MEDIA STUDIESMEDIA STUDIES

‘‘The Controlled Test’The Controlled Test’

22 May 200822 May 2008

Today’s focus:Today’s focus:

‘‘The lasting appeal of The lasting appeal of sitcoms’sitcoms’

Appeal of sitcoms:Appeal of sitcoms:

Traditional sitcoms on mainstream GB Traditional sitcoms on mainstream GB TV channels in declineTV channels in decline

Quiz shows and reality TV shows more Quiz shows and reality TV shows more popular and often cheaper to makepopular and often cheaper to make

However, they are still popular; and re-However, they are still popular; and re-runs of older shows still gain audiencesruns of older shows still gain audiences

‘‘My Family’ is very traditional, one of My Family’ is very traditional, one of the few shows of its type still on a major the few shows of its type still on a major channelchannel

So, what is the appeal?So, what is the appeal?

Producers:Producers:

Don’t need to build lots of setsDon’t need to build lots of sets Sets can be re-used for each Sets can be re-used for each

episode/ seriesepisode/ series Short series, so if not popular won’t Short series, so if not popular won’t

have over committed resourceshave over committed resources If popular, possibility of re-runsIf popular, possibility of re-runs May be able to export the idea or May be able to export the idea or

programmeprogramme

Audiences:Audiences: Domestic comedies give audiences Domestic comedies give audiences

situations they can relate tosituations they can relate to Can laugh at others in a safe environmentCan laugh at others in a safe environment Recognise foolish aspects of their own Recognise foolish aspects of their own

lives so can diffuse our problemslives so can diffuse our problems Uncomplicated plots and characters don’t Uncomplicated plots and characters don’t

challenge our thinkingchallenge our thinking Can ‘dip in and out’ and often watch out Can ‘dip in and out’ and often watch out

of sequence, as they tend not to directly of sequence, as they tend not to directly ‘follow on’‘follow on’

Task:Task:

Compare three modern sitcoms: Compare three modern sitcoms: The Office, Peep Show The Office, Peep Show and and The IT The IT

Crowd.Crowd.

Refer to your sheet for the Refer to your sheet for the individual tasks.individual tasks.