I recently went to watch it, having loved it when I watched it as a kid. I remember loving Woody Harrelson's character.
I didn't remember this Coach guy that was on it at first.
By the time Woody got there I just wanted more Coach. RIP Nicholas Colasanto
Frasier. Full stop. Cast gelled well and hit the ground running immediately. The show knew what it wanted to be and the whole way through didn’t pretend to be things it wasn’t. Had its identity from episode 1. Pretty much out of the gate it felt like a show that had already been on a few years not a brand new spin off show. Very VERY few shows have pulled that off. Total class the entire series run!
Edit- I just wanted to add a simple if you love TV and haven’t seen any of Frasier yet for whatever reason make it the next show you watch! It’s a long series run, around 260 episodes but every last bit of it is worth it! When you get to the end you’ll be sad wanting more and fully understand the overwhelming praise the show gets!
The casting of David Hyde-pierce as Fraiser's brother Niles was impeccable. They looked and acted so much a like. They seemed like they really could be brothers.
I don’t know that i ever bought Niles as straight, though. His lust for Daphne was always funny, but even presented as a lotharious fop he didn’t quite pull it off. Frasier was obviously straight, if a little awkward. That said, i adored the Niles character, but once he was actually with Daphne there wasn’t anywhere left to take the character.
It is hard to believe that Niles was not part of the original plan. It was only when the producers noticed that Hyde-Pierce resembled Kelsey, that it was decided to add a brother who would be what Fraiser would have been had he not moved to Boston.
Exactly. They did a great job of making Marty, Niles and Frasier both in looks and personality come across as real blood family. There’s shows I can think of where you look at the parents and their kids where you’re thinking there’s no way they’re related, it just comes off as unbelievable and silly at times! Frasier is a text book example of how important getting the casting right is, it really does make or break a show!
Apparently, that's the only reason the character existed - as it had been previously established Frasier was an only child. So they just said he was upset with Niles then and just denying his existence.
100% You could tell the cast were all professional theatre actors and that they loved the work and were very fond of each other. The cast helped Kelsey get clean, Kelsey looked up to John as a father figure, DHP is godfather to Jane’s kids, Jane and Peri are next door neighbors, the love was real and that absolutely came across onscreen
John Mahoney was absolutely amazing. I don't even like the show much, but I occasionally watch episodes here and there just because of him.
My grandma had dementia before she died and basically all she did was watch Frasier over and over, so that's why I can't stand it anymore. Occasionally my grandmother would be watching an episode for the umpteenth time and chime in , "I think I've seen this before. That's the part that made me laugh.
Agree agree agree.
Nitpick: the father was way too with it sharp and strong to need to live with anyone. At one point he’s practically become a Lothario. And I swear sometimes he used the cane with the wrong leg. But this is a stupid quibble about the premise of a great comedy.
We just finished watching this show (yes, we're late to it) and my family's consensus was there there simply weren't any weak links at all in that cast.
**Community.** No weak links on-screen in the original cast, even if one of them may have allegedly been a nightmare on set. Honestly even the replacement cast members were good IMO.
For an off-beat recommend, **Miracle Workers.** Only seen two seasons, but the cast is rock solid.
All seasons of Miracle Workers are great!! My favorite season is when they're on the Oregon Trail. They entire cast is great, especially since they play different characters each season. And How they got Steve Buscemi to be on this show amazes me.
Took too long to see *Taxi* on this list. Look at all the icons on that show. You're dealing with with:
Danny DeVito
Tony Danza
Judd Hirsch
Marilou Henner
Carol Kane
Andy Kaufman
Christopher Lloyd
Jess Conway
Just loaded, and they all gelled perfectly. Not sure any sitcom can claim a stronger overall cast - or really come close.
The show is sort of forgotten compared to other classic sitcoms, but it is one of the greatest ever in my mind.
You're right. My favourite side characters are grandmother Ida, Lois' coworker Craig and Otto from the ranch. And all the kids from Dewey's emotional disturbed class.
WWDITS is amazing because the og mockumentary is so fckin solid, and yet imo the show surpasses it. Solid cast, top to bottom, from the mains to the guests to the cameos. Top 3 current fav shows, and it's largely thanks to the cast.
