22 Moments in TV Comedies That Will Make You Sob Like a Baby
The best TV comedies are the ones that make us laugh uncontrollably. Every now and then, however, things get real, and we have to reach for the tissues.
Here are the moments in our favorite sitcoms that made us cry. *Warning: spoilers ahead!*
1. Ted Lasso Reveals That His Father Killed Himself: Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso is a comedy-drama with a ton of heart and flashes of sadness. One them came when, during a season two phone call with his therapist, Ted Lasso reveals that his father committed suicide. It's an emotionally tense moment that sees Ted nearly breakdown, a sad sight for a man who tries to be optimistic.
2. Cory, Shawn, Topanga, and Eric Say Goodbye to Mr. Feeny: Boy Meets World
Mr. Feeny was a foundational figure in the lives of Cory, Shawn, Topanga, and Eric, so it's only right they gave him a ceremonious goodbye in the last episode of Boy Meets World. This goodbye came in the form of a final request for advice. But alas, Feeny reveals that he has taught them everything he could, and now, as they were set to truly enter adulthood, a perilous world that teaches its own lessons.
3. When Eric Decides To Keep His Memories of Donna: That 70's Show
In the That 70's Show episode “It's a Wonderful Life,” Eric Forman (Topher Grace) is visited by an angel (Wayne Knight) that shows him what it would be like if he had never been with Donna (Laura Prepon).
There is loads of laughter, primarily with Fez's hair throughout the decade changes. However, when it comes time for the angel to erase Eric's memories of him and Donna, Eric pleads, “Wait, no. I want to keep it.”
So the angel disappears, and Eric keeps his memories of Donna. The scene puts a lump in the viewers' throats.
4. When Howard's Mom Dies: The Big Bang Theory
In “The Comic Book Regeneration,” viewers cried with Howard (Simon Helberg) after discovering his mom died. Mrs. Wolowitz (Carol Ann Susi) was an integral character in Howard's storyline.
She is best known for her obnoxious voice and the reality of never being physically seen on the show. Sadly, Susi died in real life, and the show chose to honor her memory with this episode.
The cast was genuinely sad, and the performances reflected that raw emotion.
5. When Rachel Got off The Plane: Friends
“WE WERE ON A BREAK!” In the series finale of Friends, Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) realizes – finally, again – that he's in love with Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and races to catch her before she leaves for Paris for her career.
She boards the plane, and fans' hearts break everywhere by the hurt on Ross' face. Then, once home, he plays a voicemail from Rachel, who realizes she also loves him and needs to get off the plane.
Finally, the message beeps, and we don't know if she made it until he turns around, to her voice saying, “I got off the plane.” It was the happy ending Ross and Rachel fans were praying to receive.
6. When Lisa Said Goodbye to Mr. Bergstrom: The Simpsons
The adult animated series, The Simpsons has several heartwarming moments. For example, in “Lisa's Substitute,” Miss Hoover believes that she has Lyme disease, and Mr. Bergstrom substitutes for her.
First, he introduces himself, “I'm Mr. Bergstrom. Feel free to make fun of my name if you want. Two suggestions are Mr. “Nerdstrom” and Mr. “Boogerstrom.” He becomes an engaging teacher, and Lisa develops a crush.
When Lisa walks into her classroom to learn Miss Hoover is back, she tearfully races to see Mr. Bergstrom off. Finally, he tells her it will be okay and gives her a note that reads, “You are Lisa Simpson.”
7. When Marshall Hears His Dad's Final Words: How I Met Your Mother
After Marshall's (Jason Segel) dad dies, Marshall and the gang attend his funeral. When he plays his final voice message from his dad, it turns out to be a pocket dial.
Marshall becomes angry and shouts, “Thanks a lot, God! You took my father. The greatest man I've ever known, and you've ripped him off this earth. Way too young. And he'll never get to meet our kids, Lily. But we got this voicemail. Thank you so much for the voicemail!”
However, his dad ultimately realizes he's pocket dialed, and his last words are, “I love you.” It's gut-wrenching and nearly impossible to watch with dry eyes. How I Met Your Mother is streaming on Hulu if one wants a good cry.
8. When Michael Goes to Pam's Art Show: The Office
In “Business School,” Pam (Jenna Fischer) announces to her colleagues that she is part of an art show and asks them to support her. However, most of them don't show.
First, Oscar (Oscar Nuñez) and his boyfriend show up only to disparage her talent. Then, Roy (David Denman) brings his brother out of obligation but adds no insight or support.
