The Top Sitcoms on TV

So I'm not a very big TV fan. I watch it casually, and tend to stay away from the really intense stuff like 24, Lost or the recently bowed-out Battlestar Gallactica. Really, the only drama I watch is House, and that's sort of inconsistent. I tried Mad Men. Eh. I really wanna see Breaking Bad but am a tad intimidated by jumping in so late in the game. Does American Idol or Top Chef fall under the drama category?

Yeah, I basically just watch reality TV and comedies. So many comedies, in fact, that I decided to list my favorites here. In no particular order...

• How I Met Your Mother - Has a rare one-two punch in combining good writing with good acting. Only a few shows really are consistent in both arenas. Jason Segal is great, along with Neil Patrick Harris, of course. The writing is creative, not totally chronological and almost reminiscent of Golden Age Scrubs with its unique and complex storytelling.

• The Office - Used to be the best show on TV, but now it's just good. The downfall has been in the characters. Dwight went from funny, to annoying. Andy is really aggravating. And the writing isn't focused squarely enough on Michael, who is far and away, the best on the show. Yet I still get a kick out of the mundaneness, and Carell is still on his game.

• The New Adventures of Old Christine - The Seinfeld curse has been broken, and that is a remarkable thing. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss is all kinds of brilliant, comedically, on this show. The whole ensemble is utilized, and for good reason. Solid supporting work from Wanda Sykes and Clark Gregg, among others, gives the show some balance. The writing isn't perfect, but gets the job done.

• 30 Rock - Another case of great acting and great (GREAT) writing coming together and forming a damn good show. No wonder it's won so many Emmys. Fey could make Liz Lemon sort of one-note, but she never does. The writing gives the show a light, almost cartoonish feel, with a ton of strange situations. Possibly the most consistent show on TV.

• Arrested Development - Okay, it doesn't really count, because it's off TV. Yet I've caught a ton of re-runs and the show is pure brilliance...most of the time. It has a tendency to throw in a shitty episode occasionally, but when it's good it's REALLY good. Again, it comes down to writing. It's so weird and very politically incorrect, but that's why I love it. The whole cast brings something to the table. Very eclectic.