TTransparency Item: The “Viewpoints” section of the graphic consists of opinion-based articles. This is the author’s opinion and opinion.
Comedy has been one of the most popular genres on television for decades, starting with classics like “I Love Lucy” and ending with shows like “Derry Girls.”
In the popular imagination, comedy is a form of escapism aimed at making audiences laugh, and not necessarily think deeply about the harsh realities of life. Its obvious counterpart is drama and tragedy, which often present harsher truths about human nature and existence.
However, comedies that reflect dark realities may have been undervalued. Almost every comedy I can think of, old or modern, is a long and tireless demonstration of what people are doing wrong.
“Fleabag” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” both follow funny, intelligent women who keep making bad decisions. They could easily be antagonists in another drama, and even if we don’t like them in real life, they are fascinating heroines that we want to follow as the story unfolds.
Episodes tend to focus on people with eccentric or problematic personalities who usually get into accidents, and viewers can’t help but love them. Their situations can be hilarious or tragic, but they are often handled poorly.
Other comedies feature main characters, usually family members, roommates, or co-workers. “Modern Family” is a widely known example of a drama with no real main character and a cast of various characters relying on each other’s unique strengths.
“Everybody Loves Raymond” is an old sitcom filled with manipulative, jealous, and aggressive people. But the film’s characters, which explore the meaning of love in a dysfunctional family, easily won the affections of critics and audiences alike, earning 69 Emmy nominations and 15 wins.
“Glee” centers on erratic and unsympathetic protagonists, but it also cultivates an audience of anti-fans who hate them and hate to love them. I smiled when Rachel Berry got slashed in her face, and I also smiled when Rachel won the role of Fanny Brice.
Many situations in these shows aren’t as interesting as they seem at first glance. The characters are just as badass, weird, and unfortunate as the people on the show.
The emotional hook of the story doesn’t focus on difficult things that happen to decent people. In fact, the difficult people on these shows are usually causing trouble for themselves.
Therefore, the content of comedies does not seem to be very distinct from dark stories. What separates the two is the presentation of the story. Should we laugh or cry at these reflections of ourselves?
While being serious is often appropriate, there is something to be said for having a sense of humor about yourself and your situation. Humor can be a powerful way for screenwriters to point out harmful behaviors, dynamics, and habits without shame or disgust.
It’s also a great way to introduce nuance and realism to your story and its characters. It’s interesting to see morally gray people represented with compassion and humor, and even if their situation is absurd and sad, it makes people feel more optimistic about their lives and relationships. You can encourage them to take a closer look.
A show that I think perfectly embodies this concept is “The Middle.” This drama is about a family whose luck is constantly down, but their eccentricity, positivity, and loyalty give us hope that, against all odds, they will be okay. .
I think I benefited greatly from seeing someone like Sue Heck, played by Eden Sher, on that show. She is portrayed as a tragically exceptional teenage girl, but her boundless positivity and her generosity towards others are unforgettable.
Her brother Brick, played by Atticus Shaffer, is the oddball in the family, and despite everyone trying to change him, he’s actually fine with being an oddball. I was a neurodivergent child, and it was refreshing to see a neurodivergent character who wasn’t one-dimensional or stereotyped, and who displayed a gentle sense of self-acceptance.
Comedy is not only a source of comfort and escapism; Perhaps they are more important than we give them credit for, and we can look at ourselves with love and hope rather than disappointment with our extended dysfunctional family of humanity. is.
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Email Alyssa Johnson: [email protected]