Top Ten Best Comedy TV Shows of the Decade (2000-2010)

You knew it was coming. The end of each passing year brings with it, hordes of Top Ten Lists, most of which pertain to the world's famous celebrities, movies, and TV shows. There were some really fascinating highlights in comedy TV this past decade-with some shows triumphantly attaching another notch to a belt full of seasons on the air. Others had slightly shorter life spans. Being the TV and movie snob that I am, there is a certain type of humor that I'm more inclined to watch. Nope, none of that "fluffy" family humor for me. The television shows that resonate the most in my heart are those with a satirical edge-the slicker the better. And if they're politically incorrect, then I'm even more liable to tune in. Here are the television comedies of 2000-2010 that spoke the loudest to me...

#1- The King of Queens (CBS, 1998-2007)

The stocky package-delivering husband, the attractive yet snarky wife, a loopy father-in-law, and a host of quirky characters... These are the makings of classic sitcom humor. Plop all of these elements in the middle of a rugged Queens, NY setting-and now you've really got pure comedy. At the heart of "The King of Queens" is an accessible yet hilarious depiction of a middle-class marriage. Doug and Carrie Heffernan are not your typical couple. And that's the beauty of the show. Their imperfections held up well against the show's harebrained backdrop.

#2- The Bernie Mac Show (UPN-CW, 2001-2006)

With no-nonsense comedian Bernie Mac (R.I.P.) as the star of this sitcom, this program was like the Anti-Cosby Show. Featuring Bernie as the patriarch, the world got to see what happened when three inner city siblings go to live with their famous Uncle and his wife in Los Angeles. Based loosely on his own experiences, Bernie exhibited the kind of tough love that wasn't always considered suitable for kids. And we loved it.

#3- Saturday Night Live (NBC, 1975- )

There is no way this classic late night comedy sketch show could be left off of any "Best of..." Top Ten list. Gracing the airwaves for decades, most of the guest hosts are younger than the show's existence. Pushing the boundaries of good taste, SNL is one of the few comedy programs to keep viewers tuned in for a lifetime. It could be the extraordinary cache of musical guests that keeps the show interesting. Maybe it's the revolving door quirky resident comedians that make up the cast. For some, SNL has been the springboard for a major career boost. This is the one program that I can watch every few months-and still find enough consistent comedy to make me laugh.

#4- The Boondocks (Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, 2005- )

When I first saw "The Boondocks" on Adult Swim, I didn't know quite what to expect. But I was immediately addicted to the smart and savvy way that writers captured some of the most obscure nuances of urban pop culture. Did little Huey and Riley (voiced by actress Regina King) really say what I think they said? Yep, that-and a lot more. This show pushes the limits of political correctness where it regards issues within and surrounding black communities-all while making people laugh hysterically. Catching all the thinly veiled observations about human nature is merely half the fun.

#5- South Park (Comedy Central, 1997- )

I'm not much of a cartoon-head. But of the many animated "mature-themed" cartoons on the air today, "South Park" is one that has made me drop my jaw more than once. The obscure pop culture references, sexual innuendos, and plain-old potty mouth are seriously, a riot. Cartman's adorable lisp, and his constant berating of his buddies is what does it for me. But dedicated fans of the show know that the constant jabs at popular celebrities are what really have kept "South Park" on the edge and on the air. Are some of the topics controversial? To say so would the gravest understatement in the world. But if you have a sharp mind and a penchant for gross humor, you've probably been a devoted "South Park" enthusiast for years.

#6- Chappelle's Show (Comedy Central, 2003-2006)

If you really want inappropriate humor, you needn't go any farther than the utter genius of Dave Chappelle's comedy sketch show. "Chappelle's Show", which aired on Comedy Central, showcased Dave's ability to delve into unchartered territories in pop culture. Covering entertainment stereotypes, racial prejudice, and plenty of gross-out humor, the 30-minute show managed to cram a bunch of laughs into each episode.

#7- Sex and the City (HBO, 1998-2004)

Teetering between the 20^th and 21^st centuries is my most beloved HBO program, "Sex and the City." This show pioneered what would be a "movement" for single women everywhere. For once, the topics reserved for Ladies' Night/Happy Hour were fervently brought to the screen. Not everyone approved of the frank sex talk and the cavalier attitudes towards dating. But again, that is why the show was made for HBO. Love, love, love...

#8- Girlfriends (UPN-CW, 2000-2008)

Pegged the "Sex and the City" for black women, "Girlfriends" was one of the first shows to authentically capture the personal lives of modern black women in a big city. The sitcom didn't sugar coat the dramas that often exist between black women, all the while illuminating the very things that make African American women so interesting. Everything from interracial dating, hair issues, homosexuality, and shopping, were covered in one 30-minute episode.

#9- Everybody Hates Chris (UPN-CW, 2005-2009)

Comedian Chris Rock decided to let the world in on his colorful upbringing in Bed-Stuy, New York. And boy, are we glad he did that. Every episode featured a sullen-looking pre-teen Chris, attempting to plot a course of joy through adolescence. Nothing ever really seemed to work out for Chris. But throughout the show, we were treated to glimpses of happiness within his zany, yet loving family. But what really made this sitcom a joy to watch was the smart concoction of an authentic background (including realistic characters) and an unbelievably awesome soundtrack of music.

#10- 30 Rock (NBC, 2006- )

I'll admit that I caught onto this show a bit later than the rest of the world. But after watching just one episode, I was immediately hooked. A comedy TV show about the behind the scenes activities of a comedy TV show? What could be more perfect than that? That Tina Fey is the brainchild behind this masterpiece is enough reason to watch. But the rest of the cast falls so effortlessly into place that you'd think they weren't acting. (Perhaps they're not...) Tracy's disgustingly quirky persona steals just about every scene. Kenneth's selective innocence (and Southern accent), Jenna's arrogant air-headedness, and Liz Lemon's self-effacing shtick are pure brilliance.

SOURCES:

www.nbc.com
www.cwtv.com
www.cbs.com