The document discusses key conventions of the early sitcom format including the comic trap, fish out of water character, and naive fool. It provides examples like Lucy and Ricky Ricardo representing the comic trap in "I Love Lucy," with Lucy often as the fish out of water in a male-dominated world. The naive fool stock character reflects outdated views in a changing society. Running jokes also help build audience loyalty. Overall, the conventions provide situations for social commentary and humor by juxtaposing traditional and modern characters and values.
2. Take one nuclear family Stir in the funny antics of children, wifeor neighbours Add a minor problem which could be solved in the half hour Simmer between commercials Voila! Comedy and a new lesson learned every week Wait another week and the characters are back to where they started the week before – only to face a different comedic situation
4. The Comic Trap The comic trap is the situation of the sitcom It is the physical and psychological environment that creates the humorous exchange and exchange of ides
5. In a Dom-com (domestic comedy), the comic trap would be the nuclear family – 2 parents, 2 -3 children and their suburban house – complete with the white picket fence Father Knows Best In ‘I Love Lucy’, the comic trap is Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, their friends/landlords Ethel and Fred Mertz and their adventures set around making it in the entertainment industry
6. The Comic Trap The comic trap provides the “situation” in the situation comedy The comic trap is closely linked to the times and attitudes of the sitcom in question It links to the current ideologies, stereotypes and environments which identify its time and place
8. The Fish Out Of Water A character that struggles to find their place in society amidst social change and upheaval The FOOW is a stock character Often it is a woman in a man’s world, but can also be Black children living in rich white world (Different Strokes), or bachelor in a family environment (Two and a Half Men)
9. Fish Out Of Water 1950’s – 60’s – 70’s Women in a male dominated world The Fish Out Of Water often provides the catalyst or the disruption for the episode. The episode then revolves around getting the fish back into the water or returning to the equilibrium
10. Watch I Love Lucy Ep. Look for the comic trap and the fish out of water Write a paragraph explaining the conventions of the comic trap and the fish out of water for this episode Can you find any other conventions of the sitcom?
12. The Naïve Fool Typically a man who assumes a traditional patriarchal structures of social rule and family dynamics Provides a juxtaposition for the fish out of water
13. Provides a foundation for social commentary of a changing society The Naïve Fool represents older views and allows the audience to laugh at ourselves and see the floors of outmoded mores
15. The Running Joke Recurring humorous ideas often satirising outmoded views and ideas of social behaviour Inclusive of the audience as it allows the audience to feel they are ‘part’ of the show and have an ‘inside knowledge’ of the show
16. The running joke helps to build loyal followings and revisit ideas and themes on a continual basis
18. The 60’s – The Nuclear Family Bewitched (1964 – 1972) I Dream of Jeanie The Munsters The Addams Family My Favourite Martian Mr.Ed
19. The American Dream of white suburban middle class (Comic Trap) Metaphor of witch as modern woman (Fish out of water) Traditional patriarchal man/husband (Naïve fool)
