10 American TV Shows That Are Better Than I Love Lucy

By Chris Swanson /

2. All in the Family

Ah, that great 1970s TV institution. This show is a fascinating sociological work on exactly what was happening in America during that decade. Everyone knew, or occasionally actually was, an Archie Bunker. He was the Greatest Generation stripped of all its glory. Everyone also pretty much all knew, or actually were, the reflexive €œMeathead€ liberal. That the show was able to treat both with respect was one of its real strengths. I€™m not surprised that this program didn€™t make it to the top of the list. While solid, entertaining and very funny, it also very often confronted serious social and cultural issues. The program occasionally required you to stop and think and form an opinion. I Love Lucy can be accused of many things, but never of making an audience stop and think.