleshette) by his side.

Mad Men

Fitting for an iconic and complicated character like Don Draper (Jon Hamm) — and finally earning the actor that much-deserved Emmy for Best Actor — Mad Men left viewers with quite an ambiguous conclusion when it ended in 2015 after seven seasons. The existential finale saw the advertising executive searching for inner peace at a meditation retreat, or was he really just tapping into some Zen as inspiration for that famous Coca-Cola advert? We'll never know!

The Leftovers

Grounded by a standout performance by Carrie Coon as Nora Durst, the conclusion of HBO's The Leftovers was ambiguous yet sentimental, a gratifying and thematically fitting send-off for the complex drama. Following Nora in her decision to enter a radioactive machine that could reunite her with her husband and children who vanished in the "Sudden Departure," the series finale didn't so much answer all of our questions about all the ones who left — we still don't entirely understand the quantum mechanics of it all — as it did give hope to the ones left behind. 

30 Rock

The seventh and final season of 30 Rock said goodbye to Liz (Tina Fey), Jack (Alec Baldwin), Tracy (Tracy Morgan), Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) and Jenna (Jane Krakowski) in equal parts hilarious and heartfelt fashion, with all of the nostalgic callbacks, witty one-liners and delightful absurdism that fans have come to know and love from the NBC sitcom. The series finale also movingly said farewell to the real-life behind-the-scenes folks from 30 Rock by casting them as the TGS crew. 

Parks And Recreation

Co-written by lead Amy Poehler, the series finale of Parks and Recreation warmly said goodbye to both beloved characters and the city of Pawnee. The sweet two-parter took place mostly in the future, with happy endings for all: Garry (Jim O'Heir) being elected mayor (with Christie Brinkley as his wife, no less); Andy (Chris Pratt) and April (Aubrey Plaza) becoming parents; Ron (Nick Offerman) taking over as superintendent of the Pawnee National Park; and Leslie (Poehler) continuing her life of political service...potentially all the way to the White House?

Fringe

The final episode of the Fox sci-fi drama Fringe was a bittersweet one for Olivia (Anna Torv), Peter (Joshua Jackson) and Walter (John Noble). The fifth season had jumped far into the dystopian future overtaken by the Observers. Walter sacrificed himself and took Michael (Rowan Longworth) into a wormhole even farther into the future to stop the Observer invasion from ever happening in the first place. In the process, the story reset back to 2015, where Walter sadly no longer existed, but through time-travel magic, he still managed to send his son a drawing of a white tulip.

Justified

The story of Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) continued with the sequel series Justified: City Primeval, but the end of its predecessor Justified was a more than satisfactory closing chapter in and of itself, especially in wrapping up Raylan's rivalry with friend-turned-foe Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins). The Harlan County criminal was an endlessly quotable character across all six seasons of the FX drama, but his final words — “We dug coal together" — prove he saved the best line for last.

The Shield

One of the most gripping crime dramas of the 2000s, The Shield lived up to its own reputation with its bold finish, which saw Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) trying so hard to stay out of prison that he got a fate worse than incarceration: with blood on his hands, his family running from him, and him banished to a desk job. With police sirens blaring in the distance, Vic grabbed the gun from his desk drawer and left the ICE building. Where he went, we'll never know, but it surely can't be good. 

Cheers

It can be hard to leave those special places where everybody knows your name, but if you have to, at least take "One for the Road." Such is the title of Cheers' standout series finale, which poured one out for all of our beloved barflies: Woody (Woody Harrelson) was elected Boston councilman; Norm (George Wendt) finally got his coveted city job; Cliff (John Ratzenberger) was promoted at the Post Office; and Sam (Ted Danson) chose between reconciliation with the one who got away, Diane (Shelley Long), and the real love of his life, the bar itself. 

MASH

It's the most-watched finale of all time for a reason: seen by a TV audience of 121.6 million, the 1983 end of MASH beautifully brought closure to the dysfunctional members of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. With the Korean War coming to a close, the camp had to go their separate ways, but no departure tugged at our hearts quite like the one between Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and B.J. (Mike Farrell), which saw the former leave on a helicopter only to spot the latter's parting message: the word "GOODBYE" spelled out with rocks on the ground below.

The Sopranos

One of the most polarizing TV finales of all time was also one of the most powerful. That shocking The Sopranos ending was a masterclass in embracing ambiguity and racking up tension, with Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) seemingly enjoying a simple diner meal and some Journey tunes with his wife (Edie Falco) and son (Robert Iler) while keeping an eye on every patron entering the establishment. As the diner door opened and the bell rang, Tony looked up — and the screen cut to black. Was it Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler), who finally found a parking spot? Or was it someone far more nefarious? Frustratingly and fantastically, we will never know. 

Six Feet Under

It seems so obvious now to end a series about a family that owns a funeral home by fast-forwarding into the future to see how each character dies, but the laying to rest of the HBO drama Six Feet Under felt clever and emotional when it aired back in 2005. An episode of television dominated by death doesn't sound all that cheerful, but getting to see the Fishers years down the line — particularly Claire (Lauren Ambrose), the last one standing at 102 — felt as right and cyclical as life itself. 

Friday Night Lights

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose." Such was the motto of football coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and the showrunners of Friday Night Lights took it to heart when it came to graduating the high school-set drama series. Despite the gleam of game glory blurring his vision — the East Dillon Lions happily won that tense match-up against the Dillon Panthers — Coach Taylor clearly saw that it was only right for him to leave Texas behind by the series' end, moving to Philadelphia to support his beloved wife Tami (Connie Britton) and her new job as dean of admissions at Braemore College. Couple's goals, much?

The Wire

One of the best episodes of The Wire is its last, which managed to wrap everything up while also leaving things intriguingly open. It showed that Baltimore and all of its complexities would continue long after the credits roll. Things could change — Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) could become governor, Templeton (Tom McCarthy) could win a Pulitzer, Michael (Tristan Wilds) could become the new Omar, McNulty (Dominic West) could leave the police department — but, devastatingly, many things would always stay the same. 

The West Wing

The end of The West Wing was the end of an era — literally, as the seventh and final season chronicled the last weeks of President Jed Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) administration. The series finale was a heartfelt farewell to the former POTUS as well as all of the government employees and officials in his orbit, including C.J. (Allison Janney), Leo (John Spencer), Josh (Bradley Whitford) and Donna (Janel Moloney). But it didn't languish in nostalgia: "What are you thinking about?" Stockard Channing's Abbey asked Jed at the show's end. "Tomorrow," he replied. 

ER

The medical drama came full circle for its grand finale, which echoed its premiere episode 15 years prior by taking place over the course of 24 hours in the emergency room of Cook County General Hospital. The cases are dramatic and dizzyingly varied, from emergency cesarean sections to terminal cancer diagnoses to triage patients from an industrial explosion. As the theme music played, the camera pulled out for ER's final, effective shot: the entire exterior of the hospital, seen for the first and only time in the show's history, with all of that curative frenzy happening within. 

Battlestar Galactica

After years spent traversing the stars and avoiding being blown to smithereens by enemy Cylons, the Battlestar Galactica crew and the last remaining humans finally made it to Earth — well, the Earth of the distant past — at the end of the Sci-Fi Channel series. That primitive planet eventually evolves into modern-day civilization and the epilogue picks up 150,000 years in the future, where half-human, half-Cylon Hera has been announced as a "Mitochondrial Eve," the progenitor of modern-day humanity. Leaving us with Jimi Hendrix's warning cry "All Along the Watchtower," the finale chillingly questioned whether humans are doomed to repeat themselves. 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

There's a lot of pressure with being the "Chosen One," as Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) no doubt learned through seven seasons of the iconic fantasy series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But after 140-plus episodes of single-handedly saving Sunnydale and suffering greatly in the process, Buffy recognizes that she doesn't have to do it all alone. In the series finale, the Hellmouth crumbles and Sunnydale is destroyed but Buffy has the Scooby Gang and a new crop of Slayers by her side, and a whole future ahead of her.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

"We kept putting off writing that last show," said executive producer Allan Burns as he accepted The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1977. "I think it said what we wanted it to say. It was poignant." Poignant, yes, but also plenty funny, with Mary (TV icon Mary Tyler Moore), Lou (Edward Asner), Murray (Gavin MacLeod) and Sue Ann (Betty White) ultimately getting fired from WJM-TV. From that group shuffle to the tissue box to the swan song of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," the finale had us laughing and crying in equal turns.  

The Americans

With a high-stakes show like The Americans, it seemed only inevitable for Russian spies Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) to be exposed and have to flee the United States for Mother Russia. Despite that eventuality, the FX drama still managed to end on a tensely unexpected and devastating note, with both their American-born children Paige staying behind. That shot of Paige (Holly Taylor) standing on the platform as Philip and Elizabeth's train pulled away will haunt us for years to come.

Parenthood

Over six seasons, Parenthood fans came to love the Braverman clan like their own family, which made it all the harder to say goodbye when the show ended in 2015. But even though the series finale was a tearjerking one, with patriarch Zeek (Craig T. Nelson) dying peacefully in his sleep, a hopeful time-jump showed that all would be well with the Bravermans, with weddings, pregnancies, graduations, vacations and puppies at Christmas all happily in their futures. 

Better Call Saul

It's hard enough to make a great spin-off of an already great show. But to end that spin-off with as much acclaim as its predecessor is a whole other thing entirely. Better Call Saul, part of the Breaking Bad universe, did just that with its sixth season, which saw Jimmy McGill-turned-Saul Goodman-turned-Gene Takavic (Bob Odenkirk) finally facing the consequences of his choices. However, as co-creator Peter Gould told AMC, Saul's end can actually be seen as hopeful: "In spite of the fact that he's in prison, which is terrible, Jimmy is Jimmy again. He's recovered his soul."

The Good Place

Though diehards of The Good Place would have wanted to spend eternity with all of its beloved characters, the NBC afterlife comedy did come to an end in 2020 after four seasons and 53 episodes. But it did so with a characteristically funny and cathartic conclusion, which saw Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Chidi (William Jackson Harper) and Jason (Manny Jacinto) ready to step through the door and move on from the Good Place, and Michael (Ted Danson) made human and allowed to live out a normal life down on Earth. 

Angel

Trying to save the world from evil forces is a nearly impossible but always worthwhile task, as the Angel series finale "Not Fade Away" powerfully showed. After a season of loss, including the deaths of both Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Fred (Amy Acker), it would have been very easy for Angel (David Boreanaz) and the rest of the Angel Investigations team to wallow in their grief and raise a white flag. But, even knowing that it would likely end in their own demise, Angel, Spike (James Marsters), Gunn (J August Richards) and Illyria (Acker) chose to go into battle against the supernatural baddies and fight for good.

Friends

What Friends got so right in its tenth and final season was showing how transient of a town New York City is, especially when you grow from those lively twentysomething years to your more settled thirties. "The Last One" saw Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) adopt twins and move out of that famously purple-walled West Village apartment for the suburbs. After Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and the recently reunited Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Ross (David Schwimmer) returned their keys, Chandler landed one final hilarious quote before they went — where else? — to Central Perk one last time.

The Office

Sure, there's an argument to be made that The Office should have ended after Steve Carrell's Michael Scott left Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and Scranton, PA, at the end of season seven. But though the show was shaky in the years following that character's exit, if it had ended years earlier, fans wouldn't have gotten that sentimental happy ending, with Michael pulling off the perfect surprise at the wedding of Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey) to serve as best man and drop the final "That's what she said." 

Star Trek: The Next Generation

All good things must come to an end, and that includes the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In the farewell to sci-fi favorite Star Trek: The Next Generation, Captain Jean-Luc Picard mentally jumps around in time: from the present, then back to the ship's first mission seven years ago and then 25 years into the future. In each era, Picard makes it so that the Enterprise stops a temporal anomaly, which destroys the ship but saves humanity. It all ends up being a test from Q (John de Lancie) but Picard passes, and in the present, he finally joins the crew's poker game.

Fleabag

After the brilliance of Fleabag's first season, it seemed impossible that Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Co. could match the sharp wit and gut-punching emotion with a season 2 of the BBC One dramedy. But PWB managed to prove every naysayer wrong with that devastatingly romantic and electrifyingly funny second — and, judging by that fourth-wall-breaking final scene, last — season, which famously saw our nameless heroine meet and fall for a "quite hot" priest, played by Andrew Scott. 

Veep

The end of Veep, one of the most consistently hilarious shows in all of television, saw Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) get everything that she always wanted: namely, the Oval Office. Yes, the seemingly perpetual Vice President became POTUS by the series finale, a ruthless political rise that saw her betray those closest to her, especially her loyal aide Gary (Tony Hale). But Selina gets a viciously hilarious comeuppance when, 24 years in the future, coverage of her funeral is interrupted by the breaking news that American icon and "Philadelphia 2 star" Tom Hanks has died. 

Avatar: The Last Airbender

The epic four-part finale of Avatar: The Last Airbender not only gave every major character their chance to shine but also cemented it as one of the best-animated shows of the 21st century. In his spectacular final face-off against Ozai, Aang stays dedicated to pacifism and decides not to kill Fire Lord Ozai, instead using energy bending to remove his firepower as punishment for his crimes. In doing so, the final installments offer up a philosophical exercise that's far more mature and sophisticated than anyone would expect from a "kiddie" show. 

SPOILERS are ahead for Episode 5 of The Acolyte, now streaming with a Disney+ subscription.

Back in 2016, Manny Jacinto really did a 180 on us in The Good Place when his Buddhist monk character Jianyu Li was revealed to be a total front in the afterlife. In the first few episodes of the comedy, Jacinto made a hilarious turn to his actual character of DJ and drug dealer, Jason Mendoza. The actor’s latest role in the Disney+ series The Acolyte just did something similar, in its own Star Wars way, and fans of The Good Place cannot get enough!

During the latest episode, “Night” we learned that Jacinto’s character of Qimir is actually a Sith master who has been disguising himself as a smuggler. Upon the villainous turn, people cannot stop talking about it. Here’s one reaction from Twitter’s @lsirikul:

Manny Jacinto is beloved by The Good Place fans for playing a character with the energy of a puppy dog, and now we’ve just been introduced to a ruthless villain played by the same actor? It’s rather jarring, but in the best way. As this tweet added:

When the sequel trilogy for Star Wars involved an unlikely romance between Kylo Ren and Rey, Adam Driver’s appeal was a controversial one, with many citing how toxic the villain was. However, when it comes to Manny Jacinto’s villain, fans are fully ready to embrace Qimir as their next crush. Amidst the internet getting real thirsty over Jacinto in the latest The Acolyte episode, D’Arcy Carden, who was of course part of The Good Place cast as Janet, the informational assistant "not a girl" Jason falls in love over the course of the series, responded. The actress wrote on Twitter:

Posts like this are leading tons of The Good Place fans to talk about how much they always loved Manny Jacinto in the comedy, and noticed their attraction to him back then.

Of course, now the actor is on a new level given he's joined the characters in the Star Wars universe. The reveal of Qimir’s actual identity is leading some people to already call him the “hottest Star Wars character”. And apparently, the actor trained super hard to look so formidable as the Sith Master. Jacinto shared an awesome behind-the-scenes video on his Instagram that shows this.

Fans are obviously losing it over all of this, and some are referencing other classic comedies to make their feelings known:

Qimir’s wrath led to the deaths of some major characters, too! The episode five reveal is certainly laying the groundwork for an exciting second half of the series. Of course, The Good Place fans can’t help but notice this parallel between the two (now iconic) characters and what could happen next:

Perhaps the reveal will get more The Good Place fans to tag along with The Acolyte as well! The next episode of the series premieres on Tuesday, July 2 on the 2024 TV schedule, and that's when we'll find out more about Manny Jacinto's villain.

Though television programming existed in various forms for more than a decade before the first situation comedies officially arrived in the late 1940s, the sitcom quickly became one of the most popular and duplicated genres for the next 80+ years. From stand-up comics to Hollywood icons, sitcoms are responsible for some of pop culture’s biggest stars, from Jerry Seinfeld to Jennifer Aniston to Dick Van Dyke to Lucille Ball, as well as some of the most memorable catchphrases.

Despite broadcast networks no longer championing sitcoms as much as in years past, with streaming services picking up the slack — Netflix is now more known for multi-camera sitcoms than any of the Big 4 — TV comedies will likely continue to keep audiences breathless with laughter for many more years to come. As such, CinemaBlend’s staff came together to celebrate and rank the 100 best sitcoms of all time, with the order stemming partially from our writers’ sharing scores for more than 200 different series, along with other contributing factors.

So sit back in your favorite recliner, grab an extra-large Squishee (or an ice-cold Duff, if you’re of age) and settle into the coziness, comfort, and occasional cringeworthiness of the best TV sitcoms of all time, according to CinemaBlend.

100. Bewitched

You know a show is a classic when even Marvel is drawing inspiration from it nearly 50 years after its end. The fantasy sitcom Bewitched worked its magic at CBS for eight seasons, partially due to the phenomenal comedic acting of Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York, who was famously replaced by Dick Sargent due to York's worsening health issues. Add in an equally impressive ensemble cast including Agnes Moorehead, David White, and Paul Lynde (just to name a few), and it's no wonder Bewitched was a nose-twitching delight of a show that doesn't need supernatural abilities to be great.

99. Laverne and Shirley

Arguably the most successful Happy Days spinoff, as well as one of the best TV comedies of all time, Laverne & Shirley followed two best friends and bottle-cappers as they navigated life and everything it threw at them in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (later Burbank, California). Though similar in tone to its predecessor, this long-running sitcom relied more on the physical comedy talents masterfully pulled by stars Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. And when it comes to iconic opening credits sequences, Laverne & Shirley was in a league of its own with all those shots of the fictional Shotz Brewery along with that classic theme.

98. Beavis And Butt-Head

No Beavis And Butt-Head fan will argue that the show isn’t dumb. Because it is. It really, really is, in each of its iterations. The two eponymous characters rank as two of the most unambiguously stupid protagonists to ever grace a TV screen, and every word they say is unadulterated idiocy. Ironically, though, that’s the genius of Mike Judge’s creation. The impossibly dumb leads allow for stories that no other sitcom can reasonably or responsibly touch with any degree of verisimilitude, while also permitting some outrageously weird takes on music videos (and social clips) across various eras.

97. Hogan's Heroes

War stories are often suited for prestige dramas, but Hogan's Heroes proved that a P.O.W. camp comedy could be just as awards-worthy. During its 168-episode run, Bob Crane's titular leader and his squad constantly thwarted Nazi enemies with fast-talking and constant hijinks (many of which were put into play by future game show legend Richard Dawson). Lasting as long as World War II did itself, Hogan's Heroes showcased how reflecting on past tragedies with humor can make for memorable art.

96. How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother may be higher on this list if not for fan opinions of the final season, but I would 100% say that it’s worth watching despite a lackluster ending. This show is about finding out how Josh Radnor’s Ted met his future wife, but it really thrives as a series about best friends. As Neil Patrick Harris’ Barney Stinson would say, this ensemble is legen–wait for it–dary, and those who check it out will definitely be invested in what the cast is doing now that the series is over.

95. Mork & Mindy

Today we all know what an immense talent Robin Williams was, and the absolutely wild places he could take comedy. Imagine not knowing any of that, and then turning on an early episode of Mork & Mindy, where he must have come across quite like somebody from another world, much like the character he played. Mork from Ork gave Williams the freedom to do almost anything on screen opposite Pam Dawber’s Mindy (and later Jonathan Winters), and it’s no surprise he took over Hollywood after four successful seasons.

94. The Adventures of Pete and Pete

Plenty of shows focus on the weirdness of suburbia, but Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete still stands awkwardly as one of the best. As Older Pete (Michael Maronna) and Younger Pete (Danny Tamberelli) navigate the oddities of Wellsville, life lessons and warm memories are gifted to viewers by creators Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. Pete & Pete delivers its homespun tales with a deep-seated love of ‘50s and ‘60s pop culture, and with one of the more impressive celebrity guest star rosters of kid-centric TV. Where else will you find REM’s Michael Stipe as a conspiratorial ice cream man?

93. black-ish

Watching Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross’ Andre and Rainbow Johnson raise their family amidst navigating various challenges in and around their largely white-populated neighborhood, all while still hanging onto their Black identities, makes for eight seasons of exceptional sitcom storytelling. While black-ish went on to launch two spinoffs, the original still stands as the cream of the crop, expertly balancing pointed social commentary and humor regarding a variety of topics, racial and otherwise. Plus, TV grandfather-dom looks great on Laurence Fishburne.

92. The Munsters

What happens when a family largely modeled after Universal’s Classic Monsters takes up residence in the middle of suburban America’s Mockingbird Heights? You get The Munsters, which slotted in nicely among other comedic offerings in the ‘60s while also satirizing sitcom tropes of the era. Although Fred Gwynne’s bumbling patriarch Herman was often the driving force behind the weekly shenanigans, Lily, Grandpa, Eddie and Marilyn (the only “normal” looking one) were all far more endearing than their monstrous counterparts, making The Munsters a great platform for chaotic, yet heartfelt entertainment.

91. Happy Endings

Best friends are always good sitcom fodder, as David Caspe’s Happy Endings proved for three seasons on ABC ahead of its fan-angering cancellation. Damon Wayans Jr.’s cucumber-cool Brad and Eliza Coupe’s A-type Jane are the group’s PDA-friendly couple, while her sister, Elisha Cuthbert’s confusion-prone Alex, is exes-ish with Zachary Knighton’s dorky-smooth Dave. The group is rounded out by Adam Pally’s schlubbo-sexual Max and Casey Wilson’s serial dater Penny. Perhaps the only sitcom whose leads share a fictional history as Real World vets, Happy Endings is as fun and fancy-free as romance-fueled sitcoms get.

90. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Less than two years after Ellie Kemper played Erin Hannon for the last time on The Office, she sunshine-smiled her way through a bonkers show of her own with Netflix’s original Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The series, which centered on former cult member Kimmy’s surreal and gung-ho acclimation to life in a “real” world she hadn’t lived in for years. One of the more unique shows from creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, Kimmy could have made this list just for turning the multi-talent Tituss Burgess into a small-screen regular. Extra kudos for the follow-up movie Kimmy vs the Reverend.

89. That '70s Show

Starring Topher Grace and running for eight seasons from 1998-2006, That ‘70s Show transports any generational audience who watches back to the late 1970s for the horned-up (and oh-so-slightly drugged-up) exploits of high school besties and their respective parents. The teens were played by actors who would go on to become bona fide stars, including Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, and Laura Prepon. The Circle in Eric’s basement was always reliable for big laughs, and though its final season suffered from cast exits, Netflix’s That ‘90s Show kept the good times going far more successfully than That ‘80s Show.

88. Extras

Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant followed up on the smash success of The Office by crossing the ocean to HBO for the Hollywood-skewing riot Extras, which hinged on the fraught character trifecta of Gervais’ dispirited actor Andy, his god-awful agent Darren (Merchant) and his kind-hearted and oblivious actress BFF Maggie (Ashley Jensen). While only two seasons and a Christmas special, it’s a modern classic not only for its gloriously cornball faux sitcom When the Whistle Blows, but for bonkers celebrity cameos from Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan and more. Gervais also delivers an all-time Top 5 spit-take in one episode.

87. The Bernie Mac Show

The late Bernie Mac is still widely viewed as a comedy giant, and his eponymous family sitcom is a major reason for that. The Bernie Mac Show definitely isn’t the first comedy to be headlined by a stand-up, but it’s one of the few that so perfectly utilized the talents of its lead. Mac’s signature brand of no-nonsense humor is especially hilarious when he bounces off his A+ co-stars. But, overall, what makes this series one of the great modern Black sitcoms is its funny, warm and nuanced depiction of familial dynamics amongst African Americans.

86. Gilligan's Island

Before The Brady Bunch (but after The Red Skelton Show), screenwriter and producer Sherwood Schwartz launched 1964's smash-hit Gilligan's Island, and the fictional voyage was far more doomed than the show's. Starring Bob Denver and Alan Hale, the sitcom won over viewers with plots hinged on island inventions, unexpected visitors, dream sequences, and random items washing up ashore. While the show famously never hit one hundred episodes, its premise was beloved enough to spark several TV movies and the truly baffling Saturday morning cartoon spinoff Gilligan's Planet.

85. Mad About You

Chemistry is usually all it takes to keep a sitcom afloat, whether its shared by an ensemble (see: Friends) or tethered to a winning duo like Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt in Mad About You. It helps that both actors lent their movie-level wattage to the sitcom for eight seasons, exploring marriage and eventually parenthood in New York City. (Reiser previously co-starred in My Two Dads, to be sure.) But despite the parade of stellar comedic co-stars — Hank Azaria, Lisa Kudrow, Carol Burnett, and Mel Brooks? Come on! — it was Paul and Jamie keeping us invested. We were mad about them, and maybe a different kind of mad about Mabel.

84. Three's Company

Three’s Company is an interesting case-study in dated sitcom writing, as 90% of the jokes that prop up the show wouldn’t fly today. Almost every single line can be construed as sexual innuendo, and the plot twists of a given Three’s Company episode are so driven by silly miscommunications, the formula is basically cliche. However, John Ritter’s deep reservoir of charm, when combined with his incredible chemistry with the female roommates that came in and out of his orbit, made it an overall win, and one of the most memorable and breezy sitcoms of the 1970s and ‘80s.

83. Family Guy

What can be said about Family Guy that hasn’t already been said? While Seth MacFarlane’s first mega-hit doesn’t feel quite as crude as other late night animated fare these days, it quickly cemented itself as an envelope-pushing primetime entry thanks to its murderous baby, they hyper-perverse Quagmire, and the less said about Herbert, the better. The series made a meme-worthy artform out of cutaway gags, man vs. chicken fights and lowbrow pop culture spoofs. At this point, the Griffins are basically as widespread as the Simpsons, and Brian would certainly drink to that.

82. Malcolm In The Middle

Malcolm in the Middle was a key part of Fox’s Sunday comedy lineup for six of its seven seasons from 2000-2006. At the time, the Frankie Muniz-starring comedy was a rare example of a single-camera sitcom that eschewed a laugh track and had its lead regularly breaking the fourth wall. The family was known to deal with serious issues in the background of the shenanigans of the sibling trio, which helped the sitcom win seven Emmys. It was also Bryan Cranston’s breakout primetime TV role, proving he was a comedy legend years before dipping into drama for Breaking Bad.

81. The Facts Of Life

A spinoff of Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life is one of the most successful TV offshoots that shares little with its predecessor, and for good reason. The coming-of-age sitcom explores adolescence in a way that neither its predecessor nor follow-up projects ever could, with a perfectly cast ensemble of young actresses led by the incomparable Charlotte Rae. This sitcom exists because of Rae’s previously stellar work, and her warmth and charm in the role of Mrs. Garrett helped make a family out of her girls, from Natalie to Tootie to Jo to Blair and the rest.

80. The Addams Family

Although The Addams Family started off as a single-panel New Yorker comic strip published from 1938 to 1964, it was the TV series premiering that same latter year which made the family a pop culture favorite. Watching Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Grandmama, Lurch and Thing freak people out with their macabre tastes and supernatural antics never got old, and without the popularity of this show, it’s doubtful these ghoulish characters would have returned in a variety of live-action and animated projects in later years.

79. My Name Is Earl

My Name Is Earl earned its way to sitcom greatness thanks to star Jason Lee’s all-in performance as Earl Hickey, as well as the great premise that sees Earl attempting to right the litany of past wrongs committed against seemingly everyone he’d ever met. (The concept also helps make it easy to drop in on any random episode without really needing to see what happened beforehand.) Ethan Suplee, Eddie Steeples and Jaime Pressley are equally brilliant in their respective roles, and we can still relate to Earl to this day anytime we struggle to keep our eyes open while taking a picture.

78. The Middle

Every once in awhile, a show sneaks it way into the zeitgeist and in our memories. The Middle, a show about a quirky middle-class family from the Midwest ran for nine years and hit home for a wide and nostalgic audience. It was a breath of fresh air and an honest take on class and what it was really like to grow up in, well, “the middle” of everything. Ironically, it was the ending of the show that stuck with most, but all good things must come to an end. 

77. Dave

This whole entry could be spent talking about how Dave is driven by the exceptional talent of David “Lil Dicky” Burd, who has a truly offbeat world perspective to go along with his legitimate gifts as a rapper. But that would be a disservice to Davionte "GaTa" Ganter, who proves over the course of the three seasons to be the NSFW series’ true heart. It gets funny and ridiculous, but it can also deliver a nice, solid gut punch courtesy of your investment in the characters’ plights for recognition.

76. Spin City

Arguably TV's least polarizing political sitcom, Spin City was a winning candidate for its six-season term in part due to co-creators Bill Lawrence and Gary David Goldberg. The latter also created Family Ties, and brought Michael J. Fox into the lead role here as well, with Charlie Sheen successfully taking over in Season 5 after Fox's medical-related exit Spin City is also a melting pot of TV excellence, boasting Connie Britton, Carla Gugino, Richard Kind, Alan Ruck and more greats filling out the NYC mayor’s office.

75. The Andy Griffith Show

One of the most iconic and wholesome sitcoms of the 20th century, The Andy Griffith Show gave audiences nearly 250 episodes with the residents of the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, centering on local sheriff Andy Taylor, played with aw-shucks charm by Griffith. Characters like Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors), Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), and Opie (a young Ron Howard) made for plenty of the early highlights in sitcom history, both in black-and-white and color.

74. Family Matters

Airing for nine seasons from 1989-1997, Family Matters became a beloved sitcom for multiple generations regularly tuning into ABC’s TGIF lineup. The spinoff of Perfect Strangers followed the highs and lows of the Winslow family, with Die Hard vet Reginald VelJohnson becoming an iconic sitcom dad as Carl Winslow. Of course, Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel famously stole the spotlight as the nerd-tastic breakout star, sporting the signature “Did I do that?” catchphrase. Yes, he certainly did, if by “that” he meant annoying his unrequited love Laura or creating alternate versions of himself via sitcom science.

73. The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years aired from 1988-1993, but very fathfully recreated the late ‘60s and early ‘70s to invite audiences into the lives of the Arnold family. Starring Fred Savage in his breakout role (alongside fellow greats Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, and Danica McKellar), the coming-of-age comedy touched on Vietnam War politics, high school romance, deaths of loved ones, sibling rivalries and more, with Daniel Stern's narration a key source of its charm and emotional heft. From using Joe Cocker’s unforgettable “With a Little Help from My Friends” to its powerful-yet-unplanned finale, it’s no wonder that this classic eventually inspired a reboot.

72. The Flintstones

The Flintstones is arguably the first animated project to prove itself as much of a classic sitcom as anything in live-action. Premiering back in 1960 and running for six wildly successful seasons, the sitcom follows the titular family within a fictional and idealized version of the Stone Age. Its popularity kept it airing in syndication for decades,later inspiring spinoffs, live-action movies, TV specials, ice cream pops, and (of course) the most memorable vitamins down the medicine aisle.

71. The Proud Family

The Proud Family was one of the standout shows of ABC’s One Saturday Morning programming block, walking the line between cartoony kids show and legitimate family drama quite well. Disney+’s more recent Louder And Prouder revival is evidence of that popularity and storytelling skills. Kyla Pratt’s Penny Proud is as relatable a TV teen as can be, and Sugar Mama (voiced by Family Matters’ Jo Marie Payton) is the kind of grandmother anyone would appreciate, sans bodyslams.

70. The Drew Carey Show

Long before he became host of The Price is Right, Drew Carey jumped from standup comedy to sitcom stardom with The Drew Carey Show, which ran for nine increasingly zany seasons from 1995-2004. The comedian starred as a fictionalized version of himself living in Ohio, working at a mundane job surrounded by a core group of friends with hijinks to spare. (Particularly during the A+ April Fool’s Day episodes.) This was the first big scripted TV role for cast members like Christa Miller, Diedrich Baker, Ryan Stiles, Craig Ferguson, and John Carroll Lynch. Hopefully fans can agree with the show on one thing: Cleveland Rocks!

