There’s a lot of content out there. Alot. New seasons, episodes, and series are premiering every day. You’ve probably spent more time endlessly scrolling on your many streaming services, paralyzed by indecision, trying to figure out what to watch next, thanactuallywatching something. If you’re having trouble deciding what show to start next, you’ve come to the right place. Dozens of classic sitcoms are getting a new generation of viewers thanks to streaming, and these shows deserve a spot in your watchlist. So grab your remote, it’s time to dust off some of these iconic shows.
Here’s a list of classic television comedies you’re able to (and should) stream right now!
RELATED:The 33 Best Comedies on Netflix Right Now
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Originally Aired: 1970 - 1977 on CBS
Number of Episodes: 168
Where to Stream: Hulu
One of the most beloved sitcoms of all time,The Mary Tyler Moore Showtells the story of the hardworking and eager Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore), an associate producer at the WJM-TV news station in Minneapolis, and her misadventures with her friend Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper), neighbor Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman), colleagues Murray Slaughter (Gavin Macleod), Ted Baxter (Ted Knight), and bossLou Grant(Ed Asner).
The Mary Tyler Moore Showwas a seminal series, as it featured a strong, independent female protagonist who was respected in the male-dominated industry and continuously proved that she was a valued asset in the highly competitive news world. Rather than making Mary a secretary, the assumed role for women in the 1970s, creatorsJames L. BrooksandAllan Burnscreated a character that transcended societal expectations. In addition to her hijinx at work, the show explored Mary’s romantic life as she navigated dating in a busy city. In addition to being a ratings success, the series has been praised for its dynamic characters and storylines. Over its 8 year run, it won 29 Emmys, including Outstanding Writing, Directing, and Acting. The series also spawned three spinoffs:Rhoda,Phyllis, andLou Grant.
Sanford and Son
Originally Aired: 1972 - 1977 on NBC
Number of Episodes: 135
Where to Stream:Starz
Move overOutlander,Sanford and Sonshould be at the top of your Starz watchlist. Inspired by the British seriesSteptoe and Sonand created by TV legendNorman Lear, this show follows the cantankerous California junk dealer and widower Fred G. Sanford (Redd Foxx) and his dysfunctional (yet loveable)relationshipwith his well-meaning son, Lamont (Demond Wilson). Fred’s unfiltered, rambunctious personality often embarrasses and frustrates Lamont, but because of their care for each other, the two attempt to set aside their differences to run a successful business from their home.
Over its 6 season run, the father-son duo are joined by a number of unique characters, including Lamont’s overly-religious aunt Esther Anderson (LaWanda Page), Fred’s sweet friend Grady Wilson (Whitman Mayo), and Donna Harris (Lynn Hamilton), one of Fred’s love interests on the show. The success ofSanford and Sonwas an important step forward in television, and helped pave the way for other African American shows. The series was nominated for 7 Emmys, and Redd Foxx won a Golden Globe for Best TV Actor in a Comedy or Musical for his performance in 1973. The show’s memorable theme song, “The Streetbeater,” was composed byQuincy Jones.
The Bob Newhart Show
Originally Aired: 1972 - 1978 on CBS
Number of Episodes: 142
Ring ring. Hello? It’sThe Bob Newhart Show. This series, created byDavid DavisandLorenzo Music, follows Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart) and his interactions with his eclectic patients, orthodontist Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz) who works in the same building, and receptionist Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace). When he’s not talking his quirky clients through their struggles, the deadpan doctor is home with his sarcastic wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), and fending off visits from their neighbor, Howard Borden (Bill Daily). Bob Newhart brings his legendary straight-faced persona he crafted on stage as a stand-up comedian to this role, which he played for 7 years. New episodes usually aired afterThe Mary Tyler Moore Show. The series was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series and Pleshette was nominated for her performance as his wife, Emily.
The Brady Bunch
Originally Aired: 1969 - 1974 on ABC
Number of Episodes: 117
Here’s the story, about a blended family, who for 6 years, entertained us with their jokes. (Cue the trumpets.)The Brady Bunch, which is probably the most well-known, most-referenced show on this list, is about (as the theme song explains) a lovely lady named Carol (Florence Henderson) raising three young daughters, Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb), and Cindy (Susan Olsen), who marries Mike Brady (Robert Reed) who just so happens to be raising three young sons of his own, Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight), and Bobby (Mike Lookinland). The two families merge under one roof with theirfun-loving housekeeper Alice(Ann B. Davis) and navigate all of the growing pains that come with adolescence, sibling squabbles, and living with a large family.
The cast remains close and embracesThe Brady Bunchlegacy. In 2019, the Brady children reunited for the HGTV specialA Very Brady Renovation, in which they helped renovate theactualhome in California that they used as the Brady home’s exterior. (The interior of the home on the show was created on a soundstage.) Thecast visitedThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertand detailed their hands-on experiences during the construction process and explained how much their time onThe Brady Bunchpositively impacts their lives to this day. The show’s theme song is so iconic thatThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallondid a cleverMarvel parodyaround the release ofAvengers: Infinity War.
