My suggestions for improving sitcoms (and TV in general) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chocoholic · 04-30-2004, 10:11 AM

I was going to post this on Janice's "Life after Friends" thread, but I figured this deserved it's own topic.

1. Give shows more than 6 episodes to find an audience. If Cheers, MASH, All in the Family, Seinfeld, etc. premiered this season, they'd probably be gone in a few weeks.

2. Come up with some new material. Not every sitcom needs to be a Friends or Everybody Loves Raymond clone and we have plenty of lawyer and crime dramas on the air right now.

3. Either put a limit on reality shows or ban them altogether.

4. Limit sex jokes, sexual innuendo, potty humor, and stuff like that. I don't mind them in small doses, but I think that when over 60% of your material comes from that kind of stuff, it just shows a lack of intelligence and creativity.

5. Develop shows that are character-driven, not plot-driven. Give us characters we love and can relate to.

6. Enforce a few "family-friendly" blocks on network TV. I don't like the idea of censorship, but I do think some material is best left to a later hour. Plus, there really isn't anything on current network TV that families can watch together.

Any other suggestions?

hawaii five-o · 04-30-2004, 01:09 PM

I agree with all of your suggestions.

barwars · 04-30-2004, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sideshow Kristen
3. Either put a limit on reality shows or ban them altogether.

5. Develop shows that are character-driven, not plot-driven. Give us characters we love and can relate to.

I agree that Reality Shows should have a limit.
But I dont think banning them is smart.

I think each network should have a limit of 3 reality shows per week.
And those shows can change each time a season is complete.
And "cycle" back in to the lineup.

And about #5.... EXACTLY.
I cant think of any really character driven sitcoms out there now, maybe for the exception -- Arrested Development, and Scrubs.... and of course Frasier and Friends.... but they're both gone within 3 weeks.

Mr. Television · 05-01-2004, 01:05 AM

I agree with everything you said.

barwars · 05-01-2004, 10:04 AM

7. Less "gimmicky" shows. Instead of having a family that has to survive in a new neighborhood with their cousins. Just have a show about a family, with interesting characters and good storylines.

04-30-2004, 10:11 AM	#1
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	My suggestions for improving sitcoms (and TV in general) I was going to post this on Janice's "Life after Friends" thread, but I figured this deserved it's own topic. 1. Give shows more than 6 episodes to find an audience. If Cheers, MASH, All in the Family, Seinfeld, etc. premiered this season, they'd probably be gone in a few weeks. 2. Come up with some new material. Not every sitcom needs to be a Friends or Everybody Loves Raymond clone and we have plenty of lawyer and crime dramas on the air right now. 3. Either put a limit on reality shows or ban them altogether. 4. Limit sex jokes, sexual innuendo, potty humor, and stuff like that. I don't mind them in small doses, but I think that when over 60% of your material comes from that kind of stuff, it just shows a lack of intelligence and creativity. 5. Develop shows that are character-driven, not plot-driven. Give us characters we love and can relate to. 6. Enforce a few "family-friendly" blocks on network TV. I don't like the idea of censorship, but I do think some material is best left to a later hour. Plus, there really isn't anything on current network TV that families can watch together. Any other suggestions?

05-01-2004, 01:05 AM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I agree with everything you said.
	__________________ Sonny

04-30-2004, 01:09 PM	#2
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	I agree with all of your suggestions.

05-01-2004, 10:04 AM	#5
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	7. Less "gimmicky" shows. Instead of having a family that has to survive in a new neighborhood with their cousins. Just have a show about a family, with interesting characters and good storylines.