Friends (1994)
Hello everyone, and welcome back to “The Movie Diaries.” If you read the title of the article and then the title of the blog, you might be confused. Sitcoms are not movies! But I am also a huge fan of TV, so I wanted to shine a light on my favorite genre of show, which has become a dying art in recent years. So, let’s talk about sitcoms and happy watching!
What is a sitcom?
I Love Lucy (1951)
The term “sitcom” comes from “situational comedy.” It’s a TV show with the same recurring characters who navigate funny situations in the same place. The genre traces back to the early comedic theater but became what we know today in the 1950’s with classics like “I Love Lucy”. Sitcoms often run for many seasons, allowing audiences to form connections with the characters and watch them develop over the years.
These long runs in television shows give rise to iconic moments and characters. We see so many of them that it’s easy to forget actors play them! Take, for example, characters like Dwight from “The Office”, Sheldon from “The Big Bang Theory”, or even Homer from “The Simpsons” (yes, animation also counts!)
What is happening to sitcoms?
New Girl (2011)
Sitcoms ruled TV for years; every decade up until the late 2010s featured iconic sitcoms that everyone tuned in to see. The 90’s had “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and the 2000s had “Malcom in the Middle”. But in the new era of streaming, sitcoms took a back seat and became a comforting rewatch rather than the genre every TV station wanted to keep their ratings high with. Nowadays, people prefer TV shows with 8 1-hour episodes. This is the anti-sitcom; it works well with shows that want to tell a very specific plot, dramas or romances, but not with comedies.
There have been attempts at reviving the sitcom using the modern TV format, but in my opinion, it hasn’t come close to recreating the cultural impact that sitcoms of the past left. An example of this is the FX show “Adults”, which focuses on a group of roommates in their 20s. Season 1 is only 8 episodes long, each about 20 minutes long, which isn’t enough to appreciate all the characters and their quirks.
“One Day at a Time” on Netflix got close to what sitcoms used to be, and it had lots of potential. It was filmed with a live audience and used a multicam setup, which is not necessary to make a good sitcom, but it adds a nice hint of nostalgia. It was 13 episodes, each around 30 minutes long, which was a nice combination of the old sitcom format and how TV works now. The reason it didn’t work out was because it got cancelled; it needed a few more seasons to reach iconic sitcom status.
My top 3 sitcoms to watch
Modern Family (2009)
Here’s a very beginner’s guide for anyone reading who has never seen sitcoms or just watches clips on social media and wants the real experience. I’m going to list very mainstream shows, but they are popular for a reason, and everybody should watch them!.
Friends (1994)
-Where to watch: HBO Max
I think “Friends” might be the most iconic sitcom of all time. It is still talked about today, and you can buy Friends merch anywhere. It’s practically impossible that you haven’t heard of “Central Perk” or of “We were on a break.” A lot of people undermine the impact of the show because it’s so popular, but if you give it a try, you’ll find out why everybody is still attached to Joey, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, Monica, and Rachel! Here’s my favorite scene.
Modern Family (2009)
-Where to watch: Hulu
“Modern Family” is the perfect example of a TV show that makes you feel like you know the characters. Throughout its 11-season run, viewers from around the world were invited into the crazy family and saw the characters grow up. The show is not only funny, but it has many heartwarming moments. Personally, I love TV shows with big ensemble casts and lots of different storylines, and “Modern Family” is exactly that; there is a character for everyone. There are so many scenes to choose from, but here is one of my favorites!
New Girl
-Where to watch: Hulu
“New Girl” took the roommates trope of many sitcoms and took it to the next level, a level so hilarious it will have you crying for all of its seasons. The characters have such distinct, fully fleshed-out personalities that you end up knowing them well. The relationships and friendships in “New Girl” are well-written, and I consider them iconic. Jess and Nick are one of the best couples on TV!
Here’s one of the best comedy scenes in the show!
For more recommendations check out my Valentines movie list!