Why do people prefer TV entertainment shows? Which type of entertainment shows most appeals to you and why? List some of the conventions of a sitcom and explain why they are so popular. Read about some characteristics of sitcoms in a brief analysis. Then watch a sitcom episode in class and while you do so, make notes of character traits, language features, narrative structure and comedy techniques used and then discuss them in class: |
Characters
- Character can be revealed through the character’s actions, speech, and appearance. It also can be revealed by the comments of other characters
- The protagonist/s (central character/s).
- The antagonist is the force in conflict with the protagonist. It may be society, nature or fate, as well as another person. It can also be the protagonist’s own self.
- A character foil is a character whose traits are in direct contrast to those of the principal character. The foil therefore highlights the traits of the protagonist. The foil is usually a minor character, although if there are 2 protagonists, they are foils of each other.
- A stereotype is a character who possesses expected traits of a group rather than being an individual.
- Use of everyday language. High use of slang and colloquialisms
- Use of invented words/phrases i.e. Seinfeld ‘regifting’, Simpsons ‘D’oh!’. These words often make their way into everyday talk i.e. ‘D’oh’ used as exclamation for anyone doing something foolish
- Repetition of certain language for added humour
- Exaggerated language
- Every sitcom has an opening sequence – music and credits plus opening 1-2 minutes that introduce the episode’s plot. This is called the teaser.
- 3 acts – a beginning, a middle and an end
- Beginning: 9-10 minutes long. Major and minor complications of the plot are set now. Crisis or conflict of the episode to build up to a climax that remains unresolved by start of 2nd set of commercials
- Middle: 9-10 minutes. The complication/s are explained, elaborated on and resolved. Ends with 3rd set of commercials
- End: 45 seconds to 2 minutes long. Wraps up the episode after the climax. This is also known as the falling action. What happens here is normally unrelated to the episode’s plot.
- Always a resolution to a distinct problem by the end of the episode
- Things may happen during the episode, but the episode always ends with things going back to normal. Unless it is a ‘to be continued’ episode.
- Slapstick humour/physical comedy
- Slapstick humor is a boisterous form of comedy with chases, collisions and practical jokes where people just do silly things such as tripping, falling over or embarrassing themselves just to make people laugh. Noted comedian Charlie Chaplin who acted in the silent movies, used a lot of slapstick comedy.
- Comedy of the situation
- Comedy based on day to day situations. Sitcoms explore day to day situations in a humorous manner
- Straight and funny characters
- Contrast between neutral characters with no humour and characters with distinctly funny characteristics
- One-liner
- Deadpan delivery of humorous lines
- Deadpan is a form of comic delivery in which humour is presented without a change in emotion or facial expression, usually speaking in a monotonous manner.
- Running/reoccurring gag
- A running gag is a literary device which often takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work ...
- Satire
- Can involve sarcasm, ridicule and irony. Often targets certain people or events that are serious.
- Irony
- Containing a hidden or opposite meaning
- Black humour
- Absurdity, immorality and morbidity used for comic effect or to draw attention obliquely to some regrettable state of affairs that is too painful