Home / Arts and Entertainment / Sitcoms Dying? Schur Fears Comedy's Future
Sitcoms Dying? Schur Fears Comedy's Future
13 Nov
Summary
- Michael Schur worries about streaming's focus on completion rates.
- Classic sitcoms like Cheers needed time to develop their humor.
- Fewer episodes limit comedy's ability to experiment and find its voice.
TV comedy creator Michael Schur is concerned about the future of sitcoms, citing a shift towards 'completion rates' in the streaming era. He argues that this focus neglects the organic development process of comedy, where shows like "Cheers" and "Seinfeld" needed time to discover their unique voices and humor. Schur believes that the reduced episode orders common in streaming prevent the crucial 'R&D' phase, where writers and actors experiment to find a show's sweet spot.
Schur pointed to his own series, "Parks and Recreation," which only found its stride in its first season's latter half after numerous attempts. He noted that the traditional model of 22-plus episodes per season provided ample space for such growth, a luxury now largely absent. The panel also highlighted that "Friends" didn't explode in popularity until its first season reruns. This decline in longer seasons risks losing the institutional memory for executing extensive storytelling.
However, recent news of FX renewing "Adults" for a 16-episode third season offers a glimmer of hope. Creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw will have the opportunity for more character-driven narratives and holiday-themed episodes. This renewed commitment from FX, including support for a revised pilot, exemplifies the patience Schur argues is vital for developing successful comedies in today's fast-paced media landscape.
