2.2 Comedy

Comedy on TV has evolved from vaudeville and radio roots to diverse genres like sitcoms, sketch shows, and animated series. It reflects societal changes, challenges norms, and provides social commentary through satire and parody.

TV comedy has shaped popular culture, created iconic characters, and inspired generations of comedians. It continues to evolve, pushing boundaries in representation, writing techniques, and production styles while entertaining audiences worldwide.

Origins of TV comedy

• Television comedy has its roots in various forms of entertainment that preceded the medium, including vaudeville, radio, and theater
• Early television programming often adapted popular radio shows and comedic routines for the visual medium, bringing familiar humor to a new platform
• The development of television technology and the growth of the television industry in the mid-20th century provided new opportunities for comedic talent to reach a wide audience

Defining TV comedy genres

Sitcoms vs sketch comedy

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• Sitcoms (situation comedies) are scripted shows that follow a recurring cast of characters through humorous situations and storylines, often set in a specific location or centered around a particular theme (The Office, Friends)
• Sketch comedy features a series of short, self-contained comedic scenes or "sketches" performed by a cast of actors, often with recurring characters or themes (Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele)
• While sitcoms have a continuous narrative and character development, sketch comedy relies on standalone scenes and quick, punchy humor

Animated vs live action comedy

• Animated comedy uses various animation techniques, such as traditional hand-drawn animation or computer-generated imagery, to create humorous characters and stories (The Simpsons, South Park)
• Live action comedy features real actors performing in front of a camera, either in a studio or on location (The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family)
• Animated comedy allows for greater flexibility in storytelling and visual gags, while live action comedy relies more on the performances and chemistry of the actors

Stand-up comedy on television

• Stand-up comedy involves a solo performer delivering a live comedic routine in front of an audience, often addressing personal experiences, observations, or social commentary
• Television has provided a platform for stand-up comedians to reach a wider audience through comedy specials, late-night talk show appearances, and dedicated stand-up programs (Comedy Central Presents, Netflix comedy specials)
• Stand-up comedy on television has helped launch the careers of many comedians and has become an important part of the comedy landscape

Evolution of TV comedy

Early TV comedy pioneers

• Early television comedians, such as Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Jackie Gleason, helped define the medium and establish comedy as a central part of television programming
• These pioneers often came from vaudeville or radio backgrounds and adapted their comedic styles to suit the new visual medium
• Their shows, such as The Honeymooners and Your Show of Shows, set the stage for future generations of television comedy

Influence of vaudeville and radio

• Vaudeville, a popular form of variety entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, provided a foundation for television comedy with its emphasis on short, comedic acts and sketches
• Radio comedy shows, such as The Jack Benny Program and The Fred Allen Show, influenced the structure and style of early television comedy, with many radio performers transitioning to the new medium
• The use of live audiences, musical interludes, and sponsor integration in early television comedy can be traced back to the traditions of vaudeville and radio

Rise of the situation comedy

• Situation comedies, or sitcoms, emerged as a dominant form of television comedy in the 1950s and 1960s, with shows like I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show
• These shows often revolved around the daily lives and relationships of a central cast of characters, with humor derived from their interactions and the situations they encountered
• The success of early sitcoms helped establish the format as a staple of television programming, paving the way for countless variations and subgenres in the decades to come

Social commentary in comedy

Satire and parody

• Satire uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize or expose human vices, follies, and societal issues, often with the intent of prompting social change or awareness (The Colbert Report, South Park)
• Parody imitates and mocks the style, conventions, or content of a specific work, genre, or public figure for comedic effect (Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons)
• Television comedy has long used satire and parody to comment on social and political issues, challenging viewers to think critically about the world around them

Political humor on television

• Political humor on television uses comedy to comment on political figures, events, and issues, often through the use of satire, parody, or direct commentary (The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver)
• Shows like Saturday Night Live have a long tradition of political sketches and impersonations, often reflecting the zeitgeist and shaping public perceptions of politicians
• Political humor on television can serve as a form of critique and a way to engage audiences in political discourse, while also providing entertainment value

