The television sitcom is as old and storied as the medium itself. From pioneers likeI Love Lucyto commercial ’90s behemoths likeSeinfeldandFriends, the sitcom has always been a tried and tested formula for television shows. By the 2000s,the genre had reached a ubiquitous fever pitch. Unfortunately, with the rise of streaming services, more serialized and darker comedies, and the decline of traditional network television, it has been argued that the classic sitcom genre is a relic of the past.
However, it only takes a keen eye to notice that a lot of the strands of the classic sitcom are present in several contemporary comedies. The surface sitcom structure of old may be harder to find in contemporary television, but the feel, humor and approach to comedy developed in the classic shows are the building blocks on which a lot of today’s comedies tell their stories.This list will celebrate those excellent comedies that, while different from the sitcoms of old,prove that the genre is far from dead.
10’Poppa’s House' (2024–Present)
Created by Damon Wayans Sr. and Kevin Hench
Co-created byDamon Wayans SrandKevin Hench,Poppa’s Houseunites real-life father-son duo and sitcom stalwartsDamon Wayans Sr. andDamon Wayans Jr.in a hilarious sitcom about family and chasing your dreams. Wayans Sr. stars as Poppa, a New York City radio DJ turned podcast host. Wayans Jr. portrays his onscreen son, Junior, who maintains a steady and responsible job but secretly desires to produce documentaries.
The presence of two members of the hilarious Wayans family already guarantees the show’s hilarity, but the real-life chemistry between the father-son pair instantly elevates the show. In a showfocused on the ups and downs of family, the relatable performances of the two leads and their supporting casthelp to ground the sitcom.
Poppa’s House
9’The Other Two' (2019–2023)
Created by Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider
The Other Two, which premiered on Comedy Central in 2019, followed two adult siblings in the immediate aftermath of their teenage brother’s rise to internet fame. Cary, an aspiring actor, and Brooke, a former professional dancer, are thrust into navigating the sudden change while chasing their elusive and often chaotic dreams.
TheOther Two was created by formerSaturday Night LivewritersChris KellyandSarah Schneiderand starredDrew TarverandHeléne Yorkeas the Dubek siblings.Part family sitcom, part Hollywood satire, and always irreverent and quite unexpected,The Other Twohilariously examines the absurditiesand glamour of Hollywood.
The Other Two
8’English Teacher' (2024–Present)
Created by Brian Jordan Alvarez
As a young gay man in Texas, Evan Marquez believes that the powers that be are always conspiring against him. In the showEnglish Teacher, he is proven correct more times than not. The FX comedy follows Evan as he attempts to educate his students in the face of backward thinking, prejudiced policies, chaotic parents, and thieving drag queens.
Across its eight hysterical episodes,the perfect first season ofEnglish Teacherdepicts Evan’s personal, political and professional struggles and their often hilarious ramifications. Supported by an eccentric cast of overworked, disillusioned and love-lorn teachers,English Teacherisan excellent installment in the long tradition of workplace sitcoms.
English Teacher
7’Bob’s Burgers' (2011–Present)
Created by Loren Bouchard
With 14 seasons and counting, Fox’sBob’s Burgersis one of the longest-running scripted series on the air. Premiering in 2011, the series has grown to amass a loyal and vocal fanbase on its way to becoming a cultural and critical hit. Centered around the Belcher family—Bob, his wife Linda, and their three children, Tina, Gene and Louise—the show follows their adventures running the titular hamburger restaurant.
Bob’s Burgers’strong family dynamic adds to its consistent humor and heart, resulting in an excellent show that has captured viewers' hearts for almost two decades.A highly quotable show,Bob’s Burgersimpressively improves on many of the examples set by the landmark animated shows before. It might be indebted to some, but it also stands on its own as a refreshing yet reliable entry into the ever-expanding subgenre of adult animation.
Bob’s Burgers
6’Mythic Quest' (2020–Present)
Created by Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz
Created by many of the minds behindIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,Mythic Questemploys the classic office sitcom setup to devastatingly hilarious effect. Set at a video game company, the show follows the efforts of the company’s staff as they expand, market and produce the titular game while dealing with unique interpersonal issues.
StarringRob McElhenneyas the game’s creator and creative director,Mythic Questcharts his interactions with the creative and financial aspects of the video game industry. With itsendearing and chaotic performancesand a perfect balance of heart and humor,Mythic Questis one of many underappreciated gemson the Apple TV+ roster.