69. Designing Women

If watching four sassy, professional ladies flourish, flounder, and tell it like it is sounds like something you can get behind, then look no further than Designing Women. The comedy starred the all-time great cast of Dixie Carter, Young Sheldon’s Annie Potts, Delta Burke and Hacks star Jean Smart as co-workers sharing their personal and professional trials and triumphs to side-splitting effect over several seasons. Even better, the show managed to work in a lot of social commentary that’s still relevant today, and no one has ever taken down bullies and bigots like Carter’s Julia Sugarbaker.

68. Night Court

Many sitcoms can be vehicles for a single great comedian to shine, but the strength of the original Night Court was its ensemble. (And that sax-y theme.) Harry Anderson played de facto leader Judge Harry Stone alongside John Laroquette, Markie Post, Richard Moll and more, and the jury of TV audiences gave the verdict of Night Court being guilty of hilarity. Despite the fact that the show’s format could seem as formulaic as real-life courtroom dockets, silliness often ensued, and fans were happy to watch these talents play off each other for an enviable nine-season run. Its popularity endures with Melissa Rauch’s 2023 revival.

67. The Honeymooners

TV shows have a way of changing the pop culture landscape by being quotable, and The Honeymooners is one of the earliest sitcoms whose influence is definitely still felt in that category, with “One of these days Alice…” and “To the moon!” persisting so many decades later. The all-time classic follows two New York City couples and the various shenanigans they get into, with Ralph and Alice famously played by Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows, respectively. And while the empty threats of domestic violence might be jarring for newcomers, The Honeymooners significantly set the stage for so many sitcoms to follow.

66. Raising Hope

Wacky isn’t always a word that comes up when discussing family sitcoms, but Raising Hope fits that description to a T. The Chance family is filled with more lovable and well-meaning weirdos than you’d think could possibly fit into half-hour eps, but they all have their odd (and potentially relatable) quirks. From dad Burt (who picks his nose by using all 10 fingers), to matriarch Maw Maw (who can frequently be found shirtless and/or braless and giving off old people smells), you’d be hard-pressed to land on an episode that doesn’t make you choke on your big dill pickle.

65. Fresh Off The Boat

Everyone loves a good family sitcom, and while Fresh Off the Boat is technically about the young, hip-hop-obsessed son within a Taiwanese-American family in Orlando, the real comedic meat of the show is his mom, Jessica (Constance Wu). We’ve never seen a mom like Jessica Huang before. Yes, she’s loving, but it’s an absurdly tough, uncompromising love that pushes her nice, America-loving husband and three sons to excel. She’s also fiercely competitive and not someone to mess with, which diners-and-dashers can attest to, and is a big reason why Fresh Off the Boat will always be watchable.

64. Everybody Hates Chris

Abbott Elementary fans can attest to Tyler James Williams’ comedic chops, but he first honed them from his younger Hollywood days as the star of Everybody Hates Chris. Created by Chris Rock (who narrates) and Ali LeRoi, the show is based on the stand-up legend’s teenage years, and finds ways of making everyday occurrences the most hilarious things in the world, often landing a wide-eyed Chris in trouble. From James’ impressive performance as a teenager to the rest of the cast (including a stellar Terry Crews’ dad mode), Everybody Hates Chris is a must-watch for comedy lovers of all ages.

63. Get Smart

Secret agent movies were big in the 1960s, so how could one go wrong with a spoof comedy series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry? Get Smart stars Don Adams’ Maxwell Smart (aka the bumbling CONTROL Agent 86) often teaming up with Barbara Feldon’s more-than-capable sidekick, Agent 99, to thwart the evil, if not entirely professional, efforts of the cabal KAOS. From the series’ iconic opening credits to Max’s shoe phone, Get Smart stands the test of time, with some great catchphrases to boot, including “MIssed it by that much,” and, “Would you believe…?”

62. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23

We sometimes wonder how well creator Nahnatchka Khan’s Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 would have fared if it lasted beyond its celebrated two-season run. And we wish we were given the chance to actually see that hypothetical third season for ourselves, as the 26 episodes we did get were spot on. Pairing Dreama Walker’s naive June with Krysten Ritter’s scheming Chloe made for an odd couple who knew how to have exciting adventures. Frequent appearances by an early-career Eric André and an always charming James Van Der Beek only made this ABC series all the sweeter.

61. Good Times

A quality sitcom spinoff can be a challenge. Repeat what worked on the original, or try to do something totally different? Good Times spun off from Maude (which itself was an All In The Family offshoot), and succeeded through carving out its own authentic niche centering around the hard-working and cash-strapped characters of Florida (Esther Rolle) and James Evans (John Amos). The two leads were excellent throughout, though Good Times eventually shifted its primary focus to Jimmie Walker, the sitcom’s breakout star who coined the phrase “Dynomite!” and rode that marketing freight train to global superstardom. A series that lives up to its name, and then some.

60. The Nanny

The Nanny has long been synonymous with its star Fran Drescher, who played the titular Nanny Fine throughout the show’s six-season run on CBS. Despite being a quintessential ‘90s sitcom, the show’s comedy still feels super fresh and contemporary, even if the pop culture references are dated. Descher is truly unbelievable as Fran, and The Nanny has one of the best TV theme songs of all time. And it’s a show that younger generations absolutely NEED to binge-watch, amidst the ongoing hope for fans to see more.

59. Archer

If Archer were merely an expertly crafted James Bond parody, we’d still love it. However, this long-running FX staple’s greatness comes from the lore-heavy, spy-fi universe that creator Adam Reed’s built atop the back of loving send-ups to the espionage subgenre. H. Jon Benjamin anchored an all-timer voice cast that delivered dialogue and performances as sharp as Lana’s switchblade. The show veered from staleness by aping different genres for Danger Island and other “Coma Seasons,” further widening the comedic field of play, and I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t finger Archer as the wildest workplace sitcom to date. Phrasing, BOOM!

58. Happy Days

When one thinks of Happy Days, the first image that likely comes to mind is Henry Winkler’s Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli giving a cool-as-hell thumb’s up. Though he was initially just a minor player, the leather-donning jukebox-smacking ladie’s man quickly became the show’s most popular character. But its picturesque version of the 1950s and 1960s is just as iconic, as is the entire Cunnhingham family (except maybe for the disappearing brother Chuck) and further ensemble, which spawned a whopping seven spinoffs. And if you don’t agree with all that, well, sit on it!

57. Martin

A couple of years before he became an action movie king in Bad Boys, Martin Lawrence created and starred in his own sitcom, which gave fans five seasons of over-the-top episodes. Lawrence’s Martin Payne is a loud, rambunctious, and highly opinionated Detroit disc jockey who constantly finds himself in all kinds of trouble both at work and at home with Tisha Campbell’s Gina. (A dynamic that shifted in the final season for BTS reasons.) Martin himself was fun, but his various other personas —Sheneneh Jenkins, Rosco, and Dragonfly Jones — gave the sitcom a fun and unique spin, foreshadowing Lawrence’s later career.

56. Living Single

Living Single is one of those sitcoms that thankfully managed to age well , premiering back in 1993 and following a group of friends residing together in a Brooklyn brownstone. With a killer cast including Queen Latifah (who also performed the outstanding theme song), Kim Coles, Kim Fields and Erika Alexander, Living Single’s formula succeeded ahead of Friends reaching more sensational heights, and the topic of influences there has made for many discussions. Regardless, the sitcom is a Black TV treasure, and boasts a trove of terrific musicians, athletes and comedians as guest stars, from Flip Wilson to Chaka Khan.

55. Will and Grace

Will & Grace might as well have also had Jack and Karen in the title as well, such was the strength of this foursome as they unsuccessfully dated and schmoozed their way to making LGBTQ+ history. The NBC Must See TV classic was an Emmy darling during its initial eight-season run, and its ongoing popularity beyond the “final” season inspired NBC to revive it for another two seasons. Which thankfully meant more from the bevy of guests and recurring stars that popped up over the years, from Matt Damon to Matt Bomer to Madonna.

54. Murphy Brown

Sure, Murphy Brown fulfilled the sitcom basics of starring a single, middle-aged working woman (whose eventual single-mom status shook up the status quo), being funny, and serving up great characters — Jim Dial, slugger — to support the Aretha Franklin-loving titular lead. Arguably most important, though, its its rare delivery of a flawed female main character (recovering alcoholic) who’s frequently irascible, dedicated to her job as a journalist, and unafraid to speak up in a male-heavy industry, giving audiences every reason to root for through every uproarious rant and unnecessary assistant change. There’s a reason Candice Bergen earned five Emmys from seven nominations for her work across ten seasons.

53. The Bob Newhart Show

Nobody can do deadpan humor quite like the eponymous star of The Bob Newhart Show. The beauty of this 1970s sitcom was that it allowed Bob Newhart to play off of those stand-up comedy strengths, acting as the straight man to his psychologist Bob Hartley’s many unique patients. Co-starring Suzanne Pleshette as Bob’s beloved wife Emily — the two made sitcom history together on his next sitcom as well — and Peter Bonerz and Bill Daily as his pals, The Bob Newhart Show remains exemplary for its character-driven laughs.

52. Sanford And Son

The laughs that Sanford and Son delivers from episode to episode are fairly unique compared to other sitcoms. Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson are perfectly cast as Fred and Lamont Sanford, respectively, playing off of each other in ways reminiscent of comedy duos in vaudeville and radio shows. The writers also deserve a lot of credit for effectively employing racial humor, considered edgy at that time, as well as for bringing in hilarious characters like “Aunt” Esther Anderson and Grady Wilson. But Foxx – who just oozes superior comedic timing – steals so many scenes with his energetic performances. “This is the big one!”

51. Superstore

All things consumerism considered, it’s almost surprising so few workplace comedies are anything like Superstore. For six seasons, viewers watched Amy (Oscar nominee America Ferrera), Jonah (Ben Feldman) and their wacky big box store co-workers readily getting into myriad insane scrapes and intriguingly complicated relationships, while trying to maintain order (or causing disorder) within the retail sphere. Superstore gives fans peak workplace sitcom, with innumerable sight gags for those watching closely, as well as a low-key, slow-burn mystery involving feet showing up all over the store. It’s a hilarious win-win that theoretically helps everyone see their jobs aren’t as bad as they could be.

50. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Before the Men in Black and Bad Boys franchises and that Academy Award-winning role in King Richard, Will Smith veered away from his successful rap career to introduce viewers to…Will Smith…for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Just saying its name instantly brings its classic theme song to mind.

Following a kid from West Philly sent off to live with his affluent uncle’s family in Bel-Air, this sitcom oozed ‘90s sitcom charm and hilarity, helping Will Smith expand his comedic talents opposite the great James Avery, Janet Hubert (for a spell) and more. From the Carlton dance to that classic “very special episode” where Will gets shot, Fresh Prince features plenty of justification for its continued success in syndication and streaming.

49. Family Ties

Eventually, Family Ties became known as “The Michael J. Fox Show,” and it was hard to avoid. Fox was a charismatic ball of energy who became a bona fide superstar during the run of the show, and even eclipsed famous guest stars such as Tom Hanks when they appeared.

But before Fox reached all-star status, Family Ties won over audiences as a warm, endearing, and relatable sitcom about liberal parents trying their best to raise their three kids – one of whom happened to be a briefcase-toting, card-carrying Republican. We all saw ourselves in at least one member of the Keaton family, and tuned in weekly to appreciate the ties that bound them all together.

48. Mr. Bean

Rowan Atkinson would have been amazing during the silent film era, but is thankfully a more modern talent, since we otherwise might never have known the childlike, frustration-spiked foibles of Mr. Bean. Co-created by the comedian’s Black Adder partners in hilarity, Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, Mr. Bean is an idiosyncratic sitcom in that its five-year stretch comprised 15 sporadically aired one-off episodes, as opposed to seasons, which inspired a pair of feature films, an animated series, and more pop culture greatness.

Atkinson brings his physical comedy mastery to a plethora of disaster-laden circumstances, from nonchalantly changing into a swimsuit to getting ready for the dentist while driving to being locked out of a hotel room and dozens of other awkward moments.

47. The Mick

Only two seasons of The Mick aired between January 2017 and April 2018, telling the story of a foul-mouthed dirtbag forced to be the guardian of her affluent niece and nephews, and all 37 episodes are send-you-doubled-over-off-your-couch hilarious. Which means a lot of people were sleeping on this brilliance when it aired, and we’re still sore about it.

Led by Kaitlin Olsen, the entire cast is spectacular (with a special hat tip to the brilliant Scott MacArthur as the oft-injured ne'er-do-well Jimmy), but what truly makes this show exceptional is its beyond-dark sensibilities and unwillingness to accept the idea of a “line” that can’t be crossed. The final scene of the series finale is actually a perfect ending in that sense, and we’re sure that more seasons would have pushed it higher up the rankings.

46. The Jeffersons

Norman Lear & Co.nailed it when they moved George, Louise and Lionel Jefferson from All in the Family to their own show. The Jeffersons is 30-minute comedy at its finest, offering an excellent premise, and an array of interesting stories built on it. Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford are electric as George and Lousie, effortlessly conveying their on-screen marriage with warmth, humor and occasional contention, all while surrounded by a strong supporting cast.

There’s also the series’ impact on Black culture and the TV landscape as a whole. It’s one of the earliest shows to have depicted an upper class African American family – and the complexities of such a dynamic. We should all be grateful that these characters moved on up.

45. 30 Rock

If there were any doubts that Tina Fey could transport her magic touch from SNL to a scripted sitcom, 30 Rock proved them pointless. The show-within-a-show’s very first season won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and scored nominations for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. (Both went on to win elsewhere in the NBC comedy’s seven-season run.)

The show is infinitely quotable, thanks in large part to Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski, and recruited standout part-time stars ranging from Matt Damon to David Schwrimmer to – of course – Steve “How do you do, fellow kids?” Buscemi. Plus, it imparted the following important lesson from Tracy Jordan: “Live every week like it’s Shark Week.” No SNL knowledge is needed to appreciate the sketch-skewing humor, but it’ll help.

44. Scrubs

Hospital dramas have become as commonplace as any TV offering, so having Scrubs around to follow its doctors, nurses and Sacred Heart staff through a comedic lens continues to be a welcome respite. Not to say Scrubs wasn’t without its emotional and poignant moments, since one could argue it functions nearly as well as a dramatic series when in that mode.

But the humor is where Scrubs’ gets surgical with it. Whether we were joining J.D. in his wild daydreams, or the crazy events unfolding between characters while treating patients, this show excelled at delivering the laughs. If only we could witness John C. McGinley’s Dr. Cox ranting at residents while a nameless Janitor pranks people within a real-life hospital. Additionally, J.D. and Turk are one of TV’s all-time best-buddy pairings.

43. Bob's Burgers

In all of sitcom family-dom, few clans are as relatable in their middle-class weirdness as the Belcher family that serves up the titular meals and good-time goofiness on Bob’s Burgers. The beloved series from creator Loren Bouchard has followed sitcom standards to a T while building up its hilarity-filled universe of Italian restaurateur rivals, handyman besties, and plenty of schoolchildren I’d much rather watch on TV than deal with at home. But it’s the Belchers that keep us coming back.

From H. Jon Benjamin’s expertly exasperated attempts to get by to Louise’s rebellious sadism to Tina’s butt fascination, Bob’s Burgers is as timeless as the hamburger itself, and isn’t afraid to mix sweetness into the juvenile hijinks. A must-watch for pun enthusiasts.

42. The Cosby Show

Decades after its debut on NBC, The Cosby Show remains a seminal piece of TV work. This sharp family comedy offers a warm look at a family (who just happened to be Black) and, while the Huxtables are quite pristine, they never feel unrelatable, except perhaps where sweaters are concerned. The impeccable ensemble boasts the likes of Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Keshia Knight Pulliam masterfully playing off the series’ titular star. Give the writing staff credit, too, for formulating some eternally classic episodes, like “Goodbye Mr. Fish” and “Happy Anniversary.”

Of course, the show’s legacy has been further evaluated due to Bill Cosby’s legal entanglements, and understandably so. That debate will surely continue, though what’s hard to deny is the sitcom’s game-changing position in the cultural lexicon.

41. Party Down

“Are we having fun yet?” The oft-used sarcastic throwback to Henry’s (Adam Scott) singular professional achievement is actually a pretty fitting way to sum up the careers of the motley crew of caterers on Party Down. The aspiring actors and writers who comprise the eponymous catering company would certainly rather be pursuing their passions than serving drinks and apps to their rich customers, but with each episode plunking them into a different bougie event, it was delightful to see the ridiculous and usually cringey situations they would get themselves into.

On top of a fabulous ensemble cast featuring the likes of Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Lizzy Caplan and Martin Starr, Party Down featured A+ cameos at each catering function. That Steve Guttenberg episode? Chef’s kiss, or at least a caterer’s kiss.

40. The Boondocks

We may never get another animated series about American society as unabashedly insightful as The Boondocks, which was created by Aaron McGruder and based on his comic strip of the same name. Each episode provides a thoughtful examination of the Black experience, principally seen through the eyes of young intellectual Huey Freeman and his gangster-wannabe brother Riley (both voiced by Oscar/Emmy Award-winner Regina King), under the spotty guidance of their John Witherspoon-voiced Granddad.

Not only does McGruder's bold writing provide clever observations about everything from rap music to movie theater decorum, but the anime style continues to remain eye-popping and brilliantly utilized. Especially with the killer kung-fu sequences, which demonstrate a deep love for both the animation medium and the martial arts action genre.

39. Abbott Elementary

Arguably one of the best sitcoms currently airing, Abbott Elementary took the world by storm when it premiered in 2021, introducing the world to Quinta Brunson’s brilliance as Janine Teagues. The Black Lady Sketch Show vet created, writes, produces and stars in the show centering on a Philadelphia school’s staff, and her care and love for it is infectious.

Between Gregory and Janine’s will-they-won’t-they relationship, hilarious talking heads and well-established characters with silly interests (like Ava being a doomsday prepper), this show has all the hallmarks of classic mockumentaries. However, its setting at an elementary school and the unique chemistry the incredible cast has developed make this ABC comedy one that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. (And it won’t need a stool like Janine, amirite, Ava?)

38. The IT Crowd

As if Graham Linehan’s entertainment legacy wasn’t already assured by Father Ted, the man went and crafted another all-time Britcom with The IT Crowd. (Okay, Black Books, too.) The basic premise follows the lives of corporate climber Jen (Katherine Parkinson) and IT department slackers Roy (Chris O’Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade). A classic workplace sitcom trio if there ever was one.

In execution, the 25-episode run was far more fun and unpredictable than the set-up. Skewering corporate culture and malfeasance, as well as all things personal and pop, The IT Crowd feels like a cheeky mix between Seinfeld and Spaced. Not to mention this being a great place to get a Matt Berry fix.

37. Community

It’s difficult to summarize what makes Community such an exceptional sitcom. Its meta awareness and deep love of pop culture is a key ingredient, executed principally through the genius character that is Danny Pudi’s Abed Nadir. But that’s an example of the phenomenal way the show balances the unique voices of its seven main characters – be it the confident idiocy of Donald Glover’s Troy Barnes, the extreme selfishness of Joel McHale’s Jeff Winger, or ridiculous uptightness of Alison Brie’s Annie Edison.

These characters planted in an environment of ever-growing weirdness that is Greendale Community College permits wild, creative, and clever single episode stories… but also not to be slept on are its effective emotional swings (Like I said, it’s really Dean-ficult to sum up!)

36. Modern Family

Modern Family was one of the first family sitcoms to eschew studio audience laughter for the single-camera format, and its massive success and influence was undeniable. Running for eleven seasons, the star-studded sitcom gave viewers a front seat to watching the blended Pritchett and Dunphy families grow up together.

But what makes Modern Family one of the best sitcoms ever is its relatability and ability to tap into all the emotions. There’s plenty to laugh at, thanks to hilarious deliveries from Ed O’Neill, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell and others, and more episodes than can be poignant, whether it’s about love, sexuality, growing up, or plenty of other feelings to connect to.

35. Arrested Development

At the far end of the “wholesome sitcom family” spectrum is the Bluth clan responsible for the majority of the conning and downward spiraling on Arrested Development. (Ron Howard’s Narrator: “They really were.”) With too many A+ cast members to namecheck in one breath, the fourth wall-breaking comedy is technically about the legal troubles surrounding the family company following a major scandal, but it’s really about the family’s myriad other problems.

Let’s see, we have twin-fidelity, oedipal complexes galore, PTSD from both Army (Mother!) and loss of limb, rampant alcoholism, potentially incestuous foreplay, hair metal magic, and never-nudism, though that’s a corner of a snowflake atop the tallest mountain of comedic quirks. Come for the brilliant performances, stay for the smartest callback jokes on TV.

34. WKRP In Cincinnati

WKRP in Cincinnati is one of those shows that never seems to receive its flowers quite enough alongside others from the era. Airing for four seasons between 1978 and 1982, the comedy takes place at a struggling AM radio station in the heart of the Midwest, and boasts everything one would want in a sitcom: great jokes, iconic characters, and unforgettable TV moments.

Despite early schedule struggles, WKRP eventually found its footing on CBS, thanks to audiences loving the comedic stylings of Howard Hesseman’s Dr. Johnny Fever, Tim Reid’s Venus Flytrap, and Richard Sanders’ Les Nessman. It’s always been a hit with radio DJs, for good reason, and produced quite possibly the greatest Thanksgiving TV treat (that doesn’t have Charlie Brown in it) with “Turkeys Away.”

33. The Critic

In the wake of The Simpsons’ success, creators Al Jean and Mike Reiss shaped a cult classic with The Critic, focused on bitter film critic Jay Sherman, voiced with gusto by Jon Lovitz. The animated sitcom took after its spiritual cousin, offering up both heartfelt and cuttingly satirical gags, and bouncing from ABC to Fox only sharpened the show’s edge.

Keenly lampooning the world of show business, The Critic’s writers crafted A+ parodies of classic films, fake cinematic atrocities so bad they’re funny, and welcomed cameos from actual critics. Anyone wanting to see Siskel & Ebert in a fist fight need look no further. Two words aptly sum up how we feel about this series not lasting nearly as long as The Simpsons: “It stinks.”

32. Married...with Children

With Frank Sinatra’s “Love and Marriage” performance as its subversively optimistic theme song, Married with Children is the gleefully bawdy archetype for sitcoms about miserable people. Ed O’Neill’s misogyny-encrusted slopfest Al Bundy stiff-arms his way through life with affection-seeking wife Peg, blonde joke incarnate daughter Kelly, and lazy hornball son Bud. And Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate and David Faustino are the epitome of “the family you love to watch, but would hate to live with.”

As the live-action series that put Fox on the map, Married with Children has long been celebrated for its politically incorrect humor and cartoonishly offensive storylines, and it remains among the most offensive TV shows of all time. But it worked because the Bundy’s always came out worse than anyone else.

31. Gravity Falls

Gravity Falls’ offbeat sitcom greatness truly deserves recognition for a show that may be written off for being a Disney Channel original. Creator and cast member Alex Hirsch crafted a well-animated, off-kilter show that wins over younger viewers with its thrills, humor and heart, while also capturing older viewers with overarching mysteries, surprisingly deep lore, and barrages of callbacks, clues and pause-required animation details. (Long live Bill Cypher!)

At the center of all the madness is the perfectly realized Pines family — Grunkle Stan, Dipper and Mabel — and their friends and co-workers like Wendy, Soos and others. With two seasons and 40 episodes under its belt, Gravity Falls is a tight show that builds to a very satisfying conclusion, even if fans railed against its cancellation at the time.

30. Parks And Recreation

When Parks and Recreation premiered, SNL and UCB vet Amy Poehler was its biggest name, but the careers of co-stars such as Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, Retta and Aubrey Plaza exploded in the years after. And it’s no surprise, since the NBC sitcom is where they were able to hone their characters distinct personalities for seven seasons.

Parks and Rec follows the misfit-lite group running Pawnee, Indiana’s parks department Indiana, and had little trouble getting into the wildest hijinks in each 30-minute runtime. The episode “Flu Season” delivers the goods in a nutshell, between Amy Poehler pretending she’s not sick, Chris Pratt’s physical comedy, and Nick Offerman perfectly portraying Ron Swanson’s disdain for government work. Parks and Rec is a quirky and lively show that deserves a spot in everyone’s lives.

29. Letterkenny

It's not often that a show can lean heavily on both the importance of morals and the notion of violence, but Letterkenny managed to strike an amazing balance between the two for twelve seasons. The Canadian sitcom is known for its amazingly paced banter and extensive wordplay and unique phrasings. As if the amazing comedic timing wasn't enough, one of the main themes continues to acknowledge the importance of standing up for what you believe in and striving to do good in the world. "If a friend asks for help, you help them."

Creator and star of the show, Jared Keeso, has also recently hit another comedic home run in the Letterkenny extended universe with the spinoff Shoresy.

28. The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Four years after winning TV audiences’ hearts for the last time on The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Tyler Moore struck further gold with her own titular sitcom, earning a spot high on the pyramid of inspirational female pop culture icons. For seven seasons, Moore’s Mary Richards worked diligently amidst other colorful characters in the MJM newsroom, such as Gavin McCleod’s snarky Murray, Ted Knight’s dimwitted Ted, and Ed Anser’s ever-stoic (and spinoff-bound) Lou Grant. Not to mention Betty White’s ego-puff Sue Ann.

Outside the office, some of the Emmy-amassing show’s best scenes featured Mary mixing it up with her neighbor buddies Rhoda and Phyllis, portrayed with respective pizazz by Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman. “Chuckles Bites the Dust” and “The Last Show” are as good as sitcom TV gets.

27. Friends

“Best sitcom” conversations can’t happen without mentioning Friends once or a dozen times. As the epitome of Must-See TV in the 1990s and early aughts, the sitcom skyrocketed its six stars — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox. Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer — to fame. Decades later, the reruns are ever-present on TV and streaming, and the gang’s catchphrases continue to resonate as new generations make their way through Central Perk’s doors..

You don’t even have to have been a regular viewer to have heard Ross’ infamous “Pivot!” shout, to have a favorite Chandler quote, or to take a side on the Ross and Rachel “we were on a break” debate. Such universal recognition is relatively rare for a show that’s been off the air for 20 years.

26. The Office (UK)

We never would’ve met Steve Carell’s Michael Scott if there hadn’t been David Brent. Ricky Gerais and Stephen Merchant brought The Office to UK small screens in 2001 and, through two brief seasons and a Christmas special, introduced audiences everywhere to a new level of cringe in the form of this hilarious mockumentary series (one which kept its documentation scenarios realistic).

This dry and occasionally super-awkward comedy follows one branch of a paper company and its workers — played by Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis and several other talented actors — as they attempt to get through each and every workday, dignity optional. It’s the simplicity of the show and the way the characters played off one another that made The Office a true gem.

25. Roseanne

Whether viewers are from the working class midwest or other parts of the country, Roseanne found a way to be relatable to so many. Through the sea of picture-perfect television families came the tidal wave that is the Conner family, who bickered, joked and suffered through enduring hard times. At the core of it all was a family raised by two parents, portrayed by Roseanne Barr and John Goodman, whose love remained strong throughout.

The Conners were never the idealized family everyone strives to be, but still feels like a mirror of what blue class households are really like. And despite the baffling retconned lottery season, and Barr’s off-screen controversy, Roseanne’s comfort-TV legacy remains as timeless as the family’s living room furniture.

24. The Dick Van Dyke Show

There are great workplace comedies and there are great domestic family comedies, but The Dick Van Dyke Show somehow stands out among the best ever in both capacities. From the moment Van Dyke goes barreling over that ottoman, you know you’re in for something special, as the star’s gifts for physical and verbal comedy are nearly unparalleled. He’s often not even the one delivering the best jokes, because his reaction to his legendary co-stars is the true punchline.

Speaking of, the show was very much a group effort, despite its single-star title. Conceived and written by co-star Carl Reiner, and co-starring the incomparable Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, and Maury Amsterdam, all the pieces come together perfectly to make one of the most consistently high-quality sitcoms of all time.

23. What We Do In The Shadows

What We Do in the Shadows is a bonkers TV show that shouldn’t work, just like the vampires yelling “Bat!” shouldn’t work as a catchphrase, but it all absolutely does. The mockumentary, spunoff from the co-creators’ film of the same name, follows a group of ridiculous, socially out-of-touch bloodsuckers — save for energy vamp Colin Robinson and human familiar Guillermo — trying to prove their worth in Staten Island.

Despite how silly and NSFW the show is, movie-level prosthetics and visual effects help to elevate and add shocks to the narrative. The cast is truly outstanding, as it goes for any Matt Berry-infused cast, and WWDITS has earned as much awards recognition as any TV horror comedy. With murder and duplicitousness afoot, the series still hits all the sitcom benchmarks, including a fun neighbor (the mind-sapped Sean), a great theme song, and a bunch of A+ celebrity cameos.

22. The Office (U.S.)

Following the success of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s brilliant U.K. series of the same name, Greg Daniels’ adaptation of The Office took the mockumentary style of its predecessor – along with some of the more amusing traits and dynamics of its characters – and set out to tell new stories with office workers in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Whether it’s the hilarious standout ensemble of characters (led for most seasons by Steve Carell’s cringe-perfecting boss Michael Scott), the way it embraces the mundanity of office life, or how it follows years of these workers’ lives over years while squeezing every drop of humor along the way, The Office continues to be funny, relatable and — for many of us — a comfortable place to return to in the years since its fantastic 9-season run ended. Not to mention the timeless romances of Pam and Jim, Dwight and Angela, Phyllis and Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.

21. South Park

With more than 25 seasons and a growing number of one-off specials, South Park reigns supreme as a long-running pillar of TV satire. A look at the 20 best episodes from the series is an easy way to effectively understand just how relevant this series has been on so many levels, evolving from a Kenny-killing, catchphrase machine to a show with a lot more to say than T-shirt fodder.

What other TV series, much less animated comedy, has taken on major religious institutions, accused killers, wild dieting trends, controversial music superstars and world politics throughout its run? If others exist, they probably didn’t do it as well as South Park does, and there’s still no end in sight to the Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s pop culture phenomenon, even if the duo have understandably been less prolific animators in later years.

20. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

From some of the best TV cold opens – “I Want It That Way” sung by suspects, I mean, come on, it’s genius – to ongoing gags ike the annual heist, and “title of your sex tape” that make you laugh so hard your side hurts, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a wild sitcom that is surprising in the best ways and absolutely irresistible as comfort comedy.

Led by Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews and Joe Lo Truglio, this team of detectives quite literally never gets old, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine only got better in time as everyone grew comfortable in their roles and leaned into the silliness of their surroundings. Especially the all-time terrible cop duo of Hitchcock and Scully.

All around, what Dan Goor and Michael Schur created was so special, and as Jake Peralta would say “cool, cool, cool.”

19. Newhart

Bob Newhart struck TV gold a second time (not counting his stand-up appearances) with the endlessly cozy treasure Newhart, which centered on the comings and goings within the Stratford Inn in small-town Vermont. You know, the kind of small town where a man named Larry can have one brother named Darryl, and then also another brother named Darryl. It’s there where the star comedian and Mary Frann’s Dick and Joanna Loudon take over after a move from New York City, but their big-city know-how can’t quite compete with the quirkiness of their fellow residents.

Nothing ever gets old when it comes to watching the core cast — including Tom Poston, Julia Duffy and Peter Scolar — and the revolving door of recurring actors and guest stars bounce their energies off of Bob Newhart’s. And we’d be remiss not to give Newhart its flowers for shattering TV reality with its truly iconic finale twist.

