15 Best Sitcoms Of The 2000s, Ranked – SlashFilm

When televisions began popping up in American households throughout the Fifties, there was a heavy emphasis on household. Not solely did households collect round their TV units to look at the favored exhibits of the day collectively, however sitcoms like “Go away It To Beaver,” “I Love Lucy,” and “Father Is aware of Best” featured “common” households from totally different walks of life. They dominated the airwaves as viewers could not get sufficient of the Cleavers, the Ricardos, and the Andersons.

On the flip of the century, not a lot had modified. There have been actually lots extra channels to look at, an overabundance of high quality programming to fill them, and rising expertise that allowed the viewers to look at exhibits on demand. Nonetheless, sitcoms within the 2000s largely centered on households. They simply weren’t the standard configurations from again within the day. These up to date households got here collectively by means of work, faculty, or their neighborhood, even when they weren’t at all times essentially the most purposeful of households.

Now, irrespective of how these familial items got here assembled, they managed to provide the 15 greatest reside-motion sitcoms of the 2000s.

In comparison with the opposite entries on this listing, “My Identify Is Earl” was extra of a sleeper hit when it aired on NBC from 2005 to 2009. The collection stars Jason Lee because the titular Earl Hickey, a small-time prison who has carried out some unhealthy issues in his life. After a automobile accident lands him within the hospital and causes him to lose his profitable lottery ticket, he learns about karma and decides that he must lastly do some good on the planet. As soon as he makes a listing of wrongs that he must proper, karma immediately rewards him when he finds the ticket. Now, utilizing the cash he received to fund his mission, Earl units out to do extra good deeds.

“My Identify Is Earl” is a enjoyable mixture of “It is At all times Sunny In Philadelphia” and “The Good Place,” which means that although it is slightly tough across the edges, there’s nonetheless a wholesome optimism concerning the story. Plus, everybody loves an excellent redemption story. Sadly, it was lower brief after 4 seasons, however Earl’s mission is one which extra folks on the planet right now ought to get behind.

Chris Rock efficiently made the transition from outstanding stand-up comic and “Saturday Evening Dwell” forged member to bonafide film star all through the Nineties and 2000s. He additionally transitioned from two-time Academy Awards host in 2005 and 2016 to controversial awards season headline because of an incident with Will Smith in 2022. However in between these intervals in his profession, he additionally survived the transition of TV community UPN to The CW, because of his sitcom “All people Hates Chris.”

Based mostly on Rock’s childhood in Brooklyn, the only-digicam collection stars Tyler James Williams (who would ultimately go on to star in outstanding 2020s ensemble sitcom “Abbott Elementary”) because the comic’s teenage self dwelling by means of his adolescence in Nineteen Eighties New York Metropolis. All through the present, we see how Chris and his household take care of the challenges of internal metropolis poverty whereas working exhausting in the direction of a greater life. Regardless of these difficulties, the Rocks are anchored by sturdy, loving mother and father Julius (Terry Crews) and Rochelle (Tichina Arnold), a tandem who’re among the many nice TV {couples} of all time.  

Younger folks in search of love and journey in New York Metropolis is an evergreen sitcom formulation. From “The Honeymooners” to “Mates” to “Grasp of None,” every technology has loads of expertise from relationship and rising up to attract from. Children, this manifested within the 2000s as “How I Met Your Mom.”

Framed as an older Ted Mosby (voiced by traditional Nineties TV dad Bob Saget) telling his youngsters about how he met their mom, the entire collection is a flashback to the narrator’s youthful, extra carefree days (as portrayed by Josh Radnor). However even again then, Ted wished to calm down with a spouse and a household. With the assistance of womanizing Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), the right couple Marshall (Jason Segel) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan), and the wildcard Robin (Cobie Smulders), this group leaves no romantic stone unturned whereas infusing the zeitgeist with memorable catchphrases, grand romantic gestures, and cringey decide-up ways.

Whatever the main division amongst followers over the ultimate season and the collection finale, one factor that “How I Met Your Mom” by no means did was pull punches. For each life excessive depicted, the present did not shirk from the lows and that made the comedy even stronger.  

