Rank: 25
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Zachary Knighton, Adam Pally, Damon Wayans, Jr., and Casey Wilson
Current Season: Third
Channel: ABC
Return Date: October 23,
2012
Plot
Summary: Set in Chicago, the sitcom centers around six friends facing
the struggles of adulthood.
Why
It Made the List: Basically, Happy Endings is the best ‘Friends’ comedy on TV right now
(taking over from How I Met Your
Mother and maybe The Big
Bang Theory which have both sort of fizzled out and become overly
repetitive and tired). The show is very funny led by the antics and great
performances of Coupe, Pally and Wayans, Jr. While season one was funny, it
struggled a bit and the show was almost cancelled. However, season two is
fantastic, propelling Happy Endings into the conversation discussing the best sitcoms
on network television. It is defiantly worth checking out for fans of shows
like HIMYM and Community (as
it shares a similar scene of humor).
Rank: 24
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, Ellie Kemper, Craig Robinson, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Kate Flannery, Creed Bratton, and Oscar Nunez
Current Season: Ninth
Channel: NBC
Return Date: September
20, 2012
Plot
Summary: Set as a mockumentary, the series presents the day-to-day
exploits of the employees of Dunder-Mifflin’s Stanton, PA, branch – romances,
ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, friendships, and so on.
Why
It Made the List: The eighth season of The Office, its first without
Michael Scott (Steve Carell),
is the weakest so far. The ninth season also faces many challenges as the show
is losing its executive producers, writers and actors Mindy Kaling and Paul Lieberstein. B.J. Novak (actor/writer) is
also going to appear in less episodes, and Wilson is going to be leaving midway
through the season for a Dwight spin-off. Clark Duke and Jake Lacy are joining the cast
as new members of the office (much like Kemper did in season five or Helms in
season three), and writer/producer Brent
Forrester (with the show since season three) is taking over as executive
producer along with new series writer Dan Sterling. This season will
be pivotal to whether or not the show is cancelled or continues on, phasing out
old cast members and bringing in new cast members (similar to the way Grey’s Anatomy has progressed).
This show barely made this list, but I am giving it the benefit of the doubt as
seasons two through seven were all quite good. I hope it can find some
rejuvenating magic with the new writers and cast members and return to is spot
among TV’s best five comedies.
Rank: 23
Genre: Comedy
Current Season: Second
Channel: HBO
Return Date: April 2013
Plot
Summary: The series is about the experiences of women in the early
twenties in New York City.
Why
It Made the List: Dunham and Judd Apatow have given HBO a new
modern version of Sex and the
City (for the more hipsterish/slacker crowd) with Girls. Dunham is a great
new voice for woman on TV, both as the show’s star and its creator/writer (of
every episode). TV, like film, is short on female voices, and Dunham brings one
that speaks to her generation on their level, and is fresh and different. Girls
is not a comedy that is going to work for everyone, as it is specifically
stylized for younger viewers, but for fans it offers a unique almost
interactive relatable experience (especially for those in urban settings).
Rank: 22
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Cast: Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy, Justin Chatwin, Ethan Cutkosky, Shanola Hampton, Steve Howey, Emma Kenney, Cameron Monaghan, Jeremy Allen White, Laura Wiggins, and Joan Cusack
Current Season: Third
Channel: Showtime
Return Date: January 2013
Plot
Summary: The Gallaghers are a poor family living in Chicago. Their
mother left and has a new family and their father is in a perpetual alcohol
induced stupor. Led by the oldest Fiona, the six kids work together to get by
and stay together as a family.
Why
It Made the List: Shameless has replaced Weeds as Showtime’s best
comedy/drama (as Weeds has rapidly declined in quality). While it is
dramatically compelling with great characters and writing (which is to be
expected coming from Abbott – who gave us the fantastic miniseries State
of Play), it is the crude comedy that often takes center stage and makes
this series stand out (much like another Showtime comedy Californication). However,
unlike many comedy/dramas on television, Shameless is also steeped in reality
and is very relatable, as it touches often on fundamental emotions (while still
being silly at times). Fans of family oriented comedies and dramas who do not
mind more adult and crude material should really enjoy this series.
Rank: 21
Genre: Comedy
Current Season: Eighth
Channel: FX
Return Date: September
2012
Plot
Summary: Charlie, Dennis, Mac, Dee, and Frank own an Irish bar in
Philadelphia. Each member of the group has an overabundance of arrogance and a
huge ego mixed with sheer cluelessness and insensitivity, often leading the
group into wacky misadventures and extensive arguments.
Why
It Made the List: Simply put, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one
of the funniest comedies on TV. Even after seven seasons, the material still
works and feels fresh (which very often not the case). The antics of the group are
just a pleasure to share in. This series is a must-see for fans of
un-politically correct, zany and awkward humor.
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