The 20 Best Sitcom Episodes Of All Time, Ranked

## The 20 Best Sitcom Episodes Of All Time, Ranked: Prepare to Laugh (and Maybe Cry a Little)

Sitcoms. They're the comfort food of television, offering a warm, familiar hug and a guaranteed laugh after a long day. But some episodes transcend the genre, becoming iconic moments in TV history. They're the episodes we quote endlessly, rewatch religiously, and discuss with fellow fans for years.

So, buckle up, settle in, and prepare to disagree! This list is subjective, a carefully curated selection based on humor, heart, originality, and lasting cultural impact. Here are the 20 best sitcom episodes of all time, ranked:

20. Arrested Development - "Pier Pressure" (Season 1, Episode 10)

Why it's great: This episode is a masterclass in cringe comedy and perfectly exemplifies the dysfunctional Bluth family. Michael attempts to teach his son George Michael a lesson about responsibility, but his plan backfires hilariously when George Michael accidentally gets involved with a drug dealer. The nuanced humor, running gags, and guest appearance by Jeff Garlin cement this as a highlight of the series.

Memorable Moment: George Michael trying to blend in with the "cool kids" while awkwardly holding a bag of weed.

19. Seinfeld - "The Chinese Restaurant" (Season 2, Episode 11)

Why it's great: A bold experiment that paid off. This episode is a bottle episode, confined to the waiting area of a Chinese restaurant. It's essentially about nothing, yet it's endlessly compelling and hilarious. The characters' impatience, escalating frustrations, and petty arguments are relatable and perfectly capture the essence of Seinfeld.

Memorable Moment: Jerry's desperate plea for "one wonton soup!"

18. Parks and Recreation - "Flu Season" (Season 3, Episode 2)

Why it's great: This episode showcases the brilliance of the Parks crew at their comedic best. Leslie's determination to deliver a speech while battling the flu, Chris Traeger's hyper-positive outlook even when deathly ill, and Ron Swanson's complete obliviousness to germs create a perfect storm of hilarity.

Memorable Moment: Chris Traeger's delirious pronouncements of "literally" everything.

17. Modern Family - "The Old Wagon" (Season 4, Episode 2)

Why it's great: A heartfelt and humorous episode that explores themes of nostalgia and growing up. Phil and Claire's attempts to recreate a childhood family road trip with their kids are met with resistance and awkwardness. Meanwhile, Jay struggles to connect with Manny, and Mitchell and Cameron try to teach Lily about responsibility.

Memorable Moment: The disastrous attempt to sing along to a classic road trip song.

16. The Office (UK) - "Freelove Freeway" (Season 1, Episode 5)

Why it's great: Ricky Gervais's David Brent is at his most cringe-inducingly awkward in this episode. The office's ill-fated charity gig in Slough highlights Brent's desperation for attention and his complete lack of self-awareness. The episode is a sharp, uncomfortable, and ultimately brilliant satire of office life.

Memorable Moment: David Brent's excruciating performance of "Freelove Freeway."

15. Curb Your Enthusiasm - "Palestinian Chicken" (Season 8, Episode 3)

Why it's great: Larry David's social faux pas and awkward interactions are taken to the extreme in this episode. Larry unintentionally sparks controversy by preferring the chicken at a Palestinian restaurant over the neighboring Jewish deli, leading to a series of hilarious and uncomfortable encounters.

Memorable Moment: Larry's completely inept attempts to navigate the political minefield of the situation.

14. Scrubs - "My Old Lady" (Season 1, Episode 4)

Why it's great: Scrubs balanced humor and heart perfectly, and this episode is a prime example. JD, Turk, and Elliot each deal with patients facing the end of their lives, forcing them to confront the realities of mortality and the importance of connection. While funny, it's also deeply moving and memorable.

Memorable Moment: The montage of JD's patient's life flashing before his eyes.

13. Veep - "Mother" (Season 4, Episode 7)

Why it's great: Julia Louis-Dreyfus is at her absolute best as Selina Meyer in this episode. While dealing with the death of her mother, Selina is also desperately trying to secure enough delegates to win the presidency. The dark humor, biting satire, and political machinations are expertly crafted and relentlessly funny.

Memorable Moment: Selina's completely inappropriate eulogy for her mother.

12. The Simpsons - "Marge vs. the Monorail" (Season 4, Episode 12)

Why it's great: Considered by many to be the pinnacle of The Simpsons' golden age, this episode is a perfectly crafted satire of small-town corruption and impulsive decision-making. The arrival of Lyle Lanley and his promise of a monorail is a hilarious commentary on consumerism and the allure of the new and shiny.

Memorable Moment: The entire song and dance number about the monorail.

11. Cheers - "Thanksgiving Orphans" (Season 5, Episode 9)

Why it's great: A classic Thanksgiving episode that perfectly captures the warmth and camaraderie of the Cheers gang. The gang decides to celebrate Thanksgiving together at Carla's house, but the festivities quickly devolve into chaos and a massive food fight.