What if, as an alternative of being one of the vital charismatic children at school, Ferris Bueller was really an unpopular genius who needs for a standard dwelling life? However he will get to maintain the enjoyable fourth wall breaks. Primarily, what you’d get is “Malcolm within the Center.” However extra precisely, you get chaos.

The Fox collection that ran from 2000 to 2006 attracts inspiration from traditional dysfunctional household sitcoms, however it tremendously deviated from the standard presentation. The single digicam present utilized sooner cuts, a various number of digicam photographs, and no chortle observe or reside studio viewers. Though, these adjustments had been essential to sustain with the trail of destruction left within the wake of Lois’ boys (together with her adoring husband Hal, performed by a recent-confronted Bryan Cranston earlier than touchdown his profession-defining dramatic function in “Breaking Dangerous”). Of course, Jane Kaczmarek’s Lois was battle examined and able to function the strict, generally merciless, and normally uncommon disciplinarian.

Although Linwood Boomer’s creation did return to Hulu for a 4-half reunion particular titled “Life’s Nonetheless Unfair” in 2026, there are not any plans for a full-fledged reboot. Actually, the world is loopy sufficient, proper?

In 1999, Judd Apatow government produced among the finest coming-of-age collection of all time with NBC’s “Freaks and Geeks.” Sadly, its greatness wasn’t acknowledged till a lot later, as a result of the community cancelled it after solely airing 15 out of 18 first season episodes. Undeterred, the producer went to Fox to develop a brand new present about trendy youth. The consequence was “Undeclared,” a 2001 sitcom that captured the essence of collegiate life within the late Nineties/early 2000s.

The present stars Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen, Carla Gallo, and a younger Charlie Hunnam in certainly one of his first large American roles. It additionally options plenty of future stars in visitor and recurring roles, together with Jason Segel, Kevin Hart, Amy Poehler, and Jenna Fischer. However although the sitcom about faculty freshmen determining what to do with their lives was stacked with recent expertise and captures the voice of its technology with the writing, the present met the identical destiny as its predecessor and was cancelled after its solely season aired out of order. Nevertheless, it nonetheless lives on because of a cult following. 

When the collection debuted on NBC in 1998, “Will & Grace” acquired criticism for the portrayal of homosexual characters on tv. Nevertheless, by the tip of it is unique run in 2006, the sitcom starring Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes, and Megan Mullally grew to become groundbreaking illustration for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

The present created by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick follows greatest pals Will Truman, a homosexual lawyer, and Grace Adler, a straight inside designer, who reside collectively in New York Metropolis on the daybreak of the brand new millennium. Together with Will’s flamboyant actor pal Jack McFarland (Hayes) and Grace’s sassy socialite assistant Karen (Mullally), the group would ceaselessly get into typical sitcom shenanigans across the Massive Apple.

Nevertheless, regardless of typical traits of the style comparable to pithy one-liners and large visitor stars, “Will & Grace” stood out because of the chemistry between the leads and its willingness to current queerness and platonic friendship. These themes had been not often explored on broader sitcoms, but audiences stored coming again to the community’s Should See TV Thursdays to see what this gang would get into subsequent. And years later, viewers returned for the 2017 revival that gained equal acclaim.

Very similar to one other British office comedy that may seem afterward this listing, “The IT Crowd” is a unusual sitcom from throughout the pond that includes distinctive characters in an workplace setting. The collection follows Roy and Moss, two socially awkward nerds who function the IT division for London’s Reyholm Industries. Whereas they’re good at their jobs, they fight their greatest to keep away from their co-staff as a lot as potential. However when Katherine Parkinson’s not-so-tech-savvy Jen is appointed as their supervisor, she helps them get extra acclimated to office interactions. Of course, because the IT division, they nonetheless get totally ridiculous requests and work orders, so there isn’t any scarcity of comedic moments.

Along with Chris O’Dowd and Richard Ayoade rising as breakout stars from this present, it additionally gave many followers their first have a look at Matt Berry, who would go on to play the fan-favourite character Laszlo Cravensworth in “What We Do In The Shadows. 

