Other good sitcoms?

Let me ask you this. What other sitcoms do you guys like? I want to know because ever since I've started to watch Seinfeld, I have never been able to stop. I think about it almost every day (not exaggerating). Everytime there's a slight connection to an episode, I laugh almost out loud. Examples? I get grapefruit juice in my eyes? The Wink I feel irritation on my face after shaving? The butter shave I poke someone? The Shoes I use my electronic organizer? The Wizard

etc.

Anyways, I also like(d) other sitcoms, but nothing comes close. Here they are (in alphabetical order):

Caroline in the City Coach, The Drew Carey Show, Ed, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Just Shoot Me!, King of Queens, Mad About You, Married With Children, Men Behaving Badly (didn't last long, alas), News Radio, Night Court, Roseanne, Suddenly Susan, Three's Company, Welcome Back Kotter,

They were all shows that, at one point, I didn't want to miss and some of then I taped to make sure I would get them all (I didn't, but anyway). However, there is one thing in common about all those sitcoms which is contrary to Seinfeld: I saw some, many, most of the jokes coming. I could guess the jokes in advance. Rarely did that happen in Seinfeld. Although I would know how George would react to a certain situation, I could not guess very often the jokes in advance. Is it just me? Am I too harsh on the other sitcoms and blind to Seinfeld's defects (if any?).

Ken Tremblay offered the following:

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The UK version was excellent.

Personally I think Seinfeld is the best sitcom ever and has that unique selling point of being about nothing but everything, based on observational comedy. It means that you have plenty of occasions when you think this just like when George/Elaine/Kramer/Jerry did so and so. Or I often have things happen and think you could base a Seinfeld episode on that.

As for other sitcoms Frasier, Cheers and Friends are all great. I don't care what people say about Friends, the first couple of seasons IMO rank as some of the greatest seasons of comedy ever. Also Michael J Fox era Spin City is much underrated (I haven't seen much Charlie Sheen era so can't comment).

UK wise there has been Men Behaving Badly, Fawlty Towers, Red Dwarf, Black Adder and in more recent times Spaced, The League of Gentleman and Black Books. There are probably loads I've forgotten.

"Jan Buxton" wrote in message news:...

I agree that these are standout sitcoms but Friends and Frasier were contemporaries of Seinfeld and kind of pale in comparison, IMO. Which isn't to say you disagree, I'm not arguing with you.

Another great sitcom was the old Mary Tyler Moore Show of the early/mid 70's. I'm old enough that I remember watching it when it when it first aired. Sometimes I'll watch reruns on cable and, this many decades later, I still remember some of the punch lines. It was a very well written and acted show. I could be wrong but I think David Lloyd, who these days writes for Frasier, was one of the MTM writers.

I see Coupling on BBC America and I like it though it's derivative of Seinfeld (heavy word coinage and chatting over minutiae) and Friends (the basic situation of 3 single men and 3 single women who are friends). Fawlty Towers is often cited as a great old sitcom but I think its strengths (convoluted intertwining subplots and a main character who easily goes into rages) have been eclipsed by Seinfeld. I've seen ad's for "The League Of Gentlemen" and it scares the beejesus out of me! I've got a pet peeve against British shows that use drag comedy - which rules out about 80% of them :-)

steve horan offered the following:

Coupling is unashamedly Friends with sex. Very good and NBC have commissioned a US version as a possible Friends replacement I believe.

steve horan wrote

Couling is good - isnt it too rude for the US people though?

All that talk of sex :-)

Joe3k wrote

*Coupling

"Joe3k" wrote in message news:...

I don't think it's too racy for the US, but then I watch a lot of HBO comedies. The rudist stuff I've seen on "Coupling" is when the guys hide behind coffins or stay seated in restaurants so no one will notice that they're pitching a tent :-) That's not too scandalous.

Speaking of cable and concealing erections, I'd recommend the "Chris Isaac Show" on Showtime. It's about the "real life" exploits of CI & his band.