Finally, Pam becomes depressed and begins to take her art down when Michael Scott (Steve Carell) rounds the corner, “Pam-casso!”
He apologizes for being tardy before staring at her artwork in genuine awe. Then, finally, she tears up and hugs him. It's one of The Office's sweetest moments.
9. When LT. Col. Henry Blake Dies in an Ambush: MASH
In the third season finale of MASH “Abyssinia, Henry,” viewers tearfully watched Lt. Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) say his goodbyes to his comrades after learning he acquired enough points to be discharged and return stateside.
However, in an unbelievable twist, Radar (Gary Burghoff) comes and interrupts a surgery and meekly announces that Blake's plane was shot down over the sea in Japan.
He elaborated, “With no survivors,” before exiting the tent and leaving cast and viewers in tears. The show produced loads of laughs, but this episode hurts.
10. When Schmidt Marries Cece: New Girl
In the fifth season finale of New Girl, Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) finally get married. Although, viewers didn't know if Schmidt would make it to the wedding because he went to beg Cece's mom to please come.
Ultimately, he succeeds, and we watch them get married. But, instead of watching them exchange vows, the vows play over the ceremony as we watch the gang delight in their union.
It's beautiful. Furthermore, it's priceless when Nick Miller (Jake Johnson) produces the “Jar” for the Jewish tradition of breaking a glass at their weddings. “JAR!”
11. When Carla Says Goodbye: Scrubs
In “My Long Goodbye,” Nurse Laverne Roberts (Aloma Wright) has been in a car accident and is in a coma.
It's tragic, and incidentally, in the previous episode, she was teaching Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) about her faith that “everything happens for a reason.” So it hurts even more.
Carla (Judy Reyes) doesn't want to say goodbye and refuses to go into Laverne's hospital room. Nonetheless, eventually, she makes her way in and destroys audiences with her tear-demanding declarations of immense sadness and love.
Laverne's death is one of the saddest moments in the comedy TV series Scrubs. The episodes where Dr. Cox loses three patients and finds out Ben died are also tragic.
12. When Phoebe Says Goodbye to The Triplets: Friends
In “The One Hundredth,” Friends fans watch Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) deliver her brother's surrogate triplets. She's decided that she wants to keep one of the babies and begs Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) to ask them on her behalf.
Ultimately, Rachel doesn't ask but tells Phoebe it's a no. So then, viewers watch as a tearful Phoebe says goodbye to the triplets. It's a heartwarming and tear-producing scene in an otherwise hilarious comedy TV sitcom.
13. When Carrie Miscarried: King of Queens
In “Pregnant Pause (Part 2),” The King of Queens comedy TV series, Doug (Kevin James) and Carrie (Leah Remini) discover they will be parents. So Doug takes a second job as a limo driver to save for the baby.
He exhausts himself until he finally collapses at one of Carrie's doctor appointments. Sadly, Carrie miscarries, and fans watch the couple grieve together by a box labeled “Crib.”
It was a vastly different experience for viewers of the show to witness these hilarious characters being devastated. People expected that from TV dramas like Grey's Anatomy, but not from the Heffernans.
14. When Mac Comes Out to His Dad, and Frank Gets It: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
In “Mac Finds His Pride,” Frank tries to recruit Mac for the Gay Pride Parade and the gang's float. So Frank takes Mac to a bondage club to find his pride, but Mac doesn't relate to the gay men there.
Then, Frank takes Mac to a drag queen show. But, again, Mac doesn't relate to the gay stereotypes Frank is pushing on him. Finally, Mac realizes that he cannot be who he is until he comes out to his father.
Mac performs a beautiful dance at his father's prison as his method of coming out. Sadly, his dad walks out, but Frank stays, cries, and says, “I get it,” leaving viewers in tears for Mac and Frank.
15. When Rebecca Overdoses: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
In “I Never Want to See Josh Again,” Rebecca Bloom (Rachel Bloom) is in a deep depression and stays on her mom Naomi's (Tovah Feldshuh) couch. She is mentally unable to do anything herself, leaving Naomi to care for everything.
Naomi discovers that Rebecca's been visiting several suicide sites. She becomes worried and confronts her.
Naomi begins drugging her with an anti-anxiety med that helps Rebecca to start feeling better. But, when she discovers what her mother's been doing, Rebecca accosts her.
Rebecca gets on a flight from NY to LA, and the attendant offers her a glass of wine to relax. Rebecca washes the entire bottle of anxiety pills down with the wine.
