For the most part, I think network dramas are pathetic. With the exception of “Parenthood” and “The Good Wife,” you can’t really find a good solid drama on the big four networks. Despite the low ratings of many of them, however, I think networks have managed to cultivate quite a few excellent situation comedies.
Now, we all know of your affection for “Community.” And good news: Last night without a fresh episode of “The Office,” “Community” was the top rated program on the network. Among men 18-34, it was also tied for number one in the timeslot (with NCAA basketball coverage) and number two among women 18-34 (behind “American Idol”). Any doubts we had about “Community’s” shot at renewal should be dispelled by those numbers. If NBC is renewing shows like “Grimm” and “Smash,” a fourth year of “Community” — which has already been picked up by Comedy Central for syndication — seems like a very safe bet.
However, what about the other network sitcoms that we don’t talk about as much because they don’t feature Alison Brie running? If you had to choose one, which would be your favorite? Two years ago, I’d probably have gone with “Modern Family.” Last week, I probably would’ve gone with “Happy Endings.” But on the strength of this week’s episodes, I’d probably pick “Cougar Town,” although “New Girl” is really beginning to find its stride.
Here’s a poll that asks, not including “Community” (or animated sitcoms, a subject for another post), which is your favorite? There are a few trick choices in there; if you choose them, a piece of sophisticated software developed specifically for Warming Glow will trace your IP back to your home. If you are a Nielsen family, your television will explode. Sorry in advance.
What’s your favorite, and why? We’ll try and broaden our coverage to more frequently discuss the most popular choices. If I forgot to include your favorite sitcom on the poll, rest assured it’s because I don’t care about that show.
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parks and rec just slightly edged out Happy Endings for me.
the rest didn’t even come close.
NCIS: Los Angeles. That show is hilarious…………what? It is supposed to be a drama? No way
No, you’re right. I mean.. LL Cool J!
Why is there no “Suburgatory” on here? The hot little redhead and the slutty neighbor!
Sitcoms died for me back in the early 90′s. I think the last one I watched with any regularity was the first two seasons of Frazier, so that should show you how long it’s been.
I picked up two this season, so that’s all I have for ya. I watch Community and New Girl. And the latter was not going to last with me, but it’s grown on me now.
Happy endings- honestly, based on this season alone I’d pick it over community. Consistently the best 30 mins of tv each week.
Co-effing-sign.
I had to go with 30 Rock, although P&R and Happy Endings are darn close. I’d probably give a different answer on a week-by-week basis, too, but my devotion to Tina Fey tends to win.
Agree. Raising Hope had me torn, also.
still love modern family dont really get the hate on it here, happy endings has really come on lately since the beginning of february, 30Rock i must say is having an outstanding season which for a 6th season is remarkable, Always Sunny has been meh for the last two seasons, but i have to give it to Parks and Recreation, it’s hilarious, feel good, and has the best ensemble cast for a comedy on tv.
Always Sunny isn’t on a network, so it doesn’t count, otherwise, I would have been sending hate mail to Dustin for weeks for not including it, Louie, Archer and South Park (which are, imho, better than all those network sitcoms.)
ah i missed that prequalifier, also agreed on the rest of it.
I voted 30 Rock, because it’s my anchor show and I can always depend on it. But Happy Endings has terrific writing and is the one I look forward to most each week. And Cougar Town has grown on me quickly, but I’m smart enough to not get committed. In summary…
so I had Happy Endings totally locked in, until I scrolled down and saw 30 Rock. it had a bit of a rough restart, but these last two- especially the one with Alec Baldwin’s brother doing a spot on impression for 30 minutes (to say nothing of Weird Al being awesome as usual)- really brought it back.
Happy Endings still rocks me relentlessly every week. Every character on it, excepting Penny, is awesome.
Yeah last night’s 30 Rock were really really good, I hope they keep it up at this level.
The one that is really liberal…oh wait
‘Parks’ because it has an outstanding cast of characters.
I think it’s too bad you decided to go “besides Community” here, is it because it’s supposed to be the only right opinion that it is the best sitcom on TV? Or because the insane fan base would storm WG, crash the servers, and render the poll totally moot ?
