The roommate trope has been present on television for years, and for a good reason. Different personalities living together can bring out all sorts of humorous and complex situations, which is why this trope often being used in sitcoms doesn’t come as a shock.
While some shows base their comedy on their main characters living together, others incorporate that element on the side while still maintaining its importance with storylines happening both inside and outside the characters’ shared living situation.
Shay And Severide (Chicago Fire)
Watching Kelly and Shay living together on Chicago Fire was fun at times, and bittersweet at others. Their dating habits made them a very compatible pair to live together, and they developed a special friendship that lasted throughout until the very end.
Even more, it was Shay’s decision to leave their shared residence that resulted in Kelly seeking help for his problem because he didn’t want to lose her, and he knew that her moving out would be a significant step in the wrong direction. The pair shared a lot of sweet memories in their apartment, including filming a video in which they promise each other to have each other’s backs.
Alexis And David (Schitt’s Creek)
Thrown together by life, it’s unlikely siblings Alexis and David Rose ever expected to live in such proximity with each other. But after losing their multimillion mansion and all other assets, they were forced to share a tiny motel room, with their parents inhabiting the room next to theirs.
They bicker constantly, as siblings often do, and their lack of support for each other in the beginning is what makes their growth all the more impressive. Their first scene as roommates was to fight over who gets the bed further away from the door and who gets murdered first, and it was iconic.
Jess, Nick, Schmidt And Winston (New Girl)
If at first, the guys in the apartment were not in favor of letting Jess live with them, they quickly stepped on her side, even defending her from her ex-boyfriend and helping her get her stuff back. This began another iconic group of people that lived together and also became friends.
From Schmidt parading around in silk kimonos to the douche jar being constantly full, these guys get into all sorts of hilarious situations while developing a warm friendship that even ends in some of them dating. Fans agree that while New Girl was focused on all of them living together was when it was at its best.
Jane And Sutton (The Bold Type)
Another very interesting duo living together was Jane and Sutton. Though best friends, they had some very large differences as it became clear when Jane found out about another roommate: Betsy, Sutton’s gun.
Things could potentially get problematic for the two because Jane refused to accept that Sutton used to do it as a competition sport, and Sutton didn’t understand Jane’s qualms about it, since she kept Betsy locked and stored away. For her roommate’s peace of mind, Sutton ultimately gives in and has Betsy destroyed. She sure is a friend everyone would love to have.
Sheldon And Leonard (The Big Bang Theory)
This is a fantastic duo to live together, only because it’s impossible to imagine that anyone else could tolerate living with Sheldon, and his never-ending rules about living together, called “The Roommate Agreement”, including the ridiculous rules like the thermostat clause and even when to go to the bathroom.
But there were also things in the agreement that made sense like the roommate review, in which once a year they discuss any potential issues. Whatever the audience’s stance on this is, it’s certain that Leonard was one of the few people who could put up with it.
Paris And Rory (Gilmore Girls)
Sharing a dorm in Yale and later Rory moving into Paris and Doyle’s apartment to share with them, they were roommates for quite a while, though things didn’t always run smoothly.
Similarly to Leonard and Sheldon, Rory was one of the few people, aside from Doyle, who understood and accepted Paris, which is why them living together made sense and was fun to watch, at least until Paris moved all of Rory’s stuff in the hall because she was jealous of her promotion.
Leighton, Kimberly, Whitney And Bela (The Sex Lives Of College Girls)
The newest roommate bunch on the block, it wasn’t smooth sailing from the beginning, but they got there in the end. After accepting that their lives would be entwined, the girls seemed to have much more fun.
But navigating having three new roommates can be challenging, and it was fun to watch the girls worry for each other when one of them stayed out and deal with common problems like a stinky fridge. Season 2 will surely bring more hilarious moments to watch.
Meredith, George And Izzie (Grey’s Anatomy)
Meredith was initially against living with George and Izzie because she didn’t want to see the people she spends all her time with at work, at home as well. But it ended up working out, and they developed not only roommate routines but a friendship as well.
Even though Meredith shared her house with nearly every other character due to the long list of tenants and roommates on Grey’s Anatomy at some point, this original group of roommates was a fan-favorite. After all, what more fun than Izzie going overboard with Christmas decorations while Meredith and George pretend to like it as a form of support.
Chandler And Joey (Friends)
Perhaps one of the more iconic roommate duos ever was Joey and Chandler. The kind of friendship and camaraderie they shared while living together is rare, and even though it was a comedy show, it was heartbreaking when Chandler and Monica ended up moving away (though fans were happy that Joey got his own room in their house).
Whether it was playing with baby chicks or laying back in their favorite recliners, things were never dull in Chandler and Joey’s apartment.
Blanche, Dorothy, Rose And Sophia (The Golden Girls)
In light of Betty White’s recently death, it’s important to remember the roommates that paved the way for all the other roommates to come: Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia of The Golden Girls.
But things were anything but peachy at the beginning, as the girls fought over their picks of rooms and their shopping habits made it impossible to coordinate grocery shopping. They weren’t always the best roommates, but they were always iconic.
