Sitcoms are, by their very nature, funny.  It’s right there in the name of the genre – situation comedy.  But as time goes on, it’s the supporting cast members as well as big-name celebrities with recurring roles, who really steal the show, by flexing their comedic muscles, while the leads play it straight(er).

Following are some of my favorites from four current series:

2 Broke Girls – Garrett Morris (one of Saturday Night Live’s original “Not Ready for Primetime Players”) is perfectly cast as Earl, the cashier at the diner that employs titular leads on this show by Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings.  While he mostly sits around with his headphones, in the background, he gets-in a good zinger or two each episode, like this gem “In 1987 I took a break from Earth, Wind and Fire; and the next day they Earth, Wind and Fire-d my ass.”    In the meantime, we can only hope that the amazing Jennifer Coolidge’s role in the most recent episode becomes a recurring one, because – as per usual – she was delicious.

Mike & Molly – There’s no denying that the matriarchs on this show are tops.  Swoosie Kurtz is heaven on a Triscut as Molly’s wine-guzzling hot-to-trot mom, Joyce; Cleo King plays Carl’s Nana as an über-SBM; and Rondi Reed is a scream as Mike’s curmudgeonly lunch-lady mother Peggy.  But when all is said and done, it’s really all about Katy Mixon (as Molly’s stoner sister, the mortuary cosmetologist) who steals every scene she’s in with such convincingly delivered pothead timing that the mere act of watching her onscreen is enough to bring-on a case of the munchies.

Raising Hope – Cloris Leachman as Maw-Maw.  ‘Nuff said.

The Big Bang Theory – Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler is divine.  Meanwhile, the roster of semi-regulars and cameos includes the likes of Sara Gilbert and Laurie Metcalf (both former co-stars of Johnny Galecki from their days on Roseanne), Christine Baranski, James Hong, and Golden Globe-winner Octavia Spencer (sublimely cast in the role of an over-it DMV worker); as well as sci-fi heavyweights Katee Sackhoff, Stan Lee, Wil Wheaton, and the inimitable George Takei, as themselves.  Also, as the heard but never seen Mrs. Wolowitz, Carol Ann Susi’s gravelly delivery is gut-bustingly cringe-worthy.

They say laughter is the best medicine.  Assuming arguendo that this is the case; then those individuals I’ve mentioned above are the de facto Doctors Feelgood of our day.

2 Broke Girls (CBS) – Mondays at 8:30pm
Mike & Molly (CBS) – Mondays at 9pm
Raising Hope (FOX) – Tuesdays at 9:30pm
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – Thursdays at 8pm

Get into it!