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The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Married…with Children (1987-1997)

14 votes

Seinfeld (1990-1998)

18 votes

Friends (1994-2004)

11 votes

Home Improvement (1991-1999)

9 votes

Frazier (1993-2004)

14 votes

Drew Carey (1995-2004)

5 votes

Roseanne (1988-1997)

8 votes

Mad About You (1992-1999)

8 votes

Newsradio (1995-1999)

13 votes

Wings (1990-1997)

3 votes

Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

3 votes

Spin City (1996-2002)

7 votes

Sports Night (1998-2000)

9 votes

Fresh Prince (1990 -1996)

6 votes

Murphy Brown (1988-1998)

7 votes

Nanny (1993- 1999)

3 votes

Frayed Knot Jan 26 2011 09:14 AM

Vote for [u:obfhxr9d]up to eight (8)[/u:obfhxr9d] shows from this 1990s era (more or less) group. Voting will close at this hour on Sunday

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2011 09:23 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Wow, I watched very few of these shows. Seinfeld (1990-1998) Friends (1994-2004) Frazier (1993-2004) Newsradio (1995-1999) Shows that I watched but didn't vote for: Murphy Brown (okay, but not memorable) and Mad About You (started okay, but became unwatchable.) Friends was okay, but I can understand if anyone was put off by it. Looking back on it, the only character who really appealed to me was Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe. I bailed on Seinfeld several years before it ended, but it started so strong I'll forgive it its lame final three years or so. (All I remember was that the last straw for me was an episode about Elaine and donuts. I don't remember the details.) Newsradio was terrific fun, and Frazier was solid for a lot of years. If and when it comes down to two shows from this era, they're the ones that will get my vote. (If they haven't been eliminated, of course.) I only recently discovered The Nanny, as my kids have been watching the reruns. It's better than I thought it would be; Fran's character is sweet, silly, and optimistic in an appealing way. (And if you ignore her voice, she's actually pretty hot.) But the show overall isn't good enough for me to vote for it. '

sharpie Jan 26 2011 09:31 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Seinfeld, Roseanne, Mad About You. The rest of those shows can go jump. Even Roseanne and Mad About You can go jump but I didn't want to vote for just one.

Willets Point Jan 26 2011 09:41 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

The no-cable rule has doomed the best sit-com of the nineties to a non-appearance. That show of course is The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

themetfairy Jan 26 2011 10:04 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I'm not voting for this, but shouldn't the final choice be The Nanny (as opposed to Nanny)?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2011 10:06 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I believe so, but we don't want to edit the choices; doing so causes all existing votes to be wiped out.

RealityChuck Jan 26 2011 10:10 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

A write-in vote for Kate and Allie. But the weakest decade so far. All the shows jumped the shark at one point; Groups A-D all had at least one or two that didnt.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2011 10:13 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

It is a weak decade. And I had forgotten about Kate and Allie! I had a bit of a thing for Susan St. James.

themetfairy Jan 26 2011 10:14 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I believe so, but we don't want to edit the choices; doing so causes all existing votes to be wiped out. Fair enough.

themetfairy Jan 26 2011 10:16 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Seinfeld did jump the shark once Larry David left, but before that it was brilliant and, I'd go as far to say, groundbreaking. I don't think that Sex and the City could have existed without Seinfeld, which explored R rated material with some great euphemisms ("master of one's domain," "not doing 'everything'," etc.).

Gwreck Jan 26 2011 10:25 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I sometimes wonder if I am the only person on the planet who thought Seinfeld was a wildly overrated show. It wasn't for lack of trying either: I had friends who watched it religiously; I tried watching, I gave it several chances, but it just wasn't funny. I like Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up act quite a bit but the humor didn't translate to the TV show. Richards and Alexander aren't fantastic actors, and even if they were, they were still playing one-dimensional characters that were just stupid.

Willets Point Jan 26 2011 10:32 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I sometimes wonder if I am the only person on the planet who thought Seinfeld was a wildly overrated show. It wasn't for lack of trying either: I had friends who watched it religiously; I tried watching, I gave it several chances, but it just wasn't funny. I like Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up act quite a bit but the humor didn't translate to the TV show. Richards and Alexander aren't fantastic actors, and even if they were, they were still playing one-dimensional characters that were just stupid. I've said pretty much everything you wrote myself over the years. I just couldn't enjoy it. Especially the George character whose creepy behavior made me cringe rather than laugh.

