What is the key to success - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Viktoria_Sh · 03-02-2005, 12:16 PM

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 · 03-02-2005, 01:26 PM

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

Belair · 03-02-2005, 03:44 PM

Avoiding the key to failure; Trying to please everyone.

Number 9 Dream · 03-02-2005, 11:45 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riff

Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry.

slackermonkey · 03-03-2005, 01:01 AM

I totally agree with chemistry.

dawsongirl · 03-03-2005, 02:44 AM

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 · 03-03-2005, 05:22 PM

Interesting characters, and interesting situations.

But above all, the characters must be interesting.

robby76 · 03-03-2005, 09:49 PM

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 · 03-04-2005, 12:18 AM

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

Elvis_Girl · 03-10-2005, 06:04 PM

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 · 03-12-2005, 04:03 AM

Chemistry between cast members and good writers.

catsoup · 03-16-2005, 05:07 AM

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

<---hi kids

jrb_wi · 03-16-2005, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riff

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*~ · 03-16-2005, 07:08 AM

Quote:

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!

03-02-2005, 12:16 PM	#1
Viktoria_Sh Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 4	What is the key to success 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.

03-02-2005, 01:26 PM	#2
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	I think it, in a little bit anyway, is being able to identify with the characters or at least one character.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

03-02-2005, 03:44 PM	#3
Belair Back@SO&Loveit! Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 13, 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 5,925	Avoiding the key to failure; Trying to please everyone.
	__________________ Half of Hollywood is dying to be discovered..... The other half are afraid they will be.

03-03-2005, 01:01 AM	#5
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	I totally agree with chemistry.
	__________________ ...Derek TV on DVD Checklist: 05/09 - Scrubs: The Complete Third Season 05/30 - Joey: The Complete First Season 06/13 - Cheers: The Complete Eighth Season 06/13 - Frasier: The Complete Eighth Season 06/20 - Justice League: Season 2 07/25 - Animaniacs: Volume 1 10/?? - Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season 12/06 - Animaniacs: Volume 2

03-03-2005, 09:49 PM	#8
robby76 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2004 Posts: 949	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).
	__________________ Edison Twins * Automan * Whiz Kids Vote @ tvshowsondvd.com

03-03-2005, 02:44 AM	#6
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	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.

03-03-2005, 05:22 PM	#7
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Interesting characters, and interesting situations. But above all, the characters must be interesting.

03-04-2005, 12:18 AM	#9
Belair Back@SO&Loveit! Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 13, 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 5,925	CHEMISTRY! When theres no chemistry between characters,we,as viewers cannot enjoy the characters and their relationships.

03-10-2005, 06:04 PM	#10
Elvis_Girl Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Feb 21, 2005 Posts: 3	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.

03-12-2005, 04:03 AM	#11
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	Chemistry between cast members and good writers.

03-16-2005, 05:07 AM	#12
catsoup Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 14	What is the key to success 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 <---hi kids