TV

15 Nostalgic Sitcoms That Make for Perfect Comfort Viewing

15 Nostalgic Sitcoms That Make for Perfect Comfort Viewing
Image credit: globallookpress, Legion-Media, ABC, NBC, The WB

From cult classics to lesser-known sitcoms, these shows offer all the feel-good vibes you need.

1. Friends (1994–2004)

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Six pals – Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe – navigate love, friendship, and a ton of coffee in Central Perk. Ross has an on-again-off-again romance with Rachel that spans the entire series. Monica and Chandler pull off a secret relationship, get married, and adopt twins. Joey? He's trying to make it as an actor and manages to land a role in a soap opera. Can it be any more of a classic?

2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)

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From Philly to Bel-Air, Will Smith takes us on a joyride (sometimes literally). Sent by his mom to live with his wealthy Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil to escape the rough Philadelphia neighborhood, Will adjusts to a new life of privilege. Carlton, his cousin, teaches him about the high society stuff, but Will keeps it real, bringing some street smarts to Bel-Air.

3. Full House (1987–1995)

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Danny Tanner is a widower who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse and best friend Joey to help raise his three daughters – D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle – in San Francisco. Jesse starts as a motorcycle-loving rock musician but mellows out when he marries Rebecca and has twins. Joey, the comic, never really grows up but does get a gig hosting a children's show. And those Tanner girls? They go through every kind of teenage angst while somehow staying adorable.

4. The Cosby Show (1984–1992)

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Before the controversy, this show was a staple in American households. Cliff Huxtable, an obstetrician, and his wife Claire, a lawyer, raise their five kids in Brooklyn. Each episode revolves around a moral lesson, whether it's Theo learning about the value of money or Rudy understanding friendship.

5. Home Improvement (1991–1999)

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Raise your hand if you ever tried a DIY project because of Tim "The Toolman" Taylor. Tim hosts a local home improvement show Tool Time, but ironically, he's kind of a disaster with actual home projects. His wife Jill puts up with his antics while going back to school to pursue a career in psychology. Their three sons – Brad, Randy, and Mark – get into typical kid shenanigans, like go-karts and dating, as they grow up.

6. Just Shoot Me! (1997–2003)

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Set in the high-paced world of fashion journalism, this show centers around Maya Gallo, who begrudgingly works for her dad's fashion magazine Blush after getting fired from her hard news job. She deals with a quirky set of coworkers – Nina, the aging model; Elliott, the womanizing photographer; and Finch, her dad's oddball assistant.

7. The Nanny (1993–1999)

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Fran Fine, with her unmistakable Queens accent, stumbles upon a job as a nanny for Broadway producer Maxwell Sheffield's three kids. But get this – she has zero nanny experience. Fran's motherly instincts kick in, though, and she brings a whole lot of love and chaos into the Sheffield household.

8. NewsRadio (1995–1999)

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Dave Nelson moves to New York to take over WNYX, a news radio station. His team? Totally bonkers. You've got Jimmy James, the eccentric billionaire owner; Bill McNeal, the pompous on-air host; and Beth, the sarcastic secretary. Throw in some office romances, rivalries, and bizarre stories like someone faking their death, and you've got one wild workplace.

9. Dharma & Greg (1997–2002)

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Dharma Finkelstein is a free-spirited yoga instructor who marries Greg, a buttoned-up lawyer, on their first date. Their families are as different as they come – her parents are laid-back hippies, and his are uptight socialites. But despite the cultural clashes, their love keeps them together.

10. 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001)

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Four extraterrestrials led by Dick Solomon pose as a human family to observe Earth's culture. They struggle hilariously with basic human emotions, activities, and jobs. Dick becomes a physics professor and falls for his colleague, Dr. Albright, who remains oblivious to their otherworldly origins. Meanwhile, his "family" navigates high school, dating, and jobs while trying not to blow their cover.

11. Spin City (1996–2002)

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The Deputy Mayor of New York City, Mike Flaherty, is constantly putting out fires, and not just the political kind. His boss, Mayor Winston, is well-intentioned but clueless. Add in a staff of misfits – like the wisecracking Stuart and the naive James – and you've got a chaotic City Hall. While Mike is juggling political scandals, he's also having a very complicated relationship with his co-worker Ashley.

12. My So-Called Life (1994–1995)

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Angela Chase, played by a young Claire Danes, is the epitome of teenage angst. The show captures the essence of high school life, full of crushes, identity crises, and friend drama. Angela crushes hard on Jordan Catalano, who's pretty but not the sharpest tool in the shed. Meanwhile, her best friend Rayanne struggles with substance abuse, and her neighbor Brian is secretly in love with her. Facebook status: it's complicated.

13. The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999)

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Robert and Jerri Peterson are a loving couple trying their best to raise four kids in Harlem. Robert is a college professor, and Jerri is a law student. They tackle issues like sex education, bullying, and racial identity while balancing careers and parenting. The parents often learn as much from their kids as the kids do from them.

14. Grounded for Life (2001–2005)

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Sean and Claudia Finnerty got pregnant young and now face the challenges of raising three kids while still being kind of kids themselves. They navigate the ups and downs of family life, like their daughter Lily's crush on the neighbor boy, while dealing with their own quirky relatives like Sean's irresponsible brother Eddie.

15. Boston Common (1996–1997)

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When Wyleen moves to Boston for college, her protective older brother Boyd tags along, convinced she can't handle the big city alone. Boyd ends up working at the university's information desk, where he becomes a hit with the students but a thorn in the side of the administration. Whether he's accidentally ruining Wyleen's dates or clashing with her snooty roommate, Boyd's southern charm is a reason enough to watch this.