If you’re like me, then there’s nothing you love more than a good sitcom. A half an hour, easy to watch comedy is my ideal show, so I thought I would give you all a run down on some of my favourites. As usual there will most probably be spoilers, so consider this your warning.
Number 5
Modern Family
In at Number 5 is Modern Family. The show ran from 2009- 2020, having 11 seasons and 250 episodes. The show focuses on three household of one family. The Pritchetts, The Dunphies and The Tuckers. The head of the family is Jay and when we first meet him he has just married his wife Gloria who is around 20 years younger than him, from Columbia and has a 10 year old son Manny. Next is the Dunphies who consist of Claire, Jays daughter from his first marriage, her husband Phil and their 3 children Hayley, Alex and Luke. Lastly is the Tuckers – Pritchetts, Mitchell, Jays son and Claires brother, Cam Mitchells boyfriend and their adopted daughter Lily. The show follow the lives of this crazy family for 11 years! It is shot in a documentary style with sit down interviews from several of the characters throughout the episodes to help move the story along and get an insight into how the character is feeling or thinking. I think the whole concept of this show is brilliant. They deal with so many issues that the audience can relate to as well as having so many characters ensuring everyone can find someone they relate to some how. My favourite character without doubt is Cam. His dialogue, storylines and just over all spirit is brilliant and never fails to make me laugh. His and Mitchell’s characters work so well together and are a great addition to the show!
Number 4
New Girl
Next up is New Girl, Starring Zoey Deschanel. The show follows larger than life Jess’ journey as she moves into a new apartment with three strangers Schmidt, Nick and Coach. Coach does leave after 3 episodes but comes back in a couple of seasons, Winston comes in to take his place. Jess’ best friend Cece is also a regular character even though she doesn’t live with them. The show ran from 2011 until 2018, it has 146 episodes which add up to 7 season. This show is funny, crazy and will have you on the floor with laughter at least once an episode. It is an easy watch and not one where you have to have watched the precious episode for it to make sense. The characters are all hilarious and quirky in their own way and all though some of the things they do can be… just well weird its highly entertaining and sometimes something you just wish you could do. In the end we are just following this misfit friend group who are just like family trying there best to live their best lives. We are also rooting for the two main couples in the show Nick and Jess who very much have a slow burn relationship but their chemistry was evident from the first episode. Jess helps cynical Nick have a bit of a brighter outlook on life and vice versa. The second couple is Schmidt and Cece. Since there first meeting Schmidt was head over heels for Cece. Cece on the other hand not so much. However throughout the series and a lot of convincing from Schmidt they begin an on again off again relationship and eventually get married and even have a daughter. Later on in the show we also get to see Winston woo his partner Ally who also get married and have a child. My favourite character in the show has to be Nick. His outlook on live is not only funny but relatable as well. He by far has the best quotes and for me makes the show.
Number 3
How I Met Your Mother
Onto Number 3, How I Met Your Mother. It ran from 2005 to 2014, has 9 season and 208 episodes. It follows the story of our protagonist Ted telling his children, in the year 2030 the story of how he met their mother. Throughout the show we follow Ted and his friends lives in their 20’s and early 30’s. The group consists of Ted, Barney, Marshall, Lilly and Robin who also meets the group in the first episode. Ted immediately falls for Robin and we follow their rocky love story. It is however stated in the first episode Robin is not the mother so there is that hidden enigma throughout. As the plot is Ted telling his children a story, he is a voice over throughout. One reason the show is one of my favourites is because of all of the recurring jokes placed throughout. Theres the slap bet between Barney and Marshall which began in season 2 when Barney lost a bet to Marshall and choosing to be slapped five times at any point in the future, which we get to enjoy through the whole series, another is the playbook which was the book Barney used to come up with all of his tricks to hitting on women and my personal favourite is the Doppelgängers, starting with Marshall’s doppelgängers of the main five all crop up at some point with stripper Lily and Wrestler Ted. My favourite character in the series has to be Lily. Not only is her and Marshalls relationship adorable but she is also the glue that holds the group together. Whilst her and Robin and the only women of the group, Lily is still able to be one of the guys and the voice of reason. She is also funny and relatable.
Number 2
That 70’s Show
Number 2 is That 70’s Show. I came across this show on Comedy Central around 6 years ago and was delighted when I found out the whole series was on Netflix. I immediately fell in love with the show. The story of 6 misfits who are just living the average life of an American teenager in the 70s. Although set in the 70’s, the show actually ran from 1998 to 2006, in that time it had 8 seasons and 200 episodes. I think the thing I love about this show, besides the music and the fashion (yes I love the 70’s, have you noticed?) is how relaxed it is. The problems the characters face aren’t that big in the grand scheme of things but to them they are and I think viewers can relate to them from when they were younger or if they’re at that age then just relate in general. It deals with issue like first love, getting your first job, and just generally finding your place in the world. I think the camaraderie just makes it all that bit better. Now yes in fairness season 8 wasn’t the best but then again all the episodes were named after Queen songs so I think that makes up for it. It was difficult when choosing a favourite character, I like them all for different reasons, but overall I’d say Eric is my favourite particularly the earlier seasons. His sarcasm and demeanour on life is one of my favourite things about the show, as well as getting to watch his and Donna’s love story develop. I also enjoy all of his Star Wars references and was definitely upset when he left the show.
Number 1
Friends
So no one told you life was gonna be this way? (Sorry I had too). Anyway in at number 1 is the first show I ever binged watched, when I was 8 (yes slightly too young but oh well) I would watch 2 episodes every night on E4 and that Christmas I got the box set from my grandparents and I couldn’t have been happier. Now there are again so many reasons why I love this show. Its iconic for one thing, but also how each of the characters bring something interesting and necessary to the show as yes there have been instances in shows where characters are there just to make up numbers but in Friends they all have interesting storylines like Phoebe trying to find her biological dad, Ross and Rachel’s on a break storyline, Chandler and Monica’s struggle to have children and their adoption journey and Joey’s many tries as making it as a big time actor. As well as all of these there are some classic quotes that everyone knows such as “We were on a break”, “Pivot”, “I know!” “Could I BE wearing anymore clothes” and that just some. The show is the perfect raining day show, or even one just to stick on in the background. It will have you laughing one minute and pulling at your heartstrings the next. My favourite character is Joey, there have been multiple times in the show where he has proven how good of a friend he is and the lengths he would go to for the people he loves. He also is very comedic and delivers some brilliant lines. His friendship with Chandler is also hilarious and friends goals!
So there you have it, if you are stuck for shows to watch, I would highly recommend these. Let me know if you check any of them out as well as your sitcom recommendations!
Thanks for reading.
Cinema & Chapters by Peggy 