The 25 Best Comedy All-Star Casts in TV History

Image via Complex Original

Stars: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, John C. McGinley, Ken Jenkins, Neil Flynn

We assume that, under normal circumstances, hospitals don't happen to be a laugh riot. In fact, when we went to get our stomach pumped, the doctors and nurses seemed more tired than anything. Regardless, the doctors and nurses of Sacred Heart Hospital continually make us laugh, even if they're dealing with brain tumor patients who hear everything as a musical, or sweet old ladies who are just going to die anyway, why do we bother getting attached, we know what is going to happen, oh, God, tears! 

We weren't crying, OK? We just really appreciate the real life bromance of Braff and Faison and the chemistry of the rest of the cast. 

Stars: Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burreli, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Hyland

Every day and every night we write thank-you letters to ABC. The network has provided us with the genius of Ed O'Neill again, which we've missed since the glorious days of Married... with Children, except this time he's attracted to his wife. And, coincidentally, that sentence provides the perfect segue for why we actually write our thank-you notes. His wife is played by Sofia Vergara, who we also happen to be attracted to! We already relate to his character.

Add in the brilliance of the rest of the cast, including our favorite oblivious TV dad, Ty Burrell, his overbearing wife, Julie Bowen, and of course the greatest relationship on TV portrayed by Ferguson and Stonestreet. This gay relationship broke ground, melted hearts, and helped bring the sitcom into modern times.

Stars: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan

After nine seasons, we've finally found out who the mother actually is (don't worry, we won't spoil it for you). But we never watched to find out who Ted (Radnor) finally shacked up with. We tuned in each week to watch Ted and his friends, the womanizer, the couple, and the hot Canadian, hang out in a bar. The show reintroduced us to Neil Patrick Harris' epicness and Smulder's smoulder.

Stars: Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong, Jim Rash

There's a reason why Community just won't die. Throw whatever you want at it: time changes, hiatus, Chevy Chase drama. Community shall rise from the ashes like a phoenix. The Community cast is stacked with of-the-moment and legendary comedic greats-The Soup's Joel McHale, stand-up comic Donald Glover, The Hangover's Ken Jeong, SNL's Chevy Chase—and we mean that with sincerity. Any show that can pull off having its cast sit in the study room playing Dungeons and Dragons for an entire episode and still keep it entertaining is gold.

Stars: Bob Newhart, Mary Frann, Jennifer Holmes, Julia Duffy, Tom Poston, Steven Kampmann, Peter Scolari, William Sanderson, John Voldstad

Comedian Bob Newhart, who already found fame in his first sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, played the everyman DIY-writer from the Big Apple who finds himself running an inn with his wife in a rural town in Vermont on Newhart, which ran from 1982 to 1990. There, he stumbles upon his neighbors, employees and townsfolk who are all, for lack of a better word, weirdos. Then, the cherry atop the cake, he starts to host his own talk show on the local access channel, where he gets to meet even weirder characters. Need some examples? The guys who took over the cafe across the street are three backwoodsman brothers named Larry, Darryl and Darryl (Sanderson, Papenfuss, Voldstad). The star couple of the town is the location TV station producer who speaks in annoying alliteration (Scolari) and a rich girl cut off by her pants who becomes the inn's housekeeper (Duffy). Together they're the perfect yuppie couple.

As if the constant onslaught of characters isn't enough, Newhart also boasts the most mind-blowing series finale of all time. We usually avoid spoilers, but it's been 23 years so here we go: 'Twas but a dream, Newhart! 

Stars: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Ross Bagley

Few things draw people closer together than a rousing chorus of the theme song to The Fresh Prince. It's unavoidable—someone will start talking about the '90s, it carries over into the a discussion about the best TV shows (of which, Fresh Prince is like, number one), and then someone begins: "In West Philadelphia, born and raised..." 

By the end of the theme song, you are best friends. You were at work or class before, but when you finish singing, you've opened your eyes, and you are at the bar together. You already have BFF bracelets. It's happened.

Seriously, have you ever met anyone who doesn't love the show and its exceptional cast? If you have, they are your nemesis. Will Smith clashing with his well-to-do family in Bel Air, his loving uncle (Avery) and, of course, Carlton (Riberio), the most talented dancer in the land. There's more than enough memorable comedic talent to go around.

