There are things in this world that make perfect sense, and then there are streaming graphics. Stranger Things is a national phenomenon, so it’s no surprise that the new season is topping the streaming charts, nor that its previous seasons are returning to the spotlight. The list of ten best shows on Netflix as fans reviewed their homework before diving back into the Upside Down. Again Everything is fairTHE lowest rated show of 2025East also a streaming success. The same goes for sitcomswhere the critically acclaimed film Modern family recently ranked in the top 10 on Disney+ five years after the broadcast of its finale, while The king of queensone of the worst sitcoms on television, also is part of the top 10 on Paramount+. At least Everything is fair has a Kardashian, but how the hell a series of jokers like The king of queens strangely become a King in streaming?
“The King of Queens” is not a “modern family”
A spin-off of good, much better Everyone loves Raymond, The king of queens focused on Doug’s life (Kevin James), a delivery driver; his wife, Carrie (Léa Remini), a legal secretary; and Carrie’s father, Arthur (Jerry Stiller), who, much to Doug’s dismay, lives in the basement of their house. This is by no means prestige television, with a first season currently causing a stir. powerful 33% on Rotten Tomatoes (for kicks and giggles, Modern family is sitting at 100% for his first season). It’s one of the most egregious offenders of the “Fat Guy/Skinny Wife” sitcom subgenre, but for every According to Jim Or The king of queensThere is The newlyweds Or The Simpsonsso it’s not an unforgivable sin as far as sitcoms go.
But the latter two are not seen in the same way, because regardless of the husbands’ harebrained plans or ridiculously stupid actions, their wives have true love for them, while they, in turn, genuinely love them. It’s not at all obvious between Doug and Carrie. They are mean and insensitive people, mean and insensitive to each other. Doug goes out of his way to hinder Carrie’s efforts to improve her life, fearing it will change the status quo. An example is in Season 6’s “Tank Heaven”, where he thwarts Carrie’s efforts to bond with her new colleagues, simply so that she does not rediscover her passion for art and culture. The constant comments about Carrie’s weight, manipulating her to stay thin, are another. Carrie, in turn, controls Doug through fear, keeping him in check with threats, whether veiled or not. In a season 8 episode, she even “accidentally” pushes Doug down a flight of stairs in anger. And that doesn’t even work, causing Doug to do things behind his back, creating even deeper animosity between them..
This Ridiculous ‘King of Queens’ Story Shows a Completely Different Side of Carrie
The episode also foreshadows Doug and Carrie’s future.
Of course, the main four Seinfeld are also notoriously insensitive, but their exaggerated indifference to others extends to the point of satire, where Doug and Carrie have no such excuse. Speaking of SeinfeldStiller, who played Frank Costanza, has the same stuff he brought to Frank, but where the small doses of Stiller in Seinfeld are funny, the constant presence of the same in The king of queens ages quickly. A lack of originality, a parade of homophobic jokes and racial stereotypes do nothing to elevate its reputation..
There’s a reason ‘The King of Queens’ is a streaming hit
Still, there must be a reason why the series, which aired 207 episodes over nine seasons, is a streaming hit, and maybe it’s not as surprising as it seems. Despite all his failures, he has his share of redeemable qualities. The characters are flawed, and the fact that they do imperfect things is, if nothing else, at least realistic. Jokes that aren’t offensive or dated are dryly humorous, and some situations, even if you can see them coming a mile away, are legitimately funny. It’s a comfort watchone that can be enjoyed with the brain completely off with the butt on the couch. This is also one of Patton Oswalt’s best comedic performances.playing recurring character Spence, a nerd in his own right and one of Doug’s closest friends. THE man can do no wrongand his presence on the show is definitely an asset.
What could also be true, unfortunately, is that in a society where insults and derision are regularly uttered behind the anonymity of social media – and even anonymity has fallen by the wayside – the actions as they take place The king of queens just aren’t as shocking anymore. In a way, it makes The king of queens terribly relevant today. Which raises the question: does The king of the queens“The recent resurgence of streaming, a genuine appreciation for its comfort television qualities, or a commentary on today’s society? It could simply be both.
