Research on British Sitcoms

Typical Examples

1) Only Fools and Horses
2) Benidorm
3) Derek
4) Mrs Browns Boys
5) Not Going Out
7) Miranda
8) Gavin & Stacey
9) The Office
10) Vicar of Dibley

Miranda

The opening sequence to Miranda is very basic, the pace of the editing is quick and snappy although not using a variety of camera angles and pans etc there are many shots edited into one. This is due to the wide range of family pictures shown by the main character Miranda. Miranda is the only person in the opening sequence and it is set in a simple park that is used in the sitcom - this reinforces the idea that this sitcom is simple but is successful because of the main character Miranda. Throughout we are shown pictures of Miranda as a young child and getting older, this shows us that the character Miranda sees importance in the value of her family, friends and childhood which is very much reflected throughout the series in the relationship between Miranda and her mother. The music involved is a simple beat with drums, guitar and what seems to be some percussion instrument like a xylophone, this short snappy opening song is similar to one you'd find on a children's/young teens programme e.g Disney or Nickelodeon shows. This could be reflecting Miranda's young at heart attitude and the way she is treated like a child by her mother and peers. The opening song is very lighthearted and fun to listen to. Some sitcoms involve tear jerking situations so as to put the characters at a different emotional level, but Miranda is very simple in the way that it is nearer to a slapstick comedy in which we watch her go through her every day life and be utterly hilarious while she's at it. All the symbolic codes are simple and plain, plain setting, plain clothing, plain opening logo. Even when it comes to the editing although fast paced, is very simple. There are no pans, changes of angles etc. This simplicity works very well for this sitcom as Miranda is still a top hit due to Miranda. 

Format

Sitcoms run in series' and so when a sitcom is particularly successful, there will often be many series made. Although throughout many series of a sitcom we will see many varieties of stock characters driving different plots in the story, it is important that in a situation comedy - the main protagonists reappear in every series as watching situation comedies involves large scale emotional involvement and development of characters, due to the main focus being on the characters in a situation, rather than big explosions and expensive sets. This genre of show is usually scheduled to be broadcast at mid peak time around 7 and after, sitcoms are a rather popular genre and so are screened when most people often teens and adults tune in. There are different variations on sitcoms in terms of the story and plot line, but what is most noticeable is in American sitcoms, the story continues and develops throughout every series - but often in British Sitcoms, it is basically a new story every episode. Although some stories do carry on throughout series' particularly romantic interests etc, the format for UK sitcoms is often a subject each episode which comes to a resolution every time.

Appeals

The uses and gratifications of sitcoms are that they are a form of escapism - you aren't likely to see a particularly devastating thing to happen to any of the characters as you would in soaps or dramas, sitcoms are simple and are made for the reason to get laughs and entertain. Sitcoms can also be used for social interaction on websites such as Twitter and Facebook in which those who enjoy the show would discuss it. Sitcoms are typically conventional and not outside of the box - as stated in a name they are a comedy in which the same characters are in the same situation every episode, often a cafe, workplace, or home. Not much production value is put into the sets as it isn't needed, in some shows such as Mrs Browns Boys, audiences are even shown the fake set which reinforces its not the setting that is important in Sitcoms. 

Target Audience

Sitcoms appeal to the mainstreamer as they are used for social interaction, light hearted entertainment and are scheduled to come on at a time when everyone would be sitting down to eat their dinner and watch some good TV. Sitcoms don't usually involve any deep emotional plots and so don't require audience's to overly emotionally invest in the show.

Characters & Representations 

Miranda typical characters

Loyal funny friend - Stevie

Confused heart throb - Gary

Over protective annoying mother - Penny

The expected stereotypes of Stevie is to basically be the sidekick. This kind of character has been seen in almost every sitcom, show even film. The sidekick is the saviour of the protagonist. Although not the drive of the main plot they do play a part in the way the story goes. Stevie is slightly dozy, fun and small. A completely loyal friend to Miranda who although sometimes the subject of bickering is always on her side. This character can be related to as many people like to think the have a friend who would be completely loyal like Stevie is. She is a very likeable character and one that audience members can relate to. Gary, is the unknowing heartthrob who falls for Miranda - unexpectedly. The entire series of Miranda focuses on how she is a good hearted but less than average looking women so audiences will emotionally invest in the idea that Gary with his devilishly good looks will fall for our girl Miranda. Gary does fall for her, and the series' focus throughout on the story of 'will they, wont they' audiences root for the relationship to blossom obviously. But things always seem to come in the way. Penny is the typical annoying British mother who you've got to love but hate at the same time. This sitcom celebrates the funny side of embracing British snobby-ness. Penny is simply too ignorant to realise how crude she is especially when it comes to talking about others, but she is kind hearted all the same and this devil but hilarious mother is a character often stereotyped and shown in different films and shows. 

Setting

The typical setting of a sitcom is a social environment. Often there are 3-4 different familiar social settings like a living room, cafe, pub and a park. Miranda follows this guide, we see her in her shop, the pub Gary works in, her kitchen and also the park. The repeated use of these 4 main settings makes us familiarise with the show and also recognise these places like our own. The settings Miranda is set in are suburban - this is important because it is similar to the places in which most of the shows viewers live which allows audiences to identify with the show and make audiences feel more at home with Miranda. Most of the indoor scenes are set in a studio which is important because often if the show was set in a more elaborate real life setting etc it would bring another dimension to the show, sitcoms as mentioned earlier are about the characters and the storyline, not the surroundings so the typical studio made up rooms are perfect for a sitcom.

Miranda directly talking to the audience with the camera and set visible 

Main characters on set 'Miranda's living room' 

Narrative 

The narrative in sitcoms is often more laid back and relaxed compared to high budget dramas etc. For example as we see in shows such as Mrs Browns Boys, the main character Agnes Brown often talks directly to the camera, even though it is breaking the 4th wall of the show - it is completely acceptable and is seen as a positive twist on TV. As sitcoms are often filmed on sets with live audiences it reinforces the realism. Shows such as Mrs Browns Boys and Miranda narrate directly to the audience and make the audience feel as if they're being directly addressed. Often, there will even be a use jokes that involve the audience member and make them feel like they are actually part of the show. Todorov's use of narrative can be applied to sitcoms especially with uses of equilibriums. Sitcoms such as Benidorm open every episodes with shots of the hotel and beach - this makes audiences recognise where they are and where the sitcom is set. Sitcoms don't often keep the same plot throughout each episode of the series but there is a new narrative and small scale story that each individual episode faces. Often each story will be another day in the life of the main character/characters and when a problem arises - it is always solved by the end of each episode. 

Technical Codes 

Non-diegetic music is used in sitcoms typically at the start, end and breaks of the show. Often in the form of a jingle which is recognisable to the sitcom. Sitcoms don't particularly use non-diegetic music throughout the episode due to as mentioned the simpleness that they aim to stick to, if there was dramatic music or sad music at love scenes it would make it appear more theatrical and dramatised than it needs to be. A significant camera shot used in sitcoms is the long shot that includes all the characters in the scene. It is used to make the audiences at home feel like they're the audience members in the studio and looking straight on. If over the shoulder shots were used and dramatic cut scenes, again it would tamper with the simplicity. The typical editing in sitcoms is the whole scene being shown before cutting to another location. The narrative is in sync with the editing so as the story progresses the camera follows the characters to each new location that they go to.