Ranking the 15 Best Undiscovered Sitcoms of the Early 2000s

Amidst the surge of new shows, several hidden gems slipped through the cracks, remaining underappreciated or largely undiscovered by mainstream audiences. From the whimsical daydreams of "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" to the culturally reflective narratives of "Clone High," these sitcoms offered a fresh perspective in a landscape dominated by more prominent titles.

15. "Clone High" (2002–2003)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

An animated series set in a high school populated by clones of historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Cleopatra, focusing on their teenage dilemmas and satirizing issues of adolescence and education.

14. "The Job" (2001–2002)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

A darkly comedic series following the life of a New York City detective who struggles to balance his demanding job with his chaotic personal life and unconventional approach to policing.

13. "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" (2002–2003)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

This sitcom features Andy Richter as a short story writer working in Chicago, whose daydreams and fictional narratives comically intersect with his uneventful office life and quirky coworkers.

12. "The Knights of Prosperity" (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%

A group of blue-collar workers form a gang with the unlikely goal of robbing celebrity Mick Jagger, leading to a series of humorous and ill-fated criminal misadventures.

11. "Life with Bonnie" (2002–2004)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

Bonnie Hunt stars as a television talk show host balancing her professional life with the challenges and joys of being a wife and mother in this comedic, partially improvised show.

10. "Happy Family" (2003–2004)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

Centered around a couple who look forward to enjoying their golden years, only to find their adult children's personal lives causing chaos and hilarity in their own.

9. "Some of My Best Friends" (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

This sitcom explores the friendship between a straight man and a gay man who become roommates, dealing with their differences and the humorous situations arising from their living arrangement in New York City.

8. "The Ellen Show" (2001–2002)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%

Ellen DeGeneres stars as a woman who, after her internet company collapses, moves back to her hometown to start over, dealing with the quirks of small-town life and her eccentric family.

7. "Oliver Beene" (2003–2004)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 18%

Set in the 1960s, this comedy is narrated by an adult Oliver Beene, recounting the challenges and adventures of his 11-year-old self within his eccentric family and during an era of cultural change.

6. "Sons & Daughters" (2006)

A semi-improvised comedy focusing on the extended family of Cameron Walker, dealing with everyday issues in a realistic and humorous way, highlighting the complexity of modern family dynamics.

5. "Stacked" (2005–2006)

Set in a bookstore, this sitcom stars Pamela Anderson as a party girl who decides to turn a new page by working at a bookshop, leading to comedic interactions with the eclectic staff and customers.

4. "Greg the Bunny" (2002-2004)

A comedy where puppets are living beings and a down-on-his-luck man becomes the roommate of Greg the Bunny, a puppet who lands a job on a children's TV show, leading to humorous interactions between humans and puppets.

3. "Grounded for Life" (2001–2005)

This sitcom follows the life of a young couple who became parents too early, showcasing their struggles to balance their own aspirations with the chaos of raising three children.

2. "Less Than Perfect" (2002–2006)

The series revolves around a young, ambitious TV news producer working with an eccentric and dysfunctional news team, dealing with professional challenges and personal misadventures.

1. "Still Standing" (2002–2006)

A comedy series about a fun-loving couple who have been together since high school and their daily endeavors to raise three children while keeping their sense of humor and love for each other alive.