Nick at Nite Debuted 40 Years Ago! Here Are Its 20 Most Popular Sitcoms, Some You Can Still Watch Now

"Dragnet"

Viewers tuned in to check out what Police Detective Sgt. Joe Friday and his team were up to week after week on Dragnet. The police drama took a classic character and brought him into the modern age — at that time, the 1960s — dealing with issues such as racial relations, drug culture and more.

"Sanford and Son"

The highs and lows of the relationships between fathers and sons were depicted in a realistic, yet entertaining, manner in Sanford and Son. The Norman Lear classic introduced Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford, a grumpy but lovable head of the household living with his son, Lamont Sanford (Demond Wilson).

"Gilligan's Island"

A powerful storm derailed a three-hour tour and, in turn, gave us some of television's funniest storylines. The unlikely group met other castaways and figured out how to navigate the unthinkable, introducing audiences to a unique brand of comedy.

"The Cosby Show"

The Cosby Show illustrated the life of an upper-middle-class Black family living in New York City with kids of all ages, giving viewers then and now people to identify with. Whether it was through sibling struggles, parents teaching their kids big lessons or large family hijinks, the TV family made their mark.

"Mad About You"

Mad About You was one of those shows that makes the ordinary extraordinary, with a hilarious telling of the everyday lives of Paul and Jamie Buchman. The young professionals navigated married life, friendships, family and more while living in New York City.

"Bewitched"

Bewitched brought magic from a fringe interest to the captivation of primetime television, introducing Elizabeth Montgomery to the world as Samantha Stephens. The wife and mom with a magical twitch of the nose became a favorite, and their family hijinks are still making viewers laugh today.

"All in the Family"

All in the Family was another Norman Lear masterpiece that tackled serious issues and family relationships, all while making audiences laugh. It showed the intergenerational conflict that can bring differences between family members, something families today are all too familiar with.

"Happy Days"

Happy Days also celebrated life in a simpler time, and continues to for audiences today. It followed Richie Cunningham, an honest, naive Wisconsin teen who hung out with his friends at Arnold's diner as they navigated high school and young adulthood. The beloved show was a Nick at Nite staple for more than a decade.

"Family Ties"

Family Ties showcased a family with a lot of love and a lot of differing opinions. Parents Elyse and Steven Keaton where 1960s love children who were now the heads of a suburban family with kids who couldn't be more different from one another. The heartfelt family dynamic still appeals to viewers of all ages.

"Three's Company"

Three's Company elevated the ensemble comedy in a way that caught audiences' attention when it first graced screens. Years later, it still holds up as a hilarious take on roommate life.

"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air showed how much love there can be between family, even when they have little else in common. The Bel-AIr Banks family welcomed in West Philly cousin Will with open arms, with each teaching the other about a different way of life. The hilarious family comedy's lens on the issues of the time still holds up decades later.

"The Wonder Years"

The Wonder Years perfected the formula of the coming-of-age sitcom, following Kevin Arnold's life as he navigated his sometimes competitive friendship with Paul Pfeiffer, his on-again, off-again love for girl-next-door Winnie Cooper and his search for understanding in his family at home. Its entrance to Nick at Nite brought viewers back to a simpler time where kids faced many of the same triumphs and tribulations that they do today.

"The Addams Family"

Before The Addams Family was a beloved movie franchise, it was an equally delightful and captivating 1960s TV series. The sitcom, celebrating the seriously spooky family living among mere mortals, starred John Astin as Gomez Addams, Carolyn Jones as Morticia Addams, Jackie Coogan as Uncle Fester, Ted Cassidy as Lurch and Lisa Loring as Wednesday Addams.

"Full House"

Full House introduced a group that was a blend of biological relationships and found family to create a bigger family with love, respect and lots of laughs. The Tanners may have felt cheesy from time to time with the lessons that came with each episode, but in doing so, they also showed perspectives far beyond what most typical sitcoms explored.

"The Andy Griffith Show"

The Andy Griffith Show introduced something of a new concept in the 1960s: the single-father household. Griffith's Sheriff Andy Taylor looked after son Opie (Ron Howard) while also trying to keep cousin Barney Fife (Don Knotts) contained. The classic sitcom had a home in the Nick at Nite lineup in the early aughts.

"The Nanny"

As Fran Fine, Fran Drescher brought comedy and fashion in a major way with The Nanny. The flashy girl from Flushing charmed viewers just as hard as she charmed the Sheffield family — and everyone in their orbit.

"Cheers"

Cheers proved that a bar full of regulars could be more of a family than most. Nick at Nite helped bring new viewers into mix and into the debate on whether Diane or Rebecca were a better match for Sam, all while laughing along with the gang's constant shenanigans.

"Friends"

Friends entered the Nick at Nite lineup not too long after the show went off the air in 2004. Less than a decade later, viewers were still eager to see the gang go from mixed-up twentysomethings to thriving in their 30s while trying to figure out love and life. It's remained part of the lineup for more than a decade and introduces new audiences to Ross, Monica, Rachel, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe.