http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/26/DDH81AA20H.DTL

What in the world has happened to Fox?

This is a network that has a long history of airing quality sitcoms - though precious few of them have come after that 2001 season. There was "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" and "Greg the Bunny" in 2002. The network's sitcom zenith came in 2003 with "Arrested Development."

Since then? Nothing. Except for a dismal string of unfunny critical and ratings failures.

That's an astonishing creative dry spell. What makes Fox look all the worse is that its network competitors have driven a comeback in the sitcom genre, particularly in the past two seasons. Cable channels, including FX, Fox's sister, have had no trouble making people laugh.

So, what's going on at Fox? Television's biggest mystery, that's what.

Part of the decline can be traced back to Fox falling (more) in love with reality shows and cutting back the number of sitcoms it was producing after 2003. The network also began to solidify its drama ranks and, like many other networks, leaned more heavily in that direction for a while. Then there was the lamented "CBS Lite" phase of Fox's comedy development, which resulted in edgeless duds like "Back to You" and the unexplainable continuation of " 'Til Death." But mixed in was more than a fair share of awfulness: "Quintuplets," "Method & Red," "Stacked," "The War at Home," "Happy Hour," "Do Not Disturb," etc.

What does Fox have? "Glee," which is a genre-busting hourlong series that is primarily a musical but has - by far - the funniest humor Fox has seen in five or six seasons. What does that say to the network? Apparently nothing.

Fox announced recently that it was going to make a sitcom - yep, a sitcom - by using "The Dog Whisperer" as inspiration. Granted, you can't judge anything on paper, and a humorous account of dog trainer Cesar Millan's life just might work, but five or six seasons of rampant development failure says it probably won't.

Hey, Fox. This isn't funny anymore. Fix your comedy development department.

Why can't the networks in general make funny, decent, likable sitcoms anymore?

FOX fails because they have potential to produce decent shows but yet they want crappy sitcoms.

When they had the War at Home, they inexplicably gave that show a 2nd season but yet they cancelled Arrested Development.

When they had Back to You and Til' Death, FOX nixed Back to You in favor of the highly-bashed Til' Death.

FOX has one of the worst notorius track records when it comes to them keeping potential quality shows on their sked.

^ Don't forget Andy Richter Controls the Universe. That show had great potential.

Hey!!!! I Loved The War At Home!!!!!

I never did understand the appeal of Arrested Development :confused:

Why can't the networks in general make funny, decent, likable sitcoms anymore?

I think the biggest reason is the lack of good writers. They trot out sitcoms now and then, but most of them just fall flat on their face for the simple reason that they aren't funny. Most TV comedy writers today seem to be mimicking TV shows they grew up with, instead of doing what classic comedy writers always did; draw from their own life experiences to glean material.

Also, classic comedy had a kind of sentimental or compassionate underpinning that I just don't see represented in much modern TV comedy. There's only so long people will follow a show where they are laughing AT a character, but they will follow a character they are laughing WITH a lot longer.

I think the biggest reason is the lack of good writers. They trot out sitcoms now and then, but most of them just fall flat on their face for the simple reason that they aren't funny. Most TV comedy writers today seem to be mimicking TV shows they grew up with, instead of doing what classic comedy writers always did; draw from their own life experiences to glean material.

Also, classic comedy had a kind of sentimental or compassionate underpinning that I just don't see represented in much modern TV comedy. There's only so long people will follow a show where they are laughing AT a character, but they will follow a character they are laughing WITH a lot longer.
Very well said Michael! I agree with everything you said.

Most TV comedy writers today seem to be mimicking TV shows they grew up with, instead of doing what classic comedy writers always did; draw from their own life experiences to glean material.

Hopefully this means writers will model shows after wholesome fare like Leave It To Beaver--and earn praise from the Parents Television Council!

Hopefully this means writers will model shows after wholesome fare like Leave It To Beaver--and earn praise from the Parents Television Council!

Unfortunately, most of them seem to have grown up with "Married With Children"! :rolleyes:

I wish FOX can power back with their comedies.Animated Comedies is the only fourm FOX are good that and now thanks to The Cleveland Show That genre is starting to suck.

FOX get your head in the game.Ur making ABC comedies look good.

Unfortunately, most of them seem to have grown up with "Married With Children"! :rolleyes:

I wonder how many are active readers. I think you need a good worldview to be creative and funny. I forgot how awesome FOX use to be.

I wonder how many are active readers. I think you need a good worldview to be creative and funny. I forgot how awesome FOX use to be.

I think a lot of early TV comedy writers had a background in writing for the theater, too. The immediacy of a live audience might have honed their skills moreso than knowing they had a laugh track to fall back on.

Other than Married With Children, what funny and entertaining show has Fox ever made?????

I think a lot of early TV comedy writers had a background in writing for the theater, too. The immediacy of a live audience might have honed their skills moreso than knowing they had a laugh track to fall back on.
Many early TV writers got their start on radio. And most of those radio shows were broadcast in front of a live studio audience.

Other than Married With Children, what funny and entertaining show has Fox ever made?????

Ally McBeal
Arrested Development
Living Single
Martin
ROC
Action
True Colors

to name just a few.

Other than Married With Children, what funny and entertaining show has Fox ever made?????
THE SIMPSONS!!!

Many early TV writers got their start on radio. And most of those radio shows were broadcast in front of a live studio audience.

Plus, there was an apprenticeship phase. Inexperienced writers would work with experienced writers. But, now experienced writers are often looked down upon or not hired because of their age.

Other than Married With Children, what funny and entertaining show has Fox ever made?????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programs_broadcast_by_Fox#Sitcom_2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programs_broadcast_by_Fox#Sitcom_2
Sitcoms on Fox that I enjoyed:

Back To You
Bernie Mac Show
Drexell's Class
Grounded for Life
Herman's Head
Malcolm in the Middle
Married With Children
Roc
That 70's Show
That 80's Show
Titus
True Colors

Many early TV writers got their start on radio. And most of those radio shows were broadcast in front of a live studio audience.'


Good point, Marv. Sad thing is, you can't turn back the clock; that is, there's no way that anyone coming up today can ever be influenced by a radio background again, since they haven't done radio comedy or drama for decades.

Then again, there's no reason someone couldn't try to revive those types of shows on radio. I'd be interested in them, for one!

I never did understand the appeal of Arrested Development :confused: me ether