Stars: Dave Foley, Stephen Root, Andy Dick, Joe Rogan, Maura Tierney, Vicki Lewis, Khandi Alexander, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz

Employing a classic fish out of water set-up, NewsRadio placed a bright and weird Midwesterner (Dave Foley) into the chaos of a NY-based AM news station, the fictional WNYX. Like NPR gone stark, raving mad, WNYX was staffed with bizarre characters played by '90s greats like Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Andy Dick, and, yes, Joe Rogan (before he made people eat bugs, he was a UFO obsessed janitor).

NewsRadio stood out for its blindness to sitcom limitations. Freely embracing the weird, the humor was dark, sometimes violent. In later seasons, the show became so freewheeling, the cast wound up on Titanic. Don't ask. Just go along for the ride. You've got a lot of great partners riding with you.

Stars: Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Carl Anythony Payne II, Thomas Mikal Ford, Tichina Arnold, Jonathan Fries, Garrett Morris

It's funny to think that Fox's earliest success depended on the African American and Latin viewership, and now the company has Fox News. But we digress. 

Martin—the brainchild of stand-up comic Martin Lawrence—was one of the most watched shows during the early '90s, and for good reason. The edgy, hilarious sitcom followed Lawrence as a disc jockey, and then talk show host, living in Detroit. He smart-talked his way around his job, family and friends, but he's secretly a sweetheart. As if the supporting cast wasn't talented enough, one of Martin's running jokes was that Lawrence would routinely dress up and portray other characters like ghetto girl Sheneneh, pimp Jerome, and his own mother. 

Stars: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Sabrina Le Beauf, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Geoffrey Owens, Raven-Symone, Erika Alexander

The Cosby Show dominated TV ratings throughout the 1980s. And, frankly, we still consider it television's best family sitcom of all time. Comedian Bill Cosby's passion project remains heartfelt and hilarious to this day. He's the partriarch of the Huxtables, an upper-middle-class family living in Brooklyn, with adorable kids and a brilliant wife played by Phylicia Rashad.

The Huxtables had it all, man. But more importantly, they also broke serious ground for all-black casts on the tube, proving that such a non-white lineup could hold down a tender, warm, and genuinely funny sitcom.

Stars: Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue MacClanahan, Estelle Getty

"Thank you for being a friend, traveled down the road and back again." Now that that song is stuck in your head, can we please just discuss how wonderful Golden Girls is? We watch the Lifetime marathon every single time it airs. Every damn time.

You've got the sarcastic Bea, the sassy Estelle, the sultry Rue and the silly Betty. We used to have these recurring dreams where we sat and ate cheesecake with them. In all seriousness though, we did, and also, Golden Girls is legendary. Not only did these lovely ladies prove they could carry a show all on their own above the age of what is traditionally considered "sexy," they also tackled issues TV executives still get nervous about today, like AIDS, homosexuality, and condoms.

Stars: Harry Anderson, Karen Austin, John Larroquette, Paula Kelly, Richard Moll, Selma Diamon, Ellen Foley, Charles Robinson, Markie Post, Florence Halop, Marsha Warfield

When we were kids, we thought Night Court was a serious show for adults...because we took the law seriously. Then we found out they had Wile E. Coyote as a defendant once and we realized we've never been more wrong about anything. Based in New York City, Night Court's slapstick comed and excellent dry wit is still dubbed one of the most realistic shows about the law. (Which we get—there are weirdos in New York. Wile E. Coyote wouldn't really surprise us at all.) 

Led by the amatuer magician/judge (Anderson), the show was already a success— Anderson was known for his work on SNL and Cheers—so the audience was already there. But that didn't stop John Larroquette from blowing up into stardom of his own with his role as womanizing prosecutor, Dan. 

Stars: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Lizzy Caplan, Megan Mullally, Jane Lynch

Party Down is a great hidden gem of television, which more and more people are finally finding out about. It stars Freaks and Geeks alumni, Martin Starr, Mean Girls' Lizzy Caplan, The State's Marino, and Parks and Recreation's Adam Scott. Throw in a few other well known comedy personalities, like Megan Mullally and Jane Lynch, and you have a show that has as much heart as it does laughs. Besides, who hasn't had that one job they take just to make ends meet while working on their real dream? We relate all too well with the catering crew who has run out of F's to give.

