Friday, January 03, 2020

Fri-Yay: Top Sitcoms of the Decade, Part 1; Modern Family Heads to Paris for Episode

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

Happy Endings

by Vincent

As we enter the 2020s, it's a good time to look back at the past 10 years of sitcoms and reflect on the best of the best. Below you'll find my list of the top sitcoms of the decade, with a little blurb about why I chose them as a standout sitcom. I decided to go with 12 sitcoms, as these 12 sitcoms are the ones that I felt really stood out as unique, original and important this decade. This week, I'll preview the first half. Next week, I'll count down the top 5!

12. New Girl (Fox, 2011 - 2018): New Girl started out as an ordinary Zooey Deschanel vehicle, obviously trying to propel its leading lady to TV stardom. However, it quickly grew into a show about a lovable group of misfits that became one of the best makeshift families on TV. New Girl’s humor, heart and wit made it one of the best sitcoms of the 2010s.

11. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox and NBC, 2013 - present): Brooklyn Nine-Nine was one of the sharpest workplace comedies of the decade, taking a familiar setting of a police precinct and making a unique structure of a sitcom meets a case-of-the-week series. However, what really makes this show shine is its extraordinary cast. The members of the 99th precinct are some of the most likable people on TV, and that's what made Brooklyn 99 one of the most likable shows of the 2010s.

10. 30 Rock (NBC, 2006 - 2013): Although 30 Rock aired only about half of its run in the 2010s, it still deserves a mention on this list for being one of the the funniest, best crafted sitcoms of all-time. The show's 2010s episodes (which spawned from the middle of the fourth season through the seventh season) were some of their best, featuring format-changing episodes such as live shows and episodes styled like Bravo reality shows. The show's final season in particular was a gem, wrapping everything up with emotional weight while still maintaining its signature joke-a-minute pace. 30 Rock will forever go down as one of the most joke-heavy shows to ever hit the airwaves.

9. One Day at a Time (Netflix and Pop TV, 2017 - present): If there's any show that's going to revive the multi-camera sitcom, it's One Day at a Time. After the format largely went dormant this decade aside from CBS's slate, One Day at a Time proved that it could still be full of laughs while still being cutting edge and inventive. The reboot of the 1970s sitcom stands out from the original by packing every episode with family love and a focus on relevant social issues.

8. Superstore (NBC, 2015 - present): NBC's Superstore can arguably be called the savior of NBC comedy this decade. After the network's attempts at going "broad" following their cancellation of the beloved 30 Rock/Community/Parks & Rec/Office blocked that marked the first few years of the decade went kaput, Superstore proved there was still a place for funny, sharp and smart comedy on the peacock. Superstore is a razor sharp satire of Corporate America with a funny and diverse cast, and it remains one of TV's biggest gems to this day.

7. Broad City (Comedy Central, 2014 - 2019): Broad City is a show that, in many ways, broke barriers. Not only did it allow two girls to enjoy the kind of success from crude, realistic humor in a way that hadn't been done before, its rags-to-riches story from a web series to a big-time TV series paved the way for many similar cable comedies after its debut. Broad City's lovable goofiness and strong example of female friendship will no doubt remain a major cultural touch-point of this decade.

6. Happy Endings (ABC, 2011 - 2013): The shortest-running show on this list, Happy Endings continues to go down as a fan favorite that was overlooked at the time but seems to be growing in popularity slowly but surely, the same way shows like Futurama and Arrested Development did before it. The show's fast-paced format rivaled classic Simpsons and 30 Rock for how many jokes it could cram into a single minute, and the friendship between its principle cast combined with its love of wordplay made for one of the most fun sitcoms of the 2010s.

Next week, I'll count down my top 5 sitcoms of the 2010s!


Modern Family - Paris

Je T'aime, Paris! Over the last 11 seasons, the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan has traveled the globe, making hilarious memories wherever they went – from Hawaii, Australia, Wyoming and Disneyland to Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and New York City. In one last family trip, they head to Paris so Jay can accept a lifetime achievement award for his work in the closet industry. However, his old nemesis, Earl Chambers, finds a way to haunt him. Meanwhile, Claire has a secret rendezvous in one of the most romantic cities in the world, and Cam's lifelong dream of performing as Fizbo on the streets of Paris is about to become a reality on an all-new episode of Modern Family, titled "Paris," on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 9:00 p.m. EST, on ABC. Episodes can also be viewed the next day on ABC.com, the ABC app and Hulu. Modern Family is currently the No. 1 comedy of the season in Adults 18-49.



Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, January 26

Bob's Burgers - "They Slug Horses, Don't They?" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tina and Louise get into an argument.

