The Most Important TV Sitcoms TV Programs

The Most Important TV Sitcoms

original ranker BrianO.Watkins  3,755 views 211 items 8 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 44
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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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    Larry David, Liz Sheridan, Estelle Harris More
  4. 4
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    Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden More
  5. 5
    Up 36
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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
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    John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, Kelsey Grammer More
    added by: JoeyJoeJoeJr
  8. 8
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    John Goodman, Michael Fishman, Sara Gilbert More
  9. 9
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    Tina Louise, Dawn Wells, Jim Backus More
  10. 10
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    Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, Hugh Beaumont 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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    Majel Barrett, James Doohan, William Shatner More
  18. 18
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    Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Scott Baio More
  19. 19
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    Sonia Manzano, Linda Bove, Frank Oz More
  20. 20
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    William Dozier, David Lewis, Neil Hamilton More
  21. 21
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    Rod Serling
  22. 22
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    Jack Lescoulie, Steve Allen, Ernie Kovacs
  23. 23
    Up 16
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    Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry, Alec Sulkin More
  24. 24
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    Shawn Wayans, T'Keyah Crystal KeymĂ¡h, Carrie Ann Inaba More
  25. 25
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    Estelle Getty, Betty White, Beatrice Arthur More
  26. 26
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    60 Minutes

  27. 27
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    James Michael Tyler, Allisyn Ashley Arm, Jennifer Aniston More
  28. 28
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    Donna Douglas, Kathleen Freeman, Irene Ryan More
  29. 29
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    James McDaniel, Jacqueline Obradors, Esai Morales More
  30. 30
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    Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Patricia Ann Priest More
  31. 31
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    Jim Cummings, Ken Weatherwax, Anjelica Huston More
  32. 32
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    The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

    Paul Frees, Walter Tetley, Charles Ruggles More
  33. 33
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    Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, Brian Bonsall More
  34. 34
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    The Three Stooges

    Samuel Howard, Curly Howard, Joe Besser More
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    Jean Vander Pyl, Janet Waldo, George O'Hanlon More
  36. 36
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    Don Knotts, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers More
  37. 37
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    Jonathan Frakes, Whoopi Goldberg, Brent Spiner More
  38. 38
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    Don Cornelius, Rosie Perez, Mystro Clark More
  39. 39
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    The Ellen DeGeneres Show

    Ellen DeGeneres, Tony Okungbowa
  40. 40
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    Jill Whelan, Fred Grandy, Gavin MacLeod More
  41. 41
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    Mona Marshall, April Stewart, Trey Parker More
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  43. 43
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    Johnny Brown, Esther Rolle, Ben Powers More
  44. 44
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    Peter Davison, Elisabeth Sladen, Billie Piper More
  45. 45
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    Cordell Francis, Oprah Winfrey
  46. 46
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    Peter Cullen, Julie McWhirter, Patty Maloney More
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    Anthony Edwards, Eriq La Salle, Julianna Margulies More
  48. 48
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    Charlotte Rae, Dixie Carter, Todd Bridges More
  49. 49
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    Kelly Stables, Angus T. Jones, Jon Cryer More
  50. 50
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    Alice Pearce, Dick Sargent, Dick York More
    added by: Olivia Peterman
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