The Sixties was an period in tv not like every other. It was a transitional time with reveals that mirrored a want for consolation and silliness whereas making optimistic strides with progressive concepts. The best sitcoms of the last decade balanced these concepts and created a few of the most seminal reveals ever.
On IMDb, the highest 25 rated sitcoms showcase this spectacular period in leisure.
1 – The D Van Dyke Present (1961-66) 8.4
There’s no different 60s collection funnier, extra clever, or higher written than The D Van Dyke Present. Created by Carl Reiner (who finally visitor starred), it starred Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Jerry Paris, and Larry Matthews. The collection follows the lifetime of comedy author Rob Petrie, his candy and vivacious spouse Laura, lovable son Richie, co-workers Buddy and Sally, and greatest associates and neighbors Jerry and Millie.
The present was a masterclass showcasing the excellent multi-talented solid, bodily and sharply written comedy and the stability between work life within the metropolis and residential life within the suburbs. The winner of 15 Emmy Awards, The D Van Dyke Present is the quintessential Sixties sitcom.
2 – The Andy Griffith Present (1960-68) 8.4
The Andy Griffith Present was one of the crucial profitable sitcoms of the 60s. The collection follows the type and clever sheriff Andy Taylor as he raises his younger son Opie (Ron Howard)and offers with the misadventures of an array of colourful characters, together with his bumbling deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts).
Audiences adored this peak right into a easy and slow-paced lifestyle within the small city of Mayberry.
The Andy Griffith Present is one other era-defining sitcom because of its healthful and sweet-natured really feel, timeless classes, and utter allure.
3 – Get Sensible (1965-1970) 8.2
Get Sensible is a hilarious comedy that parodies the spy thriller, capitalizing on the surge in reputation of James Bond movies. The collection follows undercover agent Maxwell Sensible, the hapless spy who by some means manages to avoid wasting the day with the assistance of his lovely accomplice, Agent 99.
As these Management Brokers are consistently at odds with the evil group Kaos, audiences are handled to infinite laughs and intelligent writing. It’s one of many few reveals of its time to generate a number of catchphrases, together with “Would you consider…” and “Missed it by that a lot.” Get Sensible stars Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Edward Platt, and Bernie Kopell.
4 – The Addams Household (1964-66) 8.0
The creepy and kooky, mysterious, and spooky Addams Household was a present forward of its time by way of comedy. It follows a macabre household, together with the romantic couple Gomez and Morticia, their darkly precocious youngsters Wednesday and Pugsley, eccentric Gradmama and Uncle Fester, and imposing butler Lurch.
It solely ran two seasons, however the characters and tone left an indelible impression.
5 – The Munsters (1964-66) 7.8
The Munsters bore the same premise to The Addams Household. Nonetheless, it has its personal distinctive traits that make it so standard and interesting. The present follows the Munster household, with every character impressed by a traditional horror persona: Husband and father Herman (Frankenstein), spouse and mom Lily (Bride of Frankenstein), son Eddie (the Wolfman), and Grandpa (Dracula).
The clashes between “common” people have been hilarious because the Munsters are unaware of their variations, showcasing that there isn’t a such factor as “regular.” The Munsters have been hilarious and subtly progressive.
6 – Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971) 7.8
Hogan’s Heroes was a singular present that took the premise and setting of a WWII German prisoner-of-war camp and turned it right into a foolish comedy. It follows Colonel Hogan and his fellow troopers as they have interaction in espionage below the noses of their silly captors.
Some might imagine the present makes mild of a severe state of affairs. However Hogan’s Heroes succeeded with audiences as a result of it finds humor within the darkness to rejoice those that served and supply everybody with a way of consolation.
7 – Automotive 54, The place Are You? (1961-63) 7.7
For many who liked Automotive 54, The place Are You, they keep in mind it for its foolish, innocent leisure. The present follows the misadventures of two law enforcement officials from the 53rd precinct within the Bronx in New York Metropolis.
Officers Toody and Muldoon are full opposites in appears to be like, character, and intelligence and reveal a traditional instance of the buddy cop story. It additionally has one of the crucial memorable themes songs ever.
8 – Room 222 (1969-1974) 7.7
Though most of this lesser-known sitcom’s run was within the 70s, Room 222 started on the finish of the 60s and is a wonderful illustration of the modifications in society on this period. The present follows an African American historical past instructor who tries to impart knowledge and encourage tolerance in his college students.
Along with his girlfriend (and faculty counselor), trusted principal, and fellow instructor by his facet, audiences have been handled to humorous and provoking tales. This collection isn’t spoken of a lot right now however deserves extra consideration for its progressiveness.
