TV Sitcom evolution

[Niamhuss]

Hi!

I'm guessing I'm on the right forum for this, been looking through some of the threads and you all seem pretty passionate about sitcoms (much like I am!).

I'm currently doing a project about the evolution of the AMERICAN TV sitcom and so I was wondering if you guys could maybe give me some opinions on the evolution of the sitcom as a genre, and maybe some help in the following areas -
Defining moments in the sitcom genre
The best sitcoms for analysis purposes (American)
Your opinions on how the genre has developed and evolved over the years
& anything else you may think is useful!

Thank you in advance!!!!

[tv star collector]

The first "defining moment" that comes to my mind is "I Love Lucy" being the first sitcom filmed before a live audience with multiple cameras. The television sitcom really evolved from radio (the medium that launched "Amos 'n' Andy,""The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet," "The Life of Riley," "Our Miss Brooks" and many others). Since then, there have been several cycles: the family shows in the fifties ("Leave It to Beaver," "Father Knows Best," etc.); the rural shows and the fantasy shows in the sixties ("Beverly Hillbillies,""Petticoat Junction," "My Favorite Martian," "Bewitched," "The Munsters, "The Addams Family," "I Dream of Jeannie," etc.); and the socially-relevant comedies of the seventies ("All in the Family," "The Jeffersons," "Sanford & Son," "One Day at a Time," etc. In the mid-seventies, there was a boom in nostalgic sitcoms ("Happy Days," "Laverne & Shirley," "Mork & Mindy"). It should be mentioned that, in the eighties, "The Cosby Show" revitalized the almost-dying genre. Many of the popular sitcoms of the nineties (and today) have been ensemble sitcoms ("Evening Shade," "Frasier," "Big Bang Theory," etc.). Of course, the ensemble sitcom can be traced back much further (from "Sgt. Bilko" to "Car 54" to "Barney Miller" and so on). For more info, check your library or eBay for the out-of-print "Great TV Sitcom Book" by Rick Mitz (1980). Lots of info (and photos) from the first three decades of television comedy.

[DSfan]

Originally Posted by Niamhuss

Hi!

I'm guessing I'm on the right forum for this, been looking through some of the threads and you all seem pretty passionate about sitcoms (much like I am!).

I'm currently doing a project about the evolution of the AMERICAN TV sitcom and so I was wondering if you guys could maybe give me some opinions on the evolution of the sitcom as a genre, and maybe some help in the following areas -
Defining moments in the sitcom genre
The best sitcoms for analysis purposes (American)
Your opinions on how the genre has developed and evolved over the years
& anything else you may think is useful!

Thank you in advance!!!!

Here's how I would structure a paper on the evolution of American TV sitcom:

1. Introduction:
-Talk about the origins of sitcoms (maybe start off by referring to black and white comics like Charlie Chaplin and Three Stooges and how that leads into people enjoying seeing comedy)
-Find out when most families started having TV and discuss the impact that radio had on TV (for ex: around 1950-1955 I would presume, families instead of sitting around a living room with the radio on started to change that to watching TV)
-Mention how only a few channels existed at the beginning: ABC, CBS, NBC. Therefore, whatever sitcoms were on those channels, those types of storylines were pretty much all people could get (aka not many wide-ranging sitcoms out there)
-Discuss one-three of the major sitcoms of each decade briefly (or not, depending how long your paper is and how much you can find)
1950's: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners
1960's: Andy Griffith Show, Gilligan's Island (I don't really watch 60s sitcoms, so maybe others can provide better examples of which were most influential)
1970's: All in the Family, Three's Company (these were both considered somewhat controversial - I think it would be interesting to talk about how things like seeing the first pregnant woman on tv - which I think was on I Love Lucy - or mention things like the first time sex was referred to on TV, racial issues, and other controversial issues like that. Diff'rent Strokes also always dealt with big issues like child molestation and drug abuse etc. Discuss how TV shows today always refer to sex etc and these so-called "issues" have become more accepted by society and aren't as taboo as in the past. Overarching theme of the paper should be that sitcoms evolve with American culture and society in general. You could even mention that patterns that people watch these shows in. For example, in the 70s probably families and friends joined live in a living room to watch TV. Whereas now, I get the sense that TV watching is more individualistic and you'll just sit down by yourself and watch your show whenever now that there's DVR/downloading/Netflix, etc.
1980's:Family Ties (very good for point about American society, since this was all about Republicanism and politics in the background vs Michael J Fox's parents who were more hippies from the 60s); Happy Days (70s and 80s) probably one of the most influential TV shows of all-time. Can talk about how that bridged the gap between 50s-60s to 70s-80s since Happy Days took place in 50s-60s.
1990s: Seinfeld, Friends. Focus a lot on Seinfeld and how it was different than all other sitcoms, and coined many catchphrases and how it still stands up today because it's so easy to relate to minute details that we all go through every day. Cheers also is good to mention. Friends you could mention how sitcoms got actors such inflated contracts, the last season they were all getting $1mil per episode (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/12/bu...2-million.html)

More recently you could talk about the Office and Modern Family and That 70s Show.

