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The five best sitcoms to watch on Netflix UK

Looking for something to binge? Ali Plumb has got your back

Not sure what to watch?

Radio 1's film critic Ali Plumb has put together his favourite TV shows which are available to watch across all major streaming platforms: BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime and Now TV.

And below he rounds up the very best sitcoms available on Netflix.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

7 seasons, 137 episodes

"NINE-NINE!", I hear you shout at your computer / phone / wherever you're reading this.

That is, if you're already a fan of everyone else's favourite police station-set sitcom - sorry The Thin Blue Line, you've been beaten soundly here - because this is the kind of show that really inspires a loud and loyal fanbase.

Brought back from the brink by its legion of followers, Brooklyn Nine-Nine recently jumped TV stations in the US after it was originally cancelled by Fox.

What makes it so great is not only that it's funny, but also that it feels like a proper family of detectives and sergeants and what-have-you, a group of good people you love being a part of.

The biggest 'star' (kind of) is Andy Samberg, who plays the 'lead' (kind of), Jake Peralta, a goofy Die Hard-loving detective, but honestly it's all about the supporting characters: Terry, Rosa, Charles, Amy... the list goes on.

They're just a great gang, and their chemistry is brilliant. Oh, and they do amazing Halloween episodes that are best discovered without any prior explanation. They're just great, you'll have to trust me on that.

Why you'll love it: Andre Braugher's Raymond Holt, the Captain of Brooklyn's 99th precinct and the back-up dad you wish you had. So deadpan, so dry, so damn funny.

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That '70s Show

8 seasons, 200 episodes

For one reason or another, That '70s Show passed me by until relatively recently, but when I finally gave in, it was love at first sight.

Yes, it's absurdly '70s, all flares and ridiculously dated cars, but that's the fun of it: here's the era when Star Wars first landed and turned our already dorky lead, Eric Forman (Topher Grace), into a hypergeek (the best kind).

It's a traditional parents vs. teenagers show, only it's set in a small Wisconsin town in the '70s, but there's something about the balance between the two groups that really pleases me.

You're on the kids' side, you're on the parents' side. And there are loads of lovely in-jokes, callbacks and knowing references, and a generally playful tone that's so warm and welcoming.

It also made stars of most of its young cast, including Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, and it's a real treat seeing them at such a young age goof around and make each other laugh.

It's just a treat. I might go watch an episode now actually, you can't stop me.

Why you'll love it: The way Eric's dad, Red (Kurtwood Smith), calls people "dumbass"? It's a joy, I'm telling you.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

6 seasons, 148 episodes

First airing 30 years ago, The Fresh Prince may not be - ahem - as fresh as it used to be, but it is such a nostalgia trip to head back to upper class Los Angeles, to say hello to Geoffrey on the way in, helping yourself to cereal from the giant kitchen, dancing with Carlton by the pool.

The '90s were just such a long time ago. But putting that to one side, here's a show that can easily be dismissed as a vehicle for Will Smith's prodigious talents - and maybe it began as that - but became a lot more, with a whole lot of heart and a heck of a lot to say.

The episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse", when Will's estranged dad pops up after 14 years away, packs a properly emotional punch, so be warned.

Why you'll love it: The theme tune. Of course.

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How I Met Your Mother

9 seasons, 208 episodes

There's a "framing device" of discovering how a father met his children's mother (hence the title), but let's be honest: this pals-looking-for-love-kinda-sorta-Friends-wannabe is all about Barney.

As in, Neil Patrick Harris's serial playboy Barney Stinson, the star - at least for me - of the show by a country mile and a big reason why I ever watch it.

Pleasantly objectionable, full of schemes and generally a bit of an irrantant, he's also a proper charmer and someone you're still willing to win, somehow, God knows. Maybe it's the way he says "Legen...waitforit...dary!", his rules, the phrase 'Challenge accepted', or any number of things, really.

The whole cast is great though, including similar charmers in the form of Cobie Smulders, Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel. Like That '70s Show, they're such a good gang.

Why you'll love it: Barney's obsession with high fives. You'll be high fiving everything in your house after watching a couple of seasons of this.

Friends

10 seasons, 236 episodes

It's Friends. You love it.

Why you'll love it: Because it's Friends?

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