🤣TV Comedy

Unit 1 – TV Comedy: Genre Definition & Importance

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Unit 2 – Early TV Comedy: From Vaudeville to Airwaves

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Unit 3 – The Rise of the Sitcom – 1950s and 1960s

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Unit 4 – Sitcom Structure, Formulas, and Conventions

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Unit 5 – Creating Comedic Characters and Ensembles

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Unit 6 – TV Comedy Writing: Joke Structure & Timing

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Unit 7 – TV Comedy Evolution: 1970s-1980s

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Unit 8 – The Sitcom Reinvented – Innovations of the 1990s

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Unit 9 – Sketch, Variety, and Late-Night TV Comedy

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Unit 10 – Animated Comedy: Flintstones to South Park

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Unit 11 – Social Commentary and Satire in TV Comedy

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Unit 12 – The Rise of Cable and Streaming Comedies

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Unit 13 – Mockumentaries & Modern Comedy Subgenres

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Unit 14 – Global TV Comedy: Cultural Adaptations

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Unit 15 – TV Comedy: Production and Showrunning

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What do you learn in TV Comedy

TV Comedy explores the history, structure, and techniques of comedic television shows. You'll analyze classic sitcoms, sketch comedy, and modern single-camera comedies. The course covers writing for TV comedy, character development, joke construction, and the evolution of comedic styles. You'll also learn about production processes, audience engagement, and how social issues are addressed through humor in television.

Is TV Comedy hard?

TV Comedy isn't typically considered a super tough class, but it's not a total breeze either. The workload can be pretty hefty with lots of shows to watch and analyze. The trickiest part is often the creative assignments, like writing your own comedy sketches or sitcom scripts. It's fun, but coming up with original, funny content can be challenging. Overall, if you're into comedy and TV, you'll probably find it more enjoyable than difficult.

Tips for taking TV Comedy in college

  1. Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
  2. Watch a wide variety of comedy shows, not just your favorites
  3. Pay attention to joke structure and timing in different comedic styles
  4. Practice writing your own jokes and sketches regularly
  5. Analyze how different shows handle social issues through comedy
  6. Study the evolution of TV comedy from I Love Lucy to modern shows like The Good Place
  7. Watch behind-the-scenes content and interviews with comedy writers and actors
  8. Check out books like "Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin or "The Comic Toolbox" by John Vorhaus

Common pre-requisites for TV Comedy

  1. Introduction to Film and Television: This course provides an overview of the history and development of film and TV. You'll learn about key movements, technologies, and influential works in both mediums.

  2. Screenwriting Fundamentals: In this class, you'll learn the basics of writing for the screen. It covers story structure, character development, and formatting for both film and television scripts.

Classes similar to TV Comedy

  1. Sitcom Writing Workshop: This hands-on course focuses specifically on writing for situational comedies. You'll develop your own sitcom concept and write episodes throughout the semester.

  2. History of Television: This class takes a deep dive into the evolution of TV as a medium. You'll explore how different genres, including comedy, have developed over time.

  3. Stand-up Comedy Performance: While not strictly TV-focused, this course teaches the art of writing and performing stand-up comedy. Many TV comedians start in stand-up, so it's a valuable skill to learn.

  4. Sketch Comedy Writing: This class focuses on writing short-form comedy sketches. You'll learn techniques used in shows like Saturday Night Live and Key & Peele.

  1. Film and Television Production: Students learn all aspects of creating content for the screen, from writing and directing to editing and post-production. It's a hands-on major that prepares you for various roles in the industry.

  2. Comedy Writing and Performance: This specialized major focuses on developing comedic skills for various mediums. Students learn writing techniques, improv, and performance skills applicable to TV, film, and live comedy.

  3. Media Studies: This major takes a more analytical approach to film, television, and other media forms. Students examine the cultural impact of media and learn critical analysis skills.

What can you do with a degree in TV Comedy?

  1. TV Writer: You'll work on writing teams for comedy shows, developing scripts, and pitching jokes. TV writers collaborate to create episodes and series concepts.

  2. Comedy Development Executive: In this role, you'll work for a TV network or production company to find and develop new comedy shows. You'll read scripts, work with writers, and help shape comedic content.

  3. Talent Agent (Comedy Specialization): As an agent, you'll represent comedic actors, writers, and directors. You'll help your clients find work, negotiate contracts, and manage their careers in the TV comedy world.

  4. Comedy Podcast Producer: You'll create and manage comedy podcasts, which are becoming increasingly popular. This job involves developing show concepts, booking guests, and overseeing production.

TV Comedy FAQs

  1. Do I need to be naturally funny to succeed in this class? Not necessarily. While a sense of humor helps, the course teaches techniques and structures that anyone can learn to create comedy.

  2. Will we only study American TV comedies? Most courses include some international content, but the focus is often on American shows. Ask your professor for the specific curriculum.

  3. Is there a lot of group work in TV Comedy classes? Many classes include group projects to mimic the collaborative nature of TV comedy writing. Be prepared for some team assignments.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.