The Most Important TV Sitcoms TV Programs

The Most Important TV Sitcoms

original ranker BrianO.Watkins  2,803 views 218 items 7 followers
These sitcoms are important because they either influenced a generation's culture or because they permanently influenced the art of television. These sitcoms are important because they either influenced a generation's culture or because they permanently influenced the art of television. What makes a sitcom particularly important? Because over the decades, the shows listed here are groundbreaking comedy programs.

From the early days of the American sitcom ('I Love Lucy,' 'Leave it To Beaver') to the genius animation of 'The Simpsons,' each monumental comedy TV show listed here is important in the annals of television history. Many are also considered among the greatest sitcoms in television history, not surprisingly.

No list of the most important TV sitcoms would be complete without some of the domestic comedies of the 1940s and 1950s, including 'The Honeymooners' and, later, 'I Love Lucy.' In the 60s, sitcom families expanded to include extended and blended families ('The Brady Bunch') and then, in the 1970s, things really got interested, with 'All in the Family.' Enter the totally dysfunctional family!

Sitcoms were everywhere in the 1980s, with such influential programs as 'The Cosby Show,' 'Cheers' and, beginning in 1989, 'Seinfeld.' Which sitcom do you think is the most influential of all time? Cast your votes and certainly add any TV comedy shows that are missing.
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  1. 1
    Up 38
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    Danielle Brisebois, Sally Struthers, Carroll O'Connor More
  2. 2
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    Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr More
  3. 3
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    Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden More
  4. 4
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    Larry David, Liz Sheridan, Estelle Harris More
  5. 5
    Up 32
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    Keith Thibodeaux, Vivian Vance, Lucille Ball More
  6. 6
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    Joseph C. Phillips, Lisa Bonet, Erika Alexander More
  7. 7
    Up 29
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    John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, Kelsey Grammer More
    added by: JoeyJoeJoeJr
  8. 8
    Up 20
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    John Goodman, Michael Fishman, Sara Gilbert More
  9. 9
    Up 26
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    Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, Hugh Beaumont More
  10. 10
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    Tina Louise, Dawn Wells, Jim Backus More
  11. 11
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    Andy Griffith, Maggie Peterson, Howard Morris More
    added by: JoeyJoeJoeJr
  12. 12
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    Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson
  13. 13
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    Susan Olsen, Ann B. Davis, Christopher Knight More
    added by: JoeyJoeJoeJr
  14. 14
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    Damon Evans, Marla Gibbs, Berlinda Tolbert More
    added by: Olivia Peterman
  15. 15
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    Jackie Gleason, Joyce Randolph, Sheila MacRae More
  16. 16
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    Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Rob Riggle, Anthony Michael Hall More
  17. 17
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    Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Scott Baio More
  18. 18
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    Majel Barrett, James Doohan, William Shatner More
  19. 19
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    Rod Serling
  20. 20
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    Estelle Getty, Betty White, Beatrice Arthur More
  21. 21
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    The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

    Paul Frees, Walter Tetley, Charles Ruggles More
  22. 22
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    William Dozier, David Lewis, Neil Hamilton More
  23. 23
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    Sonia Manzano, Linda Bove, Frank Oz More
  24. 24
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    The Three Stooges

    Samuel Howard, Curly Howard, Joe Besser More
  25. 25
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    Don Knotts, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers More
  26. 26
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    Shawn Wayans, T'Keyah Crystal KeymĂ¡h, Carrie Ann Inaba More
  27. 27
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    Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Patricia Ann Priest More
  28. 28
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    Donna Douglas, Kathleen Freeman, Irene Ryan More
  29. 29
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    Jim Cummings, Ken Weatherwax, Anjelica Huston More
  30. 30
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    Jack Lescoulie, Steve Allen, Ernie Kovacs
  31. 31
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    60 Minutes

  32. 32
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    James McDaniel, Jacqueline Obradors, Esai Morales More
  33. 33
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    James Michael Tyler, Allisyn Ashley Arm, Jennifer Aniston More
  34. 34
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    Jean Vander Pyl, Janet Waldo, George O'Hanlon More
  35. 35
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    Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, Brian Bonsall More
  36. 36
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    Johnny Brown, Esther Rolle, Ben Powers More
  37. 37
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    Mona Marshall, April Stewart, Trey Parker More
  38. 38
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    Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry, Alec Sulkin More
  39. 39
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    Don Cornelius, Rosie Perez, Mystro Clark More
  40. 40
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  41. 41
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    Jill Whelan, Fred Grandy, Gavin MacLeod More
  42. 42
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    Jonathan Frakes, Whoopi Goldberg, Brent Spiner More
  43. 43
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    Charlotte Rae, Dixie Carter, Todd Bridges More
  44. 44
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    Alice Pearce, Dick Sargent, Dick York More
    added by: Olivia Peterman
  45. 45
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    Peter Cullen, Julie McWhirter, Patty Maloney More
  46. 46
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    Peter Davison, Elisabeth Sladen, Billie Piper More
  47. 47
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    Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Karen Malina White More
  48. 48
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    John Forsythe, Stephanie Beacham, Jack Coleman More
  49. 49
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    Dan Lauria, Danica McKellar, Fred Savage More
  50. 50
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    Bern Bennett, Ed Sullivan, Art Hannes More
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