Laughing at the Television

The hosts of a radio call-in show this morning were discussing their favorite sitcom television shows of all-time. Such lists are, of course, subjective, and vary in large part because we all grow up in different eras with different shows. Someone out there might have McHale's Navy on their list ... I don't. But here are a few shows that have made me laugh.

The Honeymooners: Certainly not a show of my generation, but an early television gem that should appeal to any generation. If memory serves correct, there were only something like 40 original episodes of the Honeymooners created, and I don't know how many of those I've actually seen. But oh, are they funny. Jackie Gleason and Art Carney were the Odd Couple before the Odd Couple, the Jerry and Kramer before Jerry Seinfeld was even born. I was introduced to the Honeymooners because it would often be shown by WGN television in the 80's when the Chicago Cubs games were on rain delay.

M*A*S*H: I didn't see the movie version of MASH until I was in college. I was really disappointed. The television show was far more humorous, atleast in its early years. MASH has probably been on TV every day of my teenage and adult life, and I've seen every episode so many times that I can tell my wife the plot line just seconds into the show. Perhaps no comedy was as sucessful as MASH in replacing its departing cast. I laughed at Major Burns, but also Charles Emerson Winchester. But MASH was on a few years too long, and became less funny and more political as the years went on. Bummer.

All in the Family: I don't recall watching AITF growing up. The language of the show is course, and the subject matter pretty adult. But the verbal and facial expressions of Carol O'Connor as Archie Bunker are hysterical. It doesn't matter how many times you've heard it -- when Archie yells to Edith, "Stifle yourself!" the smile and belly laugh comes.

The Wonder Years: Ion Television (the former PAX) has recently begun showing reruns of this 80's sitcom, and I've been reminded how much I enjoyed it. Its run was limited because its child actors matriculated from junior high through high school, and the show was basically about growing up as a teen during the late 1960's. The humor most often resulted from the voiceovers -- the television audience was privy to the unspoken thoughts of Kevin Arnold, which were usually sarcastic remarks about his friends, his gym teacher, and his brother Wayne.

Seinfeld: For the sake of limiting this list to five shows, I've saved the best for last. Seinfeld is near the top of everyone's list for funny, unless you thoroughly hated the show. There is no in-between for Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine -- either you loved the show or never got into it at all. I was all in. Admittingly, their are certain shows with certain subject matter that are crass and make me uncomfortable. But on the balance, there is no show that makes me laugh as hard and as often as Seinfeld. As Michelle will attest, when Rusty the horse has a gastrointestinal reaction to Beeferino, I nearly have a bladder problem (even now that I've seen the show a dozen times or more).

Perhaps the Odd Couple, the Bob Newhart Show, Cheers, or Happy Days would make your list. How 'bout it?