TV Essay: Argument Plans

Argument 1: Sitcom TV

Sitcom TV is not dying but is constantly redefining itself.
- The Peep Show
- Only Fools and Horses

--> Look at academic works of why sitcom is dying, argue against it with the transition of the genre to family viewing and more niche audiences.
--> Talk about how the genre has changed over time with their format and the audiences they appeal to

Brett Mills on Sitcom -
Andy Medhurst book on comedy
Lots about Ab Fab

google scholar the shows you want to analyse 
- How has sitcom innovated
- why has it been positioned as a dying genre
look at the critiques online - Victoria Wood (true sitcom is gone)
Miranda returns to the idea of sitcom
formulaic sitcom (homages the old school - nostalgia)

does it even need to innovates, just new situations.

Innovation in relationships and genre in sitcoms

the issues 

How have academics and critics have positioned sitcom as a non-innovative genre
in what ways through textual analysis it.

victoria wood - academics of why it's dead.

the mighty boosh playing with reality
him and her, spaced

Kathleen Rowe - Unruly woman challenging stereotypes
ab fab

The Sitcom by Brett Mills
http://universitypublishingonline.org/edinburgh/ebook.jsf?bid=CBO9780748637539


Sources:

Medhurst, A. (1989) 'Situation Comedies' Daniels, T. & Gerson, J. (eds.) The Colour Black. BFI: London.
Medhurst, A. (2007) A National Joke: Popular Comedy and English Cultural Identities. Routledge: London.
Miller, T.,Tulloch, J. & Creeber, G. (2001) The Television Genre Book. BFI: London – there are several chapters on sitcoms and comedy in this collection. Mills, B. (2005) Television Sitcom. BFI.
Mills, B. (2004) ’Comedy Verité: Contemporary Sitcom Form’ in Screen 45(1). 63-78. [electronic resource]
Neale, S. & Krutnik, F. (1990) Popular Film and Television Comedy. Routledge: London 

Plan for Essay

Introduction

- Explain your essay argument.

- Give a simple definition and the sitcom.

1st Paragraph

- Contextualise the origins and conventions of traditional sitcoms.

- Mention where it stood in UK society today.

- Propose why theorists and critics think the genre is dead.
- Tell what show's I have chosen to analyse and why these go against the critics

2nd Paragraph

- Use academic theorist arguments which state why the genre is dead.

- Compare this to one of the shows.

- Give you own opinion on the matter.

3rd Paragraph

- Similar to the second paragraph, propose another theorist argument about why the genre is dying.

- Give a comparison regarding the other shows you have chosen to analyse.

- Voice my opinion on the matter.

4th Paragraph

.- Expose a flip-side to the argument, discuss how the genre is actually innovating itself

- Give a comparison regarding one of the shows.

- Voice you own opinions.

5th Paragraph

- Put forwards another argument regarding the innovations in the genre.

- Explain how one of the shows reinforces this notion.

- Explain maybe how the other does not.

6th Paragraph

- Do a deeper textual analysis into the shows.

- Are they part of the dying genre or the innovations. Traditional and innovative conventions

- Use a quote about the specific show or your own opinion.

Conclusion

- Summarise your arguments.

- Voice you're decision to your argument, yes or no.

- End of a Brett Mills quote.