Four of the most rewatched sitcoms ever, one card, and only three get to stay on your streaming list. Friends, Seinfeld, The Office and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia each have fans who can quote entire episodes. This One Gotta Go card asks which one you would take off the air for good.
Think about the show you put on in the background, the one you quote with friends, and the one you've rewatched more times than you can count. Then make your pick and see who at the table disagrees, and which episodes they bring up to change your mind.
Friends vs Seinfeld vs The Office vs It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
A. Friends
Friends follows six friends in New York and their coffee shop, Central Perk. It's comforting, funny and endlessly rewatchable. The case against it is that it's everywhere, so many people have already seen every episode more than once.
Keep it if: Central Perk, Ross and Rachel and the Thanksgiving episodes are your comfort TV.
B. Seinfeld
Seinfeld is famously called a show about nothing, following Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer through everyday problems. Its jokes shaped a lot of comedy that came after. The case against it is that some of its humor feels very much of its time.
Keep it if: You still use Seinfeld lines in real life and think the show about nothing is about everything.
C. The Office
The Office follows the staff of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch through awkward meetings, pranks and Michael Scott's big ideas. It's one of the most streamed shows around. The case against it is the cringe comedy, which isn't for everyone.
Keep it if: You love Jim's pranks, Michael's speeches and the cringe-worthy moments you can't look away from.
D. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia follows a group of friends who run Paddy's Pub and make terrible choices. Its humor is the boldest on the card. The case against it is that its dark jokes can be too much for some groups.
Keep it if: You love the gang's wild schemes and the boldest, most outrageous humor on TV.
Our take
We'd cut Seinfeld. It's a legend, but it's the oldest show on this card and the one younger viewers are least likely to have binged, while Friends and The Office are constant comfort rewatches and It's Always Sunny is still making new seasons. Expect the most fun debate between Friends fans and The Office crowd, because those two shows have some of the most loyal fans in TV. Ask everyone to name a favorite episode before they vote. The person with the most obscure favorite episode wins bragging rights for the night.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which sitcom has aged the most since it first aired?
- Which show would you put on in the background while doing chores?
- Which sitcom has the best group of friends?
- Which sitcom deserves a spot on this card instead?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Sitcoms: quick answers
Is Friends or The Office better?
It depends on your taste in comedy. Friends is a warm, classic sitcom about six friends in New York, while The Office is a mockumentary built on awkward workplace humor. Fans of comfort TV often pick Friends, and fans of cringe comedy usually pick The Office.
What are the most rewatched sitcoms?
Friends, The Office, Seinfeld and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are some of the most rewatched sitcoms, along with shows like Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Their quotable episodes and lovable characters make them easy to put on again and again.