Krapopolis - "Ice Week" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tyrannis struggles to keep his cool when he gets the hots for a visiting reporter; Shlub is paid a visit by an old friend; Hippocampus and Stupendous risk missing the festivities altogether.

The Simpsons - "The Yellow Lotus" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Simpsons encounter death on vacation at a high-end resort.

Universal Basic Guys - "Bird Cage" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mark buys himself a Superbowl ring and leverages it to get special treatment at the Eagles game; Hank has an adventure with cutting-edge mascot technology.

The Great North - "The Lies Aquatic Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
While Beef is away, the Tobin fishing boat goes missing; the Tobin siblings wildly speculate on what could have happened.

Krapopolis - "Thor" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tyrannis' little hunting mishap brings the Norse gods to Olympus; the family is forced to deal with the hunky Thor, the mischievous Loki, and some nasty bridge trolls.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 20)

Friday, January 24

  • Bill Burr (F Is for Family/Townies) - Watch Bill on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Ben Stiller (Arrested Development) - Ben is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Pauline Chalamet (The Sex Lives of College Girls) - Pauline appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Joel Kim Booster (Loot/Shrill) - Joel is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Lucy Liu (Joey/Pearl) - Lucy talks about her film Presence on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Topher Grace (Home Economics/That '70s Show) - Topher talks about Flight Risk on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Broad City/Baby Boom) - Drew is chatting with best friend duo Susie and Joy Behar on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. They're also doing an audience Q & A about love.
  • Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Drew is chatting with Morris about starring in Watson on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Martin Lawrence (Partners/Martin/What's Happening Now!!) - Martin stops by to talk about his new standup tour on Sherri, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

01/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Righteous Gemstones to End After Upcoming Season; Mid-Century Modern to Pay Tribute to Linda Lavin
01/24 - Prime Video George Lopez Special; Netflix Renews The Lincoln Lawyer for Season 4
01/23 - Tubi's New Comedy The Z-Suite Launches February 6; The White Lotus Renewed for Season 4
01/22 - Fox Announces Animation Domination 2025 Schedule; Abbott Elementary Renewed for Season 5
01/21 - Fox Renews Murder in a Small Town; O.J. Simpson Netflix Docuseries
01/20 - Rewind TV February 2025 Schedule; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Score Big for Premieres
01/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 20, 2025)
01/18 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Frasier Reboot Canceled at Paramount+; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming to MeTV Toons
01/17 - Remembering Bob Uecker of Mr. Belvedere, Punky Brewster Creator David W. Duclon, and Others We Recently Lost
01/16 - Apple TV+ Prime Target Trailer; Apple Cider Vinegar Premieres in February on Netflix
01/15 - My Three Sons to Join FETV Lineup Starting February 3; St. Denis Medical Renewed for Season 2
01/14 - Game Show Network Acquires The Wall; NBC's The Hunting Party to Premiere After NFL Divisional Playoff Game
01/13 - Antenna TV February 2025 Schedule; SNL First Two 2025 Episodes Before 50th Anniversary Event
01/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 13, 2025)
01/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Saturday Night Live Hosts Announced; The West Wing Returns to Max After Brief Disappearance
01/10 - The Jeffersons 50th Anniversary Marathon on Antenna TV; FETV to Air Uncut Episodes of Most Series
01/09 - Trailer for Apple TV+ Comedy Mythic Quest; Upcoming Season of Harlem Is Final Season
01/08 - Roy Wood Jr. Comedy Special on Hulu; The Late Show Gets Post AFC Championship Game Airing
01/07 - HGTV's Celebrity IOU New Season; Joey King and Cooper Koch to Announce 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations
01/06 - 82nd Golden Globe Winners; Shoresy Returns in February on Hulu
01/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 6, 2025)
01/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Cancels The Franchise; Alice Actress Linda Lavin Dies
01/03 - Antenna TV Pays Tribute to Linda Lavin with Alice Marathon; Catchy Comedy Recreates Classic CBS Saturday Night Lineup from the 1970s
01/02 - Abbott Elementary and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Crossover Event; The Night Agent Returns January 23 on Netflix
01/01 - Happy New Year; Antenna TV's New Year's Day Fresh Start Marathon; ABC's Shifting Gears Official Trailer
12/31 - In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2024
12/30 - Remembering Linda Lavin of Alice; Hulu Releases Chad Powers Teaser
12/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 30, 2024)
12/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Cable Networks No Longer a Priority for Paramount; Paramount+ Removes Vintage Nickelodeon Series
12/27 - Max Renews Creature Commandos for Season 2; Fox's Denis Leary Comedy Gets First Look
12/26 - Cobra Kai Final Episodes in February on Netflix; HBO Slates 13th Bill Maher Comedy Special
12/25 - Merry Christmas from Sitcoms Online; The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Coming to DVD in February