Sitcoms
A sitcom (situation comedy), is a genre of comedy that
usually consists of recurring characters in a common environment. Even though
such programs originated in radio, today, sitcoms are found almost exclusively on television as one of
its dominant narrative forms.
As opposed to
other forms of comedy formats such as sketch comedy or stand-up comedy, a situation comedy has a storyline and
ongoing characters in. It is, essentially, a comedic drama[1].
The situation
is usually that of a family, or a group of friends or colleagues in a workplace
and the status quo is maintained from episode to episode:
while within an episode there may be a disruption to the usual situation and
the character interactions, this will usually be settled by the episode's end
and the situation returned to how it was prior to the disruption. Obviously
there are exceptions to this: some shows feature story arcs across many
episodes where the characters and situations change and evolve.
But what really defines a sitcom is its form of humor: satire, parody, irony, sarcasm are the most common. Satire aims to ridicule, to expose hypocrisy, to show that appearances can often be deceptive. It distorts and exaggerates. Targets for satire are often governments, politicians, the army or the Church, upper or middle classes and generally the conventions of social life[2].
“Minister's
language: ‘We have decided to be more flexible in our application of this principle’
means ‘We are dropping this policy but we don't want to admit it publicly’”
[Yes, Minister - 1980]
One form of satire is parody. Any form of artistic expression can be parodied, whether it is literary, such as a poem, a novel or a religious text or a film, a TV show or a theater play. No need to underline the fact that the parody must be parallel with the original and the audience must be able to watch the distortions and incongruities point by point between the two.[3]
[The British airmen are cycling along the left side of a road on the way
to Nouvion dressed as onion sellers]
Carstairs:
“Pretty place France, don’t you think so, Fairfax? Napoleon planted all these
trees, you know?”
Fairfax:
“Wonder when he had time to fight any battles?”
Carstairs:
“He didn’t do it personally, fathead. He had them planted to keep the sun off
his troops while they were marching up and down... Do you notice that whenever
we pass these peasant people they seem to stare at us in a rather odd way”
Fairfax:
“Maybe, because you’re driving a girl's bicycle.”
Carstairs:
“Perhaps we’re doing something wrong.”
[A car drives by and almost crushes into them]
Carstairs:
“Fairfax, I think I’ve cracked it. We’re riding on the wrong side of the road!”
[‘Allo, ‘Allo! - 1982]
Irony is
probably one of the most common techniques used in sitcoms to cause a laughter.
It can be defined as a situation, a literary technique or rhetorical device, in
which there is an incongruity, discordance or unintended connection that goes
beyond the most evident meaning.[4] In short it is the expression of one's
meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite.
Even more
direct that irony is sarcasm and usually involves someone saying something that
is the opposite of what is appropriate in a derisive or mocking tone.
Norm:
“Congratulations!... Unless you didn't want another kid.”
Coach:
“Of course, she wanted the kid, Norm.”
Carla:
“Sure I do. What penniless unmarried mother of four wouldn't.”
[Cheers - 1982]
[ALF has just broken Willie's shortwave radio]
Willie: “It took me ten years to put that thing together.”
ALF: “I'm glad to see you haven't wasted your life.”
[ALF - 1986]
[Theo is cleaning the kitchen]
Theo: “Dad is it okay if I take a
break now?”
Cliff: “Yeah, uh you've been working
five minutes straight now!”
[The Cosby Show - 1984]
[Neil is doing an inventory of the kitchen]
Rick: “Neil, you don't have to do that! All my stuff
is covered with sticky labels!”
Vyvyan: “Wait a minute! Was yours the stuff with the
sticky labels with "Rick" written on it?”
Rick: “Yes.”
Vyvyan: “Oh, I'm sorry Rick, I'm very sorry! I
thought it was mine, and I ate them, every single one!”
Comments
Post a Comment