Here are our top 3 favorite sitcom series that were featured in Part 3 of CNN’s eight-part docuseries History of the Sitcom.
In Part 3 of History of the Sitcom, “Just Friends” delves into the sitcoms that resonated within our own friend groups and experiences. Our top 3 favorite series featured in “Just Friends” are ranked below.
Friends
Friends: the show about a time in your life when your friends are your family. Funny, exciting, and lovable, the Friends cast had a true chemistry that kept the show running for all 10 seasons. Each of the six main characters were unique and relatable in their own way. Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Chandler, Monica, and Joey offered entertaining storylines while growing as a group of close-knit friends. Their care for each other always provides a heart-warming watching experience.
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls, which ran from 1985 to 1992, was a show about older women living together and experiencing life in their older years. Despite the series centering around characters who were older women, The Golden Girls was still a hit with younger viewers for its hilarity and comedic cast. Each of the characters have their own role within the group: Sophia plays the matriarch role, Blanche is the one always dating around, Dorothy acts as tough and sarcastic, and Rose is the clown of the group. The norm-breaking aspect of The Golden Girls was that these older characters could get away with saying edgy things that younger characters couldn’t. Forget about the years of the show’s airing, because The Golden Girls was meant to be a timeless sitcom.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is not the traditional sitcom due to the added flashback element of the show. Just about the entire show takes place in flashback experiences, while in present time, main character Ted is telling his kids the story of how he met their mother. How I Met Your Mother emphasizes the stories of a group of really great friends who always have each others’ backs. Although many compare it to Friends, How I Met Your Mother is closer to modern-day reality and provides blow-your-mind flashback connections. From slap bets to secret hit Canadian singer to iconic celebrity guest stars, Ted, Robin, Marshall, Lily, and the charmingly hilarious Barney will have you laughing the whole time.
Friends, The Golden Girls, and How I Met Your Mother are fun examples of just a few friend-group sitcoms. However, History of the Sitcom also talks about the importance of creating more sitcoms that are centered around minority or multicultural friend groups. We need more series promoting diversity on screen and in real life, and we’re looking forward to seeing more influential sitcoms that send this essential message.
