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Death of the sitcom
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Roseo92 said:
HI, im new to the site and discovered it whilst revising for GCSE Media which is on british sitocms part of this is "The Death of The Sitocm". I wanted to know what your thoughts on this topic were.
Thanks
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
There seem to be a lot of sitcoms about if its a supposedly dead genre. IT Crowd, Not Going Out, Lead Ballon, 30 Rock, Peep Show, Big Bang Theory, Scrubs . . . . Lots of good stuff. Its more to do with the lack of recent audience sitcoms, though even that has seen an upturn in recent years. So there we go, sitcom isnt dead, they just dont get the truly massive audiences that they used too, because nothing does.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
The sitcom never had died and never will die. Admittedly a few years back it went through a very rough patch and studio-based sitcoms became so deeply un-fashionable they all but disappeared.
However both studio and single-camera sitcoms are back in fine health again. Studio sitcoms like Not Going Out, My Family and The IT Crowd have all been pleasing audiences, whilst stuff like Lead Balloon, The Thick of It and Outnumbered have been building sizeable followings and pleasing the critics.
Dare I say it - with stuff like Peep Show currently on air, and ITV entering the market with Benidorm & Mumbai Calling, sitcom is in the best shape it's been in for years!
Sketch shows, now there's a genre that's currently in trouble!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Mark @ May 11 2008, 11:36 AM BSTSketch shows, now there's a genre that's currently in trouble!
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Agreed, sitcons are doing pretty well at the moment, its sketch shows that need a kick up the arse. Too many of them and none of them that good. You would have thought, just down to the sheer amount of them, that one would turn out to be a real winner, but even the best of them at the moment are only Ok.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, sootyj said:
Bring back clowns, and dramedy their day has come round at last. These rough beasts dragging themselves to Bethlehem waiting to be born.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jonathan Smith said:
GCSE Media question.
"Critics keep announcing the ‘death of sitcom’. We believe the genre is doing fine. Give us your views on the current state of the situation comedy and tell us how you think it might develop."
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to cheat, but can anyone give my some pointers how to go about tackling this question.
anything would be helpful, thanks.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: Jonathan Smith @ May 11 2008, 8:39 PM BSTGCSE Media question.
"Critics keep announcing the ‘death of sitcom’. We believe the genre is doing fine. Give us your views on the current state of the situation comedy and tell us how you think it might develop."
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to cheat, but can anyone give my some pointers how to go about tackling this question.
anything would be helpful, thanks.
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I really can't help. I have no idea what your views on the subject are.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jonathan Smith said:
Ok, i wasn't asking for anyones opinions, just really about how to strucure it and including some examples.
let me rephrase it.
How do members on this board think sitcoms might develop in the future?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Alan C said:
Well Jonathan,
I'm new to this forum but not to British Sitcoms. Britcoms peaked in the 70's when ITV and BBC would show at least a dozen a week between them. It sounds pretty amazing compared to today when you are lucky to get a dozen in 3 months. Alas, the themes have all been done to death and originality is now so rare that the same level of production could not be sustained. Audiences are now force-fed a mix of reality shows, talent shows and game shows at peak-time and the poor old sitcom has to take a back seat. I sincerely hope that the recent vote-rigging and over-charging of callers to these shows gives them a much-needed kick up the backside and that viewers become more discriminating.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Lil-mizz said:
I am also doing GCSE Media, and i am finding this particular question very difficult. Please can you help me.
How do you think it will develop?
Thank You
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 11 2008, 11:34 AM BSTThere seem to be a lot of sitcoms about if its a supposedly dead genre. IT Crowd, Not Going Out, Lead Ballon, 30 Rock, Peep Show, Big Bang Theory, Scrubs . . . . Lots of good stuff. Its more to do with the lack of recent audience sitcoms, though even that has seen an upturn in recent years. So there we go, sitcom isnt dead, they just dont get the truly massive audiences that they used too, because nothing does.
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It's true what Matthew says.
There are several good ones and there probably always were rubbish (on ITV generally).
They fall into several caegoties as far as I'm concerned.
