Info on Sitcoms - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

aa52a · 03-30-2008, 07:51 PM

You guys know any books or websites (or people) that could give me information on situation comedy? Ex. What makes them successful.....Thank You

tv star collector · 03-31-2008, 08:40 AM

The best book that I have found about sitcoms in general (well, actually the only one on the subject) is Rick Mitz's The Great TV Sitcom Book,
published by Richard Marek Publishers in 1980. I don't recall where I got my
copy. It is out-of-print, but you might find one on eBay. It gives lengthy
descriptions of the more popular shows (and shorter synopses of the others)
for all sitcoms from 1949 to 1979. In the introduction, he discusses the
"Seven Sitcom Species," stock sitcom characters, canned laughter, the first
sitcoms (many of which were carried over from radio, by the way), reruns,
and sitcom cycles (among other aspects of the genre). Good overview.
Well illustrated. Highly recommended.

dakert · 03-31-2008, 10:03 AM

[QUOTE=tv star collector]The best book that I have found about sitcoms in general (well, actually the only one on the subject) is Rick Mitz's The Great TV Sitcom Book,
published by Richard Marek Publishers in 1980.

Great book on sit-coms. I bought the book when it first came out in 1980 and recently bought a copy on eBay

03-30-2008, 07:51 PM	#1
aa52a Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Mar 30, 2008 Posts: 3	Info on Sitcoms You guys know any books or websites (or people) that could give me information on situation comedy? Ex. What makes them successful.....Thank You

03-31-2008, 08:40 AM	#2
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	The best book that I have found about sitcoms in general (well, actually the only one on the subject) is Rick Mitz's The Great TV Sitcom Book, published by Richard Marek Publishers in 1980. I don't recall where I got my copy. It is out-of-print, but you might find one on eBay. It gives lengthy descriptions of the more popular shows (and shorter synopses of the others) for all sitcoms from 1949 to 1979. In the introduction, he discusses the "Seven Sitcom Species," stock sitcom characters, canned laughter, the first sitcoms (many of which were carried over from radio, by the way), reruns, and sitcom cycles (among other aspects of the genre). Good overview. Well illustrated. Highly recommended.

03-31-2008, 10:03 AM	#3
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	[QUOTE=tv star collector]The best book that I have found about sitcoms in general (well, actually the only one on the subject) is Rick Mitz's The Great TV Sitcom Book, published by Richard Marek Publishers in 1980. Great book on sit-coms. I bought the book when it first came out in 1980 and recently bought a copy on eBay