There’s no doubt The Office is one of the most universally beloved sitcoms, not just of the 2000s, but of all time. The mockumentary style sitcom has an eclectic mix of characters, almost all of whom went on to huge projects once the show ended. It’s one of those shows that even if you never watched it, you know what it’s about. You’ve heard of the most talked about moments, scenes, and lines, and appreciate its cultural impact.
That said, there are other sitcoms that came both before The Office and after it that are arguably even more universally loved. They range from family sitcoms to ones about friends, and feature everything from absurdist humor to classic sarcasm and biting jokes. If you’re looking for a sitcom that’s as good or better than The Office, you have some great choices to consider.
10
‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2006, 2013–2019)
Arrested Development wasn’t an instant hit. In fact, Fox canceled the satirical sitcom after just three seasons. Thankfully, Netflix swept in, as it has with other shows, and developed more episodes, spread out with the first set seven years later, followed by more episodes five years after that. The quirky show follows the dysfunctional Bluth family that’s trying to navigate running their business following the arrest of patriarch Oscar (Jeffrey Tambor).
With an eclectic mix of personalities and hilarious moments, Arrested Development is one of the most fun shows of the 2000s. It grew to develop a cult following and is now widely considered to be one of the best TV shows of all time. With a total of five seasons spread across 16 years, shows like 30 Rock and Community are widely considered to have been influenced by Arrested Development.
9
‘Friends’ (1994–2004)
You’ll probably come across someone who swears they don’t like Friends or claims they have never watched it. First, there is no way they haven’t seen episodes. And second, encourage them to watch, and there’s zero chance they won’t let out a chuckle or two. It’s almost impossible not to like Friends. The show solidified the 20-somethings’ friend dynamic in the big city. It is responsible for some of the most popular catchphrases from TV. And the characters are among the most recognized around the world.
You hear about people who say they learned to speak English from watching Friends. If you overhear someone say “we were on a break!,” “pivot!,” and “could you BE any more ridiculous?” you instantly know where the line is from. We quote Friends episodes to this day, and many even compare our own friends to the characters. The influence of the show is one thing, but its universal love, literally around the world, takes it to a whole other level.
8
‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)
Like Friends, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t watched at least a few episodes of Seinfeld, and even less likely to come across a person who doesn’t know some of the popular quotes from it. Some from the younger generation might know them, even say them, and not realize these phrases originated on the show. Think “master of your own domain,” “serenity now,” and “man hands.”
Seinfeld is famously a show about nothing, the daily doings of a group of friends as they discuss everything from the annoying neighbor to the horrible day they had at work, and their latest romantic partners. Yet the writing is so brilliant, so sharp, and the acting impeccable, that it delivers every single time. The sitcom remains a classic comedy show that’s still better than most new series. Seinfeld is a masterclass in how to make sitcom television, and a testament to the fact that having a silly hook or special story isn’t needed to make a show funny.
7
‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ (1996–2005)
While there are moments in Everybody Loves Raymond that wouldn’t hold up today, the show is tough not to love. The sitcom centers around Raymond Barone (Ray Romano) and his family, as well as his invasive parents and jealous older brother. Raymond’s mother caters to his every whim, much to his wife Debra’s (Patricia Heaton) chagrin.
The clashing personalities of the characters on the show are what make it so perfect. Ray’s desire to keep the peace, desperate to avoid conflict, his mother Marie’s (Doris Roberts) passive-aggressive jabs at Debra, and his father Frank’s (Peter Boyle) overly masculine, rough-around-the-edges personality mix to make sitcom perfection.
6
‘Full House’ (1987–1995)
If there’s ever a show to watch with the family, it’s Full House. It’s a wholesome family sitcom to a T that hasn’t been replicated since. Every episode following single father Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) raising his three daughters with the help of his brother-in-law and best friend has a purpose, a moral, a lesson. And each one is delivered with sweet and innocent humor.
As corny as it is, there’s something so endearing about Full House. So much so that when a sequel series came out on Netflix decades later called Fuller House, fans fell in love with it again. Like a time capsule of the early ’90s, Full House will make you laugh, cry through its “very special” episodes, and feel warm and cozy inside.
