Will We Ever See The Comeback Of The Sitcom?

[waichingliu81]

and for this particular genre to have as good a run as during the 1970s and 1990s? or will reality TV- god forbid- rule TV networks for years to come?

[Mr. Television]

I think the sitcom will always have a place on TV mainly because they syndicate so well. Last year The Middle and Modern Family were 2 new sitcoms I enjoyed. The Big Bang Theory continues to do really well too. We need more multi-cams though. I get tired of people complaining about laugh tracks and the studio audience. I don't know if we'll ever see the sitcom reign supreme again like it did from The 1960's -1990's. Back then you would have sitcom nights were it would just go from one great sitcom to another from 8-10. I wish reality tv would just die. I just don't understand the fascination with it. It isn't even really reality...it's fake reality.

[Retro4Life]

While I would love to answer "yes", I have say I doubt it.

For one thing they need good writers who understand that comedy is more than 'one two three, joke, one two three, joke". It's about characters and is based in reality. Every kid isn't a know it all smart ass, every dad isn't an immature dependent goofball, every old person isn't a dirty minded pixie, and there actually are people on the planet who don't live in a big house or a lavish apartment. They need to get back to telling good stories and let the comedy flow from there.

Until that happens, situation comedies will never get back to their former glory. Writers are taking their cue not from life experiences, but from watching other comedies. And that just doesn't cut it.

[MrCleveland]

With "Hot in Cleveland" becoming popular...I think it's about to return.

[yankeesrj12]

I think the sitcom genre will get going in the next few years. With big syndication deals for The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family, there is no reason to stop making them. Having said that, I hope the reality genre continues to strive as well. I don't think I could live without my Survivor or Keeping up with the Kardashians.

[waichingliu81]

i agree that we need more multi-camera sitcoms- a sitcom without a laughter track or audience laughter in the background is just isn't the same.

right now, reality is where it is at unfortunately and for TV networks because they are cheap to produce and doesn't involve paying actors, they are seen as being more cost- efficient. yet whilst they are cost effiicient, it lacks talent, imagination and creativity. not to mention it is not very interesting to sit through and endure in large doses.

i grew up with multi-camera sitcoms and particularly in the 1990s, there was a mass explosion of them. and if professional writers aren't prepared and willing to give it a shot and write their own sitcom, then maybe that type of thing could go to the general viewing audience and those who appreciate great sitcoms such as us. that way we can generate our own sitcom ideas, pitch them to networks. though whether we would get a response from them is a long shot.

[robyrob]

i hope it comes back but it is hard to see how.

one thing I think they are overlooking with all these stupid reality shows is how it doesnt seem like they are going to be at all successful in syndication packages...

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by robyrob

i hope it comes back but it is hard to see how.

one thing I think they are overlooking with all these stupid reality shows is how it doesnt seem like they are going to be at all successful in syndication packages...

They are also driving people who don't like reality tv right to cable. That seems to be where the best dramas are right now and now they're trying it with sitcoms too. I've watched more cable shows the last few years then I ever have.

[yankeesrj12]

Originally Posted by robyrob

i hope it comes back but it is hard to see how.

one thing I think they are overlooking with all these stupid reality shows is how it doesnt seem like they are going to be at all successful in syndication packages...

They don't need to be successful in syndication, they are bringing in tons of money on advertising, and the fact that they are dirt cheap to make.

I'd like to know why everyone thinks reality is stupid. Look at Jersey Shore on MTV, its hitting series highs every week. A show doesn't have to be "smart" to be fun to watch, its fun to watch people make fools of themselves.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by yankeesrj12

They don't need to be successful in syndication, they are bringing in tons of money on advertising, and the fact that they are dirt cheap to make.

I'd like to know why everyone thinks reality is stupid. Look at Jersey Shore on MTV, its hitting series highs every week. A show doesn't have to be "smart" to be fun to watch, its fun to watch people make fools of themselves.

Maybe it's a generation thing or something. I don't mean to offend you or anyone who likes reality tv. I used to watch Candid Camera a lot and I liked it because it was fun seeing people make fools of themselves. They didn't have hundreds of imitations though. I don't think people would be so upset about reality tv if it didn't come at the expense of script tv shows. Whenever I see that a reality tv show is scheduled on a network, I just skip right over it and pretend it's blank air. I just wish the networks would give some balance to their schedules.

