http://www.cracked.com/blog/was-arreste ... 0s-sitcom/

I say Green Acres. As it paved the way for absurdest comedy.

Gut reaction - Soap.

Soap. Both shows with running plot lines both about dysfunctional, affluent family with worsening troubles, and a puppet even shows up in the third season.

Arrested Development is a bit more grounded than Green Acres. I don't think the shows really have that much in common. Soap was pretty grounded until

I recall really laughing a lot at Soap, but I wonder how dated it might seem today if one were to re-watch it now. Not that I have access to it, but if I did, I wonder if I'd still find it funny or if it'd be worth my time. That's late 70's T.V. and unlike watching a few episodes of something like Barney Miller, Soap would require a greater commitment in time since the story threads run the length of the show, IIRC. 80+ episodes.

Soap used to be on Netflix and my father and brother were watching it a great bit, but they never got a chance to finish it before it got taken off Netflix.

Hey, just less that two weeks until the new episodes!

I watch my Soap tapes from time to time and it still holds up. The narration brings you up to speed, plus the script and performances are so broad, they're not shy about using ridiculous exposition to reiterate what's been going on.

Nothing holds up as well as Barney Miller. That show is truly timeless.