Popular Sitcoms

1. The Simpsons

Which person in this country doesn’t know about the adorable family from Springfield? From the clumsy Homer, to the extremely patient Marge, over to the very naughty Bart, across to the intelligent List and finally, how can we forget the cute Maggie? As one of the most popular sitcoms on TV, the Simpsons have kept the nation captivated for nearly two decades, and it continues to retain the humorous feeling, and gives us the chance to relate in some way or the other to the Simpsons.

2. Curb your enthusiasm

Starring the Seinfeld writer Larry David as himself, this show is loosely based on his life as a semi-retired multimillionare after the end of Seinfeld. What really appeals about this show is the way the actors improvise dialogues a lot, often successfully. Due to David’s tremendously intelligent approach to comedy, it has the ability to amuse you even in reruns. Its definitely worth watching, and, frankly, I feel really unfortunate to have learned about this show only recently.

3. The Office (US)

Adapted from the hit UK version, The Office is shot in a ‘mockumentary’ style, and basically shows the everyday life of office employees in a small branch of a paper company. This, too, incorporates a lot of improvisation, and the fact that it doesn’t have any studio audience or a laugh track makes it, quite strangely, more attractive. After rocking us with his simply irresistible movie, The 40-year old virgin, he comes out all – guns – blazing with some really good acting. He’s also joined by new-comers Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski, who do a really great job, as endorsed by 8.1 million people last season.

4. Two and a half men

This one’s quite a belly-ripper. It depicts the life of a freewheeling bachelor(Charlie Harper), whose happy – go – luck way of life is interrupted by his brother (Alan Harper), who moves in after getting a divorce, and also brings along his son (Jake Harper). What’s so good about this show is that the brothers are totally contrasting types, and Alan is always fighting with Charlie about how sick his life is, while being unable to keep a single girl for long. Jake’s lazy and underachieving ways also gets into his father’s nerves. 13.1 million people gave the thumbs up for this show last season!

5. My Name is Earl

Simply hilarious! This one’s a classic, and tells the story of Earl Hickey, a petty thief, who just ‘acquired’ a $100,000 lottery ticket, loses it after meeting with an accident. While lying in hospital, he develops a belief of the concept of karma when hearing about it on TV, and when he finds the lottery ticket back, his belief is further strenghthened, and, one – by – one, he decides to atone for all his bad deeds. I don’t think I have to tell you any more about this one, and its nomination for the 2008 BAFTA TV awards for International Programme of the Year talks enough about the show!