Pushing boundaries and censorship

• Television comedy has often pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or appropriate, tackling taboo subjects and challenging social norms (All in the Family, Roseanne)
• This boundary-pushing has sometimes led to controversy and censorship, with networks and advertisers expressing concern over the content of certain shows or episodes
• The tension between creative expression and censorship has been a recurring theme in the history of television comedy, reflecting broader societal debates about free speech, taste, and public morality

Representation in TV comedy

Diversity in casting and characters

• Diversity in television comedy refers to the inclusion of characters and performers from a wide range of backgrounds, including different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities
• Shows like The Cosby Show, Fresh Off the Boat, and Orange Is the New Black have helped to increase representation and visibility for underrepresented groups in television comedy
• Diverse casting and characters can help to challenge stereotypes, provide role models for viewers, and reflect the diversity of real-world experiences and perspectives

Stereotypes and tropes

• Despite efforts to increase diversity, television comedy has often relied on stereotypes and tropes in its portrayal of certain groups, such as the "sassy black woman," the "effeminate gay man," or the "nerdy Asian"
• These stereotypes can be harmful, perpetuating negative or oversimplified perceptions of certain groups and limiting the range of roles and storylines available to diverse performers
• Awareness of and pushback against stereotypes and tropes has grown in recent years, with many creators and performers working to subvert or challenge these limiting portrayals

Challenging societal norms

• Television comedy has the power to challenge societal norms and expectations, using humor to shed light on issues of gender, race, class, and other forms of identity and inequality
• Shows like Will & Grace, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Black-ish have tackled topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, women's liberation, and racial justice, often pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or appropriate
• By challenging societal norms, television comedy can help to spark conversations, shift attitudes, and promote social change, even as it entertains and amuses audiences

Writing and production of comedy

Collaborative writing process

• Television comedy is often the result of a collaborative writing process, with a team of writers working together to develop scripts, storylines, and jokes
• Writers' rooms, where a group of writers gather to pitch ideas and work on scripts, are a common feature of television comedy production
• The collaborative nature of television comedy writing allows for a diversity of perspectives and ideas, as well as opportunities for writers to learn from and build upon each other's work

Role of the showrunner

• The showrunner is the person responsible for overseeing the creative and administrative aspects of a television comedy series, often serving as the head writer and executive producer
• Showrunners play a key role in shaping the tone, style, and direction of a series, working with writers, directors, and actors to bring their vision to life
• Successful showrunners, such as Tina Fey (30 Rock), Larry David (Seinfeld), and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), are often celebrated for their distinctive voices and their ability to create compelling, memorable comedy series

Multi-camera vs single-camera setups

• Multi-camera setups, commonly used in sitcoms, involve filming a scene with multiple cameras simultaneously, often in front of a live studio audience (The Big Bang Theory, Friends)
• Single-camera setups, more common in modern comedy series, involve filming each scene individually with a single camera, allowing for more flexibility in camera angles, locations, and editing (The Office, Modern Family)
• The choice between multi-camera and single-camera setups can have a significant impact on the style, pacing, and tone of a comedy series, with multi-camera shows often having a more theatrical, "stagey" feel and single-camera shows allowing for more cinematic techniques and naturalistic performances

Performance and timing in comedy

Physical comedy and slapstick

• Physical comedy relies on the use of the body and physical movements to create humorous situations and gags, often involving exaggerated or clumsy actions, pratfalls, and sight gags
• Slapstick, a type of physical comedy, often involves exaggerated violence or physicality, such as characters being hit, falling, or engaging in elaborate chases or fights (The Three Stooges, Looney Tunes)
• Television comedians known for their physical comedy skills include Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy), John Ritter (Three's Company), and Jim Carrey (In Living Color)