This show is interesting because they don't shy away from sex, they fairly often have female nudity, yet the show has an uncommon wholesomeness about it. It actually reminds me of Ozzie & Harriet! It can also be very funny; the byplay between the drummer Kenny and the keyboardist Anson (he's the only band member who's played by an actor, who's not really a bandmember IOW) is entertaining. Also, Isaac himself is a very funny comedic actor. Surprisingly good stuff!

I wish I could get HBO in England :(

steve horan wrote

[email] (steve horan) wrote in message news:...

In America this show would have to be on a pay channel like HBO. America has become very prudish and "safe" (ie: boring) because the sponsors here are all extremely conservative corporations.

British 'Men behaving badly' is AWESOME !!!! =)

Mika

"w" kirjoitti viestiss�:[email]...

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w offered the following:

While I agree with the sentiment, NBC are actually making the US version of Coupling.

Seinfeld is easily the best, but find Newsradio to be a solid second. Those are my two favourite shows.

-ethos

"w" wrote in message news:[email]...

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Mine too!

Finally I find someone who shares the same favorite sitcoms. And even in that order. Seinfeld is totally #1, but NewsRadio has the runner up position.

I have to say the episode of NewsRadio that featured Jerry Seinfeld wasn't that good, I was a bit dissappointed. The Seinfeld episodes that featured Vicky Lewis and the one that featured Stephen Root easily beat their crossover in NewsRadio. Mainly because they did character acting and Jerry was just playing himself in NR.

Then again, Jerry was playing himself in Seinfeld, too.

Seinfand

ethos7x wrote...

Those

"Seinfan" wrote in message news:NJPb9.431$[email]...

Actually, Newsradio was headed for the chopping=block that season (third) and Seinfeld, who was good friends with someone on it (wanna say it was Vicki Lewis, but I cannot swear to it) agreed to appear on the show as a favor, hoping to pump up the ratings.

Wasn't a great episode, but better than most of the ones with Jon Lovitz (perhaps destined to become the next Ted McGinley!). But, Steven Root was great in that show, hope he finds another vehicle to show his comedic abilities (I'd watch King of the Hill cuz he's on it, but I cannot stomach the thing...).

However, Stephen Root's character isn't what makes the film funny. Ron Livingston and David Herman's (and the foreign guy whose name I can't remember right now) characters are the escense of that movie. Gary Cole also makes a great effort playing the boss.

To tell you the truth at first I didn't even recognise Mr. Root while he was playing Milton. I even have the movie poster on my wall and he's featured on it, but I couldn't make the connection until some time ago that it was really him. He did beautiful character acting in that one.

The show altogether is a great piece of intellectual comedy.

Seinfan

Cyrus Afzali wrote... On Fri, 30 Aug 2002 20:28:49 GMT, "Craig Gordon"

was

stomach

[email] (w) wrote in message news:...

No, as I said, it's on BBC America which doesn't have nudity or saucy language and I think it's part of my basic digital cable package. As I said earlier:

"I don't think it's too racy for the US, but then I watch a lot of HBO comedies. The rudist stuff I've seen on "Coupling" is when the guys hide behind coffins or stay seated in restaurants so no one will notice that they're pitching a tent :-) That's not too scandalous."

I really don't think it's any naughtier than a show like "Friends".

steve horan offered the following:

I know Friends has grown less coy with time but have they ever had an extended conversation about a lesbian spanking porn video?

"Jan Buxton" wrote in message news:...

Well, if "Friends" isn't as racy as "Coupling" then certainly "Will & Grace" is :-)

US vs. UK, British TV certainly has wilder stuff with nudity and "obscene" language. There's that one show where these two guys keep dropping their trousers...? I saw that while I was in London a couple of years ago and for once I was happy that US TV was more prudish :-) As Elaine says <pp>, the female form is a work of art. The male body is utilitarian...

