10 Iconic Sitcoms That Made NBC the Funniest Channel on TV

There's nothing like a good sitcom after a long day of hard work. No matter how tired or upset you are, there are some shows that can make all your worries go away in just a few episodes, and for that they're considered truly iconic. It just so happens that a good portion of them come from NBC.

So, if you thought NBC was only a home for dark and gritty procedural franchises, check out the list of shows below to remind yourself how many other shows the network has released, Law & Order and One Chicago aside.

Cheers (1982-1993)

The classic bar-centric sitcom that followed a bartender and his friends and co-workers could have been canceled in 1982. The show failed to impress viewers from the start, but later redeemed itself to become one of the most popular and highly rated television shows of all time. Thanks to NBC, it survived to air 11 more seasons.

Seinfeld (1989-1998)

Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, this sitcom follows the fictionalized version of one of the creators struggling to succeed in his personal life. Surrounded by friends, acquaintances and random people who show up at the apartment complex, Seinfeld does nothing in particular, but remains entertaining and relatable due to the stand-up style of comedy.

Frasier (1993-2004)

Like almost every popular show, Cheers had a spin-off called Frasier. What is unusual, however, is that the spinoff is just as successful as the original show. Focusing more on psychiatrist Frasier Crane, who has now returned to his hometown of Seattle and wants to start over, the show also lasted for 11 seasons, continuing the tradition.

Friends (1994-2004)

It's hard to imagine a person who hasn't heard of Friends. The show had a simple premise and followed 6 friends in their daily struggles in New York, but thanks to brilliantly written and acted characters, it became a true hit. To this day, people continue to watch the show, even though it's not 100% up to 2020s standards.

Scrubs (2001-2008)

Even though the show moved to ABC for its final season, it was NBC where it started and spent its best years. Starring Zach Braff as J.D., the show's protagonist, lead, and narrator, viewers were invited into the lives of doctors, nurses, and everyone who visits the hospital where they all work.

The Office ( 2005-2013)

If there's one sitcom that will likely live on for decades to come, thanks to all the memes and clips that have become part of pop culture history, it's The Office. The U.S. version of the British show became the blueprint for every documentary-style workplace sitcom, winning numerous awards and launching some of the industry's greatest comedians.

30 Rock (2006-2013)

A comedy within a comedy, 30 Rock was written by Tina Fey to highlight her experience in the Saturday Night Live writing room. Focusing on sketch comedy, the show was produced in a single camera setup, which was cleverly used to add to the hilarious situations. As a parody, 30 Rock may seem over the top, but after watching it once, it's impossible to give up.

Parks and Recreation ( 2009-2015)

Following the path of The Office and its overwhelming success, NBC launched another show in a very similar style. Starring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a quirky mid-level bureaucrat in the parks department of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, the show added a layer of social commentary to the absurdity of a bureaucratic setup.

Community ( 2009-2014)

With many fans now eagerly awaiting the reunion movie, it's the perfect time to get to know the show and join them. Dan Harmon's Community is a fun, lighthearted and fast-paced story about a group of people who meet at community college. What's more, the show is full of pop culture references that all geeks will enjoy.

Superstore (2015-2021)

Another workplace sitcom that proved to be extremely successful, not only because of the talented mastermind behind it, Justin Spitzer, but also because of the brilliant cast led by none other than Barbie 's America Ferrera. In fact, the show was so popular that it was adapted into a Spanish language version for Mexican television.