Top 10 Modern Sitcoms You Should be Watching
#10: “Grace and Frankie” (2015-22)
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This quirky Netflix show stars some classic actors and actresses like Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, and Martin Sheen. They’ve all had their fair share of screen time throughout their decades-long careers, but nothing they’ve done in the past has a premise like this one. The titular Grace and Frankie discover their husbands are more than just business partners, and they find themselves as odd couple roommates despite the fact that they couldn’t be more different. This series is not only hilarious, but it shows us the power of friendship and resilience, and also that, hey, spending our golden years with our best friends is totally an option.
#9: “The Good Place” (2016-20)
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Who would have thought that a show that centers around the idea of death could be not only funny, but also uplifting and wholesome? Michael Schur did! This is pretty unsurprising given that he’s the creator responsible for tons of your favorite sitcoms including “The Office”, “Parks and Recreation”, and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”! When ne'er-do-well Eleanor finds herself in the afterlife, she meets some of the most interesting people in one of the most captivating settings on any modern show. Twist after twist keeps us hooked and discussions of morality, mortality, and the meaning of life reveals some real insightfulness about what it means to be a human. Here’s a show that manages to be an absolute delight from start to finish.
#8: “How I Met Your Father” (2022-)
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This “How I Met Your Mother” spin-off starring Hilary Duff has given us the early-aughts fix we’ve been looking for. With the same general format as its predecessor, we love the modern take the creators have chosen to go with. Sophie navigates things like tinder, struggling as an artist, and finding love, all while being supported by her hilariously endearing friends. We can’t help but feel like we’re watching a mash-up of our favorite sitcom and our favorite reality show, and we can’t get enough. This show is still in its early stages, and we’ve already seen a plethora of storylines and character growth happen before our eyes, so we can’t wait to see what happens next.
#7: “One Day at a Time” (2017-20)
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This series may be a reboot of a sitcom from the seventies, but it’s anything but old-fashioned. In this version, we meet Penelope, her kids Elena and Alex, and her mother Lydia as they deal with topics like mental illness, sexuality, gender identity, and what it means to be Cuban-American. They tackle all of these with humor and relatability that is perfect for a TV show in today’s world. This Netflix original was saved from cancellation by Pop, and we couldn’t be happier that the team got the chance to wrap things up perfectly on their own terms.
#6: “Black-ish” (2014-22)
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Starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross as Dre and Rainbow Johnson, this sitcom is not only full of laughs, it also tackles issues like social injustice, racism, and marital hardships. The Andersons are an upper-class family living in suburbia, and they manage to dish out equal parts happy and sad tears throughout the series. While it shows the harsh truths of being Black in America, it also shows the lighthearted moments that come along with raising kids and navigating married life. It even spun two spin-offs, “Grown-ish” and “Mixed-ish,” both of which are as enjoyable as their source material, and we think everyone should tune in to the “ish” universe.
#5: “Home Economics” (2021-)
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Accurately depicting the lives of people who are all in different places financially and relationship-wise is not an easy task, but this show pulls it off. In “Home Economics,” we’re introduced to three siblings, each of them representing the upper, middle, and lower class. Their family is definitely a modern one, as all of them are struggling in their own ways, which helps the audience connect to these relatable and realistic characters, regardless of their social status. Through the ups and downs of life, it is clear these siblings are there for one another – which, of course, is always the recipe to a great family sitcom.
#4: “Superstore” (2015-21)
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Any viewer that’s worked in retail can surely relate to the plot of this show. Set in the fictional big-box store “Cloud 9,” we meet quite the cast of characters. Store Manager Glenn runs a relatively loose ship, meanwhile assistant store manager Dina more than makes up for it. The store centers mostly around Amy and Jonah, who work as hard at their jobs as they do suppressing their obvious feelings for another. Between the coworker romances, hilarious cutaways with random shoppers, and powerful scenes like a tornado ripping through the store, there isn’t much more we could ask for. If you’re looking to belly-laugh in the middle of feeling all the feels, this is the one for you.
#3: “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-21)
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Mike Schur just has this knack for taking workplaces that should be rather solemn and turning them into goldmines for comedy. Case in point: this loveable police procedural. Andy Samberg’s Jake Peralta may be the star of this show, but every member of the precinct brings a lot to the table. From Amy’s towers of binders to Gina’s hysterical delivery at every turn to Holt being one of the best characters created – ever – there is no shortage of interesting personalities to fall in love with. The plots are clever, funny, and at times, meaningfully grounded. And, we can’t forget about the Halloween heists, which are nothing short of iconic. Plus, the cold-opens are unforgettable. We love this show as much as Terry loves yogurt.
#2: “Schitt’s Creek” (2015-20)
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This Canadian sitcom is a who’s-who of Canadian acting royalty. The Rose family loses their fortune and moves to Schitt’s Creek, the only asset they have left, and their big personalities are hard to squeeze into the small town. While David’s facial expressions and Moira’s sayings never fail to make us laugh, the emotional moments on the show are the ones that stick with us after the credits roll. “Schitt’s Creek” is ahead of its time in its depiction of queer characters, with the narrative leading with acceptance rather than mere tolerance. If you still need convincing, this series won all seven major comedy categories at the 2020 Primetime Emmys. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Not Dead Yet” (2023-)
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“Children Ruin Everything” (2022-)
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This Comedy Is Hilariously Real in Its Depiction of Navigating Parenthood
“Last Man on Earth” (2015-18)
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“Mom” (2013-21)
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Christy & Bonnie’s Mother-Daughter Relationship Is the Epitome of Chaotic Fun
“Workin’ Moms” (2017-23)
An Endearing & Hilariously Real Look at What Moms Go Through to Make It in Today’s World
#1: “Abbott Elementary” (2021-)
Top 10 Reasons You Should Be Watching Abbott Elementary
This newly-debuted sitcom has already made waves through its whimsical and relatable depiction of life in public schools in today’s world. Taking place at an underfunded elementary school in Philadelphia, we see the teachers use humor, meaningful connection, and resourcefulness to help their students succeed. Quinta Brunson is the mastermind behind this series, taking on the roles of both creator and protagonist. At the 2022 Emmys, she made a name for herself as the first Black female three-time nominee in the comedy category and also won the Emmy Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. While “Abbott Elementary” may be extra entertaining to educators, everyone has either gone to school, has kids in school, or knows teachers like the ones in the show, so it’s got something for everyone.
