2/ Like all fictions, sitcoms are fantasies: they invite us into alternate realities. If we examine the sitcom universe as a whole — that is, if we compare these alternate realities to one another — some patterns emerge.
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7/ In the name of humor, characters can do and say things to one another that would invariably incite resentment/offence in real people. In this alternate universe, repairing the social fallout from the most awkward and humiliating human experiences is the job of script writers.
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8/ Creating plausible causes for forgiveness and resolution is as easy as introducing a new little plot twist. Hearts can be changed as easily as screenplays can be written.
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9/ For as long as the television network deems a show profitable, it is the job of the narrative architect to miraculously rescue the characters from the constant litany of insults and offences that would surely undermine most human relationships outside of a studio set.
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10/ One reason why we love sitcoms: they invite us to participate in imaginary social circles that are virtually indestructible. The core cast of a sitcom is a group of people who always figure out a way to stay friends despite impossible odds.
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11/ As sure as there’s another episode on actors’ contracts, redemption and reconciliation are virtually guaranteed. No matter how slighted or offended a character might be as the result of most comedic situations, there’s always a way to socially reintegrate everyone.
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12/ In this sense, a sitcom is, basically, what we all want in life: friends who will be there no matter what happens. Sitcoms are about much more than make-believe places where everybody knows your name: they are about make-believe places where your inclusion is permanent.
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13/ The fabric of camaraderie must be always systematically threatened by internal and external forces on the relationships, as in real life, but in a sitcom the stasis of friendship is restored.
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14/ It is precisely because sitcom social circles are so indestructible that they can be a platform for comedy at all.
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15/ To create imaginary environments where people can say and do ridiculous things to one another, writers require a cast of individuals comprised of personality traits that can perpetually clash and be repeatedly reconciled. This is the recipe of every successful sitcom.
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16/ The point is, on the basis of the group’s guaranteed cohesion, sitcom characters are able to do something that is virtually impossible in real life: be absolutely honest with each other all the time.
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17/ The fictional characters can tell one another what they really think without alienating one another. They can make comments about one another that would fundamentally jeopardize trust in real life. A sitcom’s ultimate caricature is a fictionalized version of honesty itself.
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18/ What endears us to sitcoms? Trust. We are mesmerized by the idea of friends who will remain friends no matter what they say and do to one another. And their vulnerability leads to an fictionalized intimacy on screen that is endlessly attractive to us.
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19/ They are know and are fully known by one another. At the same time, they never need to strategically tweak the truth to risk hurting each other’s feelings. They enjoy 100% openness and 100% acceptance.
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20/ In real life, however, trust is extremely fragile. Actual human beings don’t follow scripts. They are not contractually bound to show up again next week. What you say/do to your real friends matters. It matters a lot. Such is the plight of not living in a television show.
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21/ Sitcoms point out the inescapable psychological dissonance we must navigate in our own relationships: our desire for mutual authenticity balanced with our desire for communal stability.
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End of conversation
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