Viewers saw a lot of housewives, maids, and all-American girls likeMarlo ThomasinThat GirlorSally FieldinGidget.
And TV has been way better for it.
More female characters got out of the house and into the workplace.
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The Fox sitcom centered on six friends trying to make it New York City.
Well,Living SIngledebuted a year beforeFriends.
Television had not seen a depiction offour young, strong and career-driven black women.
The teaching staff includesSheryl Lee Ralphin the best role of her accomplished career, as the wise Barbara Howard.
This could end up being one of the most beloved couples in sitcom history.
With Williams and Marshall hopping down the street singing “Schlemiel Schimazel, Hasenpfeffer incorporated!
“,Laverne & Shirleywasa hit right out the gate.
The strength ofLaverne & Shirleywas the physical comedy of Marshall and Williams.
They were the best at it sinceLuciille Ball.
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The girls even spawned their own cartoon,Laverne & Shirley in the Army.
On top of that, creatorSusan Harrishad previous success with the controversial sitcomSoap.
The show ended when Arthur left the series after 7 seasons.
With iconic showsSaturday Night LiveandSeinfeldalready on her resume,Julia Louis-Dreyfussfound a third classic withVeep.
As Selina Meyer, the first female Vice President, and eventually President, Louis-Dreyfussshowed an edge previously unseen.
Veepwas also blessed with an exceptional supporting cast, includingTony Hale,Anna ChlumskyandTimothy Simons.
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With a female VP currently running for President,Veepisas relevant as ever.
Those 30 episodes turned into 279 episodes ofThe Carol Burnett Show.
Then it was on to the sketches, whereThe Carol Burnett Showcast members frequently made each other laugh.
And who could forget all the incredibleBob Mackie-designedcostumes?
Even with all the help, it was Burnett who made everything go.
Starting as a writer onSaturday NIght Live, Fey soon joined the cast and became head writer.
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I Love LucyestablishedLucille Ballas TV’s first certified break-out female star.
The laughter they captured was real… and frequent.
It wasn’t just the writing but also the physical comedy of Ball and Vance that were so funny.
Her subsequent showsHere’s LucyandLife with Lucywere not nearly as good.
Thankfully,I Love Lucywill live on in re-runs forever.
None of which ever went particularly well.
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Her episode featuring a one-night stand with Lou Grant was one of the funniest of the show.
KEEP READING:The 15 Best Sitcoms of the 21st Century, Ranked
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