Silly - IT Crowd, Father Ted
Real (almost) - Led Balloon, the Office
Traditional - Gavin & Stacey, Benidorm
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Am I the only one not doing GCSE media?
Are directions to this site in the text books now or what?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jonathan Smith said:
I had to pick between doing drama or media for GCSE, i choose media. i won't be carrying on at collage, don't really like it.
Teachers aren't allowed to give any help, and the internet is the new text book. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Aw. Gawd bless the internet.
My school wouldn't do Media GCSE. Bloody toffs. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: Jonathan Smith @ May 11 2008, 9:28 PM BSTI had to pick between doing drama or media for GCSE, i choose media. i won't be carrying on at collage, don't really like it.
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Should bloody hope not with spelling like that.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: David Chapman @ May 11 2008, 9:22 PM BST
Traditional - Gavin & Stacey, Benidorm
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What the hell are you on about now, Chapman? Father Ted and The IT Crowd are infinitely more 'traditional' than those two.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jonathan Smith said:
Quote: David Chapman @ May 11 2008, 9:37 PM BSTShould bloody hope not with spelling like that.
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Sorry, chose and college.
This is media not english language by the way. Focuses more on the practical side.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Anyway.
Are you guys all in the same class?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Leave the new boys alone, David!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: zooo @ May 11 2008, 9:53 PM BSTLeave the new boys alone, David!
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I thought I'd get in before Aaron - so to speak.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jonathan Smith said:
Quote: Aaron @ May 11 2008, 9:53 PM BSTAnyway.
Are you guys all in the same class?
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Nah, half the country is doing this exact exam.
Mine is 2hrs on Tuesday and 1hr on Wed. Not looking forward to it, although i did get an A in my coursework.
We have 4 questions, question 3 we have to pitch our own sitcom and in the final one we have to storyboard a 30 second trailer.
We go into the exam with no notes, we have to answer all 4 question from memory.
Which is why now i'm trying to learn as much as possible.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
That sounds so much fun.
I want to be 16 again. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
When I did my Media Studies GCSE, we certainly didn't know the questions beforehand!
Anyway. Development of the sitcom. Currently two competing fields; realistic 'single-camera' stuff (The Thick of It, The Office, Peep Show, etc.), and the more traditional format. Recent xamples of the latter include After You've Gone, Not Going Out, and of course My Family.
The former of the two types has been extremely popular over the past few years, almost entirely due to The Office, but the more 'traditional', filmed-in-a-studio-in-front-of-a-live-audience shows have always been far more popular, more sellable overseas, have greater longevity, and so are what channels and production companies are actively looking to make right now. They're making a proper fightback against the recent crop.
I think, in the short term, we'll see a blend of the two, but ultimately, the traditional style will win out.
Probably.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, JacMac said:
Same exam as me...u doing higher or foundation? Dead scared about it, one week to go and havent planed at all 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Gavin said:
Quote: zooo @ May 11 2008, 9:57 PM BSTThat sounds so much fun.
I want to be 16 again.
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Photos needed.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Roseo92 said:
I finihsed my exam today, and well i think i did ok! :/
The death fo the sitocm bit, i just ended up wrting about hybrids!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Not the Prius, I assume?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Sir Geoffrey Loftus said:
Australia stopped making sitcoms quite some time ago... which kills the chance of resurecting shows England refused to pay to keep on. A tradition we had in the 70s and 80s.
It's rather sad... and not entirely true, Summer Heights High was pretty funny, and a I suppose could be classed as a sitcom. but making one at a time still isn't enough, and it was the first in about 20 years.
Damned reality TV ruined everything.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Alan C said:
Quote: Sir Geoffrey Loftus @ May 19 2008, 6:42 AM BSTAustralia stopped making sitcoms quite some time ago... which kills the chance of resurecting shows England refused to pay to keep on. A tradition we had in the 70s and 80s.
It's rather sad... and not entirely true, Summer Heights High was pretty funny, and a I suppose could be classed as a sitcom. but making one at a time still isn't enough, and it was the first in about 20 years.
Damned reality TV ruined everything.
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What was Kath and Kim then - a documentary?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Well it certainly wasn't a sitcom.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
It had its moments, although like a lot of shows it started to go round in circles after a couple of series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tuumble said:
Why didn't I get questions like this in my GCEs? I'd have loved it!
