60 best sitcoms of all time

16. Absolutely Fabulous

The highest-ranked British sitcom on this list, Absolutely Fabulous was a trip of glorious excess in the persons of Edwina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley). The two believed themselves to be hip, successful and sexy when really they were anything but. In reality, they were a speeding trainwreck of “too much” and “too far” that never stopped. And actually still hasn’t stopped, considering that a feature film is hitting screens in the UK this July.

AbFab, as it’s lovingly known, encouraged audiences to laugh at its main characters and not always with them. They were ridiculous most of the time, and the series never pretended otherwise. It was like watching a show based on that crazy relative of yours who shows up and makes a scene at Christmas dinner. Meanwhile, there’s the often inappropriate mom (a scene-stealing June Whitfield) and the daughter who’s the one sane person in the room (Julia Sawalha). Think of it like a family sitcom on acid. Or whatever Patsy and Edina were on that particular week.

In contrast to some of the other series on this list, AbFab wasn’t really trying to be anything other than a rollicking good time, and that should be recognized in its own right. TV success doesn’t have one strict template. There are brilliant shows that break ground and discuss important issues, and they are fantastic. But sometimes there are sitcoms where you just want to laugh at someone stumbling down the stairs with two dozen nicotine patches pasted to them, thinking they’re cool, and this is that show.

Next: 15. All in the Family