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{{Short description|Broadcast genre; recurring cast comedy}}
{{Redirect|Situation comedy|the album|Situation Comedy (album) {{!}}''Situation Comedy'' (album)|the film|Sitcom (film){{!}}''Sitcom'' (film)}}
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[[File:Tennessee Ernie Ford Lucille Ball I Love Lucy.jpg|alt=Two characters sit at the table and chat with expressive faces, a common scene in sitcoms|thumb|A shot from the American television sitcom ''[[I Love Lucy]]'', often regarded as one of the most influential television programs in history]]
A '''sitcom''' (short for '''situation comedy''' or '''situational comedy''') is a [[genre]] of [[comedy]] produced for [[radio]] and [[television]], that centers on a recurring cast of [[character (arts)|character]]s as they navigate humorous situations within a consistent setting, such as a home, workplace, or community. Unlike [[sketch comedy]], which features different characters and settings in each [[Sketch comedy|skit]], sitcoms typically maintain plot continuity across episodes. This continuity allows for the development of storylines and characters over time, fostering audience engagement and investment in the characters' lives and relationships.
== History ==
{{Redirect|History of the sitcom|the CNN documentary series|History of the Sitcom{{!}}''History of the Sitcom''}}
{{See also|History of radio|Radio comedy|History of television|Television comedy}}
The structure and concept of a sitcom have roots in earlier forms of comedic theater, such as [[farce]]s and [[comedy of manners]]. These forms relied on [[running gag]]s to generate humor, but the term "sitcom" emerged as radio and TV adapted these principles into a new medium. The word was not commonly used until the 1950s.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=Mary M.|editor1-last= Dalton|editor2-first = Laura R. |editor2-last =Linder |title=Sitcom Reader, The: America Viewed and Skewed|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s8ARc_7-NtUC&pg=PA15|page=15|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-8263-6|date=2012}}</ref>
Early television sitcoms were often filmed in front of a [[studio audience|live studio audience]] using a [[multiple-camera setup]], the latter of which continues in some modern productions such as ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'' and ''[[Fuller House (TV series)|Fuller House]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-16 |title=The Big Bang Theory Tickets |url=http://the-big-bang-theory.com/tickets/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216210752/http://the-big-bang-theory.com/tickets/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-16 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=archive.ph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-06 |title=Free TV Studio Audience Tickets {{!}} tvtickets.com |url=http://tvtickets.com/fmi/shows/browserecord.php?&show=Fuller%20House |access-date=2024-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606021148/http://tvtickets.com/fmi/shows/browserecord.php?&show=Fuller%20House |archive-date=2017-06-06 }}</ref> Other formats make use of a [[laugh track]] or "canned laughter".
Since the 1990s, sitcoms have since expanded to [[animated sitcom]]s, with successful shows of the genre including ''[[The Simpsons]]'', ''[[King of the Hill]]'', and ''[[Family Guy]]''.