Willets Point Jan 26 2011 10:33 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

themetfairy wrote: I don't think that Sex and the City could have existed without Seinfeld, The phrase "damning with faint praise" comes to mind here.

seawolf17 Jan 26 2011 10:47 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I loved "Wings." Antonio Scarpacci was hilarious; I wonder what ever happened to that actor? Someone should give him his own show.

metirish Jan 26 2011 10:47 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I sometimes wonder if I am the only person on the planet who thought Seinfeld was a wildly overrated show. It wasn't for lack of trying either: I had friends who watched it religiously; I tried watching, I gave it several chances, but it just wasn't funny. I like Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up act quite a bit but the humor didn't translate to the TV show. Richards and Alexander aren't fantastic actors, and even if they were, they were still playing one-dimensional characters that were just stupid. I'd tend to agree with you.....and now when I watch reruns it doesn't stand up at all....didn't age well.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2011 11:09 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

One issue I had with Seinfeld was that Jerry was a terrible actor and it often showed. OTOH, the others were great. It is dated a little, a chronicle of the 90s in NYC like the Odd Couple was of the 70s. You can also tell how much of that show's edge was off in comparison to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" but it was pretty good for its time

Ceetar Jan 26 2011 11:21 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I sometimes wonder if I am the only person on the planet who thought Seinfeld was a wildly overrated show. It wasn't for lack of trying either: I had friends who watched it religiously; I tried watching, I gave it several chances, but it just wasn't funny. I like Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up act quite a bit but the humor didn't translate to the TV show. Richards and Alexander aren't fantastic actors, and even if they were, they were still playing one-dimensional characters that were just stupid. I've said pretty much everything you wrote myself over the years. I just couldn't enjoy it. Especially the George character whose creepy behavior made me cringe rather than laugh. You're not the only one (two)

G-Fafif Jan 26 2011 11:22 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

NBC never fully realized what it had in NewsRadio. It deserved one of those sweet Thursday night time slots. Instead it was left to ping around the rest of the week and fade in the Nielsens. Its final season, with Jon Lovitz essentially picking up the gauntlet for the fallen Phil Hartman, was one of the bravest any sitcom ever had given the circumstances. Frasier got my vote based on Lifetime/syndication viewing years after the fact. Completely avoided it in prime time as I'd had it with Cheers by the end of its run and I hated the first 30 seconds of the pilot. It also stayed on too long and went off in too many directions (Daphne's wacky mother, et al), but a one-of-a-kind gem in so many ways.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2011 11:30 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

G-Fafif wrote: Its final season, with Jon Lovitz essentially picking up the gauntlet for the fallen Phil Hartman, was one of the bravest any sitcom ever had given the circumstances. Yes, I agree. They pulled it off much better than Chico and the Man did. (Talk about faint praise!) I remember, shortly before he died, reading a quote from Phil Hartman saying that the show's problem was that it was "too hip for the room." Too many viewers weren't clicking with their style of comedy.

Edgy DC Jan 26 2011 11:39 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I saw the pilot and somebody talked about traffic on the freeway and I thought "Freeway? In New York? This is as unhip as it gets."

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 26 2011 11:42 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 26 2011 11:46 AM

One issue I had with Seinfeld was that Jerry was a terrible actor and it often showed. OTOH, the others were great. It is dated a little, a chronicle of the 90s in NYC like the Odd Couple was of the 70s. You can also tell how much of that show's edge was off in comparison to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" but it was pretty good for its time This, more or less. Part of the reason it doesn't age as well as one might expect, even for fans: A) Its spiritual progeny-- I think more about Absolutely Fabulous, It's Always Sunny, Arrested Development, and Curb Your Enthusiasm-- ramp up the nihilism to the point where the Seinfeld characters' selfishness seem like quaint, neutered iterations. (Married with Children suffers in much the same way.) B) Curb Your Enthusiasm makes George-- the most painfully stupid and funny character on the show-- unfunny. It's becomes obvious once you see CYE that George was essentially Jason Alexander's superbroad Larry David impression. It robs him of any humorously sociopathic edge he might have had, and makes the reruns a lot tougher to watch, methinks. On the other hand, I find myself liking Roseanne more and more as the years wear on. Anyone else? Like G-Fafif, I kind of came upon Frasier in reruns, and it's surprisingly sturdy. And I'll say it: Newsradio's best stands up to Cheers and MtM in terms of workplace sitcoms/ensembles. Anyway, my vote: Married with Children (pretty damn underrated) Seinfeld Frasier Roseanne Newsradio

