A great sitcom must be funny. It doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be laugh-out-loud, rolling-on-the-floor funny, but it has to be able to tickle your funny bone. In order to get those laughs, it requires excellent writing and actors who can lift it from page to screen with precision. So what happens when a sitcom doesn’t have just one great character? It fosters an ensemble of exceptional characters that creates a beloved universe like these shows.
Some are friends. Others are family or even roommates. They may work at the White House, a local waterhole, or the most mundane paper company. No matter their relationship or location, these ensembles have made these sitcoms some of the best of all time. Filled with remarkable chemistry, enduring plot lines, and charm that exudes with every word, many of these sitcoms have rewatchability because we simply adore the characters. These sitcom ensembles have stood the test of time, and now, it’s time to celebrate them. Now, before we begin, let’s give some honorable mentions, including I Love Lucy, Seinfeld, and The Good Place, as this list was quite difficult to make. Perhaps we’ll make a sequel, but for now, here are your top ten!
10
’30 Rock’ (2006–2013)
Created by Tina Fey
Following her departure from Saturday Night Live, former head writer Tina Fey had the extraordinary opportunity to develop her own sitcom. Utilizing the classic writer’s technique of “write what you know,” Fey satirized and parodied life on a fictional sketch comedy show and the corporate conglomerate that controlled it. 30 Rock, named after 30 Rockefeller Plaza, brought to life the antics of showrunner Liz Lemon (Fey) as she battled the egos of its stars Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) and Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), as well as the smarmy network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin). Oh, and since we’re at 30 Rock, there had to be an NBC page, the simple and cheerful Kenneth (Jack McBrayer).
With featured and recurring characters galore, part of what helped 30 Rock tackle the laugh-track-free sitcom universe was Fey’s ability to help bring hilarious characters to life alongside the brilliant cast. Thanks to the occasional parody of a parody universe, there was freedom to explode to the extreme. 30 Rock was part of the sitcom renaissance, and it was all thanks to the cast.
9
‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015–2020)
Created by Dan and Eugene Levy
When terrible characters end up having growth arcs that become simply inspiring, that’s when you know you’ve done something right. At the onset, the Roses are your typical self-centered, upper-class, rich family. After losing it all, except for the titular town they previously purchased, the Roses are forced to adapt their lives and learn about themselves through the people of Schitt’s Creek. Rooted in brilliant storytelling and career-defining performances, Schitt’s Creek gave us a world that we simply couldn’t get enough of. The main quartet, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy, redefined family-focused comedies.
Each one of the primary characters had the great pleasure of breaking out into their own subplots, opening up the opportunity to meet the rest of the other extraordinary ensemble players. For David, it was mouthy motel owner Stevie (Emily Hampshire). Alexis had the handsome vet Ted (Dustin Milligan). Then, Moira and Johnny had Jocelyn (Jennifer Robertson) and Roland Schitt (Chris Elliott), respectively. Schitt’s Creek was wholesome hilarity that truly became an instant classic. When you can reference and quote a character in the way that we do with Moira Rose, that is a sign of success. Will we ever get more with our favorite family? Maybe some day!
8
‘Veep’ (2012–2019)
Created by Armando Ianucci
Depending on when you first experienced Veep, you will likely have a very different opinion and perspective of our government. When Veep first debuted on HBO, President Barack Obama was in office, so Veep felt like a perfect satire of what the West Wing might be like. Then, after 2016, when a new president took over, let’s just say, we could only imagine how real Veep actually was. Focusing on Selina Meyer, played to perfection by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and her attempt to establish her legacy and eventually become POTUS, Veep was a quick-witted political comedy that showcased just how power-hungry the people behind the scenes are.
Veep‘s sharp comedy was due in part to the dry humor that the ensemble brought into each story. Even when things would get outlandish, their ability to ground the characters in reality through hilarity gave Veep its spark. Battling for the top spot included Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky) and Dan Egan (Reid Scott). There was the loyal and devoted bag boy Gary Walsh (Tony Hale). Mike McLintock (Matt Walsh) was the world’s worst director of communications. Top staffers Ben Cafferty (Kevin Dunn) and Kent Davison (Gary Cole) were meant to make Selina’s life easier, but found themselves causing chaos. And then there was Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons). Insert your favorite Jonah insult here. Veep was one of the smartest comedies on television. It should come as no surprise that it earned so much hardware by the end of its seven seasons.
7
‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)
Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur
It’s time to treat yo self as we celebrate one of the most genuine ensembles on this list. Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, Parks and Recreation brought us to fictional Pawnee, Indiana, where we watched Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) live out her dream of working as a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks department. Reminding us that optimism can inspire us to achieve our dreams, Amy Poehler’s central character may have been the centerpiece of the series, but it was those individuals who filled out the cast that made Parks and Recreation the feel-good series it is.