Verbal humor and wordplay

• Verbal humor relies on the use of language, puns, wit, and wordplay to create comedic effects, often through clever dialogue, jokes, or observations
• Wordplay can involve techniques such as double entendres, malapropisms, and clever turns of phrase, often requiring quick thinking and delivery from performers
• Television series known for their verbal humor include Frasier, The Simpsons, and Veep, with performers like Kelsey Grammer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and the voice cast of The Simpsons showcasing their skills in delivering witty, rapid-fire dialogue

Importance of comedic timing

• Comedic timing refers to the precise delivery of a joke or comedic moment, with the performer using pauses, pacing, and emphasis to maximize the impact and effectiveness of the humor
• Good comedic timing involves a keen sense of rhythm, anticipation, and surprise, as well as an understanding of the audience's expectations and reactions
• Performers known for their excellent comedic timing include Betty White (The Golden Girls), Steve Carell (The Office), and Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), who have a gift for delivering jokes and reactions with precision and skill

Audience reception and laughter

Laugh tracks vs live audiences

• Laugh tracks, also known as canned laughter, are pre-recorded audience laughter added to a television comedy during post-production, often used in multi-camera sitcoms (The Brady Bunch, Seinfeld)
• Live audiences, more common in multi-camera sitcoms filmed before a studio audience, provide real-time laughter and reactions to the performances and jokes (Cheers, The Big Bang Theory)
• The use of laugh tracks and live audiences can have a significant impact on the perceived humor and success of a comedy series, with some viewers finding them distracting or inauthentic, while others appreciate the sense of communal laughter and energy they provide

Measuring success and ratings

• Television comedy success is often measured by ratings, which indicate the number of viewers tuning in to a particular show or episode
• Ratings are used by networks and advertisers to determine the popularity and profitability of a series, with higher-rated shows often receiving more support and resources
• Other measures of success for television comedies include critical acclaim, awards recognition (such as Emmy Awards), and cultural impact, with some shows achieving cult status or influencing broader trends in comedy and popular culture

Cult followings and fan communities

• Some television comedies develop cult followings, with dedicated fans who continue to watch, discuss, and celebrate the show long after its initial run
• Cult comedies often have a unique or niche appeal, with quirky characters, offbeat humor, or subversive themes that resonate strongly with a particular audience (Arrested Development, Community)
• Fan communities, often fostered through online forums, social media, and fan conventions, allow viewers to connect with each other, share their love for a particular series, and engage in creative activities such as fan fiction, fan art, and cosplay

Legacy and influence of TV comedy

Iconic comedy series and characters

• Throughout the history of television, certain comedy series and characters have achieved iconic status, becoming deeply ingrained in popular culture and influencing generations of viewers and comedians
• Iconic comedy series, such as I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Seinfeld, and Friends, are celebrated for their groundbreaking humor, memorable characters, and lasting impact on the medium
• Iconic comedy characters, such as Lucille Ball's Lucy Ricardo, Carroll O'Connor's Archie Bunker, and Jennifer Aniston's Rachel Green, have become cultural touchstones, inspiring countless imitations, references, and homages

Impact on popular culture

• Television comedy has had a profound impact on popular culture, shaping the way people talk, think, and consume media
• Catchphrases, memes, and references from popular comedy series have entered the cultural lexicon, becoming shorthand for particular ideas, attitudes, or experiences (Seinfeld's "yada yada yada," The Simpsons' "D'oh!")
• Television comedy has also influenced fashion, music, and other aspects of popular culture, with shows like Sex and the City and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air setting trends and inspiring imitators

Inspiring future generations of comedians

• Successful television comedies and comedians have inspired and influenced countless future generations of performers, writers, and creators
• Many contemporary comedians cite iconic television comedy series and performers as early influences and inspirations, with shows like Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, and The Daily Show serving as training grounds for new generations of comedic talent
• The ongoing success and evolution of television comedy can be seen as a testament to the enduring power and appeal of the medium, as well as the creativity and innovation of the performers and creators who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in comedy television