Dharma & Greg (1997)

TV show · 1997 · Comedy · English

Curator score: 4.0/10 (34K ratings)

Overview

Dharma & Greg is an American television sitcom that aired from September 24, 1997, to April 30, 2002. It stars Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson as Dharma and Greg Montgomery, a couple who got married on their first date despite being complete opposites. The series is co-produced by Chuck Lorre Productions, More-Medavoy Productions and 4 to 6 Foot Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television for ABC. The show's theme song was written and performed by composer Dennis C. Brown. Created by executive producers Dottie Dartland and Chuck Lorre, the comedy took much of its inspiration from so-called culture-clash "fish out of water" situations. The show earned eight Golden Globe nominations, six Emmy Award nominations, and six Satellite Awards nominations. Elfman earned a Golden Globe in 1999 for Best Actress.

Ratings

Production

More-Medavoy Productions, 20th Century Fox Television, 4 to 6 Foot Productions, Chuck Lorre Productions

Cast

Jenna Elfman, Thomas Gibson, Alan Rachins, Mimi Kennedy, Mitchell Ryan, Susan Sullivan, Joel Murray, Shae D'Lyn

Curator Review

Verdict

A breezy, high-concept sitcom built on opposites-attract chemistry and broad culture-clash comedy. It’s charming and easy to sample, though the formula can feel repetitive once the novelty of the premise settles in.

Best for

  • fans of light, character-driven network sitcoms
  • viewers who like romantic-comedy setups stretched into series form
  • people seeking an easy, low-stakes comfort watch from the late 1990s and early 2000s

Skip if

  • you want sharp political or workplace satire
  • you prefer tightly serialized comedy with strong long-form arcs
  • you’re impatient with broad humor and sitcom contrivances

Overview

Dharma & Greg is one of the cleaner expressions of late-1990s network sitcom comfort: a high-concept premise, a strong central couple, and a steady stream of culture-clash jokes. Jenna Elfman’s manic warmth is the engine, and the show works best when it leans into the sweet, romantic side of the mismatch rather than trying too hard to explain it.

Worth noting

The series is easy to watch and often genuinely charming, but it is also very much a product of its era. The humor can be broad, the supporting characters are written for punchlines, and the premise is stretched across five seasons without a dramatic reinvention. Still, for viewers who enjoy polished, glossy sitcoms with a dependable rhythm, it remains pleasant and often funny.

Bottom line

It’s especially appealing as a companion piece to other Chuck Lorre-era network comedies, though it’s lighter and less cynical than many of them. If you want a warm, accessible sitcom with a strong lead performance and a simple hook, it’s worth a try; if you need sharper writing or more depth, it may wear thin.

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Topics

sitcom, romantic comedy, fish-out-of-water, late 1990s, network TV, lighthearted, family-friendly, culture clash, ensemble comedy

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