The Big Bang Theory was one of the most ubiquitous shows in network TV history, but many of its contemporaries were frankly far better. The infamous comedy created by Chuck Lorre has long been revered or reviled as a defining sitcom of the 2010s, with everything from the catchphrase “Bazinga!” to the overstimulating theme song becoming inescapable facets of pop culture. Nevertheless, the bulk of the show’s humor has problematic foundations that fall flat with modern audiences, be it racist jabs at Raj’s (Kunal Nayyar) accent, homophobic undertones, or misogynistic dissections of nearly every woman in the main cast.
Some may argue that rewatching 2010s sitcoms in and of itself is a recipe for disaster, but there are plenty of series that aged like fine wine compared to The Big Bang Theory. Even from a strictly narrative standpoint, most competitors were able to maintain their sense of humor and distinct identity throughout their run. In stark contrast, The Big Bang Theory only got worse as it continued, devolving into formulaic jokes, tragically static characters, and a disconnect from the nerd culture it was meant to embrace. Thankfully, there are numerous timely alternatives.
Superstore
Despite its fairly short run, Superstore is already considered one of the best workplace sitcoms of the century. The NBC comedy follows the endearing ensemble cast of employees at Cloud 9, a big-box retail store set in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout Superstore‘s six seasons, each character is blessed with depth and constant development, ensuring a truly dynamic viewing experience.
Even the most despicable characters that you love to hate in the beginning grow sympathetic over time, and the sitcom carefully paces its biggest overarching storylines, including its iconic slow-burn romance. What may be most impressive about the show is its ability to adapt; whenever a storyline goes awry and threatens to undermine the series at large, Superstore pivots and irrefutably sticks the landing.
Parks & Recreation
Parks and Recreation likely needs no introduction, as the sitcom helmed by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur is a genre-defining mockumentary. The comedy follows the lives of civil servants at the eponymous Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana. While some are run-of-the-mill government workers, though, the sitcom’s main characters are all idiosyncratic legends.
Nick Offerman’s Ron Swanson is, ironically, a proponent of limiting government control, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is a ball of sunshine with enough ambition to spare, and every other face in the Parks and Recreation cast is equally rich in unique motivations, personalities, and values. Undoubtedly, Parks and Recreation‘s legacy is shining as a near-perfect show, and it genuinely improved with each passing episode— a feat most series could only dream of achieving.
Modern Family
As the title suggests, Modern Family centers on the intersection of three distinct family styles that were seen as progressive at the turn of the decade: a blended family, a same-sex family, and a nuclear family that is far more dysfunctional than it seems. Admittedly, Modern Family is far from perfect, but it’s undeniably one of the most influential American sitcoms of all time.
Similarly to Parks and Recreation, Modern Family only got better as it continued. By the sitcom’s final season, it was able to seamlessly move between its diverse ensemble and balance its comedic and dramatic beats without fail. Beyond simply being entertaining, the ABC sitcom feels like a snapshot of true history, holding a mirror up to the best and worst of society in the 2010s.
Veep
Without question, Veep is one of the wittiest shows to ever air. While its very classification as a sitcom is an endless source of debate, there’s one thing every critic can agree on: creator Armando Iannucci changed the world in 2012. Veep is a certified masterclass in political satire, to the point where parodies are still being created today, over seven years after its series finale.
Veep‘s lasting recognition is due in no small part to the career-best performance of Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the titular Vice President of the United States who navigates the chaotic world of American politics alongside her small circle of staffers. With an irreplaceable sense of humor and a crystal clear identity, Veep is a masterpiece that everyone should watch at least once.
Black-ish
Family sitcoms are notoriously hit-or-miss, but Black-ish was a revelation for the genre. The comedy follows the Johnson family— patriarch Dre (Anthony Anderson), matriarch Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross), and children Zoey (Yara Shahidi), Andre Jr. (Marcus Scribner), Diane (Marsai Martin), and Jack (Miles Brown)— as they attempt to stay connected to their Black roots while living in a predominantly white suburb.