Are we having enjoyable but? We most actually had been with this one. 

Earlier than touchdown in Pawnee because the beloved Ben Wyatt within the second season of “Parks and Recreation,” Adam Scott performed a much more cynical character in “Get together Down.” Within the Starz collection, he performs Henry Pollard, a failed actor who returns to the catering job he had earlier than his large break. Although he is largely apathetic after shedding his ardour for appearing, Henry can not help however get caught up together with his co-staff, who’re all nonetheless pursuing their leisure trade goals. With Scott because the straight man, co-stars Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Jane Lynch, Megan Mullally, and Lizzy Caplan get to go off the rails in outrageous and hilarious methods. 

Every episode takes place at a distinct occasion that the corporate is employed to cater comparable to a Candy 16, a company retreat, and an orgy. There are a ton of nice visitors stars as effectively, together with J.Ok. Simmons, Ken Jeong, and Kristin Bell. Nevertheless, among the finest episodes sees Steve Guttenberg enjoying himself as he hosts an impromptu celebration/desk learn for the crew as an alternative of cancelling their providers.

As foolish, whimsical, and witty as “Scrubs” may be, the collection created by Invoice Lawrence is usually essentially the most real looking medical present on TV. Not solely is that this a credit score to the quantity of analysis integrated into the collection, but in addition to the standard of the writing to have the ability to stability JD’s absurd fantasies (which made “Scrubs” weirder than creators anticipated) with the difficulties of shedding a affected person. It undoubtedly helps that the forged that includes Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, and John C. McGinley is insanely good at what they do.

For instance, in one of the vital meta moments of the present, throughout the season 4 episode “My Life In 4 Cameras,” they will faux to be in a sitcom one second (full with a musical quantity from particular visitor star Clay Aiken) after which come crashing down with the truth of hospital price range cuts and deadly lung most cancers within the subsequent. The NBC (and later ABC) sitcom is an emotional rollercoaster full of ups and downs, however that is an enormous consider its greatness. Regardless of a largely ignored ninth season, “Scrubs” nonetheless maintains that high quality with a 2026 revival that could be a return to kind.

Oscar Wilde as soon as mentioned that “life imitates artwork way over artwork imitates life.” And but, musical comedy acts proceed to create exhibits the place the true life band will star as fictionalized variations of themselves. However by way of 2000s sitcoms, “Flight of the Conchords” is palms down on the entrance of the pack.

Within the HBO collection, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie journey from their dwelling nation of New Zealand to the US within the hopes of creating it large as a folks music duo in New York Metropolis. Although they are not as profitable within the present as their actual-life counterparts (largely because of the ineptitude of their supervisor Murray, performed by Rhys Darby), every episode options songs from the band that progress the plot and contributes to the present’s distinctive and unique presentation.

Sadly, “Flight of the Conchords” solely lasted for 2 seasons from 2007 to 2009. Nevertheless, if it is any comfort, the true musical comedy duo have discovered a lot success in Hollywood after being propelled by this mission. The latter has even received an Academy Award for his work with The Muppets.

Philadelphia has given the world so many issues (for higher or worse). The Metropolis of Brotherly Love is the birthplace of the US. Isaac Asimov, Quinta Brunson, and Gritty all proudly hail from Philly. It serves because the inspiration and setting for the longest-working American sitcom (primarily based on whole seasons), “It is At all times Sunny In Philadelphia.”

After flying beneath the radar on FX throughout the truncated first season, the collection created by and starring Rob Mac, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day added sitcom royalty Danny DeVito to hitch them and Kaitlin Olson as essentially the most irreverent, self-centered, delusional misfits to ever be featured on fictional tv. In different phrases, after their actually outrageous (and sometimes extremely offensive) antics, it is satisfying to look at them get their comeuppance in every episode. And even once they do not, the present continues to be a comedic and satirical marvel.

At present clocking in at 17 seasons and counting, the Paddy’s Pub gang has taken the idea of unhinged “Seinfeld” to unthinkable ranges. At this fee, they will in all probability hold going to twenty seasons (possibly extra) or till the characters meet an premature and effectively-deserved demise.

