9 Super Sad TV Sitcom Moments That Got Way Too Real

Hey, sitcoms. We thought you were supposed to make us laugh, not cry our eyes out. Every so often, a lighthearted comedy that you go to for escapism gets a little too real. Here are nine times our favorite sitcoms made us reach for the tissues.

Marshall's Dad Dies on 'How I Met Your Mother'

We know this mostly light CBS sitcom wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but this moment gutted us. When Lily breaks the news about Marshall's father's ing we were all brought out of TV happy time and back to harsh reality and all its ups and downs. We were not ready for this either.

Carrie's Miscarriage on 'King of Queens'

This TV show was primarily about a guy who eats too much, does dumb stuff, and his wife who gets mad at him. Pretty simple formula and some solid laughs. But the writers hit us with the sadness stick when Carrie suddenly miscarried in the Season 3 finale. We thought this was the sitcom we turned to when we wanted jokes about nachos.

Randy's Cancer Scare on 'Home Improvement'

“Home Improvement” centered on a man repeatedly making a befuddled grunt noise, so imagine the audience's surprise when they had to watch an entire episode devoted to waiting to find out if JTT had cancer. Turns out it was just hyperthyroidism, but way to throw a somber wrench (we had to) in the regularly scheduled programming.

Seymour's Montage From 'Futurama'

“Futurama” isn't exactly known for realism, but that doesn't mean it couldn't make us feel emo AF. When Fry discovers the fossilized remains of his 20th-century dog Seymour, he decides not to bring him back to life -- thinking the pooch probably forgot about him. NOT SO. The loyal pal waited and waited... and waited for him, and we have to watch it all unfold in a devastating montage.

Archie Mourns Edith on 'Archie Bunker's Place'

In the Season 2 premiere of “Archie Bunker's Place” we learn that Edith has ed away from a stroke. We know Jean Stapleton's role had to fade out, but why leave us with this heartbreaking image of the usually unemotional Archie holding her slipper?

The 'How Come He Don't Want Me?' Speech From 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'

After his absentee father disappoints him yet again, Will launches into an explosive monologue about how he didn't need his dad growing up, and he doesn't need him going forward. When he chokes up and asks “how come he don't want me, man?”, we fall deeper into the depths of his pain and all traces of goofy sitcom are lost for a brief (super sad) moment.

Monica and Chandler's Fertility Issues on 'Friends'

Phoebe easily had her brother's triplets through IVF, Rachel accidentally got pregnant with Emma, but Monica and Chandler can't have kids? WTF “Friends?” We know everything turned out pretty a-OK in the end for the gang, but this news was hard to swallow.

Everything With Shawn's Dad in 'Boy Meets World'

Chet Hunter, how you've hurt us so! First, you were never around, then you were, then you weren't, and THEN you went and died on Shawn -- just when things could turn around. We're still not over this one.

Dr. Cox's Mistake on 'Scrubs'

Whether they were hospital related or not, “Scrubs” gave us a great deal of sob-worthy scenes (Laverne's death, anyone?) throughout its run. But seeing the typically sarcastic and unattached Dr. Cox break down after -- whoops -- performing three transplants that were infected with rabies was a doozy.