Animation the key to modern sitcoms?
 

Is it just me or are the best sitcoms of the modern era animated? Is this just a coincidence? Is there something about animation that lends itself to comedy? I'm thinking, particularly, of The Simpsons, Futurama, Family Guy, and South Park, although I can only assume that King of the Hill is popular too, considering its longevity. I never liked it, though...



EDIT: How the hell did I forget Futurama? I have an entire season on my desk, right here...

They're just about the only sitcoms I'll watch.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the wittiest writers realize they can get more out of an animated medium than a live-action one. It allows much more flexibility in terms of what can be communicated and it is more cost-effective in doing so. "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" is one of the few live-action comedy shows lately that uses flashback and imagination sequences (well) that are so much a part of the "The Family Guy".

The characters NEVER age, that's the key, they don't remain the same people you fall in love with when they're real.

Also, they never rely on laugh tracks. I think that's a big bonus. Try Tripping the Rift (on SciFi) as well.

They can also get away with so much more on an animated show because they are "just cartoons".

If the Simpsons had been live action it would have been squashed long ago.

costs. costs for these new ones (flash based like Home Movies, Shorties watching Shorties)

note how long it took for the Simpson people to fetch same amounts for a show equally successful as seinfeld but has more licensing deals

I would add Futurama to that list. I think that the animation offers so much cretive freedom that it makes it easier for writers to be original.

You see, you can kill a cartoon, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, bring him back to life, kill him, ad infinitum. You can even show how he dies........

(mhmpmhhmp!)

South Park has a huge advantage in that it only takes a week or two to make a complete episode, so it can mock current events.

Also, cartoon characters have better adventures. If real live people had the same adventures that cartoons had, it would be unrealistic to the point of vomiting.

At the same time, cartoon characters don't seem boring and whiny like real life actors and actresses are, since most of their on screen "adventures" all revolve around the same thing.

Definitely. I wish that adults in America would stop having the mentality that cartoons are just for kids. I would like to see more adult oriented cartoons on tv.

I love cartoons, and especially the ones geared toward adults. I just wish there were more to watch for us.

I have always had this argument, people just don't seem to get it.

I had a very heated argument with an older coworker a few years back about South Park. She was telling me how her 8yr old son just loved it and was looking fwd to the movie.

When I asked her if she had ever watched it for appropriate 8 yr old content she said, "Oh it's nice little cartoon, I'm sure it's fine and besides I don't stay up late enuff to watch it."

I just shook my head and said, "Why do you think it's on at 11pm. Watch it tonite and tell me what you think tomorrow."

Poor woman was horrified, her son never saw it again.

But anyway, back on topic....

Live action sitcoms are just on a down swing. Weather you liked them or not "Friends" and "Fraiser" were the last of their breed. Reality shows will continue to rule for another year or so then a few good sitcoms will come back. Cartoons have more staying power for the reason already stated, the characters are static and don't age (hell Bart should be 21 now), and the writers are not restricted to the rules of the universe (physics for example), that opens a lot of doors.

There is a Canadian sictom called "Corner Gas." First time I saw it said to my GF, it's like a live action "Family Guy." If you can find it, check it out.

/my longest post ever