Death of sitcoms is much exaggerated - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mr. Television · 05-13-2009, 06:02 PM

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/art...xaggerated.asp

Death of sitcoms
is much exaggerated

Study: They're thriving in syndication and on cable

By Kevin Downey
May 13, 2009

The broadcast networks are going to unveil fall lineups to media buyers next week, and when they do there’s a good chance there won’t be many new comedies.

The few that are on the networks’ schedules will most likely be along the lines of NBC’s “Parks & Recreation,” meaning smart and edgy.

Likely as not, they will fail to attract viewers. It’s almost as if the networks haven’t been paying attention to Nielsen ratings the past few years.

Those ratings make clear that most viewers want family comedies like CBS’s “Two and a Half Men,” which is a huge hit on network television and in syndication. They do not want quirky shows.

That's according to a Magna analysis of comedy ratings over the past several years.

Magna points to hit family sitcoms in syndication like “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “George Lopez” that are continuing to pull in strong audiences years after leaving network TV.

Yet the bulk of network sitcoms are in the mode of Fox’s canceled “Arrested Development.” While the show was adored by critics, and served to up Fox’s profile with upper-income, well-educated TV viewers, it failed to draw a mass audience to the network.

This edgy approach to TV sitcoms goes a long way in explaining network TV’s years-long sitcom drought.

Last fall, there were 22 sitcoms on network TV, down from 50 in 2003, according to Magna.

That decline has led to much talk of the death of the sitcom, but the reality is that comedies are more popular than ever, just not on network TV.

On average, adults 18-34 spend 2.89 hours each week watching sitcoms, up from 2.58 hours in the early 1990s, according to Magna. But 18-34s spend only 0.17 hours watching network sitcoms, down from 1.47 hours in 1993.

That additional viewing of sitcoms is on cable and in syndication.

Even older adults have veered away from broadcast comedies. Adults 50-64 this season are watching 0.20 hours of network sitcoms each week, down from 1.2 hours 15 years ago.

The other reason network comedies aren’t doing well is competition. And while much of it is shows in reruns, like “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” there's more and more original comedies, such as TBS’s “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns,” two of the highest-rated comedies on cable TV.

Neither is anything close to being quirky. These are straight-up family sitcoms that harken back to the 1970s with laugh tracks, simple storylines and broadly drawn characters.

Last week on network TV, the highest-rated sitcom among 18-49s was “Two and a Half Men,” with a 5 rating. That show’s lead-out, “Rules of Engagement,” about two couples, one married, one engaged, was the second-highest rated comedy with a 4.1.

TVFactFan · 05-13-2009, 11:18 PM

Still don't know how that Tyler Perry garbage has so many viewers. Now they have another starting in June called MEET THE CLOWNS-lol

Brian Damage · 05-13-2009, 11:21 PM

The sitcom seems to be making a comeback thanks to networks like ABC, who seem to be investing in more comedies.

TVFactFan · 05-13-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The sitcom seems to be making a comeback thanks to networks like ABC, who seem to be investing in more comedies.

Just not the ones I like, like Better Off Ted

LOL

Brian Damage · 05-13-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

Just not the ones I like, like Better Off Ted

LOL

Still Sol, it is refreshing that the network is at least committed to bring in more laffers.

TVFactFan · 05-14-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Still Sol, it is refreshing that the network is at least committed to bring in more laffers.

Yeah that's true, I haven't had a chance to sample Surviving Surburbia yet may have to wait until after the NBA finals

treky · 05-14-2009, 02:28 AM

I've always thought "the death of sitcoms" was just B.S. anyway, so that article just proves my point.

factsoflife · 05-14-2009, 12:52 PM

networks like CBS and ABC are very, very invested in making sitcoms popular again. they both have plans to launch new sitcom blocks this fall.

Furienna · 05-14-2009, 05:32 PM

I wouldn't call "Two and a half men" a "family sitcom" though. It's far too mature for that, even with Jake as an important character. "Family sitcoms" to me is shows like "The Cosby show", "Family ties", "Family matters" and "Step by step".

Mr. Television · 05-14-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furienna

I wouldn't call "Two and a half men" a "family sitcom" though. It's far too mature for that, even with Jake as an important character. "Family sitcoms" to me is shows like "The Cosby show", "Family ties", "Family matters" and "Step by step".