Stars: Mary Tyler Moore, Gavin MacLeod, Edward Asner, Ted Knight, Valerie Harper, Georgia Enger, Betty White, Cloris Leachman

The Mary Tyler Moore Show is considered by many as one of the greatest breakthroughs for women in television, and Moore's character gets a lot of credit for that one. She was an unmarried above 30-year-old career woman, the first on TV whose main goal wasn't trying to find a husband. But the show would be nothing without the rest of the cast rounding out her character, such as the self-centered news anchor Ted Baxter (Ted Knight), the man hungry Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White), and the disastrous date magnet, Rhoda (Valerie Harper).

Stars: Gary Sandy, Howard Hesseman, Godron Jump, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers, Richard Sanders, Frank Bonner

Underappriciated, and constantly moved around to different time slots, WKRP wasn't a huge success during its original airings. However, when the CBS series moved into syndication, it became the most popular rerun show, outshining shows that used to beat it in the rankings.

What is it about watching a bunch of ragtag characters working together to make something that creates such a fanbase? Like most of the shows produced by MTM Enterprises (e.g., The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show), WKRP was based on running gags and driven by its ensemble cast of quirky characters. Andy (Sandy) is the straightman trying to turn around the failing station with an eccentric cast of characters, including a DJ who's been fired from his old job for saying "booger" (Howard Hesseman), an incompetent news reporter (Richard Sanders), and the station's highest paid employee, the gorgeous receptionist (Loni Anderson).  

Stars: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, Richard Lewis

Slice-of-life comedy at its finest, Curb Your Enthusiasm boasts one of the greatest neurotic casts ever assembled, and some of the most memorable special guests in any television show—mostly because they play heightened versions of themselves. And it is almost painful to watch David go through each and every awkward moment of his semi-retired life.

Stars: Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, Harry Morgan, Mike Farrell, Kellye Nakahara, Gary Burghoff

The military conflict lasted three years, but the show lasted 11 seasons—go figure. The show about the Korean War, which aired during the most pivotal times of the Vietnam War, drew in a record breaking 125 million viewers for its finale, making it the most watched television episode at the time. People really didn't want to leave Korea.

Each week, millions would tune in to see Hawkeye and the rest of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital deal with conflicts, injuries, and cross-dressing. The days before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," were so much fun.

Stars: Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco, Samm Levine, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Busy Philipps

Do you remember when the Muppets came out with Muppet Babies? Or when Looney Toons did their Tiny Toons thing? Even Scooby Doo did it for a while. Freaks and Geeks is like Judd Apatow Juniors, all his favorite stars as tiny teens. You've got Seth Rogen, James Franco, Martin Starr, and Jason Segal, who all went on to star in Apatow directed or produced films.

They grow up so fast. 

Stars: Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer

There are certain sentences that every red-blooded American can finish. For example, "Knock, knock," gets a "Who's there?" And, if you look someone in the eyes and say, "Smelly cat, smelly cat..." they will instinctively sing in response, "What are they feeding you?" Fun fact, you can ask a child this as soon as they begin speaking and they will know the proper response. It's ingrained in our brains, somehow, through evolution and science and shit. That is the power of Friends, which hasn't released a new episode in nine years (just to make you feel old).

That said, we know you still watch this show religiously in syndication. Why do you keep coming back? Because these characters are, for lack of creativity, your friends. Before Jennifer Aniston was queen of the romcoms, before Courtney Cox was the delightful wino on Cougar Town, and before Matt LeBlanc wasn't famous enough to play...Matt LeBlanc (Episodes), they were your six friends you hung out with every Thursday night. In fact, they remain your most consistent friends—besides your mom. (Burn.)

Stars: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Mindy Kaling, Ed Helms, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper

The Office has launched more careers in its eight-year run than the vocational school in your hometown has since its erection in the 1970s. The American version of Ricky Gervais' popular British sitcom successfully made Steve Carell a household name, birthed John Kransinski into an adorable, nonthreatening sex symbol, and provided the perfect role for the eccentric Rainn Wilson.