I'll just scrape few off (some I haven't seen) and add few:

Absolutely Fabulous, (some episodes were funny) Blackadder, (cunning show) The Drew Carey Show, (sometimes funny) Everybody Loves Raymond, (little too family show...) Fawlty Towers, (gotta love the Cleese) Frasier, (jumped the shark when Niles and Daphne hooked up) King of Queens, (Frank Costanza lives) Married With Children, (I loved Christina Applegate) Men Behaving Badly (UK version of course) News Radio, (Maura Tierney is cute) Young Ones ( You complete and utter bastard! Was this a sitcom?)

Now these are good show. Some of them are great, but comparing to Seinfeld...they really are incomparable.

"Noone" wrote:

Maura Tierney is very cute. I've only ever seen one episode (the one with Jerry in it...) but it was pretty good.

If you like really stupid, unexpected things happening (as often did on Seinfeld), try the wonderful One Foot In The Grave or Keeping Up Appearances. I saw the latter on some PBS channel in America so it does (or did) get shown.

Hurray! Do people use this phrase much? It's a reference to Happy Days going on too long, isn't it? Not enough people use that phrase in this country...

Yes it was, but a little too surreal for me. I prefer Bottom.

Has anyone mentioned Norm yet? I love that show, but it disappeared from my screen a while ago. Norm is funny because he's a complete git, not unlike certain Seinfeld characters...

"JLoverH"

going

country...

www.jumptheshark.com :)

Geert

Noone wrote in message news:...

Boy, I think it jumped the shark when Seinfeld went off the air and it took over its time slot at 9:00 PM Thursdays. That was the seasn that started with Frasier getting layed off because his radio station went all Spanish. Talk about not ready for prime time...

:-)

Friends and Frasier are both best when they ease up on the soap opera stuff.

steve horan offered the following:

It did temporarily jump then but returned from the dead. Unfortunately it does seem to have jumped more fatally post Niles and Daphne. I still find it funny and there was a great streak of episodes from the 'The Proposal' onwards last season. 'Something Borrowed, Something Blue...' is a great episode with fantastic writing (little things you pick up 2nd or 3rd time around) but should have been the finale. Now we'll probably end up with them all going to jail in a 'satisfactory at best' ending :-)

Noone offered the following:

Yep, very good although Bottom is even better. I would also recommend 4 Men In A Plane and 4 Men In A Car which is also Mayall/Edmondson/Planer.

Jan Buxton wrote

Yeah, the Comic Strip things are good.

The miners one with Al Pacino in was good.

If you like Bottom dont watch Guest House Paradiso or you wont be able to watch Bottom again.

Hey, Deffo Blackadder. Pure genius. However, don't bother with the first series. Series 2, 3 and 4 are considered the best.

"Ken Tremblay" wrote in message news:ejs19.129$[email]...

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I have always liked News Radio, the Phil Hartman years. I think that show was really clever, not exactly the same as Seinfeld, but really funny in its own way. Once Seinfeld was off the air I really thought this show had a chance then Phil's wife had to do something really stupid. The cast worked really well together in my opinion.

Mike

"Mike Adams" wrote in message news:r6y19.9786$[email]...

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worked

The writing is excellent on the show, as is the chemistry between cast members. Definitely agree the Phil Hartman years were better, although I am a fan of Jon Lovitz. Same can be said for Spin City in the Michael J. Fox years. Well, actually, when Jennifer Esposito was replaced by Heather Graham the show started to go downhill. When Michael left, half the cast disappeared and they moved the show to LA for Charlie Sheen it totally sank. Point I am trying to make is, both shows had a relatively big supporting cast with great chemistry and solid non-cliched writing, and it worked well for both of them.

