http://www.ktvu.com/ap/ap/entertainment/a-grim-outlook-for-sitcoms-post-30-rock/nWCr9/

With "30 Rock" leaving the air, the sitcom again finds itself at a crossroads. Though acclaimed and award-winning, "30 Rock" was never highly rated. Sitcom fans and creators alike can reasonably wonder that if such a show as "30 Rock" had trouble finding viewers, what chance do other quality sitcoms have?

At least since the resolutely cynical "Seinfeld" and the absurdist (and underrated) "NewsRadio," the sitcom has been self-reflexive, a parody of itself. Laugh tracks and simple sets before studio audiences gave way to wider-ranging single-camera freedom. But aside from "30 Rock" and "Arrested Development," this has led to little more than better decorated interiors.

Many would say ABC's "Modern Family" is the strongest current sitcom, but, like many comedies today, it's better at being charming and heartwarming than funny in a fresh way. The same issue has crept into NBC's "Parks and Recreation," the likable small-town government sitcom from Fey's cohort Amy Poehler. Sliding into a rut has never been a problem for another NBC comedy, "Community." It has manic inventiveness going for it, but not much else.

The end of "30 Rock" heralds a sitcom shift, particularly in NBC's long-running Thursday night block — a grand tradition that includes "Cheers," ''The Cosby Show" and "Seinfeld." Both "Park and Recreation" and "Community" have cloudy futures, and the long-running "The Office" will finally end soon. Elsewhere, CBS's "How I Met Your Mother," a studio audience vestige, is preparing its final season.

But there are actually quite a lot of broadcast sitcoms running now, including "The Big Bang Theory," ''Whitney," ''Happy Endings," ''2 Broke Girls," ''The Mindy Project" and the recently premiered and somewhat promising White House farce "1600 Penn."

I always thought 30 rock sucked. outside of a few witty lines and smug smirks from Alec Baldwin, it was painfully unfunny. The characters were downright grating; the effeminate southern guy, Tracy Morgans character, Tina Fey, the blond chick, the scruffy guy with the hat and glasses - all horrible. I wish critics would stop comparing that schlock to the brilliant Arrested Development. I know many of AD's writing team went on to write for 30 rock and many AD fans love it, but it is still a vastly inferior series.

Anyway...the kind of sitcom the writer apparently enjoys usually will not find a mass audience on a broadcast network. If any of those single-cam sitcoms ran on any other network besides NBC, they probably would have been canned before they even got a chance to develop a cult following.

FOX is notorious for canceling sitcoms before they even get a chance to succeed.

I think with Netflix getting into original programming and cable networks like FX, IFC, etc getting into the sitcom/animated comedy genre - there will always be room for 'niche' comedies.

We'll never see another Seinfeld (a niche comedy that branched out into the masses), but there will always be an opportunity for a Friends (a highly rated romcom with broad appeal that will eventually become critically acclaimed). I think the Big Bang Theory fits that role today.

I tried 30 Rock on FOUR different occasions, but could never get into it. I wanted to like it, but it was painful to sit through.

I tried 30 Rock on FOUR different occasions, but could never get into it. I wanted to like it, but it was painful to sit through.

I tried too. Not that it wasn't amusing to me, but never laugh out loud funny. I loved Fey and Baldwin's performances, but the rest of the supporting cast kept me from catching up.

The fact that this article speaks of 'Parks' and 'Community' as just good, and not great shows how out of touch this writer is.

I tried too. Not that it wasn't amusing to me, but never laugh out loud funny. I loved Fey and Baldwin's performances, but the rest of the supporting cast kept me from catching up.

The fact that this article speaks of 'Parks' and 'Community' as just good, and not great shows how out of touch this writer is.
Parks and Rec is easily NBC's funniest comedy. Too bad more viewers haven't taken notice.

i am a big fan of 30 but this writer is going overborad in his prase of it i think its a very funny show but in no way groundbreaking the person who wrote this peice is acting like the world is coming to an end because 30 rock is going off as i said i am going to miss it but life will go on for me and millions of other 30 rock fans but apperently not for this man truth be told i have not watched 30 rock on a weekly basis since cbs started airing the big bang theory at the same time on thursdays like i said its a funnny show but this man need to get a grip sorry if i rambled a bit but i sure you all know what i ment

Parks and Rec is easily NBC's funniest comedy. Too bad more viewers haven't taken notice. i agree its an underrated show

I don't consider 30 Rock to be a sitcom anyway. I know it stands for situation comedy, but I don't associate single-camera shows with being part of the sitcom format. I also know that studio audiences/laugh tracks are often derided, but shows that use them are what I consider to be a sitcom.

I love 30 Rock, and I think it's had a huge impact on current TV comedy, but I don't think the SITCOM IS DEAD!!!! or anything. We still have Community, Parks & Rec, New Girl, Happy Endings...

I tried 30 Rock on FOUR different occasions, but could never get into it. I wanted to like it, but it was painful to sit through.
I feel sorry for you. :(

I don't consider 30 Rock to be a sitcom anyway. I know it stands for situation comedy, but I don't associate single-camera shows with being part of the sitcom format. I also know that studio audiences/laugh tracks are often derided, but shows that use them are what I consider to be a sitcom.

Seinfeld was technically not a sitcom because of the contract they signed with NBC, but it's still regarded as a sitcom.

Single camera shows like, I love Lucy, Andy Griffith and even the Brady Bunch were single camera sitcoms.

Seinfeld was technically not a sitcom because of the contract they signed with NBC, but it's still regarded as a sitcom.

Single camera shows like, I love Lucy, Andy Andrews and even the Brady Bunch were single camera sitcoms.

I Love Lucy was multi-cam. They basically revolutionized the format.

Regardless of cameras, what I meant was I don't consider anything without a studio audience/laugh track to be a sitcom. I just call them comedies. I realize I'm alone in this thought process, it's just a quirk for me. :lol:

i am a big fan of 30 but this writer is going overborad in his prase of it i think its a very funny show but in no way groundbreaking the person who wrote this peice is acting like the world is coming to an end because 30 rock is going off as i said i am going to miss it but life will go on for me and millions of other 30 rock fans but apperently not for this man truth be told i have not watched 30 rock on a weekly basis since cbs started airing the big bang theory at the same time on thursdays like i said its a funnny show but this man need to get a grip sorry if i rambled a bit but i sure you all know what i ment


If you read the entire article, he seems to be implying that there is no place for quality sitcoms anymore because all the series he likes are either long gone, going to be canceled due to low ratings, or are in their final season.

Therefore, the sitcom, in his eyes, is doomed. Basically, the U.S is too dumb to enjoy his 'refined' taste in comedy.