Codes and Conventions of a Situation Comedy

• Same characters appear in every episode and usually do not change or develop much.

• Episodes are usually 30 minutes long

• The set for the sitcom is usually the same each episode.

• Sitcoms usually centre on a family home or workplace.

• Characters in sitcoms are usually very stereotypical

• Some British sitcoms are situation-led, so various mishaps happen to the main characters in each episode.

• US sitcoms are often character led

• There is generally a moral conclusion at the end of each episode of a US sitcom.

• Most characters in sitcoms have cliched sayings which they will say at least once in every episode

• Although there are ongoing storylines, the primary plotline is resolved in each episode.

• There is a main problem to be resolved at the end of each episode

• Ideologies of US sitcoms are far more idealistic and aspirational than those of UK sitcoms