Do all sitcoms suck or is it just me?

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Other than a little bit of Seinfield (and South Park if you count that), I can't stand sitcoms. Here are some of my main gripes with the whole genre.

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1. The humor in sitcoms focuses on obnoxiousness rather than real wit or creativity. Basically you're not laughing with the characters, you're laughing at them (if you're laughing at all and not just thinking to yourself "um... what the f-"? was that?).

I could set though an entire episode of Friends or the Gang Bang Theory without laughing once; on the flip side I've laughed more at scenes in films like Pulp Fiction or the Wolf of Wall Street, which aren't even in the comedy genre.

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2. The shows typically feature very weak, wussy male characters (paired up with much stronger and more competent female characters), and often this the case with the romantic couples as well.

Nothing's grosser to me than Ross and Rachael as a couple in Friends, the guy makes Ray Barone look like Vin Diesel in comparison - it's like she's dating her teenage son, or like if Queen Padme and Jar-Jar Binks had become a couple in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. *vomits*

Interestingly this is similar to a theme a lot of cheap porno films have (not that I'd know I'm just sayin' - lol ). You might have a dorky, overweight pizza guy having attractive women fighting over who gets to sleep with him - so I think part of it's trying to appeal to a fantasy that some men with lower self-esteem have (that they can act like a total putz and still magically have hot women lining up to do them). And if this is the male demographic that these shows are catered to, then that's even more reason for me not to watch them.

3. Laugh tracks - I don't need a bunch of scripted laughs "telling me where the funny is". If a show's genuinely funny then why do i need to be told that I"m supposed to laugh? Shouldn't I already be laughing? It seems like a cheap trick if you ask me. If you have some spare time, search for "Friends with no laugh track" or "Everybody Loves Raymond" with no laugh track and tell me what you think.

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Not to be a snob but I really feel that the sitcom genre as a whole (at least circa 90s and ownward) is really the bottom of the barrel as far as comedy goes. Good comedy to me is a good stand-up routine, or even a non-comedy film which features funny actors. Not some old man yelling "Holy Crap!" in every episode accompanied by a laugh track telling you it's supposed to be funny (since you wouldn't even know otherwise).



There are good and bad sitcoms - just like everything else. You're either generalising or have a very small sample size, but I think there are definitely sitcoms with genuine wit, comedic creativity and great performances. 3rd Rock from the Sun comes to mind as an example that I think really embraces the inherent broad goofiness of the genre and mixes in all three aforementioned elements.

and I've always found the laugh track argument to be flawed. If you're sat in an audience at a stand-up gig, do you feel like you're being told when to laugh? Because that's the atmosphere laugh track sitcoms try to emulate, like you're watching the show with an audience. You obviously don't have to like any of it; comedy is probably the most subjective medium, but the laugh-track (much better when it's the "filmed in front of a live studio audience" kind, I'll admit) is just part of the sitcom experience.



Worth noting that when people say "sitcom" they think of the older format, with all the things you mention, like laugh tracks and multi-camera setups. But technically even shows that have neither, like 30 Rock or Community, are sitcoms. So I suppose it depends on whether or not you're using the word in its literal sense, or with a Full House-y connotation.



Registered User
and I've always found the laugh track argument to be flawed. If you're sat in an audience at a stand-up gig, do you feel like you're being told when to laugh?
If I'm not mistaken, laugh tracks are pre-recorded, not live, real laughter. And even if a show claims "it's filmed in front of a live audience" I wouldn't totally buy that - lust like if a reality show or tabloid talk show like Jerry Springer claims "it's all real" (what this really means is that the guests are not paid actors; it doesn't mean that any of their stories are real and verifiable, or that they aren't encouraged to act crazy for the camera).

It's really a marketing tactic more than anything else.



...I think there are definitely sitcoms with genuine wit, comedic creativity and great performances. 3rd Rock from the Sun comes to mind as an example that I think really embraces the inherent broad goofiness of the genre and mixes in all three aforementioned elements.
Amen to that! I'm watching season 4 of 3rd Rock from the Sun. Damn funny show. I almost never laugh out loud at a comic movie but I laugh all the time at 3rd Rock from the Sun.

I know for fact that the show is filmed in front of a live studio audience. Those laughs are real and in response to the actors as they perform. Just like in live theater.

So to answer your question 90sAce, Do all sitcoms suck or is it just me?...It's you.



If I'm not mistaken, laugh tracks are pre-recorded, not live, real laughter.
Not always. There are lots of sitcoms that have used live audience reactions, though they'll sometimes "sweeten" it with pre-recorded laughter.



