What Makes a Sitcom?

There's been a lot of debate in the Grandma's House thread about what is and isn't a sitcom. I decided to open a thread here, so all the IT'S COMEDY DRAMA/IT'S SITCOM furore could take place here and not denigrate the chat about Simon Amstell and his wonderful show.

Personally, if it's comedy with a narrative and 30 minutes long, I class it as sitcom. Obviously they can take many forms though in that timeframe. The Office and My Family are both very different in things like the execution of comic dialogue and production, but they're both classed as sitcoms.

If the channel/makers say it's a sitcom, then it's a sitcom.

Although of course if those people themselves disagree, then it makes it a bit difficult for us to figure out.

And the League of Gentlemen is definitely a sitcom...

Let's not go there!

https://www.comedy.co.uk/british_sitcom.shtml

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sitcom.htm

http://www.examiner.com/fiscal-responsibility-in-los-angeles/they-don-t-make-television-sitcoms-like-they-used-to

http://www.robinkelly.btinternet.co.uk/ussitcom.htm

http://www.robinkelly.btinternet.co.uk/sitcom1.htm

Just watched the penultimate ep of Rev and absolutely loved it. Then watched about Ep 3 of the IT crowd and absolutely loved it. Chalk and cheese. Don;t get me wrong though I don't like a chalk sandwich.

Rev is just the bestest. I must buy the DVD.

Quote: zooo @ September 9 2010, 10:41 PM BST

Rev is just the bestest. I must buy the DVD.

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Hopefully they'll get a second series. They were on site at Greenbelt on the Bank Holiday weekend filming but it wasn't clear whether they were definitely filming a second series or just taking the opportunity to grab some footage just in case.

Ooooh. Interesting!

Does everyone think Him & Her was a sitcom?

I do.

Ooooh, did somebody propose Zooo????

Is Shameless a sitcom or a drama? I have it down as that sort of thing.

Quote: Marc P @ September 10 2010, 9:39 AM BST

Ooooh, did somebody propose Zooo????

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Quote: Nat Wicks @ September 10 2010, 9:39 AM BST

Is Shameless a sitcom or a drama? I have it down as that sort of thing.

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I would say definitely drama.

Quote: zooo @ September 10 2010, 9:40 AM BST

I would say definitely drama.

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Hmm. That's food for thought. I think they're a very similar 'sort' of TV show (I'm sure people would disagree). I liked Him & Her but I didn't really laugh and I couldn't notice any jokes in there. I thought it had a very similar character humour to Shameless, but without the dramatic events..