Typically a present is so full of jokes that each rewatch reveals one thing new. However that type of comedic treasure hunt is a part of the collection’ attraction, since even the weaker jokes are turned to gold within the very succesful palms of Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, and the remainder of this stellar forged.

Based mostly on Fey’s experiences writing comedy for company overlords, the present follows the “Saturday Evening Dwell” legend as Liz Lemon, the top author and showrunner of a sketch comedy present filmed in 30 Rockefeller Plaza (the true life dwelling of NBC in New York Metropolis). Along with juggling the zany antics of her forged, she should additionally cope with the oddball crew and Alec Baldwin’s mindless studio government Jack Donaghy.

The single-digicam satirical sitcom follows within the footsteps of “The Dick Van Dyke Present” and “The Larry Sanders Present” by bringing a heightened model of tv creation to life. Of course, they get there by means of Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, however it’s all a part of the enjoyable.

“It is At all times Sunny” could also be unhinged “Seinfeld,” however HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is the “actual life” model of “Seinfeld.” That is further meta since “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David stars within the collection as a fictionalized model of himself who additionally co-created “Seinfeld” within the present. And similar to “Seinfeld,” this collection explores the trivia of day-after-day life. So is it one other present about nothing? Not essentially. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is concerning the uncomfortable and embarrassing situations that David’s character finds himself in on account of his social ineptitude.

It does take loads of work to be this cringeworthy. The collection options glorious writing, however it additionally depends closely on the improvisational expertise of the forged, which incorporates standouts comparable to Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman, and J.B. Smoove.

This sitcom is so unorthodox and revolutionary. It even took a six-12 months break after eight seasons, then it did not miss a beat in its remaining 4 seasons. From the method to the celebrities to the unrelenting dedication to significant Jewish illustration, it might be exhausting to create one other “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Whereas “The Workplace” did not create the mockumentary, it actually revolutionized it. The 2001 British sitcom introduces the world to David Brent (Ricky Gervais) and the staff of paper firm Wernham Hogg’s Slough department. As viewers observe the employees’ day-to-day lives, in addition they witness Brent’s disastrous makes an attempt to get his staff to love him. He might fancy himself a lovable rogue, however he is largely proven to be insensitive and annoying. But, audiences could not get sufficient, so the blueprint was despatched throughout the pond.

The American model follows Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and his staff on the Scranton department of paper firm Dunder Mifflin. Like Brent, Michael Scott sees himself in a different way than he is perceived by his co-staff. Although nonetheless oblivious at instances, Scott is effectively-intentioned and largely simply awkward with loads of redeeming moments in “The Workplace.”

Finally, each variations should be on this listing as a result of they convey various things to the desk. The unique delivers the right marriage of sentimentality and cynicism wrapped in masterful deadpan humor. The remake is extra concerning the characters and their relationships with one another, which may by no means be achieved with out the distinctive ensemble forged. No matter which model you like, they each modified the sitcom sport endlessly.

On the prime of the listing, we’ve the story of a rich household who misplaced every little thing and the one son who had no alternative however to maintain all of them collectively. “Arrested Growth” is meticulously written, extremely acted, and insanely humorous. Should you’re actually paying consideration, the present rewards you with working gags and wordplay that repay episodes and generally seasons down the road.

The sitcom’s unique three-season run on Fox was critically acclaimed and criminally beneath-watched, which in the end led to its cancellation in 2006. Nevertheless, because of a cult following discovering the present on bodily media and streaming providers, the plenty skilled its brilliance and willed Netflix to revive the present in 2013, although the outcomes weren’t almost as satisfying.

Irrespective of how extraordinarily absurd issues get on the present or what number of sharks are jumped over and over (together with the looks of unique shark jumper Henry Winkler), Jason Bateman’s Michael Bluth finds a approach to unite his dysfunctional, self-centered, and egotistical household. Incessantly, that is to his detriment, however on the core, “Arrested Growth” is an off-the-wall reminder that household is a very powerful factor. Additionally, breakfast.