Barney Miller (1975-1982): A precursor to NYC workplace shows like ‘The Job’ and ‘Rescue Me,’ ‘Barney’ starred Hal Linden as a police captain who shepherded a lineup of quirky suspects through the precinct and mentored his detectives, from grumpy Fish (Abe Vigoda — still alive!) to aspiring novelist Harris (Ron Glass).

Good Times (1974-1979): ‘Maude’ spin-off ‘Good Times’ was another seminal series, tackling issues of race, sex and class with pointed wisecracks. Jimmie Walker’s became a star as J.J. ‘Dyn-o-mite!’ Walker, but it was the Walker parents (Esther Rolle and John Amos) who infused heart into the show’s sillier antics.

30 Rock (2006-present): We already knew Tina Fey was a brilliant comedy writer, and this ‘Saturday Night Live’ spoof also proves what a master of deadpan Alec Baldwin is. But it takes a true classic to mine with such deftness the humor of Kenneth the Page and wild comedian Tracy Morgan.

South Park (1997-present): If you’ve never been offended by a pop culture-skewering episode of this delightfully subversive cartoon, you haven’t been paying enough attention. Tackling everything from Scientology and Catholicism to Christmas poo, the filthiest grade schoolers in TV history have also proved to be the most astute.

The Office (2005-present): Some argue the original series is better, but for our Schrute Bucks, it’s the Dunder Mifflin gang that most hilariously captures the monotony of ‘Office’ life. Michael Scott over David Brent? Yep. Dwight over Gareth? Indeed. And not since Sam … Diane have we been treated to a sitcom couple as hot as Jim … Pam.

The Honeymooners (1955-1956): Before there was a ‘King of Queens,’ Jackie Gleason ruled Brooklyn as bus driver Ralph, whose feisty, hotter-than-him wife Alice kept the loud mouth in line. Despite his scheming, Ralph was a softie, and became one of TV’s first working class heroes.

Roseanne (1988-1997): This picture of a working-class family was loving but not mushy, and didn’t gloss over mundane worries like paying the mortgage, working a dead-end job and dealing with sassy kids. In fact, Roseanne mined them for comedy gold, and did so without looking or sounding like the typical sitcom mom.

Seinfeld (1990-1998): A show about nothing? Nah, it was about everything in the lives of four self-involved New Yorkers. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, because no one but Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer — and show co-creator Larry David — could have turned minutiae into nine seasons of comedic brilliance.

Hank Evans thanks you for taking the time to read this article. And, if you found it interesting, you are invited to visit Hank Evans at Watch NCIS Free and Watch Royal Pains Episodes Online. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.