Leslie Knope needed a cast of quirky characters who were fun foils and friends. There was the frequent clashing yet wise beyond his willingness, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman). You have the cynical and uninterested intern April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza). Goofy and dim-witted Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt). The best and most loyal friend anyone could have, Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones). There are terrible but lovable employees: Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari), Jerry Gergich (Jim O’Heir), and Donna Meagle (Retta). And then, government employees turned into important players in Pawnee: Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) and Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe). The ingredients that comprised Parks and Recreation were perfect. This was a wholesome show with a sole mission: to make you happy. Just hearing the theme song brings a smile!
6
‘The Office’ (2005–2013)
Created by Greg Daniels
Back in the early 2000s, the UK had a show created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant that captured the mundane daily antics of working in an office. Like we do in America, we had to try our hand at adapting it. So, we took the characters and stories for a near replica of the first season, only to discover that there was a world beyond the source material. All because of the incredible ensemble of comedians. The Office depicts the employees of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The single-camera laugh-track-less sitcom not only broke open the mockumentary sitcom genre, but it also proved that large ensemble shows were meant to be the next wave of comedy.
Inspired by their British counterparts, the main characters were slightly modified to fit American humor. Led by Steve Carell as regional manager Michael Scott, The Office was exactly what office life was and profanely what it wasn’t. Let’s be honest with ourselves, HR should have been on speed dial any moment Michael opened his mouth or Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) did anything. Rounding out the main cast were the lover of practical jokes Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), the eventual love of his life Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer), and Ryan the intern (B.J. Novak). But then, the rest of the original ensemble eventually broke out and developed their own arcs worthy of being the lead characters.
We’d be here for a very long time if we named every single actor in this ensemble, but what The Office did exceptionally well was introduce new characters without breaking the mold. Rooted in reality, certain characters earned promotions or left for other opportunities, allowing for new hires. And those new hires included the likes of Ed Helms as Andy Bernard, Ellie Kemper as Erin Hannon, Catherine Tate as Nellie Bertram, and James Spader as Robert California. The Office was a well-oiled machine rooted in improv. No matter who your favorite character was, this cast changed the entire trajectory of ensemble comedy.
5
‘Friends’ (1994–2004)
Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman
I call this entry “The one where we state the obvious.” The ’90s were filled with brilliant sitcoms, but none celebrated friendship quite like Friends. As someone who has lived in New York City, I’ve never seen a more unrealistic portrayal of the city that never sleeps. Nevertheless, it did depict the power of friendship. Following the lives of six friends in their formative adult years, the NBC sitcom gave us pop culture moments that we still quote today. Hairstyles? Thankfully, “The Rachel” has been retired.
Friends is what it is because of the six actors. Not only did it propel each performer to great heights after the show’s run, but they also celebrated the fun of this sitcom. The tight-knit friend group is what we all aspire to have. Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) were the best friends and roommates we wished we could replicate. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) were the dynamic duo who lived a life of fun. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) was that lovable oddball that every friend group has. Ross (David Schwimmer) was the geeky brother who fell into the group, but became the glue that kept them bonded. Whether it be dating one another or being there for one another, we remember Friends because of the characters and their stories. While many shows have attempted to be revived in reboot form, Friends will likely never be able to do so because it’s perfect as is. Maybe there’s a universe in which we meet their kids, but you will never find another ensemble like Friends.
4
‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2019)
Created by Mitchel Hurwitz
Let’s get it out of the way now: the Bluths are terrible, terrible people. The reason we love Arrested Development is that it boasts a top-tier cast of actors willing to stretch their ridiculous characters to the extremes. The Bluth family were formerly wealthy as they attempted to lead their extravagant lifestyles despite their extraordinary changed circumstances. As the corrupt patriarch George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor) spends his days in prison, his family finds themselves in outlandish situations as Ron Howard, yes, that Ron Howard, narrates their lives.
Aside from Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), whose straight-man character attempts to maintain a moral compass, and his naive son George Michael (Michael Cera), who battles his unsavory crush on his cousin Maeby (Alia Shawkat), the rest of his family are just hilariously awful. Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter) is a ruthlessly manipulative, bottomless quote machine. Buster (Tony Hale) is a panic-prone mother’s boy. Gob (Will Arnett) is a terribly cocky yet ridiculous failure. Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) is a spoiled, materialistic brat. Tobias Fünke (David Cross) is Lindsay’s discredited psychiatrist-turned-blue, aspiring actor who is self-diagnosed as a “never-nude.” On paper, this unsavory lot sounds like a nightmare to endure, and yet, that’s why Arrested Development became the hit that it was.
The main cast is exceptional, but Arrested Development‘s ability to compile a sensational recurring and guest cast that includes Liza Minnelli, Henry Winkler, Judy Greer, Charlize Theron, and Carl Weathers, among others, speaks to the brilliance of this series. After the revival series, we had some closure with the Bluths, but there’s still part of us who wishes we could go on more wacky adventures with the family.