9 – Bewitched (1964-1972) 7.6
When many consider Sixties sitcoms, Bewitched is the primary to come back to thoughts. This present follows Samantha and Darrin Stephens, a typical American couple, apart from one factor. Samantha is a witch.
As she tries to regulate to mortal life, it’s a battle to chorus from magic, particularly when her household enters the image, notably her intrusive mom, Endora. The collection is mild, vivid, zany, and candy. However it additionally subtly champions feminism and tolerance.
Bewitched is iconic for its characters, magical premise, theme tune, and memorable nostril twitch.
10 – The Flinstones (1960-66) 7.5
Following the fashionable Stone Age household from the city of Bedrock, The Flinstones holds a particular place in tv historical past. It was the first-ever prime-time animated collection. The Flinstones was loosely based mostly on The Honeymooners and was concerning the lives of two {couples}, Fred and Wilma Flinstone and Barney and Betty Rubble.
It was a intelligent present that your complete household loved and paved the best way for extra reveals of its sort.
11 – The Monkees (1965-68) 7.5
The Sixties pop music sensations received their begin as the celebrities of the foolish, candy, and surrealist present. The madcap adventures of Davy, Peter, Micky, and Mike charmed audiences as they unfold happiness to all and shared the wonders of music. The comedy was past goofy, and the music was endlessly catchy particularly that iconic theme tune.
Hey, hey, with The Monkees, it’s at all times a enjoyable time!
12 – I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970) 7.4
Talking of iconic sitcoms, I Dream of Jeannie is one other quintessential Sixties collection. Within the present, astronaut Tony Nelson finds a genie in a bottle after a crash touchdown. Out pops a lovely lady who proclaims he’s her grasp.
What follows is a candy and hilarious present about all of the loopy predicaments Jeannie will get him into. This collection was progressive on the time because it was evident that the girl had precise energy. Furthermore, it portrayed a person and lady residing in the identical residence whereas single. This feels foolish by right now’s requirements, however I Dream of Jeannie was revolutionary.
13 – Gilligan’s Island (1964-67) 7.4
Simply sit proper again, and also you’ll hear a story of the SS Minnow, the tiny boat shipwrecked on a Pacific Island. The three-hour tour for first mate Gilligan, the Skipper, the Professor, the lady subsequent door Mary Ann, film star Ginger, and rich couple Lovey and Thurston Howell III changed into 4 years of loopy misadventures for this stranded group of passengers and crew.
The castaways make a house on the island and develop into a household as they take care of many risks, all whereas by no means being rescued.
14 – McHale’s Navy (1962-67) 7.4
McHale’s Navy is one other collection that finds comedy in a severe state of affairs. It follows the crew of a PT boat throughout WWII. Led by affable Lieutenant Commander McHale, these sailors bend the principles however at all times get the job carried out. Followers of movies like Operation Petticoat and The Wackiest Ship within the Military adored McHale’s Navy.
15 – Inexperienced Acres (1965-1971) 7.3
Inexperienced Acres is among the CBS rural sitcoms of the period that delighted audiences to no finish. Certainly, it is among the decade’s most hilarious reveals. The story follows New York Metropolis lawyer Oliver Wendell Douglas who decides to stay out his dream and buys a farm.
He and his elegant spouse, Lisa, transfer to this small city full of eccentric neighbors and a barrage of home-owner issues, treating us to fixed hilarity.
This present is an absolute riot with characters and conditions so ridiculous but in addition a heartwarming really feel that’s fully charming.
16 – F Troop (1965-67) 7.3
Comedies and Westerns don’t often go collectively. However within the case of F Troop, the 60s received only a bit sillier with this present. It follows the candy and clumsy Captain Parmenter, who by accident leads a Calvary troop to victory.
He’s awarded the command of Fort Braveness, the place the artful Sergeant O’Rourke and a Native American tribe have interaction in a mutually useful association. F Troop isn’t very politically right right now, but it surely’s innocent and foolish enjoyable.
17 – That Lady (1966-1971) 7.2
That Lady follows the ever-sweet, cheerful, and tenacious Ann Marie, a single lady who strikes to New York Metropolis to pursue her desires of changing into an actress. She takes odd jobs between appearing gigs and falls in love with a form journalist named Don Hollinger.
That Lady was a energetic and heartwarming collection that concurrently impressed girls. Portraying girls as unbiased, free-thinkers who desired careers and love, That Lady is fashionable and candy 60s feminist leisure at its greatest.
This collection was the unbelievable stepping stone that paved the best way for reveals that adopted, resembling The Mary Tyler Moore Present.