In any case, Community is surely not MY favorite network sitcom, and the two “meh” new episodes didn’t help change my opinion than the fan base is over-blowing a good show to a ridiculous level it doesn’t deserve.
Anywaaaaaay having a hard time chosing between Parks & Rec and Happy Endings, if it was last season’s Parks & Rec it wouldn’t even be close, but the show is a little step behind recently I think.
So I guess, right now, it is indeed Happy Endings.
30Rock 3rd, Community 4th, and How I Met a distant 5th.
I agree that last week’s Community was ‘meh.’ But I thought last night’s was really strong. I would also like to know where they are getting their SFX budget. They’ve been effect happy the last couple of weeks.
Yeah, I was mostly afraid that ‘Community’ would get all the votes and I’d be no closer to understanding what y’all think is the other best sitcom.
I can understand that Dustin. Maybe a poll where we could have picked 3 sticoms could have solved that though ?
Happy Endings is crazy brilliant, all of the characters are hilarious in their own way and all the chicks are hot!, cougartown is just so heartwarming and comfortable I could watch those people drink and act silly forever, after those two I like 30 rock (which is getting better all the time (especially Kenneth)) New Girl and yes TBBT. But I think that TBBT is mediocre compared to all of these shows.
Happy Endings with Parks & Rec RIGHT behind it. Then probably a Big Bang Theory/New Girl/Modern Family tie.
I can’t believe you didn’t get flamed for the BBT nod, but I’m right there with you. It’s a lot better than people around here say. “Real nerds don’t act like that!” So, do real spies act like Archer?
I hope so, Taco. I certainly hope so.
Also, I proudly claim my chubby crush on Casey Wilson. I don’t care if people still hate her from SNL.
absolutely.
I’m going to say it right here, I think SNL has been ruining some talented actors recently. She’s an exemple. Fred Armisen in another one if you watch Portlandia. Jason Sudeikis was funnier in Eastbound than in any recent SNL sketch I can remember, too.
SNL should just be Bill Hader and Jay Pharaoh doing impressions of Eastwood and Freeman. And Lonely Island music videos.
Replace Freeman with Denzel and I’m on board.
I still think she sucked on SNL, but she’s really redeemed herself with Happy Endings.
YEAR OF PENNY, SUCK IT.
I thought she was under-rated / used on SNL. Her waspy mom in the christmas dinner sketch w/ hugh lurie was tremendous.
Her performance with Megan Mullaly as her mom on Happy is Emmy material.
I think she’s the weakest character on the show, but she’s still decent. Not attractive in the least, though.
Yeah, but that Dave…
I mean, uh, uh…… SMOKEBOMB!
I went with Happy Endings. I thought the Knope campaign would be pretty great but outside of Paul Rudd and Leslie’s awesome spandex pants it seems to have lost a step to last year. Drunk Leslie = great. Drunk Ron Swanson dancing = best gif ever? Happy Endings has been stronger on the whole this year with only the Dave-centric episodes not kicking ass.
voted parks and rec but its bobs burgers for me.
Happy Endings.
With Cougar Town and 30 Rock (still delivering) close behind. And Parks and Rec thrown in there somewhere.
Parks & Rec, Modern Family, and The Middle are the only ones that consistently make me chortle. I always watch Community and Happy Endings…they’re smart and funny, but I guess I’m more slapstick than high brow.
The only ones on that list I watch are Parks & Rec, Modern Family and Happy Endings. They’re all pretty good, but none are even close to being my favorite shows. I don’t watch Community, but I will I swear, someday.
lol at Two and a Half Men
Zero point zero.
I guess there is hope for humanity after all.
Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, then a Happy Endings/Modern Family distant 3rd.
Nothing personal, but I’d like to groin kick the person who voted for Big Bang Theory repeatedly.
I couldn’t agree more on your last statement.
What about the 2 Broke Girls voter? Needs to get banned from commenting here right? This is a Ricktatorship !
Elbow to the tittays of the 2 Broke Girls voter.
