How much does plot REALLY matter in comedy?

Recently I've been thinking about how much the actually plot of a comedy actually matters, and I've been thinking more that it's not so important as long as it's funny.

Obviously you'd think there would have to be a running plot, but the Family Guy get away with constant, unrelated flashbacks and cut aways.

Even The Simpsons seem to take time away from the plot, having scenes that are slightly related, but don't seem to move the story on at all.

Probably the best, and my favourite, movie that does roughly the same thing is Airplane!, which a lot of people know is really a collection of scenes involving the passengers (guitar song, talking jive, Nuns World, black coffee), which doesn't really move the story.

To me, it seems that always keeping with the plot isn't entirely essential as long as the other scenes are slightly related and of course, funny, such as The Simpsons and Airplane!.

Any other opinions?

Your examples still use a plot, those cutaways are just jokes. The reason you're advised to stick to the plot is because air-time is precious and the more time you move away from it, the more time you waste getting back. Family Guy gets away with it because it's the style they have chosen.

They are all "situation" though - and of course Family Guy and the Simpsons are asnimation so can get away with anything.

It really is very satisfying when a sitcom has a great plot as well as the funny. Shows like Seinfeld and Coupling are masters at setting up several tight plot strands that weave together at the end.

Quote: Jimmy Carr Fan @ April 29 2010, 3:51 PM BST

Recently I've been thinking about how much the actually plot of a comedy actually matters, and I've been thinking more that it's not so important as long as it's funny.

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Yes, but I find that humour from the plot is funnier than disconnected gags. So to me, a plot is important, else it's not as funny as it could be. Essentially, the plot is one long super-gag.

If your jokes are a bit shit, a good plot might be all you've got on your side.

I've always thought comedy is about characters. If you have great characters then your plot can be a bit ropey.

Quote: bigfella @ April 29 2010, 5:51 PM BST

I've always thought comedy is about characters. If you have great characters then your plot can be a bit ropey.

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Surely better if you've got great characters, great jokes AND a great plot though?

Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 29 2010, 5:59 PM BST

Surely better if you've got great characters, great jokes AND a great plot though?

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You've read one of my scripts, I see.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 29 2010, 5:59 PM BST

Surely better if you've got great characters, great jokes AND a great plot though?

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Well yeah!

But if we were chosing which was more important, which maybe we weren't, then I'd go for characters.

Quote: bigfella @ April 29 2010, 5:51 PM BST

I've always thought comedy is about characters. If you have great characters then your plot can be a bit ropey.

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Rather like The Goon Show - the same characters episode after episode, but totally different plots.

Quote: Ian Wolf @ April 29 2010, 6:28 PM BST

Rather like The Goon Show - the same characters episode after episode, but totally different plots.

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But the plots were always fantastic, in every sense of the word.

Quote: Nogget @ April 29 2010, 6:35 PM BST

But the plots were always fantastic, in every sense of the word.

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Indeed. Some of the jokes are a bit dated now, but the plots were still good.

If you've got really good, strong characters who are in conflict, the plot is going to follow from that presumably.

Quote: Leevil @ April 29 2010, 4:38 PM BST

Your examples still use a plot, those cutaways are just jokes. The reason you're advised to stick to the plot is because air-time is precious and the more time you move away from it, the more time you waste getting back. Family Guy gets away with it because it's the style they have chosen.

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I wholeheartedly agreevil