And the greatest thing about The Office? The show really relied on the overall talent of its cast. Each character became fully fleshed out by the actors, thanks to their natural born talent or years of practice through improvisation. Not to mention that it gave hope to people across the nation that, no matter how boring their job actually is, maybe there's an endearing and beautiful receptionist who looks Jenna Fischer and is waiting to be swept off her feet.

Stars: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Jim O'Heir, Retta, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe

If you're not watching Parks and Recreation, then you're missing out, completely. The cast draws certain emotions from us we didn't think possible. Amy Poehler plays the ever optimistic Leslie Knope, city counselwoman, who makes us actually believe in the government, despite our Ron Swanson (Offerman) attitudes towards it usually. Each character brings a new layer of affection from us, and they play off each other so well. We're not sure if it's the perfect writing, perfect delivery, or perfect chemistry between the cast that has us rewatching each season on Hulu. The show is just perfect, OK?  If we said we didn't daydream about living in Pawnee, we'd be lying. 

Stars: Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, J. Alan Thomas, Christopher Lloyd

Taxi is such an enduring sitcom thanks to the diversity and complexity of the cabbies on the show. Each character brought another aspect of real life to what many write off as just another comedy show. Like Alex (Hirsch), the rock of the group, who struggles himself with gambling addiction and an adult daughter he doesn't know. Or the dispatcher, Louie (DeVito), who is so easily detestable until you see him deal with his love, Zena (Rhea Perman), marrying another man.

The show launched the careers of some of comedy's biggest names, including Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Andy Kaufman. Any show that was capable of keeping the notoriously difficult Kaufman involved for multiple episodes is a thing of terrific power (and quality).

Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander

If it's been said once, it's been said a million times. Seinfeld is the only successful show about nothing. There really is no driving force behind one of the greatest TV comedies ever produced. The plot doesn't center around the characters finding love, getting their dream job, or having children. In fact, if anything, most episodes are about the lack of love, career growth, and family. Yet, there isn't any character who is more identifiable than the four on Seinfeld. From Kramer's insane entrances to Elaine's graceful dance, Seinfeld introduced us to neurotic New Yorkers, and what's the deal with that?

Stars: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer

Before 30 Rock was the comedy phenomenon we know today, with big names like Jon Hamm, Julianne Moore, and Chris Parnell recurring as guest stars, it was first a lowly little pilot that could. Pinned against the huge Aaron Sorkin dramedy based on the same late night comedy show plot, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, not many would bet on Tina Fey's half hour single-camera sitcom.

A record-breaking 22 Emmy nominations later, 30 Rock has earned a spot in every "Must Watch TV" list. And, honestly, we think they owe it all to the dedicated cast, which boasts a number of Second City and Saturday Night Live alumni, including SNL's favorite host, Alec Baldwin, and the irreverent, always controversial Tracy Morgan.

Stars: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter

When a show is unfairly cancelled, you'll usually get a few super-fans banding together to try to write some lame petition to get it back on the air (Speaking of, would you mind signing this so they can finally make a Xena movie? No? Moving on!). And, needless to say, it fails.

Enter Arrested Development. The show was resurrected after being unmercifully canceled by Fox following its third season's finale, and, with all of the cast back on board seven years later, released the long awaited fourth season on Netflix. The comedy superstar cast broke all the norms of the family sitcom—need we address Tobias Funke's (David Cross) never-nude tendencies or the weird will-they-won't-they cousin relationship between George Michael (Michael Cera) and Maeby (Alia Shawkat)?

Stars: Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, Shelley Long

If you want to be where everybody knows your name, treat yourself to a Netflix marathon of Cheers. It'll make you feel good inside, trust us.

There's something to be said about an ensemble cast of talented actors who seem like they really could be as loving and supportive of each other, despite the jokes and jabs, in real life as they are on screen. Cheers not only propelled the careers of Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson and psycho-analyzed the issues of the class system in America (but it's funny, don't worry), it also created the Emmy-winning spin-off comedy Frasier.

Damn near every sitcom that's come in Cheers' wake—meaning, nearly all of the shows in this countdown—has taken cues from it. Modern-day sitcom showrunners never hesitate to cite it as one of their biggest influences. And whenever there's a "greatest sitcoms of all time" list to be had, it's a shoe-in for a top spot. The unparalled legacy of Cheers is the stuff of network TV legend.