Critics have debated the exact definition of a sitcom, mostly regarding productions created at the turn of the 21st century. Many contemporary American sitcoms use a [[single-camera setup]] and do not feature a laugh track, instead more resembling documentaries or the [[dramedy|comedy-dramas]] of the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name=":0">[https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/evolution-sitcom-part-2/ "The Evolution Of The Sitcom: The Age of the Single Camera"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009214024/https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/evolution-sitcom-part-2/|date=2016-10-09}}. [[New York Film Academy]], September 24, 2014.</ref>
== By country ==
=== Australia ===
{{See also|Television in Australia|Television ratings in Australia}}
Although there have been few long-running Australian-made sitcoms, many American and British sitcoms have been successful in Australia, since sitcoms are considered a staple of the government broadcaster [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC). In the 1970s and 1980s many British sitcoms also screened on the [[Seven Network]]. By 1986, UK comedies ''[[Bless This House (UK TV series)|Bless This House]]'' and ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'' had been re-screened several times by [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC Television]]; they were then acquired and screened by the Seven Network.<ref name="19860602CollierShayneAgain">Collier, Shayne. Again and again and again. ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] – The Guide'': 2 June 1986, p.1, 6. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jPMjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3379%2C1018520] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121001935/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jPMjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3379%2C1018520|date=2015-11-21}}</ref>
In 1987, ''[[Mother and Son]]'' won the Television Drama Award for portraying a woman suffering from senile dementia and her interaction with her family, presented by the [[Australian Human Rights Commission]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/1987-human-rights-medal-and-awards-winners |title=1987 Human Rights Medal and awards winners |work=Human Rights Medal and Awards |publisher=[[Australian Human Rights Commission]] |year=1987 |access-date=2017-11-28 |archive-date=2017-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034813/https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/1987-human-rights-medal-and-awards-winners |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
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In 2007, ''[[Kath & Kim]]''{{'}}s first episode of series 4 attracted an Australian audience of 2.521 million nationally.<ref name="SDRR">{{Cite news |author=Seven Network | title = Seven – Daily Ratings Report | publisher = ebroadcast.com.au | date = 20 August 2007 | url = http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/tv-ratings-200807.html | access-date = 20 August 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520052826/http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/tv-ratings-200807.html | archive-date=20 May 2009}}</ref> This was the highest rating for a first episode in the history of Australian television,<ref name="SDRR" /> until the series premiere of ''[[Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities]]'' in 2009, which garnered 2.58 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/02/258m-underbelly-sets-new-record.html|title=2.58m: Underbelly sets new record|work=TV Tonight|date=2009-02-10|first=David|last=Knox|access-date=2015-10-02|archive-date=2009-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520131754/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/02/258m-underbelly-sets-new-record.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2013, ''[[Please Like Me]]'' received an invitation to screen at the [[Series Mania]] Television Festival in Paris,<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Please Like Me, Puberty Blues selected for French TV festival|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/02/please-like-me-puberty-blues-selected-for-french-tv-festival.html|work=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=31 March 2013|date=22 February 2013|archive-date=14 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414190723/https://tvtonight.com.au/2013/02/please-like-me-puberty-blues-selected-for-french-tv-festival.html|url-status=live}}</ref> was praised by critics,<ref>{{cite web |title=Please Like Me |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/please_like_me |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=1 October 2019 |archive-date=6 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506200526/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/please_like_me |url-status=live }}</ref> and earned numerous awards and nominations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Please Like Me - Awards |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2155025/awards |website=IMDb |access-date=1 October 2019 |archive-date=8 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908225616/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2155025/awards |url-status=live }}</ref>