18. All in the Family

All in the Family is arguably one of the most important TV series ever made, sitcom or otherwise, and shows don’t get the chance to change television if you’re not also good enough to stay on it in the first place. Not only was All in the Family successful enough to span eight seasons, but it also spawned five spinoffs. Despite the fact that the show’s primary character Archie Bunker was specifically designed to be the most bigoted person you know, it somehow all works so incredibly well. You love him even while you hate him, which is a testament to the abilities of creator Norman Lear and star Carroll O’Connor.

Dealing with, and poking fun at, topics that had been seen as taboo to even address previously, All in the Family courted its share of controversy and certainly ruffled some feathers. But that’s just further proof that it left an indelible and influential mark upon audiences everywhere.

17. Frasier

For a TV spinoff to be anywhere near as popular as its parent show is a huge accomplishment, and NBC’s Frasier pulled off just such a transition following Cheers’ conclusion. To be sure, it was plainly great to see Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane taking center stage after all those stool-sat years as an ensemble character. However, it’s unlikely the sitcom would have been nearly as successful without the supporting cast of David Hyde Pierce’s Niles, Jane Leeves’ Daphne, Peri Gilpin’s Roz and John Mahoney’s Martin.

These five characters’ unique personalities and the dynamics they share with one another make them one of the best sitcom casts of all time, and we’ll throw Eddie a bone there as well. Let’s not gloss over the intelligent writing Frasier consistently delivered, which was part of the show’s 37 Emmy wins over its eleven years on the air. Its continued popularity even sparked the Parmaount+ revival of the same name.

16. Taxi

Speaking to Taxi’s greatness takes little beyond listing the murderer’s row of talent yukking it up for five seasons at the Sunshine Cab Company: Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Andy Kaufman, Tony Danza, Jeff Conaway, Christopher Lloyd, and Carol Kane. Theoretically, these actors could have struck gold with any TV narrative, but the New York setting provided the comedically ideal edge and neuroses that earned the show 18 Emmys and millions of fans. (Not that Kaufman’s Latka Gravas was a local.) Not to mention the quartet of sitcom royalty in creators James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, David Davis, and Ed Weinberger.

Despite such over-the-top personalities, Taxi excels at grounded and heartfelt storytelling as much as broader humor, never shying away from the characters’ relatable struggles or the hot-button issues of the time. Extra points for its appearances from future Cheers stars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman and George Wendt.

15. The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls is excellent enough to convince audiences that spending your twilight years in a shared living space with your mother and two roommates is a blueprint for endless laughs, when that might not match up with reality. It’s a credit to the stellar cast comprising Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty. Queens, one and all. Amidst all the drama, the endless insults thrown around, and the cheesecake, the foursome’s friendship really shines through in this show.

It’s indeed that friendship that causes the gals to get into some absolutely wild adventures. Who can forget the time Rose nearly ended the Cold War with the Soviets with a letter? Not every narrative goes quite so big as that, even if Blanche plays up her romances as such, but it’s always a helluva fun ride.

14. Curb Your Enthusiasm

After Seinfeld concluded its historic run in the late ‘90s, series co-creator Larry David could have ridden off into the sunset atop a horse made from residual checks. Instead, the stickler for human behavior not only created true sitcom brilliance, but also broke new ground for HBO and self-deprecating celeb cameos.

Curb Your Enthusiasm — far more than a pretty, pretty, pretty good show — never failed to inspire laughs and shocks in equal order, following David’s over-the-top fictionalized version of himself (think George Costanza on shame-eliminating steroids), facing so many provocatively awkward situations with a vast array of friends, colleagues, contemporaries, and eventual enemies. (R.I.P. Richard Lewis and Bob Einstein.) The largely improvised show found new ways to be both relevant and funny across 24 years and 12 seasons, a task that’s easier said (and avoided) than done. And it also delivered an all-timer of a finale, poking fun at Seinfeld’s polarizing conclusion.

13. The Larry Sanders Show

As host of the fictional late night talk show The Larry Sanders Show, Garry Shandling implores his audience to stay tuned, ordering them, “No flipping!” It was an easy command to obey when it came to HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show, still one of the bravest, funniest, and most insightful programs that happily sinks its teeth into the Hollywood hand that feeds.

Larry is just an exaggerated caricature of Garry Shandling, who let all of his own neurosis and anxieties fly out of the mouth of his insecure comedic television personality who desperately wanted to be liked by his chosen industry. And the show got a lot of mileage out of real-life celebrities appearing and poking fun at their public personas. (David Duchovny for the win.) But it’s the supporting cast – led by the late Rip Torn and the wonderful Jeffrey Tambor – that elevates Larry Sanders to legendary status. There’ll never be another as biting and satirical as this.

12. Spaced

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s long history with director Edgar Wright includes the so-called Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End). Before that, though, they rocked the sitcom landscape with the UK gem Spaced. A relatable premise is vital to a good sitcom, and it was so easy to fall in love with pro slacker Tim (Pegg) and the uber-dramatic Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) while shrewdly securing their affordable apartment under the watchful eye of Julia Deaken’s landlady Marsha.

In addition to watching Tim and Daisy maintain their ruse of being a “professional couple” while figuring out the whole adulting thing, Spaced — one of Simon Pegg’s best projects — packed in endless horror movie references, video game easter eggs, and more pop culture love. (The pantomime gun fight is everything.) It also featured a supporting cast of hilariously exaggerated characters that will NOT have you wanting to “skip to the end.”

11. The Good Place

Sitcoms are, by design, often stagnant, with the same characters facing similar situations week after week. If the jokes land, everything works, but if not, well… Then along came The Good Place to throw those preconceptions out the window. If creator Michael Schur had just repeated Season 1’s twisty premise for five seasons, it would have still been good, but The Good Place achieved true greatness with its storytelling.

Fronted by Kristen Bell and Ted Danson in top-tier fashion, The Good Place takes massive risks with its afterlife-set narrative, changing elements from one season to the next. The house of (God) cards would have tumbled down had it not all worked as infallibly as the big man himself, but it never even wavered. Indeed, The Good Place is simply forking unbelievable from beginning to end, buttressed by fully realized characters portrayed by co-leads William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, and D’Arcy Carden. Stream the show for everyone now, Janet. Janet..?

10. Fawlty Towers

As part of Monty Python’s sextet of comedy masterminds, John Cleese had already conquered the world of sketch comedy and film, so the next obvious move was to craft a largely perfect sitcom with then-wife Connie Booth, and Fawlty Towers was just such perfection across twelve increasingly fraught.

Set within the non-existing titular hotel in Torquay, Cleese’s Basil Fawlty suffers the existence of everyone around him, especially Prunella Scales’ Sybil, his oft-demanding wife, and the language issues of Andrew Sachs’ Manuel, the establishment’s Spanish waiter. Booth’s chambermaid Polly gets slightly less irritation for being regularly competent. A hotel owner who hates his clientele is in the high-concept echelon, and the series offered up an eternally memorable selection of frequent and one-time guests, as well as builders, inspectors and others whose actions bring Basil’s blood pressure to a proper boil.

Similar to other classic ‘70s and ‘80s sitcoms, Fawlty Towers has been both celebrated and derided for its politically incorrect humor. It's perhaps exemplified best by the series’ marquee episode “The Germans,” and is something Cleese intends to replicate with the revival series he’s creating with daughter Camilla.

9. Cheers

Locations can mean everything to a sitcom. Memorable shows are set in places to which we want to return, from Mel’s Diner to the Dunder Mifflin offices to, of course, the bar from Cheers – where everybody knows your name. Audiences became such regulars to the comfortable sitcom, we practically expected to hear our own names shouted out, a la Norm, when we turned the program on.

The familiarity and welcomeness of Cheers kept us tuning in, even as some of the cast rotated. We all invested heavily in the “will they or won’t they” relationship of barkeep Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and waitress Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), but stuck around when Diane was replaced by Rebecca (Kirstie Alley); and Southern simpleton Woody (Woody Harrelson) was embraced after first filling in for the departed Coach (Nicholas Colasanto). Not that anyone could ever replace Cliff Clavin.

Television hasn’t been the same since Cheers closed its doors, with Frasier going a completely different spinoff route, and I’m not sure another show can be set in a bar, and reach the high bar set by this program.

8. The Simpsons

I think there’s an argument to be made that The Simpsons should have a place on any top 100 list when it comes to describing the best television, regardless of what additional parameters there may be. Part of the allure of this series, as it heads toward 800 episodes, is that there’s not really anything it hasn’t done at this point. There’s a Simpsons episode for whatever mood readers are feeling that day, though it may take a bit of research to figure out which one that is. 

What I love most about The Simpsons is how the series has evolved with time and how the show has modernized the characters with the times while still retaining the core elements that audiences loved about them. Sure, seeing Homer Simpson send memes to Lisa on a smartphone can feel a bit jarring sometimes, but it’s also 100% on-brand for the patriarch and definitely less weird in the modern day to younger audiences compared to if he was still using a rotary phone. Plus, if you prefer the old stuff, it’s all available to stream on Disney+

7. I Love Lucy

For the majority of TV’s existence as an entertainment platform, sitcoms have been synonymous with Lucille Ball, who achieved icon status several times over during her run as Lucy Ricardo in I Love Lucy (and other incarnations and later series). The series remains a blueprint reference for sitcom-crafting, and was revolutionary at the time for not only its star, but for her real-life husband Desi Arnaz portraying her faux hubby Ricky, and more.

While I Love Lucy could occasionally pull an emotional heartstring or two, its strength was comedy, and Ball maximized that concept throughout its run. Lucy and Ricky are as loud and wild a TV couple as can be, especially opposite their slightly more subdued neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. From Lucy’s efforts to get into Ricky’s shows to her attempts to hock Vitameatavegamin to her and Ethel’s conveyor belt struggles, the show regularly produced unforgettable sequences.

I Love Lucy is also revolutionary for women in television, with Ball helping pave the way for so many other amazing female actresses to lead their own successful shows, even if struggles are still real on that front. No need for further ‘splanation: I Love Lucy is TV gold.

6. Schitt's Creek

Schitt’s Creek didn’t truly hit the mainstream until its final season, but when people found it, its popularity exploded and its legacy was cemented. Created by father-son duo Dan and Eugene Levy, the comedy centers on a rich family who loses all their money, with the titular town as their silver lining. Annie Murphy and Catherine O’Hara co-star alongside the Levys in this most hilarious fish out of water story.

Seeing these four totally out of their element within the less-than-chic town is an easy way in for viewers. But the hooks that keep people watching are Catherine O’Hara’s ridiculous fake accent, Dan Levy’s sassy one-liners, Annie Murphy’s over-the-top everything as Alexis, Eugene Levy’s brilliant straight-man reactions, and the heartfelt growth this family goes through as they learn to love each other and the town they now call home.

Since the show became a sensation, lines like “Ew David!” have entered the everyday lexicon, and impersonations of Moira and Alexis can be seen frequently on social media. Schitt’s Creek shined bright when it was on — remember the network Pop? — and since then it’s cemented itself as a permanent part of the zeitgeist.

5. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Rarely does a piece of pop culture offer up a character who constantly proves themself to be unendingly vile, self-consumed, aloof, destructive and terrible for society. But a combination of those words describes literally every single character who speaks in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Of course, the biggest and most hilarious offenders are the central Paddy’s Pub gang made up of possible serial killer Dennis (Glenn Howerton), his slightly less evil Bird…e… sister Dee, the sexually fluid approval-seeking Mac (Rob McElhenny), glue-eating connoisseur and janitor Charlie (Charlie Day) and the shockingly demented and depraved Frank (Danny DeVito).

No stone goes unturned when it comes to shocking viewers with how low these characters will go to achieve even the most meaningless iota of recognition or selfish pleasure. There’s racially charged (and socially questionable) takes on Lethal Weapon and The Wiz, exploiting all manner of substance and behavior addictions, satirical jabs at gun control, welfare, sexual assault, and much more. Its unsanitary hilarity is cherished among fans who have watched it live on longer than any other TV comedy in history, with no end in sight. (Except for Danny DeVito’s bare one, that is.)

4. King Of The Hill

Animation isn’t often a medium for classic sitcoms, but Mike Judge’s King of the Hill delivered on all fronts by settling audiences into the everyday life of the Hill family. Hank, Peggy, Bobby, and an assortment of other Arlen standouts kept viewers rolling and clamoring for more Southern-fried hilarity during its 13-season stretch. (And more is on the way thanks to Hulu’s revival.)

King of the Hill tackles issues while poking fun at them in ways that most viewers can probably relate to — from the stresses of the workplace to the terror of puberty to the awkwardness of family — adding a layer of realism to the two-dimensional characters’ world. To that end, Judge’s series is also atypical for adhering to realism throughout, as opposed to going off the cartoonish deep end for laughs (outside of dream sequences, that is).

Judge’s Hank and Kathy Najimy’s Peggy, along with Brittany Murphy’s Luanne and Pamela Adlon’s Bobby, provide a lot of the show’s heart and soul with their struggles and not-always-brilliant reactions to those struggles. But it always helps to have friends around like the hapless good’n Bill, the conspiracy-obsessed Dale and the mush-mouthed Boomhauer.

3. Seinfeld

It’s joked that Seinfeld is “a show about nothing,” and that’s a fair surface-only assessment. The NBC hit provides no lasting messages or morals, and it focuses the majority of its creative energy on eccentric minutiae of everyday life – be it waiting forever for a table at a restaurant or getting in disputes with cashiers over proper change. Characters don’t grow or change — save for temporary shrinkage and mustache-growing — and there’s no reach for deep themes. They’re not even nice people.

And yet, it’s utterly brilliant, timeless, and endlessly rewatchable.

Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine each have their own unique and hilarious personalities strengthened by the actors’ performances, which in turn drives hilarious stories that unlock the real magic of the show: the way everything intertwines. Kramer golfing on the beach is its own weird gag, but also perfectly sets up George being called into action to rescue a beached whale after previously lying about being a marine biologist. Just about every sitcom since the early 1990s has tried to capture some of the magic of the nine-season series, but there is only one Seinfeld. (A notion that Newman would applaud.)

2. Veep

Veep was the [censored] creation of Armando Iannucci, the mastermind known for The Thick of It and Alan Partridge’s various incarnations, and HBO’s political workplace comedy is dripping with just as much satire and [censored] as anything graced by his Midas touch before or after. It’s one of the fastest and foulest sitcoms to date, with a jokes-per-minute rate that rivals other rapid-paced greats like The Simpsons and Arrested Development, and a [censored]-per-minute rate that is second to none.

As it goes with the best of the best, Veep boasts and expansive ensemble of uppermost geniuses, as led by Emmy magnet Julie Louis-Dreyfus’ Vice President (and then some) Selina Meyer, whose struggles to remain a boss in Washington D.C. means absolute hell for the masses of aides, pundits, strategists, etc. in her orbit. That applies most to her body man and extra appendage Gary, played with aplomb by Tony Hale.

Every Veep co-star brings something perfect to the table, from Anna Chlumsky’s rage suppression as Amy to Matt Walsh’s common sense suppression as Mike; from Reid Scott’s smarm-oozing Dan to Timothy Simons’ arbitrary naysayer Jonah. And we’d just as easily watch spinoffs centered on Kevin Dunn’s Ben and Gary Cole’s Kent, as well as Sam Richardson’s go-getter Richard Splett.

1. BoJack Horseman

One of the best animated TV shows of all time, Netflix’s BoJack Horseman took the adult-toon formula and evolved it into six seasons of one of TV history’s most unique offerings that — at least in CinemaBlend’s perspective — is the sitcom GOAT. Will Arnett is perfect voicing the tragic title character, a past-his-prime ‘90s sitcom star and substance abuser, and he’s bolstered by a who’s who of talented actors portrayed well-written characters, including fan-favorites Diane Nguyen (Alison Brie) and Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins).

After establishing its sitcom formula in its earliest wordplay-embracing seasons, Bojack Horseman begins getting experimental with its format in phenomenal ways, such as with Season 3’s “Fish Out of Water,” a thought-provoking underwater story with no dialogue, or Season 5’s “Big Churro,” a full-length Bojack eulogy following a big character death.

There are certainly laughs to be had, for sure — big, hearty, consistent, gut-shredding, animalistic laughs throughout all six seasons — but don’t be surprised if you end up shedding a tear or suffering an existential crisis or two along the way as well. The show-within-a-show Horsin’ Around probably wouldn’t have made it onto this list, but BoJack Horseman itself is a Triple Crown winner of the highest order.

I don't know about you, but I love a good character arc. Whether it's someone bad turning good, someone good turning bad, or just a character growing up and maturing over time, a good character arc makes a TV show a million times better. 

Don't forget that a good character arc also makes fans favorites, and these characters certainly became major fan favorites after their well-deserved character arcs on their television shows. 

Alexis (Schitt's Creek)

The Schitt's Creek cast is incredibly talented in many ways, but everyone had a better character arc than Alexis. Starting as a pretty, spoiled girl who didn't have a clear direction in life, she seriously matures toward the end of the series and begins to figure out what she wants – through hilarious moments. However, it's still a great character arc. 

Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

It's well-known that Zuko has one of the most significant character arcs of all time, especially in television, but most definitely in Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

Starting as a banished prince, Zuko had to undergo serious self-reflection, punishment, and much more to realize his true destiny. In the end, he was willing to sacrifice his life for the Avatar and his friends rather than try and earn the honor of his father over and over again. 

Loki (Loki)

Loki is a curious character because he had character arcs in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Loki television show, but we'll talk specifically about the series. 

Throughout its two seasons, Loki changes immensely, from the villain he was at the end of the first Avengers film to someone who would lock himself away forever to ensure his friends survive in timelines and keep the universe intact. I mean, talk about a change. 

Walter White (Breaking Bad)

We could say that Walter White had one of the best character arcs ever on television. Breaking Bad was an incredible show for many reasons, but I think the Breaking Bad cast was one of the main things that made it fantastic, including that of Bryan Cranston as White. 

In the beginning, we can almost see White as a savior, desperate to do anything to help his family after his inevitable death from cancer. Still, over time, we see how he changes into this power-hungry fool, ostracizing himself from his life and the people he loves. 

John Silver (Black Sails)

Black Sails is one of the best pirate shows, and John Silver was one of the best characters. I mean, think about it – he started off with nothing, just working as a cook due to being captured and taking out another cook. Silver had a brilliant mind, and through the show, we see him turn into a great strategist behind Captain Flint. He was always able to find a way out of any issue, making him more interesting. 

Jamie Lannister (Game Of Thrones)

For years, I have considered Jaime Lannister one of the best character arcs on television. As part of the Game of Thrones cast, Jaime Lannister was as selfish as a Lannister could be when the series started and then began to change throughout the following seasons, fighting for what was right, denying his sister, and so much more. Let's ignore what happened in Season 8 of the show. He was still a great character – just not his sad death. 

Octavia (The 100)

Good god, I remember when I first watched Octavia, a character a part of The 100 cast, I could not stand her. She was bratty, selfish, and straight-up annoying. 

But it wasn't long before she began to mature, and sooner or later, she learned how to fight, lead, and kill, which is needed in this world. What makes her even better is that she's a flawed character at best—she has moments of morally grey instances that really make you either root for her or hate her—which is why she's a fan-favorite. 

Jimmy McGill (Better Call Saul)

Oh, Jimmy McGill. Better Call Saul was a spinoff of Breaking Bad and told the story of Jimmy McGill or Saul Goodman. He started as someone genuinely trying to make it as a lawyer, but as the seasons go on, we see him sink more into criminal activity to get ahead since no one would give him a chance, thanks to his past. It's a slow, depressing character arc, but it's still fantastic either way.

Roy Kent (Ted Lasso)

He's here, he's there, he's every-well, you know the chant. 

Roy Kent of Ted Lasso began the series as a crude, mean, and old (in the eyes of sports) man, bitter about his past and despising Lasso coming in as their coach. But through the help of his close friends, significant others, and more, we see how much of a heart he has. He starts to show his true colors, and sooner or later, we see him even making friends with Jamie Tartt.  

Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Out of everyone on The Walking Dead, I think Daryl Dixon's character arc is among the most intriguing and fun to witness. When we first meet Daryl, he's super selfish and only cares about himself and his brother, but by the end of the series, he has a family, a life, and so much more that he's willing to die for. He was so beloved that there was a phrase called, "If Daryl Dies, We Riot." I would know, I had a shirt that said it.

Diane Nguyen (BoJack Horseman)

BoJack Horseman focuses on so many traumatized characters, but one of the best they really did a good character on is Diane Nguyen. She starts off as BoJack's ghost-writer, and while she's a bit passive at first, we start to see her grow into herself as time passes, confronting her past and future and even dealing with her own mental issues. 

Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)

I'm pretty sure everyone during the first season of Stranger Things was not the biggest fan of Steve, played by the excellent Joe Keery. But of course, we all ended up loving Steve Harrington because he learned to care for others and also became the best babysitter ever for the kids we loved. 

Nick (New Girl)

I could do any of the boys from the apartment, but Nick began New Girl as the type of guy I don't think any girl would want. He was immature and didn't have any direction in life. But towards the end of the series, even if he was still silly, he committed to fixing his life, growing stronger bonds with others, and opening up about his feelings instead of keeping it all closed inside. You have to love him. 

Carol (The Walking Dead)

Carol's timeline on The Walking Dead is something special. Her character arc makes me smile every time I think about it. Carol began the show as an abused wife of a beating husband, but once he's gone, she begins to get stronger every season, becoming a kick-butt zombie slayer and doing anything to protect the ones she loves. 

Starlight (The Boys)

Starlight from The Boys is the epitome of the phrase "never meet your heroes," literally in the sense of this show. She joins The Seven with bright ideas and discovers that it's not all it's cracked up to be. Over the course of three seasons so far, she's truly stood out and tried to make change—even going as far as breaking the law to do so. 

Jamie Tartt (Ted Lasso)

Jamie Tartt from Ted Lasso was so immature and selfish when we first met him, but he gets his time to shine in Seasons 2 and 3, where we start to see him change. He begins to grow and understand his role as a leader, making amends with old rivals and past relationships and building new bonds. 

Lexa (The 100)

While Lexa wasn't in the series for nearly as long as she should have been, she was an impactful character in The 100. Lexa's character arc, from being Clarke's enemy to doing a full 180 and becoming her lover before her tragic demise, will haunt every The 100 fan. This reminds us of all the great 'enemies to lovers' movies. 

Negan (The Walking Dead)

Negan was one of the best characters on TV when he appeared on The Walking Dead. His character arc not only made him stand out but also made him an easy fan favorite. Clearly one of the franchise's antagonists from the very beginning, Negan ended up finding his morally grey middle line and helping his once-enemies while also learning to find people to truly love and care about. 

Ahsoka (The Star Wars Franchise)

Ahsoka was one of the most hated characters in the Star Wars franchise when she first debuted because many thought her immature. Years later, through the Clone Wars and the Disney+ Star Wars shows, she matured into a Jedi master, was calm and collected, and was one of the most versatile warriors out there.

The Big Three (This Is Us)

As someone who loves the This is Us cast, the Big Three certainly had some of the best character arcs. These three go through so many heartbreaking hardships and moments throughout the franchise that it's a miracle they turn out fine by the end. 

But they didn't just end up surviving – they faced some of their worst moments, from drug addiction to racism to body issues to so much more, and came out on top. That's a character to root for – well, three characters in this case. 

Lydia (Teen Wolf)

There are plenty of great supernatural teen dramas with superb casts, but Lydia from Teen Wolf certainly has the best character arc. She starts as a popular girl who only cares about herself embraces her powers, and helps her friends down the line with whatever they need, even risking her life on multiple occasions. 

Arabelle (I May Destroy You)

I May Destroy You is a miniseries, but Arabelle's character arc is top-tier. Through nine episodes, we see Arabelle face one of her darkest and loneliest moments as she tries to figure out who sexually assaulted her one night, and she must face her grief, trauma, and so much more to find inner peace towards the end. 

Eren Yeager (Attack On Titan)

There are plenty of character arcs in anime, but the one I have to do is Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. He started off this anime as a brat who only wanted to kill Titans and would do anything to achieve it, but towards the end, he wound up becoming one of the most complex anime characters out there, with deep, hidden intentions and feelings that we could barely comprehend. 

Eleanor Shellstrop (The Good Place)

Out of the many characters in The Good Place, I have to give the character arc award to Eleanor. Her whole journey in the afterlife literally begins with a lie and being super selfish, but towards the end, she is filled with wisdom and selflessness and is willing to fight for what is right. It's a beautiful story. 

Bubbles (The Wire)

Surprisingly, The Wire is a show that has never won Best Drama at the Emmys, but it should have these character arcs, and I have to give it to Bubbles. One of the show's many characters, Bubbles' road to recovery, made you want to root for him from the very beginning and support him no matter what. 

Sokka (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Sokka was probably one of the most misogynistic characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender. At first, he believed that women could not fight, but towards the end of the series, he becomes a valuable leader, leading both men and women and becoming the man he was always meant to be. 

Sansa Stark (Game Of Thrones)

I know for a fact that many people did not like Sansa in the first few seasons of Game of Thrones, but she had some serious character growth that turned her into a fan favorite. From spoiled brat to Queen of the North, Sansa's maturity shines through. 

Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Starting as a villain in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spike was initially super unlikable. Over time, as he realized there was more than watching everything that went against him fall, he eventually worked with Buffy and became a trustful person.

Rebecca (Ted Lasso)

Rebecca's entire journey began with her as a villain in Ted Lasso, where she specifically hired Ted for the team to do poorly so it would shut down for revenge towards her ex-husband. But she is changed through Ted's kindness; towards the end, we miss her as much as we miss Ted. 

Peggy Olsen (Mad Men)

Peggy Olsen was a boss, and she wanted you to know. Mad Men was an AMC show that followed advertising executives in NYC, and Peggy was a character who worked her way up in power, beginning as a secretary unaware of the world she was entering and becoming an absolute leader despite her being a woman in the workplace in the 1960s. 

Theon Greyjoy (Game Of Thrones)

While Game of Thrones’ last season had issues, Theon Greyjoy's character was not one of them. Starting off as selfish and a betrayer who would do anything for power, Theon devotes his life to the Starks' cause in fighting against the Night King and dies in Season 8 defending Bran—but he dies a hero. 

April (Parks And Recreation)

April from the Parks and Recreation cast really started off as a slacker, but over the course of the series, through the help of her friends, relationships, and more, we start to become a heck of a lot more trusting—and still keeping that same deadpan humor that fans love. 

Which one of these classic fan-favorite character arcs is your favorite? This makes me want to rewatch all these shows again, just for fun. 

A good plot twist can send shivers down your spine and give you a nice hit of dopamine as it changes everything you thought about a movie or TV show. Here is our list of some of favorite mind-blowing plot twists that shook us to our core. 

WARNING: MAJOR Spoilers ahead!! 

Vader Is Luke’s Dad - Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Darth Vader telling Luke that he is Luke’s father is maybe the #1 most mind-blowing plot twist in film history. It seems quaint to many of us now because it’s always been a part of our lives, but think back to what it was like when you first saw the revelation. It was crazy, no one saw it coming. The Empire Strikes Back had a few surprises, including the bad guy winning in the end, but this moment tops them all. 

The First Flashforward - Lost

The final two episodes of Season 3 of Lost were intense, and when they got to the end, audiences were treated to one of the most “what the!” moments in TV history when they realized what they thought was one of Jack’s flashbacks was actually a flashforward when he tells Kate they “have to go back” to the island. It changed the show forever and it's hands down the best episode of Lost.

It Was Earth All Along - Planet Of The Apes

The original Planet of the Apes from 1968 started with Charlton Heston’s character, George Taylor awakening from hibernation after a long space journey when he and his fellow astronauts crashed into an unknown planet. Apes of different kinds rule the planet and humans are treated more or less like animals. The shock comes in the last show when Taylor discovers he traveled through time, not space, and awoke on Earth many years in the future. 

Off With The Main Character’s Head - Game of Thrones

For fans of Game of Thrones, the penultimate episode of Season 1 proved anything in the show was possible and it would be smart not to get too attached to any one character. In the episode, the hero of the story, Ned Stark (Sean Bean) is executed and nothing would be the same for the rest of the show’s epic run. 

The Greatest Trick The Devil Ever Pulled - The Usual Suspects

It’s true that some viewers latched on to the idea that Verbal Kint (Keven Spacey) is an unreliable narrator, but very few anticipated the twist at the end revealing Verbal to be the mysterious Keyser Soze. Just when everyone puts it together, poof…he’s gone. Brilliant. 

He’s Been Dead This Whole TIme - The Sixth Sense

Director M. Night Shyamalan has made an entire career out of twists and turns and last-minute revelations. It’s a formula that goes way back in his filmography, most notably with the film that established him as a big-time director, The Sixth Sense. The twist, of course, is learning Bruce Willis’ character, Malcolm Crowe, is one of the dead people who Cole (Haley Joel Osment) sees. 

The Unexpected Mole - 24

Nina (Sarah Clarke) was a fan favorite in the first season of 24. She helped Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) get out of a lot of tight spots as his eyes and ears at CSU’s headquarters. A fan favorite, that is, until it turns out she’s been a mole along. It only gets worse when she kills Teri Bauer, Jack’s wife. Nina goes from a hero to a villain in a matter of minutes. 

She’s Safe! - Gone Girl

Gone Girl smartly hides its first twist, that Amy (Rosamund Pike) was not kidnapped or killed, but set the whole thing up herself. That’s not the only turn the movie takes though. Later, Amy also framed Desi (Neil Patrick Harris) for her kidnapping, clearing Nick of suspicion. The twists don’t end there, either. As Nick prepared to expose Amy’s crime, she told him she was pregnant with their first child. Nick changes his mind, keeping Amy’s secret, and staying in their marriage. It’s dark, but it’s a heck of a ride. 

Surprise, They Are Triplets - This Is Us

The pilot episode of This Is Us sets up its twist brilliantly with an interstitial explaining how many people are born on the same day, right before meeting Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) when Rebecca goes into labor with triplets on Jack’s birthday in 1980. In the present day, audiences meet Randall (Sterling K. Brown), Kate (Chrissy Metz), and Kevin (Justin Hartley), but it’s not until the final scene of the episode that it all comes together that Rebecca lost one of the triplets, but she and Jack adopted Randall the same day after he was abandoned at a fire station. 

Rosebud - Citizen Kane

One of the most famous twists in cinema history is also one of the earliest. In 1941, Citizen Kane tricked audiences into wondering for the entire movie what Charles Foster Kane’s (Orson Welles) final word, “Rosebud,” meant. At the end of the movie, they learn it was a beloved sled from his innocent youth, things he had lost a long time ago. 

Bernard Is A Host - Westworld

Jeffery Wright’s performance as Bernard in Westworld was one of the brightest spots on an uneven show. Audiences loved him and when it turned out he was a “host”, it was mindblowing for many. As is the nature of shows like Westworld plenty of people “called it” in online discussions, and there were clues to Bernard’s true nature, but for the rest of us, it was a real “wow” moment. 

Who Exactly Is Norman Bates? - Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho created a template for modern horror movies that directors are still following today, to great success. One of the most influential moments in the movie is the reveal at the end just who is Norman Bates’ (Anthony Perkins) mother. Before the end, we just see glimpses of her in windows, and comments by Norman. It’s not until the final scenes that we learn she’s been dead for years and Norman has been dressing like her, or even becoming her? 

Agatha All Along - WandaVision

Another TV show that drops plenty of hints for the big twist is Marvel’s WandaVision. As audiences were left wondering who was behind all the weird things happening in Westview. It turns out, it was Wanda’s neighbor Agnes – or Agnes (Kathryn Hahn) all along. It’s one of the most fun reveals on this list as well. 

