10 Worst Sitcom Episodes of 2024, Ranked

Other times, a joke might not land. Some of the “worst” episodes of the last year can typically fall into two categories: new releases still in their freshman year and figuring out where they belong, or long-running shows challenged by recurring storylines. Whether they were weaker episodes of an otherwise strong season or duds that would soon be canceled, these were the worst sitcom episodes of 2024, ranked.

10 “P.I. Undercover: New York”

‘What We Do In the Shadows’ - Season 6, Episode 8

Every episode of What We Do in the Shadows’ final season lived up to expectations; it featured hilarious one-liners and running gags, strengthened each character arc, and maintained strong worldbuilding. However, some episodes still lacked that classic “WWDITS” tone. “P.I. Undercover: New York” follows the group of vampires in two plotlines: the Vampires follow a film crew across Staten Island in a meta-commentary on mockumentaries; a dinner party where Colin Robinson shines as the star.

When done right, a dinner party creates the perfect environment for uncomfortably hilarious situations - just look at that iconic The Office episode. What We Do in the Shadows certainly succeeds at this trope; if anything, the episode should have focused more on this B-plot rather than the titular involvement in the filming of P.I. Undercover.

9 “Some New York Nonsense”

‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ - Season 1, Episode 2

After a successful pilot, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage continues to separate itself from Young Sheldon, in a sense, the spinoff series has a lot to live up to. “Some New York Nonsense” reminds viewers that, after George’s tragic death, Georgie is now the man of the house. Visiting his father’s grave represents a sort of “passing the torch” as Georgie faces his responsibilities of taking care of his wife, family, and work.

“Some New York Nonsense” is not bad… or good. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is still trying to “find its own identity,” as co-creator Steve Holland told TVLine. The series has since improved by embracing new characters, format, and storylines as long as you can get through the pilot’s laugh track. The series has a 6.7 rating on IMDb and 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is promising for a first season.

8 “The Deli”

‘Abbott Elementary’ - Season 4, Episode 6

Abbott Elementary’s sixth episode of the fourth season, “The Deli,” tells a story of change and growth. Melissa, Jacob, and Barbara lead a protest against the closure of a local deli set to become a trendy smoothie spot (is this even what they want?). Meanwhile, Ava is (reluctantly) asked to give a speech to school administrators about her success as a principal.

There is no such thing as a bad episode of Abbott Elementary. That being said, “The Deli” isn’t as strong as the other entries in Season 4. Ava’s B-plot preparing to speak at a seminar is far more interesting than the teachers’ attempts at saving their local deli; in this case, character development reigned over the Abbott teachers’ usual sitcom antics.

7 “Treehouse of Horror XXXV”

‘The Simpsons’ - Season 36, Episode 5

In yet another Halloween episode of The Simpsons, the spooky season serves as a metaphor for current events. Giant monsters as the result of political frustration. The ghosts of Mr. Burns’ workers getting revenge. Homer and his galactic jeans.

The Simpsons’ Halloween episodes are like tradition at this point, evidenced by that “XXXV” at the end of the episode title. But how much is too much? While not an entirely bad episode, “Treehouse of Horror XXXV” is forgettable compared to its (many) predecessors.

6 “Dedication”

‘Frasier’ (2024) - Season 2, Episode 4

A major theme of “Dedication” revolves around grief. After a tragic death, Freddy contemplates his role as a firefighter and how to properly dedicate his sympathies to his fallen friend and his girlfriend. Of course, Frasier himself is a psychiatrist, who aids in mental health matters.

When a series gets a reboot three decades later, it can be difficult to hone in on its purpose. Should it appeal to its original fans? Broadening its audience with modern storytelling. “The Dedication” abandoned classic tropes of a sitcom for a heavier subject matter than what Frasier is typically known for.

5 “Sleepover”

‘Poppa’s House’ - Season 1, Episode 2

Audiences are continuing to learn about the family dynamics of the Fulton household. The CBS sitcom, Poppa's House, incorporates a traditional laugh track reminiscent of past sitcoms - and for the most part, it works. “Sleepover” explores a series of events that take place at a dinner party at Poppa’s house, where Dr. Ivy pries into Junior’s romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Junior stays over at his father’s house (as the episode title suggests).

The measure of a show’s success often lies in the first few episodes of the first season; it should hook audiences in and motivate them to continue watching. By Episode 2, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the relationships between the characters and the characters themselves.

4 “Faith No More”

‘Family Guy’ - Season 22, Episode 15

Family Guy is known for pushing the limits on sensitive subjects and often does well in most cases. Occasionally, the long-running show might go too far or fail to present its comedy in a way that appeals to fans.

This is the case for “Faith No More.” Fans took issue with how Family Guy approached the conversation around religion, which presented more as mockery rather than the show’s usual satire. Considering Family Guy’s often offensive and provocative material, this says a lot. “Faith No More” received a relatively low IMDb score of 5.7.

3 “First Course”

‘Sausage Party: Foodtopia’ - Season 1, Episode 1

Sausage Party (2016) presented an absurdist perspective of food that exists in a grocery store. They’re alive and aware. But what happens following their liberation from humans? This is what the 2024 series, Sausage Party: Foodtopia, seeks to answer.

It’s the same crude humor as the movie with a promising premise. But Sausage Party: Foodtopia is aimed at a specific viewer. Like the film, the first episode of Sausage Party: Foodtopia received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. It’s not for everyone (but it makes for a fun weekend binge-watch).

2 “Scene 117: The Death of Eye”

‘The Franchise’ - Season 1, Episode 8

The Franchise takes the 2010s superhero phenomenon and turns it into a sitcom about what it takes to actually film these major blockbuster hits. The HBO satire ends on a bittersweet note, as the fate of the fictional film, Tecto, finally gets support from the studio. However, Daniel’s role on the film is threatened, leaving viewers with an unsatisfying ending.

Similar to The Boys, The Franchise showcases the world of superheroes through satire and often meta-commentary about the genre. But as The Franchise’s ultimate fate suggests, is the era of superhero shows and movies coming to an end? The show’s season ended on a cliffhanger that, if given the opportunity, could have been explored more in a second season. There is nothing more frustrating.

1 “Girl Who Manipulates Time”

‘Rick & Morty: The Anime’ - Season 1, Episode 1

The pilot of Rick & Morty: The Anime reintroduces audiences to familiar characters - only this time, as the title suggests, in an anime format. Rather than providing exposition, “Girl Who Manipulates Time” gets right to the plot; the characters deal with the Galactic Federation, VR games, and the multiverse.

It can be tricky to connect with new characters in a new medium, and that starts with the pilot. In the case of Rick & Morty: The Anime, the 2024 series is not part of the Rick & Morty canon, which might account for its lower ratings. The reviews speak for themselves: Rick & Morty: The Anime has a rating of 3.0 on IMDb and 50% on Rotten Tomatoes.

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