DelaneyJackson

Since the beginning of television, the sitcom genre has had an important place in popular culture. From older sitcoms that pioneered the category, such as “I Love Lucy” in 1951, to newer TV shows from the 2000s and 2010s like “The Office,” these shows have created a new form of media dedicated to providing entertainment and humor for those who watch them.

Since the beginning, sitcoms (situational comedies) were meant for viewers to laugh at and enjoy, centering on a recurring cast and familiar setting. They have played a pivotal role in influencing their observers’ humor, affecting the other types of media they consume, the jokes they make and even the people they associate with.

Over the years, sitcoms have been a means of connection between actors and viewers. They have introduced people to the world of comedy, which they may have completely disregarded before. Sitcoms help viewers to maintain a sense of community with one another, as they are able to bond over one shared interest.

Junior Lilly Italia has been an avid watcher of sitcoms and general comedy shows such as “Veep,” “The Office” and “Saturday Night Live” for her entire life. “What I like about sitcoms is that it’s really fun for my family to all sit down together and actually look forward to watching something,” Italia said.

“Cheers,” “Friends” and “Community” among others show the dynamics between friends and how they sort through their problems. “Modern Family” and “Arrested Development” focus more on the family aspect of life, while “The Office” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” showcase workplace situations.

Actors known for their roles in popular sitcoms – one example being “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” Andy Samberg – had been members of the comedy industry years before joining their respective television shows. Prior to the airing of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” pilot, Samberg had been a star on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” and a member of the comedy musical group The Lonely Island.

The pure joy and relatability found in sitcoms impacts human emotion like no other genre can. The absurdity of these TV shows can make viewers feel seen for their own experiences that they may not be able to communicate with anyone else about.

Besides offering comedic situations that audiences can find entertainment value in, many sitcoms also cover social issues that aren’t addressed in many other genres. “It’s something that’s lighthearted and funny but also jokes about what’s actually going on in the world,” Italia said.

The eighth episode of season six of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” — titled “He Said, She Said” — allowed the show to join the conversation surrounding the sexual harassment and violence women face on the daily. It broke down the everyday experiences women go through just for being a woman.

Two seasons earlier, the episode “Moo Moo” brought to light the police brutality that often targets people of color. It presented an authentic scenario of a Black man being targeted for his race, educating those watching on issues such as these.

“I think if people can find humor in something, it’ll also make them more interested in actually learning about it. There just has to be a line between what’s okay to joke about and what isn’t,” Italia said.

From comedy to commentary on world issues, sitcoms provide not only entertainment but education and relatability. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy while watching, whether that is the humor, the characters, or the life lessons they offer up.