Syndicated laughter. Network TV viewership is on the decline, but in some ways, their product is more popular than ever. Cable channels, local broadcast channels and streaming platforms need content, and viewers tend to consider their favorite situation comedies like comfort food.
With a few exceptions, we seem to prefer watching shows post-1980, with the 1990s appearing to be the decade we return to most.
Platforms report views differently so it's impossible to determine what shows are most popular. Instead this list is the 13 titles that cost the most most for channels and platforms to buy. I was surprised to not see The Golden Girls or The King of Queens, because they seem to be on all the time.
1. Friends (1994-2004)
2. Seinfeld (1989-1998)
3. The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
4. The Simpsons (1989-present)
5. Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)
6. Frasier (1993-2004)
7. Modern Family (2009-2020)
8. Married ... with Children (1987-1997)
9. Family Guy (1999-present)
10. The Office (2005-2013)
11. The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)
12. I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
13. M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
I'm a Friends Gal myself. If this list were to reflect my personal taste, The Dick Van Dyke Show would also be on it. How about you? Which reruns do you sit down to watch?
Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.
