We turn to sitcoms to laugh. Week after week, our favorite comedies bring us joy through wild situations and hilarious jokes. But a major reason these shows seem to stand the test of time is the characters who inhabit them. A great character can make or break a sitcom , and luckily, these characters helped to elevate these shows to their great potential.

Throughout television history, these characters and the brilliant women who portrayed them have not only influenced the genre but have influenced one another. Without Lucille Ball 's Lucy Ricardo, we wouldn't have Amy Poehler 's Leslie Knope or Tina Fey 's Liz Lemon. Not every character on this list is the main character. Sometimes, supporting characters like Megan Mullally 's Karen Walker and Janelle James '

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