The last laugh: is the television sitcom really dead?

From Friends to The Thick Of It, the TV sitcom has evolved – but it’s no longer in rude health. Enter offbeat shows like Stath Lets Flats, bringing joy and potential redemptionThe sitcom has a long history of being dead. According to the former NBC president of entertainment, Warren Littlefield, in the early 1980s many people believed the sitcom was over. In 1999, Entertainment Weekly noted the genre’s demise. In 2005, so did Victoria Wood. The following year, the former ITV director of programmes, David Liddiment, made a programme called Who Killed the Sitcom? In the decade and a half since, similar questions have been posed repeatedly by publications on both sides of the Atlantic. Declaring the sitcom dead now seems more like an annual ritual than a convincing take on the state of comedy. But what if this time it’s actually true?There are a few reasons why the sitcom seems, if not comprehensively deceased, then at least less responsive than it has ever been. In terms of the comedy zeitgeist, the sadcom – a frequently bleak drama hybrid – continues to rule (see: I May Destroy You, Feel Good, This Way Up, Insecure). Streaming giants increasingly shape our viewing habits, and they don’t tend to make sitcoms (their discrete episodic plots mean they are not very bingeworthy, for a start). The newly established National Comedy Awards, meanwhile, doesn’t include a sitcom category, while Bafta dropped its sitcom award in 2015 and replaced it with one for scripted comedy: this... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-10-26 14:35:04 UTC ]
News tagged with: #early 1980s #victoria wood #feel good #viewing habits #anthology

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'The Walking Dead' casts Jeffrey Dean Morgan as villain Negan

“The Walking Dead” has cast Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the villain Negan, Variety has confirmed.Negan is one of the comic book series’ biggest baddies — the leader of the Saviors. He’s expected to make his grand debut at the end of the show’s current sixth season and then return in season seven.... Continue reading at Baltimore Sun

[ Baltimore Sun | 2015-11-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #walking dead


Michael Rosen and the Laugh Out Loud Book Prize

Michael Rosen answers questions about the new Laugh Out Loud Book Prize (the Lollies). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-10-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #michael rosen


Television giant Media General to buy Meredith in $2.4bn merger

Combined company to be called Meredith Media GeneralMerger to create ‘powerful multiplatform and diversified media company’Broadcaster Media General announced on Tuesday that it is buying TV and publishing company Meredith Corp in an approximately $2.4bn cash-and-stock deal.The combined company,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-09-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #combined company


Library app lets you check out 'The Walking Dead' and other digital comics

Before it was a TV show and video game, The Walking Dead was a comic book from publisher Image Comics. It's a great series and if you're interested in catching up on the source material for the TV show, you might be in luck. The public library app,... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2015-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #walking dead #digital comics #tv show #video game #comic book #great series #source material


Storytellers From ‘The Moth’ Join Jemas and Double Take for ‘Living Dead’ Line

Mix one maverick comics publisher, a horror movie classic, a renowned video game company and some of the best oral storytellers from NPR’s popular The Moth Radio Hour and you have a pretty unusual mix for a new line of comics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #living dead


AMC debuts first 3 minutes of 'Fear the Walking Dead' on Facebook

In anticipation of Sunday's debut of "Fear the Walking Dead," AMC released the first three minutes of the pilot on the show's Facebook page. Serving as a companion series to the most-watched show in cable television history, "The Walking Dead," the new series opens with an unsettling look at one... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #walking dead #companion series


Future Artefacts fair seeks to show physical media far from dead

Ben Freeman, organiser of London event, says: ‘Everyone realises the internet hasn’t killed the record industry or the publishing industry – just changed it’A fair celebrating the future of physical objects in media – from books and magazines to records and cassettes – will debut in London this... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #physical objects #record industry #publishing industry #indie presses


Cleeves, James and Hawkins win Dead Good Awards

Established authors Ann Cleeves and Peter James and newcomer Paula Hawkins were among the winners of the inaugural Dead Good Reader Awards. The awards, given out on Friday 17th July at the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, were voted on by readers and members of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #peter james #mark lawson #val mcdermid


