Sitcoms

Sitcoms have remained remarkably popular since the early days of television. Sitcoms are episodic comedies usually between twenty-five and thirty minutes long. Some famous sitcoms include: Seinfeld, Friends, Black Adder, Fawlty Towers, The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Flintstones, My Name is Earl, Malcolm in the MIddle, Leave it to Beaver and The Brady Bunch.

Sitcom narratives have three stages. In the first stage, the characters encounter some sort of problem that disrupts their daily lives. The problem escalates, providing heaps of opportunities for humour before being resolved in the last few scenes of the episode. There are examples of episodes which aren’t resolved in thirty minutes but carry over into the next episode but most sitcom episodes fit this very basic narrative structure.

The family is often used as a ‘situation’ in sitcoms.

Laugh tracks are often used in sitcoms. In recent years, there have been a number of notable exceptions, including Malcolm in the MIddle, Scrubs, Freaks and Geeks and My Name is Earl.

Sitcoms usually utilise interior locations – such as a the family home or workplace – which enables the entire show to be shot on a sound stage where lighting can be carefully controlled. Malcolm in the Middle, once again, is a notable exception. Most of this program was shot on location.

Sitcoms often use stereotypical characters because the audience recognises them immediately. In thirty minutes, there is not much time for detailed character development.

1. Write a brief history of your sitcom, noting any awards or critical praise it may have received.
2. What is meant by ‘situation comedy’? Describe the ‘situation of your selected sitcom.
3. Describe each of the main characters, noting which character archetype best suits them. Describe the extent that your selected sitcom relies on stereotypical characterisation.
4. Briefly describe your favourite episode of this sitcom and explain why you like it.

Watch an episode of your favourite sitcom and describe it under the following headings: Beginning, Development, Resolution. Most episodes of sitcoms will fit nicely into this formula. There are very few episodes that don’t introduce a problem that isn’t resolved or worked out by the end of the episode. 

Answer the questions on this short sitcom quiz!