10 Items or Less

Make sure to fill your cart with Funyuns, because it's the funny-monikered snack of choice with improvisational sitcoms. A scripting style similar to Curb Your Enthusiasm—meaning no written dialogue— places the success of 10 Items squarely on the quick-thinking comedy skills of the cast. That's no sweat for the improv veterans led by series co-creator John Lehr who takes the helm of his dead father's family-owned grocery store. A nutty staff helps their naïve boss flourish when the corporate monster Super Value Mart arrives up the street. Watching improv players adapt is appealing, but too often relies on the performer's wit to catch a moment rather than a team of writers in flux working for the best punchline. Still the cast spits out winners regularly, turning 10 Items into TBS's best programming until The Christmas Story marathon begins.