Ok everyone, now that we have filled out the bracket, it’s time to vote for the best show in television! We are going to vote round by round starting with the first round in the Drama and Comedy regions. List all your choices in the matchups for that region, so for this first round, you need to pick your favorite in each of the eight matchups. You will have until midnight on Wednesday to vote in both threads. I’m going to do a write-up of each matchup in the beginning of each thread (I was going to include video clips of each show as well, but Rivals limits you to 5 youtube clips in a poast), which will also culminate in my vote for the matchups. Lets get to it.
#1 seed Seinfeld vs. #16 seed All in the Family
All in the Family brought one of the classic television characters, Archie Bunker, to life and tackled a number of social issues during its run. Seinfeld featured one of the strongest ensembles in television history and was famously the show about nothing.
#8 seed Fraiser vs. #9 seed M*A*S*H
Here we have a matchup of two of the longest running, critically acclaimed sitcoms of all time, both of which were inspired by existing material (Fraiser, a spin-off of Cheers, and M*A*S*H, based on a film of the same name). Both featured great ensembles, anchored by a strong performance from the leading man.
#4 seed Cheers vs. #13 seed The League
Cheers is about a group of people who spend a lot of time at a bar, watching football, and getting into misadventures. The same description could apply to The League, just with the added aspect of fantasy football and stronger language. As someone who has watched The League, I can say I thought it was pretty funny, for the first 4 seasons or so. After that, I think it sharply declined. Cheers on the other hand, stays strong throughout and even gets better in some regards as it goes on by adding Kelsey Grammar, Woody Harrelson, and Kirstie Alley to the cast.
#5 seed Everybody Loves Raymond vs. #12 seed The Andy Griffith Show
Everybody Loves Raymond follows Ray Barone and his family, and in a number of ways, accurately captures the comedy of everyday married life. The Andy Griffith Show is a look into small town North Carolina, with a colorful cast of characters and a strong sense of right and wrong.
#3 seed The Office vs. #14 seed 30 Rock
This is a matchup that I hate is a first round matchup, because it means an early exit for a show I love either way. The Office brilliantly captures an average workplace, with annoying boss and coworkers, while 30 Rock is one of the most hilarious looks into show business and the absurdity that comes with it. Both feature hilarious casts that have tremendous chemistry, and a large number of laugh out loud moments.
#6 seed Arrested Development vs. #11 seed Home Improvement
Home Improvement brought Tim Allen great success and made Jonathan Taylor Thomas a household name for teenage girls everywhere. Arrested Development was one of the smartest (yet little watched) comedies ever, with a fantastic ensemble and rapid fire jokes and references that you often miss until the 2nd or 3rd time you watch it.
#7 seed Wings vs. #10 seed Modern Family
Modern Family is one of the most awarded sitcoms in television history and with an ensemble that create the characters that comprise the show’s name. Wings was the start for actors like Tony Shaloub and Thomas Haden Church, and featured a strong ensemble with Tim Daly and Steven Weber as the leads.
#2 seed Friends vs. #15 seed The Mary Tyler Moore Show
In another matchup that seems crazy as a first rounder, we have to choose between two classics in the comedy landscape. Mary Tyler Moore had a legendary cast, not only with the titular actress, but also names like Betty White, Ed Asner, Ted Knight and Cloris Leachman. Friends also had a terrific cast, and the show is full of a great number of laughs. This is a really tough matchup. Either would be a deserving winner.
#1 seed Seinfeld vs. #16 seed All in the Family
All in the Family brought one of the classic television characters, Archie Bunker, to life and tackled a number of social issues during its run. Seinfeld featured one of the strongest ensembles in television history and was famously the show about nothing.
All in the Family is revered as a classic, and with good reason, but I am going to have to side with the show that I’ve seen the most episodes, and that is Seinfeld.
#8 seed Fraiser vs. #9 seed M*A*S*H
Here we have a matchup of two of the longest running, critically acclaimed sitcoms of all time, both of which were inspired by existing material (Fraiser, a spin-off of Cheers, and M*A*S*H, based on a film of the same name). Both featured great ensembles, anchored by a strong performance from the leading man.
Either one would be a solid choice to advance, but I have to go with Dr. Crane over the doctors of the 4077th. Fraiser has my vote.
#4 seed Cheers vs. #13 seed The League
Cheers is about a group of people who spend a lot of time at a bar, watching football, and getting into misadventures. The same description could apply to The League, just with the added aspect of fantasy football and stronger language. As someone who has watched The League, I can say I thought it was pretty funny, for the first 4 seasons or so. After that, I think it sharply declined. Cheers on the other hand, stays strong throughout and even gets better in some regards as it goes on by adding Kelsey Grammar, Woody Harrelson, and Kirstie Alley to the cast.
I’m voting for the place where everyone knows your name, Cheers.
#5 seed Everybody Loves Raymond vs. #12 seed The Andy Griffith Show
Everybody Loves Raymond follows Ray Barone and his family, and in a number of ways, accurately captures the comedy of everyday married life. The Andy Griffith Show is a look into small town North Carolina, with a colorful cast of characters and a strong sense of right and wrong.
Both have moments of great humor and heart, and both are very well thought of, but as a North Carolina boy, I have to go with the people of Mayberry in this matchup. The Andy Griffith Show gets my vote.
#3 seed The Office vs. #14 seed 30 Rock
This is a matchup that I hate is a first round matchup, because it means an early exit for a show I love either way. The Office brilliantly captures an average workplace, with annoying boss and coworkers, while 30 Rock is one of the most hilarious looks into show business and the absurdity that comes with it. Both feature hilarious casts that have tremendous chemistry, and a large number of laugh out loud moments.
I’m giving the slightest edge to 30 Rock for the reason it didn’t have two subpar seasons like The Office did once Steve Carell left. But you can’t go wrong with either one.
#6 seed Arrested Development vs. #11 seed Home Improvement
Home Improvement brought Tim Allen great success and made Jonathan Taylor Thomas a household name for teenage girls everywhere. Arrested Development was one of the smartest (yet little watched) comedies ever, with a fantastic ensemble and rapid fire jokes and references that you often miss until the 2nd or 3rd time you watch it.
I have nothing against Home Improvement, but I’m voting for Arrested Development here. Come on!
#7 seed Wings vs. #10 seed Modern Family
Modern Family is one of the most awarded sitcoms in television history and with an ensemble that create the characters that comprise the show’s name. Wings was the start for actors like Tony Shaloub and Thomas Haden Church, and featured a strong ensemble with Tim Daly and Steven Weber as the leads.
I have to go with the show that I’ve seen more episodes for, and that’s Modern Family.
#2 seed Friends vs. #15 seed The Mary Tyler Moore Show
In another matchup that seems crazy as a first rounder, we have to choose between two classics in the comedy landscape. Mary Tyler Moore had a legendary cast, not only with the titular actress, but also names like Betty White, Ed Asner, Ted Knight and Cloris Leachman. Friends also had a terrific cast, and the show is full of a great number of laughs. This is a really tough matchup. Either would be a deserving winner.
However, in the end, I have to vote for Friends.
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