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Summary
It is unusual for situation comedy to boast character deaths , but it is even more irregular for these deaths to be genuinely moving and unexpected . Sitcoms are generally catch as comfort watching , even if they can be as dark asIt ’s Always cheery In PhiladelphiaorSouth Park . Broadly utter , even the most satirically sharp situation comedy are n’t intended to be touching on a regular basis as this is the realm of dramedies . If a sitcom regularly leans into tragical plots , the show becomes a dramedy . Hits likeBojack HorsemanandThe Good Placemade this tonal conversion as they grow more serious .
However , even bonafide situation comedy can have astonishingly tragical moments . Some ofthe best situation comedy of all fourth dimension , fromHow I Met Your MothertoMASH , sport some truly go plot line that tug on the audience ’s heartstrings . Vitally , these shows remained situation comedy in terms of their tonus , style , and rule even as they take on difficult topics like infertility , heartbreak , and dying . Among these themes , it is unexpected death that most often offer sitcoms a probability to flex their spectacular muscles , as evidenced by some sitcom Death that essay as sad as thedeaths of any TV drama character .
10Walt, New Girl
Dennis Farina’s charming grifter Walt died unexpectedly
In time of year 2 , installment 13 , “ A Father ’s Love,”New Girlintroduced Nick ’s father Walt , a magnetic confidence trick man . Nick fight to desire Walt when he was reunited with him , but the pair eventually formed a bittersweet bond . This made it all the more devastating whenNick ’s father Walt cash in one’s chips abruptly offscreenonly a few episodes later in instalment 20 , “ Chicago . ” The go forward plot line was remarkably affect as Nick come to terms with his father ’s complicated bequest . Not everything aboutNew Girlaged well , but this plot stands out as a classic .
Cast
9Sean, Derry Girls
Clare’s father died in the cult hit’s penultimate episode
The ribald coming - of - age sitcomDerry Girlsmainly rivet on Erin Quinn , but her jittery friend Clare was also a major part of the series . Derry Girlshinted at the possible action that Nicola Coughlan ’s Clare was LGBTQ+ before this plot line culminated in her come out during time of year 1 . However , it was n’t until season 3 of the cult polish off that she gained a passion pastime and , in a brutally tragic twist , Clare lost her father to an aneurism the same night she had her first osculation .
8Marvin, How I Met Your Mother
Marshall lost his dad at the worst time possible
While Clare lose her father at a truly excruciating clock time , How I Met Your female parent ’s Marshall was arguably even more doomed . The sympathetic situation comedy hero spend a lengthy stretch struggling with fertility yield before finally revealing this to his parent in time of year 6 , episode 13 , “ Bad News . ” However , Marshall ’s father Marvin die short shortly after their last conversation , a brutal pull that made his journey to Father-God infinitely harder and providedHow I Met Your female parent ’s distressing sceneever .
7Dede Pritchett, Modern Family
Modern Family’s Dede death was a rare serious storyline
InModern Familyseason 10 , episode 5 , “ Good Grief,”Claire ’s mother Dede died offscreen near Halloween . The unexpected timing of this effect made the moment all the sadder sinceModern Family ’s yearly Halloween episodes were typically among the show ’s cockamamie and most high - energy outings . Instead , the manic tempo of the syndicate sitcom retard down as the Pritchett children reminisce about their late mother . This untypically pensive look made “ Good Grief ” a standout episode in season 10 .
6Deborah Shoshlefski (The Chair Model), The Office
The Office’s darkest episode left Dwight and Michael mourning
It is not really clear whetherThe Officeseason 4 , episode 14 , “ Chair Model , ” was intended to be pitiful . However , the jaunt succeeded admirably as a tragicomic narrative , with Michael fall in honey with a catalogue model only to discover that she died years before he even found her photo . While the intact plot sounds silly , it was still a grim shock to let out that the unseen Deborah Shoshlefski died so youngwhen an hardhearted Dwight uncovered her eulogy while searching for her .
5Professor Proton, The Big Bang Theory
Even Sheldon was moved by the death of his childhood icon
AlthoughYoung SheldonmadeThe Big Bang Theorysadderin look back by justify some of Sheldon ’s character queerness with moving backstories , the original series was n’t particularly invest in poignance . When there were moving moments inThe Big Bang Theory , they were typically set aside for the main amorous couple the show center on on . However , an exception was made in season 7 , episode 23 , “ The Proton Transmogrification . ” Even the typically coldSheldon was heartbroken upon learning that his puerility picture Professor Proton exit , making this one of the show ’s sorry scenes .
4Mona, The Simpsons
Homer’s mother had a crushing exit from The Simpsons
Homer had a pregnant relationship with his absent mother Mona throughoutThe Simpsons . Her first coming into court provide the show with one of its most enduringly iconic range of a function as Homer sit on his elevator car ’s cowling and stared at the lead after she leave him again . However , it was Mona ’s death that cement her legacy in the show . AlthoughThe Simpsonsalmost never defeat off characters permanently , the long - running show made an exception when Mona died while stay with Homer in season 19 , episode 19 , “ Mona Leaves - a. ”
3Paul, 8 Simple Rules
John Ritter’s real-life passing resulted in Paul’s sudden death
Paul Hennessy was the lead character of8 Simple Rulesin its former season , and John Ritter ’s long - get suburban dad was a well - liked situation comedy hero . When Ritter died suddenly at the age of 54 , the actor was eulogized in the serial publication with his grapheme ’s unexpected death . Paul’s8 Simple Rulesdeath was unambiguously movingbecause of both how unexpected the development was and how closely tied the storyline was to Ritter ’s untimely real - life history passing .
2Ben, Scrubs
Brendan Fraser’s recurring role set up the saddest Scrubs episode
Brendan Fraser first appeared as Jordan ’s garrulous brother Ben in the first time of year ofScrubsand the rooter - favorite guest star did n’t give for another two seasons . When he did , Ben only interacted with Dr. Cox who was dismay to discover that his former brother - in - law never followed up on his leukemia diagnosing . Ben ’s final show ended with the revolution that he cash in one’s chips before the instalment beganand Dr. Cox had been imagining his interactions with him in a twist ending that was arguably the saddest instant inScrubshistory .
1Roseanne, The Conners
Roseanne’s title character died offscreen before this spinoff began
