It's not every show that has a perfect beginning, and it's completely understandable given how hard it is to grip the audience instantly. Whether it's the material itself or because the characters just need a bit more time to win our hearts, there's a bit of legroom in sitcoms that not every show can get, dramas especially. For example, I'll usually give thirty-minute sitcoms a whole season or six to eight episodes to grab my attention. But with a drama, sci-fi, or fantasy, that's a bit too much time to invest if we aren't interested in the pilot or at least by the second episode.
Still, some of the best sitcoms started slow, but they're worth every minute. From The Office (2005) to Schitt's Creek (2015), here are sitcoms that started slow and ones that were flawless right off the bat, as well as where you can stream them on platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, and more.
Slow - The Office (2005-2012)
The Office is the supreme example of a show that's worth sticking around for because the first season is… well, something. Off the heels of The Office UK (2001), the first season already had a lot to carry on its back as a remake, so who knows if that added stress made the first few episodes too much and too slow all at once.
Remarkably, however, despite its problematic moments and questionable scenes, The Office is still the sort of show that deserves to be watched at least once. Steve Carell delivers one of the most nuanced performances as Michael Scott, and it's ultimately because of him that the show deserves its praise and viewership. If you love dry humor and genuinely want something that's uniquely refreshing, look no further. Plus, the relationships? Need I really say more?
Slow - Park and Recreation (2009-2015)
Parks and Recreation is my all-time favorite comedy, but its first season is unfortunately not that great. Because of the number of times I rewatch it yearly, I usually skip the slower first season and jump right into the second instead. It's also in the second season that Adam Scott's Ben Wyatt comes into the show, and everything changes drastically once he's in the picture.
Like The Office, the way that Parks and Rec highlights and explores the ordinary days and a career path that we don't often think about ensures that it stands out beautifully. Simultaneously, no show does romance or friendships with as much heart, and Amy Poehler is the kind of lead whose mark on comedy is as stunning as the compliments her character ceaselessly gives Rashida Jones' Ann Perkins.
Slow - Friends (1994-2003)
Friends is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, but it's also one of the few that gets better and better with time. That's why, when you look back, it's hard to imagine that it's the same show we had in the first few episodes. While the growth is significant and necessary, the earlier episodes don't exactly paint the characters in the kind of light that makes them easy to care about. Yet, by the end, we're not only crying over them, but we're also crying over a fictional apartment.
It's the kind of sitcom that almost feels like mandatory viewing for comedy fans, but it's also mandatory viewing for anyone who loves New York, as well as platonic relationships on top of romantic ones. It's iconic for a reason, and its cast is a huge reason why, alongside the narratives that feel cozier the more time passes.
Slow - Seinfeld (1989-1997)
Even if you never watched Seinfeld, there's a good chance that you've heard it's the show about "nothing." And so much of that is because of its slower beginning and the unclear line of where it wants to take its audience. Seinfeld isn't the kind of series that you can recommend to every viewer, nor should you want to, but how it continues to improve throughout is genuinely impressive.
Again, because comedies typically have the budget for various regular sets and don't require too much time, it makes it easier for them to get renewals and keep trying. More than anything, the appeal of Seinfeld lies entirely in its cast, and because of this, it's worth investing in to understand how a series can find its footing, even with the everyday, mundane moments.
Slow - New Girl (2011-2018)
While New Girl clearly knows what it wants to be and has a distinct tone right at the beginning, it's understandable that viewers would find the first season to be slow and maybe a little bizarre. It feels like Friends, but it's completely different, and casting changes were also confusing when you watched live. But really, once it finds its footing and we fortify the loft friendships a bit more, New Girl becomes a blast.
It's also the kind of niche sitcom that you can't exactly recommend to all viewers, but for the people who want a little whimsy in their lives, it's perfect. In some ways, it has the same wholesome vibe as Abbott Elementary (2021), and it's also specifically perfect for the writers in your life because, to this day, there's never been a more accurate portrayal of our chaos the way it comes to life in Jake Johnson's Nick Miller.
Perfect - Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)
Schitt's Creek is somewhat of an anomaly because, for some people, it can be hard to invest in the tales of the Rose family from the beginning, but for me, I wanted to know more right from the start. I never skip the pilot during my rewatches. In fact, I think it gets lovelier with every viewing because the progression of where they start and end is a beautiful place. There's also something uniquely special about the way the show highlights empathy in those earlier episodes that becomes lovelier with time.
The series's ridiculous humor might not be for everybody, but it's undoubtedly the kind of show that deserves the chance to grow on you. The sharp writing and brilliantly hilarious performances get better with every viewing. The distinctive plot is also something that works so exceptionally well because while it can seem to be surface-level, the depth is actually endless. The memes that came out of it are also unmatched.
Perfect - Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine's pilot, like Schitt's Creek's, is particularly perfect when you look back at how far the characters have come and how much is established from the get-go. It's a sharp enough pilot to keep viewers invested, and Mike Schur's characteristic humor gleams with the complex characters, ensuring that they're riveting enough for us to keep going. There are very few shows like it, making it an absolute treat to rewatch.
In addition, the acting in Brooklyn Nine-Nine is also some of the best we get in comedy, with the late Andre Braugher consistently delivering brilliant performances through a character like Raymond Holt that'll never be forgotten. Perfect from start to finish, Brooklyn Nine-Nine doesn't have a single lackluster season or even an episode that's a little subpar.
Perfect - The Good Place (2016-2019)
Because of how unique and genuinely vulnerable The Good Place's premise is, it grips you right from the beginning and keeps the mystery element afloat so we can stay invested. While the characters aren't exactly likable at first, their complexities are gripping enough to ensure that we're at the very least curious about them.
At this point, most fans of Mike Schur also know that even if they aren't intrigued right away, it's important to keep going to see how the story will unfold. For me, The Good Place was always easy to invest in, and because of how many narrative beats are present in the first season, it's one you can't skip. If you're currently loving A Man on the Inside (2024), but have somehow never watched The Good Place, now's the time to rectify this.
Perfect - Ghosts (2021-present)
Ghosts features one of my favorite pilot episodes and first seasons to date, and this is coming from someone who was once hesitant to watch because I loved the BBC version so much that I was too nervous to dive into this. But the CBS version throws us right into the trenches from the start and ensures that we're curious enough to press play on the next episode with one of the most engrossing cliffhangers.
Now, five seasons in, the show continues to improve by adding layers and heart to its characters, which then allows its first season to shine even more because of how far the characters have come. It's easily one of the strongest debut seasons for any sitcom to have, which is a rarity in and of itself. If you want a show that beautifully explores grief, second chances, and wholesome friendships in the coziest manner, look no further. It's especially perfect if you love The Good Place.
Perfect - Superstore (2015-2020)
Superstore not only features one of the strongest pilot episodes, but it also delivers one of the most satisfying series finales as it wraps up every narrative arc beautifully by calling back to the pilot. It's a true sitcom in the sense that there's something new and wildly believable in every episode, and it's entirely because retail is a specific brand of chaos that the show captures perfectly.
With intriguing characters and hilarious jokes that stick the landing, the first season makes it easy to care about the stories these characters have to tell and their dynamics. And for romance fans, it sets up one of the most memorable relationships right in its pilot episode in a way that still makes me swoon every time I think about it. If you ever loved Chuck (2007) and wanted more of the retail workplace comedy, Superstore is perfect for you.
