Some of today’s best-lovedsitcomsdidn’t start off as massive hits; it took them a few episodes (or seasons) to find their footing. This is not to say that the early episodes are all bad; some are quite good, but most comedies have that episode where everything sort of clicks — where the characters really hit their stride and the story just feels right.
Some of these episodes were obvious game-changers when they aired, but others didn’t make critics and audiences take notice until years later, after the sitcoms had grown in popularity. A few only shifted a few things around, while others made noticeable changes. Whatever the case, these episodes made these comedies what they are today.
10"Halloween" (Season 1, Episode 6)
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013 - 2021)
Brooklyn nine-nine
Halloween is a special time onBrooklyn Nine-Nine,and it all started with this episode. This episode kicked off the tradition of the"Halloween Heist" onBrooklyn Nine-Nine, when every year Jake (Andy Samberg) tries to steal something from Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) to prove he is the greatest detective. The heist setups get more and more elaborate as the series continues, creating some of the show’s most iconic moments.
Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) is introduced as a badass from the very beginning, but it is in Episode 6 that her voice and personality beyond that image really come into focus. When Terry (Terry Crews) finds out in “Halloween” that Rosa dropped out of Catholic school, he becomes determined to figure out why. The answer is something he never would have expected, and these surprising Rosa reveals add so much to her as a character. She’s a gambit with a lifetime of experience that will continue to surprise, impress, and alarm her coworkers as the series continues.
9"Bob Day Afternoon" (Season 2, Episode 2)
‘Bob’s Burgers’ (2011 - Present)
Bob’s Burgers
“Bob Day Afternoon” isn’t typical for the series, but it’s one of the first episodes that really made fans take notice. It’s also the highest-ranking episode on IMDB from the show’s first two seasons. Decider and Collider both list it as one of the top fiveBob’s Burgersepisodes of all time. The title is a play off the1975 crime dramaDog Day Afternoon, and Bill Hader guest stars as the bank robber, Mickey.
The opening of the episode shows Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) trying to restructure a loan at the bank Mickey later robs. This sets up some emotional depth for the episode, making the comedic elements that ensue all the more satisfying.Bob’s Burgershas always been a show with a lot of heart, and that is on full display here.
10 Best Famous Sitcoms That Never Made It to 100 Episodes
These famous TV comedies didn’t make it to 100 episodes but are an essential part of discussions, revivals, and culture.
8"Nicknames" (Season 1, Episode 5)
‘Veep’ (2012 - 2019)
Veeptook a few episodes to find the right tone, and many fans believe this happened halfway through Season 1. In “Nicknames,” Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) becomes preoccupied with the fact that bloggers have given her nicknames. She becomes fixated on finding out what they are. It’s introspective in a way that really works. Meredith Blake, writing for The A.V. Club, notably declares that this is the first episode to “deal in a very explicit way with her [Selina’s] professional disillusionment.” There’s emotional depth, but the comedy is still there. The writing is also incredibly sharp.
Veep has a great cast of charactersand continued to soar after “Nicknames” aired, becoming a top-grade political satire. Fans don’t usually list season one as their favorite, but the show went on to run for seven seasons, winning a ton of awards along the way.
7"Introduction to Statistics" (Season 1, Episode 7)
‘Community’ (2009 - 2014)
Communitywas an underdog seriesthat traveled a rocky road, with the threat of cancellation at every turn. Nonetheless, the show managed to run for six seasons across two studios. Critics generally agree that “Introduction to Statistics” was significantly stronger than the preceding episodes, utilizing the whole cast for a solid story and solid laughs.
Communityis a show that was never afraid to go big when it came to absurd or outlandish storylines.Vulture’sJosh Sorokach says"the shape of absurdity to come" is really teased out in this episode. In it, the audience sees glimmers of what the show would be. It’s also the point where Troy (Donald Glover) and Abed’s (Danny Pudi) bond is really solidified, creating one of the best friendships on sitcom television.
The 21 Best Comedy Movies on Netflix to Watch Right Now
Netflix is constantly acquiring a colorful and diverse film catalog, with some of Hollywood’s most celebrated and fan-favorite comedies being added.
6"Office Olympics" (Season 2, Episode 3)
‘The Office’ (2005 - 2013)
The Office
WhileThe Officeis one of the most well-known comedies around with someiconic quotes, it took a full season for the show to really find itself. This is apparent in Season 2, Episode 3, when Michael is busy buying a new condominium and the office decides to play their own version of the Olympic Games while the boss is away. The episode helps the show to steer away from the British sitcom on which it is based. In doing so, it achieves two important things that go a long way as the series moves forward.
The first is that it really showcases the supporting cast. While these characters have been around since the very beginning, “Office Olympics” gives them an opportunity to do more. The episode also brings the characters together. Even Michael (who is hard to relate to most of the time) is standing on a podium at the end. It fosters a sense of community and compassion that keeps the show going.
