10 Family Sitcoms Better Than Shifting Gears

Tim Allen is returning to ABC for the second season of his show, Shifting Gears. The first season received mixed reactions: viewers enjoyed Allen’s performance, but critics felt the show lacked fresh ideas. Shifting Gears centers around Matt, played by Allen, a man coping with loss who tries to rebuild his relationship with his daughter (Kat Dennings) when she comes to live with him again.

Look, Tim Allen is funny, and that gets people to watch his show, but honestly, there’s just so much better family sitcom TV out there. I’ve been thinking about it, and shows like The Conners, All in the Family, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Modern Family – they really hit different. I’ve put together a list of 10 that I think are better than Shifting Gears, and some of them have episodes that are genuinely some of the best sitcom TV ever made – stuff that feels more original and just makes you feel more.

Home Economics (ABC, 2021-2023)

The Hayworths

Both Home Economics and Shifting Gears start with a similar premise: a family reconnecting after a divorce causes upheaval. However, Home Economics, despite not gaining a massive audience, offered a more heartfelt and emotionally honest portrayal of family healing, feeling more like Modern Family than the more reserved style of Tim Allen’s character in Shifting Gears.

The show used narration to subtly highlight its themes, life lessons, and characters’ vulnerabilities with a touch of humor. Its interesting premise – following three siblings from very different financial backgrounds – felt modern and relevant. Home Economics addressed some of the awkward racial humor found in Modern Family while also tackling the issue of wealth inequality with a light and easy-going style, which is rare for network sitcoms.

The Brady Bunch (ABC, 1969-1974)

The Bradys

As a classic TV fan, I always think about how groundbreaking The Brady Bunch was. It was one of the first shows to really focus on a whole family, and it came along at a time when TV was pretty tame. Even with those limitations, the show managed to create a really warm and funny vibe by showing all the ups and downs – and the sheer craziness! – of a blended family. It was charming, relatable, and just a feel-good show.

As a huge fan of The Brady Bunch, I always loved how the show felt so real, even though it was totally wholesome! Having six kids together meant there was always something happening – arguments, alliances, and just a lot of funny, unique personalities bouncing off each other. But it wasn’t just drama; it was genuinely funny and sweet, and I think it really set the stage for so many family sitcoms we see today. It proved you could be heartwarming and hilarious at the same time!

Roseanne (ABC, 1988-1997)

The Conners

I’ve always loved Roseanne because it felt so real. It wasn’t about fancy lifestyles or perfect families; it showed what life was actually like for working-class people. It honestly portrayed the struggles with money, the everyday routines of small-town life, and all the messy emotions that come with being a family. The characters weren’t people I looked up to as ideals, they were people I knew – juggling jobs, worrying about bills, and dealing with imperfect relationships, just like so many of us.

The continuation of the show as The Conners demonstrated that the original concept still resonated with viewers, who continue to connect with stories about the funny, tough, and realistic lives of working families. By showing life honestly, Roseanne redefined the possibilities for family sitcoms.

All In The Family (CBS, 1971-1979)

The Bunkers

Archie Bunker and Tim Allen’s characters often share similarities – they’re generally conservative, a little behind the times, and often confused by modern life. However, Archie was deliberately an over-the-top character meant to provoke discussion, while Allen’s roles tend to be more grounded, even if they share those same traits.

The show All in the Family was known for its bold approach, using humor to explore disagreements between generations and difficult cultural issues. It changed what people expected from sitcoms and led to popular spin-offs like Maude, The Jeffersons, and Gloria. Archie Bunker’s outspoken personality and the show’s willingness to address controversial topics paved the way for many of the family sitcoms we enjoy today.

Fresh Off The Boat (ABC, 2015-2020)

The Huangs

Around the time ABC was enjoying a wave of successful family sitcoms like Black-ish, Fresh Off the Boat stood out by offering a unique point of view. The show, set in 1990s Florida, told the story of Eddie Huang, a Taiwanese-American boy adjusting to life in a predominantly white neighborhood.

The sitcom successfully combined a warm feeling of the past with a perspective rarely seen on mainstream television. What made Fresh Off the Boat so engaging was its knack for celebrating what makes people different, rather than letting those differences create problems. The show wasn’t about whether viewers could personally relate to every detail; it was about the funny, messy reality of family life that everyone understands.