[Retro4Life]

I agree, Sonny. I think there is such a saturation point with reality shows right now that watching them ends up being a very depressing experience. You walk away thinking the entire world is brain dead, immoral and self centered to the point of insanity.

These shows promote laughing "at" people, whereas I think the type of shows you and I enjoy and grew up with involved laughing "with" characters that remind you of yourself and people you know.

No offense to those who like reality shows but I think it's less enjoyable to point a finger at someone and say "haha". Does it serve to make the viewer feel superior to the idiots on screen? If so, I'll pass. I don't need to feel superior to anyone because I don't feel that I am; nor do I feel that anyone is really superior to anyone else. We're all in this life together. Why not support shows that involve bringing people together rather than those that involve separating them?

[JulieSomoski]

The fact that Jersey Shore has been the #1 show on Thursdays lately (in the demo) is the saddest thing I've ever seen. These people are complete pseudo-celebrities who make complete asses out of themselves and continually snob every fan they have, yet their arguably some of the biggest stars on TV right now in arguable one of the most successful reality shows to ever hit cable television. While it may be fun to laugh at these people, is that really what you want TV to become?

Unfortunately the sitcom has become replaced by reality shows in the last decade. The less sitcoms, the more reality, and people don't seem to mind. The fact that ABC and NBC only have ONE night of the entire week devoted to comedy (and that's only from 8-10pm), while CBS only has one two-hour block and one one-hour block, while FOX has a mere hour of comedy on its schedule, is sad. What happened to the days where networks devoted 5-6 hours of their schedule, if not more, to comedy? What happened to the days when the networks had comedy on every single night of the week? Why are the networks so afraid of branching out their comedy to other nights of the week?

CBS is really the only network we have left for good multi-cam sitcoms. No other channel can beat CBS when it comes to comedy. Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother - you just can't beat that. ABC tries, and while their comedies are good, their audiences are definitely limited. I can't thank CBS enough (and cable channels like TV Land, with Hot in Cleveland, which I would consider to be one of the best sitcoms on television right now) for keeping the multi-cam sitcom genre alive, and I can't thank them enough for not giving into the wrath of the single-cam comedy that all the other nets have.

[Rosslover]

I hate the fact that people in this industry like me who have spent their lives watching MTM and Friends and Will and Grace and waiting for the day when they will take their place in pop culture, dont get the chance because of idiots on shows like Dancing With the Stars and Jersey Shore get the fame that others deserve. but I have hope with shows like Hot in Cleveland and great shows like Royal Pains and Drop Dead Diva that the reality show will become extinct ...also the networks are coming to their senses with shows like Cougar Town and the anticipated Mr Sunshine proving that America still loves their sitcom heroes.

[yankeesrj12]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Maybe it's a generation thing or something. I don't mean to offend you or anyone who likes reality tv. I used to watch Candid Camera a lot and I liked it because it was fun seeing people make fools of themselves. They didn't have hundreds of imitations though. I don't think people would be so upset about reality tv if it didn't come at the expense of script tv shows. Whenever I see that a reality tv show is scheduled on a network, I just skip right over it and pretend it's blank air. I just wish the networks would give some balance to their schedules.

Oh, I'm not offended, I think it's cool to kind of see this generation thing. I don't know how old any of you are, but I am between the age of 18 and 25, so I'm in love with all the reality shows. Sure networks may overdo it sometimes, but I think there are a few gems out there. As I said earlier, I love Survivor, Keeping up with the Kardashians, plus The Biggest Loser, Wife Swap, Hell's Kitchen, Shark Tank, and Undercover Boss. However, I also love a ton of sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, Modern Family, Cougar Town, Parks & Recreation, Community and of course Hot in Cleveland. I think there is enough for everyone out on television, you just have to look for it!

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

They are also driving people who don't like reality tv right to cable. That seems to be where the best dramas are right now and now they're trying it with sitcoms too. I've watched more cable shows the last few years then I ever have.

networks's fascination with reality TV is driving people to the likes of TV land to name for example, and i don't blame them for doing so.

even the african american black community are still lamenting the loss of its shows. since say everybody hates chris and girlfriends went off the air, many of them are echoing the same thoughts as those who are fans of sitcoms.