10 Game-Changing Sitcoms That Redefined the Genre

Ever since Mary Kay and Johnny premiered on U.S. TV screens in 1947, the sitcom has aimed to make us laugh while grappling with complex social issues. Many series have succeeded at fitting crises and commentary into a half-hour, and a select group of shows went further by changing how sitcoms are structured and told.

NBC's The Office popularized the mockumentary approach, blending workplace realism with surreal, relatable characters and helping create room for series such as Modern Family and Parks and Recreation. The Golden Girls recast aging on television, portraying four older women who were romantically active and who navigated addictions and political issues rather than settling into tired archetypes.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air demonstrated that sitcoms could confront race and other serious topics without sacrificing humor. I Love Lucy altered both production and culture: it used a three-camera system and 35mm film, helped pioneer syndication, and presented an interracial married couple in prime time.

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