5
‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)
I don’t think I have ever met a single person who recalls Cheers and claims not to have liked the show. What’s not to like? The sitcom predominantly takes place in a local bar of the same name tended by owner Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and patronized by regulars and the occasional new customer. We get to know everyone from the occasionally employed accountant Norm (George Wendt), who is always greeted with a loud name call when he arrives, to the know-it-all mail carrier Cliff (John Ratzenberger), and the wisecracking waitress Carla (Rhea Perlman).
There’s something comforting about feeling like you’re hanging out at the bar with everyone, following Sam’s flip-flopping love life and womanizing ways, laughing at bartender Woody’s (Woody Harrelson) naivete, and enjoying psychiatrist Frasier Crane’s (Kelsey Grammer) rants. It’s the bar where everyone knows your name, and one that’s universally loved by all.
4
‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)
In a sea of cookie-cutter sitcoms, many of which serve as sequels, prequels, or spinoffs to older ones, Modern Family burst onto the scene as something fresh and new. And it worked. The series follows the unconventional Pritchett family that’s far from traditional. While Claire (Julie Bowen) is married with three kids, her father Jay (Ed O’Neill) is married to a much younger (and incredibly attractive) woman, Gloria (Sofia Vergara), who has a son and, eventually, a new baby with her aging husband. Meanwhile, Claire’s brother Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) is married to Cam (Eric Stonestreet), and they have adopted a Vietnamese baby.
The family is a mix of personalities, from the uptight Claire to her goofy husband Phil (Ty Burrell), the effeminate Cam, rebellious daughter Haley (Sarah Hyland), and bookworm daughter Alex (Ariel Winter). There’s so much to love about Modern Family, from the clever writing that includes double entendres and misunderstandings in every episode, to the relatable family moments. It’s no surprise Modern Family won five Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series.
3
‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015–2020)
Sweeping the Emmys and winning in all four major categories in 2020 for its final year, Schitt’s Creek is one of the most modern, endearing sitcoms. It began with an idea: what would happen to a wealthy family if they suddenly lost everything and were forced to move to a small town? This premise is explored as the Rose family ends up in the title town, a place patriarch Johnny (Eugene Levy) once bought as a joke.
What happens from there is a wonderfully positive story of acceptance, appreciation, and understanding about what really matters in life. But it’s delivered behind a humorous lens as each member of the family, including aging actress mother Moira (Catherine O’Hara) and spoiled rich adult kids David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy), learns real values and hard work. Schitt’s Creek is also widely praised for its handling of LGBTQ+ themes. It’s a family sitcom that you can’t help but smile from ear to ear while watching, one that’s amazing from start to finish.
2
‘I Love Lucy’ (1951–1957)
Any ranking of the best sitcoms ever made will have I Love Lucy at or near the top of the list. Its comedic brilliance can never be touched by The Office or any other show. Lucille Ball had a knack for delivering comedy not just in dialogue, but in her movements, her facial expressions, every ounce of her being. Seeing her and her best friend Ethel (Vivian Vance) get up to antics while their husbands are at work never gets old.
You won’t find a single person on Earth who doesn’t like I Love Lucy or doesn’t at least appreciate the humor if they were to watch it now. Comedic actors today still praise Ball as an inspiration, as well as the show itself. I Love Lucy opened the door for shows like The Office, and it’s arguably the most universally loved show ever made.
1
‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992)
The Golden Girls are so enduring that they even play a role in the Deadpool movies, the titular superhero claiming to be a huge fan of the series. The sitcom centers around three middle-aged women living in a Miami beach house; Dorothy’s (Bea Arthur) mother comes to live with them, too, when her retirement home burns down. As they navigate life now that their kids are grown, and they have gone through either divorce or the death of their partners, they lean on one another for support in this next chapter.
The Golden Girls was the precursor to any show about groups of female friends. And it’s also one of the funniest ever made. The jokes always hit because of both the writing and the unmatched delivery from every single one of the cast members. The show came together for seven masterpiece seasons that new generations today are starting to watch and appreciate for its relevance and sharp comedic timing.