Mijbel

News Radio Bernie Mac Show Stark Raving Mad Newsroom (Canada) Mr. Bean (UK) Frasier Tracy Ullman Show 3rd Rock

News Radio Bernie Mac Show Stark Raving Mad Newsroom (Canada) Mr. Bean (UK) Frasier Tracy Ullman Show 3rd Rock Get A Life (Chris Elliot)

I'm Alan Partridge Spaced The Office Book Group

Ken Tremblay wrote on :

Joe3k offered the following:

Genius which I'd forgotten about. Hope the new series doesn't let it down.

At this juncture I'd better mention The Day Today, Brass Eye and the genius that is Chris Morris/Armando Iannucci et al. I wonder what the americans would make of jam (or jaaaaam). Brilliant stuff which the powers that be should stick on DVD pronto.

Is the latter really a sitcom as such? The first episode was pretty funny but it got more sort of intense/quirky after that. One of those shows which you chuckle at rather than split your sides laughing.

Jan Buxton wrote

I am sure it will :-( I'm Alan Partridge is 6 episodes of perfection. I am not sure whether it beats Seinfeld for my No 1 slot.

I think Jam would scare them and we would loose all our tourist revenue. Did you laugh at Jam? When I recal the sketches with my friends who watched it I laugh but when I see them they are not as funny as when I remember them. Brass Eye is class. Peadogeddon could have been done a bit better but was still well funny. Did you see the Armando Iannuchi show? The first ep with the notes in the food was 'kin funny!

True - I just thought Id add it as I really liked it. It was strange and there was 1 scene in each where I just laughed like a dweeb.

Joe3k offered the following:

I laughed at some (eg. the little girl as mafia fixer, the doctor stuff) and some were just unsettling but in a good way.

The Paedophile Special is my favourite, brilliantly realised, laughs all the way through.

Yeah that was great. Really really clever.

If I'm channel surfing and nothing's on, these are my old reliables, in no particular order:

The Munsters, Leave it to Beaver, The Andy Griffith Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Cheers, Frasier, Cosby, News Radio, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Lucy Show/Here's Lucy (the black and white ones when it was just she and Vivian Vance, I forget the title), Square Pegs

relatively new: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bernie Mac

U.K.: Red Dwarf, Ab-Fab, Fawlty Towers, Black Adder

Sometimes PBS will run these chestnuts or some obscure cable channel will dig these out on Sundays: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Jack Benny Show, Burns and Allen

animation?: Beavis and Butt-Head, Daria

One of the funniest bits I've seen in years was the Sopranos episode where Paulie and Chris were lost in the woods, and you can always count on Tony's sister Janice for a little dark humor.

MARLA Usps

mg offered the following:

'Pine Barrens' directed by Steve Buscemi I believe. One of my favourite episodes too.

Jan Buxton wrote

Did you see the Adam & Joe show take on Jam? That was funny.

I reckon it could have been better if it wasnt so stupid in places. But overall it was a classic.

I wish I'd taped that. Why don't C4 show more repeats in the small hours?

Joe3k offered the following:

No, I can't remember it.

"You spasticated mentalist!"

That still gets me grinning and supressing a hearty chuckle. Quite possibly the TV moment which made me laugh the hardest. Ever. I have to admit, I would love to see Alan walk in as a bit part in Seinfeld - the hijinks!

I can only imagine what he would have done in the soup nazi! (Remember how he spome to the farmers on his morning radio show? =)

He could have been in the pilot episodes, hanging around NBC (or The Japanese NBC =) trying to get another series.

Well, that is fond memories, now to KaZaA Lite it down while its fresh in my mind.

Have fun,

Chris

"Joe3k" wrote in message news:...

Sanford & Son - one of the greats (I just got the new DVD of the first season)

MASH (I have the first & second seasons on DVD- you can delete the laugh track on these, its fantastic) great early shows but became less and less funny beginning with the season after Trapper & Blake leave the show - until the end when it was just unwatchable.

Married w/Children

Son of the Beach (no laugh track and funny as shit- god bless howard stern)

MTM & Bob Newhardt - the one where he's a Chicago shrink.