3
‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)
Created by James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles
Sometimes, when someone mentions a certain word, your brain immediately relates it to a song. If someone were to say “cheers,” I guarantee you that your mind instantly starts hearing “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” in your head. The Cheers theme song helped define why we all wished we had our own local bar that was more than just a post-work hangout; it was our second home. Set in Boston, Cheers follows the lives of the titular bar’s staff and the resident barflies as they drink, relax, socialize, and escape from monotony.
At its core, Cheers followed Sam Malone (Ted Danson), a former major league pitcher and bartender of the local watering hole. Working alongside him were the borderline-senile Coach (Nicholas Colasanto), the wisecracking, cynical cocktail waitress Carla (Rhea Perlman), and the prim and proper graduate student Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Of course, Cheers wouldn’t be complete without its lovable regulars, bar fixture Norm Peterson (George Wendt), mailman Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger), and shrink Dr. Fraser Crane (Kelsey Grammer). Over time, new staff and regulars joined the fray, including Cheers’ manager Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley), dimwitted bartender Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson), and Fraser’s ice queen lover Dr. Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth). The premise was simple, and yet the strong but mighty ensemble thrived season after season. Whether they were bickering, finding themselves in a will-they, won’t they romance, or simply showcasing the strength of friendship, Cheers succeeded because of its cast.
It’s hard to imagine when a series loses a member of their ensemble. Then, for the turnaround to include other departures, it seems like a terrifying prospect for the show to continue on. Yet, Cheers defied the odds. Even with the loss of original characters Diane and Coach, having the ability to bring in new personalities like Rebecca and Woody proved that you don’t need a replica for longevity. Maintaining the integrity of the Cheers universe through its marvelous ensemble was all it needed to be a long-running sitcom. If there was one thing that Cheers taught us, it’s that we all wish our favorite bar would call out our first name when we walk in every night.
2
‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ (1970–1977)
Created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns
It’s quite fascinating that there is still a faction of sitcom fans who seem to neglect the impact that The Mary Tyler Moore Show had on comedy and society in general. Depicting an unmarried, independent woman was groundbreaking for the ’70s, but what resulted was Mary Tyler Moore‘s Mary Richards, who became an inspiration for women everywhere. The series captures Mary as she embarks on a new adventure in Minneapolis at the age of 30 to become a producer on a nightly news program. Despite the titular star’s top billing and the character’s story being centralized, The Mary Tyler Moore Show was truly an ensemble effort.
Each episode, Mary balanced her work life and home life. At WJM-TV, Mary works under the tough, hard-nosed boss Lou Grant (Ed Asner), the lovelorn head writer Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod), the station’s superficially cheerful Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White), and the dim-witted and vain anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight), who dated the ditzy Georgette Franklin (Georgia Engel). At home, she had her best friend and upstairs neighbor, Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper), and snobby landlady Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman). The two worlds would occasionally intertwine, but what was clear was that, through seven seasons, this brilliant cast defined The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Just look at the legends!
Fans fell in love with the characters from the show. Spin-offs were not uncommon, but the way this show spawned three spin-offs —Rhoda, Phyllis, and Lou Grant —and a two-hour TV movie, Mary and Rhoda —proved how impactful this series ultimately was. The simple fact that multiple characters could lead their own series speaks volumes to the power of the performers. As the theme song said, it wasn’t just Moore who could turn the world on with her smile. It was the entire ensemble. When it comes to workplace sitcoms, The Mary Tyler Moore Show was the blueprint for casting the perfect company.
1
‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992)
Created by Susan Harris
Picture it: four women of a certain age living together in a Miami home, living their best lives while reminding us that age means nothing. The Golden Girls is forever beloved, not only for its unique concept, but for the four women who embodied their characters. The original quartet that we define ourselves as in our friendship – Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), Rose (Betty White), and Sophia (Estelle Getty) – are pop culture icons that can simply be referred to by their first names. Part of the charm and success of the ’80s series was having four distinct characters with their own personalities intertwining to create one seamless ensemble.
Bea Arthur’s Dorothy was the steadfast curmudgeon. Rue McClanahan’s Blanche was the resident floozy. Estelle Getty’s Sophia was the wisecracking granny. And Betty White’s Rose defined just how lovable an airhead can be. The Golden Girls had four lead characters who could not exist without one another. That was where the charm shone through. The show’s theme song, “Thank You For Being a Friend,” truly encapsulated what each episode would bring. We all wished we could have a late-night slice of cheesecake with the ladies after a long day. Without The Golden Girls, we would never have had shows like Designing Women and Sex and the City. But rest assured, there will never be another ensemble quite like the one we saw in The Golden Girls.
