Like many shows of its kind in the ’70s, “The Bob Newhart Show” had to get the balance of comedy and likeability just right. The humor was gentle, sophisticated, and, at times, wonderfully surreal. The series ran for six seasons, following Newhart as he balanced life as a therapist while keeping his wife happy.
All 142 half-hour episodes were filmed in front of a live audience, which added to the overall quality of the program. “The Bob Newhart Show” did incredibly well in syndication, and even exceeded expectations.
M*A*S*H
It's definitely a show worth a watch as it was very progressive for its time, and the writing is top-notch. The war comedy-drama was in equal parts moving as well as hilarious thanks to the efforts of Alan Alda and his cast of superb actors. The creators pulled the concept from Richard Hooker's 1968 novel and turned it into one of the highest-rated shows in history.
Viewers couldn't get enough of the exploits of Hawkeye and his crew. Just in the finale, over 125 million viewers tuned in to watch the spectacular 2-and-a-half hour conclusion.
Roseanne
"Roseanne" is an irreproachable comedy, while being a showcase for middle America's middle class. The show centers around the Conner family, who often felt lost in their own country that made them feel left behind. Viewers could relate as they saw their own financial concerns, family struggles, and job instability mirrored back to them, this time, but steeped with mischievous humor.
The show is bolstered by a cast of comedic pros, specifically John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf, even after its too-long original run and then infamous 2018 return, the sitcom remains indispensable to the TV comedy conversation.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
This is the show that is usually referenced for its catchy theme song, but just on its own, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" was really brilliant. Will Smith played the fictionalized version of himself, charming and fun-loving. This was one of those few sitcoms that starred an African-American family, and it managed to do so without placing too much emphasis on racial stereotypes.
It's a staple show of the '90s, and perfect to watch a marathon of on a lazy Sunday.
Arrested Development
"Arrested Development" could arguably be the smartest and funniest sitcom ever made. Its fast-paced, with effective use of narration, and clever references make it different from anything else on television at the time. The show was cut early after only three seasons.
This meant that because the show knew it was being canceled, the writers were more creative and took liberties they otherwise wouldn't in its final season, and hilarity ensued. The show eventually did gain a cult following so strong that Netflix revived it in 2013.