Geeze I can't believe all the lame-ass shows that got mentioned before South Park!!
Screw you guys, I'm outta here!
1) Caroll Burnett Show
2) I love Lucy
3) Sanford and son
4) Andy Griffith show
Of course, the first SNL's belong here, but SNL was totally different than the above shows, because of the "adult situations". And IMHO, in a class by itself.
80's to 90's
1)Got to go with "Married with Children". The start of a long run for FOX.
2)Simpsons , like "married", blasted by critics for the first few years, it's longevity speaks for it's success.
3) Roseanne, I didn't like it or her at first, but you gotta like somebody who tells it like it is.
I gotta give a special mention to "Friends", I don't watch it regularly, but it is a quality show and sometimes funny. But I don't consider it a "pure comedy" show.
Present 1st runner up - "70's show" well written with excellent character to actor/actress matching.
2nd runner up - "Malcolm in the middle" Didn't like it at first, but again, another FOX show that has a great writing crew. Seems to be a trend.
And now for the grand prize funniest show on today, and I'm probably gonna be blasted for this, but to me the funniest show on today is by far " South Park".
Yeah, it leans toward immature potty gags sometimes, but it is the ONLY show out there where NOTHING is out of bounds. They make fun of every group out there, including us white people.
Gay, fat, black, chinese, rich, poor, white, government types, hunters, Christians, Jews, Atheist, teachers, no one is left out. This makes it hard for one group to cry "Foul". And what is really funny, is that the situations they portray always have a ring of truth to them.
Sure, there our a few uninspired episodes, but the creators of "South Park" enjoy almost total artistic freedom, and freedom from network execs who stifle the creativity of normal fare sitcoms.
I think FOX can also credit giving some leeway to writers with it's success in producing more than it's share of long running, successful sitcoms.