Also, RE: The Poll
I was actually shocked that I only HATE 2 or 3 of the shows listed in the poll. I don’t watch more than a handful of them…but I only HATE 2 or 3. That’s pretty good, networks. Pretty good.
Parks & Recreation
The Simpsons
-Not On Network-
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Eastbound & Down
Workaholics
Shame on me that I forgot Workaholics and Eastbound in my favo non-network sitcoms, in some comment down below. But you’re damn right with that!
(The Simpsons though… really? Nostalgia I guess uh?)
There’s a little nostalgia with that assessment however, I get more pleasure (laughs) watching it over the other shows on the list.
i just want to know what dullard voted for 2 Broke Girls
Probably that guy who doesn’t like Barry.
Penny Can!!!
The only two network sitcoms I watch are New Girl & Suburgatory and even those only get watched when I haven’t had to delete them to make room on my DVR. I like them fine. I’m not sure why, but I’ve never been a big sitcom watcher. Unless it’s MASH, Golden Girls or Designing Women (original cast, let’s not get crazy). I could watch those all day every day.
During my unfortunate incarceration, I would watch Designing Women all the time.
Not to poke fun, but Annie Potts and Delta Burke must have looked pretty good then, huh?
I think Annie Potts looked about the same back then, or just a little better. And honestly I thought Boston Legal Delta Burke was way more attractive than Designing Women Delta Burke. But my own age difference between watching those two shows may have played a part in that.
Cougar Town, it’s either better the more you watch it, or is consistently getting better.
Happy Endings, glad to see it finally getting some love round these parts.
Raising Hope, severely underrated, great show.
Gun-to-my-head it’s Cougartown, but I never miss 30 Rock and try not to miss New Girl and Raising Hope (which is losing ground fast, I might add).
30 Rock hands down. Its the only other ‘smart’ comedy on TV
I’d have to go with Parks & Rec. I wish Ron Swanson was my mentor. I wish my I was bros with Tom Haverford and Andy Dwyer. I wish my girlfriend was April Ludgate and I wish I had Ann Perkins to take care of me when I’m sick.
Happy Endings is getting renewed!!!
Best news I’ve heard all day. Awesome. I try to be objective about things and not get fired up when people’s opinion on something trivial is different from mine but… if someone doesn’t like happy endings they are probably a dipshit and I can’t be friends with them.
This is great news. *slams hand down on table* HERE WE GO!
hOtTtTt gOsSsSs
Happy Endings and Parks and Rec are the only ones on par with Community for me.
Also no Breaking In love? I didn’t see it on Tuesday’s what to watch either.
I love that show, but the main character is a total Mosby.
shit. parks and rec is better than community.
I completely agree.
This. Not even close
huzzah no votes for two and a half men. I like you warmingglow people.
Why are there to entries for The Office (4 down & 11 down)? Is one of them the US version and the other the UK version? ‘Cause I don’t think the UK version qualifies based on the criteria. And no Mike & Molly? Blasphemy!!
This poll makes clear that Nielsen viewers do not represent avid TV viewers — they are people who turn the TV to a particular channel (i.e., CBS) and promptly fall asleep until the 11 o’clock news (i.e., my mother). Seriously, are there any blogs/websites where 2.5M, 2BG or M&M are discussed and debated, their episodes broken down and analyzed scene by scene, annotated with explanations of the applicable references? I don’t think so.
I have to go with Happy Endings and Parks, but 30 Rock and Modern Family are very close.
However, The Office and How I Met Your Mother have very special places in my heart.
Oh and then following that up are New Girl and Suburgatory. Hmmm I watch a lot of sitcoms.
It might not be as good as it used to be but no show makes me care about the characters more than How I Met Your Mother.
It begins and ends with Herman’s Head.
I wanted Heddy so bad when I was a teenager. I wonder what that actress is up to now.
It was funny to watch him get popped in the head by Quarles.
That was Herman, right? Cause that schizo had it coming.
You like the worst things Dustin.