The Wizard Is A Conman - ​​The Wizard Of Oz

When Dorothy (Judy Garland) finds herself transported to Oz in The Wizard Of Oz, the only way home, as she understands it, is to visit the Wizard, who can help. Along the way, she meets some friends who all need something from the power Wizard. Of course, when they arrive in the Emerald City, they learn the truth, the Wizard is just a conman. What a nightmare! 

The Bad Place - The Good Place

The reveal at the end of Season 1 of The Good Place is just a lot of fun. It’s not so much of a “holy cow” moment as it is an “I love it! moment. Instead of being in the “good” place, aka Heaven, it turns out Eleanor (Kristen Bell) is in the other place, the “bad” place. 

The Big Reveal - The Crying Game

The Crying Game is an emotional movie that takes place during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, but it’s the reveal that Dil (Jaye Davidson) is transgender. Davidson, who retired after only acting in two movies, won all kinds of awards for the role that shocked audiences everywhere, but in retrospect, opened up a new, better, more honest understanding of transgender people. 

Sharon Lives - Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

It’s pure Quentin Tarantino to reveal a twist that not only changes the movie, but history itself. He did in Inglourious Basterds with the death of Hitler and he does it again, perhaps to better effect, in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Instead of Charlie Manson and his crazy followers killing Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), Dalton, and Booth unwittingly save her by distracting the family. 

Waking Up In A Different Show - Newhart

Newhart in the ‘80s was Bob Newhart’s second sitcom that hit big, after The Bob Newhart Show in the ‘70s. Although neither show was connected at all, with Newhart playing completely different characters, in a different place, they both came together in the final episode when Bob Newhart awakens in bed, on his old show, revealing the second show was all just a dream of his first character. People talked about it for weeks. 

John Doe’s Plan Is Revealed - Se7en

Se7en is a movie that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Kevin Spacey’s performance as the serial killer John Doe is perfect, and it all comes together in the end when he finally reveals his grand plan. Audiences never expected David’s (Brad Pitt) wife, Tracy (Gwenyth Paltrow) to be as involved as she was and what a tragedy it is, setting in motion the end of Doe’s plan, to make David “wrath” and himself as “envy.”

The Whole Family Is In On It - Get Out

Jordan Peele got everyone talking about his directorial debut Get Out when it was revealed to the audience that not only were Rose’s (Allison Williams) parents performing twisted experiments on African-Americans, but Rose herself was involved, tricking her boyfriend Chis (Daniel Kaluuya) into going home with her to be a victim. Always question things when they seem off.

Helly’s Outie Is An Insider - Severance

One of the most talked about shows of 2022 was Apple TV+’s Severance. Questions abound throughout the first season, but what makes the twist so good is that it’s a huge reveal, that viewers didn’t even know they needed to know. Helly’s (Britt Lower) “outie” is in fact part of the family that is responsible for the twisted company’s project in the basement. 

The Narrator Is Tyler Durden - Fight Club

David Fincher is a master of late reveals and his movie Fight Club, based on the book by Chuck Palahniuk, is no exception. Though the movie was a box office disappointment it’s since become a quintessential cult film. It’s a mindblowing moment when you put together that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is just an alter-ego of The Narrator (Edward Norton).

Dan Is Blogger - Gossip Girl

For six seasons, fans wondered who was behind the Gossip Girl blog in Gossip Girl. Finally, after years of speculation, it’s revealed that Dan (Penn Badgley) is actually the voice behind the screen, despite being voiced by Kristen Bell throughout the show. Of course, other characters filled the role of the Gossip Girl, but Dan was the man, it turned out. 

Leland Palmer Killed Laura - Twin Peaks

The central mystery of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks is the murder of Laura Palmer. For one and a half seasons, it’s all the fans talked about it. When it was finally revealed in Season 2 that it was Laura’s father, Leland who did the deed. David Lynch wasn't happy with Season 2, but audiences loved it. 

It’s All In The Title - The Game

The Game is not one of David Fincher’s most talked about movies, but it should be. It has a fantastic, mindblowing reveal at the end when Nicholas (Michael Douglas) learns that all the craziness that he’s been through is all part of an elaborate game set up by his brother (Sean Penn). The rush for the characters and fans of the movies is intense when we learn the truth together. 

It’s People - Soylent Green

Soylent Green is a movie that is almost exclusively known for its plot twist. In a dystopian future, people subsist on a food called Soylent Green. It’s a mysterious food that in the end, is revealed to be human. Soylent Green is people! It’s become part of pop culture, but it’s a movie few people have actually watched. 

Parasite

The South Korean drama Parasite took the world by storm upon its release and a big reason why is the fantastic twist. On its surface (literally) the movie is a comment on the class struggle in South Korea, but below, it's a wild story about a poor family literally living in the basement of a wealthy family's house. The reveal is truly mindblowing and what sets it apart from other films dealing with the struggle. 

Earth Isn’t All That - Battlestar Galactica

For the first three seasons of Battlestar Galactica, the last remaining humans searched for their home Earth while battling the Cylons along the way. In the final episode of the penultimate season, they finally arrive home, ending their journey. When a group from the Galactica travel down, however, they find the planet in ruins, and uninhabitable due to nuclear radiation from a war centuries earlier. It’s a devastating moment, but in the end, they do find a home. 

The Deed Was Done - Memento

Director Christopher Nolan’s Momento has a lot of twists and turns, given the nature of the film, as Leonard (Guy Pearce) searches for his wife’s killer and the structure of the film's forward and backward timeline. When Leonard finally puts the pieces together, he finds that he got vengeance a year early and had been manipulated by Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) to do dirty work for him. Teddy becomes Leonard’s next target. 

Irene Is Moriarty - Elementary

In Elementary, Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) has an ongoing battle with Jane Moriarty (Natalie Dormer) and often feels the pain of his lost love with Irene Adler. The twist is that Irene and Jane are, in fact, the same person. The relationship between them is very complicated and continues through the run of the show to present problems for Sherlock. 

Modern Times - The Village

M. Night Shyamalan's The Village has one of the better twists in the director’s filmography. The movie is set in 19th-century America, or so we think. The elders of the titular village do everything they can to keep the people in the village because only they know that it’s actually the 21st Century.

Jason’s Mom - Friday The 13th

In one of the all-time great plot twists in horror movie history, Jason Vorhees, the killer of summer campers is not actually Jason, but his mother. She is bent on murdering the campers to avenge her son’s death years earlier. 

Twists and turns and shocking moments are why we love great TV. There is nothing like a moment on your favorite show that sends a cold shiver up your spine and has you thinking about it for days, weeks, or even months after it happens. The moments that get everyone talking and sometimes change pop culture completely. This is our list of just some of our favorite times television shows left us speechless. 

Warning! Major Spoilers Below!

Omar's Last Moments - The Wire

Omar Little from The Wire is one of the greatest characters in TV history. For most of the show, Omar is the ultimate survivor in a dangerous game of life and death on the streets. Then suddenly, in the third-to-last episode of the series, he is gunned down in a convenience store by Kenard, a mere child. It's shocking and tragic for viewers who had come to love the troubled character. 

Matthew Crawley's Crash - Downton Abbey

The Season 3 finale of Downton Abbey pulls the rug out from under its fans in a hurry. It seems like the season will end on a happy note, with Lady Mary coming through a tough delivery of her first child and issues with the estate settled. That's when it happens, Matthew Crawley, out for a drive, comes head-on with a truck and is killed. It's sudden and shocking. 

Not Penny's Boat - Lost

Lost provided weekly twists and turns that the loyal fans of the show obsessed over for days. One moment that caused months of discussion came in the Season 3 finale when Charlie, on the verge of drowning, used his last moments to convey that the boat they thought belonged to Desmond's fiancee, was not, in fact, Penny's boat. 

Mrs. Landingham's Car Crash - The West Wing

The final episode of Season 3 of The West Wing, called "Two Cathedrals" is often cited as one of the show's best episodes. It's also one of its most tragic for something that actually happens off-screen, Mrs. Landingham's death in a car crash. Dolores Landingham was beloved by her fellow characters and fans of the show, and her death, as she drove her new car back to work, is probably the saddest moment in West Wing history. 

Ned Stark's Loses His Head - Game Of Thrones

We could populate this entire list with just shocking Game of Thrones moments and the first really "holy cow" moments came in the penultimate episode of Season 1 when the hero thus far of the story, Ned Stark, met his swift end on the order of King Joffrey. It was one of the most meaningful deaths of the series and showed viewers that no character was ever safe. 

Negan And His Baseball Bat - The Walking Dead

In the final episode of Season 6, The Walking Dead introduced its most terrifying villain of the whole series, Negan. To show just how terrible he was, the show provides possibly the most shocking moment of the series, when Negan takes his baseball bat to Abraham and Glenn's heads in one of the goriest moments in TV history. Audiences lost two of their favorite characters and gained a villain to despise. 

Helly's Outie - Severance

Throughout all of Season 1 of Severance, viewers are left pondering what exactly the purpose of the workers is. We also see the newest team member, Helly, fight and claw to get out, a rebel against the system. In the finale, we learn who Helly's "outie" is, and it's shocking, as she's the daughter of the company founder, but her "innie" is ready to take down the system. 

The Red Wedding - Game Of Thrones

The Red Wedding has been hailed as one of the most shocking moments in all of TV history. Coming in the penultimate episode of Season 3, Walder Frey's betrayal of the Starks led to the terrible deaths of Robb Stark, his wife Talisa, and his mother Catelyn. It truly shook the entertainment world.  

Dr. McDreamy's Car Crash - Grey's Anatomy

Dr. Derek Shepherd's death at the end of Season 11 of Grey's Anatomy was a brutal, stunning moment that broke millions of fans' hearts. While on the surface it seemed like a heartless way to end a show favorite's run on the show, for showrunner Shonda Rhimes, it made more sense than discarding all that was wonderful about Shepherd's relationship with Meredith. 

Walter Watching Jane - Breaking Bad

One of the most brutal scenes in the brutal show that was Breaking Bad was Walter coldly watching Jesse's girlfriend take her last breath without lifting a finger to help. He needed her out of the picture, but it was a glimpse into how far gone Walter was at that point. 

Who Shot Mr. Burns? - The Simpsons

Season Six of The Simpsons ended with one of the all-time great cliffhangers after most of Springfield was angry with Mr. Burns for one reason or another and he winds up shot. Was it Homer? Mr. Smithers? Tito Puente? No, it was none of those, when it was revealed in the Season 7 premiere that it was... Maggie? Eh, best not to think about it too much. 

"We Have To Go Back" - Lost

It was five words that sent shivers up the backs of fans in the Season 3 finale of Lost. For almost three seasons, fans were used to the flashback element of the show, and in that finale, it seemed like a regular Jack flashback. That is until Kate appears and Jack implores her to go "back" to the island with him, revealing that we'd all been watching a flashforward. 

Nina's The Mole - 24

Fox's 24 took the world by storm in its first season with its white-knuckle action and near-constant cliffhangers. One reliable part of the team was Nina Myers, Jack Bauer's righthand woman at CTU. That is until it's revealed that she'd been a mole all along and was working with the enemy, which Jack learned when he found that Nina had killed his wife. 

Tony And Ralph - The Sopranos

For much of its run, The Sopranos relied on twists and shock-endings less than other shows of the time. That doesn't mean the show didn't have them. One prominent example was when Tony Soprano suddenly attacked Ralph Cifaretto, offing him a brutal fit of rage over a number of Ralph's past deeds. 

Rosiland Shays' Elevator Fall - LA Law

Going way back to the 1980s, when shocking twists were few and far between, one of the most surprising moments on TV was the death of Rosiland Shays' on LA Law. Shays was a polarizing character, but she walked into an empty elevator shaft in Season 5 and fell to her death, it shocked everyone. 

Zoe In The Subway - House Of Cards

Zoe Barnes was a key character in the first two seasons of House Of Cards. The reporter was both an antagonist and a friend of Frank Underwood. In what seemed like a relatively benign moment as Zoe waited for a subway, she was suddenly pushed by Frank in front of an oncoming train.

Poussey Gets Suffocated - Orange Is The New Black

On Orange Is The New Black, Poussey was a fan favorite. She was thoughtful and caring, so when she was killed by a guard during a protest, it shocked and saddened everyone watching. One of the hardest moments in the show. 

The Purple Wedding - Game Of Thrones

King Joffrey Baratheon was one of the greatest villains on Game of Thrones and in TV history. By the time Season 4 rolled around, fans had had enough of the evil brat. That's why his death in Episode 2 of Season 4 was both shocking and satisfying. 

Dylan's Father's Car - Beverly Hills, 90210

Most of the twists and turns on Beverly Hills, 90210 were about teenage love triangles or midterms. Very rarely did the show ever tackle more serious issues, but when it did it usually involved Dylan. Like when Dylan's father was blown up in his car as Dylan watched. Intense. 

Bernard The Host - Westworld

Westworld was never shy about shocking fans, and although the signs were there, and fan theories abounded over Bernard's real place in the robot theme park when it was revealed he himself was a host, it still came as a huge surprise to many. Not as shocking as some on this list, but one heck of a twist. 

The Sopranos Blink To Black - The Sopranos

It's one of the most hotly debated moments in television history. The final scene of The Sopranos. While Journey plays on the jukebox, the tension builds if for no other reason than audiences knew something had to happen as the show wrapped up. Then it happens – or doesn't happen – when the scene suddenly goes black, the music stops, and the credits roll. Did Tony die? It doesn't matter, the discussion is what matters. 

The Plane Crash - MASH

In a lot of ways, MASH changed television, and one thing they were pioneers of was having a beloved character suddenly die. Such was the case in the finale episode of Season 3 when Colonel Blake gets discharged from the army and is headed home, only to suddenly die in a plane crash off camera. Famously, the cast was not told of this detail until the scene was shot and in many ways, their reactions were the same as the audience's, shock and sadness. 

John Locke's Wheelchair - Lost

Lost really set up early that it would be full of big reveals and one of the biggest in the first season was discovering John Locke was in a wheelchair in his flashbacks. It comes in the fourth episode of the series after Locke has been well-established as one of the most capable survivors on The Island and it was mind-blowing. Just what was going on, on this island?

Laura Palmer's Father - Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks wrote the book on spooky murder mysteries and set a new standard for appointment TV back in the 1990s. For most of the short series, the one question everyone needed to know, of course, was who killed Laura Palmer? We finally got our answer in Season 2 when we found out it was Leland Palmer, Laura's father. Had there been an internet in 1991, the revelation would've broken it.

Stringer Bell's Last Stand - The Wire

Stringer Bell is one of the most consequential characters in the early seasons of The Wire and while his growing tension with his partner Avon Barksdale showed no signs of abating, you got the feeling that Stringer was going to win the battle for control of the organization. That all suddenly and violently came to an end when Omar and Brother Mouzone team up to take Stringer out. 

Not The Good Place - The Good Place

Sitcoms aren't often noted for their dramatic plot twists, which is what makes the one at the end of Season 1 of The Good Place so great. Eleanor and her friends never felt like they belonged in the Good Place and in the finale, they learn it's because they are actually in the Bad Place.  

Bobby Ewing Reappearing - Dallas

Of course, Dallas is most famous for its "Who shot JR?" cliffhanger, the resolution of which led to one of the highest-rated TV episodes of all time. That wasn't the only big surprise to come from the show though. JR's brother, Bobby, died at the end of Season 8 and much of Season 9 is about his widow Pam dealing with it. Then, in the final scene of the season, Bobby suddenly reappears in the shower as if nothing had happened. It turns out, the whole season was a dream by Pam. Yeah, no one was really happy with that revelation. 

Brody Comes Back From The Edge - Homeland

For the entire phenomenal first season of Homeland, viewers are torn on whether to trust Brody is a good guy or believe Carrie that he's a bad guy. When it's revealed which side he stands on, one of the tensest scenes ever occurs when Brody almost goes through with his plot, but at the last second, decides not to. 

Janice And Richie - The Sopranos

Janice Soprano and Richie Aprile are an odd couple from the beginning and while it's not surprising that Janice would finally snap, it was still shocking when she did and shot Richie after a serious fight. 

Trinity Gets The Last Word - Dexter

Dexter on Dexter spends more time chasing the Trinity Killer than any other of his victims. When he finally catches the serial killer, it's supposed to be a win. Sadly for Dexter and Rita, Trinity has already killed Rita and it's a shocking reversal of emotions. 

For The Watch - Game Of Thrones

Even by Game of Thrones standards, the Night's Watch turning on Jon Snow and ambushing him was incredibly shocking. In the finale of Season 5, viewers were left to ponder if Jon Snow was actually dead. It was a long year of waiting for that answer for fans. 

Lawrence Shocks Everyone - House

It's rare for procedurals like House to have any really shocking moments, but towards the end of Season 5, provides one. Due to actor Kal Penn leaving the show to go work for the Obama administration of all things, his character Lawrence Kutner dies by his own hand off screen and leaves his co-workers, and fans of the show, devastated. 

There are, of course, many other examples, especially now, in the Golden Age of Television, but few can match the completely shocking moments on this list. 

Look, as someone who watches a lot of TV, there are a lot of television characters that I have come to love, whether it be from the Stranger Things cast, the Game of Thrones cast, or more. But today, we will talk about the characters that deserved (or deserve) way more screen time. 

That's right; we're talking about the side characters we all loved, the strange ones we never got answers to, or even those killed off too early – so obviously, significant spoilers for shows ahead. 

Twyla (Schitt's Creek)

Look, I'll be the first to say that the Schitt's Creek cast is exceptionally talented and features some of the best modern-day TV comedy, but how come no one ever talked about Twyla? She was one of the few people in the town who was genuinely kind to the Roses and would always be there for them no matter what. It's a shame we never got to know her more besides her strange family life. 

Creed Bratton (The Office)

The Office cast is full of strange characters that we may have met once and never seen again, but Creed Bratton is someone I would kill to see more of in the show. He was just so…weird, and the few moments we did get to see him in a more active role in the series, he would always make me laugh the hardest because of the most out-of-pocket things he would say – you can't get better than him.

Sunshine Corazon (Glee)

As someone who loved all the best Glee covers and truly does enjoy the Glee cast, one side character I wish got more screen time was Sunshine Corazon. We saw her a couple of times throughout the show's six seasons, and that is just a crime – with a voice like that? Rachel Berry can step to the side. 

Oberyn Martell (Game Of Thrones)

I know Pedro Pascal's best movies and TV shows have expanded dramatically since his time on Game of Thrones, and while he may be known as Din Djarin or Joel Miller now, he'll always be Oberyn Martell to me. And what's even more surprising is that he was only in the fourth season before he was killed off – a man of that swagger should have been around for way longer.  

Tuco Salamanca (Breaking Bad)

The Breaking Bad cast is incredibly talented, but can we talk about the fact that Tuco Salamanca should have been as big of a villain as Gus? If not more? He was such a prominent figure in Season 1, and then he was just killed off at the beginning of Season 2, and we barely heard about him again. Sure, we saw him a little bit in Better Call Saul, but in comparison to the original? No. I needed more.  

Nadia (New Girl)

While the New Girl cast is hilarious, and the story itself is one I can genuinely love watching again and again, we could have seen more of Cece's life outside of Jess' bubble – precisely her time as a model with her model friends like Nadia (Rebecca Reid), who arguably had the most hilarious date with Schmidt and said the strangest things. It could have been great to see her in more episodes. 

Shego (Kim Possible)

Oh, don't even get me started on Shego from Kim Possible. Yes, I know, she's the partner to the bad guy in the famous Disney Channel series, but it's Shego. She's a kick-butt villain with surprisingly great chemistry with Kim, and she looked good. I would have been fine having her just be the villain instead of Dr. Drakken. 

Euron Greyjoy (Game Of Thrones)

As someone who has read the Game of Thrones novels, Euron's portrayal in the show greatly bothers me. Surprisingly, he's one of the few characters in Game of Thrones who wasn't in the show as much as you would think, and yet, somehow, he left a bad taste in my mouth. I would have liked to see him in more episodes so we could better expand his story and make him the scary person he is supposed to be from the books. 

Ekko (Arcane)

As someone who is patiently waiting for Arcane Season 2, Ekko is a character I would die to see more of in the next part of the story. We only saw Ekko for a couple of episodes in Season 1, and for half of them, he was injured. I saw how much of a fighter he could become; we need more Ekko. I demand it. 

Lexa (The 100)

If you were a fan of The 100 in 2015, you knew how devastating this loss was. The 100 cast was talented and created a huge show, but Lexa was arguably one of the most popular characters. When she and the main character, Clarke, finally got together romantically, she was killed. I mean, come on. There could have been so many more episodes with her. I'm still upset.

Ellie Alves (You) 

Jenna Ortega played Ellie Alves in Season 2 of You, and she was such a great counterpart to Joe in the scenes she was in. She was spunky but also a good kid that Joe genuinely wanted to keep safe. Ortega's portrayal of her made her that much more enjoyable, and I wish we got to see more of her. 

Bo Thompson (Superstore)

Superstore feels like it goes under the radar for how hilarious it truly is, and while the Superstore cast is entirely made up of great characters, I would have loved to see Bo Thompson in more episodes. And what's better is that in the few episodes we got to see him, he grew up a lot, which I can appreciate. I would have loved to see more. 

Heath (The Walking Dead)

So, like, Heath just vanished in The Walking Dead. Angela Kang says that Heath was captured by Jadis and traded to Civic Republic Military, but it was so sudden that fans everywhere were left wondering what the point of his character even was. I would have liked to see more of him so that I could care more about him disappearing. 

Ty Lee (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

I love Ty Lee from Avatar: The Last Airbender and she's one character that I'm sure could have been expanded on more if she were given more episodes. Not only was she incredibly flexible and able to leap from building to building with her incredible acrobatic skills, she was sweet and kind. I would have loved to learn more about her background with her family aside from knowing she came from identical sisters—such a shame. 

Susan Bunch (Friends)

Yes, I know we all love the Friends cast, but let's talk about Susan Bunch for a second. Friends was released in the early 1990s, and to me, she was one of the first openly gay characters I saw on a primetime sitcom as a child – and in doing so, it made me feel a little more comfortable with my sexuality as I grew older. We barely got to see her, while we would see her wife, Carol (and Ross's former wife), way more. I would have loved to see her. 

Judge Gen (The Good Place)

I mean, it's Maya Rudolph – we always want to see more of Maya Rudolph because she is hilarious. Even so, Judge Gen from The Good Place was hilarious every time she appeared on screen, and I don't think anyone would complain if we saw her more throughout the show. 

Jean-Ralphio Saperstein (Parks And Recreation)

Yes, the Parks and Recreation cast is so funny it hurts, but tell me why we didn't see more of Jean-Ralphio Saperstein. He was hilarious and was portrayed by Ben Schwartz, who truly knocked this role out of the park. Saperstein was even in talks to get his own spinoff series – that's how you know he deserved way more episodes. 

Beth (The Walking Dead)

Watching Beth die in Season 5 of The Walking Dead broke a part of me that I don't think I'll ever get back. It was one of the most heartbreaking deaths of The Walking Dead, and I still believe that if she were given more episodes, she could have had some of the best character development of all time. It's such a shame. 

Lyanna Mormont (Game Of Thrones)

While I'm sure most of us all know Bella Ramsay from her role on The Last of Us on HBO now, I first knew her in Game of Thrones when she played Lyanna Mormont, the feisty Lady of Bear Island. Despite her lasting impact, the character only appeared in nine episodes – and we should have had way more. 

Edgar Evernever (Riverdale)

Riverdale had some of the strangest villains throughout its seven-season run. Edgar Evernever was one of the worst and weirdest, considering he was the leader of a cult that harvested organs from vulnerable people. And when he was caught, he decided to take off in his rocket before getting shot -- what? That's so out there. He's such a strange, charismatic character – and out of everyone, I would have liked to see him more. 

Mose Schrute (The Office)

The Office has so many strange characters that appear occasionally, but Mose Schrute is someone I needed to see more of, if not for the fact that he was related to Dwight. Like, if you're related to Dwight Schrute, you're going to be a weird person, and I would have probably laughed my butt off to see more of him.

Mai (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Mai was one of Azula's friends in Avatar: The Last Airbender and Zuko's on-again-off-again girlfriend, and while she certainly had her moody moments, I would have liked to see more of her. I wanted to understand why she became the way she is, her family's history, and how she ended up falling for Zuko – we got a little more in the comics, but it would have been nice to see it on screen. 

Coach (New Girl)

Yes, I know we all love Winston from New Girl and that Coach was supposed to be the original third roommate in that apartment, but Coach is so funny. We didn't see much of him in the show, and he would have made us all laugh so much if he had been given more episodes and storylines. 

Eve (Supernatural)

Eve was a supporting Supernatural character that could have been amazing if given the chance. The show started moving in a different direction, and Eve became one of the prominent antagonists, but she was killed so quickly in Season 6 that I could barely register it. I wanted to see so much more of her.

June (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

She was a bounty hunter in Avatar: The Last Airbender who rode an incredible beast that could scent anything. How the heck did she become that? When did she find this monster? We barely saw her in the show, and I would have loved to see more. She was so cool.

Jinx (Teen Titans)

As someone who did love Teen Titans when it first came out, there were so many side characters that I wish I saw way more of. Jinx was a minor villain that we didn't get to see much until Season 5, when her character is expanded on for one episode and then not talked about again for a while – her powers of bad luck could have been talked about way more, personally. 

Bill (The Last Of Us)

I know we all loved that Bill and Frank episode in The Last of Us, but as someone who also loved that episode and the game, I would have done anything to see Nick Offerman's Bill meet Ellie. It was such a significant moment in the game. I would have liked to see more episodes of him – but I suppose I'm happy with Bill getting a partially happy ending this time. 

Eddie Munson (Stranger Things)

The entire Stranger Things fandom agrees that Eddie Munson could have been in more show episodes. An all-star of Season 4 of the series, Munson was a fan-favorite with a lot going for him, and Joseph Quinn blew up in the spotlight afterward. It's a shame he's gone.

Margaery Tyrell (Game Of Thrones)

The Season 6 finale of Game of Thrones saw the end of Margaery Tyrell, and even if she were in the show from Season 2 on, I would have given anything to see her in more episodes, even beyond Season 6. She was one of the few people who truly was a foil to Cersei – and their interactions were everything. 

The Weirdos (Portlandia)

Portlandia was such a strange but funny show overall, and The Weirdos were arguably some of the best parts of it. Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein played them, and they were people dressed in goth attire that would do some hilarious things – which I could have seen a whole spinoff of if we're being honest. 

Georgina Sparks (Gossip Girl)

It seemed that whenever Georgina Sparks appeared in Gossip Girl, things turned upside down for every character on the popular CW show. And yet, Georgina wasn't in the show that much, and while her name lives on, I wish we could have seen more of her drama. I wanted all the craziness she could bring – not just the few episodes we got. 

Danny (Teen Wolf)

I will never forgive Teen Wolf for removing Danny in the show. Not only was he a popular character, but he had revealed in Season 3 that he knew about all the creatures at Beacon Hills. And then, in Season 4, he's just gone. Vanished. Poof. The showrunner says that Danny graduated early, but, like...what? A fan favorite just gone? Bothers me every time. 

So many great characters deserve more love and episodes, but these are just some of the few that come to mind. Now I need to re-watch Avatar: The Last Airbender again for all the characters I love. 

The Office is one of the best television comedies of its time, so when people want to binge it nonstop on streaming (via only Peacock subscription), I can't really pose an argument. With that being said, the series ended in 2013, so any time those who do binge it incessantly start to grow weary and need something new to watch, it's understandable. Fortunately, there are plenty of shows out there like The Office that are worth checking out, and many of them are available to stream now.

When Michael Scott's antics have become overwhelming - and they definitely can - dive into one of the following series that contain much of the same humor, character development, emotional arcs, and even cringe-worthy moments of The Office. 

Parks And Recreation

Those who watched The Office when it first aired on NBC are likely aware that Parks and Recreation is about as close to a spiritual spinoff as a comedy could get. The series follows a small town parks and recreation department in Indiana, and all the shenanigans that transpire from that. Those who binge it can watch Chris Pratt's ascent from sitcom supporting actor to A-list Hollywood star, and how the show couldn't film shirtless Andy scenes due to how jacked he later became. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to watch that aren't Pratt-related - Rob Lowe is lit-rally two of them - so check this one out. 

Watch Parks And Recreation on Peacock

Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary is one of TV's best comedies of the 2020s so far, and definitely feels like The Office given its mockumentary-style format. The trials and tribulations of the underfunded Willard R. Abbott Elementary present a lot of problems for its faculty, and give viewers plenty of reasons why we should appreciate teachers more. Quinta Brunson is a genius for what she brings to the show both as a star and executive producer, and with co-stars like Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James, it's hard not to find something to love about this show. 

Watch Abbott Elementary on Max
Watch Abbott Elementary On Hulu

Superstore

Superstore may not mimic The Office's faux-documentary approach, but the workplace hijinks that occur at Cloud 9 superstore rival anything that happened at Dunder Mifflin. America Ferrera and Ben Feldman make a great duo throughout this series, which thankfully boasts a fairly large episode count that will take some time to get through. Come for the shenanigans, and stay for the ongoing romance storyline that I was particularly obsessed with when I first watched. 

Watch Superstore on Peacock

What We Do In The Shadows

What We Do In The Shadows is not a workplace comedy, but it's bloody hilarious while emulating the mockumentary style to dig into a very different group of characters. Viewers will find themselves in stitches following the lives (or is it unlives?) of centuries-old vampires living in secret on Staten Island, with all the usual bloodsucking fun. There's a lot to love about this series, with Matt Barry's Laszlo arguably being the fan-favorite standout, and there's a cameo-filled episode that will delight any and all fans of vamp-heavy cinema.

Watch What We Do In The Shadows on Hulu

Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is an intriguing look into the world of tech, and while wildly satirical at times, the show's more off-the-wall moments do echo some the weirder headlines coming out of the real Silicon Valley. Fans of The Office will appreciate Zach Woods' unpredictable moments as Jared, who is about ten times weirder than Gabe ever was. This core cast is excellent, which is evidenced enough by what they're up to now, but the excellence also spreads to recurring talents and tech-world cameos.

Watch Silicon Valley on Max

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is kookier than The Office, but it has the workplace comedy format down pat. This isn't the average police series, and the sheer ridiculousness on display each episode may lead to questions about how this precinct ever gets anything done. With that said, I would put any of the best episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine up against the best of The Office and wager that anyone who loves comedy will think Andy Samberg efforts are just as cool-cool-cool, cool--cool-cool-cool.

Watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Peacock

The Good Place

It's hard to dig into what makes The Good Place "The Great Show" without spoiling a lot of the amazing twists and turns that happen with Kristen Bell and Ted Danson's otherworldy characters. Fans of The Office will like that this afterlife comedy was created by Michael Schur, a producer and writer for the Steve Carell hit. That, as well as some of the other projects The Good Place cast moved on to, should convince any skeptics that this is worth a watch. 

Watch The Good Place on Netflix

Upload

The U.S. Office's developer Greg Daniels worked on a number of projects after the hit series, and Upload has certainly been one of the stranger ones. This satire-driven comedy is set in a near-future where anyone with enough funds can "live forever" via digital afterlife. Robbie Amell stars as a computer programmer whose premature and mysterious death lands him in a fancy online haven, with all manner of broad comedy, romantic tension, buddy hijinks and shocking twists in abundance. 

Watch Upload on Prime Video

The Office (U.K.)

I can't just recommend every other show similar to The Office without recommending the original that started it all. Ricky Gervais paved the way for the successful American adaptation with his original cringefest, which leaned into the awkwardness of annoyingly frustrating bosses and their genial staffs. The series wasn't quite the runaway success overseas that its spinoff in the United States ended up being, but is an influential classic in its own right.

