The perfect scenario would be that all TV shows retain high quality. It doesn't matter how long they air, they're still as perfect as they started. But it doesn't work that way in the real world. Instead, most shows lose their quality in later seasons, and sometimes the quality drop is more drastic than the fans are willing to accept.
However, sometimes the improbable happens, and it's the other way around. A show starts in a not-so-great fashion and improves in later seasons. Some sitcoms were decent from the start but became even better as time progressed. Others have legitimately bad first seasons but found their true voices later.
10 The Office
The Office grew to be one of the most popular American sitcoms. It's easy to forget that it originally started out as a British TV show. The first season had a promise but it showed very little of the things that made the show popular later. For one, some of the heroes had a different character. The best example is Michael Scott, the boss, who was much more despicable in the first season. He only became a much better fleshed-out hero in the later seasons. The relationships between various characters also evolved. And let's not forget the fact that the first season only had six episodes, much less than the subsequent seasons.
9 Parks And Recreation
Sitcoms, even more than other types of TV shows, might need some time to build their voice. They need to become distinctive enough for the audience to easily remember them. The competition is high and the sitcom needs to stand out in order to be truly successful. Parks and Recreation gained its real tone in the second season. The characters bantered, used sarcasm in large doses, and were all the more interesting for it. The main difference was the change of Amy Poehler's heroine Leslie Knope. Unlike in the first season, Leslie was much more effective at achieving things and reaching her goals.
8 Friends
Friends hold a special position on this list. It was a hit show right from the start. Fans loved the characters and the setting of the story. With that said, the subsequent seasons had the space to work on other characters. The first season mostly focused on the question of whether something would happen between Rachel and Ross. That wouldn't work in the long run. It was a good thing the second season gave more space to other heroes as well.
7 The Simpsons
The Simpsons are one of the most successful TV shows of all time, but its beginnings were far from stellar. One only has to look at the voice performances in the first season. It took a while before the actors found their characters' real voices.
The style of humor also improved over time, became bolder and more unique. Finally, the creators struggled with technical issues at first. Once they solved them, the show's quality also grew, especially its animation.
6 American Dad!
Similar to The Simpsons, American Dad! also significantly improved once it let go of storytelling conventions. American Dad! is a bizarre show, and its style of humor is unique and won't fit everyone. The series became much better once it decided to walk its own path. It focused on more experimental types of storytelling. As a result, it's now an animated sitcom icon.
5 Seinfeld
Seinfeld is one of the shows that almost never happened. NBC hated the pilot when they watched it. However, its executive, Rick Ludwin, decided to give the show a chance and ordered the creation of four extra episodes. The first season's screenplays left a lot to be desired. Luckily, the talented actors made up for it. The screenplays improved in subsequent seasons, and Seinfeld became a comedy classic.
4 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Some viewers believe the show is similar to Seinfeld, only even more unhinged, and it's true, but it didn't start the way. The first season wasn't all bad, but it lacked something.
More specifically, it lacked Danny DeVito who only joined the season later. DeVito brought the series to a whole new level. If it wasn't for him, the show might have gotten canceled since it had low ratings. The funny fact is that DeVito watched the first season and enjoyed it, so when they asked him to join the team, he jumped in at the chance.
3 Blackadder
Blackadder is a show with a unique format. Each season takes place in a different time period. What doesn't change, however, is its main actor. Rowan Atkinson, otherwise known as the hilarious Mr. Bean, plays another unforgettable comedic character. The main problem is his hero is somewhat simple in the first season, which takes place in medieval times. The show got much more intelligent and funny in the second season. Atkinson played an intelligent and cunning nobleman. Plus, it took place during Queen Elizabeth the First's rule, a favorite historical setting in films and TV shows.
2 Cougar Town
Sometimes the problem is the audience hates the show's main premise. Some of them end while others find their way around the problem. Cougar Town is the second case. People didn't like the main character, Jules, and her chase after younger men. The show became more popular when Jules fell for her neighbor (who was of similar age) and the show focused on multiple protagonists, not just her.
1 Raising Hope
The first season wasn't all bad. It focused on the main character, Jimmy, who had to raise his daughter. Jimmy had a fling with a criminal and had to take care of Hope alone. However, once the series brought more characters into the game, it grew more popular. It also offered more topics that enriched the story, not just the question of raising children.