Sitcoms are beloved for their comedic, relatable characters and their wide array of relationships. One of the most hilarious dynamics in a sitcom is a rivalry. Often, the episodes that center on a sibling rivalry, friendly conflict, or workplace feud are some of the best.
A good sitcom rivalry provides a fun dynamic to keep returning to throughout the show. Many sitcoms are defined by their most prominent rivalry. These rivalries often mirror the plots of Saturday morning cartoons, with one character hatching a questionable scheme and the other trying to sabotage them.
10 Stan And Hayley Are Fierce Political Rivals
American Dad
American Dad focuses on the CIA spy Stan Smith and his family in Langley Falls, Virginia. As a staunch conservative Republican, Stan has been having political arguments with his liberal daughter, Hayley, since American Dad's first episode.
Their disagreements are broad and include the Iraq War, gun rights, immigration, and the nature of Stan's job at the CIA. Hayley got so angry with her father that she attempted to humiliate George W. Bush after he visited the Smith home, and she even accidentally shot her dad.
9 Lister And Rimmer Always Got On Each Other's Nerves
Red Dwarf
Set three million years in the future, Red Dwarf follows four friends - Lister, Rimmer, Kryton, and Cat - on the huge titular ship. Originally roommates, Lister and Rimmer have completely contrasting personalities. Lister is an easygoing party animal, while Rimmer is by-the-book.
Because Rimmer and Lister are on a ship together, it's only natural that they would get on each other's nerves and bicker. Lister and Rimmer rarely go more than a minute without insulting each other, and Lister's frequent pranks on his roommate make Red Dwarf hilarious.
8 Ron Swanson Vs The Federal Government Was An Ironic Rivalry
Parks And Recreation
In Parks and Recreation, Ron Swanson had a strong disdain for the US government, which pretty much defined his character. The libertarian office manager, ironically a government employee, lamented the government's power and used his position to stifle it at every turn.
Ron's opposition to government intrusion saw him clash with local government members, including his friends. It may have been largely a one-sided battle, but Ron's determination to make his employer obsolete never relented.
7 Alan Was Always On Thin Ice With Charlie
Two And A Half Men
Two and a Half Men used the sibling rivalry and dysfunctional family dynamics as the basis for its drama. After Alan and his wife separated, he moved in with his more successful brother, Charlie, in his Malibu beach house. There, the two rebuilt their relationship as brothers.
With Alan in a bad financial spot, he was overly reliant on Charlie's goodwill. However, that never stopped the two from competing over everything, from basic sibling rivalry issues to money and even women. Although Charlie usually had the upper hand, Alan had his share of victories, too.
6 The Barones Were Defined By Envy
Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymond followed Raymond Barone's quaint life as he lived in his Long Island home opposite his parents. Raymond had a live-and-let-live attitude, while his older brother, Robert, was jealous of how much Raymond was loved by their parents.
The two had plenty of arguments. Robert relished every opportunity to show up Raymond, especially if it meant praise from their parents. Their rivalry even led to some of Everybody Loves Raymond's most genuine moments, but it was best when played up for laughs.
5 Sheldon And Howard Couldn't Quit Insulting Each Other
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper had a number of fierce rivalries in the series, particularly with Leslie Winkle, Barry Kripke, and Wil Wheaton. However, it cannot be denied that his fiercest, longest-running rivalry was with his friend, Howard Wolowitz.
From the start of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon was dismissive of Howard and his engineering degree, while Howard hated Sheldon's condescension. Their testy relationship led to some pranks between the two, and Howard was always quick to seize an opportunity to humiliate Sheldon.
4 Cartman Will Never Stop Hating Kyle
South Park
One of the most bitter "friendships" in sitcoms, South Park's Kyle and Cartman have been at each other's throats since day one. While the antagonism mostly stems from Cartman's bigotry, every conversation between them starts on a sour note.
Whether it's Kyle seeking to sabotage Cartman's evil schemes or Cartman trying to humiliate Kyle, there's little that brings the two together. Whatever one of them does, the other will spend the entire episode trying to sabotage him. Those are often the best episodes in South Park.
3 Sideshow Bob Will Never Stop Trying To Get Bart
The Simpsons
The Simpsons has one of the biggest and most impressive casts of supporting characters around the town of Springfield. Bart Simpson entered into a rivalry with entertainer Sideshow Bob when he got Bob jailed for attempted murder.
Although some episodes have seen Sideshow Bob try to better himself, his deep rage toward Bart always pulls him back into a life of crime. Even when Sideshow Bob appears to be more genuine, Bart always sees through his facade and makes sure he gets exposed.
2 Jerry And Newman Are The Poster Boys For Comedy Rivalries
Seinfeld
Seinfeld has gone down as one of the greatest sitcoms in comedy history and is especially beloved for its recurring characters and quotable lines. The lead character, Jerry, and local postman Newman brought fans a hilarious rivalry that lasted the entire series.
Newman and Jerry had a dysfunctional relationship, which was never explained beyond simple mutual distaste. They would make life harder for each other at every turn, and Jerry's exasperated delivery of the name "Newman!" became an oft-quoted line by fans.
1 Frasier And Niles Crane Were Always At Each Other's Throats
Frasier
Frasier was a spin-off of Cheers and followed Frasier Crane when he moved to his home city of Seattle. While there, he rekindled his relationship with his father, Martin, and brother, Niles. As two psychiatrists, the brothers were bitter rivals.
From casual digs at the other's practice and skill to outright contests for attention and success, the duo's antics are infamous. Even the episodes that see them share in success inevitably end with their endeavors crumbling over their inability to work together. No comedy duo was as ruthless in one-upping each other as Frasier and Niles.