Still, it was hardly likely to come up in my Technical Drawing exam so maybe I've got no complaints.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I took Media Studies as one of my GCSEs Tuumble, and am also gutted to have not got any such questions!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, B Chetter said:
I am doing GCSE Media too.
I took my first media exam today
I have the second half tomoz.
Does anyone please have any comments about "Death of Sitcom"
as i am rather stuck
and very nervous
Many Thanks x
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Nothing that's not already been said, no. Good luck though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, B Chetter said:
Thank you
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, JacMac said:
Had mine today-went awsomely
In an hour and a half i used up 12 sides of A4 on the first to tasks...Thats how much were meant to use for 4... 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I don't think I used 12 sides of A4 in all of my exams ever, combined.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, B Chetter said:
i have used 8 sides of a4 on questions 1 and 3 already
just really stuck on question 2
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Cansen Yilmaz said:
Quote: Roseo92 @ May 11 2008, 11:30 AM BSTHI, im new to the site and discovered it whilst revising for GCSE Media which is on british sitocms part of this is "The Death of The Sitocm". I wanted to know what your thoughts on this topic were.
Thanks
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same here ive got the first 2 questions of the exam tomorrow, questions 3 & 4 involve making your own sitcom which should be easy. My problem lies in the second question, does anybody know about the mentioning of the 'office' to do with in relation to the 'death of the sitcom'. Ive researched and only found out that it is not like the other sitcoms, i wouldnt know i dont watch it. plz help a.s.a.p x
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, craig craig said:
hi im new here, i found out i got a A in my media coursework today i was happy after getting back from italy and today i got told i have a media exam tomorrow which i have no idea on. i am absolutely crapping myself now! i have been trying to revise and am stuck on points agaisnt the death of the sitcom. i have read the previous comments and got a bit of infomation but i need more and cant find any. please please please help. a.s.a.p
regards craig.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Amar said:
you should mention Gavin and Stacy which won people's choice award at the BAFTAs and the Office was a response to the reality shows and documentaries that have started to become popular.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: craig craig @ May 21 2008, 10:31 PM BSThi im new here, i found out i got a A in my media coursework today i was happy after getting back from italy and today i got told i have a media exam tomorrow which i have no idea on.
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You should learn your exam timetable before going on holiday.
But help is at hand as there are lots of threads on here about this subject. A cleverer person than me might be able to put some links in here.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Amar said:
Does anyone have any opinions on how sitcoms will develope in the future?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SammyStar said:
Heyy im new lol
erm i did my first hour 1/2 today and did task 3&4 'cause i've had them sorted for ages, but i'm really stuck on what to write for task 2 :/
I've kinod of got task 1 sorted
But any tips on what to write?
My teacher practicaly gave me an essay plan but i don't understand it haha
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
What is task 2?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, craig craig said:
i did task 1 and 2 today never done to bad i think it went alright, but am stuck on task 3 and task 4 and dont have a clue what to do! 
if anyone has done task 3 and 4 could you give me some advice.
thanks craig.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, JacMac said:
Lol fair point, anyone who isent doing the exam must be fairly confused
Task 1 was to write out the complete history of sitcoms, and what defines a sitcom.
Task 2 was to give our opinion on the death of the sitcom.
Task 3 was a sitcom pitch.
Task 4 was a story board for a 30 second ad, based on the sitcom we made in task 3.
Hope that helped.
And as ive not used these yet, 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Alan C said:
Quote: JacMac @ May 23 2008, 7:52 PM BST
Task 1 was to write out the complete history of sitcoms
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Impossible you would have been doing the exam for a week!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, JacMac said:
Quote: Alan C @ May 23 2008, 8:24 PM BSTImpossible you would have been doing the exam for a week!
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We were given the exam 3 weeks in advance. We had to fully plan it and then put it to memory to write the exam with.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: JacMac @ June 1 2008, 11:58 AM BSTWe were given the exam 3 weeks in advance. We had to fully plan it and then put it to memory to write the exam with.
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The sitcom may not be dead, but satire is. It could no longer compete with real life.