Is the network sitcom dying? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 09-18-2021, 05:39 AM

https://time.com/6094071/fall-tv-net...dies-canceled/

"There’s something depressing about having to bid farewell to the precise kind of network comedy we’ve lost." says Judy Berman. She adds that the "abundance of shiny new shows makes it easy to overlook what’s missing from the upcoming season’s primetime schedule—namely, NBC’s venerable Thursday-night comedy block. Anchored in the 1980s by Cheers and The Cosby Show, then Friends, Seinfeld and Frasier in the ’90s, the lineup more than earned its 'Must See TV' branding throughout the late 20th century. Even as appointment viewing waned in subsequent decades, it remained an oasis for smart, imaginative sitcoms: The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Community and, in a last gasp of greatness, The Good Place and Superstore. That legacy has ended, as the network just (Thursday) aired the series finale of long-running cop sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Come October, NBC will devote Thursday nights to Law & Order spinoffs, driving scripted comedy off the primetime schedule entirely. Other Big 5 broadcasters seem to be losing faith in comedy series as well. The CW belongs to superheroes, Archie Comics and B-grade nonfiction programming now. While Fox’s Sunday adult-animation block is still going strong, there isn’t a single live-action sitcom on its fall schedule. ABC has carved out Wednesdays for family comedies, but the only 'new' title is a Wonder Years reboot. CBS seems like a relative haven for the genre, until you realize that one mega-producer, The Big Bang Theory bard Chuck Lorre, has a hand in four out of its six fall sitcoms. Among the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series, only one—ABC’s Black-ish, whose eighth and final season is expected to premiere in 2022—hails from a broadcast network. Scripted comedy isn’t going anywhere. Cable channels and streaming services are bursting with great examples, as multimedia conglomerates like NBCUniversal shift new projects from creators with cult followings (Mike Schur’s Rutherford Falls, Tina Fey’s Girls5eva), to platforms such as Peacock, where they might pay for themselves in subscription dollars. But watching Hacks or Ted Lasso or Never Have I Ever at your own pace isn’t the same experience as ducking into Cheers or Central Perk every Thursday evening and reliving the highlights of each episode at the watercooler Friday morning with people you knew had tuned in last night."

TVFactFan · 09-18-2021, 03:31 PM

Yes too many options

TV streaming
Internet
Youtube
Social Media

None of those options was available in 1990

principehomura · 09-19-2021, 06:25 AM

Indeed, I was looking for new sitcoms to watch this season, but couldn't find much.
And big players like Amazon and Netflix haven't produced a single multi-camera sitcom so far.

Really a shame, from the most popular genre to a niche ridiculed by the rest of audience and media. Sitcoms are following soap-operas, unfortunately

Yong Fang · 09-19-2021, 08:53 AM

I have to admit I haven’t watched much network TV. I am a casual fan of the chick Lorre shows on CBS. These shows also work for me because the shows are mostly intelligent and not the goofy formula from the past.

There is a complete transformation because of the internet. There are so many more choices that the Big four networks are just one player of many. Of course, the various networks, either free or pay per view are trying to find the next big thing and of the sitcoms are dying it is because people are tired of watching them and the sitcom makers need to “up their game” or abandon the concept. But the concept is far from being abandoned.

There hasn’t been a next big thing show. Like maybe Modern Family or Big Bang Theory. But again not to repeat myself, there are so many networks and makers of content. People like to laugh and love comedy and the comedy isn’t dead. Don’t worry. The problem now is that a lot of comedy is “woke” and topical instead of just being funny. Some shows are still that like Curb your Enthusiasm. Another show is “I’m Sorry”. Comedy isn’t dead.

TVLegend · 09-19-2021, 10:24 AM

Even with the very few good sitcoms left, something feels off

principehomura · 09-19-2021, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

I have to admit I haven’t watched much network TV. I am a casual fan of the chick Lorre shows on CBS. These shows also work for me because the shows are mostly intelligent and not the goofy formula from the past.

There is a complete transformation because of the internet. There are so many more choices that the Big four networks are just one player of many. Of course, the various networks, either free or pay per view are trying to find the next big thing and of the sitcoms are dying it is because people are tired of watching them and the sitcom makers need to “up their game” or abandon the concept. But the concept is far from being abandoned.

There hasn’t been a next big thing show. Like maybe Modern Family or Big Bang Theory. But again not to repeat myself, there are so many networks and makers of content. People like to laugh and love comedy and the comedy isn’t dead. Don’t worry. The problem now is that a lot of comedy is “woke” and topical instead of just being funny. Some shows are still that like Curb your Enthusiasm. Another show is “I’m Sorry”. Comedy isn’t dead.