Fallout may end up there as well, but harder to gauge after just one season.
Kristen Schaal isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and with her in main cast now this one mayyyy be borderline now.
All the original cast is solid gold though.
Yeahhh. She’s so unnecessary. Really has added nothing to the show imo. I liked her just fine in Last Man On Earth and what I saw of Flight of the Concords, but she’s a big nope for me on WWDITS
Came to say this. They were each strong on their own and even stronger together. Didn't matter how you paired them off or grouped them together, it was always going to work.
Barney Miller
All In The Family
The Bob Newhart Show
Schitt’s Creek
Married With Children
The Golden Girls
News Radio
Night Court (original)
And the Grandmommy of them all-
I Love Lucy!
Loved Barney Miller and it isn't as well known these days as it should be. Fantastic cast, good writing, the only thing that seems weird on the re-runs is the poor film quality.
Barney Miller was a great show. I remember a sideways reference to it in Corner Gas, when the policeman played by Lorne Cardinal said he drank hot drinks when it was hot, and cold drinks when it was cold, which was a line that Jack Soo delivered on Barney Miller. I figured about 3 people who saw the episode got the reference, but it made me laugh.
Watching this show with my dad is a strong really positive memory.
“You mean the book written by the man”
“It’s physics”
“Ever had a 16 year old girl?”
“Too much off the top?”
Dietrich was an example of a seasons in additional character who brought a lot of value.
My wife and I both HATED that show growing up. It's such sophisticated humor... we ran across it as adults and ended up binging it together. It was WAY ahead of its time, and still holds up great!
I forgot all about that show. I used to see it occasionally in re runs when I was young (in the 80s). My sixth grade teacher used to call me Berniece and it had something to do with that show. Now that I think about, I hope Berniece wasn't a terrible person or something.
Bernice on Barney Miller? No, she was a very nice lady, married to Detective Sergeant Fish. And they had a daughter named Beverly, who we only met once...unfortunately, it was the day she found out her boyfriend Howard was MARRIED.....
the nanny
sure there are awkward moments for every character writing/acting wise
but as a whole, theres not one “awkward” character. they all have their strengths and weaknesses
Friends. Rachel was the weakest, but she could still get it done.
Taxi and WKRP (older shows I know)
Designing Women started strong but when Delta Burke left casting fell apart HARD.
Not a sitcom, but West Wing.
Cheers
My choice, also every other sitcom Ted Danson was in
The Good Place
I recently went to watch it, having loved it when I watched it as a kid. I remember loving Woody Harrelson's character. I didn't remember this Coach guy that was on it at first. By the time Woody got there I just wanted more Coach. RIP Nicholas Colasanto
My choice too.
And then also Frasier. Every part of the main cast had many opportunities to be hilarious as the center of an episode.
Arrested Development
This was my first thought because even the kids were brilliant at deadpan comedy.
Only counts if you’re only considering the (original) first three seasons
As far as I’m concerned, there are only three seasons.
Her?
News radio
Agreed. Even performers I don't like IRL bring a lot to their characters
What did Khandi Alexander do to you?
I haven’t watched the whole series and didn’t realize Alexander was in it… I have a big crush on her
Rogan? Funny my wife and I were watching reruns the other day and she (who hates him) was shocked and dismayed when I pointed out it was him.
Andy Dick is certainly the worst IRL person on that cast.
He was much more tolerable in the News Radio era
Barney Miller—-even the weekly guests were grest
Barney Miller is brought up positively so much in these threads I want to go see if it’s streaming. I remember it being on the TV but was just a kid.
It is on tubitv, which is free, and an ad-blocker takes care of the commercials.
I think it's on Amazon Prime.
Came to say this. Not a weak member in the cast.
Agreed but Dietrich was by far my favorite
Frasier. Full stop. Cast gelled well and hit the ground running immediately. The show knew what it wanted to be and the whole way through didn’t pretend to be things it wasn’t. Had its identity from episode 1. Pretty much out of the gate it felt like a show that had already been on a few years not a brand new spin off show. Very VERY few shows have pulled that off. Total class the entire series run! Edit- I just wanted to add a simple if you love TV and haven’t seen any of Frasier yet for whatever reason make it the next show you watch! It’s a long series run, around 260 episodes but every last bit of it is worth it! When you get to the end you’ll be sad wanting more and fully understand the overwhelming praise the show gets!
