39. Cheers (1982-1993)
One of the staples of the new wave of US Sitcoms. And probably one of the most beloved influential shows of all time. So much so than the Cheers bar is a landmark in of itself in the show's Boston setting. A show so cool and quotable it is referenced constantly throughout Nick Hornby's novel High Fidelity

The style and setting of the show was said to be inspired by Fawlty Towers (John Cleese had a cameo in S5). But the team of Glen Charles, Les Charles and James Burrows (who later created spin-off series Frasier), took the every day musings and anxieties of working and middle class American and turned it into some of the funniest, charming, but dark and compelling comedies of all time. The Cheers bar became like a distinct character in itself. It was not only a very identifiable location for people come and share their every day troubles and stories, but also a great stage for the characters to bounce off and use for great physical comedy. Cheers was one of the first sitcoms to really embrace the ensemble casting and had this great sense of family and community among the cast. Something which is one of the big appeals of the modern golden era of television.
The series made Ted Danson officially one of the coolest guys on the planet

His role as ex-baseball star turned bar owner Sam "
Mayday" Malone made Danson one of the hottest comedy actors on TV and landed him some plum film gigs (3 Men and a Baby). Danson was naturally charismatic, charming but flawed as the womanizing Malone who seemed only a step or two away from falling under the spell of drink. Danson said it was the pathos of the character being a washed up ex-baseball player who owns a bar which attracted him to the part. Enter into Sam's bar a collection of misfits, including accountant and classic underdog "Norm" Peterson (George Wendt), nerdy postman Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger) (armed with his most know facts

), and Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), one of the most entertaining TV snobs who of course had even greater success with his own show. And that's before I even get to the bar staff. Shelley Long as barmaid Diane Chambers who wanders into the bar in the very first episode is the perfect foil for the lead. The Chambers character was ahead of her time for female characters in sitcoms as a highly educated, bright, sweet, and ambitious, but sometimes snob who is often set up to be the butt of the joke. But that's what's really progressive about Diane. She gets to be one of the guys and have egg on her face, but is also a lot smarter and have her own moments to pull one over them (see the episode when she hires two actors to pretend to be gay to call the gang out on their dated attitudes). For five seasons Long gives a inch perfect performance, with dynamite chemistry between her and Danson. Sam and Diane are simply one of TV's great on again, off again couples. Props to Kirstie Alley who as business woman and Cheers co-owner in the later seasons had a slow start, but soon found her groove with Sam and the rest of the gang. Barmaid Carla Tortelli (Rhea Perlman) brings another side of femininity, and has a lot of fun scenes rubbing up Diane the wrong way (and visa versa

), and sweet bond with Sam and the rest. Sam's former coach Ernie Pantusso (the late Nicholas Coasanto (nutty, but likable), and the naive boyish wildcard Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson's first big break) make out a fun a list of ensemble characters. But there are still small gems like Dan Hedaya's dumb bully Nick Tortelli, Harry the "Conman" (Harry Anderson), and Lilith Sternin (the criminally underrated Bebe Neuwirth) in the supporting cast.
Cheers ran for 11 seasons and is one of most successful sitcoms of all time. It had the plus of starting strongly, but then getting better in later seasons rather than declining like many shows. The episodes "Thanksgiving Orphans" and "Home is the Sailor" were ranked number 7 and 45 on TV Guide's 1997 list of Greatest TV Episodes ever (and that ten years after they aired). In 2002, the Guide also ranked Cheers no. 18 in its all-time TV shows list. Its blend of quirky characters, realism and charm has made a big influence on a number of sitcoms from the Office to Community. And on did I mention that Gary Portnoy's theme is one of the best of all time
-
The Office (US) (2005-2013)
And sharing the number 39 spot with Cheers is one of the best of the modern sitcoms. There were a lot of doubters when NBC and award winning TV writer Greg Daniels (
The Simpsons, King of the Hill) decided to re-do Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's popular British comedy (which left many American audiences cold). But after a ropy pilot (basically a line for line read of the original British pilot), the show started finding its feet and did what any great follow on should do, and that is take the concept of the original, pay tribute do it (the assistant to the manger gag) but at the same time do something which feels completely different. Giving us bigger character arcs and more likable characters. Steve Carell like David Brent was a slimy boss who took advantage of the power he had over his employees, but unlike Brent Michael Scott is actually likable in a dopey but charming underdog kind of way. Plus he's actually quite good at his job when he puts his mind to it

. The will they won't they between Jim and Pam manages to be even more charming than Tim and Dawn's in the Brit version. John Krasinski proving the most adorable charming and witty everyman (now a hit director with A Quiet Place), and Jenna Fischer the perfect girl next door. Rainn Wilson has the perfect energy and physical comedy to make Dwight into a even more eccentric nerd than Gareth, but with subtle hints of a human underneath. Its a credit to the writing than even the supporting characters have their own arcs and become fully rounded characters. What we get as a result is a diverse mix of characters (think Mindy Kaling as Kelly, Angela Kinsey as Angela Martin, or B.J. Novak as Ryan the temp), and that natural sense of a workplace setting becoming like an extended family. As such it is fitting that many of the stand out episodes are set around classic holidays or cultural traditions. The Christmas episodes from S2 & 3 are both must sees, as is S2's Booze Cruise and 3's Beach Games. The writing skillfully goes from light to dark, and to a place in between (see Michael's planned fake suicide in Safety Training). Okay for many (me included) the later seasons lost the plot big time. But for the opening 4 to 5 seasons the US Office was just about comedy gold. Is it better than the British original? I think it just might be. Will the British original still have the last laugh by appearing on this list? You'll just have to wait and see...
Both the Office and Cheers got 26 points were voted for by about 4-5 people.
38 should be up later.