You can say the same thing about Roseanne and Married With Children but I consider them family sitcoms....just more adult family. lol

TVFactFan · 05-14-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

You can say the same thing about Roseanne and Married With Children but I consider them family sitcoms....just more adult family. lol

Which reminds me Married With Children TONGHT!! at 10pm on TV Land-lol

Mr. Television · 05-14-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

Which reminds me Married With Children TONGHT!! at 10pm on TV Land-lol

Finally something good on TV Land. lol

TVFactFan · 05-14-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

Finally something good on TV Land. lol

10pm to 1am and I'm ready-lol

tanquant · 05-15-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

Still don't know how that Tyler Perry garbage has so many viewers. Now they have another starting in June called MEET THE CLOWNS-lol

Me either!! I watched one episode and I don't know what all the hype is about. I thought that it would have been canceled in the first season. Maybe it's because it has Tyler Perry's name attached to it. Anyway the Married with Children marathon was a real treat

Furienna · 05-15-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

You can say the same thing about Roseanne and Married With Children but I consider them family sitcoms....just more adult family. lol

Yeah, that's true.

05-13-2009, 06:02 PM	#1
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Death of sitcoms is much exaggerated http://www.medialifemagazine.com/art...xaggerated.asp Death of sitcoms is much exaggerated Study: They're thriving in syndication and on cable By Kevin Downey May 13, 2009 The broadcast networks are going to unveil fall lineups to media buyers next week, and when they do there’s a good chance there won’t be many new comedies. The few that are on the networks’ schedules will most likely be along the lines of NBC’s “Parks & Recreation,” meaning smart and edgy. Likely as not, they will fail to attract viewers. It’s almost as if the networks haven’t been paying attention to Nielsen ratings the past few years. Those ratings make clear that most viewers want family comedies like CBS’s “Two and a Half Men,” which is a huge hit on network television and in syndication. They do not want quirky shows. That's according to a Magna analysis of comedy ratings over the past several years. Magna points to hit family sitcoms in syndication like “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “George Lopez” that are continuing to pull in strong audiences years after leaving network TV. Yet the bulk of network sitcoms are in the mode of Fox’s canceled “Arrested Development.” While the show was adored by critics, and served to up Fox’s profile with upper-income, well-educated TV viewers, it failed to draw a mass audience to the network. This edgy approach to TV sitcoms goes a long way in explaining network TV’s years-long sitcom drought. Last fall, there were 22 sitcoms on network TV, down from 50 in 2003, according to Magna. That decline has led to much talk of the death of the sitcom, but the reality is that comedies are more popular than ever, just not on network TV. On average, adults 18-34 spend 2.89 hours each week watching sitcoms, up from 2.58 hours in the early 1990s, according to Magna. But 18-34s spend only 0.17 hours watching network sitcoms, down from 1.47 hours in 1993. That additional viewing of sitcoms is on cable and in syndication. Even older adults have veered away from broadcast comedies. Adults 50-64 this season are watching 0.20 hours of network sitcoms each week, down from 1.2 hours 15 years ago. The other reason network comedies aren’t doing well is competition. And while much of it is shows in reruns, like “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” there's more and more original comedies, such as TBS’s “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns,” two of the highest-rated comedies on cable TV. Neither is anything close to being quirky. These are straight-up family sitcoms that harken back to the 1970s with laugh tracks, simple storylines and broadly drawn characters. Last week on network TV, the highest-rated sitcom among 18-49s was “Two and a Half Men,” with a 5 rating. That show’s lead-out, “Rules of Engagement,” about two couples, one married, one engaged, was the second-highest rated comedy with a 4.1.
	__________________ Sonny

05-13-2009, 11:21 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	The sitcom seems to be making a comeback thanks to networks like ABC, who seem to be investing in more comedies.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-14-2009, 02:28 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I've always thought "the death of sitcoms" was just B.S. anyway, so that article just proves my point.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

05-14-2009, 12:52 PM	#8
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,745	networks like CBS and ABC are very, very invested in making sitcoms popular again. they both have plans to launch new sitcom blocks this fall.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

05-13-2009, 11:18 PM	#2
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,087	Still don't know how that Tyler Perry garbage has so many viewers. Now they have another starting in June called MEET THE CLOWNS-lol

05-14-2009, 05:32 PM	#9
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,280	I wouldn't call "Two and a half men" a "family sitcom" though. It's far too mature for that, even with Jake as an important character. "Family sitcoms" to me is shows like "The Cosby show", "Family ties", "Family matters" and "Step by step".