Registered User
Worth noting that when people say "sitcom" they think of the older format, with all the things you mention, like laugh tracks and multi-camera setups. But technically even shows that have neither, like 30 Rock or Community, are sitcoms. So I suppose it depends on whether or not you're using the word in its literal sense, or with a Full House-y connotation.
I was definitely thinking of the older format; some of the more modern-styled sitcoms like Parks and Recreation aren't as bad. I haven't seen much of 30 Rock but I might give it a watch



Registered User
Amen to that! I'm watching season 4 of 3rd Rock from the Sun. Damn funny show. I almost never laugh out loud at a comic movie but I laugh all the time at 3rd Rock from the Sun.

I know for fact that the show is filmed in front of a live studio audience. Those laughs are real and in response to the actors as they perform. Just like in live theater.

So to answer your question 90sAce, Do all sitcoms suck or is it just me?...It's you.
Probably is - though I'm open to trying new things. Anyone have any sitcom recommendations? Preferably ones which don't focus excessively in weak, idiotic male leads who still manage to bed women who are out far of their league?

Ones with more competent male leads (who still manage to not be taken seriously) are my preference (Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation comes to mind, even though he's pretty much a living parody).



Chappie doesn't like the real world
Not always. There are lots of sitcoms that have used live audience reactions, though they'll sometimes "sweeten" it with pre-recorded laughter.
Yeah, I was just going to say that. I learned a ton about laugh tracks because of the tv list. It's actually more interesting to read about than you would think.

Sitcoms are comfort tv for me, but I'm really fond of quite a few.

I've seen far too many real-life examples to find the Ross and Rachel relationship unrealistic. Besides, even if it is, when did sitcoms every mirror reality? I wouldn't even want them to.



2022 Mofo Fantasy Football Champ
TV Shows don't have as big of followings as films do IMO. I don't watch TV for anything other than relaxing and enjoyment, or as something to have on in the background while doing something else. Hence why I'm not much into serious TV and actually am a fan of a chunk of sitcoms.

That being said, I can see why they may not be appealing to someone, but I wouldn't say they are useless or crap because of that. I don't like serious TV shows, but I can't discount how well made they may or may not be without giving it a real chance.



Registered User
Yeah, I was just going to say that. I learned a ton about laugh tracks because of the tv list. It's actually more interesting to read about than you would think.

Sitcoms are comfort tv for me, but I'm really fond of quite a few.

I've seen far too many real-life examples to find the Ross and Rachel relationship unrealistic. Besides, even if it is, when did sitcoms every mirror reality? I wouldn't even want them to.
I'm sure that dysfunctional relationships of that nature do exist in real life - on the same note I dislike the way many sitcoms try to gloss it over and portray it as "a norm" or something that'll work out in the end because "they really love each other". I also don't see what entertainment it would provide unless someone too closely identified with one or the other character in the relationship (and if they do, that's a scary thought).

On the same note I think the likelihood of a guy like Ross dating Jennifer Aniston is about the same as Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, and Fabio getting into a 3-way brawl over who gets to marry Allen's girlfriend in The Hangover Part 3.

Or about the same as Borat marrying Pamela Anderson for that matter.



No they don't all suck, but what you're describing - the pathetic man and the strong woman is one that's run though entertainment in the past several decades. You can see it in tv advertising too.

The added recorded laughter soundtrack is really annoying too . It's badly done if it comes in the way of your enjoyment of the show, but there's plenty of old sitcoms where you don't really notice it.

I'm only talking UK shows now cos that's where I live but the best ones aren't belly laughs nastily poking fun at people, but they're gentle humour which is much more like everyday life. After all sometimes you hear the funniest conversations just listening to other people on the bus!

Only Fools and Horses, Father Ted, Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, Porridge, The Good Life, The Young Ones, The Royle Family , The Trip And any of the Alan Partridge series



Chappie doesn't like the real world
I'm sure that dysfunctional relationships of that nature do exist in real life - on the same note I dislike the way many sitcoms try to gloss it over and portray it as "a norm" or something that'll work out in the end because "they really love each other". I also don't see what entertainment it would provide unless someone too closely identified with one or the other character in the relationship (and if they do, that's a scary thought).

On the same note I think the likelihood of a guy like Ross dating Jennifer Aniston is about the same as Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, and Fabio getting into a 3-way brawl over who gets to marry Allen's girlfriend in The Hangover Part 3.

Or about the same as Borat marrying Pamela Anderson for that matter.
A Hangover reference is lost on me, but just about every woman I know would date David Schwimmer before they would date Fabio.

It may not be the norm for a pretty girl to date the smart guy or the funny guy, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen all the time. It certainly happens enough that Ross and Rachel hooking up shouldn't render Friends completely unwatchable because of the implausibility of it all.

I heard the same criticism of Penny and Leonard and the actors portraying them really dated for quite awhile.



