Greatest Forgotten TV Sitcoms
by BWRocks | created - 09 Oct 2016 | updated - 10 Oct 2016 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Pinwright's Progress (1946– )
30 min | Comedy
Misadventures of a multiple store proprietor.
Stars: James Hayter, Clarence Wright, Daphne Maddox, Charles Irwin
considered the very first modern sitcom complete series is lost
2. Mary Kay and Johnny (1947–1950)
30 min | Comedy
The adventures and misadventures of the strait-laced bank employee Johnny Stearns and his zany wife Mary Kay.
Stars: Mary Kay Stearns, John Stearns, Nydia Westman, Howard Fischer
Votes: 29
most of the series is believed to be lost
3. The Aldrich Family (1949–1953)
30 min | Comedy, Family
Based on a popular radio show, this middle-class-American-family comedy is built around the life of the Aldrich family of Elm Street, Centerville and particularly focuses on the adventures ... See full summary »
Stars: Charita Bauer, Robert Casey, Jackie Kelk, Jack Grimes
Votes: 22
never released on DVD yet
4. The Life of Riley (1953–1958)
30 min | Comedy
Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems. His ... See full summary »
Stars: William Bendix, Marjorie Reynolds, Wesley Morgan, Tom D'Andrea
Votes: 315
updated version of the series that premiered on TV in '49 (and radio in '41)
never released on DVD yet
5. The Real McCoys (1957–1963)
30 min | Comedy
From the hills of West Virginia, Amos McCoy moves his family to an inherited farm in California. Grandpa Amos is quick to give advice to his three grandchildren and wonders how his neighbors ever managed without him around.
Stars: Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, Kathleen Nolan, Tony Martinez
Votes: 765
seasons 1 & 2 are out on DVD
6. Bachelor Father (1957–1962)
30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of a single adopted father raising a teenage niece with the help of his manservant.
Stars: John Forsythe, Noreen Corcoran, Sammee Tong, Bernadette Withers
Votes: 368
never released on DVD yet
7. The Stu Erwin Show (1950–1955)
30 min | Comedy
Stu Erwin played a mild-mannered high-school principal, with June Collyer as his wife.
Stars: Stuart Erwin, June Collyer, Ann E. Todd, Sheila James Kuehl
Votes: 88
(also know as "The Trouble with Father")
several compilation DVDs have been released
8. Meet Corliss Archer (1954– )
30 min | Comedy
Pert blond teenager Corliss Archer must balance her life at school, her lovable but goofy boyfriend Dexter and her well-meaning but clueless parents.
Stars: Ann Baker, Mary Brian, John Eldredge, Robert Ellis
Votes: 42
updated version of the series that premiered on TV in '51 (and radio in '43)
several compilation DVDs have been released
9. Maude (1972–1978)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
"All In The Family" spin-off centered around Edith's cousin, Maude Findlay, a liberal, independent woman living in Tuckahoe, NY.
Stars: Bea Arthur, Bill Macy, Conrad Bain, Rue McClanahan
Votes: 3,086
complete series is out on DVD
10. It Takes Two (1982–1983)
30 min | Comedy
Sam and Molly Quinn are two hard working career people just too busy with their careers (he a doctor and she a lawyer) to pay attention to each other or their teenage children.
Stars: Richard Crenna, Patty Duke, Billie Bird, Helen Hunt
Votes: 64
never released on DVD yet
11. Life with Lucy (1986)
30 min | Comedy
Lucy Barker is a grandmother living with her daughter's family while constantly getting into comedic predicaments.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Gale Gordon, Ann Dusenberry, Larry Anderson
Votes: 251
never released on DVD yet
12. Julia (1968–1971)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
Julia Baker is a young African-American woman working as a nurse. She is also a widow (her husband died in Vietnam) trying to raise a young son alone.
Stars: Diahann Carroll, Lloyd Nolan, Marc Copage, Michael Link
Votes: 420
never released on DVD yet
13. Man About the House (1973–1976)
30 min | Comedy
One morning after a particularly wild party, Chrissy and Jo wake up to find Robin sleeping in their bath. He needs a place to live, they need a flatmate that can cook, so they decide to let... See full summary »
Stars: Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Yootha Joyce
Votes: 1,019
seasons 1 & 2 are out on DVD (and the complete series is out on DVD on Region-2)
14. It's a Living (1980–1989)
30 min | Comedy
This series featured a group of waitresses (and a pianist, Sonny) who work at a fancy restaurant at the top of a skyscraper.
Stars: Gail Edwards, Barrie Youngfellow, Paul Kreppel, Marian Mercer
Votes: 593
never released on DVD yet
15. Alice (1976–1985)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures and trials of an aspiring singer and her co-workers at a greasy spoon diner.
Stars: Linda Lavin, Beth Howland, Vic Tayback, Philip McKeon
Votes: 3,513
Seasons 1 to 4 are out on DVD as well as 1 compilation best-of DVD
16. The New Odd Couple (1982–1983)
30 min | Comedy
An African American remake of the television series inspired by the Neil Simon play about two friends living together despite their completely disparate attitudes to life.
Stars: Ron Glass, Demond Wilson, John Schuck, Bart Braverman
Votes: 98
never released on DVD yet
17. Amen (1986–1991)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The new head of Philadelphia's First Community Church, Rev. Rueben Gregory, finds dealing with the headstrong, opinionated and unethical Deacon Ernest Frye - who works as a lawyer when not ... See full summary »
Stars: Sherman Hemsley, Clifton Davis, Anna Maria Horsford, Roz Ryan
Votes: 1,341
never released on DVD yet
18. The Doris Day Show (1968–1973)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
After spending most of her life in big cities, widow Doris Martin decides to move back to the family ranch.
