What is the key to success

[Viktoria_Sh]

I want to ask a little question that looks very simple:

What is the key to success for sitcom series????

Plz do not write "funny jokes" as an answear.
I'm talking about something special.... May be there is some special topics, characters etc.

[Sterling Holobyte]

I think it, in a little bit anyway, is being able to identify with the characters or at least one character.

[Belair]

Avoiding the key to failure; Trying to please everyone.

[Riff]

Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry.

[Number 9 Dream]

I agree with you on that one. The characters also need to have a special bond, some sort of quality that everyone can relate to. It draws people in- makes them identify more with the characters. They can't be boring.



Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry.

[slackermonkey]

I totally agree with chemistry.

[dawsongirl]

Not constantly relying on "Special Guest Stars." If your actors are bad, then why did you hire them? If the writers can't think of anything more original than that, then hire new writers.

[barwars]

Interesting characters, and interesting situations.

But above all, the characters must be interesting.

[robby76]

Some sort of escapism perhaps, a few good looking cast members to get the sitcom the initial interest, let people relate to the jokes... things that could easily happen to them / people they know (like in Seinfeld) and...

try and be unique (easier said than done).

[Belair]

CHEMISTRY! When theres no chemistry between characters,we,as viewers cannot enjoy the characters and their relationships.

[Riff]

Just to hit the chemistry thing home, for an example of a cast with no chemistry, I'd like to present Exhibit A: "Listen Up." Which is also Exhibits B through Z. It was like they had Jason Alexander, and they asked themselves, "Who can we cast as Jason's family and co-worker?," and they walked into the nearest community theater to find the first four people who were interested. Speaking of four, the show also happens to share four writers from "Yes, Dear." But I like "Yes, Dear," while I'd rather have nails inserted into my eyeballs than be subjected to even a minute of "Listen Up." "Yes, Dear's" actors have that spark, and no amount of good writing, directing or production values can save a show that doesn't.

[Elvis_Girl]

This is an interesting question. I agree with others who have said that chemistry was key. I also think that you need good writing... a good story to tell.

[Superstar]

Chemistry between cast members and good writers.

[catsoup]

1. Time Slot
2. Writers
3. Actors (chemistry, likeability...etc..)
4. Marketing Promos (This may actually be a very underated weapon, because it can draw an audience to the premier episode...if you follow the 1st three your chances are better to succeed. It has to be clever.

It also has to be believable

:wave: <---hi kids

[jrb_wi]

Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry.

Ever notice how many sitcoms "jump the shark" because one cast member leaves (or a new one is added that doesn't fit in)? Or two cast members are forced to display a different unnatural chemistry towards each other onscreen because of a change in character relationships? Before you can have the strongest show in the world, and after you have 22 minutes of wasted tape that wouldn't even cut it on East Podunk Cable Access? Cousin Oliver? Olivia? Coy and Vance, anyone?

It's all about the chemistry, people...

[~*Emma*~]

Ever notice how many sitcoms "jump the shark" because one cast member leaves (or a new one is added that doesn't fit in)? Or two cast members are forced to display a different unnatural chemistry towards each other onscreen because of a change in character relationships? Before you can have the strongest show in the world, and after you have 22 minutes of wasted tape that wouldn't even cut it on East Podunk Cable Access? Cousin Oliver? Olivia? Coy and Vance, anyone?

ANDY ON FAMILY TIES!! I agree with all the statements but you gotta have a cast that contrast yet get along well. Each cast member has to have a definate character. Like Seinfield, Frasier (Niles sort of looked like he was practically a copy of Frasier if u read the script but David Hyde Pierce plays him well) Family Ties and Spin City. Every character has to be distinct. You have to basically be able to classify them. Like desperate Housewives:

Bree: The perfect one

Lynette: The scattery mother

Susanne: The main one

Gabrielle: The young sexy one.

Spin City:

Mike: The leader

The mayor: The Himbo

Stuart: The human libido

Carter: The gay/black one (don't mean to offend. But I think he puled it off really well. He stayed away from the stereotypes :) )

James: The confused young one

Paul: The cheap, strange one

Nikki: (in the earlier seasons) the woman/the "always in a disasterous relationship" one

Stacey: The street smart one

I know it can sometimes be politically incorret but I believe that's the way it works. I think Spin City lost alot of appeal when Heather Locklear joined the cast simply because 1. she had no chemistry with the cast 2. Stacey had to leave because of it and 3. She had no character.

I guess also the actors have to have good chemistry and be able to carry off a line well without making it too predictable *BUT* most of all they have to have a definate character!