G-Fafif Jan 26 2011 11:44 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Edgy DC wrote: I saw the pilot and somebody talked about traffic on the freeway and I thought "Freeway? In New York? This is as unhip as it gets." Yeah, I bitched about that, too. Turned out non-debilitating.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2011 11:46 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Yup, I think Roseanne's probably the best of this bunch. Let's just get this out of the way -- it went on too long --but the show was very funny and I admired it for its resolve to being a show about the parents and not the kids.

G-Fafif Jan 26 2011 11:47 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Seinfeld struck me as a show that never had any clue it would be on the air for more than four episodes and had to scramble to keep up from there. It both kind of sucked for the last three or four seasons and still brought something brilliant to bear every now and then that made enduring its shortcomings worthwhile.

themetfairy Jan 26 2011 11:52 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

When I lived on the Upper West Side, I felt that the characters in Seinfeld could have lived down the hall from me. I never did understand how anyone outside of the City could "get" that show. But I loved it.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 26 2011 11:57 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Apart from its other charms, Roseanne had a HoF-prime John Goodman. It doesn't quite get my vote-- maybe it should-- but Drew Carey took some weird risks as the years wore on. Introducing a masculine cross-dressing-- and more or less level-headed-- brother as a recurring character, letting a thin and attractive character "gain weight" over the course of a season, musical episodes before musical episodes were de rigueur, various and sundry other stunts ("pop up" episodes, e.g.) done not so much for ratings but for what-the-hell adventure/self-indulgence... they did play with the format conventions.

Edgy DC Jan 26 2011 11:59 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

They had Drew dating a septugenarian Shrley Jones.

Ashie62 Jan 26 2011 12:17 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Seinfeld is my favorite sit-com of all time....Mash & I love Lucy 2 and 3..here.. Married with Children Seinfeld Friends

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 01:25 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

My take: Married…with Children - mean-spirited, original, brilliant ... the anti-sitcom. Seinfeld - At first, i loved the nonchalance of it. But the show about nothing really was, and i grew to loathe every single one of those dingleberries. Friends - i had just the opposite view of these folks, who grew on me over time. Sure its bs yuppie soap opera, but i wanted to fuck those girls and hang out with those guys. I really can't ask for more 30 minutes a week. Home Improvement - a standard "home and work" sitcom, with the doltish dad and the smart mom, and the bratty tv kids. But i loved Wilson, and i look alot like Al Borland, and Tim Allen had his moments. Frazier - While i loved Daphne and Niles, i loathed the show. I don't know why. Drew Carey - Watched it enough to know i didn't like it. I loved his improv show, however. Roseanne - working class sitcom worked at first, but derailed over time, as many shows do. Mad About You - it mirrored my life with my own wife, as we watched it together. We had our daughter about the same time they had theirs. We named her Jamie... we told my mom it was for her dad (James) and we told my wife's mom it was for her brother, but it was because of this show. MAD was a real love story about 2 people i liked, with a supporting cast of hilarious characters. The thanksgiving episode still makes me laugh, just thinking about it. Newsradio - wow, was this good. "workplace comedy" at its best. Wings - "workplace comedy" at its mediocre-ist. Boy Meets World - i had no interest. Spin City - definitely had its moments, but not consistent. Sports Night - brilliant and funny. Doomed from the outset. Fresh Prince - not for me, thanks. Murphy Brown - annoying, but some suprisingly funny moments along the way, if you stuck it out. Nanny - i hate this show so much it makes my face ache.

metsguyinmichigan Jan 26 2011 01:57 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Gotta go with the man from Massapequa!!! Steinfeld did a stand-up show at the University of Missouri when I was there, before the television show started. It was fun.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 26 2011 02:21 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