Watch The Office (U.K.) on Netflix

Space Force

When Netflix announced it locked down both Greg Daniels and Steve Carrell for a follow-up workplace comedy series, there was palpable excitement from many fans of The Office. The fact that it was based on the recently created Space Force was icing on the cake, though the ride didn't last long. Space Force only has two seasons, but is still a rocket's worth of laughs for anyone who loves Carrell.

Watch Space Force on Netflix

Jury Duty

Jury Duty quickly and justifiably became one of the most talked-about shows of 2023, gaining notoriety for scripting an entire trial for the purposes of putting the unassuming Ronald Gladden at the center of it all. Thinking the story was 100% real most of the way through, Gladden was a good sport when the ploy was finally revealed, but did confess to one instance that made him mad. Ultimately, this is one of the most offbeat shows on the list to check out for fans of The Office heightened sense of "reality."

Watch Jury Duty on Prime Video

Murderville

Will Arnett plays Detective Terry Seattle in a workplace series unlike any other comedy or police procedural out there. Each whodunnit episode of Murderville welcomes a guest star to portray Seattle's rookie partner, but while the rest of the cast is working from a script, the guest star must improvise their way through the expository scenes to ultimately decide who the killer is among three suspects. Fans of The Office will appreciate the pretty wild guest stars, as evidenced by the Season 1 cast. 

Watch Murderville on Netflix

Community

Community doesn't exactly mirror The Office as a workplace comedy, and is more of a small-scale college comedy. Joel McHale heads up a stellar ensemble cast as disbarred attorney Jeff Winger, who befriends a group of weirdos and geniuses after having to go back to school to officially get his law degree. (Dean-gree!) Community is about as good of a choice to binge as any, especially with a movie supposedly on the way, with instantly rewatchable episodes featuring pillow forts, paintball fights, and 8-bit video games.

Watch Community on Netflix

Reno 911!

The original run of Reno 911! predates The Office, but is still a workplace comedy worth a look for those who may have missed it on Comedy Central or in its revived state on Roku. The humor is undoubtedly more crude than the The Office, but watching the wild antics of officers on the job in Reno, Nevada, is addicting and very easy to binge. It helps that some of the cast came from MTV's The State troupe, though the rest are equally brilliant all the same.

Watch Reno 911! on Paramount+

Scrubs

Scrubs and The Office overlapped at one point in NBC's primetime lineups, but anyone who never tuned in to see the shenanigans going on with Zach Braff's J.D. at Sacred Heart Hospital needs to rethink that choice. As is the case with other comedies on this list, the type of humor is a bit different than The Office, but the way Scrubs blends drama with its funniest moments is on point. This series can make you laugh just as well as it'll make you cry and there are plenty of episodes to binge once hooked. I wouldn't necessarily recommend watching the final two seasons that aired on ABC, but the rest is solid gold. 

Watch Scrubs on Peacock
Watch Scrubs on Hulu

The Office is always available to stream on Peacock, just in case anyone isn't quite ready to make the jump into a new show just yet. With that said, why not try something new and maybe find another show to watch on those quiet nights when nothing new is on television? 

In a world that is surrounded by some of the best television shows ever, from the best programs on Netflix to the best series on Max, there have been plenty that have won Outstanding Drama, Comedy or Limited or Anthology Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards. A few I could think of are Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Ted Lasso, Modern Family and many more. 

There are also so many shows that have never won any of these awards. Despite their impressive reputations or stellar casts, these 32 shows have never won Best Series in any category at the Emmys. Prepare to have your mind blown.

This Is Us 

This Is Us was a famous NBC show known for its brilliant storytelling and episodes that always found a way to make you cry. It was led by a brilliant This Is Us cast which included Sterling K. Brown (who won an Emmy for this show), Milo Ventimiglia and more. Somehow, the series never won Outstanding Drama at the Emmys. What's even worse is Mandy Moore never won an Emmy for her portrayal of the matriarch of the Pearson family. That, in itself, is a sin. 

Shameless

Yes, I know that in the later years of Shameless, the episodes didn't feel the same without Emmy Rossum as part of the fearless Shameless cast. However, the first few seasons of the dramedy became some of the best television at the time – and one of the best Showtime shows. And still, it never won Outstanding Comedy. 

Enlightened 

Enlightened only ran for two seasons, but they were full of great acting, a fun story, and so much more. Plus, it was led by the legend Laura Dern. The series, however, was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy. The only nomination that came through was for Dern, and she didn't win. 

The Walking Dead

Say what you want about The Walking Dead, but as someone who watched all eleven seasons of the show, those first five were excellent television. The only praise this show ever got in the Emmy world was for its visual and practical effects on the zombies – but the acting and the show as a whole? It went completely over the heads of those who chose the nominations. 

Dickinson 

Dickinson was one of the best Apple TV+ original shows. I fully believe this series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy because it flew under the radar at first as one of the streaming platforms' first series. Hailee Steinfeld at least should have garnered a nomination, but there was no love for this series. 

Parks And Recreation

You're probably shocked to see this on the list, but Parks and Recreation never won a single Emmy Award. The show was top-rated and well-known for its talented Parks and Recreation cast, but not even Amy Poehler won the Emmy for her lead performance in the show. And the series, while nominated twice for Outstanding Comedy, never won.  

Dexter

I still believe Dexter is worth rewatching despite its later seasons being less than stellar. But the first four seasons of Dexter are classic TV. The plot twists are great, the acting is fantastic, and the backstory behind the serial killer is one of the best in Showtime history. While the series was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series several times, it never won. 

The Wire

I know. The Wire is one of the best shows in HBO history and television in general. And yet, somehow, the series never won any Emmy awards. It was never even nominated for Outstanding Drama. The only praise the Television Academy ever gave it was in the form of its writing – which was excellent, understandably – but come on, only that? 

The Brady Bunch

This sitcom from the 1970s is considered one of the most well-known and created several spinoffs. It also spawned one of the best-known TV catchphrases ever ("Marcia, Marcia, Marcia"), yet somehow, this series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy -- or a single other Emmy award.

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders has gained a lot more popularity over the last few years thanks to the growing stardom of Cillian Murphy from the Oppenheimer cast, but this show was one of the best the BBC had to offer. It featured several other major stars too, like Anya Taylor-Joy, Tom Hardy, Sam Claflin, and many more, and it was a fantastic story. But it was never nominated for a single Primetime Emmy Award. I'm upset even writing that down. 

Doctor Who

Doctor Who is one of those shows that has ebbed and flowed in quality. Some doctors have been great, others have been forgettable. But you can't deny the impact this series has had and the stories it tells with its most excellent doctors. And yet, Doctor Who has never been recognized in terms of acting, writing, or anything at the Emmys. The only nomination it ever got was for Outstanding Derivative Interactive Program in 2020.  

Better Call Saul

When Better Call Saul was confirmed after Breaking Bad, many believed it would never live up to its predecessor. Still, the prequel series about Saul Goodman was almost as good as the original – and to some, it's even better. But while Better Call Saul was nominated several times for Outstanding Drama, it has never won. 

Hannibal

Hannibal was a tremendous psychological horror-thriller that aired for three seasons and told stories that would blow the minds of anyone who watched it. It was scary and psychological and everything you could want – but it was never nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. 

New Girl

I loved New Girl and will rewatch it over and over again, but it seems like the Emmys forgot about the popular sitcom series after its first season. New Girl was only nominated for a few awards in 2012, not even for Outstanding Comedy Series. After that, it wasn't nominated again. 

Parenthood 

Parenthood lasted six seasons and had some of the best writing about modern-day family life. It is a more dramedy version of Modern Family. But the only person who ever got recognition for the show at the Emmys was Jason Ritter, and that was for a guest appearance on the series. 

Chuck

Starring Zachary Levi, Chuck was the spy drama that everyone enjoyed when it first came out in 2007, and it lasted for five seasons. But despite the show's fun nature and entertaining stories, it was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy. Its stunt work did receive some praise, though. 

The Good Place

This one surprised me when I found out, but The Good Place and The Good Place cast have never won an Emmy award. The show was nominated for 14, including Outstanding Comedy Series, but aside from that, it has never actually won an award. Considering the love this show got, that's very shocking – almost as much as the twist in Season 1. 

Narcos

Narcos was one of those crime drama TV shows that took the world by storm and has only gained more popularity over the last several years, especially with Pedro Pascal's rise to fame. But the series, which told the story of Pablo Escobar, was only ever nominated for Creative Arts Emmy Awards, and never for Outstanding Drama. 

Chappelle's Show

Dave Chappelle is hands down one of the most influential voices in comedy and sketch television. Chappelle's Show is an excellent example of that, showcasing the comedian in some of the funniest sketches of the 21st century. However, the series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy. It was, however, nominated for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series but didn't win. 

The Flight Attendant 

Kaley Cuoco is known for her role in the Big Bang Theory cast, but it's a sin that people don't talk about her incredible performance in The Flight Attendant more. And while she and the show were nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, it never won. 

Daredevil

Daredevil was one of the best Marvel TV shows on Netflix, lasting for three seasons and telling authentic superhero stories that didn't seem as intense as aliens invading from the galaxy. Instead, it was a much more grounded show with excellent battle sequences. But despite its popularity, Daredevil was never nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. Maybe Daredevil: Born Again will earn that privilege – only time will tell. 

Married…With Children

Married…with Children was one of the best sitcoms of the late 1980s to 1990s, lasting ten years and eleven seasons, and it brought up one of the best-known names in comedic television, Ed O'Neill. But this series, despite its long run, never won a single Emmy Award. Talk about the definition of snub. 

Station Eleven

Station Eleven was a miniseries that came out of Max (previously HBO Max), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel, and was one of the best post-apocalyptic TV shows out there. However, while the miniseries received praise, it was not nominated for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

WandaVision

There was a rumor that WandaVision would be a multi-season series, but it was put into the Emmys as Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Of all the MCU shows on Disney+, the show was a huge hit but didn't win at the Emmys. 

The Leftovers

The Leftovers was an excellent supernatural series that showed what would happen when 2% of the world's population suddenly vanished without a trace. The series was popular and featured a fascinating story. But the show was never nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. 

Perry Mason

Perry Mason is an HBO series people adored, but it didn't live as long as it should have, because it was canceled by Max after Season 2. On top of that sad news, it hasn't been nominated for Outstanding Drama at all. The only people who have received praise are Matthew Rhys and John Lithgow, both of whom have only been nominated and not won.

Star Trek

While the Star Trek franchise has gone on for many years, the original Star Trek series (the one that pioneered and started it all) was never nominated for a single Emmy Award. This show, which meant so much to so many people, didn't even get to compete in this prestigious awards competition. But no matter – we'll always live long and prosper without an Emmy win. 

Jane The Virgin

I know it's rare for some of the best CW shows to get nominated for Primetime Emmys, but Jane the Virgin should have been a contender. The series features an original idea, bold storytelling, and the impressive Jane the Virgin cast. And yet, the Emmys never gave it the praise it deserved. In fact, only the narrator was nominated. 

BoJack Horseman

There are some excellent adult animated shows on Netflix, and BoJack Horseman stands out as one of them. The series is a realistic telling of what it's like to fall out of the spotlight in Hollywood and what can happen to people. Despite its acclaim, the series was never nominated for Outstanding Comedy at the Emmys. It did get two nominations for Outstanding Animated Program, but it deserved Comedy. 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

I could not think of a better example of a show that deserved way more Emmy love than Buffy the Vampire Slayer in its earlier seasons. The show, led by Sarah Michelle Gellar, is a staple in supernatural television. However, it has yet to receive a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.

Oz

Oz is considered one of the best TV shows ever, taking place in a men's prison and following the stories of prisoners over six seasons. However, despite its reputation and impact on TV, it was never nominated for Outstanding Drama. The only actor who was nominated in the series was Charles S. Dutton for a guest appearance on the show. 

Mindhunter

Mindhunter, starring Jonathan Groff, was an excellent TV show on Netflix from director David Fincher, and everyone was sad when Season 3 was confirmed never. The series was fantastic and featured storytelling unlike any other. But despite its fresh tales and incredible acting, Mindhunter was never nominated for Outstanding Drama. It's such a shame. 

Even more TV shows have never won these types of Emmys, but these are just some of the first that come to mind. But now, I know I need to rewatch some of these to give them the love they deserve – or have fun showing them to others—time for a binge-fest. 

September 30 marks 41 years since the first episode of Cheers aired on NBC. Despite almost being canceled after its first season, the sitcom prevailed, and it is now, arguably, one of the many legendary shows in American television history. The success of Cheers led to a few spin-offs, including Fraiser, which is being revived, and it continues to be referenced frequently in pop culture. Even after 41 years, this comedy has stayed relevant in the zeitgeist as major shows, like Ted Lasso, The Simpsons and more have shown their love for the classic sitcom through fun Easter eggs and references. 

Cheers gave us some iconic actors including Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman and John Ratzenberger. It also has one of the best sitcom theme songs ever. However, my favorite contribution this show has made to pop culture is how it continues to find ways to inspire television shows. From Emmy-winning sports dramedies to sci-fi series and, of course, The Simpsons, here are just a few great Cheers easter eggs hidden in major TV shows. 

Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is actually rife with Cheers references, which shouldn’t be that surprising since co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis is the nephew of Cheers actor George Wendt. In fact, there’s a signed portrait of Wendt on the walls of the kabob place Roy Kent frequents in the show. 

However, the big Cheers reference happens in the Season 3 finale of the show. The pub that Mae Green runs and the bar in Cheers both feature a picture of Apache leader and medicine man Geronimo on the wall for the shows' entire runs. However, the picture is only a focal point at the end of both shows when Sam in Cheers and May in Ted Lasso realize the photo is slightly crooked and move to straighten it. It's a subtle but emotional callback for fans of both series. 

New Girl

New Girl creator Elizabeth Meriwether once told Salon: “I love Cheers. Constantly, I’m thinking about Cheers and what they did.” So again, it’s no surprise that she would find ways to reference the show in her own iconic sitcom. 

In Season 2 of the show, Jess starts dating Sam, an emotionally revered pediatrician. Though things don’t work out originally, Sam returns in Season 5, only this time he’s the one to break up with Jess. He does so after realizing he’s in love with his med school colleague Diane. 

On the surface, this doesn’t sound like much of a Cheers reference. However, super fans get it immediately since Sam and Diane were a legendary “will-they-won’t they” romantic pairing.

The Good Place

Ted Danson never stopped acting on television, but he became a household name to a new generation of TV fans thanks to the success of The Good Place. There, he plays Michael, a Bad Place architect who is running a neighborhood that's supposed to feel like the Good Place.

With Danson in a main role, it was only a matter of time before The Good Place referenced Cheers. The moment happens in Season 2 when Michael follows Eleanor to Earth and poses as a bartender. Not only is Michael pretending to be a bartender (the same job as his Cheers character Sam), but he’s also dressed similarly to him, sporting a blue plaid button-down. Fans may never get a Cheers reboot, but at least they got to see an older Sam in an abstract sort of way.

Stranger Things

While Cheers references mostly appear in sitcoms, given it influenced sitcom history greatly, occasionally, it makes its way into a drama. Given Stranger Things' dedication to honoring the '80s, it’s no surprise that the sci-fi show features a Cheers reference, given that the comedy originally aired from 1982 to 1993. 

The reference comes in Season 3 when Joyce is eating dinner at home alone. The television is on, and it is playing an episode of Cheers where Sam and Diane are talking to each other on the phone. The sitcom scene sparks sadness in Joyce as she remembers an earlier conversation she and her late boyfriend Bob had about the couple’s will-they-won’t-they relationship. Ironically, Joyce is in her own will-they-won’t-they style relationship with Jim Hopper. 

How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother is an iconic sitcom in its own right and one that followed in Cheers spin-off footsteps with How I Met Your Father. And yet, despite its success on its own, How I Met Your Mother still found it necessary to honor the beloved sitcom of the '80s. 

One of the more memorable Cheers references happens in Season 7 when Ted and Barney decide to turn their apartment into a bar for New Year’s Eve. They name it Puzzles, and they hang a banner that is eerily similar to the Cheers bar sign in the sitcom. To make the reference even more iconic, Ted and Barney write a theme song for Puzzles, which is to the same tune as Cheers’ iconic theme song. 

The Goldbergs

As a modern sitcom set in the 1980s, it was only a matter of time before The Goldbergs found a way to pay homage to Cheers. The reference is one of the more outright callouts, considering it features some of the original cast. 

In Season 7, Erica’s long-term boyfriend Geoff decides to start a food delivery service, which quickly becomes a disaster. While running around town to locate Murray’s missing sandwich, Geoff interacts with several neighbors, including Cheers stars Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, and Kirstie Alley. 

The Simpsons

The Simpsons parodies and references just about everything, so it’s no surprise that Cheers found its way to Springfield. In fact, it's been featured in the hit animated show many times over the course of its 35+ seasons. 

From a wonderful couch gag in Season 20, where the family gets turned into the iconic Cheers characters, to an episode in Season 3 where the show parodies the theme song, The Simpsons has some of the most iconic references to the classic comedy. However, one of the best references happens in Season 6 when Homer is determined to find a new bar, and he stumbles into an animated version of Cheers. The episode sees Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt reprise their roles in animated form, and it even features an animated Fraiser. 

It’ll be interesting to see what other shows reference Cheers in the years to come. Perhaps Abbott Elementary will take a stab at it, given Janine and Gregory’s own will-they-won't-they relationship. Or maybe Bob’s Burgers will finally get around to somehow working a Cheers reference into its latest season. Regardless, it seems like the cultural influence of the beloved sitcom isn’t going away anytime soon. 

Streaming Cheers is a little difficult at the current moment. Seasons 1 through 4 are available to stream with a Hulu subscription, while Seasons 2 through 11 are available via a Paramount+ subscription. 

Mike Schur’s NBC sitcom, The Good Place, proposes an interesting theory of the afterlife that defies religious explanation. Centering on the story of four recently deceased people placed in an experimental version of “hell” (referred to as “The Bad Place”), the sitcom forces viewers to assess their own moral compass while learning a little bit of Philosophy 101 along the way.

After dismantling the faulty system in place that dooms people to eternity in The Bad Place, our main characters are left to enjoy paradise forever. But, what does it all mean? What can we learn from The Good Place ending in 2020? By examining what the characters learned in the afterlife, we can take away some life lessons that apply to those of us who are among the still-living.

People Can Always Change For The Better

There isn’t a quantifiable way to analyze whether someone is good or bad, which is why the original point system that sent people to The Bad Place was so flawed. By the end of the series, the characters have proven that even if people haven’t lived good lives on Earth, they still have the capacity to grow and change for the better before and during their afterlife.

The idea that “no one is beyond rehabilitation” echoes throughout The Good Place. It’s true for Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason, and it’s true for many of their friends and family who ultimately get to join them in The Good Place after passing trials of morality. All four of our main characters have earned a peaceful afterlife knowing they’ve changed the eternal destiny of pretty much everyone on the planet.

Even Michael, a literal demon, can change for the better: Though he’s the clear antagonist of the first half of the show, he revolts against the powers that be when he realizes how flawed the system is. If a demon can be rehabilitated, maybe anyone can.

The End Doesn’t Have To Be A Bad Thing

So, The Good Place is fixed. Now what? 

In the words of The Good Place’s creator, Mike Schur, not much. Schur shared these thoughts on eternal life with The Hollywood Reporter in 2020:

It’s this theme that brings Team Cockroach to the realization that afterlife isn’t the end all, be all. There comes a time when everyone is ready to say goodbye, for real, so they create an archway in the forest that will allow people to bring their afterlife to an end. In short, the new system in place will ensure that future Good Place residents can really enjoy their afterlife since it ultimately will end when they are ready.

Furthermore, that final goodbye doesn’t have to be a sad one. Eleanor and Chidi’s goodbye is heartbreaking, but Eleanor can find peace in knowing that Chidi has lived a fulfilling afterlife. We don’t need to be sad for him—after all, he’s not sad to be leaving. Likewise, it’s easier for Chidi to say goodbye to Eleanor knowing that she has friends and family still with her in The Good Place.

The arch also forces Eleanor to confront her selfishness in trying to make Chidi stay with her. The fact that Eleanor wants to stay doesn’t change the fact that Chidi is ready to leave.

Personal Fulfillment Is Subjective

There’s no timer or cosmic countdown to let people know when they’re ready to end their time in The Good Place. That decision has to come from within, and it looks different for everybody.

For example, Jason finally feels fulfilled after beating his high score on Madden. After that, he can walk through the arch knowing he accomplished everything he ever wanted to in his lifetime.

Tahani’s journey of personal fulfillment looks very different from Jason’s. After becoming a master of nearly every trade, hobby, and skill known to man, Tahani still isn’t quite ready to call it quits—which is why she takes her place as the first human Good Place architect.

However, Eleanor’s journey doesn’t feel complete until she’s certain she’s able to help people who haven’t earned eternal life in The Good Place. She revisits Mindy St. Clair, the one and only resident of the “Medium Place,” and convinces her to try to make it into the Good Place; she also ensures that Michael will have his shot at a human life by persuading the Judge to send him to Earth. Eleanor’s personal fulfillment also includes one last margarita.

The Wave Returns To The Ocean

Always the philosopher, Chidi explains the end of his time in The Good Place to Eleanor like this:

Imagine a wave. You can see it, measure it, observe it—but then, it comes crashing to the shore, and it’s gone. The water is still there, it’s just no longer a wave.

In that way, the goodness the Soul Squad put out into the world won’t just disappear when they cease to exist. It will just transform into something else.

When Eleanor is eventually ready to leave, Chidi’s theory is confirmed. Eleanor’s energy dissipates into the forest in orbs of glowing light as she passes through the arch, with one orb ultimately landing on the shoulder of a human man back on Earth. We see the man second-guess a decision to throw away a discarded piece of mail; instead, he delivers it directly to the recipient: Michael. Eleanor’s wave returned back to the ocean.

Chidi’s ocean metaphor softens the blow of saying goodbye to someone you love. Even though a person’s physical body may be gone, their legacy stays behind, along with the impact of the good deeds they’ve done.

The Good Place is the perfect show to binge this winter if you’re starting to feel like this is The Bad Place. All four seasons of The Good Place are available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

Earlier this month, Disney+ subscribers got to see She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Season 1 conclude with one hell of a fourth wall-breaking finale. Among the familiar characters who stopped by for the episode was Jameela Jamil’s Titania, who antagonized Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters on and off over the season. While it remains to be seen if She-Hulk will return for a second season (showrunner Jessica Gao doesn’t even want to think about that right now), word’s come in that one of Jamil’s costars from the critically acclaimed NBC series The Good Place has entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

William Jackson Harper, who played Chidi Anagonye opposite Jameela Jamil, Kristen Bell, Manny Jacinto, D’Arcy Carden and Ted Danson in The Good Place, will appear next year in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Variety shared that his role “remains a closely guarded secret,” so it’s likely we won’t learn the identity of his character until the movie actually comes out. This casting news follows a few days after the first Quantumania trailer premiered online.

Along with his time on The Good Place, which ran from September 2016 to January 2020, William Jackson Harper’s notable credits include Midsommar, Dark Waters, the 2009-2011 revival of The Electric Company, The Underground Railroad and Love Life Season 2. He was most recently seen starring opposite Kirstin Milioti in the dark comedy show The Resort, which can be watched with a Peacock subscription. He’s also set to appear in the upcoming Netflix limited series A Man in Full, which co-stars Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane.

Without even a hint about William Jackson Harper’s role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, there are numerous possibilities for who he could be playing. However, let’s remember that this movie’s main antagonist is Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors, and in the comics, Kang is frequently depicted as a descendant of Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic, one of the smartest people in the Marvel universe. We know there’s a Fantastic Four reboot on the way being directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, and Harper knows his way around playing intelligent men, with Chidi especially falling into the brainiac category on The Good Place. Although John Krasinski appeared as Earth-838’s Reed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but Loki and Spider-Man: No Way Home showed that variants come in all shapes and sizes.

So is there a chance that William Jackson Harper is appearing in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania as Reed Richards, a.k.a. Kang the Conqueror’s ancestor? I wouldn’t necessarily put money on it, but it seems like a solid possibility right now. I doubt Reed would have a major presence in the threequel given everything that’s already packed in (including MODOK causing trouble), but we all know how much upcoming Marvel movies are teased in end-credits scenes. Perhaps Harper could cameo as Reed in such a scene, setting the stage for his full debut in early 2025. With Jameela Jamil having been cast as She-Hulk’s arch-enemy, it would be cool if Harper was also cast in a prominent MCU role rather than simply bring a minor character to life. 

Besides Jonathan Majors, William Jackson Harper’s cast-mates on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania include Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne, Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet van Dyne and Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang. The Peyton Reed-directed and Michael Waldron-written movie comes out on February 17, 2023. 

There is not much in this world that I would put above comedy. Laughing brings people joy and has been proven to be good for your health, but one thing that brings me almost as much happiness (and wallet-health) is finding a good deal. And right now, Amazon has complete collections of the some of the best TV comedies in recent (and not-so-recent) memory available at huge discounts. 

We're talking modern classics like The Office, Brooklyn 99, Silicon Valley, and Parks and Recreation, shows that have not only gained huge cult followings, but have also made big impacts on pop culture. They've given us some of the best characters in television (as well as some of the worst) and with so many of these shows constantly jumping on and off various streaming services, it's time to take matters into your own hands to make sure you always have your favorite episodes and characters right at your fingertips and in your Blu-ray player. 

The Office

I am a die-hard The Office fan, through and through. No show makes me laugh harder, or has seemingly inspired more memes. I have my lists of favorite characters and favorite episodes, and I even beat Meredith (Kate Flannery) and Oscar (Oscar Nunez) at The Office trivia (and yes, I won a Dundee for my triumph). But aside from the cringe comedy, The Office is also a fan-favorite because of the emotional and heartwarming moments that occur before the cameras of the documentary crew filming the everyday happenings within a Pennsylvania paper company. You can relive all the shenanigans for just $34.99 on Amazon.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

When Mike Schur makes a hit, he really makes a hit, as the former Office writer later co-created Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the cop and caper comedy starring Andy Sandberg and Teddy Crews was initially cancelled by Fox but found a home at NBC at the eleventh hour and was able to wrap up the show with an additional two seasons on the network. The show recently ended in Fall 2021 after an eight-season run, but fans and the cast alike are still holding out hope that the show could return in some form in the future. Until then, the entire series is 26% off its normal price on Amazon. Noice.

Seinfeld

It would be hard to find another show that has made as much of an impact on comedy and television in general more so than Seinfeld. During its nine-season run, the show was famous for having no real over-arching plots, but still kept audiences captivated right up until the end. The show also helped introduce audiences to some stars that they know and love today, many of whom you may not even remember seeing on the hit show without a subsequent viewing. The complete series is currently on sale at a huge discount.

Silicon Valley

For anyone who has ever worked at a startup or is self-aware enough to know they are an awkward human being, Mike Judge's Silicon Valley probably hits way too close to home. At its height, the hit show lost one of its biggest stars and became so popular that even Bill Gates admitted he was a fan, usually while sharing a nightly block with Seinfeld vet Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Veep (see below). You can still check out the show streaming with an HBO Max subscription, and you can now get the complete series on Amazon at a 39% discount.

Parks and Recreation

As already evidenced above, Michael Schur sitcoms are notorious for hosting hilarious ensemble casts and creating beloved lead characters, and no such character is a better and more virtuous example of this than Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation. The show, which focuses on the inter-workings of government in a small Indiana town, ended in 2015. The Parks department did make a brief reappearance during lockdown with a Zoom-style episode that let us catch up with our favorite crew from Pawnee, and now you can own the complete series with 42% off the original price. 

30 Rock

When a show features as many SNL familiars as 30 Rock did, you know it's going to be groundbreaking, and that it will pull from the real-life experiences of those working on such a staple of late-night comedy. 30 Rock follows the chaos of running a sketch comedy show and dealing with a big-time network in New York City. The show starred Alec Ballwin, Tina Fey, and Tracy Morgan, among other SNL alums, and ran for seven seasons, almost landing a spinoff before ending altogether in 2013, but don't you worry, Amazon has you covered with a huge 66% discount on the complete series, and that sounds like a Liz Lemon party.

The Good Place

What happens after we die? That's the big question Mike Schur decided to tackle in The Good Place, starring Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, and Jameela Jamil. (Okay, so Manny Jacinto's Jason often had less purposeful inquiries.) Although it had a relatively short run and ended after just four seasons, it was the perfect amount of time for all kinds hilariously bizarre and inventive story arcs to play out, and at just $49.99 for the complete series, it's a forking steal.

Veep

One of my other all-time favorite shows is HBO's Veep, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, and Tony Hale. If you've never seen the show, imagine if The West Wing was highly inappropriate and featured curse words systematically placed for maximum damage. The show is clever, brutal, and absolutely not for those who are easily offended, or those who dislike hilarious character actors. However, if you have thick skin, you can pick up the complete series at a 32% discount on Amazon.

Schitt's Creek

Schitt's Creek is a Canadian television sitcom created by Dan Levy and his comedy icon father, Eugene Levy. The plot follows a mega-rich family who is forced to relocate to an unfortunately named town after losing their fortune and was lauded by critics and fans alike before finally ending with its sixth season. The stars and co-creators of Schitt's Creek even wrote a book about the show after its conclusion and now you can own the entire series for $27.49 on Amazon.

The IT Crowd

If you've never seen it, you probably still know The IT Crowd from the famous tech-support line "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" and for its core trio of Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade and Katherine Parkinson. The British series follows the exploits of an IT department and ran for four seasons on Britain's Channel 4. Although we never did get that American remake, which is probably for the best, you can now own the complete series from across the pond on DVD for just $36.99 on Amazon.

Party Down

Although it only initially ran for two seasons, Party Down boasted an all-star comedic cast, including (but not limited to) Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Lizzy Caplan, And Martin Starr. It follows a group of lovable losers who moonlight as caterers while trying to make it big in Hollywood, and it's not quite over yet. Recently it was announced that Party Down will be getting a revival on Starz, so you'd better catch up quick, and it'll only cost you $8.99 for the complete series. You can also sign up for Starz for just $5/month.

There are still tons of more movies that will drop on DVD and digital download in 2022. Amazon also has new deals launching every day, so check back with CinemaBlend as we roundup the best of the best offers for entertainment fans. 

Once you’ve had the immense pleasure of seeing Jason Mantzoukas grace your screen, it’s hard not to want more of the wild comedian. His presence is one that is unlike anyone else's, and I honestly don’t think I can give a more pure example of a chaotic nature than Mantzoukas. Depending on the role, he embodies all three of the chaos alignments: good, evil, and neutral. 

His golden retriever energy paired with the utter hysteria his nature brings to the screen makes him a stand out in any project, and he has actually given his talent to a ton of films and TV series. Not only has he shown his face in some pretty dope series like Parks and Recreation, but he also lends his voice in a whole lot of comedic animated series. I mean, the guy literally is the voice for Tommy Lee’s talking penis in Pam & Tommy (I can’t even begin to know where that falls on his chaotic alignment chart). 

In honor of all the utterly chaotic roles he has gifted mankind, we’ve put together a list of some awesome Jason Mantzoukas movies and TV shows to check out if you love the actor's many borderline insane performances:

Big Mouth (Netflix)

A series that was probably pretty difficult to sell and get made, Big Mouth is all about puberty and all the weirdness that happens in those little pubescent bodies. Basically, the puberty monster hounds preteens, in a very adult animated show. Sounds really not okay, but honestly it’s sort of a gem of a show and is actually on a relatively short list of Netflix series that have made it past the streaming platform’s third season curse. 

Jason Mantzoukas voices one of the main characters, who has a bad habit of having sex with talking pillows. Believe it or not, he actually isn’t the weirdest character in the series. He is opposite long time colleague Nick Kroll, who voices a number of characters and also acts as writer and producer. 

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix.