Mythic Quest
5’Girls5Eva' (2021–2024)
Created by Meredith Scardino
Meredith Scardino’sGirls5Eva, which was executive produced by the prolificTina FeyandRobert Carlock, was a hilarious meditation on fame, aging and female friendships. The show boasted an excellent ensemble that includedSara Bareilles,Busy Phillips,Paula PellandRenée Elise Goldsberryas the four surviving members of the titular pop group.
Feeling unfulfilled in their post-pop star lives, the women attempt to make a comeback when an up-and-coming rapper samples their only hit song. A multiple Emmy nominee, the show was unfortunately canceled in 2024, but that hasn’t stopped fans of the show from holding out hope thatGirls5Evagets the final season it deserves.
4’Ghosts' (2021–Present)
Created by Joe Port and Joe Wiseman
InGhosts–an adaptation of the British series–Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) move into a country house they believe was left to them by Sam’s great aunt, only to be met by ghosts who died on the property and are now bound to the area. After a near-death experience that leaves her clinically dead for three minutes, Sam gains the ability to see and hear the ghosts. However, Jay is unable to.
The property’s supernatural inhabitants range from 1,000-year-old Vikings to Prohibition-era lounge singers and Gen X stockbrokers. As expected, this conceit affords the show ample room to build out its excellent and hilarious collection of eclectic and well-chosen actors. Indeed,Ghostsboastsone of television’s best comedy ensembles, and its dynamics harken to the excellent sitcom relationships of the past.
Ghosts (US)
3Ted Lasso (2020–2023)
Created by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly
Incredulously based on a series of 2013 promotional media spots,Ted Lassobecame an instant juggernaut when it debuted in August 2020. StarringJason Sudeikisas the titular American college football coach turned English Premier League coach, the show was immediately praised for its warm and emotional center and its use of humor in discussing important topics.
Supporting Sudeikis' Coach Lasso in the show was a colorful roster of characters in the locker and board room. Chief among them was the football club’s owner, Rebecca Walton (Hannah Waddingham), who initially hired Lasso to derail her ex-husband’s favorite team. Throughout its (so far) three-season run,the stellar Apple TV+ showreceived critical and fan praise along with a staggering 11 Primetime Emmy Award wins from 61 nominations.
2’What We Do in the Shadows' (2019–2024)
Created by Jemaine Clement
Created byJemaine Clementand based on the 2014 film of the same name by Clement andTaika Waititi,What We Do in the Shadowsis a hilarious mockumentary about four Staten Island vampire roommates. The FX comedy starsKayvan Novak,Matt Berry,Natasia DemetriouandMark Prokschas the four vampire roommates.Harvey Guillénrounds out the main cast as Guillermo, Nandor’s (Novak) familiar. Guillermo’s aspirations to become a vampire are quickly complicated when he discovers that he is a descendant of legendary vampire hunter Van Helsing.
What We Do in the Shadowsreceived consistent critical and audience acclaim during its six-season run, with particular praise for its writing and performances. The widely praised final season elevatedWhat We Do in the Shadowsintoone of 2024’s best comedy shows. Featuring guests ranging fromTilda SwintontoAlexander Skarsgård, the comedy wasalways a surprising, hilarious and heartfelt watch.
What We Do in the Shadows
1’Abbott Elementary' (2021–Present)
Created by Quinta Brunson
The mockumentary is a classic sitcom format that has been famously applied to a paper company, a multi-generational family, and vampire roommates, amongst many others.Abbott Elementaryexcitingly adapts this format to document the professional and personal lives of a group of well-intentioned Philadelphia teachers. Set in an underfunded, predominantly Black public school, the show uses a hilarious lens to examine the lengths its cast of teachers would go to provide for their students.
A refreshing change of pace in front and behind the camera,Abbott Elementarydebuted to universal acclaim in 2021. The show has maintained its critical reception over its four seasons and has received 24 Primetime Emmy nominations and 4 wins, including acting and writing wins for show creatorQuinta Brunson. Always willing to take creative swings,Abbott Elementarykicked off 2025 with the eagerly anticipated crossover with fellowPhiladelphia-set comedyIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Abbott Elementary
NEXT:The 10 Best Comedy Shows of the 2020s So Far, Ranked