That's all my ideas for now! Good luck, and show us the final project!

[EmoJoe]

Originally Posted by Niamhuss

Hi!

I'm guessing I'm on the right forum for this, been looking through some of the threads and you all seem pretty passionate about sitcoms (much like I am!).

I'm currently doing a project about the evolution of the AMERICAN TV sitcom and so I was wondering if you guys could maybe give me some opinions on the evolution of the sitcom as a genre, and maybe some help in the following areas -
Defining moments in the sitcom genre
The best sitcoms for analysis purposes (American)
Your opinions on how the genre has developed and evolved over the years
& anything else you may think is useful!

Thank you in advance!!!!

1. I'd say the biggest defining moments are:
*I Love Lucy in the '50s - it straight-up invented the form, every sitcom has its roots tied to it. It also basically invented modern television as a whole with syndication, and it was really the first massive television hit.
*All in the Family and Mary Tyler Moore in the '70s. All in the Family was the first sitcom that was really about something and reflected American life at the time. Prior to AITF, sitcoms had been mostly light, escapism-type entertainment. But All in the Family and Mary Tyler Moore changed it up by incoporating more serious and prevelant issues in American society, and helped make the sitcom a bit more of a respected artform.
*The Simpsons and Seinfeld in the '90s. These shows took the tropes that sitcoms had been using for decades, analyzed them, and deconstructed them. They changed the way we watch sitcoms and led to the form becoming a bit more aware of itself and what it can do. They really pushed the limits of what a TV sitcom is about and is capable of by experimenting with the form and pushing it to its limits.
*It's a bit too early to say, but I could see shows like Louie and Community being definitive moments in sitcom history. They take the deconstruction of the form even further by sometimes completely reversing what the form is even about from week-to-week. One episode of these shows could be a completely different type of show than the one before it, which is something very new for the sitcom.

2. Best sitcoms for analytical purposes would be all of the ones I mentioned, plus these:

*Leave it to Beaver - kind of the standard-bearer for family sitcoms.

*The Dick Van Dyke Show - probably the most respected sitcom of the '60s. It kind of subtetly paved the way for some of the changes that MTM/AITF brought in the '70s by portraying a more down-to-earth, realistic setting in a decade that was very heavy on fantasy, concept-y type shows.

*Three's Company - definitely an important show in terms of what was allowed on TV. one of the first shows to really "push the envelope". plus, the farcical "misunderstanding" type vibe is something that definitely influenced a lot of shows after it.

*Cheers - one of the most respected sitcoms of all-time, and it greatly influenced the modern sitcom by basically being a low-concept show about a bunch of friends hanging out...everyone credits Friends for being the first one to do this, but Cheers kind of did it first. very influential in terms of romantic plotlines too - Sam/Diane influenced countless sitcom couples.

*The Cosby Show - certainly important for African-American culture, and also for family sitcoms in general.

*Friends - influential for many reasons (just look at how many shows in the past 20 years have basically been Friends with different actors), but i'd say its biggest influence is how prevelant it made ongoing story arcs and romantic relationships in sitcoms. Cheers sort of introduced this, but Friends took it to another level.

*Arrested Development - a ridiculously daring show that pushed the sitcom to the very edge, and has influenced countless shows since. this was a show that really pushed just how complex a sitcom could get, and also just how insane it could get.

*The Office (US and UK) - both versions were hugely influencial to the sitcom genre. The UK Office basically started the single-camera genre that's popular today, and The US Office made that style of comedy something accessible for mainstream audiences.

*30 Rock - took what Arrested Development did and expanded on it even more. it sort of solidified that fast-paced, cult-beloved single-cam genre of comedy and proved that it could be sustainable and successful.

3. I would say the biggest evolution the sitcom has seen is simply becoming a more complex and respected artform. Early on, the sitcom was seen as little more than just mindless entertainment. Which is fine! But a lot of shows over the years have pushed for more - they've upped their quality and their game and led to the sitcom being seen as more than just watching people slip over banana peels or whatever. And yet, even with that in mind, there's still a mentality that dates back to the early days of it being pure comedic entertainment. Even the most modern and sophisticated current sitcoms have their roots tied back to the I Love Lucy era of sitcoms simply being ways for us to see ourselves and our own problems and insecurities reflected back in a more comedic way. And all of the sitcoms still follow formulas that date back to that era. So while the sitcom is constantly evolving, its basic premise remains and probably will always remain the same.

