The 13 competition categories: Sitcom

We bring you the 13 categories featured in this years competition along with a precise definition, example videos and an interview with a prominent expert in the field.


2. Category: Sitcom

Definition:
Scripted show characterised by comedy based on the regularly recurring characters in various every day situations.

The Sitcom category has been an integral part of the Rose d'Or Competition since 1997. The first Golden Rose-winning sitcoms were HBO's The Larry Sanders Show (Silver Rose) and CBC's The Newsroom (Bronze Rose).

The Sitcom Interview with Brenda Hsueh

Brenda Hsueh graduated from Yale University with an English major and then moved to Los Angeles. She got her first break into the world of television writing when she won the ABC Disney Fellowship in 2002. Since then she has written for various network shows including Lost At Home, Oliver Beene, and How I Met Your Mother for three seasons. She currently is developing a network TV pilot and writes for the ABC Family sitcom called Melissa And Joey.


1. Can you give us an example of a typical Sitcom?
It's hard to name one archetypal sitcom. I would say if you distilled it down you would still have three basic types: the family sitcom like Family Ties, the workplace sitcom like Murphy Brown, and the ensemble sitcom like Cheers or Friends. Those are just the examples I grew up watching. Of course others would point to others as archetypal, but the parameters are the same: These sitcoms epitomize and/or establish the rules of each genre.

2.  Of all the Sitcoms which one would you love to have created?
If I could have created any sitcom, I would have to say Seinfeld. Not only because it's hilarious, but it broke sitcom convention by being «a show about nothing». It elevated observational every-day humor to an art. It was relatable and yet the characters were unique and it introduced a new kind of storytelling. Moreover Seinfeld didn't feel compelled to teach a lesson or «have heart» which I think were sitcoms standard up until then.

3. What will future sitcoms look like?
I think it's hard to predict where sitcoms will go. For a while single camera shows seemed to be all the rage, but there are still many successful multi-camera shows on the air and more being developed. I think ultimately I don't think you need a hook or to follow trends; you just need to be funny and that requires strong writing and a strong cast. Going forward that will never change. I think what will change is how shows get to the viewer. With the internet, Tivo, and TV on demand, distribution is changing a lot and it'll be interesting to see where it goes.

4. Do you see emerging markets and sub-genres?
I definitely see premium and basic cable as an emerging market where there is a demand for creating more edgy and unconventional sitcoms like Always Sunny In Philadelphia or Louie On FX or Party Down On Starz. With sitcoms on network television you often have to have broad appeal with the aim of getting the most viewers but on cable you can write for a niche audience. It's very liberating when you don't have to please everyone. You can take more risks creatively and maybe offend some people to get a laugh. As for sub-genres, I suppose a new format emerging is internet short-form comedy like webisodes or sketches on websites like Funny or Die Or Youtube. The internet makes it easier and cheaper to produce and distribute content. Of course a lot of it is terrible but occasionally you find something that makes you laugh or could even be made into a proper TV show.

5. Which show are you hooked on right now?
There are a lot of half hour comedies I think are good but only a few I have time to watch and even fewer that I absolutely have to watch but my favorites are 30 Rock, Parks And Recreation and South Park.


Sitcom example video: How I Met Your Mother, with courtesy of ©CBS