
Television viewers are living in a golden age, one in which incisive, thought-provoking, wildly creative series seem to debut on our televisions and Netflix queues every other week. Over the past decade, cable dramas have attracted a lot of attention from critics and viewers alike, who laud shows such as Breaking Bad and The Sopranos for their layered storylines and nuanced acting. We adore (and binge-watch) these programs just like everyone else, but sometimes, after all that thinking, it’s a real pleasure to sit back and relax with a gut-shaking TV comedy. The past few years have seen no shortage of amazing, risk-taking series—think of the auteurism of Louie or the pee-your-pants hilarity of Broad City—not to mention a slew of NYC's best television shows, but television history is rich in funny stuff, and we’re here to recommend both the old and the new. So pop some popcorn and start checking off our list of the best comedy shows of all time.