Hang on, but isn't he asking about story arcs over a series? I agree you still need a story unique to the episode within the context of the arc. I don't know any sitcoms that don't do that. Even drama serials have that.
Sitcom Story Arc Page 2
Quote: Templegatewells @ July 16 2008, 8:05 PM BSTWhat I want to ask is whether any sitcoms have been written in the past that involve a long running story arc throughout a series that is resolved in the final episode, rather than being a collection of small stories?
I am aware that most sitcoms have an overall theme running throughout a series, but each episode is usually pretty much a self-contained short story on the periphery of the main plot.
The main plot of my sitcom is based on an event that spans roughly a month of the main characters life with the episodes following on from one another. This forces me to end with ‘TO BE CONTINUED' and if produced would probably need a recap at the start.
Has this format ever been used before? I can't think of something similar to compare it to?
It seems clear to me what he means is one long story, which goes directly from episdoe to episode, rather than featuring any self-contained story with the arc in the background, like you get in a lot of sitcoms. It seems to me that that is what he means, if I'm reading the above properly. As far as Im concerned, thats definitely what hes written there, so if thats not quite the case he would need to clarify, as its obviously had a couple of different interpretations from people; but thats how I read it.
Thanks for all the comments so far… really useful.
Firstly, in response to David Chapman's examples, I managed to catch an episode of 'Worst Week of My Life' last night on UK Gold and this is a very similar concept to the one I am trying to describe.
To get round the problem of continuity throughout the series in this programme they use the 'Next Week…' function at the end of the episode. I think this works well and is something I am considering.
With regards to the format of my series, Matthew Stott is exactly right. It follows from episode to episode, developing a central story plot.
The only concern I have with this is that you would need to follow it all the way through to understand the story. On the flip side I hope that if it was caught half way through the viewer would be drawn in by the dialogue and plot and go back and watch earlier episodes. That's the ideal situation anyway!
I note that Matthew Stott is exploring a similar concept. I would be interested to know how he progresses with it.
Quote: Templegatewells @ July 17 2008, 2:40 PM BSTWith regards to the format of my series, Matthew Stott is exactly right.
Ha-ha! Victory is mine! 
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 17 2008, 2:44 PM BSTHa-ha! Victory is mine!
Yeah only because Pete is down the gym.
Quote: Templegatewells @ July 17 2008, 2:40 PM BSTI note that Matthew Stott is exploring a similar concept. I would be interested to know how he progresses with it.
With me, Im developing lots of different pilots, and one just happened to have this same style, of one on-going story with end-of-episode cliffhangers that lead into the next episode, and I just realised, to my surprise, that it wasn't actually a sitcom, it was more what you would clasify as a 'comedy serial'. Its not a comedy drama, because its funny-funny, not half serious with comedy thrown in, it's all comedy, but it has this ongoing story/plot that develops and comes to a conclusion at the end, rather than being a constant background arc, with other episode-unique stories upfront.
Its going fine Temple, though it will be interesting to know how producers react to it when I send it out, as I don't think it's a very usual format, so that could very well count against it. But what the hell, i like it so I'll carry on, see what happens.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 17 2008, 2:44 PM BSTHa-ha! Victory is mine!
I really should have read it better! And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those... and sleep.
Really the difference between a comedy and a comedy drama is surely laughs per minute.
Comedy Dramas don't need or have so many jokes as the story keeps the interest.