Also in 2013, ''[[At Home with Julia]]'' was criticized by several [[Social commentary|social commentators]] as inappropriately disrespectful to the office of the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web |last=Craven |first=Peter |title=At Home With Julia: inane drivel of the most idiotic kind |url=http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2877228.html |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=6 July 2015 |date=8 Sep 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112090121/http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2877228.html |archive-date=2014-01-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The show nevertheless proved very popular with both television audiences and critics, becoming the most-watched Australian scripted comedy series of 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/packed-to-the-rafters-and-underbelly-are-2011s-top-local-dramas-72313|title=Packed to the Rafters and Underbelly are 2011's top local dramas – Mumbrella|date=2011-11-28|newspaper=Mumbrella|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-01|archive-date=2017-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903025248/https://mumbrella.com.au/packed-to-the-rafters-and-underbelly-are-2011s-top-local-dramas-72313|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |title=Critics' Choice: The Best of 2011 |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/12/critics-choice-the-best-of-2011.html |website=TV Tonight |access-date=6 July 2015 |date=Dec 1, 2011 |archive-date=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706233927/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/12/critics-choice-the-best-of-2011.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was nominated at the 2012 [[AACTA|Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts]] Awards for Best Television Comedy Series.<ref name="nominees">{{cite web |title=Inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards Nominees |url=http://aacta.org/media/161534/awards%20docs_all_network.pdf |website=[[Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20151031152014/http://aacta.org/media/161534/awards%20docs_all_network.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-31 }}</ref>
=== Canada ===
{{See also|Canadian humour|Television in Canada}}
Although there have been several notable exceptions, relatively few Canadian sitcoms attained notable success in Canada or internationally.<ref name=brioux>[http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/why-do-canadian-sitcoms-suck "Why do Canadian sitcoms suck?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116182638/http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/why-do-canadian-sitcoms-suck |date=2017-01-16 }}. ''[[canada.com]]'', March 21, 2014.</ref> Canadian television has had much greater success with [[sketch comedy]] and [[dramedy]] series.<ref name=brioux />
The popular show ''[[King of Kensington]]'' aired from 1975 to 1980, at its peak garnering an average of 1.5 to 1.8 million viewers weekly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ajc0AAAAIBAJ&pg=1052,1749516&dq=fiona-reid&hl=en|title=King to be bachelor|work=Ottawa Citizen|date=1978-01-25|access-date=9 April 2011|archive-date=2022-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319084032/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ajc0AAAAIBAJ&pg=1052,1749516&dq=fiona-reid&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
The 1999 movie ''[[Trailer Park Boys]]'' was followed up by a television series of the same name that ran from 2001 to 2018, airing in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.
''[[Corner Gas]]'', which ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009, became an instant hit, averaging one million viewers per episode.<ref name="CTV Inc">{{cite press release|title=Strong numbers mean replay of ''Corner Gas'' debut |publisher=CTV Inc. |date=2004-01-23 |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20040123/corner_gas_040123?s_name=&no_ads= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025040142/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20040123/corner_gas_040123?s_name=&no_ads= |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-25 |access-date=2007-01-08 }}</ref> It has been the recipient of six [[Gemini Award]]s and has been nominated almost 70 times for various awards.<ref name="CTV Globemedia">{{cite web|title='Corner Gas' gives thanks with premiere on Monday, Oct. 13 |publisher=CTV Globemedia |year=2008 |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20080922/gas_premiere_080922 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930141954/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20080922/gas_premiere_080922 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-09-30 |access-date=2008-09-30 }}</ref>
Other noteworthy recent sitcoms have included: ''[[Call Me Fitz]]'', ''[[Schitt's Creek]]'',<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/the-success-of-schitts-creek-marks-a-turning-point-for-the-cbc/article33554323/ "The success of Schitt's Creek marks a turning point for the CBC"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407041709/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/the-success-of-schitts-creek-marks-a-turning-point-for-the-cbc/article33554323/ |date=2017-04-07 }}. ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', January 9, 2017.</ref> ''[[Letterkenny (TV series)|Letterkenny]]'', and ''[[Kim's Convenience]]'',<ref>[http://mediaincanada.com/2016/12/21/cbc-orders-more-kims-convenience/ "CBC orders more Kim's Convenience"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113095519/http://mediaincanada.com/2016/12/21/cbc-orders-more-kims-convenience/ |date=2017-01-13 }}. ''Media in Canada'', December 21, 2016.</ref> all of which have been winners of the [[Canadian Screen Award]] for [[Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award for Best Comedy Series|Best Comedy Series]].