[Niamhuss]

Wow.

Honestly didn't expect replies in this much depth so quickly. They're all going in my research notes, they'll definitely be useful to me!

Thanks a lot!!

[yankeesrj12]

I'd include something about The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family as they essentially brought the television comedy back from the dead. In the years before they premiered (2007 and 2009, respectively) the genre seemed as if it was heading toward extinction, with no hits really emerging.

The Big Bang Theory started a bit slow, but as it progressed, it became a huge hit. Fast forward six-seven years and The Big Bang Theory is now one of the biggest series in all of television and has allowed CBS to expand its comedy presence. That additional presence gave CBS its first Thursday night sitcom since, I believe, Gilligan's Island (I could be wrong on the show). It was also the first comedy to single-handily beat American Idol in a competing half hour and then a few months later, on the night as a whole. I think the way it added characters without destroying the series original concept has helped it as well. How many comedies can say they added two new regulars and still had the show grow? Not many.

Modern Family practically brought ABC's comedy back from nothing. Only a year before the show they had Better off Ted (or more appropriately, Better off Dead) and season eight of NBC's cancelled Scrubs. A year before that it was merely According to Jim and whatever other comedy had scrapped the bottom of the ratings barrel the longest. In 2009, the comedy debuted and helped ABC start a whole comedy block. I guess you could say The Middle has helped the block as well, because without it, the night could not have got off to a strong start (when it moved to 830 in the second half of season one).

A lot of people are probably going to not include The Big Bang Theory in a television history paper (or even on this site) since its from Chuck Lorre and a multi-camera, but it is basically the Friends of this decade. Modern Family hasn't entirely left its footprint on the television world (as its only four seasons old). However, without it, I don't think ABC would have any real big comedies on their network right now (which they kind of do not anyway, beside The Middle and Modern Family).

[cherryade]

The Simpsons is the most influential show over the past few decades. The animated format allowed the show to tell different kinds of jokes and stories to the multicamera shows that were popular at the time.

The Simpsons, which strongly resembled a single-camera show, also helped bring back in the single-camera sitcom. Malcolm in the Middle, which was in many ways a live-action verion of The Simpsons, was launched off the back of it and was successful. This encouraged NBC to develop Scrubs, another hit.

That success led to Arrested Development, The Office (adapted by former Simpsons writer Greg Daniels) and My Name Is Earl.

Those shows inspired 30 Rock (the pilot was directed by the Scrubs pilot director), Community (exec produced by Scrubs EPs Goldman/Donovan, pilot directed by AD directors the Russo brothers), Parks and Recreation (conceived and developed by Daniels and Office writer Schur as a spin-off of The Office) and Raising Hope (from the creator of Earl).

The Simpsons also directly inspired all the Fox animated sitcoms (King of the Hill, Futurama, Family Guy, American Dad, Bob's Burgers).

Originally Posted by yankeesrj12

I'd include something about The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family as they essentially brought the television comedy back from the dead.

They are undoubtedly big hits that helped the sitcom genre but I think their individual long-term influence is less clear-cut.

There's certainly a case to be made that The Middle and Modern Family revived the family sitcom by bringing it up-to-date, including adopting the single-camera format. The fact they became hits probably helped the momentum of the single-camera format. NBC has certainly pushed a few attempted Modern Family rip-offs over the last few years (Up All Night, 1600 Penn, New Normal).

I'm not really sure what the lasting influence of Big Bang is, though. Discouraging the networks from giving up on multicamera? Encouraging multi-camera shows that are a little more mean-spirited, dirty and salty? It's hard to say. I can't think of any sitcoms that have been clearly inspired by Big Bang (there's been a few pilots, but none of them made it to air).

[EmoJoe]

I guess you could argue that Big Bang and Modern Family brought back the sitcom megahit, but to say the genre was "nearing extinction" before them seems a little hyperbolic. Two and a Half Men was already a big hit, and The Office, My Name is Earl, How I Met Your Mother, Scrubs ect were doing well for themselves. Sitcoms have always been and always will be around.