18 – The Beverley Hillbillies (1962-1971) 7.2
The Beverley Hillbillies was one other of the CBS reveals that was part of their rural leisure. And it was undeniably their most profitable. The story follows mountaineer Jed Clamplett, who strikes oil with pure luck and turns into a millionaire.
He films his total household to a mansion in Beverley Hills, and the city doesn’t see them coming. The clashes between the kindly Clampetts and snobbish Beverley Hills neighborhood make for comedy gold.
19 – The Lucy Present (1962-68) 7.2
Whereas nothing might ever attain the heights of I Love Lucy, star Lucille Ball did discover success with two sitcoms within the Sixties. The higher of the 2 was The Lucy Present, which co-starred Vivian Vance and Gale Gordon.
Within the collection, Ball performs a widow, and Vance, a latest divorcé. They resolve to maneuver in along with their younger sons. The 2 greatest associates get into one scrape and scheme after the following whereas coping with the annoyance of Lucy’s boss, Mr. Mooney.
This present is a pleasant companion to I Love Lucy as Ball and Vance choose up the place Lucy and Ethel left off.
20 – The Patty Duke Present (1963-66) 7.2
Following the success of the film The Mother or father Lure, The Patty Duke Present follows two equivalent youngsters performed by one actress. However on this case, the premise is that the women are cousins. Cathy involves stay together with her uncle and cousin Patty, who appears to be like precisely like her.
However that’s the place the resemblance ends. Unexpectedly, wacky mayhem ensues as the women navigate their highschool and social lives.
The idea could also be far-fetched, however The Patty Duke Present is a main instance of the foolish and heartwarming sitcoms that outlined the period.
21 – The Doris Day Present (1968-1972) 7.2
Doris Day was like a ray of sunshine in lots of her musical and comedy movies, which lent itself completely to her self-titled present. Her effervescent presence helped make the collection a couple of widowed single mother of two boys so liked. Although behind the scenes, the collection’ inception was not so rosy.
Day’s late husband, who had squandered most of her hard-earned cash, signed her on going to the present with out her information. Fortunately for Day, she loved making the collection for 5 seasons earlier than ending the present and retiring.
22 – Hazel (1961-66) 7.2
The epitome of the no-nonsense housekeeper within the Sixties was Hazel. Because the live-in home for the Baxter household, audiences have been delighted by the feisty however sort lady who was the neatest, wisest, and most competent. A lot to the chagrin of Mr. Baxter, Hazel was basically the one in cost.
23 – My Favourite Martian (1963-66) 7.2
My Favourite Martian was one of the crucial distinctive 60s sitcoms as a result of it blended science-fiction with comedy. The story follows a Martian who crashes and is stranded on Earth. A reporter saves him and decides to let him keep at his dwelling, telling everybody he’s his uncle.
The ruse elicits humorous outcomes as hiding the alien’s identification proves troublesome. It’s a collection that mirrored the fascination with house that permeated the period.
24 – My Three Sons (1960-1972) 7.1
My Three Sons was one of many decade’s longest-running and most heartfelt collection. The story follows Widower Steve Douglas as he endeavors to boost his boys to have good morals and integrity with the assistance of his father after which uncle. My Three Sons was groundbreaking in the best way the collection progressed and grew.
The collection expanded to incorporate their wives and kids because the boys grew to become males. My Three Sons mirrored life’s fixed modifications, loss, love, and pleasure, all seen by way of a healthful lens.
25 – Petticoat Junction (1963-1970) 7.0
The final within the group of CBS rural sitcoms, Petticoat Junction, is a sweet-natured and foolish sitcom concerning the ins and outs of a small resort known as the Shady Relaxation, adjoining to the prepare station. Within the collection, widowed mom Kate raises her tenacious daughters, Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and Betty Jo.
She additionally contends with Uncle Joe, who’s at all times hatching a scheme. Just like the others on this period, Petticoat Junction is one other pristine instance of what audiences adored within the Sixties: easy, foolish, escapist enjoyable.
Marianne Paluso is a contract author and artist and holds a Masters Diploma in English and Kids’s Literature. Impressed by her favourite movies, tv, theme parks and all issues popular culture, she particularly loves Disney, traditional movies, fairy tales, interval dramas, musicals, adventures, mysteries, and a great rom-com. She joined Wealth of Geeks in 2021, and has additionally contributed to The Nerd Machine, Catholic Information Company. She writes on her personal web site TheGirlyNerd.com, creates artwork that’s bought on Redbubble and Etsy, and in addition partakes within the occasional Disneybound, cosplay, and YouTube video