Question about sitcom character's job/occupation.

Hi.

I have an idea for a sitcom but I'm not sure about the continuity of the series as a whole. The idea is basically an animated family sitcom (like The Simpsons) but also with an add-on that the dad has a certain job which causes him to travel around every now and then.

In a metaphorical way, imagine it's a sitcom where the dad is a part-time pilot and the whole of the first episode is about him trying to get the job of a pilot and of course succeeds. Then in the next episode when he's got the job is a plot about the families everyday family/school/work life. Every now and then (eg. episodes 4/6 and 6/6) the plot would have the dad heading off to a different place, taking his family on work duty and a plot set wherever they go. Then by the next episode, back to a normal family life plot.

Also, I was thinking about giving the otherwise unemployed dad some part time jobs in between, though he would of course have to get fired pretty quickly, just for something for him to do in the meantime, but I'm afraid that might be confusing.

Do you think it would be okay for him to have small jobs in between the bigger idea? I'm worried it'll be confusing if I was to have a few family life plots then just out of nowhere they're heading off to a completely different place and a plot suddenly in Turkey or such. By next week, suddenly back to normal family life back at home. Or can anyone think of any shows that do soemthing similar?

Sorry for the long post, but if anyone has any advice it'd be greatly appreciated.

Yes you could get away with it. You mention the Simpsons who do this quite a lot and even make reference to the amount of times Homer's been fired, rehired and different jobs.

If the Dad is a pilot, then he's a pilot. It's not that unusual.

It seems OK to me. As often gets said on here, it's the quality of the characterisation that probably matters more than the situation. A job or situation isn't inherently funny. Although, there was a job relating to Jayne Mansfield that was, in a way, but there's always an exception to every rule. Rules? What rules? Oh, those rules...

Thanks for the quick replies, they've helped so far!

One thing I was a bit more worried about is how it might look from above. For example:

Episode 1: (Pilot episode, sorry for the pun.)
Gary tries to get a job as a pilot, and succeeds.

Episode 2:
Still with a job as a pilot, Gary gets a job teaching at kids kids school.

What? What happened to the pilot job?

I'm afraid it would look bad and careless from people who look over the series. I'll of course explain how he does it, that it's only part time and that he has time to fill in the mean time.

You need to be confident in your writing. If it doesn't feel right, it's probably not.

I think the fact you are asking the question demonstrates you are creating huge problems for yourself. I think it would be confusing. The Simpsons flits around a bit but it is always anchored in the family home.

It also begs the question why does the guy need to have a part-time job if he's a pilot, unless he works for Ryan Air of course..

Or rather, why is this idea of a guy with a job having another job so important to your premise?

Anyway, if it's funny, you don't need to answer too many questions, the audience will work it out.

To answer Badges post, a majority of the episodes, plots etc would be about the family, school, 2nd characters etc.

To Frankie Rages, he doesn't NEED a 2nd job but it's either that or he sits around doing nothing. The 2nd jobs are so that there are more plots open.

The 2nd jobs aren't primary to the premise, but I was thinking of it as a family sitcom but with the "pilot" job being:
1: Something to make it a bit different.
2: A reason for him to travel around.

The 2nd jobs aren't because he has to, they're just for one episode.
Like in The Simpsons, Homer doesn't HAVE to go into space with NASA, but it made a great episode while he did.

Sorry if this is confusing.

Why not switch it to hobbies instead?

You could largely make him work for home in some way? That way he'd be about when needed, without having to constantly mention that he has work to do, could go into the office if you had an idea there or be sent off round the world to do something else for his job some weeks.

Didn't Chandler from Friends sort of follow that premise?

He only went away once, to Tulsa (sp?).

Do pilots have second jobs?

Anyway, why are you creating all these problems for yourself?
If it's about him being a pilot - then that's where the comedy should come from - a second job just distracts/detracts
If not 'about' him being a pilot, make him something else.
You're in charge!
It's about the only stage in the writing process where this is the case - so enjoy it while you can!

Don't pilots fly for a few days and then have a few off? Then you could have him sitting around at home for long periods of time.

Quote: Chappers @ September 24 2010, 5:12 PM BST

Don't pilots fly for a few days and then have a few off?

View original

I never knew they did that.

Probably best to give him hobbies like Nat said, or maybe charity work or something, rather than proper second jobs, which presumably he wouldn't need on a pilot's wage.