There are things in this world that make perfect sense, and then there’s streaming charts.
**Stranger Things** is a national phenomenon, so it’s no surprise that the new season is topping streaming charts. It’s also understandable that its previous seasons have crept back up on Netflix’s list of top ten shows as fans brush up on their homework before diving back into the Upside Down.
Yet, **All’s Fair**, the worst-rated show of 2025, is also a hit on streaming platforms. The same can be said for sitcoms. For example, the critically acclaimed **Modern Family** recently charted in the top 10 on Disney+ five years after airing its finale, while **The King of Queens**, often regarded as one of television’s worst sitcoms, has also cracked the top 10 on Paramount+.
At least *All’s Fair* has a Kardashian, but how on Earth does a jokey series like *The King of Queens* weirdly become a king on streaming?
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### ‘The King of Queens’ Is No ‘Modern Family’
A spin-off of the much, much better *Everybody Loves Raymond*, *The King of Queens* focused on the lives of Doug (Kevin James), a delivery driver; his wife, Carrie (Leah Remini), a legal secretary; and Carrie’s father, Arthur (Jerry Stiller), who — much to Doug’s chagrin — lives in the basement of their home.
It’s not prestige television by any stretch. The show’s first season currently holds a modest 33% on Rotten Tomatoes (for comparison, *Modern Family*’s first season sits at a perfect 100%).
It’s also one of the more blatant offenders in the “Fat Guy/Skinny Wife” sitcom subgenre. But for every *According to Jim* or *The King of Queens*, there are classics like *The Honeymooners* or *The Simpsons*, so it’s hardly an unforgivable sin in the sitcom world.
The difference, however, lies in the relationships. In those latter shows, no matter what hair-brained schemes or ridiculously asinine actions the husbands undertake, their spouses have a genuine love for them — and that love is reciprocated. That warmth is not evident at all in Doug and Carrie’s dynamic.
These characters are mean and insensitive to one another. Doug often goes out of his way to hinder Carrie’s efforts at bettering her life, fearing any change might disrupt their status quo. For example, in Season 6’s “Tank Heaven,” Doug sabotages Carrie’s attempts to bond with her new coworkers simply to prevent her rediscovering her passion for art and culture.
There are also constant comments about Carrie’s weight, with Doug manipulating her to stay skinny. Carrie, in turn, controls Doug through fear, using threats — veiled or otherwise — to keep him in line. In a Season 8 episode, she even “accidentally” pushes Doug down a flight of stairs in anger. Unsurprisingly, this only drives Doug to act behind her back, deepening the animosity between them.
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### Why ‘The King of Queens’ Is Still a Streaming Hit
Of course, the core four of *Seinfeld* are famously insensitive too, but theirs is an exaggerated indifference taken to the point of satire, whereas Doug and Carrie have no such excuse.
Notably, Jerry Stiller, who plays Arthur in *The King of Queens*, brought a similar shtick to the character of Frank Costanza in *Seinfeld*. While those small doses were funny on *Seinfeld*, the constant presence of the same persona on *The King of Queens* wears thin quickly.
Add to that a lack of originality, a parade of homophobic jokes, and racial stereotypes — none of which elevate the show’s standing critically.
Still, there must be a reason why *The King of Queens*, which aired 207 episodes across nine seasons, remains popular on streaming platforms. Perhaps it’s not as surprising as it seems.
Despite its many flaws, the series does have redeemable qualities. The characters are imperfect, and their imperfect actions at least provide some realism. The jokes that aren’t offensive or dated can be dryly humorous, and some predictable situations are legitimately funny.
*The King of Queens* is a comfort watch — one you can enjoy with your brain fully in the off position and your arse on the couch.
It also stands as one of Patton Oswalt’s best comedic performances. Playing recurring character Spence, a full-on nerd and one of Doug’s closest friends, Oswalt’s presence in the show is definitely an asset. The man can do no wrong.
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In the end, while *The King of Queens* may not be the crown jewel of sitcoms, its blend of imperfect characters, relatable humor, and comfort viewing explains its lasting popularity in the streaming era.
https://collider.com/king-of-queens-worst-sitcom-streaming-charts/
