Single-Camera TV Comedies

[ClassyCo]

I must admit, it took me a while to get into the documentary-style sitcoms. I had fed myself a healthy dose of sitcoms like I LOVE LUCY and THE GOLDEN GIRLS, both filmed before studio audiences, and GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, which used a laugh track.

My wife and her siblings introduced me to the American version of THE OFFICE. It took sometime for the show to grow on me, but it eventually did. It's a very funny and well-written show, even if it does go a little off the rails once Steve Carrell leaves in Season 7.

Since then, I've binged SUPERSTORE and I'm binging MODERN FAMILY now. I've seen multiple episodes of COMMUNITY, and I've tried to watch PARKS AND RECREATION and 30 ROCK. My wife and her brother are big fans of BROOKLYN NINE-NINE.

Are there any fans out there of these types of shows? They've become more popular in the last several years, especially as the laugh track and "filmed before a live studio audience" tropes have declined in their relevance.

If you venture into any of these shows, I urge you to give them all a worthy chance. Don't count it out after one episode -- or even the first five or ten -- but give it a little time to grow on you. Like me, you might just find yourself surprised that you like a new kind of TV comedy.

 

[Carrie Fairchild]

The UK version of The Office is usually cited as the show that kicked off the mockumentary sitcom trend but there was another BBC show that predated The Office called Operation Good Guys. It was a comedy about the inept staff of an English police unit. Some of it could be quite surreal (they often ended up performing song and dance routines) but I loved it for its curious 90’s comedy style. Jude Law and Jonny Lee Moller even popped up in cameo roles.

I also loved Australian mockumentary Summer Heights High. I’m sure there’s a lot of it’s content that wouldn’t fly on TV today but some of its characters were hilarious like Mr G, the authoritarian drama teacher.

In terms of US shows, Lisa Kudrow’s The Comeback is my favourite. It’s so painful to watch at times but it’s so good. I was delighted when they revived it for the second and final season.

 

[ClassyCo]

Television comedy is moving more towards single-camera (not always "documentary-style") setups. Years ago, it was mandatory for shows to have laughter -- whether by a live audience or via a laugh track -- to be branded a comedy.

Those days are gone. Television has evolved over time, and the laugh-less form of comedy has become more of the norm.

Will the laugh track or live studio audience ever make a comeback?

 

[DallasFanForever]

Will the laugh track or live studio audience ever make a comeback?

Interesting question! I do miss the laugh track or a live audience in comedies. I think when some of those classic sitcoms (AITF, Jeffersons, Good Times, etc.) were redone a couple of years back it showed just what a live audience can do for a show. The energy was amazing! You can’t get that with the modern shows, although I’ve become used to this style now. The more tongue-in-cheek humor without the background laughter is fine. I just think of it as being more like a movie now than I’m watching a TV show, that’s all.

 

[ClassyCo]

I can add NEW GIRL to the list of documentary-style shows that I have seen. I haven't seen all of it -- by a long shot -- but I've watched a good bit of it. I've watched more of BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, too.

 

[TaranofPrydain]

I'm not really a fan of the style. The current Abbott Elementary might be the only one I liked that used it.....

 

[ClassyCo]

I'm not really a fan of the style. The current Abbott Elementary might be the only one I liked that used it.....

It certainly isn't for everyone. It took me a while to adjust, but not all of them in the documentary-style "click" with me.

 

[ClassyCo]

Abbott Elementary

I've been watching this on Hulu. It's pretty good so far. It has a strong cast and the humor has been consistent. The only thing I'm not clinging to so far is the episodes just seem to be random. I'm used to ongoing plot threads on the likes of THE OFFICE and MODERN FAMILY.

 

[9unfold]

I'm starting to get into Modern Family.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I'm starting to get into Modern Family.

I used to like it a lot. Eric Stonestreet had the funniest character on the show IMO. I stopped watching when some of the cast members became so politically outspoken.

 

[Biggie]

the laugh track or a live audience in comedies

I'd tend to agree, the laughter track can support and enhance the comedy. That said, well written and executed sit-coms don't need the laugh track to underpin, Superstore springs to mind.

