Feeoree
Monday 2nd September 2024 12:23pm
Basildon
901 posts
Yeah, sorta as Lazzard put it, career commissioners. That and complacency.
Not that I think long termers like Mrs Brown's Boys and Not Going Out shouldn't be recommissioned as they kept their audience for the most part (and deservedly, regardless of other people's opinion on their quality).
And industry trends led by metrics - when it comes to newer sitcoms like Daddy Issues, Black Ops, (etc.) they are aimed at a young demographic (the age being key above any other demo like skin colour/sexuality and what not), and are part of the streaming age - all episodes at once and bingeable and they hit that target.
Gavin and Stacey will do mad numbers because it is a returning favourite (that show is 17 years old this year!) has different ages liking it.
ITV have made attempts but they mostly haven't landed. Changing Ends is great and works for all sorts of people. Family Pile had a multi generational family but language and content skewed towards adults.
Here We go (BBC) seems to do alright - had the binge all option yet managed to pull in some alright figures (by 2024's comparatively low numbers) on broadcast. Two Doors Down - sorta becoming a long termer admittedly - has grown and grown but sadly on hiatus due to one of the writers passing away.
Long ramble there, but it's viewing habits and while it succeeds in some places (shows the late teens/early 20s enjoy), sometimes commissioners are unwilling to stretch out when it comes to all-ages big hits. And also it's rare that a sitcom competition is open to uncommissioned writers (bless BCG Pro etc doing that one that has a deadline this month!).
What's in even a worse state than sitcoms is TV sketch shows. Radio and the Internet/youtube/social media have carried that torch for a while!