In 2020, the sixth and final season of ''Schitt's Creek'' was nominated for 15 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2020 |title='Schitt's Creek's' Final Season Takes Emmys Victory Lap |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/awards/schitts-creek-emmys-nominations-final-season-1234716177/ |access-date=July 29, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728200954/https://variety.com/2020/tv/awards/schitts-creek-emmys-nominations-final-season-1234716177/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 21, 2020 |title=Emmy Awards 2020: Schitt's Creek and Succession win big |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54230150 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111070703/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54230150 |url-status=live }}</ref> This broke the record for the most Emmy nominations given to a comedy series in its final season.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Schitt's Creek' Breaks Record for Most Emmy Nominations Given to a Comedy in Its Final Season |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/schitt-creek-breaks-record-most-171402393.html |access-date=July 29, 2020 |website=www.yahoo.com |date=July 28, 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729001343/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/schitt-creek-breaks-record-most-171402393.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[72nd Primetime Emmy Awards]], the show became the first ever comedy or drama series to sweep the four acting categories ([[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actor]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actress]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress]] for [[Eugene Levy]], [[Catherine O'Hara]], [[Dan Levy (Canadian actor)|Dan Levy]], and [[Annie Murphy]] respectively) and one of only four live action shows, along with ''[[All in the Family]]'', ''[[The Golden Girls]]'', and ''[[Will & Grace]]'' where all the principal actors have won at least one Emmy Award.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dellatto |first=Marisa |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Why the 'Schitt's Creek' Emmys 2020 wins are so historic |publisher=[[New York Post]] |url=https://nypost.com/2020/09/20/why-the-schitts-creek-emmys-2020-wins-are-historic/ |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921024933/https://nypost.com/2020/09/20/why-the-schitts-creek-emmys-2020-wins-are-historic/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== India ===
{{See also|Television in India}}
Sitcoms started appearing on [[Television in India|Indian television]] in the 1980s, with serials like ''[[Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi]]'' (1984), [[Nukkad]] (1986), and ''[[Wagle Ki Duniya]]'' (1988) on the state-run [[Doordarshan]] channel. Gradually, as private channels were permitted to operate, many more sitcoms followed. In the 1990s these included: ''[[Dekh Bhai Dekh]]'' (1993), ''[[Zabaan Sambhalke]]'' (1993), ''[[Shrimaan Shrimati (TV series)|Shrimaan Shrimati]]'' (1995), ''[[Office Office]]'' (2001), Ramani Vs Ramani (Tamil 2001), ''[[Amrutham (TV series)|Amrutham]]'' (Telugu 2001–2007), ''[[Khichdi (2002 TV series)|Khichdi]]'' (2002), ''[[Sarabhai vs Sarabhai]]'' (2005) ''[[F.I.R. (TV series)|F.I.R.]]'' (2006–2015), {{Lang|hi-latn|[[Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah]]}} (2008–present), ''[[Uppum Mulakum]]'' (Malayalam 2015–present), and ''[[Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain]]'' (2015–present).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Tarak-Mehta-completes-700-episodes/articleshow/10216386.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000355/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-03/tv/30238205_1_audience-pleasant-surprise-screen|url-status=live|archive-date=2013-12-31|title='Taarak Mehta' completes 700 episodes|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2011-10-13|author=Patel, Nidhin}}</ref> [[SAB TV]] is one of the leading channels in India, dedicated entirely to Sitcoms.
[[Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah]] is the longest-running sitcom of Indian television and is also known as the flagship show of [[SAB TV]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.televisionpost.com/tmkoc-the-journey-of-indias-longest-running-tv-show/ |url-status=dead |title=TMKOC: The journey of India's longest running TV show |work=Television Post |last=Panjari |first=Swagata |date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622132151/https://www.televisionpost.com/tmkoc-the-journey-of-indias-longest-running-tv-show/ |archive-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref>
=== Iran ===
{{See also|Television in Iran}}
''[[On Tiptoes]]'' and ''[[Shabhaye Barareh]]'' were among the first and most important sitcoms that led to the growth of this type of comedy in Iran, both receiving wide critical and audience acclaim.
