Faithless195 t1_jdx2dme wrote on March 27, 2023 at 8:38 PM

Reply to comment by PacManRandySavage in What do you think the issue with modern sitcoms is? (Discussion) by Paula-Abdul-Jabbar

> Seasons are shorter, so every episode exists to move the plot forward.

Which is the worst thing to do for a sitcom. Who tf watches a sitcom for 'the plot'? The entire 'plot' of the show should just be about the adventures/relationships between the characters. 99% of a sitcom like Friends, How I met Your Mother, The Office, etc, were all 'filler.'

sakamism t1_jdxkz0r wrote on March 27, 2023 at 10:45 PM

I think it's possible to make a more plot-driven sitcom that's still good. I haven't seen it yet but I've heard The Good Place is like that. But no one seems to want to make the old-school, meandering, slice-of-life sitcoms anymore - even though audiences obviously still crave those shows, since everyone is apparently just rewatching Friends or The Office or Community or whatever over and over again.

The problem won't be solved until the people making TV let more slice-of-life sitcoms be made again, and give them time to build momentum.

Jewronski t1_jdxyzra wrote on March 28, 2023 at 12:28 AM

The good place is amazing, and does many things I have never seen a sitcom pull off. Watch it!

jack3moto t1_jdyuzcx wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:47 AM

i'm not here to shit on the good place as I loved it but it lacks a lot of that rewatchability that other big hit sitcoms have. The plot moves forward and there are some filler episodes but I think the biggest reason why it's a shorter series than most is the S1 reveal kinda alters the entirety of the show. It no longer can be a mix of fillers moving the plot forward, after that reveal each episode MUST work towards advancing the plot. Solid show but I think reddit gives it way to much praise when comparing it to sitcoms that carry A LOT of weight either due to initial viewing magnitude or the amount of people/hours rewatching it.

BuzzedBlood t1_jdytku9 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:32 AM

The Good Place ends on a cliffhanger nearly every episode. Not only is it plot driven but it’s really quite enthralling. Highly recommend

nonameforme123 t1_jdz2xdy wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:21 AM

Silicon Valley and veep were also great plot driven sitcoms.

jl_theprofessor t1_jdy07ls wrote on March 28, 2023 at 12:37 AM

>The Office or Community

Throw in 30 Rock and you're describing my next six months, pal.

BurritoLover2016 t1_jdxie34 wrote on March 27, 2023 at 10:26 PM

Yeah and I think it's not that modern sitcoms have changed so much, it's that modern audiences have wildly different expectations of what a show is supposed to be.