The League (Hulu)

Not going to lie, I first fell in love with Jason Mantzoukas when I saw him as Rafi on The League. He is the odd (or, insane) man out in a group of tight-knit friends in a fantasy football league. With a wild number of special guests and intense, unstoppable humor, The League is pretty much a must-watch even if you don’t like football. If you do like football, though, the massive amount of NFL cameos gives the series a little something extra.

Stream The League on Hulu.
Buy/Rent The League on Amazon.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Hulu)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine has a pretty epic cast of regular characters, all which gave the series its own style of comedy. Jason Mantzoukas regularly joins the group of New York police officers as a guest star in some of the best episodes of the hilarious series. In classic chaotic good alignment, Mantzoukas plays a former detective who was deep undercover for 12 years and whom everyone now thinks is crazy. 

His role of Adrian Pimento is pretty much the standard comedy we would expect from Jason Mantzoukas, and he is very at home on the series. If you love him and his style of humor, set aside a couple dozen hours for binging, because Brooklyn Nine-Nine is complete with 8 seasons and right up your alley. 

Stream Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Amazon.

I’m Sorry (HBO Max)

Out of all the scripted comedy shows out there centering on a comedian themselves, the vast majority of them are male led. I’m Sorry isn’t one of them, though, and Andrea Savage both wrote and stars in this semi-autobiographical series. Jason Mantzoukas plays Andrea’s writing partner and actually comes off as more of a real, albeit still funny, person instead of the living, breathing fever dream he portrays in other series. What can I say, the man has depth!

Stream I’m Sorry on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy I’m Sorry on Amazon.

The Dictator

Believe it or not, Jason Mantzoukas is actually toned down in The Dictator, which is kind of unreal seeing as how the film is pretty wild in and of itself. It’s almost like there’s a role reversal happening and the bosses didn’t want one insane element conflicting with another. Mantzoukas allows his usual crazy performance to take a back seat here, and the result is something really…well, something. 

If you’re having a Jason Mantzoukas movie marathon, The Dictator is a nice addition. 

Rent/Buy The Dictator on Amazon.

Close Enough (HBO Max)

Jason Mantzoukas does a ton of voice acting, and it makes a ton of sense, seeing as how in order to pull off some of his seriously crazy antics, he’d almost have to be a cartoon. Close Enough is like an adult version of Regular Show, and it's actually created by the same guy, so the two shows have some cool connections. If you grew up watching Regular Show or had kids who zombified in front of the TV to the cartoon, Close Enough is bound to hit that nostalgia nerve. 

Stream Close Enough on HBO Max.
Buy/Rent Close Enough on Amazon.

Invincible (Amazon Prime)

Another animated addition to the list, but Super size it! Invincible is an Amazon original series, and like the platform's The Boys series, it’s all about superheroes and has some gore. The series has a pretty star-studded cast, is the perfect superhero show for ‘90s kids, and fans of Jason Mantzoukas will love his sassy and sarcastic character, Rex Splode. 

Stream Invincible on Amazon Prime.

Ultra City Smiths (AMC+)

Ultra City Smiths is like if your grandma’s creepy doll collection came alive at night and solved a mysterious disappearance with help from the voices of some pretty baller Hollywood actors. With a unique animation style, the guys behind Robot Chicken bring a bizarre take on a comedic noir mystery. Oh, it also strangely acts as a musical. Of course, it makes total sense that Jason Mantzoukas would be down for a project like this.

Stream Ultra City Smiths on AMC+.
Buy/Rent Ultra City Smiths on Amazon.

Kroll Show (Paramount+)

Jason Mantzoukas and Nick Kroll have a pretty heavy history working together, so it totally makes sense that Mantzoukas would take part in his namesake series. Kroll transforms himself into various characters in a ton of hilarious sketches with comedian guest stars throughout its 3 seasons, like Mantzoukas, SNL vet John Mulaney, and peak MTV star Andy Milonakis.

Stream Kroll Show on Paramount+.
Buy/Rent Kroll Show on Amazon.

The Good Place (Netflix)

I’m always thrilled when Jason Mantzoukas pops up in a show I’m already invested in. Mantzoukas joined Kristen Bell’s The Good Place in Season 2 briefly, and became pretty much a mainstay in Season 3 and 4. It’s basically the perfect role for him, as he is a complete enigma that defies both space and time. It’s pretty hard to explain how and what Mantzoukas’ character, Derek, is and what he becomes throughout the series, but it is totally worth the time to check out if you haven’t already binged the series.

Stream The Good Place on Netflix.
Buy/Rent The Good Place on Amazon.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

I just need to say that I absolutely love that Jason Mantzoukas is a part of the John Wick franchise. It is so absurdly fitting, honestly. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is a serious franchise entry that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and casting Mantzoukas almost tips that balance. Almost.

Jason Mantzoukas plays the assassin named Tick Tock Man who keeps a low profile by disguising himself as a vagrant who rants to himself, coming off as completely harmless. It’s honestly a fantastic addition to his acting credits, and one of the many reasons to check out the John Wick franchise.

Buy/Rent John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum on Amazon.

Sleeping With Other People

Sleeping With Other People is pretty much the perfect film to check out if you want a romantic comedy that is very much a comedy at its core instead of just a love story that happens to have some laughs. The films stars a number of comedians and comedic actors, with Jason Sudeikis and Community’s Allison Brie at its helm. 

If you’re a fan of Jason Mantzoukas’ other work, you’ll see some seriously familiar faces. His Parks and Rec colleague Adam Scott (and Billy Eichner, although they didn’t appear in the same scenes) also takes part in the film, as well as I’m Sorry’s Andrea Savage and Big Mouth’s Natasha Lyonne.

Buy/Rent Sleeping With Other People on Amazon.

Honestly, I could keep going almost forever if I included some smaller parts from Jason Mantzoukas. He’s done an impressive amount of work, and even when he just appears briefly in a film or series, he gives so much to whatever scene he is in. Mantzoukas’ energy is electric, and it’s hard to ignore him when he comes on screen.

He may be the absolute embodiment of chaos, but whatever form he is in any given project, it certainly is a welcome addition. Jason Mantzoukas doesn’t have any announced upcoming movies, but he has so much going on this year with his many series, and plenty of those will continue into 2023 at the very least. There’s plenty of content available to keep you busy with a Jason Mantzoukas marathon, even if there is a good amount of his work you’ve already seen. Maybe by the time you get through it all, he’ll have more work on the horizon! 

The “B” in LGBTQ+ has long been a subject of the Queer community often stuck between a rock and a hard place. Being bi has often brought out tired labels and stereotypes such as it being “just a phase,” a moment of confusion between deciding to be straight or gay or for more promiscuous types. Not here. We're going to celebrate its community through some of the most iconic bisexual television characters who represent being out and proudly bi. 

Throughout the years, a number of great TV shows have included great bisexual characters. Let’s get to these seminal examples: 

Willow Rosenberg (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

From 1997 to 2003, Alyson Hannigan played Buffy’s best friend Willow. She assists Buffy in her vampire hunting before realizing she’s a witch with powers she must learn to control. In the early seasons, Willow has two major relationships with men, including Seth Green’s Oz and Nicholas Brendon’s Xander, but the series really broke some ground for the queer community when she finds a love story with Amber Benson’s Tara Maclay. And we cannot forget the “Dark Willow” plot line, which was Willow from an alternate universe who gives off super bi vampire energy. 

Callie Torres (Grey’s Anatomy)

Grey’s Anatomy is one of the most beloved (and longest running) medical dramas of all time. In the second season, Sara Ramirez’s Callie came on board the show as a love interest to T.R. Knight’s George O’Malley. Callie and George have a memorable romance that spawns into marriage until it falls apart later. Following their breakup, Callie starts to explore and become comfortable with her bisexuality, later marrying Arizona Robbins. Callie is the longest running LGBTQ+ character in TV history to this day!

Captain Jack Harkness (Doctor Who/Torchwood)

The Doctor Who franchise is a legendary British series and when John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness, it allowed the series to bring its first openly queer character to television. The companion to Doctor Who first appeared in 2005 and then got his own spinoff series Torchwood in 2006, which allowed Jack to have a number of notable relationships. Between his tragic love story with Ianto Jones and flames with Gwen, Jack is a great bi character, who is not also not solely defined by it. However, no thanks to the actor's flashing allegations, we're likely not to see Harkness again.  

Oberyn Martell (Game Of Thrones)

Before Pedro Pascal was The Mandalorian, the actor portrayed the Red Viper of Dorne, Oberyn Martell, in HBO’s Game of Thrones. In the monumentous series, Pascal’s character is a badass in combat and also openly and overtly bisexual. To quote him: “The Red Viper enjoys life. He does not discriminate in his pleasures. This is the way he understands life, to live it to its fullest”. What a time it was to see a male bisexual character in a fantasy world being proudly bi! 

Avatar Korra (The Legend of Korra) 

Nickelodeon made history in the world of animation when its leading character Korra became part of the LGBTQ+ community. Korra is the next Avatar in line after Aang in the original series and a badass bi character that brought some representation to a wider audience. Early in the series, Korra has feelings for her teammate Mako. Later on in the series, Korra and Asami become pairing after a sweet storyline between them and had the community in heart-eyes over their happy ending. 

Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder)

From 2014 to 2019, Viola Davis portrayed Annalise Keating on the ABC thriller, How To Get Away With Murder. The leading character’s key relationships are with Tom Verica’s Sam, who begins as her therapist and Famke Janssen’s Eve, who she has a long-term relationship with before Sam. Later in the series, Annalise and Eve rekindle their love along with Davis’ character also becoming entangled with Billy Brown’s Detective Nate Lahey. Love to see a major LGBTQ+ lead on network TV.  

Darryl Whitefeather (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) 

Of all the iconic bisexual characters to celebrate, only one has a super catchy theme song: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Darryl Whitefeather. One supporting character in the CW comedy memorably had a musical number called “Gettin’ Bi” that deserves a place on this list:

Darryl is a newly divorced dad who comes into his bisexuality early on in the show when he gets a crush on David Hull’s Josh Wilson. Throughout the show, Darryl and Josh’s relationship is super stable and cute and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend took a fun approach to bi representation with this character. 

Clarke Griffin (The 100)

Eliza Taylor’s Clarke Griffin became the first LGBTQ+ leading character on a CW series in 2015 when her and Lexa’s romantic tension was confirmed with a kiss. The science fiction series about teens being sent down to Earth after a nuclear apocalypse brought up the typical questions bisexuals often deal with after the kiss, with some believing Lexa initiated the kiss and Eliza was heterosexual, but the show continued to explore their relationship further… that is until Lexa is killed off, which caused an uproar from fans over the show’s decision. 

Ilana Wexler (Broad City) 

Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson brought something completely different to TV with their comedy, based on a web series, Broad City. If the misadventures of two best friends living in NYC wasn’t fun enough, there’s the character of Ilana Wexler, a proud bi woman who easily switches between being super into her boyfriend (Hannibal Buress’ Lincoln for much of the series) and admiring her hot BFF and other good-looking women around her. Ilana is a contemporary queen of the bi experience.

Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

As this list comes to an end, there’s of course characters we missed. The Good Place’s Eleanor Shellstrop and Schitt’s Creek’s David Rose are a couple more solid ones in the comedy genre, but over them, we’re going to have to go with Detective Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Stephanie Beatriz’s character starts off cold as ice, but is one of the best characters on the comedy, especially when it comes to the show unfolding her experiences as a bi woman. 

Many of these bi TV characters broke ground for representation, moving forward with new TV shows to come, we’d be excited for them to make room for more LGBTQ+ representation across the board. 

For many television lovers, William Jackson Harper is best known for his award-nominated performance as Chidi Anagonye in NBC's The Good Place. But, over the course of the last decade-plus, and especially throughout the past couple of years, the stage/screen actor has proven himself to be an expansive talent, one who balances dramatic work with comedy and only continues to develop his screen presence in a variety of projects.  

Most notably of late, Harper stars in HBO Max's Love Life Season 2, though he was also quick to impress in Amazon Prime's The Underground Railroad earlier this year. And, that's naming only a few. If you love the actor, here's what you should stream, including Midsommar! 

Love Life Season 2 (HBO Max)

Replacing Anna Kendrick as the anthology show's lead, William Jackson Harper takes the reins of HBO Max's Love Life Season 2 in the part of Marcus Watkins, a newly-single divorcee who traverses through the troubles of modern romance — with infrequent success. 

In what might very well be his most prominent lead role to date, Harper takes this opportunity to play a complicated, conflicted, and even sometimes emotionally-chaotic guy who sometimes can't get out of his own way, especially when he walks through the tricky waters of today's dating scene. The result allows the accomplished actor to showcase both his comedic and dramatic skills in equal fashion, providing us with a full-fleshed personality who can be as relatable as he is ridiculous in his clumsy attempts to return to the dating world. 

Stream Love Life Season 2 on HBO Max.

The Good Place (Netflix)

In what's quite easily his most recognizable role, William Jackson Harper came to fame through his affable performance as Chidi Anagonye, a kind-natured but often indecisive and overanxious personality, prone to bad decision-making and harboring regrets, in NBC's heaven-sent series, The Good Place. 

Though it started as an acclaimed sitcom, the series ultimately became a fertile dramatic opportunity for The Good Place cast and the up-and-coming actor, showcasing the depth of his on-screen talents and the fine complexity that the actor could bring to once-seemingly simple characters. The result is an emotional and Emmy-nominated standout performance that arguably remains his finest — though that could change, as Harper continues to impress with his work outside of NBC's beloved show. 

Stream The Good Place on Netflix.
Buy/Rent The Good Place on Amazon.

Midsommar (Amazon Prime/Kanopy)

Ari Aster's Midsommar was one of the most impressive, accomplished horror movies of the last decade. A sophomore feature that builds off the filmmaker's similarly excellent Hereditary, this A24 folk horror proved that the director was no one-hit-wonder and that he was unquestionably a storyteller to watch. In addition to the movie's stunning visuals, unsettling score, and dense screenplay, Midsommar is elevated by the outstanding work of its very dedicated ensemble, including wonderful lead performances from Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor, and commendable turns from Will Poulter and William Jackson Harper. 

The latter, as Josh, is often seen as the voice of reason, producing his fair share of criticisms against the disturbing nature of this odd European getaway and the douchey behavior of his supposed friend, while also falling victim to his own ego and need for validation. It's another strong showcase for William Jackson Harper in what's easily one of his best movies to date, and it's a great demonstration of how he will continue to prove himself with other notable performances to come. 

Stream Midsommar on Amazon Prime.
Stream Midsommar on Kanopy.
Buy/Rent Midsommar on Amazon.

We Broke Up (Hulu)

There are countless movies centered around people falling in love, sometimes in spite of themselves. But, there are only a select few films about characters falling out of love, and We Broke Up — as its blunt title notes — comfortably (or, rather, pleasantly uncomfortably) fits into the latter category. Starring William Jackson Harper and Aya Cash as Doug and Lori, two longtime lovers who must keep up appearances at Lori's sister's wedding shortly after they've called it quits, writer-director Jeff Rosenberg slightly subverts expectations by making a breezy, low-stakes dramedy in spite of the inner turmoil felt by these once-smitten partners. 

Without giving anything away, though, that's about as far as We Broke Up gets to challenging genre cliches. Nevertheless, Aya Cash and William Jackson Harper are consistently appealing in the lead roles, bringing subtle charm and nuanced performances to this perhaps too casual lark, and allowing these characters to feel lived-in and emotionally conflicted. It won't be everyone's pick for date night, but if you love Harper's reflective appeal as an actor, particularly as a burgeoning film star, We Broke Up may ultimately win your favor — even if you don't love it.

Stream We Broke Up on Hulu.
Buy We Broke Up on Amazon.

Dark Waters (Showtime)

A sturdy, immensely well-crafted paranoia drama-thriller of yesteryear made for now, even if audiences sorely overlooked it upon release, Todd Haynes' Dark Waters is the type of mature and meticulously made adult legal drama that is becoming extinct in a time of superhero blockbusters and other big-budget efforts. A cruel irony in a tale like this one, that vigorously fights against Big Corps that continue to fail the common people, yet could only be made with a star like Mark Ruffalo at the forefront of it all. 

Nevertheless, as expected, Ruffalo gives a reliably good performance, and the supporting ensemble is filled with other dependable talents, including Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, and William Jackson Harper, to name a mere few. As hand-wringing Taft lawyer James Ross, the sitcom actor is more of a suit than a character in Dark Waters, but that doesn't mean that he fails to hold his own. In the trusted hands of such an esteemed filmmaker like Todd Haynes, Jackson Harper proves himself in what remains one of his finest feature films thus far. 

Stream Dark Waters on Showtime.
Buy/Rent Dark Waters on Amazon.

They Remain (Shudder/Vudu)

In a sparse and remote environmental horror-thriller like They Remain, William Jackson Harper must really demonstrate his screen presence. With only himself and Rebecca Henderson as the movie's stars, the actor is given a great deal of screen time to work with the camera and to announce himself as an up-and-coming film star. While the movie itself wasn't exceptionally well-received, Harper did earn his fair share of praise, with critics noting that his increasingly restless character does a great deal to get us into the movie's tense, terse atmosphere. 

While it's likely to be a minor work compared to the actor's expanding resume, it was an accomplished early lead role — demonstrating how, even under narrative restraints, William Jackson Harper can comfortably announce himself in a major way and produce a movie star performance that's bellowing but also believable.

Stream They Remain on Shudder.
Stream They Remain on Vudu.
Buy/Rent They Remain on Amazon.

The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime)

Based on Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Amazon Prime's The Underground Railroad, created and directed by Barry Jenkins, easily became one of the year's most acclaimed show's, particularly as critics were quick to hail the prestige mini-series for its humane, haunting depiction of Whitehead's widely-celebrated text. Though it often proved to be a painful premise to cover, especially over the course of 10 episodes, Jenkins found gorgeous moments of gentle humanity to play against the abject terror of this delicate subject matter. Particularly in the show's second half, that difficult balance could be achieved through William Jackson Harper's welcoming performance as Royal, a passionate activist who finds himself in a courtship with the program's lead character, Cora. 

For as dire and depressing as The Underground Railroad could often be, Barry Jenkins expertly incorporated elements of inspiring grace, and Jackson Harper's performance was far from an exception in that respect. It also portrays a new side to Harper's screen presence, one that continues to evolve with many of his recent and upcoming projects, which we'll look out for in the days ahead. 

Stream The Underground Railroad on Amazon Prime. 

All Good Things (Hoopla/Kanopy)

You'd be forgiven if you don't remember William Jackson Harper from 2010's mysterious crime drama, All Good Things. Credited as "Moynihan's Assistant," the newcomer made his feature film debut in Andrew Jarecki's fictionalized dramatization of the life of Robert Durst, the convicted murderer who eventually became the dark subject of Jarecki's excellent HBO documentary series, The Jinx. 

While the movie itself was ultimately a bit uneven, notably in how its storytelling shakiness came from a filmmaker who was known for his non-fiction work, the performances are all compelling, particularly from our two leads, Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. Alas, Jackson Harper's supporting turn doesn't get a whole lot of screen time, unfortunately, but everyone needs to start their movie careers somewhere. And, this movie is certainly not the worst way to be launched onto the silver screen.

Stream All Good Things on Hoopla.
Stream All Good Things on Kanopy.
Buy/Rent All Good Things on Amazon. 

Paterson (Amazon Prime)

Playing the lovelorn Everett, an eccentric, verbose personality who serves as a notable counterbalance to our exceptionally mild-mannered, quietly reflective titular character, William Jackson Harper gave one of his most notable pre-Good Place performances in Jim Jarmusch's excellent 2016 character study, Paterson. 

Playing off Adam Driver's soft, casual screen presence, Jackson Harper is given a great deal of creative freedom to adopt an anxious, emotionally-yearning character before he stole a bunch of hearts as Chidi in NBC's afterlife dramedy. While the actor is only able to play second fiddle to Driver's compellingly reserved lead performance, it's certainly a notable standout turn — one that announced that Harper would continue to excel with his future screen credits.

Stream Paterson on Amazon Prime.
Buy/Rent Paterson on Amazon.

Follow CinemaBlend for the latest updates in film, TV, streaming, and more.

When it comes to comedy legends who have blown up in the last twenty or so years, none cross my mind as much as Maya Rudolph. From her explosion into stardom as part of the Saturday Night Live cast or her expansion into comedies like Bridesmaids, Maya Rudolph has truly cemented herself into movie and TV history with her quirky wit and comedic timing. 

But, where can you watch the best Maya Rudolph movies or TV performances? Look no further, because we have her best roles right here, and how you can stream or rent them right now. 

Saturday Night Live (2000-2007)

You know it, you love it, it’s live from New York, Saturday Night Live. This sketch show that has been ongoing since the 1970s has stayed popular for decades, rotating in new cast members every few years to create entertaining sketches about pop culture, politics, and anything else going on in the world. 

Maya Rudolph’s rise to fame happened originally because of her role as part of the Saturday Night Live cast, from 2000-2007. During her time there, she created plenty of memorable characters, moments, and sketches that still live on to this day, along with a cast filled with stars, such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kenan Thompson, and several others. 

Stream Saturday Night Live on Hulu. 

Idiocracy (2006)

Next up, we have Idiocracy. This science-fiction comedy tells the story of an American soldier who takes part in a classified hibernation experiment, only to be accidentally frozen and woken up 500 years later, when the world is most certainly not the same. 

Maya Rudolph plays Rita in the movie, alongside castmates such as Luke Wilson, Dax Shepard, Terry Crews and more. Personally, it’s one of my favorite cult films because while it wasn’t huge at the box office at the time of its release, it’s so funny. The sci-fi aspect is actually very well-thought out, but the chemistry between the stars is really what seals the deal. 

Stream Idiocracy on YouTube. 
Rent Idiocracy on Amazon.

Luca (2021)

In this Disney+ original film, a young sea monster named Luca wants to explore the surface as a human more, but in order to do that, he teams up with his new friend to win a contest so he can have a Vespa, and drive off to see the rest of the world. 

Maya Rudolph (as you’ll see) loves her voice roles. She has such a distinct voice that it’s always easy to pick her among the rest, but the whole Luca cast is fantastic overall. Pixar created another feel-good story, focusing on the newfound friendship between two boys and the ability to overcome odds despite the world looking down on you. While it’s not at the heights of Coco or Up, in my opinion, it still has a special place in my heart, and Rudolph’s character is one of the scene stealers. 

Stream Luca on Disney+. 

Grown Ups (2010)

In this Adam Sandler-led comedy, Grown Ups tells the story of five men who were all friends back when they were kids and won their middle-school championship. However, when the coach from that team passes away, they reunite in their hometown to pay homage to him. 

You know, I don’t care what the critics say - I loved Grown Ups. I loved it as a kid and I love it now as an adult. Maya Rudolph is part of a crazy ensemble cast that includes Sandler, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Norm Macdonald, Steve Buscemi - and all of them are so good, due to their fantastic chemistry and amazing comedic timing. You need to watch this movie - you won’t regret it. 

Stream Grown Ups on Netflix. 
Rent Grown Ups on Amazon. 

Away We Go (2009)

The comedy-drama Away We Go is about a couple, played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, who are awaiting their baby and searching for the perfect home to raise it in. While traveling, they reconnect with old friends and have their own misadventures, which redefine what the word “home” means for them. 

While Away We Go wasn’t the most popular at the box office, I really like this film. Rudolph and Krasinski have great chemistry together and you really believe their love story. But, overall, it’s just a sweet story. Sometimes all you need is that film that will make you smile and pull at your heartstrings, and Away We Go is one of them for sure. 

Stream Away We Go on Peacock. 
Rent Away We Go on Amazon. 

Bridesmaids (2011)

In this iconic comedy, Bridesmaids focuses on Annie, who, when she is to serve as the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding, suffers a series of unfortunate events and causes mayhem ahead of the ceremony. 

Maya Rudolph portrays Lillian, the best friend of Annie, and let me tell you that Bridesmaids is so worth your time to watch for so many reasons. The whole Bridesmaids cast, from Kristin Wiig and Melissa McCarthy, to Ellie Kemper, is so fantastic, and the jokes will make you hold your side from laughing so much. This is one of Paul Feig’s best films in my opinion, and it deserves all the praise that it has gotten over the years. 

Rent Bridesmaids on Amazon. 

The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)

In this Netflix original animated film, The Mitchells vs the Machines follows the titular family on a road trip that ends up with them having to save the world from a global robot uprising. 

Maya Rudolph portrays the mom in this movie, and let me say that she is so great in so many ways. Heck, the whole Mitchells vs the Machines cast is wonderful. But, what really makes this film stand out to me is two things: the animation is so unique and stunning compared to many of the animated films nowadays, and the story is heartwarming. I love the fact that while the robot takeover adds a lot of action, the story is more centered on family and how important it is to keep your loved ones close. 

Stream The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix. 

Wine Country (2019)

Moving on, we take a look at the Netflix original, Wine Country. This film follows a group of friends who have known each other for a long time, as they take a vacation to Napa Valley as a birthday getaway. 

I’ve always looked at Wine Country as the female version of Grown Ups, because all of these stars work well off of each other and have worked together before, such as Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. But, all in all, it’s just an enjoyable experience about a girl’s trip, mixed in with some pretty funny jokes. Maya Rudolph shines as Naomi, as does the rest of the cast. 

Stream Wine Country on Netflix. 

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Another voice role by Maya Rudolph is in Big Hero 6, a Disney animated film that tells the story of Hero, who, after losing his brother in a fiery explosion, takes it upon himself to form a superhero team with his brother's friends to take on the masked villain responsible for his death - with the help of Baymax, of course. 

As someone who has always loved superhero movies, Big Hero 6 delivers that and more, with a lot of action scenes, plenty of compelling characters, and some stunning animation sequences. Maya Rudolph (again) stars as the mom, but I love her character even more in this movie. She and her cat have some of the best moments - along with that adorably chubby robot.

Stream Big Hero 6 on Disney+. 
Rent Big Hero 6 on Amazon.

The Willoughbys (2020)

In this animated film, The Willoughbys tells the story of the Willoughby children, following four kids who are trying to find new parents to replace their self-centered and neglecting ones. 

When I tell you that this cast is star-studded, I mean it. There are so many amazing cast members that join Rudolph, including Will Forte, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Ricky Gervais, and more. Maya Rudolph’s nanny who looks after the kids definitely is one of the best characters, with all of her scenes with the kids either making you laugh or making you tear up, but, all in all, it’s a great, feel-good movie that deserves more praise. 

Stream The Willoughbys on Netflix. 

The Good Place (2018-2020)

In this popular series, The Good Place follows Kristin Bell’s character when she is welcomed to the Good Place after her death, a Heaven-like utopia designed for her righteous life. However, she was sent there by mistake, and has to hide her morally imperfect past while trying to become a better version of herself. 

While Maya Rudolph was only on the series for a couple of seasons, she stole the show as Judge Gen, who rules on the interdimensional matters between the Good Place and the Bad Place. The Good Place received so much praise for not only its acting, but its direction, story, and its themes about ethics and philosophy. I don’t want to say too much without giving it away. Give it a try if you haven’t already. 

Stream The Good Place on Netflix. 

Big Mouth (2017-Present)

Lastly, Big Mouth is a popular Netflix animated series that focuses on teens living in suburban New York, exploring what puberty is like and embracing a frankness about sex and the human body with no boundaries. 

To be frank, I’ve never been the hugest fan of Big Mouth, just because I think there are some other really great adult animated shows on Netflix that anyone could enjoy. However, I have to give credit where credit is due, because the show does have some great themes and stories about learning to embrace who you really are, paired with an excellent voice cast that features stars like Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, and more. 

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix. 

I’m sure that this list will only grow as Maya Rudolph continues to shine in her amazing movies and TV appearances, and maybe even pop up in some new 2022 movies. 

But, until that does happen, these are some of her best. Whether you want to smile, laugh, or watch some really awesome action scenes, all of her best projects have you covered. Now I just need to see if Rudolph will be in any of the new 2021 movies - there's only so much time left in the year. 

In this golden age of television, there are plenty of TV dramas that I love to watch, like the fantasy series Game of Thrones, or even the wonderfully written Breaking Bad. Maybe even catch up on some characters' romantic escapades before Bridgerton Season 2 comes out. However, while dramas are always intriguing and fun to watch, sometimes I just want to laugh, and comedies do the trick.

Luckily, there are plenty of comedy TV shows on Netflix for fans to enjoy, from original hits to already popular sitcoms and network hits. If you’re looking for a show that will have you clutching at your side from laughing so much, look no further than right here.

Community (2009 - 2015)

Community tells the story of Jeff Winger, who was disbarred and suspended from his law firm after they found out his bachelor’s degree was fake. In order to return, he attends Greendale Community College, where he meets an interesting cast of characters all with their own quirks and odd personalities.

Community is, hands down, one of my favorite shows ever. Created by Rick and Morty creator, Dan Harmon, the jokes always land and will make you laugh regardless of how you’re feeling on any day. And, let’s not even get started with the amazing Community cast. There are so many stars who blew up once they appeared in this awesome show, such as Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong - the list goes on and on. Seriously, if you haven’t watched Community yet, give it a shot now. Hopefully that Community movie comes sooner rather than later.

Stream Community on Netflix.

30 Rock (2006 - 2013)

Starring Tina Fey, 30 Rock revolves around the cast and crew of a fictitious sketch comedy series, which is filmed in Studio 6H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, focusing on the creation of this show, and the hijinks that come with it.

Honestly, I think what makes this such a great show is the 30 Rock cast. Not only do they have amazing chemistry with each other, but their characters are really easy to root for and are super funny, from Tina Fey to Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan. Everything works together beautifully. With Tina Fey as one of the main writers of the show, you know it’s going to be funny.

Stream 30 Rock on Netflix.

New Girl (2011 - 2018)

In New Girl, Jess is a young woman who just found out her long-term boyfriend has been cheating on her. So, she moves out and into a loft with three strangers, Nick, Winston, and Schmidt, all of whom have their own oddball tendencies that make her new life fun.

New Girl is so wholesome. There are a lot of comedies out there that can sometimes get darker, dipping their toes in drama (like Barry or Orange is the New Black). However, New Girl never does that. It’s really focused on comedy and makes you smile. Schmidt is the funniest character in my opinion, but everyone else in the New Girl cast each has their moment to shine.

Stream New Girl on Netflix.

Schitt’s Creek (2015 - 2020)

Schitt’s Creek tells the story of the Rose family, who were once wealthy and then suddenly lose all their assets except for a town, called Schitt’s Creek, they bought decades ago as a joke. Now, while living there, it’s up to them to somehow find a way out and become rich again.

If you’re looking for a fantastic family comedy, Schitt’s Creek is definitely one of the better ones out there. The entire Schitt’s Creek cast has such a great dynamic, but my personal favorites are David and Alexis, played by Dan Levy and Annie Murphy. Their sibling rivalry is not only believable, but shows what it’s like to not only fight with your sibling but love them unconditionally, even in the darkest of times. You’ll love them so much you’ll be saying “Ew, David,” not that long after starting the show.

Stream Schitt’s Creek on Netflix.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015 - 2019, 2020)

In this Netflix original series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt tells the story of Kimmy, a young woman who was kidnapped years ago and locked in a bunker for more than a decade, only to emerge as a fully grown woman in a brand new world, trying to adjust.

With four seasons, I definitely think Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a great comedy original from Netflix. Ellie Kemper has so much charisma as Kimmy, paired with her out of touch boss, Jacqueline White (played by Jane Krakowski), and her amazingly wonderful roommate Tituss Andromedon (played by Tituss Burgess), it’s a perfectly balanced show. Also, the opening theme to this show is one of the catchiest ones I’ve ever heard - I sing along to it every time. There’s even a special interactive film Netflix did for the show a year after it ended, so give it a chance if you haven’t tuned in yet.