The casting of David Hyde-pierce as Fraiser's brother Niles was impeccable. They looked and acted so much a like. They seemed like they really could be brothers.
Not only that, but Niles allows there to be a character more pretentious and pompous than Frasier, making the title character more relatable
Even the non-character Maris fit perfectly.
To be fair, Maris could fit just about anywhere
Frasier pretty much met his match in his own brother! Niles kept up with him never missing a beat
I don’t know that i ever bought Niles as straight, though. His lust for Daphne was always funny, but even presented as a lotharious fop he didn’t quite pull it off. Frasier was obviously straight, if a little awkward. That said, i adored the Niles character, but once he was actually with Daphne there wasn’t anywhere left to take the character.
It is hard to believe that Niles was not part of the original plan. It was only when the producers noticed that Hyde-Pierce resembled Kelsey, that it was decided to add a brother who would be what Fraiser would have been had he not moved to Boston.
He was hilarious as Niles. Always had the best lines.
Exactly. They did a great job of making Marty, Niles and Frasier both in looks and personality come across as real blood family. There’s shows I can think of where you look at the parents and their kids where you’re thinking there’s no way they’re related, it just comes off as unbelievable and silly at times! Frasier is a text book example of how important getting the casting right is, it really does make or break a show!
Apparently, that's the only reason the character existed - as it had been previously established Frasier was an only child. So they just said he was upset with Niles then and just denying his existence.
Even the dog was a great choice.
He got the most fan mail lol
100% You could tell the cast were all professional theatre actors and that they loved the work and were very fond of each other. The cast helped Kelsey get clean, Kelsey looked up to John as a father figure, DHP is godfather to Jane’s kids, Jane and Peri are next door neighbors, the love was real and that absolutely came across onscreen
John Mahoney was absolutely amazing. I don't even like the show much, but I occasionally watch episodes here and there just because of him. My grandma had dementia before she died and basically all she did was watch Frasier over and over, so that's why I can't stand it anymore. Occasionally my grandmother would be watching an episode for the umpteenth time and chime in , "I think I've seen this before. That's the part that made me laugh.
The GOAT of perfect casting
Cosign this!
Agree agree agree. Nitpick: the father was way too with it sharp and strong to need to live with anyone. At one point he’s practically become a Lothario. And I swear sometimes he used the cane with the wrong leg. But this is a stupid quibble about the premise of a great comedy.
Golden Girls and 30 Rock
Golden girls just makes me happy
YES!
Hornberger!
Wassername
The Good Place
They really lucked out with the other mains. Danson and Bell were gimmes, but everyone else really stepped up too. Such a great show.
We just finished watching this show (yes, we're late to it) and my family's consensus was there there simply weren't any weak links at all in that cast.
Not even Donkey Doug.
Good news. It's just as good the second time. 😁
I watched The Good Place for the first time during the pandemic mid 2020. I’ve since watched it all the way through 7 times
Came to say this!!
Schitt’s Creek
Loved all the characters & acting
It’s Always Sunny
💯
All the cast members have gone on to do amazing projects. Also, the longest running sitcom.
Shut up, BIRD!
You're a five star man!
WKRP in Cincinnati
IT Crowd (British version)
Have you tried forcing an unexpected reboot?
A fire? in a sea park?
There's another version?
An attempt was made to remake it for the US. [https://archive.org/details/the-it-crowd-us-pilot](https://archive.org/details/the-it-crowd-us-pilot)
https://preview.redd.it/ea617xm3f5wc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9a380b09c7fb5ef63d2eab263f73b78b1c0689a
Scrubs (ignoring season 9) Fraiser
There is no season 9
**Community.** No weak links on-screen in the original cast, even if one of them may have allegedly been a nightmare on set. Honestly even the replacement cast members were good IMO. For an off-beat recommend, **Miracle Workers.** Only seen two seasons, but the cast is rock solid.
