Is The Sitcom Finally Back From The Dead??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-27-2011, 07:19 PM

Are we finally over the "hump?" Has the "dying" genre of Sitcoms back? Are we in the next golden age of future great, classic sitcoms? You decide!

The Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock, The Office, Parks And Rec, Modern Family, Community, Hot in Cleveland, Cougar Town, The Middle, Eastbound & Down, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc...

waichingliu81 · 03-27-2011, 07:27 PM

i'm not entirely convinced that it is back from the dead. until networks, producers stop making reality shows, cut down on the number of dramas then i don't see anything changing for the better.

i miss the single-cam sitcoms. i wish we had a run as good as those shows in the 70s, 80s, 90s. as for those shows you mentioned, the only one i like from that set is hot in cleveland. saw a few eps and i really enjoyed it.

the rest just don't appeal to me.

Mr. Television · 03-27-2011, 07:32 PM

I hope it's on the way back. Of the ones you mentioned I like The BBT, Hot in Cleveland, the Middle, and Modern Family. Community isn't too bad and 30 Rock has it's moments. I also like Mike and Molly , Are We There Yet and yes Good Luck Charlie on The Disney Channel. lol

Retro4Life · 03-27-2011, 07:47 PM

It's early to pronounce it "back", I think. There are encouraging signs, like the fact that they are at least MAKING more of them. I have to say though, that whenever I tune in to some of the newer ones they all seem pretty much the same. "one two three, joke...one two three, joke..." etc.

I personally miss the type of sitcom where you really cared about the characters, where the tragedy was just one step away from the comedy. These newer shows strike me as witty and ironic, but without much heart. I never seem to be laughing WITH the characters, but more laughing AT them.

EmoJoe · 03-27-2011, 08:45 PM

yes, definitely.

i mean compare the number of sitcoms that are on now and getting decent ratings and/or reviews to like 6 years ago, huge difference. whether or not you personally enjoy them is your prerogative but there's definitely a renewed interest in them. and i think it's because the sitcoms being made now are much, much better than the ones that were being made during the earlier part of the 2000s.

ekkostar · 03-27-2011, 10:34 PM

I miss sitcoms. It's been a long time since I've fallen in love with an attractive leading man that makes me laugh. It's too bad that everyone hates 4-camera sitcoms now, that's how I developed crushes as a teen.

The only "non theatrical" comedy I enjoy is Shameless on Showtime. I find it really hard to like those shows for some reason, they're too cinematic and lack the warmth of smaller shows.

GQ28 · 03-28-2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waichingliu81

i'm not entirely convinced that it is back from the dead. until networks, producers stop making reality shows, cut down on the number of dramas then i don't see anything changing for the better.

i miss the single-cam sitcoms. i wish we had a run as good as those shows in the 70s, 80s, 90s. as for those shows you mentioned, the only one i like from that set is hot in cleveland. saw a few eps and i really enjoyed it.

the rest just don't appeal to me.

I agree

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-28-2011, 02:32 AM

...the situation comedy was never "dead". It languished during several periods, when producers just didn't know how to create "good" comedies, and audiences were indifferent to those that were scheduled. There were several times in the past when sitcoms almost seemed to "die out" (the last time was several years ago- remember when ABC and NBC couldn't put two sitcoms together to "build" an entire evening?). Now, there are several "good" sitcoms on the air on the broadcast networks...and the pendulum is swinging back again.

When Fred Silverman was in charge of NBC in the late '70s, he declared, at a schedule meeting, "The variety show is dead". An executive quietly asked him, "How long?". "Until the next hit variety show is on the air!", Silverman sputtered. And he tried to resuscitate the variety format {remember "PINK LADY & JEFF"?}, which lapsed into a coma again after he left the network.
Sitcoms, however, were always "alive"- just not as vibrant in certain years. Now they are, again.....

waichingliu81 · 03-28-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

It's early to pronounce it "back", I think. There are encouraging signs, like the fact that they are at least MAKING more of them. I have to say though, that whenever I tune in to some of the newer ones they all seem pretty much the same. "one two three, joke...one two three, joke..." etc.

