Are sitcoms the best genre??

[barwars]

Or do you prefer something else??

[barwars]

I think they are.

I only like 3 Reality Shows (Survivor, The Amazing Race and Last Comic Standing -- which doesnt really count)

about a dozen gameshows

and MAYBE 10 dramas.

Whereas I like over 50 sitcoms.

[FamilyTiesGOP]

I like sitcoms the best. The only drama I ever watch at all is ER. I like some game shows, and NO reality shows. So I mostly watch sitcoms. But I do like dramatic movies much more than comic movies.

[JT]

Hmm, I like sitcoms and soaps equally. When it comes to the shows of the genres currently on, I like soaps better, but when it comes to classic stuff, it's much of a draw. I like game shows a lot too, but I haven't had a chance to see much of the 60s and 70s stuff since GSN went down the tubes. Crime dramas from the 70s are a favorite of mine too.

And just because I'm bored...

My Top 5 Sitcoms
1) Three's Company (1977-1984, ABC)
2) Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977, Syn.)
3) Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983, ABC)
4) Mama's Family (1983-1985, 1986-1990, NBC/Syn.)
5) The Love Boat (1977-1986, ABC)

My Top 5 Daytime Soaps
1) All My Children (1970-present, ABC)
2) Dark Shadows (1966-1971, ABC)
3) Days of our Lives (1965-present, NBC)
4) Ryan's Hope (1975-1989, ABC)
5) The Young and the Restless (1973-present, CBS)

My Top 5 Game Shows
1) Match Game 70s/PM (1973-1982, CBS/Syn.)
2) Family Feud (1976-1985, 1988-1994, ABC/Syn/CBS)
3) The New $25,000 Pyramid (1982-1987, CBS?)
4) Super Password (1984-1989, CBS)
5) The Price is Right (1972-present, CBS)

My Top 5 Crime Dramas/Mysteries
1) Charlie's Angels (1976-1981, ABC)
2) Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996, CBS)
3) Hart to Hart (1979-1984, ABC)
4) The Rookies (1972-1976, ABC)
5) Magnum PI (1980-1988, CBS)

My Top 5 Primetime Soaps
In chronological order, because I love them ALL so much!
1) Dallas (1978-1991, CBS)
2) Knots Landing (1979-1993, CBS)
3) Flamingo Road (1980-1982, NBC)
4) Dynasty (1981-1989, ABC)
5) Melrose Place (1992-1999, Fox)

My Top 5 Non-Crime/Soap Dramas
1) Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983, NBC)
2) Marcus Welby MD (1969-1976, ABC)
3) The Waltons (1972-1981, CBS)
...

My Top 5 Comedy/Variety Shows
1) The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978, CBS)
2) Mad TV (1995-present, Fox)
3) Chappelle's Show (2003-present, Comedy Central)
4) Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In (1968-1975, NBC)
5) Tony Orlando & Dawn (1974-1976, ABC)

My Top 5 Talk Shows
1) Queen Latifah (1999-2002, Syn)
2) The Jerry Springer Show (1991-present, Syn)
3) Maury (1991-present, Syn)
4) Donahue (1970-1996, Syn)
5) [i]Jenny Jones[i] (1991-2003, Syn)

My Top 5 Foreign Dictators
1) Just Kidding

I know that it wasn't really nessecary to post that, but hell, I'm as bored as bored can be...

[hawaii five-o]

Yes!!!!

[barwars]

My Top 5 Sitcoms
1) Cheers
2) Frasier
3) Seinfeld
4) The Cosby Show
5) The Facts of Life

My Top 5 Game Shows
1) The Price is Right
2) Legends of the Hidden Temple
3) Family Feud
4) Double Dare
5) What Would You Do?

My Top 5 Dramas (all types)
1) Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
2) Fantasy Island
3) St. Elsewhere
4) Charlie's Angels
5) Diagnosis Murder


My Top 5 Comedy/Variety Shows
1) Saturday Night Live
2) The Carol Burnett Show
3) Chappelle's Show
4) Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
5) SCTV

My Top 5 Talk Shows
1) Late Night with Conan O'Brien
2) The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
3) The Late Show with David Letterman
4) The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
5) [i]Ellen[i]

My Top 5 Reality Shows
1) Survivor
2) Last Comic Standing
3) The Amazing Race
4) -------
5) -------

My Top 5 Cartoons
1) The Flintstones
2) The Jetsons
3) Scooby-Doo (all variations)
4) Spongebob Squarepants
5) [i]Family Guy[i]

[jamesanthony]

I think they are, although there are limits to what you can depict in a sitcom, especially the modern ones. Now to keep viewers a sitcom has to have subplots and different types of characters in an ensemble. Drama is limited (for example a character can't be killed off as easily like in a drama).