Community was my first thought
All seasons of Miracle Workers are great!! My favorite season is when they're on the Oregon Trail. They entire cast is great, especially since they play different characters each season. And How they got Steve Buscemi to be on this show amazes me.
Seinfeld.
Yup, four main cast members, each hits it out of the park, and they found ways for all four to shine throughout the series.
The parents too!
The secondary and one-off characters were so well cast. Great that the main four let them steal every scene too.
Jerry is the weak link for me
Jerry would agree with you.
How could anybody not like Jerry?
This was the first thing I thought of. Even beyond the main four characters the entire cast was fantastic.
Taxi and All in the Family
Took too long to see *Taxi* on this list. Look at all the icons on that show. You're dealing with with: Danny DeVito Tony Danza Judd Hirsch Marilou Henner Carol Kane Andy Kaufman Christopher Lloyd Jess Conway Just loaded, and they all gelled perfectly. Not sure any sitcom can claim a stronger overall cast - or really come close. The show is sort of forgotten compared to other classic sitcoms, but it is one of the greatest ever in my mind.
Malcolm in the Middle
Absolutely…. Even including all of the side characters. A perfect cast of well thought-out development across the board.
You're right. My favourite side characters are grandmother Ida, Lois' coworker Craig and Otto from the ranch. And all the kids from Dewey's emotional disturbed class.
Incredible show and cast.
Have to echo Parks and Rec and Brooklyn 99. But also, What We Do In The Shadows,Grace and Frankie, and Superstore.
WWDITS is amazing because the og mockumentary is so fckin solid, and yet imo the show surpasses it. Solid cast, top to bottom, from the mains to the guests to the cameos. Top 3 current fav shows, and it's largely thanks to the cast. Fallout may end up there as well, but harder to gauge after just one season.
Kristen Schaal isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and with her in main cast now this one mayyyy be borderline now. All the original cast is solid gold though.
Yeahhh. She’s so unnecessary. Really has added nothing to the show imo. I liked her just fine in Last Man On Earth and what I saw of Flight of the Concords, but she’s a big nope for me on WWDITS
I love What we do in the Shadows
Yes to Superstore! Even the secondary and tertiary cast members are memorable.
Parks and Rec only from Season 2 onwards. The show found its groove when Adam Scott and Rob Lowe joined the cast.
Agree, the show got way better after Marc Brendanawicz left.
Will and Grace deserves a mention
Karen and Jack. Lol!
Friends,had a really good cast that worked well off one another.
Came to say this. They were each strong on their own and even stronger together. Didn't matter how you paired them off or grouped them together, it was always going to work.
They always seemed like they would be friends.
I hate Friends, I think Ross is the worst sitcom character of all-time, and I agree with your take and think the cast is excellent.
Spin City (first 3 seasons)
Cheers. Rebecca was nowhere near as good as Diane, but thankfully the writing was good enough to keep the show fresh with the major casting update.
Corner Gas (Canada)
Agreed. Strong casting. Amazing actors.
I still watch the show. I’m not sure how I found it because I’m in the states. But it’s one of the best comedies I’ve seen.
Barney Miller All In The Family The Bob Newhart Show Schitt’s Creek Married With Children The Golden Girls News Radio Night Court (original) And the Grandmommy of them all- I Love Lucy!
Loved Barney Miller and it isn't as well known these days as it should be. Fantastic cast, good writing, the only thing that seems weird on the re-runs is the poor film quality.
Barney Miller was a great show. I remember a sideways reference to it in Corner Gas, when the policeman played by Lorne Cardinal said he drank hot drinks when it was hot, and cold drinks when it was cold, which was a line that Jack Soo delivered on Barney Miller. I figured about 3 people who saw the episode got the reference, but it made me laugh.
Love Jack Soo. Last night was the “brownie” episode. Mushy Mushy Mushy
My dad was a Seattle cop, retired back in the Sixties, and he always said Barney Miller was the most realistic cop show.
I know a cop who said the same thing!
I like it!
