1. History / Research Question (25 marks)
There has been a marked decline in the situation comedy genre since its heyday of the 1970s. Today there are very few comedy programmes that follow the traditional conventions of the situation comedy.
- Use the research that you have done on at least THREE sitcoms to explain what the traditional conventions of the television sitcom are – ONE of your chosen sitcoms must be from the UK, ONE from the US and the third may be from either.
- Demonstrate how you think the genre has diversified in the UK and the United States since the 1960s.
- You may wish to discuss how the leading television sitcoms on each side of the Atlantic have differed in terms of their central characters and themes.
2. Audience / Themes Question (25 marks)
What makes people laugh?
- Using your research into sitcoms, demonstrate how different types of humour have been used by television programme makers.
- Have the things that audiences laugh at changed over the years, in your opinion? Give examples from sitcoms that your have studied to explain your answer.
- Do you feel that a certain sort of humour appeals more to certain audiences? Do television programme makers attract certain target audiences with a particular type of humour? Explain your answer using examples.
3. Production Question #1 (25 marks)
Our planned new sitcom...
