The Sitcom

Brett Mills

Published by Edinburgh University Press 2009

The Sitcom

Brett Mills

In the series TV Genres

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474471039

Overview
Contents

About this book

Even though sitcom has been a consistent staple of broadcasting the world over, rigorous academic work on it as a genre remains limited. This book examines sitcom as an industry in terms of production, audiences and texts, drawing on a range of examples and case studies in order to examine the genre's characteristics, social position, and pleasures. In highlighting this long-lasting and popular form of television, it offers insights into genre theory and explores how the comic aim of sitcom forms a central characteristic of the genre.

Brett Mills takes a global view of sitcom, examining international examples as well as those produced by the more dominant British and American broadcasting industries, in order to explore the relationships between sitcom, nation, and identity. Sitcoms considered include Extras, My Family, Curb Your Enthusiasm, One Foot in the Grave, Peep Show, Summer Heights High, Popetown, and Friends.

Key Features

Draws on original research into the television industry, incorporating interviews with sitcom writers, directors and producers
Includes research on audience responses to sitcom, with reference to offence, pleasure, and social change
Offers detailed textual analyses of a range of programmes, drawing on Humour Theory to explore the ways in which jokes and comic moments work
Outlines the future for sitcom, considering new media developments and the changing relationships between broadcasters and audiences

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Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	vi
1 Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2 Genre Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	24
3 Industry Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	50
4 Programmes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	75
5 Audiences Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	100
6 The Future Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	124
Appendix Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	147
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	151
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	173

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 194
Keywords: Film, Media & Cultural Studies

eBook

Published: September 9, 2009
ISBN: 9781474471039