It's not comedy that is dying, but the sitcom genre

Alan Brady's Hair · 09-19-2021, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Even as appointment viewing waned in subsequent decades, it remained an oasis for smart, imaginative sitcoms: The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Community and, in a last gasp of greatness, The Good Place and Superstore. That legacy has ended, as the network just (Thursday) aired the series finale of long-running cop sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Annual Nielsen rankings of the greatness:

Office: 102, 67, 68, 77, 52, 41, 53, 78, 88
30 Rock: 102, 111, 69, 86, 106, 130, 99
Community: 97, 138, 144, 133, 96
Parks: 96, 108, 116, 134, 111, 115, 119
Brooklyn: 98, 113, 118, 137, 161, 138, 105
Superstore: 66, 91, 102, 113, 87, 100
Good Place: 77, 77, 94, 100

So NBCs rules for the last decade have been:

1. Pick comedies no one will watch;
2. Keep shows whose audiences are shrinking; and,
3. Replace failed shows with shows exactly like them.

And then they wonder why comedy is failing.

TVFactFan · 09-19-2021, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

Annual Nielsen rankings of the greatness:

Office: 102, 67, 68, 77, 52, 41, 53, 78, 88
30 Rock: 102, 111, 69, 86, 106, 130, 99
Community: 97, 138, 144, 133, 96
Parks: 96, 108, 116, 134, 111, 115, 119
Brooklyn: 98, 113, 118, 137, 161, 138, 105
Superstore: 66, 91, 102, 113, 87, 100
Good Place: 77, 77, 94, 100

So NBCs rules for the last decade have been:

1. Pick comedies no one will watch;
2. Keep shows whose audiences are shrinking; and,
3. Replace failed shows with shows exactly like them.

And then they wonder why comedy is failing.

Office does well in syndication

stevea · 09-19-2021, 02:51 PM

The Office has taken off in the last few years but there was virtually no syndication for the rest. But ABH is making the same point I've made about these raved-about NBC comedies. The elite critics and NBC execs loved them but nobody else was watching.

Mace Dolex · 09-19-2021, 05:48 PM

Since I've long canceled my cable service I was wondering with Fall coming up what the new TV season had to offer and except for seeing the rebooted Wonder Years on billboards I don't know what is on.

And with streaming people take advantage of revisiting prior shows like The Office and Community.

stevea · 09-19-2021, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Since I've long canceled my cable service I was wondering with Fall coming up what the new TV season had to offer and except for seeing the rebooted Wonder Years on billboards I don't know what is on.

I think the answer is that nothing's going on other than that.

Probably more reality and game shows.

TUNE IN · 09-20-2021, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVLegend

Even with the very few good sitcoms left, something feels off

I agree.

TVFactFan · 09-20-2021, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUNE IN

I agree.

Why do you agree?

king of comedy · 09-22-2021, 11:14 PM

Comedy has to evolve. It can't always have jokes all the time. Gimme a good story and maybe a joke now and then.

merlinjones · 09-23-2021, 10:43 AM

Comedy, satire, caricature, parody, cartooning -- all are becoming lost arts due to political correctness and cancel culture. No one can laugh at themselves or their very human foibles any more, but want and expect to be offended. Comedy can't thrive under such strict censure (self or external). I call it the "mean Mommy'' syndrome: preach, teach, speech -- but don't laugh or be childish (unless on-point and within narrow boundaries).

09-18-2021, 05:39 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,797	Is the network sitcom dying? https://time.com/6094071/fall-tv-net...dies-canceled/ "There’s something depressing about having to bid farewell to the precise kind of network comedy we’ve lost." says Judy Berman. She adds that the "abundance of shiny new shows makes it easy to overlook what’s missing from the upcoming season’s primetime schedule—namely, NBC’s venerable Thursday-night comedy block. Anchored in the 1980s by Cheers and The Cosby Show, then Friends, Seinfeld and Frasier in the ’90s, the lineup more than earned its 'Must See TV' branding throughout the late 20th century. Even as appointment viewing waned in subsequent decades, it remained an oasis for smart, imaginative sitcoms: The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Community and, in a last gasp of greatness, The Good Place and Superstore. That legacy has ended, as the network just (Thursday) aired the series finale of long-running cop sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Come October, NBC will devote Thursday nights to Law & Order spinoffs, driving scripted comedy off the primetime schedule entirely. Other Big 5 broadcasters seem to be losing faith in comedy series as well. The CW belongs to superheroes, Archie Comics and B-grade nonfiction programming now. While Fox’s Sunday adult-animation block is still going strong, there isn’t a single live-action sitcom on its fall schedule. ABC has carved out Wednesdays for family comedies, but the only 'new' title is a Wonder Years reboot. CBS seems like a relative haven for the genre, until you realize that one mega-producer, The Big Bang Theory bard Chuck Lorre, has a hand in four out of its six fall sitcoms. Among the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series, only one—ABC’s Black-ish, whose eighth and final season is expected to premiere in 2022—hails from a broadcast network. Scripted comedy isn’t going anywhere. Cable channels and streaming services are bursting with great examples, as multimedia conglomerates like NBCUniversal shift new projects from creators with cult followings (Mike Schur’s Rutherford Falls, Tina Fey’s Girls5eva), to platforms such as Peacock, where they might pay for themselves in subscription dollars. But watching Hacks or Ted Lasso or Never Have I Ever at your own pace isn’t the same experience as ducking into Cheers or Central Perk every Thursday evening and reliving the highlights of each episode at the watercooler Friday morning with people you knew had tuned in last night."

