5 Best Non-Mainstream Sitcoms with Laugh Track
Mostly overlooked by modern audiences, these are the best of several generations of comedy shows.
The laugh track may be annoying, but it gives sitcoms a certain ambience that sets them apart from any other TV genre. Here are five lesser-known comedy shows that use this feature to watch when you feel like it.
Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005, 9 seasons, 7.3 on IMDb)
Based on the story of Ray Barone, an Italian-American sportswriter from Long Island with an exaggerated sense of humor, this sitcom was a hit when it aired on CBS. Exploring the typical themes of success and family life, the show used classic tropes and was a joy to watch live in the audience. Because of this, the laughter you hear in the background is always genuine and appropriate.
The King of Queens (1998-2007, 9 seasons, 7.4 on IMDb)
Another CBS sitcom filmed in front of a live audience, this show is rarely remembered these days. And that's a pity, because TKoQ's plot is full of hilarity and intriguing twists that will keep you amused even on the darkest day. Centered on the Heffernan family, the comedy depicts middle-class life in the late 1990s and draws most of its humor from their everyday problems.
Hot in Cleveland (2010-2015, 6 seasons, 7.4 on IMDb)
The newest show on the list, this female-centric sitcom has an all-star cast that includes the legendary Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Mallick. The sitcom follows a group of middle-aged girlfriends who accidentally end up in Cleveland and decide to spend some time there, building new lives and relationships in the titular city where they feel beautiful and wanted again. This somewhat silly show is full of hilarious jokes and situations.
3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001, 6 seasons, 7.8 on IMDb)
This sitcom is a wonderful mix of comedy and alien sci-fi. The show centers on an alien family that travels to Earth – the third planet from the sun – and follows them as they attempt to assimilate into human society and learn human ways. Poking fun at the seemingly trivial things we don't normally pay attention to, the comedy is a treat for any sitcom lover.
Cheers (1982-1993, 11 seasons, 8.0 on IMDb)
Largely overshadowed by its spin-off Frasier, this classic sitcom deserves to be admired in its own right. Centered around Sam Malone, a former Red Sox pitcher and owner of the titular bar, Cheers follows him and his friends and customers as they navigate their lives, romances and friendships in Boston. Warm and fuzzy, it will explain a lot of the features you may have seen in Paramount+'s Frasier reboot.