=== Mexico ===
{{See also|Television in Mexico}}
''[[El Chavo del Ocho]]'', which ran from 1971 to 1980, was the most-watched show on Mexican television and had a Latin-American audience of 350 million viewers per episode at its popularity peak during the mid-1970s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com.mx/adios-al-chavo-del-8-murio-roberto-gomez-bolanos/ |title=Adiós al Chavo del 8: murió Roberto Gómez Bolaños |work=Forbes Mexico |access-date=November 29, 2014 |date=2014-11-29 |archive-date=2014-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205212842/http://www.forbes.com.mx/adios-al-chavo-del-8-murio-roberto-gomez-bolanos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The show continues to be popular in [[Central America]] as well as in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, the United States, and other countries. [[Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] episodes average 91 million daily viewers in all its American markets. Since it ceased production in 1992,<ref name="chavo">{{cite web|url=http://chespirito.com/|title=El Chavo del 8 – Historia|work=Chespirito|language=es|access-date=January 31, 2011|archive-date=February 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202170700/http://chespirito.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forbes">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andersonantunes/2012/02/01/meet-el-chavo-the-worlds-most-famous-and-richest-orphan/ |title=Meet El Chavo, The World's Most Famous (And Richest) Orphan |magazine=[[Forbes]] |access-date=November 29, 2014 |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209195814/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andersonantunes/2012/02/01/meet-el-chavo-the-worlds-most-famous-and-richest-orphan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the show has earned an estimated $1 billion in syndication fees alone for [[Televisa]].<ref name="Forbes" />
=== New Zealand ===
{{See also|Television in New Zealand|List of New Zealand television series}}
''[[Gliding On]]'', a popular sitcom in New Zealand in the early 1980s, won multiple awards during its run including Best Comedy, Best Drama and Best Direction at the [[New Zealand film and television awards|Feltex Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger Hall Piece about Gliding On|url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/gliding-on-1981/background|publisher=[[NZ On Screen]]|access-date=24 November 2014|archive-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812070733/http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/gliding-on-1981/background|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Russia ===
{{See also|Television in Russia|Media of Russia}}
The first [[Russia]]n sitcom series was "Strawberry", which resembled "Duty Pharmacy" in a Spanish format. It was aired from 1996 to 1997 on the [[Rossiya 1|RTR]] channel. The "boom" of Russian sitcoms began only in the 2000s, when in 2004, the [[STS (TV channel)|STS]] started the highly successful sitcom "[[My Fair Nanny (Russian TV series)|My Fair Nanny]]" (an adaptation of the American sitcom "[[The Nanny]]"). Since that time, sitcoms in Russia have been produced by the two largest entertainment channels in the country — [[STS (TV channel)|STS]] and [[TNT (Russian TV channel)|TNT]]. In 2007, the STS released the first original domestic sitcom — "[[Daddy's Daughters]]" (there were only adaptations before), and in 2010, TNT released "[[Interns (TV series)|Interns]]" — the first sitcom, filmed as a comedy (unlike dominated "conveyor" sitcoms).
=== South Korea ===
{{See also|Television in South Korea|Korean humor}}Sitcoms, or "시트콤" in Korean, gained significant popularity in South Korea during the 1990s. This popularity was fueled by the success of shows like ''Dr. Oh's People'', ''LA Arirang'', and ''Men and Women''.
The use of [[computer graphics]] (CG) in sitcoms began to increase in the late 1990s as more broadcasters adopted CG technology. This led to more visually dynamic and creative sitcoms.
However, viewer preferences shifted towards dramas and thrillers in the 2010s, resulting in a decline in sitcom popularity. Nevertheless, there have been recent efforts to revive the sitcom genre. For instance, [[Netflix]] released ''[[So Not Worth It]]'' in 2021, featuring many creators from popular South Korean sitcoms.
Popular South Korean sitcoms include the ''[[High Kick!|High Kick]]'' series, which has spawned several spin-offs.
=== United Kingdom ===
{{Main|British sitcom}}
{{See also|Television in the United Kingdom}}
[[British sitcom]]s, like their American counterparts, often revolve around a core group of characters who interact in a recurring setting, such as a family, workplace, or institution. However, British sitcoms typically consist of shorter series, often six episodes, and are frequently developed by a smaller writing team.
The majority of [[British sitcom]]s are half-hour comedies recorded in studio settings using a multiple-camera setup. While many adhere to traditional sitcom conventions, some have ventured into more unconventional territory. For example, ''Blackadder'' and ''Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister'' shifted the focus from domestic or workplace settings to the world of politics.
