It’s nice to kick back in your own home, turn on the television, and watch a good show on the small screen.
Television has been a dominant form of entertainment, and has seen many changes through the years. From the early days of Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Peak T.V., and of course, binge watching shows on Netflix.
Shows offer a different form of storytelling and characterization, arcs, and moments, then movies do. And with so many different genres and ways to tell them, whether it be the standard 3 camera set-up, to single camera use, you’re never short of a good night to watch something.
For me, Sitcoms are my favorite genre. I don’t really like getting into big, overarching shows, like Lost, or Game of Thrones, but give me a chance! Things I look at for my shows are overall entertainment, how did they resonate with me emotionally and memorably, are they quotable, consistent in tone, quality, and have the same characters/actors.
So, this is part 1. Let’s begin.
First, let’s briefly discuss some unique, honourable mentions
Survivor- It’s a reality, game show, and I’ve never treated it on the same level as my other ones, but I’ve watched this show since season 7, and it’s been a mainstay in the television room. I loved it when it was on Thursday night, because I knew the next day was Friday, then the weekend! Every morning my neighbour and I would discuss the show on the bus ride, along with my friend in my class. There are too many moments to discuss, and players I passionately rooted for to win. All these years later, ups and downs, highs and lows, I’ve not yet given up on Survivor.
Bugs Bunny- A cartoon of various shorts, it’s different than my other shows, but I always laugh my head off when watching these cartoons. What a job to have, because of the outrageous moments created with Bugs and the gang. When we first got high speed internet, the first thing I did was watch Bugs Bunny on YouTube, pretty much every day right after school. It’s the perfect cartoon that appeals to kids and adults, because the humor is in the situation and interactions of the characters, and the physical comedy. Despite protests of the show’s violence, I believe it holds up and is so outlandish, it’ obvious it’s not real. The best memory is my Dad and I bonding over this show.
Alright, now let’s really begin.
10) Schitt’s Creek
Never heard of the show until it came to Netflix, and even then I skipped over it. Even when my sister watched it I didn’t care, but she kept pushing and soon got my parents into. I thought I’d watch an episode here or there, but soon I was sucked in.
A fun unique premise, the rich Rose family becoming dirt poor, staying in the motel of a small town they bought as a joke. Oh, that motel is located near me, so that’s a massive plus!
It shines in the four leads, Johnny, Moira, Alexis, and David. Each have their own distinct personalities, that contrast not just each other, but the more down-to-earth folks of Schitt’s Creek. Seeing how they all interact is just pure enjoyment. The chemistry picked up quickly by the end of season 1, and just never quit.
Alexis and Moira are my favorite characters, because of their mannerisms – Moira’s unknown accent – and everything they say is so quotable. Ew David! That’s not a write off!
They really nailed the vibe of a small town, the tone set perfectly. And they were smart to not really show much of the Rose’s past lives as rich people, giving only small glimpses to show how far they’ve come. In particular in season 2 when Johnny berates a former rich friend for his mockery of the town. “It’s called Schitt’s Creek, and it’s where we live.” You start to see them mostly accept the town and its people, not just as friends, but family. They actually change, and grow as characters and people, something that’s sorely lacking in many other shows. The Rose’s actually become closer as a family, despite having so little materialistic and monetary things.
It knows when to be funny, but also for more heartfelt, serious moments.
We watched this during lockdowns, and I’m so glad I gave it a chance. Being a more recent experience, it doesn’t resonate as much as other shows down the line, but I very much enjoy this show.
A smart, funny, fresh, quality show. There’s a reason it swept the 72nd Emmy Awards.
9) That 70’s Show
Made in the 90s/2000s, but set in the 70s. I got into this show because of my older brother.
I love how the show is set in the 70s, but has this great balance of focusing on the era, but the characters’ problems are timeless. Relationships, school, parents, life, things anyone from any generations and decade can relate to.
Eric, Donna, Fez, Kelso, Hyde, and Jackie are so memorable, and the shenanigans they get into are even more memorable. Streaking, spray painting the water tower of a marijuana sign (but accidentally making it look like it’s giving the finger), and every scheme to throw or attend parties, and get beer, love them. Just driving around the Vista Cruiser and hanging out, around town, or in Eric’s basement, really brings the small town, teenager out of you.
But Eric’s parents are just as memorable. Kitty’s laugh, Red’s “Dumbass” line and various threats of putting his foot in your ass are always enjoyable to watch.
And of course, the circle. A genius idea of their marijuana usage that works so well for the setting, and when the gang finally gets caught, it’s the best scene in the series. And the intro rock song always gets you pumped. You're having the time of your life.
It actually use to be one of my favourite shows of all time. Problems I find now is that it runs for 8 seasons, but takes place in only 4 years, from 1976 to New Year’s Eve 1979, and there are 6 Christmas and Halloween episodes each, so the timeline is broken. Certain characters have arcs then flipflop between their old and news self’s. And eventually the cast is too old to play teenagers. Jackie being with Kelso and Hyde make sense. Kelso’s your high school sweetheart, but Hyde is the polar opposite that change each other. But no, put her and Fez together at the end.
