Sitcoms are one of the most enduring staples of television, and have been consistently delighting audiences practically since the medium was invented. From even the earliest days of television, sitcoms have been a key part of the success of the small screen, delivering light-hearted and relatable stories to viewers around the world. The best TV sitcoms have evolved with the times, offering an accurate representation of the modern world while also appealing to audiences on a more universal human level. The down-to-earth nature of most sitcoms allows viewers to easily lose themselves in a show, without any real need to suspend their disbelief in pursuit of entertainment.
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The popularity of sitcoms has always been huge, and it has led to many interesting theories about the shows in question. Even the most underrated sitcoms have spawned creative theories from dedicated fans, and some of them are bizarrely compelling. There are many classic sitcoms that are subject to wild yet plausible fan theories, some of which are simply so out there that they just might be true.
5) Malcolm Grows Up To Be Walter White – Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle grew from being the story of a dysfunctional ’00s family to a classic cult TV show. It features Malcolm, who discovers that he has a genius-level IQ, as he attempts to navigate the complexities of teenage life in a house full of trouble-making siblings and an incredibly strict mother. The show’s touching yet quirky examination of family life prompted a few fan theories, but the most prevalent are those that connect it to Breaking Bad.
Bryan Cranston played patriarch Hal in Malcolm in the Middle before his iconic turn as Walter White, leading to the theory that the brilliant Malcolm actually grows up to be the criminal mastermind at the center of Breaking Bad‘s story. The only real evidence for the theory is Malcolm’s intelligence, and that he will theoretically look like his father when he grows up, and while it’s incredibly wild, it’s just crazy enough to potentially be true.
4) Homer Has Been In A Coma Since Season 4 – The Simpsons
The Simpsons is one of the longest-running shows of all time, and the animated sitcom has transcended the small screen to feature in almost every imaginable medium. A veritable pop culture sensation in its heyday, The Simpsons is now considered past its best, with many pointing to its earlier seasons as the show’s golden years. One particular theory explains the evolution of the show in an incredibly interesting and creative way.
The theory goes that in season 4, episode 18, titled “So It’s Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show”, Homer is shown falling into a coma after a prank goes wrong. The theorist believes that every episode after is Homer’s increasingly outlandish imaginings while he is unconscious, explaining the shift in the show’s tone away from more mundane stories. The theory paints Homer as one of The Simpsons‘ most tragic characters and touches on the show’s real-world transformation using actual evidence shown on-screen.
3) The Scranton Strangler Is One Of Dunder Mifflin’s Employees – The Office
Fondly remembered as one of the best workplace comedies, The Office set a new gold standard for modern sitcoms. Its mockumentary style and excellent cast of characters proved a winning formula, but one theory paints a darker picture of its characters. Throughout the show, references are made to the Scranton Strangler, a local serial killer, and the theory posits that the culprit could have been under audiences’ noses all along.
The most popular suspects are Toby, Dunder Mifflin’s awkward, long-suffering HR rep, or Creed, the mysterious and eccentric employee known for his bizarre comments and behavior. While any specific evidence supporting the theories isn’t particularly compelling, there is something about it that holds water with fans. Though the theory might not be accurate, it’s both wild and plausible enough to keep fans guessing as to who might be the Scranton Strangler.
2) Bel-Air Is Will’s Afterlife – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
In its day, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a huge TV show, and it’s responsible for catapulting Will Smith’s acting career into the stratosphere. The sitcom follows the affluent Banks family in the titular LA neighborhood after they take in their streetwise nephew from Philadelphia. The show’s opening theme is perhaps better known than the show itself, and has also led to one mind-blowing theory about its story.
The theory suggests that the theme song is actually the story of how Will was killed in a street fight, and that the show’s story is actually his afterlife. It sees the youth effectively gifted a life of privilege and opportunity that otherwise would be unattainable, making it essentially his own personal paradise. While it’s one of the wildest theories out there, there’s still a sliver of plausibility to it, meaning that it just might be true.
1) Monica & Ross Are Secretly Half-Siblings – Friends
Friends is undeniably one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Its story, which follows six close friends living in New York, is iconic, as are its characters. However, one theory suggests that siblings Monica and Ross Geller — one of the most hated sitcom characters ever — may not be as closely related as the show suggests. The theory goes that Monica is actually the product of an affair, and that she and Ross are, unbeknownst to them, only half-siblings.
Evidence for the theory mostly hinges on how Judy Geller treats her son as the obvious favorite. The theory suggests that Monica reminds Judy of her past indiscretion, and that is the reason for the not-so-subtle tension between them. The theory also posits that this explains why Monica is less in touch with the Geller family’s Jewish roots. While it’s incredibly wild, there’s just enough evidence to support the theory for many to believe it might actually be true.
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