NBC's Focusing on Multi-camera Comedies, and That's Okay - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

waichingliu81 · 01-18-2015, 09:17 AM

NBC President Bob Greenblatt announced today that the network was going to focus more on multi-camera sitcoms in the future.

That means shows shot on a sound stage in front of a studio audience, like almost every major sitcom of the 20th century. That means they’re going to have a laugh track, which will sound canned even if it’s not. Along with the upcoming end of Parks and Recreation, this puts a nice, conclusive cap on NBC’s long reign as the best broadcast network for comedy, an era that essentially ended in 2013 when 30 Rock and The Office ended.

....Still, many viewers today find that traditional sitcom format old-fashioned and inherently corny. The cinematic, single-camera style has signified a classier, smarter brand of comedy since the turn of the century. It’s hard to think of an acclaimed sitcom from the 2000’s that wasn’t single-camera. When Friends and Frasier went off the air in 2004, and NBC’s Thursday night line-up later became dominated by single-cam shows, it seemed like the end of the multi-cam sitcom.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/article...hats-okay.html

the part where the writer says many viewers today find the traditional sitcom format old-fashioned and corny, is ridiculous i disagree. i prefer the old style, multi camera sitcom format, because i enjoy it more and i don't find it corny.

JustaViewer · 01-18-2015, 10:22 AM

I think many people miss the point when it comes to multi-cam, live audience sitcoms. They are perfect for back and forth 'dialogue comedy'. They are not for short-attention spans. As examples I would cite 'Yes Minister' in the UK and All in the Family in the US. That is not to say single cams are inferior, MASH was single cam. But the performers seem to have to work harder when in front of an audience.

Sitcomics · 01-19-2015, 04:01 AM

It's been like this for the past decade - every winter, at least one network orders a bunch of multi-cam pilots but when the time comes to pick them up to series, they lose their nerve. I hope NBC bucks the trend this year, but they've traditionally been the worst offender.

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JSP · 01-19-2015, 10:57 AM

I think Multi-cam sitcoms are better than single cams personally.

I just like the audience involvement I suppose.

Will and Grace Fanatic · 01-19-2015, 08:30 PM

I love multi camera sitcoms. To be honest NBC hasn't had the greatest luck with single camera sitcoms anyways. Shows like 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation didn't even make the top 30 in the ratings. Back when they did multi camera sitcoms their ratings were huge. This also gives the fans of shows to actually go see them taped live. This is a huge deal to fans, I mean who wouldn't want to see their favorite shows being taped?

BTW I'm not saying all single camera shows are bad. I just prefer the live audience form.

comedyfreak · 01-19-2015, 08:44 PM

Good News!! Finally!!!

I like the Multi-cam comedies better, good luck NBC.

Mace Dolex · 01-19-2015, 11:20 PM

I think NBC has finally come around and realized that their single cam shows like 30 Rock, Community, Parks & Rec, The Office while critical darlings haven't been bringing in viewers because their brand of comedy is niche and only gain small dedicated viewers.

Multi-cam sitcoms can also be well written and not just a bunch of stupid punchlines and wacky goofy characters with annoying catchphrases.

waichingliu81 · 01-20-2015, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

I think NBC has finally come around and realized that their single cam shows like 30 Rock, Community, Parks & Rec, The Office while critical darlings haven't been bringing in viewers because their brand of comedy is niche and only gain small dedicated viewers.

Multi-cam sitcoms can also be well written and not just a bunch of stupid punchlines and wacky goofy characters with annoying catchphrases.

i definitely agree with you on that.

01-18-2015, 09:17 AM	#1
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	NBC's Focusing on Multi-camera Comedies, and That's Okay NBC President Bob Greenblatt announced today that the network was going to focus more on multi-camera sitcoms in the future. That means shows shot on a sound stage in front of a studio audience, like almost every major sitcom of the 20th century. That means they’re going to have a laugh track, which will sound canned even if it’s not. Along with the upcoming end of Parks and Recreation, this puts a nice, conclusive cap on NBC’s long reign as the best broadcast network for comedy, an era that essentially ended in 2013 when 30 Rock and The Office ended. ....Still, many viewers today find that traditional sitcom format old-fashioned and inherently corny. The cinematic, single-camera style has signified a classier, smarter brand of comedy since the turn of the century. It’s hard to think of an acclaimed sitcom from the 2000’s that wasn’t single-camera. When Friends and Frasier went off the air in 2004, and NBC’s Thursday night line-up later became dominated by single-cam shows, it seemed like the end of the multi-cam sitcom. http://www.pastemagazine.com/article...hats-okay.html the part where the writer says many viewers today find the traditional sitcom format old-fashioned and corny, is ridiculous i disagree. i prefer the old style, multi camera sitcom format, because i enjoy it more and i don't find it corny.

01-19-2015, 04:01 AM	#3
Sitcomics Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 02, 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9	It's been like this for the past decade - every winter, at least one network orders a bunch of multi-cam pilots but when the time comes to pick them up to series, they lose their nerve. I hope NBC bucks the trend this year, but they've traditionally been the worst offender. www.facebook.com/Sitcomics
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01-19-2015, 08:30 PM	#5
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	I love multi camera sitcoms. To be honest NBC hasn't had the greatest luck with single camera sitcoms anyways. Shows like 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation didn't even make the top 30 in the ratings. Back when they did multi camera sitcoms their ratings were huge. This also gives the fans of shows to actually go see them taped live. This is a huge deal to fans, I mean who wouldn't want to see their favorite shows being taped? BTW I'm not saying all single camera shows are bad. I just prefer the live audience form.
	__________________ love is love

01-19-2015, 08:44 PM	#6
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	Good News!! Finally!!! I like the Multi-cam comedies better, good luck NBC.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

01-18-2015, 10:22 AM	#2
JustaViewer Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 14, 2015 Posts: 64	I think many people miss the point when it comes to multi-cam, live audience sitcoms. They are perfect for back and forth 'dialogue comedy'. They are not for short-attention spans. As examples I would cite 'Yes Minister' in the UK and All in the Family in the US. That is not to say single cams are inferior, MASH was single cam. But the performers seem to have to work harder when in front of an audience.

01-19-2015, 10:57 AM	#4
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	I think Multi-cam sitcoms are better than single cams personally. I just like the audience involvement I suppose.

01-19-2015, 11:20 PM	#7
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,660	I think NBC has finally come around and realized that their single cam shows like 30 Rock, Community, Parks & Rec, The Office while critical darlings haven't been bringing in viewers because their brand of comedy is niche and only gain small dedicated viewers. Multi-cam sitcoms can also be well written and not just a bunch of stupid punchlines and wacky goofy characters with annoying catchphrases.