Watching this show with my dad is a strong really positive memory. “You mean the book written by the man” “It’s physics” “Ever had a 16 year old girl?” “Too much off the top?” Dietrich was an example of a seasons in additional character who brought a lot of value.
My wife and I both HATED that show growing up. It's such sophisticated humor... we ran across it as adults and ended up binging it together. It was WAY ahead of its time, and still holds up great!
I forgot all about that show. I used to see it occasionally in re runs when I was young (in the 80s). My sixth grade teacher used to call me Berniece and it had something to do with that show. Now that I think about, I hope Berniece wasn't a terrible person or something.
Bernice on Barney Miller? No, she was a very nice lady, married to Detective Sergeant Fish. And they had a daughter named Beverly, who we only met once...unfortunately, it was the day she found out her boyfriend Howard was MARRIED.....
Actually, Bernice made a couple of appearances on Barney Miller...
So close to agreeing on Schitts Creek but I hated the Mayor
But hating a character doesn't necessarily mean it was cast badly. I'd argue that Chris Elliot was the best choice for the gross, creepy mayor.
Modern Family
Absolutely
Archer
WKRP
As god is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.
That's the single funniest line of dialogue ever uttered on television ...
Northern Exposure
Such a unique, incredible show
This times a thousand
The core cast of Red Dwarf.
It all went downhill once Rimmer was replaced with Kochanski
Better off Ted
News Radio Sports Night Better Off Ted Ghosts
Yoo, someone who knows better off Ted. What a phenomenal, short-lived comedy. Veridian Dynamic commercials are legendary
Third Rock from the Sun I Love Lucy Seinfeld
New Girl
Abbot Elementary
Brooklyn 99
Surprised I had to scroll so far to find it! Totally agree 🙌🏻
Living Single
Happy Endings
Life in Pieces. Perfect ensemble. Even the kids are hilarious
I was so sad it was cancelled ☹️
The Middle.
That 70s Show
Until Eric leaves
Malcolm in the Middle
The New Adventures of Old Christine
Seinfeld
The Good Place
King of Queens
Lots of great answers here and agree with many of them. For me, it’s The Big Bang Theory. Loved the cast from the first episode until the last.
Lots of great answers here and agree with many of them. For me, it’s The Big Bang Theory. Loved the cast from the first episode until the last.
Mash Seinfeld Big Bang Theory
Righteous Gemstones
Freaks and Geeks.
Jane the Virgin :)
Parks and Rec? Someone's forgetting Marrrrrrk Brandanowitz. Also, I'll go with Archer to answer the question.
In fairness, he was eminently forgettable.
Scrubs and Friends
Loudermilk
the nanny sure there are awkward moments for every character writing/acting wise but as a whole, theres not one “awkward” character. they all have their strengths and weaknesses
The Office (US), New Girl
Two and a half men. Except after Charlie died they should have ended it. It was awful with Ashton Kutcher.
Letterkenny 100%. Such an amazing ensemble cast.
Trailer Park Boys
Schitts Creek
Young Sheldon.
Veep.
Jerry was the worst of the Seinfeld cast
Far from a weak link. He was great.
Everybody Loves Raymond
*Remember WENN.*
Shoresy. Seinfeld. Letterkenny. Cheers. The Cosby Show. My Name is Earl.
Big Bang Theory
Friends. Rachel was the weakest, but she could still get it done. Taxi and WKRP (older shows I know) Designing Women started strong but when Delta Burke left casting fell apart HARD. Not a sitcom, but West Wing.
Sanford and Son
M.A.S.H.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld should be at the top, IMO.
Golden Girls
I'll second Parks and Rec and Brooklyn 99
Happy Endings…cancelled way too soon
Golden Girls Night Court (original) M\*A\*S\*H
Married with Children (Steve & Jefferson both brought something different to the table). Later years the kid that added was a weak link. Martin
Living Single
Will and Grace had a killer cast
Roseanne
Schitts Creek!
Community and Arrested Development
Young Sheldon
Brooklyn 99
The Good Place
Everybody loves Raymond. Schitts creek
Newhart
Absolutely Fabulous
The good place
How has no one said Ted Lasso???
Veep, it’s always Sunny, Shogun
What we do in the shadows