It's official. The next TV show that I take on is Newsradio. Thanks, everyone.

metsguyinmichigan Jan 26 2011 02:27 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

batmagadanleadoff wrote: It's official. The next TV show that I take on is Newsradio. Thanks, everyone. Great show! Must have been difficult for Phil Hartman, who could be so many characters, to stick in the confines of one.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 26 2011 02:42 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

They both stuck around for a while, granted. And I'll grant, too, that they both have virtues that render them worthy of some attention in this somewhat weak division. But that the chin-chucking comedy of Home Improvement and f'ing one-step-above-Caroline-in-the-CityMad About You are tied with Roseanne-- which, no matter what you think of its star, was damn funny, and truer than an inside Seaver fastball-- is an abomination unto whatever God or Gods you believe in, and practically tears this whole concept apart. Please do your part to ensure that this does not remain so.

Fman99 Jan 26 2011 06:46 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

This is a weak batch. I voted for "Married with Children," "Seinfeld," "Frasier," and "Newsradio." And that's it.

MFS62 Jan 27 2011 06:48 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

I really liked Unhappily Ever After. It was an obvious ripoff of Married, with Children. Bit I liked it as much, sometimes more. Later

metsmarathon Jan 27 2011 07:52 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

i was trying to remember the name of that show last night. not for any reason other than i remembered a show that was a ripoff of married with children and that had a talking rabbit.

RealityChuck Jan 27 2011 05:42 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Married…with Children -- Great first season, but once David Garrison left, it lost it very quickly. Still had some great highlights, but it lost its grounding without him. Seinfeld -- Most overrated sitcom in history. I could barely watch more than five minutes (and I liked The Seinfeld Chronicles, it's original summer run). Jason Alexander is the black hole of comedy -- not only does he suck, but he sucks everything else with him (even The Music Man). Even the things that sounded good on paper (The Contest) were misfires on screen (Kramer shouldn't have been out of the room more than 30 seconds before coming back and saying, "I'm out.") Friends -- a tad underrated. Not a great comedy by any means, but it had its moments and Phobe was a great character (as was Chandler as the grounding) Home Improvement -- Played like a Mad Magazine satirical description of a 50s sitcom. Allen was abrasive and unlikeable. Frazier -- Decent, but I could never get into it. Drew Carey -- in its heyday, was the best thing on the air, but did grow tired after awhile. Roseanne -- Another show that started strong, but jumped the shark early. The first season (before Roseanne took over everything) was the best, and it deserves credit for showing a blue collar family comedy. Mad About You -- Never could get into it. Helen Hunt is always watchable, but the show never clicked for me. Newsradio -- Nice cast, good workplace comedy. Just not one of the greats. Wings -- Like Newsradio, only not as good. Boy Meets World -- Looked godawful every time I tuned it. Spin City -- Not terrible, but not particularly good, either. Sports Night -- an underrated classic. Arguable Alan Sorkin's best work. Excellent scripts, very funny, and characters with depth. Fresh Prince -- the little I saw had nothing to recommend it. Murphy Brown -- One of the better ones of the era (at its best). Characters and storytelling was solid,though it faded. I would guess the politics dates it badly. Nanny -- Not even Spinal Tap would hire this woman. Drescher's voice was annoying, but more annoying was the parade of cliched situations.

Edgy DC Jan 28 2011 07:29 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Why folks giving any props to Murphy Brown? That show couldn't have been any more awkward if every character was played by Scrappy-Doo.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 28 2011 08:49 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Instead of actually producing a show for each week, they could have run the credits, followed by 22 minutes of owls screeching into an old victrola, followed by the end credits. It wouldn't have been any less shrill or tinny.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 28 2011 05:09 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

RealityChuck wrote: Newsradio -- Nice cast, good workplace comedy. Just not one of the greats. Between Newsradio's omission from Time Magazine's top 100 list and RChuck's merely solid but not glowing commentary on the show, maybe I should hold off on taking on Newsradio.

Number 6 Jan 29 2011 12:36 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

If you didn't like Sports Night, you haven't seen it. Or you're dumb.

Edgy DC Jan 30 2011 12:05 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

Thanks!

Number 6 Jan 30 2011 05:02 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group E

You're welcome!