# 10 Essential Sitcoms for Every Fan

> 10 sitcoms that define TV history and deserve your time.
- Title: 10 Essential Sitcoms for Every Fan · Collider | Shortify
- Summary: 10 sitcoms that define TV history and deserve your time. These sitcoms are essential for fans to watch, with iconic characters and cultural impact.
- Keywords: seinfeld, friends, i love lucy, the golden girls, the office, schitt's creek, the big bang theory, the brady bunch, new girl, the bernie mac show, entertainment, culture
- Source: Collider — https://collider.com/essential-sitcoms-bucket-list
- Author: Christine Persaud
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:03:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: seinfeld, friends, i love lucy, the golden girls, the office, schitt's creek, the big bang theory, the brady bunch, new girl, the bernie mac show, entertainment, culture
## What makes a sitcom essential?
An essential sitcom is one fans assume everyone has watched, with iconic references and cultural impact.
## Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Seinfeld features four adult friends in New York City with no actual story, focusing on everyday conversations.

> no soup for you
## Friends (1994-2004)
Friends has a unique language and characters that fans use to connect with others across generations.

> we were on a break
## I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
Lucy and Ethel's comedic conflicts with neighbors and husbands define classic sitcom storytelling.

> yada yada yada
## The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
Four women navigate life after divorce and children leaving home in Miami with humor and heart.

> how you doin'
## The Office (2005-2013)
The Office follows Michael Scott and his team at a paper company with mockumentary humor and memorable moments.

> that's what she said
## Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)
Schitt's Creek shows a family losing wealth and finding what truly matters through humor and relatable themes.

> what happens when all you know is wealth and excess but suddenly lose it all
## The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
The Big Bang Theory follows smart friends obsessed with science and pop culture, balancing intelligence and humor.

> the best part is that he does so by breaking the fourth wall
## The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
The Brady Bunch shows a blended family navigating relationships and boundaries in a wholesome way.

> kids get to learn about boundaries while parents watching understood a bit more about the sibling dynamic
## New Girl (2011-2018)
New Girl follows a jilted woman joining three single men in a shared apartment with comedic romance.

> one of the most perfect sitcoms of the last 20 years
## The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)
The Bernie Mac Show follows Bernie McCullough parenting three kids after his sister's partner can't care for them.

> the best part is that he does so by breaking the fourth wall
## Key takeaway

These sitcoms are essential for fans to watch, with iconic characters and cultural impact.