Memorable Moment: The epic food fight scene.

10. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Nightman Cometh" (Season 4, Episode 13)

Why it's great: A musical episode that perfectly embodies the show's depraved and hilarious sensibility. Charlie writes a bizarre musical for the bar, which he intends to use to propose to the Waitress. The resulting performance is a cringe-worthy, yet incredibly funny, masterpiece.

Memorable Moment: Charlie's rendition of "The Nightman Cometh."

9. The Dick Van Dyke Show - "Never Bathe on Saturday" (Season 5, Episode 1)

Why it's great: A classic episode that showcases the physical comedy and writing brilliance of The Dick Van Dyke Show. Rob Petrie gets his toe stuck in a hotel bathtub faucet while on vacation, leading to a series of increasingly absurd and hilarious situations.

Memorable Moment: Rob's attempts to escape the bathtub, escalating into utter chaos.

8. Mary Tyler Moore Show - "Chuckles Bites the Dust" (Season 6, Episode 7)

Why it's great: A darkly comedic episode that explores the awkwardness of death and mourning. The WJM news team struggles to cope with the unexpected death of Chuckles the Clown, leading to a series of inappropriate jokes and reactions.

Memorable Moment: Mary's uncontrollable laughter during Chuckles' funeral.

7. Black-ish - "Hope" (Season 2, Episode 16)

Why it's great: This episode tackles a serious and timely issue – police brutality – with sensitivity and nuance. The Johnson family grapples with the emotional fallout of a potential act of police violence, leading to a powerful and moving discussion about race and justice.

Memorable Moment: Dre's emotional monologue about the fear he feels for his children.

6. Freaks and Geeks - "The Garage Door" (Season 1, Episode 12)

Why it's great: A painfully honest and relatable episode that captures the awkwardness and angst of adolescence. Lindsay's rebellion continues as she struggles with her identity and friendships, while Sam and his friends navigate the complexities of crushes and social standing.

Memorable Moment: Sam's heartbreaking realization that Cindy is not interested in him.

5. I Love Lucy - "Job Switching" (Season 2, Episode 1)

Why it's great: A timeless classic that perfectly showcases Lucille Ball's comedic genius. Lucy and Ethel decide to switch roles with Ricky and Fred, leading to Lucy's disastrous attempt to work in a chocolate factory. The episode is a masterclass in physical comedy and remains hilarious even today.

Memorable Moment: Lucy's increasingly frantic attempt to wrap chocolates on the assembly line.

4. The Office (US) - "Dinner Party" (Season 4, Episodes 12 & 13)

Why it's great: A masterclass in cringe comedy that pushes the boundaries of awkwardness to the extreme. Michael and Jan's dinner party is a slow-motion train wreck, filled with passive-aggressive digs, uncomfortable silences, and escalating tensions. The episode is both hilarious and deeply uncomfortable to watch.

Memorable Moment: Every single interaction between Michael and Jan. But particularly the "Serenity by Jan" candle demonstration.

3. All in the Family - "Sammy's Visit" (Season 2, Episode 21)

Why it's great: A groundbreaking episode that tackles the issue of racial prejudice with honesty and humor. Sammy Davis Jr. visits the Bunker household, much to Archie's dismay. The episode challenges Archie's prejudices and forces him to confront his own biases.

Memorable Moment: Sammy Davis Jr. kissing Archie on the cheek, leaving him speechless.

2. MASH - "The Interview" (Season 4, Episode 24)

Why it's great: This episode is a brilliant example of MASH's ability to blend humor and drama. The episode is presented as an interview with the 4077th conducted by a CBS correspondent. Through the interviews, we see the characters' coping mechanisms, their resilience, and the toll that war takes on them.

Memorable Moment: Hawkeye's poignant and surprisingly vulnerable responses during the interview.

1. Friends - "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (Season 5, Episode 14)

Why it's great: This episode perfectly encapsulates everything that made Friends so beloved. Phoebe and Rachel discover that Chandler and Monica are secretly dating, leading to a hilarious game of cat and mouse as they try to expose the relationship. The episode is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, genuine emotion, and the perfect blend of awkwardness and charm. The escalating absurdity and committed performances from the entire cast make this the epitome of sitcom perfection.

Memorable Moment: Phoebe and Rachel's attempts to seduce Chandler and Monica into revealing their relationship, culminating in Phoebe declaring, "They don't know that we know they know!"

Honorable Mentions (Because 20 just wasn't enough!):

Community - "Remedial Chaos Theory"

30 Rock - "Queen of Jordan"

The Golden Girls - "Sick and Tired"

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - "Halloween IV"

Parks and Recreation - "The Fight"

What do you think of this list? What episodes would you add or remove? Let me know in the comments below! This is just a starting point for a discussion about the best that sitcoms have to offer. So, grab your favorite snack, settle in, and enjoy some classic television!