As a big movie and TV fan, I always loved how Fresh Off The Boat showed that comedy really shines when it gets specific. It didn’t shy away from relatable stuff – like dealing with tough parents, annoying siblings, or those first awkward crushes – but it showed those experiences through a unique cultural lens. It proved that humor isn’t in spite of those details, it’s because of them!

Black-ish (ABC, 2014-2022)

The Johnsons

Like The Cosby Show before it, Black-ish showed a successful Black family, but creator Kenya Barris took the show in a bolder, more modern direction. What made Black-ish special was its ability to be both incredibly funny and thoughtfully address important cultural issues, often teaching viewers something new without feeling like it was lecturing them.

Beyond simply showing Black characters on screen, Black-ish sparked a continuous discussion about the experience of being Black in a mostly white area, the complexities of mixed-race identity, and how current events impact families. The show was incredibly popular and emotionally engaging, leading to the creation of two spin-offs: Grown-ish and Mixed-ish.

Over its eight seasons, Black-ish became a significant part of the cultural conversation, attracting a fantastic lineup of guest stars and cameos, most notably a special appearance by Michelle Obama.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (NBC, 1990-1996)

The Bankses

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is still one of the most memorable family sitcoms from the 1990s. It uniquely combined witty humor with genuinely touching stories. The show’s central idea—a clever teenager from West Philadelphia moving in with his affluent family in Bel-Air—immediately set up funny situations and allowed the characters to develop in interesting ways.

Will Smith was captivating as the lead, but the heart of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the Banks family. They brought a perfect balance of stability, drama, and genuine emotion to the show. Beyond the laughs, the series bravely addressed important issues like class differences, racial injustice, and the complexities of being a father, making it unique for its ability to move from lighthearted comedy to deeply moving moments.

Schitt’s Creek (CBC, 2015-2020)

The Roses

CBC

Both Schitt’s Creek and Arrested Development center around wealthy families who are forced to deal with their problems when they suddenly lose their fortunes. However, while Arrested Development was often cynical, Schitt’s Creek used its quirky characters to create a genuinely heartwarming show, which likely contributed to its wider appeal.

As the series went on, the Rose family’s quirks actually brought them closer together, and Moira’s over-the-top personality made her a truly unforgettable sitcom character. The show’s heartfelt development resonated with viewers, leading to a major Emmy Awards win in 2020 across many categories.

Schitt’s Creek is a truly exceptional sitcom – a feel-good show that people love to watch again and again. It’s reliably funny and always leaves you feeling a little brighter.

Full House (ABC, 1987-1995)

The Tanners

Full House is a classic family sitcom, and it’s famous not just for the Tanner family themselves, but for how it portrays the idea of ‘found family.’ When Danny Tanner becomes a single dad to three young daughters, his friends Joey and Jesse quickly move in to help, and the show immediately establishes them as integral parts of the family.

The show’s charm came from the unique personalities of its characters: Joey’s silliness, Jesse’s cool confidence, and Danny’s genuine kindness. These qualities created a home environment of unwavering support, which is why the show stayed popular for so long. Its enduring appeal led to a revival on Netflix, Fuller House, that continued the story with a new generation and highlighted the show’s central themes of love, family, and a little bit of delightful chaos.

Modern Family (ABC, 2009-2020)

The Pritchetts & Dunphys

Modern Family was a hugely popular and critically praised sitcom that ran for many years. Although some parts of the show seem a little dated now, it was brilliant at using the typical Dunphy family to showcase a wide variety of different family types.

The show skillfully blended heartwarming moments with humor, often being genuinely touching without losing its comedic edge. Its documentary-style format, featuring interviews, allowed viewers to deeply connect with the characters and also perfectly timed the jokes, making the show feel personal and easy to relate to.

Although a reboot isn’t currently being planned, if Modern Family were to return, it would need to focus on the children of the original characters. The show Shifting Gears could learn from Modern Family by finding a better balance between funny scenes and touching moments, rather than simply relying on Tim Allen’s established personality.

2025-11-23 22:42