The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time

by Martin Gitlin

Overview

Since the advent of network television, situation comedies have been a staple of prime-time programming. Classics of the genre have emerged in every decade, from The Honeymooners and Make Room for Daddy in the 1950sto 30 Rock, The Office, and Modern Family of the twenty-first century. Other shows that have left enduring impressions are The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, The Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller, Cheers, The Cosby Show, The Golden Girls, Home Improvement, Will & Grace, and Everybody Loves Raymond. All of these shows are assured a place in history and would make almost anyone’s list of the most beloved comedies.

In The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time, Martin Gitlin has assembled the top seventy sitcoms in television history. The rankings are based on such factors as longevity, ratings, awards, humor, impact, and legacy. Iconic programs such as I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show,and Leave It to Beaver join contemporary shows The Simpsons, Arrested Development, and Family Guy on the list. Other programs include perennial favorites like All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Seinfeld, as well as short-lived treasures that never found the audiences they deserved like Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.

Each entry contains a comprehensive compilation of information, including:

• Cast members
• Character list
• Network
• Air dates
• Ratings history
• Time slots
• Series overview
• Notable episodes
• Awards
• Fun facts and quotes

Appendixes list the top male and female sitcom characters of all time, the best sitcom spin-offs, and shows that just missed the cut.

By ranking these programs, The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time is sure to inspire debate. Whether you agree with this list or whether your favorite show placed as high as you think it should have, this book will be an entertaining and informative read—not only for students and scholars of television history but for sitcom fans as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810887244
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/07/2013
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	430
Sales rank:	703,625
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Martin Gitlin is a freelance writer and the author of more than 40 books on popular culture and sports. He has won many awards for his writing, including first place for General Excellence in Journalism from the Associated Press. His most recent book is The Great American Cereal Book: How Breakfast Got Its Crunch (2012).

Editorial Reviews

The top 70 situation comedies (sitcoms) are ranked and described in Martin Gitlin’s The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time. Shows such as I Love Lucy, Arrested Development, Leave It to Beaver, 30 Rock, and M*A*S*H are included. Rankings are based on ratings, awards, impact, humor, legacy, and longevity, and each entry includes such information as cast members and character list, a black-and-white cast photograph, network and airing dates, ratings, an overview of the series and outstanding episodes, awards, sample dialogue, and fun facts. Appendixes list Emmy award-winners, top 10 sitcoms from each decade (1950s-2000s), the top male and female funniest sitcom characters of all time, and the 10 best sitcom spin-offs. An alphabetic index is also included. Students, scholars, and television fans will find this title of interest.

American Reference Books Annual

Gitlin spent a lot of time tracking down vintage comedies online and on DVD, and established a set of criteria for inclusion, among them the show's impact, how long it originally ran, ratings, awards, how funny a show was and whether it is still respected.

Maine Sunday Telegram