09-19-2021, 06:25 AM	#3
principehomura Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 24, 2010 Location: SEA, Napa, Lanford, NY \| Rome (WI), Coeur d'Coeurs, Stars Hollow, Sunnydale \| Twin Peaks, BAL, Deadwood, WA \| Tardis, Galactica Posts: 757	Indeed, I was looking for new sitcoms to watch this season, but couldn't find much. And big players like Amazon and Netflix haven't produced a single multi-camera sitcom so far. Really a shame, from the most popular genre to a niche ridiculed by the rest of audience and media. Sitcoms are following soap-operas, unfortunately
	__________________ Frasier, Mom, Roseanne, The Conners Picket Fences, Pushing Daisies, Buffy, Gilmore Girls Twin Peaks, The Wire, Deadwood, X-Files - Frasier, Niles and Martin Crane, Dale Cooper, Fox Mulder Christy Plunkett, Buffy Summers, Rory Gilmore, Becky Conner, Dana Scully - Roseanne Barr, David E. Kelley, David Milch, Amy Sherman, Bryan Fuller, Steven Bochco - Anna Faris, Marlee Matlin, Jane Levy, Lecy Goranson, Jennifer Esposito, Melissa J. Hart - Kelsey Grammer, David H. Pierce, Michael J. Fox

09-18-2021, 03:31 PM	#2
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,982	Yes too many options TV streaming Internet Youtube Social Media None of those options was available in 1990

09-19-2021, 08:53 AM	#4
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	I have to admit I haven’t watched much network TV. I am a casual fan of the chick Lorre shows on CBS. These shows also work for me because the shows are mostly intelligent and not the goofy formula from the past. There is a complete transformation because of the internet. There are so many more choices that the Big four networks are just one player of many. Of course, the various networks, either free or pay per view are trying to find the next big thing and of the sitcoms are dying it is because people are tired of watching them and the sitcom makers need to “up their game” or abandon the concept. But the concept is far from being abandoned. There hasn’t been a next big thing show. Like maybe Modern Family or Big Bang Theory. But again not to repeat myself, there are so many networks and makers of content. People like to laugh and love comedy and the comedy isn’t dead. Don’t worry. The problem now is that a lot of comedy is “woke” and topical instead of just being funny. Some shows are still that like Curb your Enthusiasm. Another show is “I’m Sorry”. Comedy isn’t dead.

09-19-2021, 10:24 AM	#5
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	Even with the very few good sitcoms left, something feels off

09-19-2021, 02:51 PM	#9
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,315	The Office has taken off in the last few years but there was virtually no syndication for the rest. But ABH is making the same point I've made about these raved-about NBC comedies. The elite critics and NBC execs loved them but nobody else was watching.

09-19-2021, 05:48 PM	#10
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,666	Since I've long canceled my cable service I was wondering with Fall coming up what the new TV season had to offer and except for seeing the rebooted Wonder Years on billboards I don't know what is on. And with streaming people take advantage of revisiting prior shows like The Office and Community.

09-22-2021, 11:14 PM	#14
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Comedy has to evolve. It can't always have jokes all the time. Gimme a good story and maybe a joke now and then.

09-23-2021, 10:43 AM	#15
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 931	Comedy, satire, caricature, parody, cartooning -- all are becoming lost arts due to political correctness and cancel culture. No one can laugh at themselves or their very human foibles any more, but want and expect to be offended. Comedy can't thrive under such strict censure (self or external). I call it the "mean Mommy'' syndrome: preach, teach, speech -- but don't laugh or be childish (unless on-point and within narrow boundaries).