1. It’s a Living
It’s a Living took a unique angle on the lives of waitresses working in a swanky restaurant atop a Los Angeles skyscraper. The sitcom offered a glimpse of life as a working woman in the ’80s, with plenty of sharp wit and spunky personalities. Each character had her own flavor, from the sassy head waitress to the quirky aspiring actress. The show brought humor and heart to the daily grind of making ends meet in the big city.
2. Frank’s Place
This show was a genre-blending gem about a professor who unexpectedly inherits a New Orleans restaurant and must adjust to the unique culture of the South. Frank’s Place combined comedy with social commentary, offering a slice-of-life look that was more nuanced than typical sitcoms. Its low-key humor and explorations of race, class, and Southern charm made it ahead of its time, and it’s a shame it didn’t get more than one season.
3. Square Pegs
Before Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker starred in Square Pegs, a sitcom about high school misfits trying to fit in. Set in the early ’80s, the show was all about cliques, crushes, and the awkwardness of adolescence. It perfectly captured the teen experience, complete with quirky fashion, slang, and the constant quest to be “cool.” Its humor was both relatable and unique, making it a cult classic for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider.
4. The Famous Teddy Z
The Famous Teddy Z told the story of a young mailroom worker who accidentally becomes a Hollywood talent agent. Jon Cryer starred as Teddy Zakalokis, and his rise in the cutthroat world of showbiz gave viewers a hilarious, satirical look at Hollywood. This show had a fresh concept and sharp writing that tackled the absurdities of fame, but it somehow slipped under the radar.
5. Love, Sidney
Love, Sidney was groundbreaking for its time, portraying the friendship between Sidney, a lonely middle-aged man, and a young single mother who moves in with him. The show’s tone was sentimental and nuanced, dealing with topics like loneliness and acceptance. While some of the subject matter was subtle due to network constraints, Love, Sidney stood out as a sensitive and thought-provoking sitcom, way ahead of its time.
6. My Sister Sam
Starring Pam Dawber as a photographer who suddenly becomes the guardian of her teenage sister, My Sister Sam was a warmhearted look at sisterhood and the unexpected twists of family life. The chemistry between Dawber and young Rebecca Schaeffer gave the show real emotional depth, while the comedy centered around the everyday challenges of growing up. It was a feel-good show that left its mark despite its short run.
7. Buffalo Bill
In Buffalo Bill, Dabney Coleman starred as Bill Bittinger, an arrogant and self-centered talk show host. This was no feel-good family sitcom—Buffalo Bill went for a darker, more cynical humor as it skewered showbiz culture and the not-so-nice side of fame. Coleman’s performance as the abrasive Bill was both hilarious and cringe-inducing, making it a cult favorite for fans of dry humor and antiheroes.
8. The New Dick Van Dyke Show
While the original Dick Van Dyke Show is a classic, its lesser-known follow-up is often forgotten. Set in Arizona, the new show followed Dick as a TV talk show host navigating family life with his wife, Jenny. The show was less slapstick than its predecessor and took a more grounded approach to family and marriage, providing a different but equally enjoyable take on Van Dyke’s comedy talents.
9. The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
This show took a unique approach to sitcom storytelling, following Molly Dodd (played by Blair Brown), a single woman navigating her life and relationships in New York City. The show’s style was almost dreamlike, blending comedy with surrealism and breaking away from the usual sitcom format. The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd was thoughtful and unpredictable, creating a distinct and memorable viewing experience.
10. Dear John
Dear John focused on John Lacey, a man recently divorced who finds camaraderie in a support group for singles. This was a sitcom with a lot of heart, dealing with loss, friendship, and starting over in a way that felt genuine and touching. The ensemble cast had fantastic chemistry, and its mix of humor and sensitivity made it a hidden treasure among the decade’s lighter fare.
11. Fernwood 2 Night
A spin-off of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2 Night was a mock talk show set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio, starring Martin Mull and Fred Willard. This show was biting satire, poking fun at the absurdity of talk show culture and small-town America. Its humor was offbeat, sometimes bizarre, but always clever, making it a unique entry in the world of 70s comedy.
12. Alice
Based on the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Alice followed a single mother working as a waitress in a Phoenix diner. The show brought us unforgettable characters like Flo, with her famous line “Kiss my grits!” While it was a comedy, it also tackled the challenges of single motherhood and finding a fresh start, making it resonate with audiences who appreciated its mix of humor and heart.
13. One Day at a Time
The original One Day at a Time featured Bonnie Franklin as a single mom raising two teenage daughters. It was one of the first shows to focus on a divorced woman raising a family, which was groundbreaking for its time. Tackling real-life issues in a funny but sensitive way, this show paved the way for many family sitcoms that followed, especially those focusing on single parents.
14. Rhoda
A spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda followed the beloved Rhoda Morgenstern as she moved back to New York City. Rhoda’s humor and down-to-earth personality made her incredibly relatable, especially to women in the audience. The show tackled everything from single life to marriage and divorce, with an honesty that was rare in sitcoms of the time.
15. Angie
Angie starred Donna Pescow as a working-class woman who falls in love with a wealthy doctor, bringing a light-hearted take on class differences. The show’s charm lay in Angie’s down-to-earth family, whose humorous, heartwarming interactions resonated with many viewers. Though it had a short run, Angie managed to capture the warmth and fun of family and romance without taking itself too seriously.
These hidden gems may not have received the fanfare of other sitcoms, but each one brought something special to the screen. Whether it was an innovative format, groundbreaking characters, or simply a warmhearted take on everyday life, these shows are a reminder of the rich variety of sitcoms that shaped TV history. They’re worth another look—and a little appreciation for the laughs and the stories they brought to audiences back in the day.
