…with HILARIOUS consequences!!!
Does anybody really laugh out loud* at sitcoms anymore? I mean, really?
There are only so many ways of making the following situation amusing: a family at home. What? You want more? Oh, come off it. You know that 80% of sitcoms are and always have been summed up with that sentence. Sure, you can add the odd ‘kooky grampa’ or environmentally aware teenager here and there, but it’s just dressing on an otherwise very bland salad. Here is my list, off the top of my head, that illustrates what I’m getting at.
- The Dick Van Dyke Show
- Everybody Loves Raymond
- Family Guy
- American Dad
- 8 Simple Rules
- The War at Home
- Frasier
- The Cosby Show
- Hangin’ with Mr Cooper
- Joey
- That 70s Show
- King of Queens
- Two and a Half Men
- My Two Dads
- Roseanne
- The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
- The Simpsons
- The Upper Hand (She’s the Boss)
- The Nanny
- The Flintstones
- The Golden Girls
- My Family (shudder)
Okay, I’ll concede that they don’t all represent the traditional family model, but there are enough similarities to make me tear the few hairs I have left out in frustration. Hasn’t that concept been played out? Let’s try something new, huh? (For the record, I like some of those shows so don’t go thinking I’m knocking them all. Except Joey. I would rather contract the ebola virus that watch an episode of Joey)
I’m a firm believer of the idea that any situation can be funny, given the right slant.** We don’t need to start every episode with the cast gradually introducing themselves in the kitchen (to whooping and applause). That episode about the guy who gets talked into a job interview and lies about his experience and gets his bluff called and has to keep lying to cover for it and then gets found out and admits lying and makes a heartfelt plea to disregard his error and is surprised to learn they still want to hire him? Bin it. It’s nothing special, and the audience knows what’s coming a mile away. We all know Raymond will learn his lesson. We all know that Frasier’s myriad misunderstandings will again miraculously all come to a head at the same time, forcing a sentimental ending. For God’s sake, stop before the corkscrew actually perforates my eardrum.
Encouraging signs? Well… they’ve been here and there. I’m probably going to be lambasted for my bias, but I’ve racked my brains and all I can come up with are UK shows***. Red Dwarf, Spaced, The Office, Extras. You might argue that Red Dwarf substitutes the suburban home for a spacecraft, but its setting immediately supplies a wider range of comedy potential. Spaced is set in the suburbs, but is specifically about that building and the plot revolves around how the characters can continue to live there. It also has the most effective use of homages and editing in the genre.
Why am I bringing this up? Because I want to laugh more. I want to turn on the TV and have a show that dares to be different. Nothing stifles laughter like knowing what the joke will be before it’s told.
Oh, and I’m writing a sitcom. Me and a couple of guys I work with. Now the subject feels like its engineered to promote what we’ve done, right? Well, no. We haven’t written anything yet. We’ve only agreed on the fact that it has to be different. The ideas so far have been ridiculous, over the top, genre-confining and unbelievably offensive, but they are not the norm. You’d know what the show was on sight other than by the design of the sofa. You wouldn’t have to see the blonde daughter and remember which one she is.
Anyway, any concept has legs that will take it only so far. The two-season rule is king. Don’t outstay your welcome. How Friends got to… ten seasons?… is beyond me. Say what you have to say and leave while there are still stories to tell. Leave the damn audience wanting more.
As this progresses, I’ll update on the status if not the details.
In the meantime, does anyone have sitcom recommendations? I want to know what not to write.
* Yeah, I spell it in English. Deal with it. ** I am in no way saying that I would laugh at any of your personal tragedies past, present or future. *** Although I hear that Eastbound and Down is hilarious (though home-based).
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