As for documentary style sit-coms, Modern Family, as mentioned above, has recently piqued my interest. it's good and Sofia Vergara's work is first rate. Unfortunately the channel broadcasting Modern Family isn't showing the episodes in a linear fashion. One episode Lily is an infant, next episode she's 6. Back to back episodes.

Another excellent doc-style sit-com is People Just Do Nothing. All about the life and times of a group for friend with big ideas.

 

[ClassyCo]

I'm starting to get into Modern Family.

I binged this heavy up through Season 6. It was a consistently funny show. One of my favorite episodes is the Season 1 finale "Family Portrait" where Claire makes everyone wear solid white for a group picture.

Modern Family

The complete series is available on Hulu, but that requires at least a basic subscription. You may not want to do that, and that's understandable. Prices for such things continue to rise.

Superstore

At its zenith, SUPERSTORE may very well be the funniest of the breed. Now, it wasn't the most consistent in terms of quality (at least not for me), but its high points hit the mark hard.

 

[Biggie]

At its zenith, SUPERSTORE may very well be the funniest of the breed

I gotta 'fess up that initially I was not really paying Superstore much attention, slowly I started to get into it. When ITV2 started to show the series from the beginning I decided to Sky+ and watch in a linear fashion. I was quickly drawn in. The Amy and Johan developing their relationship was very engaging. The final episode was beautifully executed. Great show. America Ferrera was excellent.

 

[ClassyCo]

I gotta 'fess up that initially I was not really paying Superstore much attention, slowly I started to get into it. When ITV2 started to show the series from the beginning I decided to Sky+ and watch in a linear fashion. I was quickly drawn in. The Amy and Johan developing their relationship was very engaging. The final episode was beautifully executed. Great show. America Ferrera was excellent.

My wife was the one who introduced me to SUPERSTORE. I had become such an avid fan of THE OFFICE at the time that I hadn't any interest inviting another documentary-style sitcom into my life.

I binged it, though, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It had a lot of high points, but some deep valleys, too.

 

[ClassyCo]

So, because ABBOTT ELEMENTARY is still new, I can't binge it like I want to. I'm watching it on Hulu, but I'm up to where they are currently. I just watched the "Mother's Day" episode which aired in real time last Wednesday.

In the meantime, I am anticipating watching PARKS AND RECREATION, or maybe BROOKLYN NINE-NINE. Probably the former or the latter. I've also thought about watching AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, but we shall see.

I started watching PARKS AND RECREATION this morning. Just two episodes in, but this looks promising.

 

[ClassyCo]

I'm into the fifth season of PARKS AND RECREATION. It has been an enjoyable ride so far, although it took sometime to find its footing and really come into its own. I will write more about it once I'm done. I've got around two-and-a-half seasons left.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

The complete series is available on Hulu, but that requires at least a basic subscription. You may not want to do that, and that's understandable. Prices for such things continue to rise.


At its zenith, SUPERSTORE may very well be the funniest of the breed. Now, it wasn't the most consistent in terms of quality (at least not for me), but its high points hit the mark hard.

I liked Superstore - very underrated

 

[ClassyCo]

I liked Superstore - very underrated

SUPERSTORE really is quite funny. At its best, the show was really a prime example of modern, single-camera humor. But it has some low points that are really quite low.

 

[ClassyCo]

I've started season six of PARKS AND RECREATION. I'm about six or seven episodes into the season. While I'm still enjoying the show, you can tell the flower is wilting. Chris Pratt (whose movie career took over while on the show) is making less frequent appearances, and I assume both Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe are about to make their exit. I'm unsure how the show will flow in their absence -- which, to be fair, their characters (Ann & Chris), aren't necessary to the show anyway. They've both missed a few shows.

I've got season six and seven to finish, plus the 2020 special. I'm curious to see how everything's going to get better wrapped up, but I'm worried I'll be disappointed.

 

[Biggie]

Rashida Jones

Parks And Recreation never managed to keep my interest, after giving it a fair shake. But Rashida Jones was outstanding as Angie Tribeca. Unfortunately after the 1st series aired on TV it was pulled.

A while ago BBC delivered an excellent documentary style sitcom. Charting the ups and downs of (fictional musician) Brian Pern.

It's the BBC at its best.