All in the Family- first 4 seasons were superb

The Munsters & The Beverly Hillbillies - two RIDICULOUS shows - that's why they were so much fun to watch-- especially the color episodes of the latter. Hillbillies was #1 rated show for YEARS, I understand.

Britcoms: "The Thin Blue Line"- with Rowan Atkinson- hysterical

"Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" -- brilliant

The Odd Couple- possibly my most favorite along with Seinfeld -- never had a bad season

Some of this I am repoeating from different thread but"

Dick van Dyke Show MTM Barney Miller WKRP (As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly! Still the funniest single line ever uttered on TV!) First Newhart sitcom Newsradio (could occasionally rival Seinfeld for intelligent comedy, but lost a ton when Phil Hartman was murdered-- far and away the best thing about the show, even if Dave Foley the nominal star)

Guilty pleasures (i.e., inane but funny):

Get Smart (early seasons only-- went downhill badly after "Mel Brooks left) Beverly Hillbillies (course I was just a kid when I watched it, but it was great in a nutty way) Night Court (John Larroquette Rules! Why can't he find another good vehcile?)

"Ken Tremblay" wrote in message news:...

"The Simpsons"

Both "The Simpsons" and "Seinfeld" posess: wit, creativity and content...

"zvoidx" wrote in message news:[email]...

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I would say that any sitcom/comedy show that is actively archived/taped/traded/downloaded is a good bet. Everybody Loves Raymond is a funny show, but is there any reason to really save each and every episode for future viewings (a la Simpsons, Seinfeld)? Most sitcoms are more "throw-away" entertainment. Friends, The Simpsons, and Seinfeld are probably the most taped/traded shows from the last 10 years.

What??? No Simpsons??!! D'oh!!!!

The Simpsons and Seinfeld...best sitcoms ever.

Oh...and a chance to plug my fanscript "The Opposite of Something". It's my Simpsons script that involves the gang from Seinfeld in a spoof of "The Opposite". Here's the link for those who are interested:

http://www.simpworks.com/fanfiction/reviews/dana.toos.shtml

"Ken Tremblay" wrote in message news:ejs19.129$[email]...

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M*A*S*H is a great show although it's probably more of a dramedy than a straight forward sitcom.And unlike some shows it really didn't lose a lot of it's creativity and wit towards the end of it's run. Also,The Andy Griffith Show is a classic,it's timeless in it's homespun humor.However,beginning with the 1966 season (the first full season without Barney Fife) the series begins to take on a slightly silly tone,building up to completely stupid until Deputy Warren Furguson left the show for good at the end of the 1966 season. TAGS then returned to being silly for it's final 2 years.Check out the link below.

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/A/htmlA/andygriffith/andygriffith.htm

-Doug

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals - Immanuel Kant
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'Spaced' - UK, but available on DVD - is a work of absolute genius.

Also good - 'The Office' I'm also somewhat fond of what I've seen of 'That 70s Show' although I've missed loads of episodes.

Cheers

Steve C

"Ken Tremblay" wrote in message news:ejs19.129$[email]...

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I like Malcom In The Middle.

Prefer it to the Simpsons as it is live action.

Ken Tremblay wrote

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I do too! :o)

I like these shows very much. Also Nanny and Wings!

Has anyone mentioned Andy Richter Controls the Universe (Fox)? This has got to be the most promising new sitcom I've seen since Seinfeld. Every episode has had me busting. I think they are currently off-air for summer; hopefully Fox is returning this one in the fall. Keep an eye out.

Rich

And here's my list in no perticular order (and maybe I forgot something). Tell me if you think the same.

Frasier Seinfeld Blackadder The Simpsons 3rd Rock from the Sun News Radio Friends Cheers

Marnix Izeboud

"Marnix Izeboud" wrote in message news:...

Who are you, "Mannix"?

Does anyone else have a problem w/The Simpsons? ie to quote Elaine: "does everything have to be sooooo JOKEY?" It's a little much - getting hit left and right with all of those annoying pop culture references.