CNN
While watching the first episode of CNN’s The History of the Sitcom with a friend, I turned to him mid-show, and exclaimed with a wide smile plastered across my face, ‘I’m having so much fun!’ Delirious, obviously, I had found my people in the 184 interviewees including creatives, actors, writers, directors, and showrunners like Mel Brooks, Norman Lear, Mara Brock Akil, and Tracy Morgan. I was on the edge of my seat for every word and clip. My love for the show is a bit unfair as it’s a show about all shows or sitcoms including Cheers, Mash, Mary Tyler Moore, Good Times, The Adams Family, I Dream of Jeanie, and Happy Days to name a few. It’s absolutely a must-watch for the reflection of culture, and evolution of society and psychology as seen through the small screen.
The new eight-episode series spans sitcoms from the 1950s to the 21st century covering how the medium addressed topics including the workplace, outsiders, sexuality, race, class system and more. Throughout the decades, the creators attempt to address these topics and the cultural shifts through satire, fantasy, and unassuming laughs. They help us process where are as a society, showing how we can respond, using their medium as a mirror for us all to examine, and often laugh at ourselves.
The History of the Sitcom follows in the footsteps of the 2017 CNN series, The History of Comedy and is accompanied by a new series The Movies, with episodes broken down by decade. It’s next on the list! In the meantime, before I forget, can anyone put in a word to CNN to create a history of all WB/CW shows and creators? Asking for a friend. Thanks!