11 Classic Sitcoms Streaming on Peacock Now

Looking for a trip down memory lane? Peacock has a treasure trove of classic sitcoms that have stood the test of time and continue to make us laugh. From witty workplace comedies to family-centric shows, here are 11 classic sitcoms that you can stream on Peacock right now.

‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)

Step into Cheers, the coziest bar in Boston where everybody knows your name. Behind the bar is Sam Malone: a former baseball player turned bartender who serves both drinks and laughs. The regulars are a quirky mix of folks — from the snobby Diane to the always-witty Norm. Whether debating life’s big questions or just sharing a beer, the Cheers gang feels like family. And let’s be honest, with all the love triangles and hilarious mishaps, there’s never a dull moment in this bar.

Cheers captured the American public through its mix of comedy, emotion, and fully realized characters dealing with real-life issues. The show’s success cemented the idea of the bar as a center of community in the cultural consciousness. It garnered multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards and spawned one of the most successful spin-offs in TV history with Frasier. Its theme song, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” also became permanently etched in viewers’ memories.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

In the heart of New York City, six close-knit friends—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—navigate love, career, and countless cups of coffee at Central Perk.

Premiering in 1994, Friends became a defining sitcom for Generation X and millennials (and one of the most popular TV shows of the 1990s and early 2000s). Its focus on the close bonds between friends rather than family was relatable for younger viewers. Friends received Emmy and Golden Globe awards and was a top ratings hit during its 10-season run. The show became ingrained in pop culture with its iconic characters and catchphrases like “We were on a break!” and “Pivot!.” Widely syndicated after its finale, Friends remains beloved for how it captured friendship, romance, and coming-of-age struggles in New York City.

‘Roseanne’ (1988–1997, 2018)

Dive into the daily life of the Conners, a working-class family living in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois. Led by the outspoken and often sarcastic Roseanne, the family navigates the ups and downs of life with humor, love, and a lot of laughter. From financial struggles to parenting challenges, the Conners keep it real, always finding a way to laugh through hardship.

Roseanne broke the mold when it came to TV sitcoms. Instead of the picture-perfect families often portrayed on screen, the Conners were relatable, flawed, and unapologetically real. No Leave It to Beaver remnants here. The show tackled issues like money troubles, LGBTQ+ acceptance, domestic abuse, teenage pregnancy, and the complexities of family dynamics, all while keeping audiences laughing. With its authentic portrayal of working-class America and its willingness to address societal issues head-on, Roseanne became a cultural touchstone.

‘Frasier’ (1993–2004)

Frasier follows Dr. Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist originally from the hit sitcom Cheers, returning to his hometown of Seattle to start a new life. No longer a barfly, Frasier begins hosting a radio call-in show where he offers advice to others (while struggling with his interpersonal relationships). Much of the humor comes from Frasier’s pretentiousness, which clashes with his blue-collar father Martin. And their mutual snooty tendencies hilariously aggravate Frasier’s equally persnickety brother, Niles.

Widely acclaimed during its run, Frasier stands out for bringing sophistication and literary references to the sitcom format while still appealing to a mass audience. The show received immense critical praise, winning a record 37 Emmy Awards, including 5 Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series. With exceptional writing and a pitch-perfect cast, Frasier remains one of the most acclaimed TV comedies ever made. And its success as a spin-off surpassing its predecessor Cheers is remarkable. A reboot will premiere on October 12, 2023 on Paramount+.

’30 Rock’ (2006–2013)

Dive into the wild world of TGS with Tracy Jordan, a sketch comedy show set in the heart of New York City. At the helm is Liz Lemon— a head writer with a love for night cheese and a knack for managing chaos. Whether she’s wrangling the unpredictable Tracy Jordan, butting heads with corporate bigwig Jack Donaghy, or just trying to get through a writers’ meeting without a meltdown, Liz’s life is a whirlwind of comedy and calamity.

30 Rock became a critically acclaimed sitcom that satirized the behind-the-scenes chaos of a live sketch comedy series. The show won 16 Emmy Awards over its seven seasons, including Outstanding Comedy Series for three consecutive years. It paved the way for other single-camera sitcoms with its mockumentary style, absurdist humor, and commentary on gender, politics, and the entertainment industry as a whole.

