Scrolling through Peacock one night, (I only have the subscription to watch “Love Island,”) I came across “The Office” spinoff, called “The Paper.” As someone who binged “The Office” during quarantine and fell in love with the mundane but wacky adventures at the Scranton paper company, I was intrigued. “The Paper” turned out to be alright (albeit a little cringey at times), but it made me long for more modern sitcoms.
I love old TV shows, there’s something comforting about the graininess, it feels nostalgic and familiar. But a major part of the charm for me is the format of the sitcom. Now, in a world full of “Bridgerton,” “The Bear” or “Wednesday,” we need to bring back that genre. There’s a longing for a recurring cast of characters in a consistent setting, getting into trouble, and usually resolving it by the end of the episode.
As narrowcasting, the transition of TV programs catering to niche audiences, dominates, replicating the vibe of sitcoms that dominated pop culture seems impossible. But sitcoms shaped a common culture at one point, giving us catchphrases, archetypes and everlasting memes.
Somewhere between the rise of streaming and the obsession with cinematic storytelling, the sitcom fell off. Networks prioritized limited series and dark, serialized dramas, designed to be binge-watched, not revisited for the hundredth time.
Sitcoms done right
“Abbott Elementary” is the perfect example of a modern sitcom, set in a Philadelphia public school, it follows the zany group of teachers who teach the even wilder kids (and deal with the even crazier parents). My favorite episode is titled “Smoking,” where one of the students catches the teachers in the lounge talking about their vaping and smoking habits. In another episode, the Philadelphia Eagles (featuring Jalen Hurts) visit class via Zoom for their Career Day.
The best sitcoms are those about everyday life, making us audiences feel a sense of relatability. I love indulging in a fantastical or historical world, but it feels comforting to see the humorous aspects of monotony on the screen too.
But part of what made sitcoms special wasn’t just what happened on-screen— it was how we watched them. Sitcoms weren’t meant to be binged alone at 2 a.m.; they were meant to be shared, laughed over and talked about the next day. They inspired “water cooler” talk with co-workers or not-so-close acquaintances, just small parts of a shared interest.
Bring back that communal aspect and watch with friends, family, or anyone who enjoys that particular show. That’s why weekly releases of episodes are so superior. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” nights with friends, or even daily “Love Island” watch parties, for example– the content is so much more enjoyable when sharing it with someone else.
Currently, my friends and I are re-watching an episode of “Euphoria” every night in preparation for Season 3 coming out this spring. Â
Plus, I think the short-form, wrapped-up episodes are a way to improve that dwindling attention span. I know you scroll on your phone while watching shows (don’t worry, me too). While the modern sitcom is hopefully in the works in some studio somewhere, in the meantime, I recommend: “The Office” (of course), “Seinfeld,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Dawsons Creek,” “Brooklyn 99” and “Full House.”