If only it was that easy, right? The fact of the matter is there is no concrete formula, because every network would have already packed their respective schedules with hilarious shows that all of us would flock to every week.
But there are some ingredients that are paramount if a situation comedy is going to thrive, the least of which is actually being consistently funny. No, in the land of television, quality is not always the benchmark for success. Some great shows struggle for ratings, while several unfunny shows thrive.
With that in mind, here are some factors I see as a must for survival, using both current and classic shows to support my case:
A great ensemble: Seinfeld will always be the standard for the best ensemble in sitcom history. No one person (including Jerry himself) was asked to carry the baton every week, which gave the writers the opportunity to spread the wealth. Current shows falling into this category include Modern Family, Community, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Parks & Recreation and The Office. A great example of horrible supporting characters ruining a program is NBC’s Whitney, which is struggling to find an audience despite a compelling up-and-comer in comedian Whitney Cummings.
Great writing: A sitcom with great writing will more often than not become a hit show, as we saw with classics like All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers and Friends. Modern Family is the modern poster child for this philosophy. While the show has some familiar names (Ed O’Neill, Julie Bowen), no one star has enough power to draw in viewers. Pure and simple, Modern Family is a huge hit due to witty writers, brilliant scripts and a keen ability to resonate with viewers on a weekly basis. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, like the former FOX show Arrested Development.
Star power: Big names don’t always equate to big hits, as we saw with Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton in Back to You. Viewers are more inclined to give a show a chance if there is some familiarity with the actors (see Two and a Half Men with both Charlie Sheen and Ashton Kutcher). We witnessed that firsthand this week when more than 13 million people tuned into Tim Allen’s new venture Last Man Standing (pictured top) despite horrendous reviews. Factor in the fact that the show had no great lead-in, and that number is even more impressive.
A perfect slot: Timing is indeed everything, and no new comedy fits that bill better than 2 Broke Girls on CBS. Thanks to a lead-in several weeks ago from Two and a Half Men — which drew 30 million viewers — the new CBS hit was able to draw 19 millions people. I was one of those spectators who tested the waters merely because I was already watching Men. Perfect example of an average sitcom benefiting from a great slot.
Very good fortune: The adage “it’s better to be lucky than good” is certainly applicable in Hollywood, and fortune is the one ingredient nobody can control. If the late Brandon Tartikoff hadn’t been patient when he was calling the shots at NBC, Seinfeld never would have lasted more than a half season due to horrible ratings out of the gate. Sitcoms today are not afforded the luxury of finding their way, which is why so many shows are canceled before they really get started.
The great news for people who like to laugh is that there is some indication that sitcoms appear to be on the upswing. Network executives went through a pattern of becoming too obsessed with dramas, but CBS — perhaps following NBC’s template from the ’80s and ’90s — has proven that a great balance can work. Let’s hope this trend lasts for many years to come.
_______________
© 2011 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. Credit: Randy Holmes