Sadly, whenever I watch “The Office,” I always get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that the good times are nearing an end.

It’s a good time for those who like to laugh. Sounds strange, but it’s absolutely true.

Televised comedy has reached a quantity and quality that is unheard of in the history of the medium. Coupled with the advent of DVD and iTunes, the comedy genre has been stimulated, creating an overall better product.

NBC seems to be at the forefront of the genre, using their Thursday night lineup as a solid block of comedy. April 10 ushered in the first night of new episodes since the writers strike, providing the audience with fresh installments of “My Name is Earl,” “30 Rock,” “The Office” and “Scrubs.” While all four programs are leagues better than a majority of the bland sitcoms that pepper the airwaves, “30 Rock” and “The Office” are the pillars of the bunch.

Sadly, whenever I watch “The Office,” I always get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that the good times are nearing an end. Many of the actors have already made their mark on film, and it’s simply a matter of time before they realize that they could be making much more money in the movie business, while simultaneously working on a far less rigorous schedule.

This feeling of dread is also coupled by the fact that NBC has announced a spin-off for the fall season simply titled “The Office II.” Yep, that’s what it’s called. If that doesn’t signal rough waters ahead, then I don’t know what does.

Luckily for us, “30 Rock,” which is only in its second season, still has plenty of ground to explore. With a backbone of Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan, the show contains possibly the most comical core cast on all of television.

Fans of the show will also be psyched to know that Morgan will be at the Pabst on Friday, April 25. If his standup is anything like his work on “30 Rock,” the audience will be in for a treat.

Another source for great televised comedy is HBO. In recent years, shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Entourage” have found a home on the network, and have been able to evolve without the shackles of censorship.

There’s also “Flight of the Conchords,” which has undoubtedly blown up over the past year. I hesitate placing “Conchords” in an article about comedy, considering that the show is nothing more than two kiwis singing banal and unfunny songs, but I guess that’s humor to some people.

While most people don’t consider FX to be a beacon for laughs, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is one of the best sources of comedy for those of us without morals or a heart. If you’re unsure of whether or not you might like the show, all you have to do is look at some of the episode titles. With names like “Charlie Wants an Abortion” and “Dennis Looks Like a Registered Sex Offender,” it’s obvious that the show is trying to fill the pretentious void that “Frasier” left behind.

It’s also a good time for fans of comedy due to the fact that there’s a criminally underrated gem just waiting to be devoured by those who haven’t experienced its beauty yet. I’m talking, of course, about “Arrested Development,” which may be the single funniest show in the history of television.

Treated like a piece of meat by Fox, the show was jerked from night to night, cancellation to renewal, for nearly its entire existence. Although only three seasons long, it provides some of the most intelligent and consistent comedy available anywhere. Plus, the fact that it’s available on DVD means that you can enjoy the goodness over a long weekend.

Obviously, it ain’t all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to humor on television. There are still countless shows that range from lame to excruciatingly painful, and those will most likely never go away. However, with the advent of new ways to view television, and the sheer abundance of high-quality programs, those looking for a laugh don’t have to wander too far to find it.

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