Stream Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017 - 2019)

In this original comedy from Netflix, Santa Clarita Diet follows two married real estate agents, but when Sheila suddenly becomes undead and has a craving for human flesh, she and her family must find a way to somehow adapt to their new life.

Santa Clarita Diet is a show on Netflix that got cancelled way too soon. It was so funny, and had such a great cast, including the always wonderful Drew Barrymore as the lead. The story itself was also really interesting, including a mythological mystery and plenty of funny, gory moments in a comedy show about someone who looks like a normal person but lives as a zombie. I really wish it went on for longer, but, at least now, you can enjoy all of its glory on Netflix.

Stream Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix.

Big Mouth (2017 - Present)

Big Mouth centers on teens who are based on creators Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg’s upbringing in suburban New York, exploring puberty while embracing a frank way of looking at the human body and sex.

I’ll be honest - Big Mouth was never my favorite series. I think it’s just because the animation style was never my cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean I can’t acknowledge that it is very funny at times, and also addresses some themes that most comedies don’t ever talk about, including what it’s like to grow up, really digging deep and creating a memorable show that also serves a purpose. Plus, the Big Mouth cast is awesome too, with stars like John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, and more voicing the characters.

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix.

The Politician (2019 - 2020)

In this Netflix original, The Politician follows Payton Hobart, a wealthy young man from Santa Barbara, and each season revolves around a different political race that his character is involved in, whether that be for school or somewhere else.

I never thought Netflix would find a way to make politics funny, but The Politician does an amazing job at it. Not only is Ben Platt of Dear Evan Hansen fame very good as the lead character, but the rest of his co-stars are great as well, including Zoey Deutch, Laura Dreyfuss, Gwyneth Paltrow, and so many others. The story is full of hilarious moments, and with only two seasons to binge, it’s not the longest series but definitely worth the time to watch.

Stream The Politician on Netflix.

The Good Place (2016 - 2020)

In this popular series, The Good Place follows Eleanor, a woman who has passed on and has arrived in The Good Place, where those who have been good during their lives go once they die. However, Eleanor realizes something's wrong, because she is not supposed to be there.

This is another example of a wholesome comedy that I feel anyone could enjoy watching. The Good Place cast is definitely one of the best out there, led by the funny Kristen Bell, filled with hilarious jokes and funny moments, but it’s not afraid to make you smile and get you all teary-eyed at the same time. Plus, you’ll also find yourself laughing at how often they try to curse in The Good Place. Holy mother forking shirtballs.

Stream The Good Place on Netflix.

Sex Education (2019 - Present)

In this popular Netflix original, Sex Education follows Otis Milburn, an insecure student when it comes to sex, but who has a mother who's a sex therapist, so he starts a secret program at school to give other kids advice on sex and relationships.

This dramedy is definitely another one of those big shows with a huge ensemble, but the Sex Education cast is full of newer and more established stars, all with amazing talent. It is primarily a comedy, but the show isn’t afraid to talk about serious issues, from different sexual identities and their acceptance, to how to properly deal with your first time - it’s the perfect coming-of-age show, and something a lot of people would enjoy.

Stream Sex Education on Netflix.

Russian Doll (2019 - Present)

Think Groundhog Day, but even funnier. Russian Doll is about a woman named Nadia, who seems caught in an inescapable time loop as the guest of honor at a party one night in New York City. Now, it’s up to her to try and solve the problem.

First off, Natasha Lyonne is wonderful in her role and rocks it as Nadia. I can’t think of a better person to play the main character. But, Russian Doll is more than just its fun cast, with a funny story that has a lot of twists and turns, and a mystery that’s entertaining from beginning to end. With a Season 2 ordered for the popular show, now's the time to binge the first one.

Stream Russian Doll on Netflix.

BoJack Horseman (2014 - 2020)

In this animated comedy, BoJack Horseman follows the titular character, a washed-up star of the 1990s sitcom, Horsin’ Around. Now, he’s trying to plan a comeback by releasing a ghost-written, tell-all autobiography.

BoJack Horseman is definitely one of my favorite adult animated comedies to watch. While there are plenty of stupid funny moments in this wonderfully animated show, BoJack Horseman isn’t afraid to talk about the dark topics of Hollywood, such as drug and alcohol addiction, recklessness, depression, and so much more. It’s definitely a gem of a comedy and deserves all the praise it has gotten over the years.

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

Arrested Development (2003 - 2006, 2013 - 2019)

Last but not least, we take a look at Arrested Development. In this popular series, we follow the Bluths, a family that was formerly wealthy and very dysfunctional, trying to live their lives now that they have lost their riches.

Arrested Development walked so that Schitt’s Creek could run. This series is honestly one of the funniest shows ever, with a cast that truly stands above the rest, including Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor, and so many others. The series was so popular that it was renewed by Netflix years after it was cancelled by Fox, with the same cast, so you know that it’s definitely entertaining. If dysfunctional families are your favorite, there are none quite like the Bluths.

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.

These are some of the best shows to binge on Netflix, and now, you have some awesome options if you’re craving comedy and need a good laugh. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to watch Community for the umpteenth time.

The MCU just returned to television thanks to the premiere of Loki, but the God of Mischief's story isn't the only one getting more exciting. The She-Hulk TV show is on the way to Disney+, and now a veteran of The Good Place has been cast to play the MCU's latest villain. Jameela Jamil, best known Tahani Al-Jamil, is on board She-Hulk to play a character who is bad news for Tatiana Maslany's Jennifer Walters.

Jameela Jamil has joined She-Hulk to play a Marvel supervillain by the name of Titania, according to Variety, and this Titania definitely isn't out of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Titania possesses incredible strength, and as Marvel Comics fans know, is frequently included in She-Hulk stories as a rival, so she makes sense as a baddie for She-Hulk. That said, a different villain had been confirmed for She-Hulk long before the news broke about Jamil as Titania.

Tim Roth will reprise his role as Emil Blonsky/Abomination for the first time since The Incredible Hulk released back in 2008 as the second MCU film and only MCU film starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. Roth was one of the first cast members confirmed for She-Hulk, along with Tatiana Maslany as She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters and Mark Ruffalo as Hulk.

In addition to Tatiana Maslany, Mark Ruffalo, and Tim Roth, Jameela Jamil joins a cast filled out by Hamilton's Renée Elise Goldsberry and Ginger Gonzaga of Togetherness and Kidding fame. Neither Marvel Studios nor Disney have commented on the news of Jamil joining She-Hulk, and Jamil herself hasn't posted on social media about playing Titania at the time of writing.

While She-Hulk is described as a comedy series (and therefore probably likely to be quite different from the heartbreaking WandaVision), the Disney+ series should show off a side of Jameela Jamil that she didn't demonstrate on The Good Place, and not just because her performance as Tahani on the NBC sitcom definitely wasn't villainous. Even if Tahani did arguably earn herself a spot in The Bad Place!

The initial report of Jameela Jamil joining She-Hulk came from The Illuminerdi and stated that Titania was code-named "Lucy" for the sake of secrecy, and is a social media influencer in her 30s, described as a "Kardashian-esque" villain with a dark side. Whether or not this "Lucy" description proves to be accurate for the final version of Titania who debuts as part of She-Hulk remains to be seen.

Unfortunately, MCU fans shouldn't count on seeing Jameela Jamil as Titania opposite Tatiana Maslany's Jennifer Walters any time too soon. She-Hulk isn't expected to premiere on Disney+ until 2022. The good news is that there is plenty of MCU TV action on the way in the meantime. Tom Hiddleston's Loki premiered on June 9 as the third Marvel Studios TV show to hit the streaming service, following WandaVision in January and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in March.

Following Loki this summer will be What If...? as Marvel Studios' first animated series, focusing on different heroes and famous events being reimagined in some unexpected ways. Ms. Marvel and Hawkeye are both expected before the end of 2021 as well. So, while She-Hulk is still a ways off from introducing Jennifer Walters and Titania, there will be plenty of MCU heroes and villains to be found on Disney+.

The Internet loves to fancast. Log onto social media at any time of day and you’re bound to see a thousand posts detailing cast lists for movies that might never even happen. Rarely do the actors cast in these fan productions ever actually see these fancasts - but sometimes they do, and it's glorious. The Good Place star William Jackson Harper is one such actor. His fan role? None other than the Man of Steel himself, Clark Kent/Superman.

In a virtual appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, William Jackson Harper responded to a series of tweets claiming that he should play Superman with the following:

The Chidi-as-Superman discussion arose when it was announced that the bestselling author of Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates, would pen a new DC movie featuring a Black Superman. Black Panther alum Michael B. Jordan quashed any rumors that he would be involved, which got the Internet thinking. While I’m usually wary of anything conjured up by social media, I have to admit: Twitter has a point.

Not that I want to subject William Jackson Harper to a superhero’s workout regimen, but casting him as Superman would actually make a lot of sense. And it's not just because of the Clark Kent-esque glasses he sports as Chidi Anagoyne on The Good Place (Jimmy Kimmel jokingly suggested as much), although the adorkable oversize frames definitely help.

For one thing, William Jackson Harper is jacked... like, seriously jacked. Remember Eleanor’s look of total bewilderment when she first saw shirtless Chidi? I do, because it was also my reaction. It’s ironic that he doesn’t want to do the exercise routine, because if The Good Place is any indication, he doesn’t really need it.

Buff arms and six-pack aside, William Jackson Harper proved that he can play a nervous and nerdy guy, which is Clark Kent to a tee. And when Chidi gains more confidence as The Good Place progresses, you can see glimpses of the hero William Jackson Harper could evoke in a different role, namely the role of Superman.

One Twitter user also suggested that The Mandalorian actor Giancarlo Esposito play Lex Luthor in this theoretical Superman movie, which - come on. DC, make it happen. Thousands of people have joined in the conversation, so movie studios: take note. The people have spoken, and they want William Jackson Harper. In the meantime, check out CinemaBlend’s ranking of every existing Superman movie.

The workplace comedy remains a prominent genre in the TV industry, in the last two decades alone, we had giants like The Office, and other hits that have popped up over the years. However, there is one other workplace comedy that stands out to me the most among the rest, and that is Parks and Recreation. It’s mainly because I loved following the story of Leslie Knope from the first season to the very end, but Parks and Recreation is filled with several other fun-loving characters and stories that anyone can enjoy. 

Since the series has come to an end, and the brilliant Parks and Recreation cast has gone elsewhere, there have been many fans who have been looking for a replacement for the popular office comedy. Look no further, for these are the shows that are like Parks and Recreation that will fill that hole in your heart for comedy. These are some of the best you can get.

Community (2009 - 2015)

I’ve always loved Community, and I think that fans of Parks and Recreation will adore it just as much as I have on Netflix. Community tells the story of six very unlikely friends coming together in a community college, all with their own quirks and interests, and yet somehow, they form a tight family that always has each other’s backs – no matter how looney it gets.

Community is great for Parks and Recreation fans because of the quirks of each character. I love hearing about their own personal home life, and how somehow, even though they can be so different, they come together at some of the best moments. My mind always thinks back to Leslie Knope, and how somehow through all the struggles she goes through, her friends and her team (with all their own quirks) are behind her. Community is a great show. Plus, the Community cast is full of so much talent.

Stream Community on Netflix.

Abbott Elementary (2021 - Present)

One of the newest additions to this list, Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary series that follows the lives of teachers working at a public school in Philadelphia, looking at both their personal and professional stories, as well as their journeys to try and provide for their students. 

With two seasons so far, and a third one on the way, Abbott Elementary is a great show to watch. I’ve binged all two seasons several times, and it’s just one of those shows that brings you comfort, just like Parks and Recreation. The cast is stunning, the story is fun, and there’s plenty of modern-day comedy in it that makes it that much more enjoyable. And yes, you’ll be reading the timeline of Janine and Gregory’s relationship just like I did after two seasons.

Stream Abbott Elementary on Hulu. 

The Office  (2005 - 2013)

When it was first developed by The Office's Michael Schur and Greg Daniels, Parks and Recreation was originally meant to be a spin-off of this popular office comedy. The Office is considered classic television for a reason. Based on a British comedy of the same name, NBC comedy tells the story of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, and all of its employee's daily struggles – as well as personal struggles – with their job as well as their problematic and yet lovable boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell).

This is the show for Parks and Recreation fans. We are talking about the epitome of what an office comedy should be. If seeing what working in a different kind of work-place interests you, this is most certainly your type of show. You’ll love the relationship between Jim and Pam, you’ll see the interesting side of Michael Scott, and so much more. And The Office cast is always a win. 

Stream The Office on Peacock. 

The Good Place  (2016 - 2020)

Moving over into emotional beats, The Good Place is one of the best-developed shows out there. The Good Place covers the story, at first, of Eleanor, a woman who is welcomed into a utopia-like “the Good Place” after her death, for her righteous acts on the earth, but something doesn’t add up – she’s not supposed to be in the Good Place.

Created by Parks and Rec's Michael Schur, The Good Place is one of those comedies that just gets better with age and with each season. For fans of Parks and Recreation, you’ll enjoy The Good Place for the excellent character development that happens over the timespan of its four seasons, with its brilliant Good Place cast. Truly, there’s not much I can say without giving it away, but it’s certainly worth your time to watch. There’s plenty of twists and turns that will have your head spinning.

Stream The Good Place on Netflix. 

The Mindy Project (2012 - 2017)

Created by Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project was a six-season series starring Mindy Kaling as a obstetrician/gynecologist and mainly follows her personal and professional life, from her relationships outside of the office to what she has to deal with in her own career as a young woman, including her interesting relationships with her co-workers. 

For fans of Parks and Recreation, this show is perfect because it stars another interesting female character that has a really good story. While I don’t think Mindy is as quirky as Leslie is, she certainly captures the audience's attention and has some hilarious interactions with her co-workers, making this an effective workplace comedy mixed in with some drama here and there. 

Stream The Mindy Project on Netflix. 

Arrested Development  (2003 - 2019)

This show was definitely one of the best out there. Arrested Development follows the story of the Bluth family who, after losing all of their wealth, continue to live extravagant lifestyles despite their circumstances, and it draws them into issues all the time.

While it’s not a workplace comedy or something that has some emotional undertones for most episodes, Arrested Development is on this list for just how funny it is, especially all of its inside jokes. I mean, this is one of those shows where it almost feels like an acquired taste because of how out there so many of these jokes are. Parks and Recreation had some amazing comedy, but if you want something truly looney, take a look at Arrested Development. I promise you that you’ll be holding your side from laughing too hard after the first episode.

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine  (2013 - 2021)

Back to the standard workplace comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine captures that perfectly. This iconic comedy stars Andy Samberg in the lead role of Jake Peralta, a detective who is part of Brooklyn’s fictional 99th Precinct, and who often gets into trouble with his commanding officer. And of course, we get to see the lives of his coworkers, and the hijinks of what happens in this kooky police station.

Truly, Saturday Night Live alum Andy Samberg shines in this role. Prior to Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I hadn't seen him do something that really showed off his full comedic potential, but after watching, I can confirm that this is truly one of his funniest roles. That and his castmates surrounding him are just as good – I never would have thought Terry Crews was a funny guy but dang, does he rock it in this show. For fans of Parks and Recreation, this is certainly a good replacement for you.

Stream Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Peacock.

New Girl (2011 - 2018)

This was one of my favorite shows for so long, and for so many reasons. New Girl is all about Jess (Zooey Deschanel), a girl who just recently found out her boyfriend is cheating on her, so she moves out of their home and into a rental apartment with three men. How much drama does this cause? So much. And all of it is great.

New Girl ran for seven seasons, and in my eyes, I feel like that was the perfect runtime to tell the story. Parks and Recreation fans will love the relationships that are formed within the New Girl cast, from friendships to romantic relationships, but will also find themselves laughing just as much. There are so many ridiculous scenes and characters - like Nick (Jake Johnson), for example, who is the definition of “procrastination” – that will have you shaking your head at the TV and laughing at their lives.

Stream New Girl on Hulu.

How I Met Your Mother (2005 - 2014)

While it’s certainly had its fair share of controversy, How I Met Your Mother is a great show. The story begins with Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), who starts out the series by beginning to explain to his children how he met their mother. And from there, we are taken back in time, learning about the whole experience over several seasons.

For Parks and Recreation fans, this is another case of relationships that are formed over several seasons that really hit home with you. You begin to grow connections with these characters, more than you ever thought you would, and they begin to touch you emotionally. While the last season’s ending is heavily debated amongst fans for its ending, it’s certainly worth the binge for the story prior, as well as watching the excellent How I Met Your Mother cast.

Stream How I Met Your Mother on Hulu.

Party Down (2009 - 2010, 2023)

For a short binge of a comedy, this one's for you. Party Down follows the tale of a Los Angeles catering team, who all collectively hope that their big break or some sort of positive change in their lives will soon take place.

The original series only has two seasons and twenty episodes, which are a half-hour long each, so it’s certainly going to be an easy binge compared to some of the longer shows on this list. The hilarity of some of the situations that these guys get into as well will make the time fly by super quickly, so keep your eye on the episode count. And now, in 2023, there’s been a revival, so Season 3 is out there, with six fresh episodes to watch. Plus, you get the brilliant Jane Lynch and Adam Scott, so you’ll surely be snickering for a good amount of time.

Stream Party Down on Starz.

Veep (2012 - 2019)

Think Parks and Recreation, but on a much bigger scale and way more cynical. Veep is an HBO series that mainly follows Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the United States, and her time working in the White House as she tries to make a name for herself but has to deal with the political games that she is thrown into every day, paired with a president that drives her crazy. 

Veep is basically Parks and Recreation but a whole lot bigger. It’s all about a woman trying to make things better and make a name for herself but outside forces end up stopping her, whether it be rules or policies or annoying coworkers that just don’t understand what she is trying to do. Selina Meyer is probably one of the funniest characters in comedic television and that’s thanks to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ great portrayal, but the Veep cast in of itself is fantastic too. 

Stream Veep on Max. 

Modern Family (2009 - 2020)

I feel like everyone knows about Modern Family just because of how iconic it has become in TV culture. This show is exactly what you would think it would be about – a typical, modern American family, with all of its quirks and different twists and turns.

One of my favorite parts about Modern Family is that we get to see a change in the characters over time, much like Parks and Recreation. I especially loved watching the children grow up into their own people and form their own relationships, and watching the development of the parents as well. Not only that, but the ridiculousness of what they face daily is stupidly funny. I mean, we all want a dad like Phil Dunphy.

Stream Modern Family on Peacock.
Stream Modern Family on Hulu.

Schitt’s Creek (2015 - 2020)

In all its Emmy Award-winning glory, now we move onto Schitt’s Creek. This popular TV show follows the story of the Rose family, who end up losing all their riches due to a family friend, and now have to somehow live their lives in the one place they still owned as a joke – a town called Schitt’s Creek.

This show ended up getting mega-popular in its later years, for good reasons. The character development that takes place over its six seasons is top-notch, and for fans of Parks and Recreation, the character relationships and friendships that develop on this show will make you smile. It’s one of the better comedies out there. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but let’s just say that the Schitt's Creek ending is worth it.

Stream Schitt’s Creek on Hulu..

30 Rock  (2006 - 2013)

As our last entry on this list, I only find it fitting to return back to the office comedy, written and starring the impeccable Tina Fey. 30 Rock is all about the boss of a variety show, who has to manage her relationships between the show’s star as well as it’s executive producer, who end up butting heads on multiple occasions.

For fans of Tina Fey and her comedic style, this is perfect for you and even better for Parks and Recreation fans. It’s the exact amount of looniness you would expect from her. And what makes it better is that Amy Poehler, Leslie Knope herself, even guest-starred on the show at one point. It’s certainly one of the best workplace comedies out there with sort of a Hollywood twist, so check it out.

Stream 30 Rock on Peacock here.

If that's not enough for you, or you're looking for something newer, keep an eye out for any upcoming 2023 TV premieres.  If you don’t mind me, I’m going to re-watch Schitt’s Creek for the tenth time now. 

CinemaBlend participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links.

When it comes to comedies, there are several out there for fans to enjoy if they want a good laugh. You can watch a classic sitcom like Friends or Seinfeld, or maybe lean towards something that’s more of a combination comedy/drama, like Orange Is the New Black, but for me, some of my favorite comedies are the wholesome ones.

I’m talking about comedies where they purely try and make you smile. The comedies where you can sit down and feel your heart warm as the minutes tick by while watching your favorite characters interact. Ted Lasso is a great example of those comedies, a simple concept that most wouldn’t expect to be so great, but ended up working exceptionally well. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t several other great examples out there for people to watch. These are the best wholesome comedies for you to enjoy.

Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

Starting with the king of wholesome comedies right now, Ted Lasso is the perfect way to smile. It tells the story of Ted Lasso, an American college football coach who takes on the role as a football coach (what we call soccer) in the premier league in England. Of course, he has no idea what he’s doing, but he wants to do it well, and hilarity ensues.

What really makes Ted Lasso stand out is how simple it is. You don’t expect a sports show to make you smile, laugh and cry all at the same time, but Ted Lasso does a great job of it. The cast is stellar, and Jason Sudeikis shines in the starring role. You should check it out.

Stream it on Apple TV here.

Parks and Recreation (Peacock)

I found myself smiling throughout this whole show. Parks and Recreation revolves around Leslie Knope, who is the deputy director of the parks and recreation department in the Indiana town of Pawnee, and she really loves her job. Like, really does.

As she tries to fulfill requests by the citizens and do her due diligence, she runs into the common issues and struggles that we don’t really think about, which local politicians seem to face. What really makes this show stand above the rest is how much Leslie really cares about this. Most people would never think that parks and rec would be that big of a deal, but Leslie is a true believer. Amy Poehler does a great job as the main character, and the surrounding cast is amazing as well. Besides, who doesn't want to see pre-Marvel Chris Pratt?

Stream it on Peacock here.

New Girl (Netflix)

Think of what can happen when you add a woman who's dealing with heartbreak to three guys who have no clue how to help her. That’s New Girl, the story of Jess and her new life with Nick, Schmidt, and Winston in their apartment in California, after she breaks up with her cheating boyfriend. And, boy does this show deliver on the comedy.

It has great delivery and jokes over the seven seasons it aired, but the messages that are told to the viewers are probably as wholesome as you can get. They talk about how friendship can really help people through everything, and how simple conversation can change the entire outcome of a situation – common things we would think of IRL. Zooey Deschanel and Jake Johnson have some of the best onscreen chemistry I’ve ever seen in a comedy, and the other stars work so well together – most certainly worth the watch.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Schitt’s Creek (Netflix)

I loved Schitt’s Creek over all the years that it aired, and I’m so happy that it’s now getting the recognition that it deserves. Schitt’s Creek is about the story of the Rose family, and how they end up losing everything they own, besides a tiny town they bought years ago. Now, they've had to retreat to Schitt’s Creek, and try to rebuild their lives.

What makes Schitt’s Creek awesome is that while it’s not the most PG comedy there is (they do say the ‘F’ word quite often) the dynamic between the family members is what really makes it. Do they sometimes say silly and maybe mean things to each other? Yes, but what family doesn’t? The sibling relationship between Alexis and David is top tier, Moira and Johnny have their moments of cuteness as a parental couple, and through it all, they’re still all united. It’s really a standout comedy.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Modern Family (Peacock)

The family sitcom Modern Family is a modern classic for fans of wholesome comedy. Modern Family is exactly what the title says – the story about a modern family, and how the idea of what a typical American family should look has changed over the years, with them all still loving each other no matter what.

Modern Family is known to be one of the best sitcoms this century, and for good reason. Not only was it a great way to show the changes in what can happen in today’s modern family, but the jokes also don’t feel forced, something that I can’t say for a lot of other sitcoms, and blend in well with the family aspect. Plus, it’s always fun to watch the kids in these shows grow up over the years, and turn into amazing young actors and actresses.

Stream it on Peacock here.

The Good Place (Netflix)

Think about what the afterlife could be like – how could a comedy focus on that? Well, that’s what The Good Place is about, and it centers on the tale of Eleanor, who thinks that she has been sent to the “Good Place” accidentally and deserves to be in the “Bad Place."

It sounds strange. When I first started watching it, I was a bit perplexed about where the show was going, but you don’t need to be religious to really enjoy this show. The messages of clear justice and morality are clear throughout, and mixed in with very good comedy that will make anyone say “holy mother-forking shirt balls!” It seems a bit out there, but give it a shot. It’s most certainly worth it just to see Kristin Bell attempt to curse in the Good Place.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Queer Eye (Netflix)

Oh my god, I love Queer Eye. The new series on Netflix is basically a remake of the original show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, except this version is for everyone, no matter how they identify. The series focuses on five male gurus who each focus on an individual topic - beauty, cooking, housing, style, and social life - to somehow help individuals blossom with their tips and tricks.

While not technically a comedy, this show is the epitome of wholesomeness. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried listening to the stories of some of the people that these men have helped, while also cheering them on when their participants start to grow and be the best version of themselves. The Fab Five is so supportive of every person they help, and it makes me want to be more helpful to anyone I come across. Plus, you can learn some awesome life tips.

Stream it on Netflix here.

The Golden Girls (Hulu)

Now, if you want an oldie but a goodie, look no further than The Golden Girls. This show is all about what it’s like to be an older woman living in America, telling the story of four divorced/widowed women who are now roommates.

If you want classic comedy, this one is most certainly your go-to, with several stars that we all know about today, including Betty White and Estelle Getty. The jokes are simple and yet still fit so well today, and the topics that are broached throughout the show cover very similar territory that we even see now, with a heavy focus on what love and friendship really mean.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Peacock)

In my eyes, Andy Samberg is always a win, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine is most certainly included in that. The popular sitcom focuses around Jake Peralta, a detective at Brooklyn’s 99 Precinct (fictional, mind you), who’s a bit immature and often butts heads with his commanding officer, Captain Raymond Holt, who’s the complete opposite. What could happen from these two opposing personalities working together?

Well, exactly what you would expect, but even better. Andy Samberg, Terry Crews, and everyone else has some of the best chemistry between an ensemble I have ever seen on TV. Everything feels so natural and rolls of the tongue, and even the most unrealistic moments feel strangely real because the delivery of these lines is great. It’s a simple show that just happens to revolve around the main characters working in a police station, but you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat, hoping that these two characters make up, or the next two get together, or so much more. Most certainly worth the binge.

Stream it on Peacock here.

Gilmore Girls (Netflix)

Another classic on here, Gilmore Girls is all about the story of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother-daughter duo who are more like best friends than just your traditional mother and daughter. Because of this, hijinks occur and there are certain instances where a mother is required rather than a best friend, and sometimes it doesn’t go as planned.

What makes Gilmore Girls one of the best comedies out there is while it does have plenty of moments of humor that even fit well with today’s standards, there are some seriously heartwarming moments that will make you smile. They also talk about some serious issues, such as teen pregnancy and depression, things that a lot of people deal with every day. The wholesomeness between Rory and Lorelai is worth any watch and will make you want to sit down on the couch with your mom and watch a movie with her. The show was so popular it had a spinoff miniseries years later.

Stream it on Netflix here.

The Office (Peacock)

I mean…I can’t have this list without mentioning this classic of a show.

The Office is about the daily craziness that happens at Dundler Mifflin Paper Company, and the oddities which occur with the various coworkers and their boss, Michael Scott. Every day there seems to be some new issue, but it always tends to get wrapped up near the end of the episode – whether it’s done well or a little messily.

Look, The Office has its own issues and controversial episodes (looking at you, “Diversity Day”) but there are plenty of wholesome moments throughout the show that will connect to you on a personal level. The relationship between Jim and Pam is top tier, and the friendships that are built throughout the show reminds me of some of my own. It’s really sweet to see the evolution of these characters, even Michael, as problematic as he can be sometimes.

Stream it on Peacock here.

Sometimes we really all just need to smile and let go of the world. Hopefully, these shows can help you reach that goal of yours even sooner. What are some of your favorite sitcoms?

Schitt’s Creek has had an interesting run. It started out as a project between a father and son, then became a cult favorite, then found a bigger audience through Netflix, and in 2020, the series broke Emmy records. Schitt’s Creek is the little Canadian show that could and did. The series is a nice combination of sweet, wholesome, and effortlessly funny. Anyone who has watched Schitt’s Creek immediately falls for its charm and optimistic approach to comedy and the simple life.

Overall, Schitt’s Creek is a fish-out-of-water tale about the Rose family. The Roses were once wealthy, but now they only have one asset left: a town they bought as a joke, Schitt’s Creek. Each character is quirky and lovable in their own way. Schitt’s Creek’s concept is a classic one, but there aren’t many shows currently airing that follow the same themes, at least not available to stream on Netflix, but there are shows out there with the same charisma and colorful characters.

Kim’s Convenience (2016-)

Kim’s Convenience is a Korean Canadian series that follows the Kim family as they deal with family issues and the struggles that come with running a convenience store in Toronto. Kim’s Convenience stars Simu Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Andrea Bang, and Jean Yoon. It was recently renewed for at least two more seasons, which will give it six in total.

Why It's A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Like Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience’s base is the family unit and their distinct and unbreakable bond. The Kims and the Roses are all fun characters themselves, but they look a little saner when compared to the characters around them.

Stream it on Netflix here.

The Good Place (2016-2020)

The Good Place starts with Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) arriving at the “good place” after she dies. She immediately knows that a mistake has been made because the accolades mentioned for her are things that she never did. Eleanor belongs in the “bad place.” The Good Place follows Eleanor, Tahani (Jameela Jamil), Michael (Ted Danson), Janet (D’Arcy Carden), Jason (Manny Jacinto), and Chidi (William Jackson Harper) as they try to navigate different good place obstacles.

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: The Roses weren’t the best people in their past, but while living in Schitt’s Creek, they became better versions of themselves. One major aspect of The Good Place is all of these characters’ evolution into better versions of themselves.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Love (2016-2018)

Love was created by Judd Apatow, Paul Rust, and Lesley Arfin. It’s about Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (Paul Rust)’s relationship and their journey as a couple, and as individuals. On paper, they don’t seem like a pair with a bright future, but somehow, they get each other and work.

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Like Mickey and Gus, personality-wise, David (Daniel Levy) and Patrick (Noah Reid) don’t seem like a couple that would work, but that’s what makes them such an endearing and fun couple to watch. Both shows have characters who aren’t perfect but they’re learning to open themselves up to love, despite their flaws.

Stream it on Netflix here.

New Girl (2011-2018)

Jess (Zooey Deschanel) moves into an apartment with three male roommates: Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Coach (Damon Wayne Jr.) originally, but then Winston (Lamorne Morris) takes his place in the loft. New Girl is about these wacky roommates who share a close bond and affection for each other.

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: I believe that New Girl and Schitt’s Creek have the same brand of wholesomeness. Yeah, they may have a dirty joke here and there, but both series are rarely mean spirited or extremely serious. New Girl and Schitt’s Creek take a cheery approach to portraying life and its problems.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Arrested Development (2003-2019)

Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) is forced to take over his family’s real estate business when his father is sent to prison for committing white-collar crimes. Arrested Development’s cast includes Will Arnett, Portia de Rossi, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, and Tony Hale.

Why it’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: The Bluth family is almost the antithesis of Schitt’s Creek and the Rose family. The Roses aren’t perfect but they still have moments where they care and look out for each other and other people. The Bluths may have moments of generosity but they’re much more ruthless. The Bluths may be what would have happened to the Rose family if Moira (Catherine O’Hara) was a little more cold-hearted.

Stream it on Netflix here.

ATypical (2017-)

ATypical is about Sam (Keir Gilchrist) and his family. Sam is on the autism spectrum, so he’s trying to learn to navigate the world with this disability, especially when it comes to falling in love. ATypical’s cast includes Brigette Lundy-Paine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Michael Rapaport.

