Favourite sitcoms

[Sergeant Rock]

I actually like his maturation, but this points to the basic problem the show faces - in the case of HIMYM, what's best for the basic storytelling of characters maturing and living life etc., is worst for the purposes of actually being funny.

Exactly. The mature me wants character development (Friends, Frasier, HIMYM). The immature me (Married with Children, Family Guy) doesn't. Seinfeld is, of course, now, the classic example of characters never maturing or changing, and it stayed brutally funny for nine seasons.


Sarge

[Brian]

Community 2009-?  (although Alison Brie's superstructure may be unduly influencing me  )

Oh dang it. For crying out loud. ...I have to confess, I can't look at pictures of Alison Brie at work, even if she was wearing a winter coat and three layers of long johns and snow pants, it'd still be ...unduly influencing.

There's a reason I watch Community without loving it quite as much as you do

[Karl Henning]

The concept is a bit different in the first one. The characters (characterizations) are changed a bit in the rest. I hestitate to tell you too much if you haven't seen it. Blackadder II and Blackadder the Third are excellent.

Hmmm...

As mc ukrneal sez, Atkinson's character became more focused (and thus, yet funnier) beginning in Season 2.  Still, Season 1 is mighty strong and dashed funny; I think of it more as a different flavour, than as at all less funny. Inevitably, with the addition of Stephen Fry and then Hugh Laurie, the humour would go nucular.  Not an episode but is well worth viewing.

[Zizekian]

Hmmm...


As mc ukrneal sez, Atkinson's character became more focused (and thus, yet funnier) beginning in Season 2.  Still, Season 1 is mighty strong and dashed funny; I think of it more as a different flavour, than as at all less funny. Inevitably, with the addition of Stephen Fry and then Hugh Laurie, the humour would go nucular.  Not an episode but is well worth viewing.

Now that you mention it, I think what was missing in season one was Fry and Laurie! Speaking of them, another one of my favorite comedies is Jeeves and Wooster.

[Karl Henning]

Now that you mention it, I think what was missing in season one was Fry and Laurie! Speaking of them, another one of my favorite comedies is Jeeves and Wooster.

Yes, gradually making my way through that wonderful series now, myself!

[Sergeant Rock]

Now that you mention it, I think what was missing in season one was Fry and Laurie! Speaking of them, another one of my favorite comedies is Jeeves and Wooster.

It's brilliant of course, but I've never considered it a "sitcom" ...too high-class for that label maybe 

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Yes, more literary adaptation than situation comedy, perhaps.

[Sergeant Rock]

A few of my favorites:
Two and Half Men (Charlie Sheen shows only)

Hey, John, have you seen Charlie's new sitcom, Anger Management?

Sarge

[Todd]

I enjoy sitcoms far more than dramas, and as such, there are a few I rather fancy.  It's been a while since I watched some of the shows, so I doubt they'd hold up well.

Arrested Development
The Simpsons  (first five or so seasons)
Married...With Children
Trailer Park Boys
30 Rock
Family Guy  (before being cancelled the first time)
The Office  (US version; first three seasons or so)
Cheers
Modern Family
Everybody Loves Raymond
My Family
Frasier
Three's Company  (yes, Three's Company, but only before Don Knotts arrived)
Night Court
I Love Lucy
Happy Days  (earlier, pre shark-jumping)
Bosom Buddies
The Jeffersons
Get Smart
Gomer Pyle, USMC  (loved it as a kid)
The Courtship of Eddie's Father  (ditto)

[Sergeant Rock]

Three's Company  (yes, Three's Company, but only before Don Knotts arrived)

For me, just the opposite. I prefer the show post-Ropers and before "Chrissy" was fired. The Ropers' schtick got old real fast, and the scenes in their apartment took too much of the show's time.

Sarge

[The Six]

Well it certainly took quite a while for this thread to get going.

[Zizekian]

Yes, more literary adaptation than situation comedy, perhaps.

Good point...I think that's a more accurate description. I love the Wodehouse Jeeves novels, too!

[Hollywood]

Blackadder
Scrubs
Father Ted
30 Rock
M*A*S*H
Will & Grace
American Dad