Registered User
A Hangover reference is lost on me, but just about every woman I know would date David Schwimmer before they would date Fabio.
I said Ross, not David Schwimmer

It may not be the norm for a pretty girl to date the smart guy or the funny guy,
What makes you say that? How many drunk, unemployed deadbeats with no GED do you think are dating wealthy female lawyers or swimsuit models?

And the #1 thing that women say they look for in a man is a sense of humor. (Ross though in the show isn't "funny" like a good stand up comedian - he's funny like a clown or someone you laugh at vs with so that's a different thing.)

Again it's not just a "pretty" factor either - it's personality clash. She might as well be his mom not his girlfriend based on how pitiful that guy acts in the show.

but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen all the time. It certainly happens enough that Ross and Rachel hooking up shouldn't render Friends completely unwatchable because of the implausibility of it all.
As I mentioned i'm sure some dysfunctional relationships like that exist in real life (where the woman puts up with a needy, manchild husband) - but when guys watch the show who unfortunately relate to Ross - they're picturing Ross as themselves, and Rachael as... Jennifer Aniston.

So apparently the fantasy is that a man can act like a 40 year old baby and still have a good shot at ending up "happily ever after" with Jennifer Aniston if he "just loves her enough deep down". Um... no... only in sitcoms and low budget pornos

I heard the same criticism of Penny and Leonard and the actors portraying them really dated for quite awhile.
Actors are not the same people in real life that they are on-screen. (Leonard though isn't nearly as bad as Ross for what it's worth; he's the only semi-competent one in fact). The other characters in the show are way worse.



I think you're being a little rough on all sitcoms. I would recommend that you check out a few episodes of New Girl, The Mindy Project, Parks and Recreation, 2 Broke Girls, and Mom. These are all sitcoms that are currently on the air that make me laugh out loud every time I watch them.



I hear where you're coming from and I sympathize to a degree. I used to really adore "Family Ties" when I was younger, but tried watching it recently and simply had to stop watching it halfway through season one. It was shocked at how awful it was. I also loathe "Friends" and never understood the appeal. That said, there are some I like such as Cheers and WKRP in Cincinnati. I have re-watched both of those and they really stood up. Seinfeld has its moments and I'm not sure if you include "The Office" as a sitcom because its single camera, documentary style format is a bit different, but I liked it (American version) also.



...I think the likelihood of a guy like Ross dating Jennifer Aniston is...about the same as Borat marrying Pamela Anderson for that matter.
Of course scenes like this happen all the time in everyday life. Just keep your fingers crossed.



Chappie doesn't like the real world
I said Ross, not David Schwimmer


What makes you say that? How many drunk, unemployed deadbeats with no GED do you think are dating wealthy female lawyers or swimsuit models?

And the #1 thing that women say they look for in a man is a sense of humor. (Ross though in the show isn't "funny" like a good stand up comedian - he's funny like a clown or someone you laugh at vs with so that's a different thing.)

Again it's not just a "pretty" factor either - it's personality clash. She might as well be his mom not his girlfriend based on how pitiful that guy acts in the show.


As I mentioned i'm sure some dysfunctional relationships like that exist in real life (where the woman puts up with a needy, manchild husband) - but when guys watch the show who unfortunately relate to Ross - they're picturing Ross as themselves, and Rachael as... Jennifer Aniston.

So apparently the fantasy is that a man can act like a 40 year old baby and still have a good shot at ending up "happily ever after" with Jennifer Aniston if he "just loves her enough deep down". Um... no... only in sitcoms and low budget pornos


Actors are not the same people in real life that they are on-screen. (Leonard though isn't nearly as bad as Ross for what it's worth; he's the only semi-competent one in fact). The other characters in the show are way worse.
I have no idea what you talking about. This is going to be one of those conversations where the response doesn't really have much to do with what I said, so I'll bow out.



I am the Watcher in the Night
I'm definitely not a Seinfeld fan, overrated crap imo.

I liked Friends but gets quite grating on repeat viewing but there are some great sitcoms out there too, with good character development, varied gags/jokes and good storylines, here's some:

Only Fools and Horses...its old ad British so if your from the US you might not "get it"
The Office UK and the first 3-4 seasons of the US version
Fawlty Towers
Some Mother's Do Have 'Em...again very British, much like Towers and quite old
Parks and Rec the first 2 seasons
30 Rock, the first 2 seasons
Community the first 3 seasons
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If any genre truly sucked nothing of the genre would be made since nobody would like anything from it and hence, it wouldn't exist. If a genre exists, with a huge number of titles, then there is certainly a substantial public for it. Of course, nobody likes every genre.

For example, I dislike rap among the genres of music and I dislike musical children's movies among the genres of animation. That doesn't mean that they "suck", just that they do not fit my current preferences.