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Atypical and Schitt’s Creek are both unique series with big hearts. Atypical is gentle in its approach to autism -- it has you laugh with Sam and this crazy world, but it never allows you to laugh at him. Schitt’s Creek has many moments that make your heart ache in the best way. One of Schitt Creek’s most heartwarming episodes was about a character coming out to his parents, and the show approached the episode with what felt like an honest, sincere, and sweet perspective. It was void of the usual drama that comes with many coming out episodes on other TV shows. It was more about the character just being ready to say his truth. ATypical and Schitt’s Creek both have many tender moments of sincerity.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Community (2009-2015)

Community is about Lawyer Jeff (Joel McHale) who is disbarred when it’s revealed that he doesn’t have his bachelor’s degree. He must go to a community college to complete his schooling. He forms a study group to impress Britta (Gillian Jacobs). Soon the fake study group becomes a real one, and the group forms a tight bond.

Why It’s a Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Community and Schitt’s Creek are both series good at creating their own worlds. There are things that can only happen at Schitt’s Creek and be completely normal, and the same goes for the Greendale Community College. Each series has its own set of strange characters that would seem bonkers in any other world, but fit the world that exists within these series.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stars Rachel Bloom. She plays Rebecca Bunch, a woman who moves to West Covina for her ex-boyfriend from summer camp, Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III).

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend deals with serious issues like mental health in an almost whimsical manner. It addresses these issues but does it through song, dance, and a “things will get better” manner. Schitt’s Creek, for the most part, stays away from too heavy topics, but it still approaches its character’s lives in an almost fairytale-like way. No matter what issues the Roses and friends face, you know that things will work out.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Billy on The Street (2011-)

Billy on the Street is a comedy game show hosted by Billy Eichner. He travels around New York City asking strangers random questions for various prizes. Sometimes these prizes are money, but often they’re replicas of some sort. Billy also sometimes brings celebrity guests along.

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Schitt’s Creek gets much of its humor from the strange people that live in Schitt’s Creek and how the Roses don’t quite understand them and fit in. Billy on the Street is funny because of the strange encounters Billy has with New Yorkers. Sometimes he’s the strange one to them and sometimes he’s flabbergasted by them. Either way, the interactions lead to comedy gold. The same can be said with Moira, Johnny (Eugene Levy), Alexis (Annie Murphy), and David trying to interact with characters like the Schitts.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)

Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant play Sheila and Joel Hammond. They run a successful real estate business and live a typical suburban American life, until some bad clams turn Sheila into a zombie. Liv Hewson played their daughter Abby and Skyler Gisondo played her best friend Eric.

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: One of the great things about the canceled-too-soon Santa Clarita Diet is the devotion and loyalty that the Hammond clan had for one another, especially Sheila and Joel. Despite Moira and Johnny’s personalities, you never wonder how they ended up together. Their love and devotion to one another is quite obvious. The same goes for the Rose family in general. They may have started the series on a different page, but their bond just grew tighter as the series continued.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2020)

Ellie Kemper plays Kimmy Schmidt, a woman who was abducted as a teen and forced to live in a bunker for 15 years. It’s about her adjusting to life outside the bunker. Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane, and Jane Krakowski star in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Why It’s a Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Both Schitt’s Creek and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt both deal with characters having to adjust their lives to deal with a new set of circumstances. For the Roses, it’s the loss of privilege, wealth, and some freedoms. For Kimmy, it’s the gaining of freedom and adventure.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Cuckoo (2012-2019)

Ken (Greg Davies) and Lorna (Helen Baxendale) pick up their daughter Rachel (Tamla Kari) from the airport and discover that she married an eccentric American named Dale “Cuckoo” Ashbrick (Andy Samberg).

Why It’s A Good Option for Schitt’s Creek Fans: Both shows focus on more serious characters having to adjust their lives and views to deal with characters that they first find odd and annoying, but then start to like, even if only just a tiny bit.

Stream it on Netflix here.

The entire Schitt’s Creek series is available to stream on Netflix. Stream it here.

This has been quite a week for all of the creatives who were nominated for an award at the 2020 Emmys, with the trophies finally being handed out to everyone. But, it's possible that none of the nominees or winners had a better week than Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph. The actress and comedian made a stir when she was nominated for a whopping three awards just for her work this year, and has now taken home one Emmy each for Big Mouth and SNL, but it's Rudolph's part on The Good Place which now has her talking about how the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg impacted the role.

Maya Rudolph had a banner year where performances and Emmy nominations were concerned, scoring nods for her voice performance in Big Mouth, and on-camera roles both as Kamala Harris on SNL and The Judge on The Good Place. Now the new Emmy winner, who had been nominated three times previously, including twice for The Good Place, has revealed just how the late associate justice of the Supreme Court made an impact on her role as Judge Gen. While being interviewed in the virtual backstage press room (via Deadline) after her second win of the week for SNL, she spoke about the inspiration they took from RBG:

Awww. Obviously, Ruth Bader Ginsberg had to have been on Maya Rudolph's mind when she nabbed her Emmy for SNL. Not only was Rudolph nominated against herself in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category for her work as Judge Gen on The Good Place, but Bader Ginsberg had just passed away a day before, at the age of 87. So, it makes total sense that Rudolph had both that part on her mind and the inspiration that she and those behind the scenes on the show used the late Supreme Court justice for when designing Gen's costume.

While there might not seem to be much variety to be had when coming up for designs of a judge's robe, they do have some flexibility when it comes to neckwear. The male justices are typically seen with their button down shirt and tie peeking out of the top of their robes, while RBG's fellow female Supreme Court justices usually favored either bare necklines or a slight bit of filmy white material around the top of the robe. But, Ruth Bader Ginsberg was often known to wear a long, lacy neckerchief, much like the one you can see Rudolph wearing in the photo at the top of this article.

Of course, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Gen shared some other similar qualities, with both taking their responsibilities very seriously, asking lots of questions to get to the heart of the matter brought to them, but still keeping hope for good and change alive. Gen might seem to be a totally different being (she was, after all, the immortal Almighty Judge on High of All Beings Living and Dead for All Eternity, with her full name being the Honorable Judge Hydrogen - because that's the only element that had been created when she was born), but it turns out that the TV-obsessed justice actually has a lot in common with RBG.

Maya Rudolph can continue to take away lots of positive thoughts about how Ruth Bader Ginsberg impacted her role on The Good Place, as even though she never won an Emmy for her part on the comedy, she did get nominated for each season she appeared. You can stream The Good Place on Netflix right now, with the fourth and final season set to debut on the streamer on September 26, but if you need more to watch in the coming weeks, check out our guide to fall TV!

Ted Danson is, without a doubt, one the of the most fascinating actors in Hollywood. Over the course of his career he's played a former baseball player who opens a bar where everybody knows your name, portrayed a quirky magazine editor with a New York penthouse full of issues, and the architect of a seemingly picturesque afterlife. But the two-time Emmy winner's life when he's not standing in front of the camera is just as interesting.

From his days as a failed basketball player to standing up for a number of worthwhile causes, and yes, some kookiness in between, here are eight things you might not know about The Good Place and Cheers star.

Ted Danson Originally Wanted To Play Basketball Before Getting Into Acting

Ted Danson is most known for his portrayal of a washed-up relief pitcher who left the game behind to open a bar on Cheers, but having a character who transitioned from sports to a new line of work is something close to home for the veteran television actor because he originally wanted to play basketball before finding his passion in acting while a freshman at Stanford. During a 2015 conversation with INFORUM regarding the FX series Fargo, Danson revealed that while one dream came to an abrupt end that first year at college, he found another — acting — which he believes is not too far off from playing a team sport, especially when dealing with the large ensemble casts he's been a part of over the years.

Ted Danson Didn't Think He Was Cut Out For Sam Malone After Watching The Cheers Pilot

Anyone who has watched even part of an episode of Cheers knows that Sam Malone (Ted Danson) is one cool character, perhaps one of the coolest in the history of television. But Danson revealed during a 2018 conversation on The Off Camera Show that he initially didn't think he was cut out for the role after watching the pilot and still didn't feel comfortable in the role for at least a year before coming to terms with it, revealing:

The Cheers star eventually came around and quit being terrified anytime anyone would say that Sam Malone was this sexy man and learned to just keep his mouth shut while he faked it.

Ted Danson Has A Rather Simple, Yet Amazing Way Of Getting Jobs

Since first becoming a massive star with Cheers, Ted Danson has remained relevant with major roles in a number of different shows like Becker and CSI, as well his most recent role as Michael on The Good Place. But you might be wondering, what's Danson's secret and how does he get so many great gigs? Well, here's what the award-winning actor told Variety in 2018:

No wonder Ted Danson has worked with some of the funniest showrunners in modern television with phenomenal runs on HBO shows like Bored To Death and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Speaking of which…

Ted Danson Agreed To Do Curb Your Enthusiasm Because He Felt Sorry For Larry David

Although he's not in every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Ted Danson (or at least the fictionalized version of himself) is one of the best things about Larry David's anxiety-ridden yet highly entertaining comedy series. But as Danson revealed in a 2015 conversation the AV Club, the actor agreed to help out on the show because he felt sorry for how people responded to a private screening of the show's pilot. The Cheers veteran said he approached David after the screening and said that if he could ever be of any help he would be willing to do so. A year later, Danson said he got the call and has been making the show's version of the Seinfeld creator's life a living hell ever since. And he's pretty, pretty good at it too.

The Bored To Death Star Once Got So High He Forgot His Lines

For three seasons, Ted Danson portrayed George Christopher, the editor of a made-up New York magazine and friend Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman) on the HBO comedy series Bored to Death, and during that time played one of the most unique potheads in the history of stoner comedies. But according to the show's creator and executive producer Jonathan Ames (the real one), Danson once got so high with members of the cast the night before reshoots that the veteran actor forgot his lines the next day. Ames explained during Vulturefest (via Vulture) that this was the first time in the show's history that Danson had forgotten his lines, and the showrunner felt awful for messing with what he called a machine.

The Cheers Star Had A Hard Time Getting Behind The Bar For An Episode Of The Good Place

The Season 2 finale of The Good Place might have featured one of the most clever and appreciate callbacks to Ted Danson's role of Same Malone on Cheers, but the veteran actor was horrified when he first learned that his character, Michael, would be stepping behind the bar, something Danson hadn't done on television in than 25 years. Here's what Danson had to say about the experience during a 2018 conversation with EW:

Michael's job behind the bar went on to be well-received by viewers of the Season 2 finale, but who can blame them, it was awesome seeing Sam Malone, or at least the guy who brought him to life all those years ago, tending bar once again.

Ted Danson Can Do A Really Gross Party Trick With A Swedish Fish

Ted Danson seems like a good time wherever he goes, but his fellow actors on The Good Place were shown the lengths the actor was willing to go to get a good laugh out of people on set. In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Manny Jacinto, who portrayed Jason Mendoza on the NBC comedy series, revealed that Danson once showed everyone what sounds like the grossest party trick imaginable, stating:

The Good Place star said that Ted Danson's trick left everyone in a state of shock and disgust and that several members of the cast freaked out and ran across the stage after seeing something no one will surely ever forget.

Ted Danson Has A Pretty Amazing Passion For The Natural World

Ted Danson has made a name for himself as a funny man in film and on television over the years, but if there is one thing that The Good Place star is serious about it is the environment. Whether it be having a role in the 2011 environmental drama Big Miracle or getting arrested at a climate change rally in 2019, the actor takes his love of the natural world very seriously. One of Danson's biggest contributions to the field of conservation was the creation of the American Oceans Campaign, which merged with Oceana, a nonprofit ocean conservation organization, where the actor serves as vice chair. Danson even wrote a book on his efforts in 2011 called "Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do To Save Them."

See, Ted Danson is more than just a funny, confident guy he has played on television all these years. Look behind the roles and you find a sensitive, passionate, and yes still hilarious human being with a lot of love for the world and those living on it.

CinemaBlend is partnering with Tidal to bring you fresh content to stay in and stream with each day. We're also offering a free 30 day trial. You can sign up for the package with Tidal here.

I’m an advocate for feel good TV shows. I believe in their power to brighten a day or make worrisome situations less stressful. Feel good TV shows help you lose yourself and travel to these illuminating worlds. Netflix is my supplier when I need a good wholesome TV fix, and when I need something to stream or binge. Netflix has one of the more extensive TV collections on the web so they offer a variety of choices.

To me feel good doesn’t mean completely void of complicated or risqué topics. To me, it means shows that are reliable for a major endorphin boost when necessary.

Kim’s Convenience

Kim’s Convenience focuses on the Kim family, a Korean Canadian family that owns a convenience store. The main four characters are Mr. Sang-il Kim (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee), Mrs. Kim (Jean Yoon), Janet Kim (Andrea Bang), and Jung Kim (Simu Liu).

Kim’s Convenience is a family based comedy about a traditional Korean family. The strict parents stick close to their old school ways, which often causes conflict between them and their modern adult children. This entertaining series approaches drama with a growth mindset. The Kim parents may not always be right but they believe that their actions are best for their children, while also being open to improving and learning from their mistakes. It’s a modern family TV comedy with a bit of a classic series feel. Stream It HERE.

The Andy Griffith Show

Andy Griffith plays Sheriff Andy Taylor, a widower running the town of Mayberry, North Carolina. His cousin and Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), son Opie (Ron Howard), and aunt, Bee Taylor (Frances Bavier) join him on his adventures.

The Andy Griffith Show is a wholesome classic TV show with small town sentiments and a pure heart. This is a series about community, kindness, and a bunch of silly criminals. Watching The Andy Griffith Show transports you to a world of yesteryear with cheeriness, funny situations, and a heartwarming nature. The Andy Griffith Show allows a mental break from gritty dark dramas with its Southern charm and simplicity. Stream it HERE.

Anne With An E

Anne with an E is the latest adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables books. Amybeth McNutty plays Anne Shirley, a young orphan who suffered great abuse in the past. She becomes the adopted daughter of unmarried siblings Marilla (Geraldine James) and Matthew Cuthbert (R.H Thomson). It’s about Anne’s life and adventures on the Cuthbert’s ancestral Green Gables farm.

Anne’s spunky, inquisitive, dreamer nature makes her a character that you embrace from the moment she hits the screen. She’s a delicate child with high spirits, and despite her past, still sees beauty and adventure all around. It’s characters like Anne that remind us not to lose our sense of wonder in a world full of chaos. Stream it HERE.

Queer Eye

Queer Eye follows a group of gay men who have expertise in different fields: fashion, makeup and beauty, self-care, cooking, and interior design. Each episode, the Queer Eye guys help different individuals improve their lives. They give them a full makeover that includes the elevation of their spirit, body, and home.

I dare you to watch an entire season of Queer Eye without getting teary-eyed at least once. If you can do that, then congratulations, you have no soul. Jokes aside, the stories on Queer Eye connect with viewers because the show tackles issues that everyone faces at some point: lack of confidence, financial distress, losing a loved one, and many more. It’s a show that’s like chicken soup. It’s tasty, warm, and can help the healing process begin. Stream it HERE .

One Day At A Time

One Day at a Time follows the Alvarez family as they deal with modern issues like immigration, sexuality, gender identity, PTSD, and a lot of very critical and relevant topics. This family comedy stars screen legend Rita Moreno and Justina Machado. The One Day at a Time cast also includes Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, and Marcel Ruiz.

One Day at a Time is a family comedy that deals with very serious issues but keeps its comedic tone. The Alvarez family has dealt with many hardships, but as long as they have each other, they know they can face anything. Unfortunately, Netflix decided to cancel the series after three seasons, but Pop TV picked it up for a fourth season. The first three seasons are still available to stream on Netflix. Stream it HERE.

The Good Place

Eleanor (Kristen Bell) dies and goes to the good place. She knows that she doesn’t belong there; they picked the wrong Eleanor. Now, along with her good place soulmate Chidi (William Jackson Harper), she must try to fit in and hide the fact that she doesn't really belong there.

The Good Place recently ended on NBC while still being a refreshing, unusual, and captivating TV show. It’s a rare series that stays true to itself all the way through, and keeps you rooting for the main characters until the very end. The six main characters of The Good Place face many world-shattering obstacles, but the series keeps a “we’ll get through this somehow, someway” enthusiasm, and that sort of optimism is contagious. Stream it HERE.

New Girl

Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) moves in with three male roommates Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.). Coach eventually moves out and Winston (Lamorne Morris) moves into the pad after Jess. Hannah Simone also stars in New Girl as Jess’s model best friend Cece.

New Girl can be quite silly at times, but that’s part of the charm. Each character on the series has their own quirk and they all get funnier and stranger as the series continues, but that makes them more lovable. The New Girl in many ways is a very wholesome series about friends who are weird, but that makes them all work together. Stream it HERE.

Schitt’s Creek

Schitt’s Creek follows the Rose family, a formerly wealthy family who loses their fortune, and then must move to a town called Schitt’s Creek, their one remaining asset. The residents of the town are very different from the Rose clan. Dan Levy and Eugene Levy are creators and stars of the series. The main Schitt’s Creek cast also includes Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, Jenn Robertson, Chris Elliot, Dustin Milligan, Noah Reid, and Sarah Levy.

Schitt’s Creek’s biggest strength is its likable cast, both main and supporting. In a lesser series, the Rose family could be treated with contempt for being part of the rich elite, but instead they’re all sympathetic characters who may be snobby at times, but good natured at their core. Stream it HERE.

Nailed It!

Nailed It is a reality competition show about regular people trying to recreate professional level cakes. Their failed attempts make for comedy gold. Nicole Byer hosts, and acts as a judge along with pastry chef Jacques Torres.

Nailed It is a simple concept: regular people (and sometimes celebrities) try to overcome the obstacle of learning professional grade cakes in a few hours. They fail and we enjoy their failed creations. The whole premise sounds not that that interesting, possibly even cruel, but it is far from it. Nicole Byer and crew encourage people to embrace the messiness of their cakes. If anything, Nailed It inspires people to go out of their comfort zone, even if it turns into a tasteless sloppy mess. It’s less about the final result and more about the really funny journey. Stream it HERE.

The Great British Baking Show

The Great British Baking Show follows contestants as they compete in weekly competitions involving baking. Each week, a contestant is eliminated until someone is crowned the greatest British baker of that season. Netflix currently has seven collections of The Great British Baking Show available and various spin-off versions.

The Great British Baking Show is enticing because you become invested in these contestants. Their success is your success; their failure is your failure. You want them to be able to ace that three layer cake or those biscuits. Unlike many American television series, The Great British Baking Show doesn’t focus on manufactured drama. Instead, the drama comes from whether the dough rises or if the piping bag busts. Sometimes it just feels good to watch people bake and yell “yes!” when they succeed. Stream it HERE.

Parks And Recreation

Amy Poehler leads an ensemble cast in Parks and Recreation. The NBC hit-series followed the Parks and Rec department of Pawnee, Indiana. Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is an optimistic person with a deep devotion to Pawnee and an endless desire to improve it.

Accompanied by her cast of colorful crew Leslie Knope fights for a town that often under-appreciates her. Parks and Recreation uses the mockumentary style to tell its story, but unlike many mockumentary series, the series doesn’t poke fun of the lead. Knope’s passion is respectable and contagious. Yes Leslie Knope can be too passionate, but that’s part of her charisma. It’s enjoyable to see a show with a competent boss who is also energetic. Stream it HERE.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Rachel Bloom stars in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a series about a woman who moves to West Covina, California after running into an ex-boyfriend.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is full of catchy songs, many of which are spoofs of popular tunes. The series is very fun, but also satirical in its commentary on the romantic comedy genre. However, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend criticizes that genre but also clearly loves and respects it. The series also doesn’t shy away from addressing serious topics like mental health, but Crazy Ex-Girlfriend does so without losing its jovial spirit. Stream It HERE.

Get your much-needed feel good pick me up with these shows and the many others available on Netflix.

January 2020 marked a forking sad day for fans of NBC’s hit series The Good Place. After four short seasons, the cast and crew of The Good Place decided to move on to other projects. The series did the noble and honorable thing by ending while the writing remained fresh and funny, the loyal fan base still existed, and the characters hadn’t lost their ability to experience character growth. It’s only been a few months since its departure, but I miss The Good Place and it’s fascinating, lovable cast of weirdos. Thankfully, the TV world is vast and endless. Streaming services offer so many options that could fill that TV sized hole left by The Good Place.

This list consists of series that have some of the key elements that made The Good Place such a memorable, fun, and unique sitcom.

Dead Like Me

What The Show Is About: Dead Like Me follows a group of grim reapers whose job duties include removing a soul right before someone’s death. It’s about the grim reaping adventures of Gergia (Ellen Muth) and her friends Rube (Mandy Patinkin), Mason (Callum Blue), Roxy (Jasmine Guy), and Daisy (Laura Harris). Dead Like Me was a Bryan Fuller Showtime series that aired for two seasons from 2003 to 2004.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: Dead Like Me has more mature themes and content than the bubbly Good Place, but they both deal with death and the afterlife. They also share in their exploration of how death isn’t the final destination, but an extended part of the soul’s journey. Both series also pair an unlikely group of characters whose interactions make them better versions of themselves.

Where To Stream: Dead Like Me is available to stream with a Hulu subscription. Stream it HERE.

Russian Doll

What The Show Is About: Natasha Lyonne stars in the Netflix original series Russian Doll. She plays Nadia, a software engineer stuck in an endless time loop that forces her to relive her death and 36th birthday. Nadia tries to prevent her death by figuring out what happened.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: The Good Place and Russian Doll both have lead female characters who aren’t the best people, but through death, they learn to become a better person. Both series also deal with the idea of time loops. Nadia keeps living the same day, and The Good Place characters continuously relive the same experiment for two seasons.

Where To Stream: Netflix is the home of Russian Doll. Stream it HERE.

Cheers

What The Show Is About: Sam Malone (Ted Danson) owns the Cheers bar in Boston, which is frequented by a cast of characters, including Carla (Rhea Perlman), Norm (George Wendt), Cliff (John Ratzenberger), and Fraiser (Kelsey Grammer). Cheers deals with the inter-workings of the Cheers bar and the varying relationships.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: Cheers has an interesting ensemble cast, led by Michael himself, that could easily go toe to toe with Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Tahani (Jameela Jamil), Chidi (William Jackson Harper), and Jason (Manny Jacinto) in terms of hilarity and having a direct counterpart. Fraiser and Chidi, Jason and Woody (Woody Harrelson), Eleanor and Carla, and Tahani and Diane are all similar sitcom archetypes.

Where To Stream: All 11 seasons of Cheers are available to stream on Netflix. Stream it HERE.

Pushing Daisies

What The Show Is About: Pushing Daisies is another gone-too-soon cult hit by Bryan Fuller. This one stars Lee Pace as Ned, a man with the power to revive the dead with a single touch. He uses his powers to help solve murders. Things become complicated when he uses his powers to bring back his childhood crush, Chuck (Anna Friel), but he must refrain from touching her again or she’ll die permanently. Pushing Daisies aired for two seasons.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: Stylistically, both The Good Place and Pushing Daisies have a whimsical quality and tone to them, giving them a fable-like approach to death.

Where To Stream: Pushing Daisies is available to stream for free on The CW Seed App. Stream it HERE

Schitt’s Creek

What The Show Is About: The Rose family finds themselves completely broke from Johnny (Eugene Levy)’s business partner defrauding him. They have only one asset left: a small town that Johnny bought as a joke. The Roses must leave the rich life behind and join the Schitt’s Creek life.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: Schitt’s Creek also puts its main characters in a hell-like environment, similar to the Bad Place. In The Good Place, the four humans bond and find some good within their terrible situation, the same happens for the Rose family. The main characters of both series find love, happiness, and meaning while placed in a less than ideal situation.

Where To Stream: The final season of Schitt’s Creek is currently airing on Pop TV, but the first five seasons are available to stream on Netflix. Stream it HERE.

Santa Clarita Diet

What Is The Show About: Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star in Santa Clarita Diet, a Netflix original about married realtors whose life is thrown for a loop when Sheila (Drew Barrymore) becomes a zombie.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: Santa Clarita Diet is a series that puts its characters in a really strange and hilarious situation, which is only made funnier by the main four characters: Sheila, Joel (Timothy Olyphant), Eric (Skyler Gisondo), and Abby (Liv Hewson). The Good Place and Santa Clarita Diet share in their ability to give hope to a bleak situation and make it hysterical.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of the wrongfully cancelled series is available to stream on Netflix. Stream it HERE.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

What Is the Show About: Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a show that follows the cops of the Brooklyn 99th precinct. It’s a police procedural, but in comedy form. Each week, they have a different case and set of criminals to tackle. Brooklyn Nine-Nine also deals with their relationships in and out of the office. The ensemble cast includes Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumbero, Terry Crews, and Andre Braugher.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place are both created by Michael Schur, so there series share in their delightful sense of goofiness. They also feel like they exist in the same world. We would completely believe that on her trips to NYC, Jake (Andy Samberg) arrested Eleanor a time or two hundred. Also, can you imagine if Chidi and Holt (Andre Braugher) met? I would pay good money to see a Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine spin-off involving Chidi and Holt in the afterlife, set before the events of The Good Place finale.

Where To Stream: The first six seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine are available to stream on Hulu. Stream it HERE.

Good Omens

What Is The Show About: Good Omens is a limited series starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant as angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley who have been sent on separate missions to ensure the apocalypse, so the ultimate battle between good and evil can begin. Unfortunately, both have grown attached to earth and its people. They must decide if they really want to help end the world.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: The Good Place and Good Omens deals with the consequences humans face because of the interference of higher beings. It also shows the blurred lines of good and evil--wrong and right can’t be neatly put in one box or another. Additionally, Michael feels like a combination of Crowley and Aziraphale’s looks and personalities.

Where to Stream: Good Omens is an Amazon Prime Video original series. Stream it HERE.

The Office

What Is The Show About: The Office is a mockumentary about the Scranton branch of paper company Dunder Mifflin. It revolves around the work lives of the employees. The Office cast includes Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: The Good Place creator Michael Schur was a writer on The Office and even played Dwight’s cousin Mose. The Good Place and The Office aren’t close relatives, but they are at least second cousins. Both series are character driven and uses the setting to help advance the storylines. The Office is more reality based than The Good Place, but they are both quirky comedies.

Where to Stream: Right now, The Office is available on Netflix, but won’t be for much longer. Stream it HERE.

Parks and Recreation

What Is The Show About: Parks and Recreation follows the Pawnee Parks and Recreation department led by passionate Pawnee citizen Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler). Parks and Rec is another sitcom that uses mockumentary style to follow the everyday lives of small-town workers.

Why Fans of The Good Place Would Like It: This is another Michael Schur series and feels like an even closer relative to The Good Place than The Office. Parks and Rec and The Good Place feel like first cousins. The series have similar humorous styles, but don’t feel like copies or repeats of each other. Parks and Rec and The Good Place are very much their own comedies, but operate in the same comedy realm.

Where To Stream: All seven seasons of Parks and Recreation are available to stream on Hulu and Netflix.

Superstore

What Is The Show About: Superstore follows the employees of the superstore Cloud 9. Each episode follows the employees as they deal with difficult customers, typical wage worker dilemmas, and personal problems. Superstore’s cast includes America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, and Mark McKinney.

Why Fans Of The Good Place Would Like It: Superstore and The Good Place both revolve around people who at their core are good, but may not exactly show it all the time. Each character of Superstore has done something morally ambiguous at some point, but you still like and root for them. Both series focus on characters first, and then enhance them with the comedic situations they’re placed in.

Where To Stream: Superstore’s first four seasons are available in their entirety on Hulu. Stream it HERE.

If you’re still not ready to let go, The Good Place’s first three seasons are available to stream on Netflix. Stream it HERE.

In January, The Good Place ended its run after four seasons on NBC. The critically-acclaimed comedy series from Michael Schur, starring Kristen Bell, Ted Danson and several more, was considered among the best shows on TV. But nothing can stay on television forever. The showrunners decided to end it when they felt it was right, and that means the cast must move on to different projects. Suffice to say, looking at all the projects these performers have lined up in the future, they're certainly keeping themselves busy. We're here to list everything the stars of The Good Place have coming up next.

Kristen Bell (Eleanor Shellstrop)

Playing the lead role of Eleanor Shellstrop, Kristen Bell was the protagonist of The Good Place. As someone who was very selfish, inconsiderate, and rude during her time on Earth, it certainly came as a surprise when she entered The Good Place. Though, as the show progressed, there was more-at-play. Having previously established her star status through several hit TV shows, including Veronica Mars, Heroes, Gossip Girl, and House of Lies, as well as movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Burlesque, Scream 4, the Bad Moms series, and the Frozen franchise, Bell was already a star when The Good Place came to NBC. But the show's strong critical acclaim (including a Golden Globe nomination for her performance) only furthered her career.

Outside of The Good Place, Kristen Bell can be seen as the presenter and host of Disney+'s Encore!, and she recently reprised her title role of Veronica Mars during Hulu's revival last year. Additionally, the actress is soon set to star in the comedy Queenpins with Leslie Jones. Last year, Bell and her husband, Dax Shepard, founded the company Hello Bello, which is a plant-based baby care product line. It is available exclusively through Wal-Mart.

William Jackson Harper (Chidi Anagonye)

Known for being kind and very intelligent, as well as habitually quoting famous philosophers, William Jackson Harper's Chidi Anagonye was certainly among the most beloved and well-liked characters in The Good Place. And it helped make William Jackson Harper a household name for TV viewers, which allowed him to have bigger roles in other exciting projects. Most notably, Harper's recent turn in A24's excellent Midsommar in 2019. In addition to The Good Place, Harper also recently appeared in a couple new episodes of Amazon's Jack Ryan, and the actor additionally played a role in the overlooked drama Dark Waters. Now, he is currently filming a reoccurring role in Barry Jenkins' upcoming Amazon series, The Underground Railroad.

Jameela Jamil (Tahani Al-Jamil)

The highly-intelligent, brightly spoken and well-educated Tahani Al-Jamil, played by Jameela Jamil, was one of the principle characters on The Good Place, particularly as the NBC show went through its different turning points. A former radio personality before she moved to the United States to become an actress, Jameela Jamil is practically as prolific as the character she played on the show. Next, she'll be seen in the comedy How to Build A Girl, which comes out in May. She also provided her voice for the animated series, Mira, Royal Detective, and she's expected to appear in the new film, Marry Me. Recently, Jamil came out as queer on Twitter after she announced that she will host the HBO Max competition series, Legendary, which centers around modern day ball culture which originated in the LGBT community.

D'Arcy Carden (Janet)

The source of all information and all knowledge for humans within The Good Place, D'Arcy Carden's Janet is one of the most memorable, quotable and beloved characters in The Good Place. In the acclaimed turn, Carden certainly won over many viewers. Away from The Good Place, D'Arcy Carden can also be seen in another critically-acclaimed series, HBO's Barry, which will soon premiere its third season. The actress recently appeared in Bombshell and made a guest appearance on ABC's Single Parents. Next, D'Arcy Carden appears in the Amazon show, A League of Their Own, based on the film.

Manny Jacinto (Jason Mendoza)

In the role of Jason Mendoza, Manny Jacinto broke out in a big way with The Good Place. While he had already appeared in a few other prominent TV shows, including (but not limited to) Supernatural, Bates Motel, The 100, Once Upon A Time, and iZombie, the role of EDM-obsessed "lovable doofus" Jason Mendoza helped pave the way for a bigger, more prominent acting career. Now that The Good Place is done, Manny Jacinto is set to make one of his biggest roles to date playing a part in this summer's upcoming Top Gun: Maverick. He is also starring in the new horror-thriller series, Brand New Cherry Flavor, with Rosa Salazar, Eric Lange, and more. Additionally, Jacinto proposed to his girlfriend, Dianne Doan, last year. They are now engaged.

Ted Danson (Michael)