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When I am thinking about classic sitcoms, I normally think about, you know, the ‘60s or the ‘70s or the ‘90s. However, in my quest to name the best sitcom ensemble of every decade I have now moved onto the 2000s. It’s probably too early to call any of these “classic” sitcoms in the Nick at Nite sense. However, a sitcom that debuted in 2000 now debuted 20 years ago. That’s awfully close to classic territory. Someday, children will view these shows like some of us viewed, you know, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Time makes fools of us all, as Fry once said upon finding yogurt in a baseball cap.
In terms of saying what shows qualify for each decade, I try and go with the decade the bulk of the show was aired in. That’s why Frasier won for the ‘90s, even though it aired a few seasons in the 2000s. As such, I’m not including Parks and Recreation or even 30 Rock. I was on the fence about 30 Rock. It’s basically evenly spread between the 2000s and the 2010s. I saved it for 2010. That’s my prerogative.
There’s some big 2000s shows I’m just not really into. Apologies to fans of Will & Grace, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Sex and the City. The only person I really like from Will & Grace is Megan Mullally, but she’s unbearable on that show. For me, it comes down to two shows. One a short-lived critical darling, and one maybe the most-beloved sitcom of the new millennium.
It’s Arrested Development versus The Office. I feel weird about The Office now. I loved it when it originally aired. I still think it’s a great show, or at least the first five or six seasons are. However, now that it’s the most-popular show on the internet I just don’t get it. I almost reflexively want to start discounting it. Like, yeah sure it’s great, but have you people seen 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation? And yet, I cannot deny the ensemble on that show. Steve Carell has been a genius for decades. However, he also left the show during its run. That matters. Rainn Wilson is great as Dwight, which is good because it’s about the only role that’s ever worked out for him. John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer are great. There are a lot of solid performances in smaller roles, too. I’ve always like Melora Hardin as Jan, for example.
And yet, there’s Arrested Development. Until the Netflix seasons, I considered that a top-five show ever. That cast is just amazing. Jason Bateman is the perfect straight man. Jeffrey Tambor isn’t at a Hank Kingsley level, but he’s still excellent. A young Michael Cera already had his schtick down. Both David Cross and Will Arnett are stellar. So is Jessica Walter. Portia de Rossi is underrated. She was better on Better Off Ted, but she’s still excellent here. Damn, I almost forgot Tony Hale. Weirdly, the one person I feel is decidedly better on the Netflix seasons is Alia Shawkat.
The Office is great. So is Arrested Development. When it comes to acting ensembles, though, I have to go with the Bluth family and company. You know, like Barry Zuckerkorn. And Gene Parmesan. And Kitty Sanchez. Man, Arrested Development had such a great cast.
