I Love Lucy
CBS 1951-57
The most influential, imitated show in the medium’s history. Producer-stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz essentially invented the multicamera sitcom format and the idea of recording episodes for posterity. When you add those technical innovations to how astonishing set pieces like Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory can seem decades later (even if the gender politics of housewife Lucy forever apologizing to paternalistic bandleader Ricky haven’t aged so well), few comedies can match it.