The Andy Griffith Show
Originally Aired: 1960 - 1968 on CBS
Number of Episodes: 249
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
Hey, Pa! Welcome to Mayberry, a small North Carolina town that’s protected by the wholesome, sensible Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) along with his bumbling Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts). Because Mayberry is a peaceful town, Andy is able to settle most grievances and disputes with reason and his soft-spoken demeanor. A significant amount of the show focuses on Andy’s home life. A widower, Andy raises his little son Opie Taylor (Ron Howard) with the help of his Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier). The show has a strong emphasis on morals, being a good person, and helping others, with Andy turning as many of his experiences on the job into learning moments for Opie and other townspeople. An eclectic bunch of people populate the town, including barber Floyd Lawson (Howard McNear), dim-witted mechanics Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) and Goober Pyle (George Lindsey), Thelma Lou (Betty Lynn) and Helen Crump (Aneta Corsaut), love interests to Barney and Andy respectively, and drunken resident Otis Campbell (Hal Smith), whose antics typically land him behind bars. Don Knotts won several Emmys for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the heartwarming series. Say “hey” to Gomer while you’re at it.
The Odd Couple
Originally Aired:1970 - 1975 on ABC
Number of Episodes: 114
Ever live with a roommate that you, perhaps, didn’tquiteget along with? Then you’ll definitely relate toThe Odd Couple, based on theNeil Simonplay of the same name. Felix Unger (Tony Randall) needs a place to stay after his wife divorces him and kicks him out of the house. Down on his luck and out of options, he moves in with sportswriter and old friend Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman), who’s also divorced. Hilarity inevitably ensues when Felix’s uptight, obsessively neat personality clashes with Oscar’s messy, nonchalant lifestyle. Ah, cohabitation.
Often visiting Felix and Oscar were their friends, the not-so-bright Officer Murray Greshler (Al Molinaro) and Oscar’s secretary, Myrna (Penny Marshall). The two roommates get stuck in plenty of silly situations, such as being contestants on the game showPassword, attending an intense health camp, and getting stuck in a subway car. Both Randall and Klugman received Emmys for their performances. In addition to being a smartly written and acted show, it’s a heartwarming reminder of the power of friendship.
Originally Aired: 1972 - 1983 on CBS
Number of Episodes: 251
When you think of the Korean War, “funny” probably doesn’t come to mind. The long running CBS seriesMAS*H, however, manages to mine the laughs that come with bloody conflict and devastation. Developed byLarry Gelbartas a spin-off series of the 1970 film of the same name, this medical dramedy observes the daily lives of doctors and medical workers working in the fast-paced Mobile Army Surgical Hospital located in Uijeongbu, South Korea.
One of the many reasons why this series works is because of its strong ensemble of 11 distinctive characters over the course of the series, in addition to a revolving door of supporting characters. Members of the 4077th unit were Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce (Alan Alda), a talented surgeon and goofy prankster, the shy, awkward, Corporal Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly (Gary Burghoff) who has a freaky good sense of hearing (hence the nickname), the compassionate Father Francis Mulcahy (William Christopher), head nurse Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan (Loretta Swit), Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger (Jamie Farr), who did everything he could to be discharged, the easy-going Colonel Sherman T. Potter (Harry Morgan), sarcastic thoracic surgeon Captain “Trapper John” McIntyre (Wayne Rogers), voice of reason Captain B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell), the not-so-military Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson), arrogant Major Frank Burns (Larry Linville), and pompous Major Charles Emerson Winchester III (David Ogden Stiers).
Though the Korean War only lasted for 3 years, this uber-popular series ran for 11 seasons, shattering ratings records and sweeping up awards. To give you a sense of how popular this show was at the time, 106 million people tuned in for the series finale aired in 1983. The series was nominated for a whopping 109 Emmys, winning 14.
The Jeffersons
Originally Aired: 1975 - 1985 on CBS
Number of Episodes: 253
Where to Stream: Starz
Emmy-winning seriesThe Jeffersons, a spin-off of the hugely popular sitcomAll in the Family, wasrevolutionary. Created by Norman Lear,Don Nicholl, andMichael Ross, the show takes place in Manhattan and features wealthy married couple George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford), who run a successful dry cleaning business. George’s blunt and judgmental ways surface when he’s confronted with Tom and Helen Willis (Franklin CoverandRoxie Roker), an interaccial couple that is close with Louise. (George strongly disapproved of the interacial relationship, and often poked fun at Willis' children for being mixed race.) The Jeffersons were also accompanied by their sarcastic housekeeper, Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs), who often clashed with George. Not only is the series the first to feature an interracial couple in a main role, but it is one of the longest-running series to have a mostly Black cast.
Originally Aired: 1978 - 1983 on NBC
A lot of successful sitcoms use the basic premise of a dysfunctional group of people working toward a common goal, and this hit series is no exception. Created by James L. Brooks and David Davis,Taxiexplores the day-to-day life of the employees at Manhattan taxi company Sunshine Cab Company as they do their best to make ends meet. Part of the charm of this show is how it strikes a balance between employees who are content with being taxi drivers, and the others who cling to dreams that transcend the Manhattan garage. Bobby Wheeler (Jeff Conaway) is determined to make it as an actor, Elaine O’Connor Nardo (Marilu Henner) is a single mother with a passion for fine art, and Tony Banta (Tony Danza) is a Vietnam veteran who wants to be a professional boxer.
On the other hand, the show’s main character, Alex Reiger (Judd Hirsch) is fine with the idea of being a taxi driver, Latka Gravas (Andy Kaufman) is happy being a mechanic, and Reverend Jim Ignatowksi (Christopher Lloyd), who comes from a troubled background, enjoys the security of being a driver. Regardless of how they feel about their job, they are all united by a common enemy: their obnoxious, rude, and corrupt boss, Louie De Palma (Danny DeVito). The series won 18 Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series, along with acting awards for Christopher Lloyd, Judd Hirsch, andCarol Kane, who joined the cast a few seasons in.
