Classic sitcoms have been and continue to be an important part of American culture. They are watched in syndication, studied in college courses, and remembered as breakthrough roles for some of the world’s biggest stars. Here are some of the best, and most influential, comedies of the black-and-white era.
1. I love Lucy (1951-1960)
The queen mother of all television sitcoms, I Love Lucy was not only immensely popular in its day, but remains so today as well. Moreover, its production had an enormous impact on the industry as a whole. Today’s television comedies can thank I love Lucy for moving the industry officially to Los Angeles, utilizing a multi-camera setup for the first time, and making reruns a popular option for shows about to end.
2. The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)
Arguably the most beloved television show of all time, The Andy Griffith Show launched Ron Howard into stardom and made Don Knotts a television legend. It continues to be immensely popular today, and, by featuring a widower as its main character, was responsible for opening up family comedy plotlines to include more possibilities than the previously uniform "married couple" shows.
3. The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971)
The Beverly Hillbillies was such a ratings success that it launched a series of rural-themed sitcoms, including Petticoat Junction and Green Acres. Its theme song and perfectly-crafted scenario of a hillbilly family living a Beverly Hills lifestyle makes it one of the most memorable shows ever on television.
4. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966)
The Dick Van Dyke Show is now known as a progressive sitcom for its day because the producers allowed Mary Tyler Moore to wear Capri-style slacks once every episode. Lucille Ball had in fact already worn such a style in I Love Lucy. Regardless, this show propelled both Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore into long and successful careers. Lasting only five seasons, it was the first show to leave on its own accord as a hit rather than run until cancellation.
5. The Honeymooners (1955-1956)
It is truly remarkable that a show with only 39 episodes could leave such an indelible mark on the American consciousness. The Honeymooners was one of the first shows to break the mold of a suburban or middle class family and has become known as a true blue-collar comedy.
6. The Abbott and Costello Show (1952-1954)
One of the first truly “situational” comedies, The Abbott and Costello Show inspired a hit show decades later called Seinfeld. Its stars, famous far before their sitcom aired, used the show primarily for simple scenes that allowed them to perform their already classic routines and gags. Today it remains a valuable record of the duo’s genius.
7. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966)
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is still the longest-running live action sitcom in American TV history. Today it is also remembered for its nuclear family, traditional values and old-fashioned ideals: the standard example of a classic 1950s household.
8. Leave It to Beaver (1957-1963)
Even though in its day it received mediocre ratings and no awards, Leave It to Beaver has become synonymous with 1950s boyhood and an over-idealized suburban lifestyle. But unlike many other comedies of its era, Leave It to Beaver did show parental disagreement about how to raise the children and even aired a few father/mother arguments.
9. Make Room for Daddy (1953-1964)
Make Room for Daddy was the first sitcom to “kill off” one of its characters when in 1956 Jean Hagen quit the show. Her character Margaret was written in to have died and made Danny Thomas’ character a widower. It also is responsible for arguably the most successful spin-off of all time: In Season 7, Danny Thomas meets Sherriff Andy Taylor of a little town called Mayberry. The episode aired in February and The Andy Griffith Show made its debut in October.
10. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950-1958)
George Burns and Gracie Allen arrived on television so early that they were able to set a lot of “firsts.” They paved the way for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as a married couple starring in a sitcom together. They also had one of the first radio shows to transition well into the television medium. And Burns is still known as the first man to break the “fourth wall” in a television sitcom by addressing his audience directly.
How to Watch These Classic TV Series Now
Many of these sitcoms are still available on television through reruns. Viewers can check local listings, but also can pay special attention to The Hallmark Channell for I love Lucy, CW for The Honeymooners, and TVLand for The Beverly Hillbillies, The Andy Griffith Show, and Leave it to Beaver.
Some classic comedies are now available for only a dollar as one or two episodes in a DVD collection, and almost all of the shows and their complete seasons are available now on DVD. Online viewing programs such as Netflix have also released some of the sitcoms, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, for free streaming online to members.
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