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

Ever been to Pawnee, Indiana? Well, if you dive into Parks and Recreation, you’ll feel like you have. It’s all about the ever-enthusiastic Leslie Knope and her band of quirky coworkers in the local Parks Department. They’ve got big dreams, like turning a giant pit into a park (but there’s always some hilarious hiccup along the way).

Parks and Recreation stood out for its optimistic lead character in Knope and the surrounding cast of quirky locals working in small-town government. Amy Poehler led the show as Knope, an earnest bureaucrat whose enthusiasm for public service and making a difference led to touching moments amidst the satire. At a time of deep political negativity, the show’s warm depiction of community offered an antidote. It reminded us that, even in the face of bureaucracy and red tape, a little passion goes a long way.

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

Step into the world of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch: a seemingly ordinary paper company that’s anything but. Led by Michael Scott, a boss whose management style is a unique blend of awkwardness and misplaced confidence, the office is a melting pot of personalities. Through the watchful eyes of a documentary crew, we witness the dynamics of office romance, the intricacies of workplace politics, and, of course, the legendary pranks between Jim and Dwight.

The Office revolutionized television with its mockumentary format, offering a fresh and comedic perspective on the 9-to-5 grind. The Emmy-winning series stood out for its cringe comedy depicting the mundane world of office workers. The Office was widely syndicated and streamed after it ended in 2013. It remains influential for its unique deadpan comedy style that blurs reality and fiction via ad-libbed jokes and consistent breaking of the fourth wall.

‘That ’70s Show’ (1998–2006)

Travel back to the groovy era of the 1970s in the small town of Point Place, Wisconsin. Centered around the life of teenager Eric Forman and his close-knit group of friends, the show captures their adventures as they hang out in Eric’s basement, cruise around in the iconic Vista Cruiser, and navigate the challenges of adolescence. From the laid-back Kelso to the feminist-in-the-making Donna, each character brings their own flair to the group, all under the watchful (and often comedic) eyes of their parents.

That ’70s Show embraced 1970s nostalgia through its set design, fashion, and use of popular music from the era. While lighthearted, the show also addressed issues like feminism, sexual attitudes, and adolescent rebellion. And, its retrospective 1970s lens paved the way for future shows to similarly nostalgize recent decades (give examples here).

‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ (1996–2005)

Ray Barone is a successful sports columnist living in Long Island with his wife Debra and their three children. Ray’s overbearing parents, Marie and Frank, and his envious older brother, Robert, living right across the street, truly spice things up. From Marie’s unsolicited advice to Frank’s blunt remarks, the Barone family dynamics are a constant source of laughter and occasional chaos.

Everybody Loves Raymond became one of the most popular family sitcoms of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The show resonated with viewers, hilariously capturing familiar family tensions and marital struggles. It received multiple Emmy awards and critical acclaim for its cast and writing.

‘The King of Queens’ (1998–2007)

Doug Heffernan is a lovable delivery driver for the fictional International Parcel Service (IPS) in Queens, New York. Life is pretty sweet for Doug, especially with his TV and his beloved couch. But things take a comedic turn when his newlywed, Carrie, decides her recently widowed father, Arthur, should move into their basement. With Doug’s laid-back approach to life clashing with Arthur’s eccentricities and Carrie’s no-nonsense attitude, their household becomes a hotbed of hilarious situations.

The King of Queens was a popular blue-collar family sitcom that stood out for portraying relatable marital and family conflicts through a bawdy, humorously abrasive lens. The show was a ratings success, relying on its funny characters and situations rather than sentimentality. The blue-collar humor of The King of Queens found a widespread audience, appealing to viewers who enjoyed laughing at the Heffernans’ all-too-familiar domestic squabbles.

‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ (1961 – 1966)

The Dick Van Dyke Show centers around Rob Petrie, the head writer for a hit comedy television show, giving viewers a peek at the frenzied behind-the-scenes workings of TV production in the 1960s. At home, Rob and his lovely wife Laura deal with funny and relatable marital and parenting misadventures (alongside Rob’s tendency to constantly trip over the living room ottoman).

Balancing witty workplace humor with domestic sitcom hijinks, The Dick Van Dyke Show became a comedy classic. Though it aired for just five seasons, the series pioneered sophisticated literary humor and meta-comedy while pushing boundaries concerning how women were represented in sitcoms.

The series won a whopping 15 Emmys and is regarded as one of the most influential sitcoms ever for its innovative writing, relatable characters, and insights into relationships.