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Sitcom
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Definition of Sitcom (conventions)
A genre of comedy performance
Recurring characters who share one common environment
Workplace
Home
School
Social Space
Originally devised for Radio, but moved to TV in the 1950’s
Narratively they can be continuous or stand-alone.
Can be filmed on location or in front of a live studio audience
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US Sitcom History
1950’s Sitcoms started moving from the radio to the television screen.
The first to have high ratings was I Love Lucy (1951)
Commonly 22 minutes in length, allowing 8 minutes for commercials (total time 30 minutes)
Often filmed in a studio, using multi-camera technology
Popular Sitcoms in each decade include:
Cheers (1982)
Roseanne (1988)
Seinfeld (1989)
Frasier (1993)
Friends (1994)
The Office US (2005)
30 Rock (2006)
Modern Family (2009)
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Codes and Conventions of Sitcom
Situation in which the characters cause the conflict from which the comedy arises.
Romance is usually a key narrative component between regular characters.
Family is usually a key narrative component.
Beliefs and learning about ‘self’ is usually a key process for the central character (s).
Cyclical narrative where the situation is normally ‘reset’ by the end of the episode.
Locations limited to 2 or 3 primary locations and a few recurring locations.
Social context of their setting is often referenced explicitly or implicitly.
Cultural reference points of calendar events and national events are often features of episodes (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day).
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