Public vote to find Audible sitcom

Audible.co.uk will tomorrow (7th July) launch This is Your Pilot Speaking!, a public vote to find its first original British sitcom. Listeners will be able to hear five comedy pilots commissioned by Audible Originals. They will then be asked to give the pilots a star rating, with the pilot... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #audible originals #public vote #highest rating


Hawkins and Nesbo shortlisted on Dead Good Reader Awards

Paula Hawkins, Steve Cavanagh, Clare Mackintosh and Jo Nesbo are among the writers who have picked up two shortlistings apiece for the inaugural Dead Good Reader Awards. The awards, nominated and voted for by readers, will be presented in Harrogate this July at the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #paula hawkins #steve cavanagh #clare mackintosh #jo nesbo #crime writing


Sin Is In: 7 (Deadly) Sin Books for Spring and Summer

Sun, sand, and--sin? Shelve the beach reads for books that explore the shadows of evil-doing and guilt. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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iBooks Bestsellers: ’14th Deadly Sin’ at #2

James Patterson and Maxine Paetro’s '14th Deadly Sin,' released May 4, made its first appearance on Apple’s iBooks bestseller list at #2. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ibooks bestsellers #james patterson #maxine paetro


Apple reportedly wants free Spotify dead to pave way for Beats relaunch

As Apple works toward a relaunch of its Beats Music streaming service, it’s reportedly pushing labels to kill off the free version of Spotify.It’s a bold move by Apple if The Verge’s unnamed sources are accurate, coming less than two years after a judge found that the company colluded with... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2015-05-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #free version #bold move #unnamed sources #judge found #ebook publishers #raise prices


SurveyMonkey CEO David Goldberg, who grew up in Twin Cities, dead at 47

SurveyMonkey CEO David Goldberg, who grew the company to a $2 billion valuation, died suddenly on Friday night. He is survived by wife Sheryl Sandberg, the COO at Facebook Inc., and two children. Sandberg married Goldberg in 2004 and credited him in her book "Lean In" for his role in creating a... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2015-05-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #twin cities #died suddenly #friday night


Dead Good Books creates crime awards

Penguin Random House’s crime community Dead Good Books has created six awards to be presented at this year’s Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival by authors including Lee Child and Val McDermid. Each award has been created in collaboration with the Dead Good Facebook community and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #val mcdermid #crime writing


MH Abrams, Norton anthology founder, influential critic, dead at age 102

Esteemed critic, teacher and tastemaker helped shape the modern literary canon and wrote one of the 20th century’s most acclaimed works of criticismMH Abrams, an esteemed critic and teacher who helped shape the modern literary canon as founding editor of the Norton Anthology of English... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #acclaimed works #helped shape #founding editor #norton anthology #english literature #give details


Can Data Help Maker Studios Guarantee a Hit for The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman?

In a heated exchange before a judge, YouTuber Commander Holly (real name: Holly Conrad) faces off against actress Tina Huang. The issue at hand is one that has divided many a Trekkie: William Riker, yay or nay? Welcome to Nerd Court, where arguments that one might normally witness at a comic... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2015-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #news outlets #death knell #media agency #important thing


Robert Kirkman explains why there's room for new stories in The Walking Dead's universe

Skybound Entertainment has had success with The Walking Dead across all mediums. Robert Kirkman’s comic book company has expanded into television with the AMC series, which is now the most popular show in the world. They’ve also enjoyed the same level of critical and commercial success through... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2015-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #skybound entertainment #robert kirkman #commercial success #walking dead #popular show


Bestselling author Erik Larson garners rave reviews for his upcoming book 'Dead Wake'

'Wake' centers on the sinking of the British ship the Lusitania in 1915. The book will be released on March 10. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #upcoming book


AP Expands Live Video Offering as 'Slow Television' Grows Online

The Associated Press (AP) is expanding its live video offering as digital publishers from across the media spectrum look to show more live video online.   Multiple live streams will now be available on AP's digital Video Hub platform, which ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2015-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #press ap #digital publishers