Best Comedy Shows of the '70s & '80s
(Not just sitcoms.)
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- CreatorDon NichollMichael RossBernard WestStarsJohn RitterJoyce DeWittSuzanne SomersThe misadventures of two women and one man living in one apartment and their neighbors.
- CreatorDick ClairJenna McMahonStarsVicki LawrenceBeverly ArcherKen BerryMama's Family originated with Thelma "Mama" Harper, and her younger sister Fran living together in Mama's house.
- CreatorJerry BelsonGarry MarshallStarsTony RandallJack KlugmanAl MolinaroTwo men, a neat freak and a slob separated from their wives, have to live together despite their differences.
- StarsJackie GleasonJohnny OlsonThe June Taylor DancersJackie Gleason's last weekly variety series, which alternated between regular variety hours with big name guest stars and musical remakes of old "The Honeymooners" sketches.a/k/a The New Honeymooners or The Color Honeymooners
- CreatorJames BurrowsGlen CharlesLes CharlesStarsTed DansonRhea PerlmanJohn RatzenbergerThe regulars of the Boston bar "Cheers" share their experiences and lives with each other while drinking or working at the bar where everybody knows your name.
- CreatorMilt JosefsbergRay SingerStarsLucille BallGale GordonLucie ArnazLucy Carter, a widow with two teen children, takes a job as a secretary for her stuffy brother-in-law.
- StarsCarol BurnettVicki LawrenceThe Ernie Flatt DancersTelevision show featuring skits by Carol Burnett and her comedy troupe.
- CreatorRobert GetchellStarsLinda LavinVic TaybackBeth HowlandThe misadventures and trials of an aspiring singer and her co-workers at a greasy-spoon diner.
- CreatorBrian CookeEarl BarretArne SultanStarsTed KnightNancy DussaultJim J. BullockIn liberal San Francisco a conservative cartoonist tries to keep his two daughters, who rent an apartment below him, safe. In season 6 the cartoonist buys a small-town newspaper in Tiburon.
- CreatorDick ClairJenna McMahonStu SilverStarsGail EdwardsBarrie YoungfellowPaul KreppelThis series featured a group of waitresses (and a pianist, Sonny) who work at a fancy restaurant at the top of a skyscraper.
- CreatorCarl ReinerStarsDick Van DykeHope LangeMarty BrillDick Van Dyke and Hope Lange play modern married couple Dick and Jenny Preston, who have comic misadventures raising their teenage daughter.
- CreatorReinhold WeegeStarsHarry AndersonJohn LarroquetteRichard MollAn eccentric fun-loving judge presides over an urban night court and all the silliness going on there.
- CreatorPaul HenningStarsBuddy EbsenDonna DouglasIrene RyanA nouveau-riche hillbilly family moves to Beverly Hills and shakes up the privileged society with their hayseed ways.
- CreatorRon LeavittMichael G. MoyeStarsEd O'NeillChristina ApplegateKatey SagalAl is the quintessential working class dad. Peggy, his wife, always wants more from him. With their children, they go through the highs and lows of ordinary life.
- CreatorLowell GanzGarry MarshallMark RothmanStarsPenny MarshallCindy WilliamsDavid L. LanderThe misadventures of two single women in the 1950s and '60s.
- CreatorChris ThompsonRobert L. BoyettThomas L. MillerStarsTom HanksPeter ScolariDonna DixonTwo young single ad men must disguise themselves as women to live in the one apartment they can afford.
- CreatorWilford Lloyd BaumesStarsGavin MacLeodBernie KopellTed LangeThe romantic and comic tales of the passengers and crew of the cruise ship, Pacific Princess.
- CreatorDale McRavenStarsBronson PinchotMark Linn-BakerMelanie WilsonA high-strung and cynical man's life is never the same when his naive but good-natured cousin comes to America to live with him.
- CreatorDigby WolfeStarsDan RowanDick MartinGary OwensThe original rapid fire sketch comedy show.
- CreatorJoe GlaubergGarry MarshallDale McRavenStarsRobin WilliamsPam DawberRalph JamesA wacky alien comes to Earth to study its residents and the life of the human woman he boards with is never the same.
- StarsFlip WilsonTim ConwayGeorge CarlinA variety show from the 1970s hosted by Flip Wilson that showcased skits, music and =appearances by "Geraldine Jones".a/k/a The Flip Wilson Show
- StarsStuart MargolinBarbara MinkusWilliam CallawayAn anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in anywhere from one, two, three, and four short stories or vignettes within an hour about versions of love and romance.
- StarsDean MartinThe Dingaling SistersKen LaneDean Martin hosts, with several celebrities as guests. There are musical acts and comedy sketches that break down comedy, racial, and sexual barriers all at the same time.
- CreatorJames L. BrooksStan DanielsDavid DavisStarsJudd HirschJeff ConawayDanny DeVitoThe staff of a New York City taxicab company go about their job while they dream of greater things.
- CreatorTom PatchettPaul FuscoStarsMihaly 'Michu' MeszarosPaul FuscoMax WrightWhen an ugly creature, who loves eating cats, crash-lands into the Tanner family's garage, they treat him as a guest and allow him to live with them as he comments on the stupidity of mankind.