Mel owes money to a loan shark and must find a way to repay her debt before things turn violent. The episode relies on familiar sitcom conventions and codes to create comedy through stereotypes, physical and verbal humor between the characters, and their attempts to restore equilibrium as unexpected events threaten Mel's personal identity and safety. Comic surprises keep the audience laughing as disequilibrium arises from Mel's mounting debt and efforts to solve her money problems.

1. Audience Pleasures in the Comedy Drama Benidorm
Series 4: Episode 3 – Mel’s Debt
• You will get higher marks if you have examples from an episode to support the audience pleasure you describe.
• You need to have examples from at least two episodes of two sitcoms so you are fully prepared.
• Name the episode you are discussing in the exam & discuss 5 audience pleasures from that episode.
Channel: ITV1
Broadcast time: 11 March 2011, 21:00:00
Duration: 47 min
Audience Pleasure Example from Series 4 - Episode 3 Why is it effective?
Codes & Conventions Use of Family People are familiar with the C&C’s and
(FARTS SS CC) know what to expect
Stereotypes
Physical Humour
Verbal Humour
Realism
Equilibrium >
Disequilibrium > New
Equilibrium
Personal Identity
Laugh at Someone
(feel superior)
Comic Surprise