As for whether or not they contributed to the progression of the sitcom - eh. Modern Family borrowed a lot of its cues from The Office and the single-cams that preceded it, as well as old-school family sitcoms. I do think that it was important for family sitcoms though - it definitely helped revitalize that genre, which was pretty lost before it came around. I don't see how Big Bang makes much of a footnote on sitcom history though. If anything, it's more of a throwback than a progression. Actually, it's a little strange how the networks don't seem to be trying to rip off its formula like they do with every other sitcom megahit. They actually seem more interested in re-creating marginal hits like Community and New Girl. I think it's because that kind of old-school multi-cam just doesn't seem to work anywhere but CBS, for whatever reason.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

I guess you could argue that Big Bang and Modern Family brought back the sitcom megahit, but to say the genre was "nearing extinction" before them seems a little hyperbolic. Two and a Half Men was already a big hit, and The Office, My Name is Earl, How I Met Your Mother, Scrubs ect were doing well for themselves. Sitcoms have always been and always will be around.

As for whether or not they contributed to the progression of the sitcom - eh. Modern Family borrowed a lot of its cues from The Office and the single-cams that preceded it, as well as old-school family sitcoms. I do think that it was important for family sitcoms though - it definitely helped revitalize that genre, which was pretty lost before it came around. I don't see how Big Bang makes much of a footnote on sitcom history though. If anything, it's more of a throwback than a progression. Actually, it's a little strange how the networks don't seem to be trying to rip off its formula like they do with every other sitcom megahit. They actually seem more interested in re-creating marginal hits like Community and New Girl. I think it's because that kind of old-school multi-cam just doesn't seem to work anywhere but CBS, for whatever reason.

The other networks don't really try anymore. Giving us awful sitcoms like Whitney and Guys with Kids isn't really putting much of an effort in it.

[cherryade]

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

Actually, it's a little strange how the networks don't seem to be trying to rip off its formula like they do with every other sitcom megahit.

Having thought about it, I think we're finally seeing the first shows "inspired" by TBBT make it to series this year with ABC's Super Fun Night and NBC's Undateable (NBC ripping off a show?!? Shocking, I know).

There has been a few busted pilots which are clearly inspired by The Big Bang Theory thematically: Fox's Prodigy/Bully, ABC's Prairie Dogs, CBS's original version of Super Fun Night and possibly CBS's Friend Me (which went to series but never aired).

[EmoJoe]

Even Super Fun Night's a single-cam though, so I don't know how many cues it'd take from TBBT. I haven't seen any of Undateable so I couldn't really judge there.

[bookandfilmnut]

One thing you might want to look into is the sitcom's radio antecedents. 1930's and 40's radio sitcoms were in many ways a direct precursor to television sitcoms. In fact, several radio sitcoms became tv sitcoms in the early 50's, for example Life of Riley. Some of the more famous radio sitcoms like The Great Gildersleeves, The Aldrich Family, Duffy's Tavern (among many others) contained most of the elements that even today are found in the tv sitcom - that is, a cast of recurring main characters, recurring supporting characters, self-contained episodes with a single one-episode story-line. The ability to tell a complete story within a 25-30 minute time frame was pioneered on the radio.

[Furienna]

What about the family sitcoms of the 80s and 90s? The 80s had "The Cosby show", "Family Ties", "Alf" and "Full House". And then in the 90s, we had modern classics like "Family Matters", "Step by step" and "Sister, sister". "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and "The nanny" were a little bit more mature, but still more "family friendly" than many more recent sitcoms.

To be honest, I have a hard time getting into more recent sitcoms. "Two and a half men" has had its moments, but it was often way too cruel on Alan. And even though I actually somewhat like Ashton Kutcher's character, the show really should have ended when Charlie Sheen was fired. But that show also was multi-camera and had a laugh track. And for some reason, I have a hard time getting to the new generation of sitcoms, which are single-camera and have no laugh track.

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by Furienna

I have a hard time getting to the new generation of sitcoms, which are single-camera and have no laugh track.

me too. i prefer multi cam sitcoms as well.

but i agree with what everyone said. i'd also mention how in the 90s, shows like friends and living single centered around characters, who were not attached but were or are friends and looking for love, after family orientated sitcoms such as the cosby show, family ties, diff'rent strokes dominated the 80s.

[DroopyVids]

I notice a lack of 40 sitcoms mentioned.

Believe it or not, not all originated from Radio. Some were home grown, originated from Broadway Plays and some were from the radio.

In fact, some from the radio were even ran on the Radio and the TV at the same time. Gunsmoke is a good example in the 50s.

Here is a short list of Sitcoms from the 40s

The Goldbergs
The Growing Paynes
The Hartmans
The Laytons
The Life of Riley
Mary Kay and Johnny
The Ruggles

It's a pretty short list. Most of these were from 1949.

DroopyVids