Parks and Rec, no contest. It’s practically tied with Community atop my list. So I’ll pretend the question was “What’s your third favorite,” in which case… probably Happy Endings. I’m only now getting into Cougar Town, and it might be 3rd if I had been watching from the start, but as it is, it’s 4th. And the only other one that I watch regularly is Suburgatory, which would be 5th. I’m sure I would watch and enjoy Raising Hope and/or New Girl if they were in different timeslots, but I don’t have a DVR and I don’t really care enough to check them out online.
This is tough. I’m tempted to vote Cougar Town just to help it vs. the New Girl. Just give Schmidt his own spinoff already.
I just don’t get how all of us can agree on Comunity, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, Happy Endings and, yet, I can’t find a single laugh in a whole episode of Cougar Town.
Ok so my name is Lisa and I don’t have an uproxx account but apparently I am signed in as ThomIV. I have no idea who this person is. Do I know you ThomIV? Do you sneak into my house at night and use my laptop to post comments on uproxx? (if so, I heartily approve of your taste) Or is this just some extremely strange internet mishap?
In any case, ThomIV, you are voting for Happy Endings because last week’s and this week’s episodes were fantastic. And also, you very much wish that every future relationship you find yourself in is like Jane and Brad’s.
But seriously, if the real ThomIV sees this, what the fuck? Don’t worry though, I’ll be signing out right after I post a bunch of hateful, racist comments in your name.
- Lisa
Maybe Thom IV is some dude you brought home from a club and banged and then he used your computer while you were sleeping?
Thom IV……..you are not fooling anyone….
Of the list…..I have to go with “Modern Family”…
That being said….”30 Rock” has been much much much funnier recently…..and funnier than several prior years….
Also….Tina Fey is REALLY showing the cleavage this year…….Delish
New Girl is ever so slightly better than its awful prior episodes…….kill it
Two Broke Girls……big tits and cute ass…….but hard to watch unless on mute….
Big Bang Theory…….still “funny” as in reliable
Cougar Town…..tried it out for numerous episodes……hated…..may never come back
Up All Night…….still a chore….I DVR it to catch the 9 – 9:30 show’s final joke
The Office……so much potential in the new story…..so much totally wasted……but still like Erin’s tits…
Parks and Rec………still good and still trying with its crazy story divergences rather than same old same old….
I got:
30 Rock > Happy Endings > Raising Hope > QVC > Broken TV > John Cryer and Kelso-Douche
I’ll get to Parks and Rec eventually, I’m still mad they cancelled My Name is Earl and gave its slot to P & R
Excuse me, but I did not see “Whitney” on the ballot.
PARKS
So Archer is not a sitcom? How about Mythbusters? I don’t watch any of those listed.
It’s animated, and it’s not a network sitcom, so it’s double-disqualified.
2-1/2 Men – 0% out of 1,436 is one of my favorite things today.
Although I think ThomIV voted twice.
This and then some.
I am amazed anyone watches CBS sitcoms; they are just aweful and funny.
Ok, who are the 4 idiots the went and voted for 2 1/2 tons of garbage.
Ron Swanson FTW
Suburgatory should have been included, I’ve really come to like that show
Lack of love for The Middle is disheartening. Unless you grew up an only child, this show will speak to you.
Janitor is the best.
The Middle is very good, but not quite tops. Plus I always miss the first 1/3 of it ‘cuz I lose track of time and tune in too late.
Happy Endings and Cougar Town are great because they have a punchline about every twenty seconds. Plus, Happy Endings made a Glen Gery Glen Ross joke awhile back that about fucking killed me. You could give me a double hand job with a butt thumb while I was watching a Busey movie, and it still would fall short of a well places G.G.G.R joke.
And I agree with complexcontext, Suburgatory is hitting a stride. It’s like Carlos Beltran circa 2001-2004. You’re gonna get 20+ homers and right at 100 RBI. Not quite all star numbers, but you’d take it every year if you could.
Awesome analogy.
Pretty much a dead heat between 30 Rock and Happy Endings for me right now. No show throws jokes at you as relentlessly as 30 Rock. Happy Endings comes closest, and no other network sitcom else that tries comedy-by-volume has nearly as high a batting average as those two.
P&R is probably a better show, more developed characters and such, but it doesn’t pack in the funny quite as much.