8 Saddest Sitcom Episodes, Ranked by Heartbreak Level

We usually go back to our favorite TV sitcoms to spend some good time with jokes and hilarious or cringey situations its characters constantly get in, but sometimes this plan can fail drastically.

Despite its comical premise, the sitcoms are still full of pretty much human-like drama that will wash smiles off everyone’s faces, making viewers sympathise with the characters and even cry alongside them.

Ironically, the funniest shows can also be the ones that have some of the saddest episodes which modern TV has ever witnessed. Here’s a list of the most heartbreaking episodes in case you’re not in the mood for laughs.

8. ‘The Office’, Season 7 Episode 22 — “Goodbye, Michael”

This episode comes as a proof that, despite Steve Carrell’s Michael Scott being annoying most of the time, he will still be dearly missed once he’s gone.

“Goodbye, Michael” sees the character mentally preparing for a day full of tears when he plans to say goodbye to every single of his former employees personally. The episode gets to its emotional climax when it’s time for Michael to talk to Jim and Pam.

7. ‘How I Met Your Mother’, Season 6 Episode 13 — “Bad News”

The episode delves into Marshall and Lily’s fertility struggle as they both come to a conclusion that there might be something wrong with either of them.

When both get tested and learn that they had no issues after all, Marshall decides to call his dad and talk about it, but never receives an answer because his father died.

6. ‘Scrubs’, Season 3 Episode 14 — “My Screw Up”

This episode gives a heartbreaking update on the situation Brendan Fraser’s Ben got into when he returns to the hospital two years after starting his cancer treatment.

Dr. Cox meets the patient and advises him to come to the hospital more frequently, all the while being angry at J.D. because the latter couldn’t save another patient.

Later, it’s revealed that Ben was the one that J.D. couldn’t save, and Dr. Cox spent the entire episode talking to the ghost of a character that has been dead all along.

5. ‘The Simpsons’, Season 7 Episode 8 — “Mother Simpson”

In the episode, Homer finds out that his mother Mona is alive, despite him thinking that she died decades ago.

It’s then revealed that Mona did something that forced her to go into hiding, and though she still went on to meet Homer’s family, she couldn’t stay there long and had to flee again.

Homer helps her to do so, realizing this may in fact be their last encounter. The episode closes with the shot of Homer silently looking at the starry sky.

4. ‘Modern Family’, Season 11 Episode 11 — “Legacy”

The episode shows a different side of usually goofy Phil Dunphy when he finds out that his father isn’t doing well and decides to visit him in Florida.

They spend a whole day together recreating some memories from Phil’s childhood. Later Phil asks his father whether he wished Phil had taken over their family business, to which his father responds that Phil has already carried on his family’s legacy by being funny and silly all the time.

The episode concludes with Phil’s revelation about this memory of his father being his last one.

3. ‘Futurama’, Season 5 Episode 2 — “Jurassic Bark”

The episode follows pizza-delivery driver Fry who suddenly wakes up a thousand years later in the future.

While trying to explore new places in the modernised city, Fry sees a fossilized dog that looks exactly like his own pet Seymour. At first Fry wants to get closer to the dog, but then decides that Seymour must have already found new owners and lives a much happier life without him now.

However, it’s later revealed that not only Seymour stayed away from everyone else and never found a new owner, but also obeyed Fry’s last command and spent his entire life waiting for him outside the pizza shop.

2. ‘Friends’, Season 3 Episode 16 — “The One With the Morning After”

In this episode, Rachel and Ross’ notorious break that fans still can’t connect the dots about comes with the worst repercussions when both decide to take an official break from their relationship.

When Ross has a one-night stand with another woman on the same day, Rachel changes her mind and calls to tell Ross that she loves him, but sorrowfully adds that she can’t stop thinking about him being with someone else.

1. ‘The Big Bang Theory’, Season 8 Episode 15 — “The Comic Book Store Regeneration”

The episode witnesses probably the most shocking plot twist in the entire show when it’s revealed that Howard’s mother, who always appears off-screen, suddenly died.

Things become even more tragic when Sheldon, usually an emotionally reserved person, becomes one of the first to try and console Howard, saying that, unlike the latter, he didn’t have friends by his side when his father George passed away.