Then, she blurs in and out of consciousness and pushes a call button that reads “Help.” She chooses life, hands the empty bottle to the attendant, and says, “I need help.” It's a tear-jerking moment.
16. When Will Asks Why His Dad Doesn't Want Him: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air produced one of the saddest TV moments in history. After 14 years of abandonment, Will Smith's father Lou (Ben Vereen) shows up, claiming he wants to have a relationship.
Will extends his forgiveness. However, Aunt Vivian (Janet Hubert) and Uncle Phil (James Avery) are less than enthused.
Will and Lou are supposed to go on a trip, but Uncle Phil catches Lou trying to sneak away. They get into a heated argument when Phil refuses to make excuses for Lou to Will.
Then, Will walks in, packed and ready to go. Lou explains he has business to take care of, and Will dismisses him as Lou instead of Dad as he walks out the door.
Suddenly, Will explodes about not needing him and how he's never needed him, but he breaks down and asks, “Why don't he want me, man?” before collapsing into Uncle Phil's hug. It's difficult not to fall apart with them.
17. When We Find Out Dan Died: Roseanne
Once upon a time, Roseanne was one of the funniest TV shows with a largely shocked audience. In the series finale, during the final scene of the family at the table, Roseanne Connor (Roseanne Barr) reflects on her family members while revealing she's writing a book.
So viewers watched an alternate universe of her imagination dealing with Dan Connor's (John Goodman) death. Dan died of a heart attack at Darlene's (Sara Gilbert) and David's (Johnny Galecki) wedding; the last season was her altered version of events.
It's devastating to learn that the Connors never won the lottery. Furthermore, watching her walk to the couch and sit alone is an emotional gut punch.
18. When Ben Proposes to Leslie: Parks and Recreation
In “Halloween Surprise,” Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) surprises Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) as she's viewing a home on which she is regretfully canceling her lease.
Leslie asks her real estate agent questions before turning to see Ben walking in as the agent walks out. He gets down on one knee, but Leslie makes him wait.
She needs to take a minute to remember how perfect her life is at that moment. It's an adorable scene that leaves Parks and Recreation fans with happy tears on their cheeks.
19. When George Confronts Manny: The George Lopez Show
In “Long Time, No See,” George Lopez receives a $20,000 check from his estranged father to pay off his debt. So George packs the family up to meet his father for the first time in 36 years.
On the way, Lopez reminisces about times he had before his father walked out on him and his mom. After the conversation turns to Benny (Belita Moreno), George says he doesn't want the check and rips it up before giving Manny (William Marquez) a tongue-lashing.
The hurt in his voice is believable and pulls on the heartstrings. When Manny calls Benny a “Crazy Cabrona,” George punches him in the face and exclaims, “And that's for my mother!”
20. When Patrick Marries David: Schitt's Creek
In the last episode, “Happy Ending,” Schitt's Creek fans finally witness David (Dan Levy) and Patrick (Noah Reid) get married.
Things don't go according to plan, as weddings rarely do. However, the exchange and sentiment of their vows are touching. Throughout the day, each of the Roses experiences bittersweet emotions realizing it's their last day in Schitt's Creek together.
Viewers cry happy tears for the couple but sad tears knowing the show is over because it's one of the best sitcoms ever.
21. Saying Goodbye: The Good Place
In “Whenever You're Ready,” the humans are allowed to end their time in the universe. However, Eleanor (Kristen Bell) suspects that Chidi (William Jackson Harper) is ready to leave, and she freaks out about being alone again.
So she takes him to places of significance for him in an attempt to get him to want to stay. Finally, however, he realizes what Eleanor is doing and agrees to abide to appease her loneliness.
Ultimately, she realizes she's being selfish and spends her last night with Chidi. She tells Chidi to please leave before she wakes up. Eleanor wakes up to a calendar Chidi made of himself for her.
She smiles at the gesture, and it's bittersweet. But, eventually, Eleanor musters up the courage to walk through the passage and end her time in The Good Place.
22. When Homer Explains Why There Aren't Any Pictures of Maggie: The Simpsons
In “And Maggie Makes Three,” Lisa asks why there aren't any pictures of Maggie in the family album. So Homer tells his story about quitting the nuclear power plant and landing his dream job at the Bowlarama.
However, when Marge discovers she is pregnant, Homer needs to make more money. So he goes back to Mr. Burns and begs for his job back.
Mr, Burns hangs a taunting sign that says, “Don't forget you're here forever.” However, Homer has taped Maggie's pictures to make the sign read, “Do it for her.” It's one of The Simpsons' best episodes.