5"Say Anything" (Season 1, Episode 7)
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 - 2020)
BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horsemanisn’t just anadult animated comedy. It also makes a point of delving into darker themes, and that is exactly what audiences begin to see in Season 1, Episode 7. In “Say Anything,” BoJack (Will Arnett) goes on a bender that brings him to Princess Carolyn’s (Amy Sedaris) door. Princess Carolyn is already going through trouble at work with a new merger, and this, combined with BoJack’s erratic affections, brings the episode to a somber yet poignant place.
According to Les Chappell at The A.V. Club, “Say Anything” finishes the show’s exploration of all the side characters when it digs deeper into Princess Carolyn’s life. “[BoJack Horseman] displayed two strengths in its early episodes, its unique twist on show business and the emotional scars on its cast members,” writes Les, “and ‘Say Anything’ gets top mileage out of both.”
4“Happy Anniversary" (Season 2, Episode 13)
‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015 - 2020)
Schitt’s Creek
In Season 1, the Rose family struggles to live modestly after losing their fortune. Their excessive behavior in this season is necessary, butSchitt’s Creekhas unforgettable characterswho are at their best when they start to evolve. This is hugely apparent in the Season 2 finale, “Happy Anniversary.” Johnny (Eugene Levy) and Moira (Catherine O’Hara) run into friends at a restaurant and start to really look at how their lives have changed and how they have changed as people since they lost their wealth and status.
The episode comes to a close with a message of love and family, with all the Roses dancing with their friends at a barn party. It’s a moving scene, one that delivers poignancy for larger-than-life characters.Den of Geek lists “Happy Anniversary"as one of the best episodes to rewatch.
3"Michael’s Gambit” (Season 1, Episode 13)
‘The Good Place’ (2016 - 2010)
The Good Place
This one might be a little controversial, because the reveal in this episode was by creator Michael Schur’s design. The shocking twist could not happen immediately. That said, there is no denying the grooveThe Good Placehit at the end of season one when Eleanor (Kristen Bell) finally puts it together that they are not actually in ‘The Good Place’ but are, in fact, in ‘The Bad Place.’
The reveal flipped the series on its head and added a beneficial dark streak. Suddenly, everything that has happened in season one thus far makes sense. Plus,Michael’s (Ted Danson)devilish grin when Eleanor catches on adds so much dimension to the character as well as the show’s interpersonal relationships. With this lie no longer standing between them, the show makes room for Eleanor and Michael to become greater friends as the seasons carry on.
2"Charlie Gets Crippled" (Season 2, Episode 1)
‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2013 - Present)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Reviews for the first season ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiawere good, but the show didn’t really feel complete until the start of the second season. This is when the series introduced Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds, Dennis (Glenn Howerton), and Dee’s (Kaitlin Olson) father. Frank serves an antagonistic purpose on the show and, at the time, the studio thought DeVito’s star power would help boost ratings.
While adding a celebrity to a show isn’t a guaranteed way to improve quality,adding Danny DeVitois definitely a way to make a series better. What show or movie has not benefited from a cameo by the one and only Danny DeVito? It’s no surprise that DeVito’s guest appearance on the final season ofFriends, a series with 10 seasons and 236 episodes, remains a fan favorite.
1"Hunting Trip" (Season 2, Episode 10)
‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009 - 2015)
Parks and Recreation
It can be argued thatParks and Recreally hit its stride with the introduction of Ben (Adam Scott) and Chris (Rob Lowe) in “The Master Plan” (Season 2, Episode 23), but really, the show started to come together earlier in the season. In “Hunting Trip,” three key things happen that start to shape the heart of the series. First, audiences get to watch April (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy (Chris Pratt) hang out one-on-one for the first time. When the entire department goes on a work retreat, intern April is left alone in the office with Andy, who now works at the shoeshine stand in City Hall. The seeds planted in this episode ultimately lead to April and Andy falling in love and becoming a longstanding favorite couple for the sitcom.
The second thing that’s so important about “Hunting Trip” isLeslie’s (Amy Poehler)attitude and actions during the work retreat. She is capable and passionate — a shift from the often misguided yet passionate Leslie of season one. She wants to beat Ron (Nick Offerman) at his own game, but when Tom (Aziz Ansari) is at risk of getting in trouble for hunting without a license, Leslie steps in and tries to protect him, even if it means Ron being mad at her. What ultimately transformsParks and Recfrom an entertaining comedy to a lovable gem is its heart. The show has a lot of heart, filled with characters who care about each other, and that really comes across in this episode.
So, what’s the third thing that makes “Hunting Trip” so special? It’s the first time Jerry talks directly to the camera. It might not seem like much, but giving some agency to a character so often used for laughs goes a long way.
