Entertainment
6 Long-Running Sitcoms That Never Run Out of Great Ideas
The best sitcoms are the ones that stand the test of time. Back in the heyday of cable television, sitcoms enjoyed the luxury of lengthy runs. These days, however, it’s much harder for shows to maintain that kind of longevity, particularly in the streaming era, where audiences have countless options and are less likely to commit to shows that require years of investment to keep up with an ongoing story or lore.
That doesn’t mean long-running sitcoms have completely disappeared. Some shows have maintained massive followings since their early heyday and continue to attract audiences today, while newer sitcoms have shown plenty of promise through their continuous renewals. Together, they prove that there is still plenty of life left in the genre. These shows know how to keep the jokes coming without making them feel stale, all while staying true to the core of what made the series work in the first place. From a sitcom about a group of dedicated school staff to an American animated classic, here are long-running sitcoms that never run out of great ideas.
6
‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021–2026)
It still feels like yesterday when Season 1 of Abbott Elementary was trying to find its audience on ABC. Yet, only five years into its run, Abbott is already gearing up for its Season 6 premiere in the fall, putting it on track to become a long-running sitcom. It’s not hard to see why audiences have grown to love the staff and students of Abbott Elementary. Public schools like Abbott are notorious for being underfunded and under-supported, but teachers like Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) wholeheartedly believe in the school’s potential and remain determined to make it a better place for their students.
Much of Abbott Elementary’s humor also feels fresh because of how effortlessly it keeps up with current trends. From kids getting into silly and nonsensical TikTok challenges to Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang that leaves the older teachers completely confused, the show captures the generation gap in ways that are painfully funny yet surprisingly true to life. The teachers themselves are also playful caricatures of modern-day stereotypes, from Ava’s (Janelle James) obsession with popularity and influencer culture to Jacob’s (Chris Perfetti) performative progressivism. As the show continues to grow, so does its ability to absorb whatever is happening in online discourse and infuse it into its scripts, making the world of Abbott Elementary feel lived-in and reflective of the moment.
5
‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present)
America’s favorite animated family will always be an all-time classic. Whether you’ve been watching since the pilot or only tune in from time to time, it’s nearly impossible not to know who The Simpsons are. The pop culture phenomenon popularized the dysfunctional family trope without making it feel bleak, making the show relatable to audiences who don’t necessarily come from perfect families. There’s also a bittersweet comfort in watching a father like Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta), who, despite his lack of intellect and questionable behavior, almost always has good intentions when it comes to his family.
The Simpsons initially caught on because of its ability to turn real-life events into sharp satire, and the show has continued that tradition by keeping up with current pop culture. In Season 37 alone, it spoofed the National Treasure film franchise with “Irrational Treasure” and featured a Severance-inspired episode titled “Seperence,” proving that The Simpsons rarely feels out of touch with the times. Still, perhaps the biggest reason the show continues to capture audiences is The Simpsons‘ ability to seemingly predict future events, a gag that has become almost as famous as the series itself.
4
‘South Park’ (1997–Present)
Leave it to South Park to stir up controversy. Nearly three decades and hundreds of episodes into its run, the crude animated series continues to find new generations of fans who appreciate its unhinged sense of humor. Much of South Park’s timelessness comes from embracing shock value and wondering about whose buttons its creators can push next. In its earlier seasons, the show was relentless, bringing up jokes considered deeply inappropriate even at the time, from religious satire involving the portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad to provocative jokes surrounding questionable language.
These days, South Park has toned down some of its more extreme provocations, but its humor remains rooted in controversy, with politics now serving as one of its favorite targets. And the show certainly isn’t subtle about it. Season 27, for instance, features a cutout depiction of Donald Trump sleeping with the Devil, while other storylines tackle cultural anxieties surrounding AI, the controversial actions of ICE, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. To this day, South Park remains willing to tackle uncomfortable subjects that many people wouldn’t dare bring up at the dinner table.
3
‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005–Present)
One would think that after 18 seasons, the Paddy’s Pub gang from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia would have learned something by now. Judging by the facial wrinkles and graying hair they’ve gained over the years, you’d think they had grown wiser with age. But the truth is, they’ve learned absolutely nothing. The gang remains just as arrogant, self-important, and impulsive as they were in their younger years. Somehow, though, watching their older selves get into the pettiest arguments and most ridiculous situations only proves that age has made them even funnier.
In recent years, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has tried to maintain a nice balance between its old shticks and newer hijinks, making it both familiar and fresh for different generations of fans. Season 17 kicked things off by collaborating with its Philly counterpart, the kid-friendly Abbott Elementary, bringing two complete opposites together in a bizarre situation where the Paddy’s gang volunteers at the school. Always Sunny Season 18 sees more tributes to old jokes, like Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and Dee’s (Kaitlin Olson) ADHD diagnosis, as well as another Gilligan’s Island parody.
2
‘King of the Hill’ (1997–Present)
King of the Hill ended its original run in 2010, but the beloved sitcom returned in 2025 with Season 14. Rather than simply picking up where it left off, the revival makes the smart choice to fast-forward several years in the lives of the Hills. After returning from Saudi Arabia, where Hank had been working, Hank (Mike Judge) and Peggy (Kathy Najimy) settle back into Arlen, Texas, as Hank prepares to enjoy retirement. Meanwhile, Bobby (Pamela Adlon) is no longer the timid and painfully awkward tween audiences remember. He’s all grown up and has finally found his calling in life: cooking.
Both the original series and its revival are equally entertaining, largely because they understand how to evolve the Hill family without losing what made them so interesting in the first place. The original run often centered on Hank and Bobby struggling to understand one another, particularly because they are almost complete opposites. The revival, although still early in its run, offers a much-needed continuation that shows just how much the family has changed. Hank and Bobby still find themselves disagreeing, but their conflicts now carry a different weight because they’re both adults.
1
‘Bob’s Burgers’ (2011–Present)
On paper, a middle-class family doesn’t sound like the most exciting premise for a sitcom. But Bob’s Burgers takes The Simpsons’ dysfunctional family formula and turns it into something much more wholesome while keeping all the wackiness intact. There’s nothing particularly extraordinary about the Belcher family, except that its patriarch, Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin), runs a struggling burger restaurant for a living. Yet, it’s this sense of ordinary, working-class life that makes the show feel surprisingly relevant even today.
Much of the Belchers’ struggles are also things that ordinary audiences can relate to. Bob’s biggest concerns are keeping his restaurant afloat, paying the rent, and providing for his family, all of which inevitably pull the entire family into one ridiculous situation after another. In this economy, Bob’s struggles feel more relevant than ever. The difference is that Bob’s Burgers reminds us that you don’t have to face those challenges alone. With his outgoing wife and three eccentric children by his side, Bob has a family that genuinely cares about one another. That wholesome dynamic gives the show’s humor a more layered quality, finding humor in the mundane and stressful moments that make up everyday life.
- Release Date
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January 9, 2011
- Network
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FOX
- Showrunner
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Loren Bouchard
- Directors
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Tyree Dillihay, Anthony Chun, Jennifer Coyle, Wes Archer, Ian Hamilton, Tom Riggin, Bernard Derriman, Don MacKinnon, Kevin Wotton, John Rice, Simon Chong
- Writers
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Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, Wendy Molyneux, Kelvin Yu, Scott Jacobson, Greg Thompson, Katie Crown, Aron Abrams
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