Representation is always invaluable, but Black-ish didn’t merely celebrate Black culture. Rather, it thoughtfully examined the intersectionality of race with class, gender, and even age to redefine what it truly means to “be” Black— or, in this case, Black-ish. Of course, there’s nothing exclusive about the show’s comedy; viewers of all backgrounds can and should tune in for laughter, tears, and ample sociopolitical food for thought.
The Good Place
There’s no doubt about it: The Good Place changed television forever. Michael Schur’s philosophical fantasy is unlike any sitcom that came before it, but it absolutely inspired many that have succeeded it. In an unprecedented move, the comedy begins by killing off its entire cast. The ambiguity of the afterlife forms the basis of the show itself, positing that everyone will either go to the “Good” place or the “Bad” place when they die.
Despite the seemingly straightforward premise, the sitcom soon devolves into delightful chaos as one misplaced resident of The Good Place inadvertently wreaks havoc on the utopian neighborhood— and, eventually, the very fabric of reality. With some of the best twists in modern history, a hilarious cast full of scene-stealers, and a surprisingly emotional throughline that hits the viewer like a rogue set of shopping carts, The Good Place is mandatory viewing for any self-proclaimed sitcom fan.
Schitt’s Creek
Whereas series like The Good Place pushed the boundaries and took its characters across the universe, Schitt’s Creek is all about confinement. After the illustrious Rose family abruptly falls from grace following an embezzlement scandal, Johnny (Eugene Levy), Moira (Catherine O’Hara), David (Daniel Levy), and Alexis (Annie Murphy) must settle for their last resort: a small town in the Canadian south called Schitt’s Creek.
As the spoiled rotten foursome interacts with the quirky locals, however, they begin acclimating to their new life. Although there’s only one main setting, it never detracts from the sitcom. Whether it’s Moira’s wig of the week or David’s gripping romance, Schitt’s Creek is a timeless tale of love, loss, and whirlwind journeys of self-discovery.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
From the sitcom’s start, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was a generational workplace comedy. Unlike the intentionally drab setting of titles like Superstore, Parks and Recreation, and The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was set in the bullpen of the New York City Police Department’s 99th Precinct.
Throughout Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s eight seasons, the sitcom dismantles the high-octane action and glaring superiority complex of typical cop/detective dramas, instead creating an absurdly charming cast of realistic characters. Each member of the Nine-Nine is a full-fledged person, which helps legitimize the ensemble as a team and makes the show’s found family element all the more believable. Furthermore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine never shied away from hot topics, confronting the gaps in the criminal justice system head-on.
New Girl
Even at its worst, New Girl is leaps and bounds above The Big Bang Theory as a hangout comedy. The Fox sitcom follows Jessica “Jess” Day (Zooey Deschanel), a bubbly teacher with a penchant for polka dots who moves in with three strangers to flee her cheating boyfriend. Despite their initial reservations, Jess quickly becomes an integral part of the loft, bringing some much-needed whimsy to the lives of roommates Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris).
Aside from New Girl being the blueprint for the 2010s twee aesthetic, the sitcom has one of the best on-screen friend groups. The viewer can see in real time how Jess and the loft boys change each other for the better— and, in turn, how each of the main characters falls in love with their respective partner. The cast’s chemistry was so palpable, fans still hold out hope for a New Girl revival or reunion special to this day.
Without mincing words, Community is everything The Big Bang Theory tried to be— and more. While The Big Bang Theory made caricatures out of its characters and failed to resonate with self-proclaimed geeks, Community was a love letter to nerd culture. Merely comparing Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) to Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi) reveals the vast disparity between the two sitcoms and how they handle characters outside the so-called norm.
There countless in-universe jokes made about the characters in Community, but the satire never punches down or degrades its protagonists for their offbeat traits. In fact, Community is rooted in the philosophy of accepting your eccentricities rather than conforming to make yourself more palatable to the masses. Longtime viewers of the Dan Harmon sitcom are still waiting for the “six seasons and a movie” prophecy to be fulfilled, but the sheer anticipation is more exciting than any of The Big Bang Theory‘s 279 episodes.
- Release Date
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2007 – 2019-00-00
- Showrunner
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Mark Cendrowski
