TV series finales are generally anticipated and, as a result, are subject to much-expected scrutiny. Despite the genuine popularity of these series, all of their goodwill could evaporate with the release of a poorly constructed conclusion.
These 10 series understood the essence of the central stories and strongly weaved together their hilarious story arcs with earnest character development. As a result, fans were treated to a successful conclusion to endearing tales, leaving their favorite characters for the final time with a deeper appreciation.
10The Big Bang Theory
Season 12, Episode 24 - “The Stockholm Syndrome”
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theoryfollows five neighbors in Pasadena, California, who form a close-knit friendship in spite of their stark differences. Throughout the twelve seasons, it becomes impossible not to cringe, chuckle and ultimately fall in love with the cast of the series. From their awkward dialogue to their sentimental moments,TheBig Bang Theoryhas clearly endeared the hearts of many andhelped bring nerd culture to the forefront.
Why “The Stockholm Syndrome” Was One of the Funniest Endings
Centering around Sheldon’s success, the finale tracks his selfishness, which ultimately fractures his friendships with his friends. In sitcom fashion, the series gives Sheldon the time to consider his behavior and rectify the charm he caused. The show, at its core, explores the friendship of seemingly eccentric individuals, and “The Stockholm Syndrome” leaves audiences with a heartfelt resolution and a final embrace of the eccentricity that made the show a cultural staple.StreamThe Big Bang Theoryon Max.
9The Office
Season 9, Episode 24 + 25 - “Finale”
The Office (U.S.)
The Officeneeds no introduction. One of the most quote-able and recognizable series on the planet, the series is a mockumentary of the everyday office experience. The show highlights the many eccentric personalities lurking in the cubicles or spearheading important meetings. With coveted thespians like Steve Carell, Mindy Kaling, and Rashida Jones,The Officewould cement itself as an omnipresent phenomenon, taking over the world one episode at a time.
Ending With a Wedding We Were All Waiting for
Taking place one year after the previous episode, “Finale” opens with Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Angela’s (Angela Kinsey) wedding. Now that the in-universe documentary has concluded and has been aired, there seems to be a sense of relief and a shift towards a lighter conclusion. While fans may have felt hesitant due to concerns over inconsistencies,The Officestrongly concludes its story with its distinguishable humor and heart that captivated millions.StreamThe Officeon Peacock Premium.
Related:The 10 Most Highly Rewatchable Sitcoms of All Time
8Schitt’s Creek
Season 6, Episode 14 - “Happy Ending”
Schitt’s Creek
Schitt’s Creeksees father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy craft one of the most recognizable comedies of the late 2010s. The series opens with the wealthy Rose dynasty losing their fortune and retreating to the titular town, where they are forced to reconsider their relationships with wealth and community. Both comical and considerate, the series has received immense praise for its great, absurdist twists onthe fish-out-of-water story.
Our Characters Have Bright Futures
As the title suggests, “Happy Ending” leaves the characters facing the future with great optimism. After a rainstorm threatens to ruin David (Dan Levy) and Patrick’s (Noah Reid) wedding, the large family reconvenes in hopes of salvaging the union and comes to a series of life-changing epiphanies that ultimately leaves the Rose dynasty united more than ever. Despite the sentimental nature of the episode, the show never sacrifices its clever yet saccharine humor, even as we send beloved characters away to their promising futures.StreamSchitt’s Creekon Netflix.
7I Love Lucy
Season 3, Episode 3 - “Lucy Meets the Mustache”
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucyis not only one of the most notable series on television, but is also one of the most influential. Since its 1951 premiere, the series has fermented itself into the fabric of pop culture. From Lucille Ball’s animated performance to Desi Amaz’s excellent performance skills,I Love Lucyprovided audiences with more than enough quirks to endear audiences and forge memorable moments onscreen.
“The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue” Was an Iconic and Hilarious Episode
The series finale ofI Love Lucyfinds the titular star in yet another conundrum. When Ricky is chosen to deliver a dedication speech for a Revolutionary War statue, it doesn’t take much time for Lucy to inadvertently destroy it. Lucy tries to remedy the situation through a comical transformation, resulting in an even more hilarious resolution. While behind-the-scenes drama ultimately led to the show’s conclusion, the finale andI Love Lucyremain iconic with a slew of hilarious scenes that ultimately offered a different, more clumsy and comical perspective of the typically rigid and obedient American housewife.StreamI Love Lucyon Paramount+.
6Parks and Recreation
Season 7, Episode 12 + 13 - “One Last Ride”
Parks and Recreation
In the vein ofThe Office,Parks and Recreationsatirizes the bureaucracy of local Indiana urban planning and politics. Set in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, the series includes a bevy of entertaining personalities that do their part in helping construct a better Pawnee, or they at least intend to. With a cast including Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman, and Adam Scott, the seven-season spectacle is nothing short of humorous.
“One Last Ride” Showcases the Growth and Future of the Characters
The two-part series finale, “One Last Ride”, begins in the present but leaps forwards into the future to see how the lives of the leading characters have been transformed following the labor they conducted on behalf of Pawnee. The non-linear narrative offers glimpses of growth, but as fans sendParks and Recreationoff, they get even more amusing moments between belovedcharacters like Leslie(Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott), who miraculously rise up the ranks and share one last hilarious reunion.StreamParks and Recreationon Peacock Premium.