A more recent development in British comedy is the [[mockumentary]], a style that blends documentary and comedic elements. Shows like [[The Office (American TV series)|''The Office'']], ''[[Come Fly with Me (2010 TV series)|Come Fly with Me]]'', ''[[W1A (TV series)|W1A]]'', ''[[People Just Do Nothing]]'', and ''[[This Country]]'' have successfully employed this format to explore a variety of topics and characters.
=== United States ===
{{Main|Sitcoms in the United States}}
Sitcoms, or situation comedies, made their debut in the United States in 1926 with the radio show ''[[Sam 'n' Henry]]''. The subsequent success of ''[[Amos 'n' Andy]]'', also created by [[Freeman Gosden]] and [[Charles Correll]], solidified the sitcom's place in American radio programming.
The transition to television brought about significant changes in the sitcom format. ''[[Mary Kay and Johnny]]'', which premiered in 1947, became the first American television sitcom. Today, American sitcoms typically run for 22 minutes, allowing for approximately eight minutes of advertising within a 30-minute time slot.
Throughout their history, American sitcoms have often drawn inspiration from British counterparts. Popular shows like ''[[All in the Family]]'', ''[[Three's Company]]'', and ''[[Sanford and Son]]'' were adapted from successful British series. More recently, ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'' achieved significant popularity in the [[United States]], following the success of its British counterpart.
Numerous television networks in the [[United States]] feature sitcoms in their programming. [[CBS]], [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]], [[Nickelodeon]], and [[Disney Channel]] are just a few examples of networks that air sitcoms.
== See also ==
{{Portal|Television|Radio|Comedy}}
* [[Animated sitcom]]
* [[Black sitcom]]
* [[List of situation comedies|List of sitcoms]]
* [[Sitcoms in the United States]]
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== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== Further reading ==
* Asplin, Richard (2004). ''Gagged (A Thriller with Jokes)''. Arrow books. {{ISBN|0-09-941685-9}}. A contemporary comic thriller set in London and Los Angeles that covers the financing, production, creation, ratings, and marketing of a modern American network half-hour situation comedy.
* {{cite book|author=Mary M. Dalton|title=Sitcom Reader, The: America Viewed and Skewed|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s8ARc_7-NtUC|date=1 February 2012|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-8263-6}}
* Lewisohn, Mark (2003) ''Radio Times' Guide to TV Comedy''. 2nd Ed. Revised – BBC Consumer Publishing. {{ISBN|0-563-48755-0}}, Provides details of every comedy show ever seen on British television, including imports.
* {{cite book|author=Brett Mills|title=Television Sitcom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L8lkAAAAMAAJ|date=12 January 2006|publisher=British Film Institute|isbn=978-1-84457-087-4}}
* {{cite book|author=Brett Mills|title=The Sitcom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7HmFmw6OBSMC|year=2009|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|isbn=978-0-7486-3752-2}}
* {{cite book|author=Joanne Morreale|title=Critiquing the Sitcom: A Reader|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yH1upjtj4OYC|year=2003|publisher=Syracuse University Press|isbn=978-0-8156-2983-2}}
* {{cite book|author=Antonio Savorelli|title=Beyond Sitcom: New Directions in American Television Comedy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ULavmB3bt0YC|date=13 April 2010|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5992-6}}
* Starman, Ray (2014). ''The Sitcom Class Wars: 20th Century''. Troy, NY: The Troy Bookmakers. History and analysis of 60 classic American sitcoms. Also includes a glossary for easy access. Photos for every program.
== External links ==
* [http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/tvcomedy.html Situation Comedy Bibliography] (via UC Berkeley)—mostly US programs
* [http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ Sitcoms Online]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050404031803/http://www.sitcom.co.uk/ British Comedy Guide] (archived 4 April 2005)
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[[Category:Sitcoms| ]]
[[Category:Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television genres]]
[[Category:Television terminology]]