Stars: Doris Day, Philip Brown, Todd Starke, Denver Pyle
Votes: 527
complete series is out on DVD
19. Nine to Five (1982–1988)
30 min | Comedy
The sitcom takes us into the further adventures of the characters from the movie of the same name.
Stars: Rachel Dennison, Valerie Curtin, Sally Struthers, Edward Winter
Votes: 304
never released on DVD yet
20. Valerie (1986–1991)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Originally the saga of a working mom raising her three sons alone while her pilot husband is away. After star Valerie Harper left the series, her role was filled by Sandy Duncan as the boys' aunt.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Jeremy Licht, Dan Ponce, Josh Taylor
Votes: 1,262
never released on DVD yet
21. Empty Nest (1988–1995)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
"Empty Nest" is set in Miami and tells of the day to day misadventures of a widowed pediatrician, Harry Weston, and his two adult daughters, Barbara and Carol Weston, who have come back to ... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Mulligan, Dinah Manoff, David Leisure, Park Overall
Votes: 2,560
never released on DVD yet
22. The Golden Palace (1992–1993)
30 min | Comedy
While Dorothy got married again, Blanche, Rose and Sophia opened a hotel, called The Golden Palace.
Stars: Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty, Don Cheadle
Votes: 1,032
never released on DVD yet
23. The Torkelsons (1991–1992)
30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
As a single mother of five, Mrs. Millicent Torkelson is a do-it-yourselfer with a flair for finding ingenious ways to make ends meet and making the best of bad times. Her oldest daughter ... See full summary »
Stars: Connie Ray, Olivia Burnette, Lee Norris, Rachel Duncan
Votes: 874
and "Almost Home" (the second season)
never released on DVD yet
24. Three's a Crowd (1984–1985)
Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy
Jack Tripper's co-habitation with Vicky Bradford is complicated by her hostile father's interference as Jack's landlord.
Stars: John Ritter, Mary Cadorette, Alan Campbell, Robert Mandan
Votes: 671
never released on DVD yet
25. Down to Earth (1984–1987)
30 min | Comedy
After being struck down by a trolley (golly) in 1925, Ethel MacDoogan, a flapper, waits in heaven for a chance to help a family and earn her wings. That chance arrives in the form of the Preston family.
Stars: Carol Mansell, David Kaufman, Kyle Richards, Randy Josselyn
Votes: 51
never released on DVD yet
26. Amanda's (1983)
30 min | Comedy
Dry-witted Amanda Cartwright tries to manage a hotel, despite mishaps involving her inexperienced son Marty, self-centered daughter-in-law Arlene, devoted cook Earl, and bumbling foreign bellhop Aldo.
Stars: Bea Arthur, Fred McCarren, Simone Griffeth, Rick Hurst
Votes: 63
never released on DVD yet
27. Filthy Rich (1982–1983)
30 min | Comedy
When Big Guy Beck dies, the heirs to his estate are given a stipulation (via a pre-recorded video will) before they inherit his wealth. They have to live with Big Guy's illegitimate son, ... See full summary »
Stars: Dixie Carter, Charles Frank, Jerry Hardin, Michael Lombard
Votes: 85
never released on DVD yet
28. The 5 Mrs. Buchanans (1994–1995)
30 min | Comedy
Four sisters-in-law struggle to deal with small town life and their overbearing mother-in-law.
Stars: Judith Ivey, Beth Broderick, Harriet Sansom Harris, Charlotte Ross
Votes: 125
never released on DVD yet
29. Petticoat Junction (1963–1970)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of the family staff of The Shady Rest Hotel and their neighbors of Hooterville.
Stars: Edgar Buchanan, Linda Henning, Bea Benaderet, Frank Cady
Votes: 2,226
seasons 1 to 3 are out on DVD as well as a best-of collection (of season 1 eps)
30. Checking In (1981– )
30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of Florence Johnson, a hotel maid who was previously seen serving the Jeffersons.
Stars: Marla Gibbs, Patrick Collins, Robert Costanzo, Jordan Gibbs
Votes: 27
1 ep was released as a special bonus on the complete series of "The Jeffersons"
31. Apple Pie (1978– )
30 min | Comedy
Set in Depression-era Kansas City, this comedy was based around a single hairdresser's unique approach to curing her loneliness: putting an ad in the newspaper and recruiting the folks who ... See full summary »
Stars: Rue McClanahan, Dabney Coleman, Jack Gilford, Caitlin O'Heaney
Votes: 17
never released on DVD yet
32. Car 54, Where Are You? (1961–1963)
30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of two of New York's finest in the 53rd precinct in the Bronx. Toody, the short, stocky and dim-witted one, either saves the day or messes things up, much to the chagrin ... See full summary »
Stars: Joe E. Ross, Fred Gwynne, Paul Reed, Al Lewis
Votes: 1,200
complete series is out on DVD
33. Ozzie's Girls (1973– )
30 min | Comedy
After their two sons leave home, Ozzie and Harriet rent their rooms to two beautiful college girls.
Stars: Harriet Nelson, Brenda Sykes, Susan Sennett, Ozzie Nelson
Votes: 51
never released on DVD yet
34. Make Room for Granddaddy (1970–1971)
30 min | Comedy
An aging entertainer and his wife take on care of their 6-year-old grandson.
Stars: Danny Thomas, Marjorie Lord, Angela Cartwright, Michael Hughes
Votes: 38
1 ep was released as a bonus on the S3 DVD set of "Here's Lucy"
35. The Ghost Busters (1975)
30 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Two guys and their pet gorilla hunt spooks.
Stars: Forrest Tucker, Larry Storch, Bob Burns, Richard Balin
Votes: 316
complete series is out on DVD
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