Still sitcoms are therapeutic- provide laughs to make the day go a little better.

[barwars]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
I think they are, although there are limits to what you can depict in a sitcom, especially the modern ones. Now to keep viewers a sitcom has to have subplots and different types of characters in an ensemble.

The best sitcoms always have different types of characters.
And all of my favorite shows are ensembles.

But about subplots -- if you mean 2 things occuring at once, but one being more important??
Thats been going on forever!!
Well at least since the premiere of Mary Tyler Moore

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by barwars88
[But about subplots -- if you mean 2 things occuring at once, but one being more important??
Thats been going on forever!!
Well at least since the premiere of Mary Tyler Moore [/B]

Subplots are virtually mandatory for a sitcom now. One main story for one set of characters and a lesser story for another or some of the others. Norman Lear's shows didn't have subplots, nor did Lucy's shows or really any of the ones in the 60s. (if I'm wrong let me knowof one). Something like Odd Couple only had one plot per episode. Now some shows have 3 different plots per episode, one of which can be some ongoing situation like a romance plot.

Sister Sister for example may have had a main plot with the twins and a subplot with the parents. This way both young viewers and adults could find something in the show to enjoy.

[LucyFan]

I enjoy classic sitcoms the best. Despite my great love for sitcoms, I prefer reality tv shows over today's sitcoms.

[barwars]

Originally posted by LucyFan
I enjoy classic sitcoms the best. Despite my great love for sitcoms, I prefer reality tv shows over today's sitcoms.

Which I find VERY ironic.
But thats just me.


I shouldnt be one to talk.... I like most sitcoms, and some reality shows.

[Sitcomwriter]

Top 5 Sitcoms
1. Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999-present)
2. The Office (2001-2002)
3. Significant Others (2004-present)
4. Arrested Development (2003-present)

Top 5 Dramas/Dramadies
1. The OC (2003-present)
2.
3.
4.
5.
(will write if I can think of anymore)

Top 5 Reality Shows
1. American Idol (2002-present)
2. Last Comic Standing (2003-present)
3. The Mole/Celebrity Mole (2001?-2004)
4.
5.
(will write if I can think of anymore)

Yes, sitcoms are the best.

[dawsongirl]

Originally posted by barwars88
Or do you prefer something else??

As far as writing goes...most sitcoms are too cliche and predictible. And the depth of their plots is about as deep as a hole a dog dug. Drama has it all over sitcoms in the writing department. That, and for some reason, a lot of sitcom writers forget stuff they wrote and you end up with all sorts of flaws.

But I like most genres of shows. It depends on the mood I'm in on what I want to watch.

[dawsongirl]

I'm doing this out of boredom too. And procrastination.

My Top 5 Sitcoms
1) Hogan's Heroes
2) The Nanny
3) Full House
4) The Odd Couple
5) uh.....

My Top 5 Game Shows
1) Match Game 73-78, PM up to 78 (once Richard left, this show SUCKED)
2) Family Feud 76-85/94-95
3) Tattletales
4) I've Got a Secret 72-73
5) Break the Bank

My Top 5 Dramas (all types)
1) Route 66
2) Adam-12
3) The Incredible Hulk
4) Quincy, ME
5) The Magician

My Top 5 Comedy/Variety Shows
1) Laugh-In
uh.....


My Top 5 Reality Shows
1) Survivor
There's no 2-5

My Top 5 Cartoons
1) Futurama
2) The Powerpuff Girls
3) Simpsons (all variations)
no 4 or 5

[dawsongirl]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Subplots are virtually mandatory for a sitcom now. One main story for one set of characters and a lesser story for another or some of the others. Norman Lear's shows didn't have subplots, nor did Lucy's shows or really any of the ones in the 60s. (if I'm wrong let me knowof one). Something like Odd Couple only had one plot per episode. Now some shows have 3 different plots per episode, one of which can be some ongoing situation like a romance plot.

Sister Sister for example may have had a main plot with the twins and a subplot with the parents. This way both young viewers and adults could find something in the show to enjoy.

Maybe I've been watching too many early sitcoms, but to me, 98% of subplots are lame time-fillers.