Unraveling the secret formula behind sitcom success is no laughing matter. It's a blend of timing, character development, and punchlines. Let's delve into the intricate world of sitcoms, exploring the elements that make us laugh, cry, and most importantly, keep watching.
How to write a sitcom
The “sitcom code” is a minute-by-minute recipe used to write the vast majority of sitcoms
- “Sitcoms, minus commercials, are typically 22 minutes long [with] a script of 25-40 pages.”
- Every sitcom episode has a main plot (story A), as well as one or two subplots (stories B and C).
- There are three main acts, divided by two commercial breaks (in most American TV), with 3-5 scenes per act.
The Muddle (Minutes 8-13). The plan drawn up a few minutes ago to tackle the main plot is put into action, but it can’t work. There must be another obstacle, a spanner in the works that requires an alternative plan or some amusing delay to the success of the initial strategy.
The characters must “confront these obstacles according to their own personal style,” meaning that Leslie will approach the problem with her boundless enthusiasm for government and abiding by rules that the little girl inside her sometimes wants to break.
The Kicker (Minutes 19-21)
Usually an “outro” which shows the protagonist in the aftermath of that episode’s action
- Reliable punchlines and references to previous episodes
- Fills out the plot of the episode and introduces characters
Leslie Knope and her assistant, Tom Haverford, arrive at a park where they’re checking on reports that kids are having fights with dog poo
In this episode, we see Leslie’s role as a local government authority, and her strong (but porous) moral stance.
- Noble Tom hides in the car, while principled Leslie first tries to confront the kids, is fired upon with a barrage of dog poos, and then fires back, admitting that this actually is a lot of fun.
This deconstructionist approach to sitcoms was helpful when it came time to write my own
I had minute-by-minute slots to fill and a strong idea of this endlessly successful and recycled series of plot arcs
- The Croatian public were waiting
- Next time you settle in to watch a sitcom, keep this code in mind
The Trouble (Minutes 3-8)
We meet the protagonist(s) and see that they’re just where we left them last episode, but a new problem or goal has come to their attention
- A plan must be made as to how the goal is to be achieved, or the problem overcome
