Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005): Everybody loves put-upon Ray, who tries to please wife Debra, nosy ‘rents Marie and Frank and jealous bro Robert. The Barones didn’t always have happy days, but their dysfunctional family was one of the most realistic.

Family Guy (1999-present): The naughty and pop culture-obsessed ‘Family Guy’ is loaded with some of TV’s best characters: offensive patriarch Peter, Brian the sauced dog and Peter Lorre-sound-a-like baby Stewie, whose botched matricidal missions are second in hilarity only to his perpetually thwarted plots for world domination.

Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983): Not since Lucy and Ethel wreaked havoc on the chocolate factory had two female buddies sparked so many chuckles. Lenny and Squiggy provided their share of wackiness, but the heart of the show was the bottle-cappin’ roomies’ friendship and pursuit of love, happiness and milk ‘n’ Pepsi.

Green Acres (1965-1971): CBS had its own genre of rural sitcoms with ‘The Beverly Hillbillies,’ ‘Petticoat Junction’ and ‘Acres,’ a standout for surreal antics involving TV-watching pig Arnold, the Monroe brothers (one of whom was female) and leads Oliver and Lisa, who still wore their fancy city duds after moving to their Hooterville farm.

WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982): The ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ of radio, ‘WKRP’ revolved around endearing boobs at an Ohio rock station. Johnny Fever, leisure-suited Herb and smart-cookie Jennifer kept the station, and the laughs, afloat; but nebbishy newsman Les (and his unfortunate flying turkey stunt) made the show a classic.

The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966): One of the first shows about show biz revolved around a variety series writer. That meant tons of comic storylines, which, combined with Van Dyke’s physical gags and Mary Tyler Moore’s sassy humor, inspired many a future sitcom.

Married With Children (1987-1997): It was the raunchy show that made a network (Fox). The Bundys, led by shoe-salesman dad Al and big-haired mom Peg, certainly were certainly ‘Not the Cosbys’ (the show’s original title), but they were one of TV’s funniest fams.

Mork & Mindy (1978-1982): ‘Mork’ was the perfect series to launch Robin Williams into superstardom, as his manic monologues and physical humor befitted an alien who was charged with studying Earthlings. Mork wasn’t supposed to fall in love with roomie Mindy, but he did, then hatched (literally) giant baby Mearth.

Hank Evans appreciates you taking the time to read this article. If you enjoyed it, you can read more from Hank Evans at Watch NCIS Episodes Online and Watch Royal Pains Online.

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