You might expect me to modify that and give you a ‘yes and no’ to whether there are rules to sitcoms. But that’s all nuance. This is a sitcom. Sitcoms are a nuance-free zone.
That’s not to say they need to be brash, obvious or dumb. But in a sitcom, everything is turned up to eleven. In fact, I’m going to turn this up to thirteen.
Back in 2015, I came up with 13 rules of thumb when it comes to situation comedies. Although my list is eight years old, it feels like we need to go back to basics. Given how streaming works, we are now living in a world in which we can reasonably expect people watch every episode, and begin at episode 1. This means writers and execs have been tempted to mess around with story arcs, character development and, gulp, drama.
But look at what shows people watch, keep watching and keep talking about watching: Friends, Frasier, The Office, Seinfeld, Big Bang Theory, Brooklyn 99, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock.
Wanna write a show like that? Me too.
So what are the rules of proper sitcoms like that? Here’s the first:
Rule 1: Your Characters and Situation Don’t Change
A sitcom is, to some extent, the same show every week. The same characters make the same mistakes. They don’t learn. They don’t change. Your character is not moving to Nepal for good, even if they talk about it for the whole episode. Your character won’t start listening to advice, even if the moral of the story is that the character should listen to advice. And even if they do ‘learn their lesson’, they’ve forgotten by next week.
Wait.
Nothing changes?
No.
Nothing changes.
And even if it does, it changes slowly. Incrementally. Imperceptibly. Your characters age because they’re human. Unless they’re animated, like The Simpsons, in which case they don’t even age – which is why it’s been able to run for over thirty years.
Embracing Lack of Change
The lack of change is a feature, not a bug. It’s why people like sitcoms. It’s familiar, like comfort food. It’s like being with old friends. It’s like being back with the gang, even if that gang are in a Mobile Hospital in the Korean War, or a City Hall in Indiana.
I recently watched an episode of Modern Family from Season 10. It felt like it could have been in series in one. Phil was after Jay’s approval yet again, and Cameron and Mitchell had something going with Manny – and it was great. It’s why I love Modern Family.
On a Saturday night, I might want excitement, adventure and adrenalin. But after a long day at work, I just want to laugh. And I want to be confident I’m going to get one. So sure, put on Season 10 of Modern Family.
You Know What Else Doesn’t Change?
Life. In that regard, sitcoms are true to life. People don’t change. Sorry. But it’s true. They don’t. Your life isn’t a movie, with an inciting incident, an adventure and an epiphany. You’re you. And your partner is your partner. And they are predictable. And you know what? That’s pretty much how you like them.
So when creating a sitcom, think about situation and the relationships. Is this going to give me a regular, repeatable episodes? Each one is different, and yet kind of the same? Can you think of thirty different episodes with these characters in this situation? If you can’t, you don’t have a sitcom. At least, not yet.
Keep going.
What about Rules 2 to 13?
More next time. Although I did a webinar in which I went through them all. And answered some questions. You can watch it for free here:
Vimeo link is broken thanks
I enjoyed rule 1, but the link for rules 2-13 seems to be broken. 😐