Newhart (1982-1990): Author Dick (Bob Newhart) and wife Joanna left city life behind when they bought Vermont’s Stratford Inn, but their new bucolic setting was hardly boring, thanks to a lineup of small-town loonies, including daffy caretaker George and hillbilly handyman Larry, his brother Darryl and his other brother Darryl.
Family Guy (1999-present): The naughty and pop culture-obsessed ‘Family Guy’ is loaded with some of TV’s best characters: offensive patriarch Peter, Brian the sauced dog and Peter Lorre-sound-a-like baby Stewie, whose botched matricidal missions are second in hilarity only to his perpetually thwarted plots for world domination.
The Golden Girls (1985-1992): Sex and the city? Before Carrie and pals were heating up NYC, Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia were painting the town red in Miami. Sure, viewers normally don’t want to think about their grannies getting their freak on, but the charm of these golden gals was that they didn’t act their ages.
Green Acres (1965-1971): CBS had its own genre of rural sitcoms with ‘The Beverly Hillbillies,’ ‘Petticoat Junction’ and ‘Acres,’ a standout for surreal antics involving TV-watching pig Arnold, the Monroe brothers (one of whom was female) and leads Oliver and Lisa, who still wore their fancy city duds after moving to their Hooterville farm.
Arrested Development (2003-2006): Bluths, we hardly knew ye. Three seasons of dysfunctional family hilarity and banana-stand shenanigans weren’t nearly enough. The show gave us GOB, Buster and Michael Cera — and, at last, a forum for Jason Bateman to showcase his comedy chops.
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966): One of the first shows about show biz revolved around a variety series writer. That meant tons of comic storylines, which, combined with Van Dyke’s physical gags and Mary Tyler Moore’s sassy humor, inspired many a future sitcom.
Will & Grace (1998-2006): Sure, gay lawyer Will and his best friend/ex-girlfriend Grace were likable enough. But it was Will’s self-obsessed, Cher-lovin’ pal Jack and Grace’s boozy, equally self-obsessed receptionist Karen who provided the laugh-out-loud scenes; fans even suggested renaming the series ‘Jack & Karen.’
Maude (1972-1978): Edith Bunker’s cousin (and Archie’s nemesis) was a “compromisin’, enterprisin’, anything but tranquilizing” feminist who proved to be both hilarious and groundbreaking, as she and hubby Walter tackled alcoholism, nervous breakdowns, and, in the most controversial episode, abortion.