5Community
Season 6, Episode 13 - “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television”
This Stripes-inspired comedy is about a group of misfits attending the Greendale Community College. The focus group of the Community is led by a lawyer with a revoked degree who is trying to scam his way through the low-budget college and regain his old life.
In the fictional town of Greendale, Colorado, disgraced lawyer Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) enrolls in the local community college after his employers discover his embellishments concerning his education. In hopes to authentically matriculate and earn a law degree, Jeff encounters equally dynamic characters with personal aspirations and complications in life. Throughout six seasons, Jeff and his classmates share earnest moments along with hilariously absurd memories together.
The Finale Left Fans Satisfied and Feeling Resolved
The series finale takes a peek into the future as Jeff imagines a horrific timeline where he is the only Greendale student in the group to remain at the community college. Other characters, such as Annie (Alison Brie) and Abed (Danny Pudi), announce their future endeavors during a meeting which serves as a final moment of reflection and a meta-commentary on the state of the show. Balancing the gravity of life-changing decisions with its trademark comedy, “Emotional Consequences Of Broadcast Television” left both fans and critics elated aboutCommunity’s resolution of its many storylines.StreamCommunityon Netflix.
4Chewing Gum
Season 2, Episode 6 - “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number”
Chewing Gumfinds socially awkward Tracey (Michaela Coel) setting out for her first sexual experience. The 24-year-old is quite a bubble of energy and curiosity, much to the dismay of her mother and her condescending boyfriend. No matter how confusing and absurd her journey towards maturity is, Tracey, her best friend Candice (Danielle Isaie), her new lover Connor (Robert Lonsdale) and the rest of the estate manage to make the most of their young lives.
Her End Is Just a New Beginning
The series finale offers audiences a glimpse into a more secure Tracey, but not before chronicling her hilarious rendezvous with another member of her book club and the absurd fallout after new information rises to the surface. Furthermore, the episode highlights Candice’s and Tracey’s sister, Cynthia (Susan Wokoma), navigating their embarrassing encounters. Nonetheless, the hectic developments never prevent the finale from closing with a moment of genuine growth.StreamChewing Gumon Max.
3The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
Season 6, Episode 23 + 24 - “I, Done”
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airstill stands as one of the most entertaining comedy series. After miscommunication results in another fight, Will’s (Will Smith) mother decides to send him to Los Angeles to live with his affluent uncle Phil (James Avery) and aunt Vivian. Throughout the series, Will regularly stirs mischief and implicates his cousins but also becomes privy to important life lessons.
Highlighting Will’s Incredible Bond with His Family
Will’s growth throughout the series has largely been defined by truly heartfelt and hilariously preposterous moments. In the finale, the Banks family prepares to move out of their California home, and, watching everyone gleam over their upcoming opportunities, Will becomes self-conscious. Despite the sentimental nature of the series finale, the show never knocks over one of its strongest pillars, the laugh-inducing one-liners. In fact, it is the episode’s lightest moments that help emphasize the unique bond that Will has forged with the rest of the Banks family.StreamThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airon Max.
Related:The 10 Best Sitcom Endings of All Time, Ranked
2The Golden Girls
Season 7, Episode 25 + 26 - “One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest”
The Golden Girls
Through delightful dialogue and a dedication to discussing controversial topics,The Golden Girlsoffers multiple generations an incredible look into the lives of close friends. Based in Miami, the series opens with widow Blanche (Rue McClanahan) living with her best friends Rose (Betty White) and Dorothy (Bea Arthur). After a nearby retirement home burns down, they are joined by Sophia (Estelle Getty) and the foursome lead exciting lives full of romance and drama.
An Emmy-Winning Finale
In the series finale, the women welcome Blanche’s uncle, Lucas (Leslie Nelson). Soon enough, Blanche begins her matchmaking scheme with Lucas and Dorothy. However, the pair have something in store for their mutual loved one, and it results in a truly satisfying conclusion. The Emmy-winning episode continues to follow the intact formula that madeThe Golden Girlsiconic and the series finale finds the ladies sharinghilarious quips and loving declarationsin their final moments.StreamThe Golden Girlson Hulu.
1Modern Family
Season 11, Episode 17 + 18 - “Finale”
Modern Family
Modern Familytakes one of the most familiar experiences in life and expands on it, creating a wonderful and funny series that would define a decade. With an ensemble cast including Sofia Vergara, Ty Burrell, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the series is nothing short of alluring. Based in Los Angeles, the show captures the specific experiences of contemporary family units, satirizing some while strongly depicting others.
A Full-Circle Moment
Modern Familyprides itself on highlighting the hidden brightness in a family’s most embarrassing or mundane moments. While taking liberties with the trajectory of the three families' lives, the show has unlocked a remarkable level of relatability that speaks to the experience of everyday Americans. The series finale exemplifies the showrunners' missions. Discussing everything from a collective interest in the future, the suffocating feeling of a full house, and the next steps for the next generation, the finale feels like a full-circle moment, sending the show-off with the appealing humor thatmade the show prolific in the first place.StreamModern Familyon Hulu.