But the biggest problem, is the final season is missing Eric and Kelso. The show really went downhill there. I’d say it peaked with the first 5 seasons. So consistently and quality is good, not great, but it’s a show I do enjoy rewatching.
8) Parks and Rec
Another more recent, my sister and I watched this during lockdowns, and quickly became a favorite of ours.
Taking a unique aspect of following a small down government parks and rec department, the shows is presented as a documentary sitcom. It shows the mundane, frustrating, and at times exciting, moments of working for local government.
Interestingly, this show started off on a bad note. Made by the same people who created the Office, it felt exactly like a clone, and it was noticeable. Especially main character Leslie Knope.
But fortunately, they listened to feedback, and did a revamp of the show’s tone, presentation, and characters. And at least Season 1 is only six episodes, so you don’t suffer for long.
And by Season 3, with the addition of some new characters, the show really kicked off in quality and enjoyment.
Parks and Rec is hilarious because of its wacky, zany characters. My favorite is the stern Ron Swanson. I enjoy the consistent humour that represents the show, such as employee Jerry’s name changing to Larry, Terry, or Gary. The murals showing the town’s history, which at first are in a positive light, but then the camera pans to show the rest of them, and they’re racist, unpleasant, or violent. And of course, who could forget Li’l Sebastian? You really feel like the town is another character, and it is a real place. Even minor characters feel fleshed out.
But the show does go into the character’s personal lives, and fortunately, you see them grow and change, some a little more subtle, but they don’t flip-flop. And the show dabbles into telling overarching plots, like Leslie running for City Council.
Unfortunately, Season 7 does a weird time jump that’s so abrupt it left a bad taste in my mouth. But by the end of the season, and the series, it went away, and I left feeling happy, and satisfied with the characters and plots.
Shame it struggled with ratings; I wish I saw when it was originally airing. Another smart, funny, memorable sitcom, with a different workplace-type angle.
7) American Dad
Adult animated shows run on forever, so I can’t fault it if I feel it dips in quality after 8 or 10 seasons.
American Dad is different from Family Guy (despite Seth MacFarlane making both) in that it has a more cohesive story and character elements. The humour is from the situation and character interaction, not a punchline, joke, or cutaway gags like its older brother show. And not too many pop-culture references.
The Smith family all have unique character traits that make them memorable, but the best is Roger, the alien in their attic. Seeing his disguises and shenanigans he gets into, and drags the family in, are the best.
I very much enjoyed the political and social side of the show, something they pretty much moved away from after 3 or 4 seasons unfortunately. But seeing Stan Smith grow as a person, while small and at times a bit inconsistent, it’s very much appreciated. It feels more of a traditional live action sitcom, but done in animation, and I think that’s something commendable about the show.
The Christmas episodes are some of my favorite, because they all feel different, and tell a fun, cohesive story, sometimes big, other times small.
It’s quotable because of the family dynamic and situational humour. My College buddy and I heavily bonded over this show, and would regularly talk, text, and interact by using quotes from this show. The show has humour, comedy, and heart all rolled in a nice American Flag.
At times I prefer Family Guy over American Dad, other times this one, so it’s hard. And speaking of Family Guy…
6) Family Guy
Reason Family Guy is slightly ahead is because I grew up with it more so than American Dad. And it’s more about the humour, and endlessly quotable!
Shut up Meg. Cool-Whip. Buttscratcher! And plenty, plenty, plenty more. Again, quotes I use regularly with friends and family, they always make me happy.
I’d say the golden years were during the first 6 seasons. Stewie trying to kill Lois, the family dunking on Meg, Brian as an anthropomorphic dog, and Peter always causing trouble.
The cutaways were smart, funny, memorable, and either played into the gag, or flipped it on its head. And they didn’t take up screen time so a strong story was still present. Side characters like Quagmire, Joe, are also fun to watch.
All those pop-culture references and moments I watched and experienced the first time I was I could again. In particular the chicken fight scenes. I remember tears coming down my cheeks, gasping for air, those were the best fights ever!
The show was not a rip-off of the Simpsons, in many ways it was its own thing, and it was great. Especially referencing older shows from decades ago, and doing musical numbers in the same vein of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.
Where it faulters is leaning too heavily at times into those character traits. And eventually lacking any story really, just using cutaways that don’t make sense. Once Seth Macfarlane stopped writing and minimalized his involvement, the show’s quality dipped, and it’s no longer enjoyable.
But those seasons I still rewatch are just absolute gold. No one was safe from the jokes. Every race, culture, religion, sensitive topic were free game. Yeah, sometimes they didn’t handle it well, and some should be left out, but most are still hilarious just as they were when they first appeared.
Family Guy stands toe to toe with The Simpsons as one of the greatest adult animated shows of all time.
So, those are first 5 shows of mine. Stay tuned for next 5 soon. Guess what they are?
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