I personally miss the type of sitcom where you really cared about the characters, where the tragedy was just one step away from the comedy. These newer shows strike me as witty and ironic, but without much heart. I never seem to be laughing WITH the characters, but more laughing AT them.

These newer shows strike me as witty and ironic, but without much heart.

precisely that. no matter how hard they try, it just doesn't feel the same as when watching the old sitcoms. not to me anyway.

03-27-2011, 07:19 PM	#1
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	Is The Sitcom Finally Back From The Dead??? Are we finally over the "hump?" Has the "dying" genre of Sitcoms back? Are we in the next golden age of future great, classic sitcoms? You decide! The Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock, The Office, Parks And Rec, Modern Family, Community, Hot in Cleveland, Cougar Town, The Middle, Eastbound & Down, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc...
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-27-2011, 07:32 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I hope it's on the way back. Of the ones you mentioned I like The BBT, Hot in Cleveland, the Middle, and Modern Family. Community isn't too bad and 30 Rock has it's moments. I also like Mike and Molly , Are We There Yet and yes Good Luck Charlie on The Disney Channel. lol
	__________________ Sonny

03-27-2011, 07:47 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	It's early to pronounce it "back", I think. There are encouraging signs, like the fact that they are at least MAKING more of them. I have to say though, that whenever I tune in to some of the newer ones they all seem pretty much the same. "one two three, joke...one two three, joke..." etc. I personally miss the type of sitcom where you really cared about the characters, where the tragedy was just one step away from the comedy. These newer shows strike me as witty and ironic, but without much heart. I never seem to be laughing WITH the characters, but more laughing AT them.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

03-27-2011, 08:45 PM	#5
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	yes, definitely. i mean compare the number of sitcoms that are on now and getting decent ratings and/or reviews to like 6 years ago, huge difference. whether or not you personally enjoy them is your prerogative but there's definitely a renewed interest in them. and i think it's because the sitcoms being made now are much, much better than the ones that were being made during the earlier part of the 2000s.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

03-27-2011, 10:34 PM	#6
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	I miss sitcoms. It's been a long time since I've fallen in love with an attractive leading man that makes me laugh. It's too bad that everyone hates 4-camera sitcoms now, that's how I developed crushes as a teen. The only "non theatrical" comedy I enjoy is Shameless on Showtime. I find it really hard to like those shows for some reason, they're too cinematic and lack the warmth of smaller shows.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...

03-27-2011, 07:27 PM	#2
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	i'm not entirely convinced that it is back from the dead. until networks, producers stop making reality shows, cut down on the number of dramas then i don't see anything changing for the better. i miss the single-cam sitcoms. i wish we had a run as good as those shows in the 70s, 80s, 90s. as for those shows you mentioned, the only one i like from that set is hot in cleveland. saw a few eps and i really enjoyed it. the rest just don't appeal to me.

03-28-2011, 02:32 AM	#8
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Actually.... ...the situation comedy was never "dead". It languished during several periods, when producers just didn't know how to create "good" comedies, and audiences were indifferent to those that were scheduled. There were several times in the past when sitcoms almost seemed to "die out" (the last time was several years ago- remember when ABC and NBC couldn't put two sitcoms together to "build" an entire evening?). Now, there are several "good" sitcoms on the air on the broadcast networks...and the pendulum is swinging back again. When Fred Silverman was in charge of NBC in the late '70s, he declared, at a schedule meeting, "The variety show is dead". An executive quietly asked him, "How long?". "Until the next hit variety show is on the air!", Silverman sputtered. And he tried to resuscitate the variety format {remember "PINK LADY & JEFF"?}, which lapsed into a coma again after he left the network. Sitcoms, however, were always "alive"- just not as vibrant in certain years. Now they are, again.....