Beyond Sitcom: New Directions in American Television ComedyThis book explores the mechanisms that have driven the evolution of televisual comedy from the classic sitcom, a genre deeply rooted in its theatrical origins, toward a more mature stage of television's history. It analyzes four comic series--Scrubs, The Office, The Comeback, and Ugly Betty--revealing how each separates itself from the traditional sitcom archetype and shows increased awareness of the comic genre. Throughout the author focuses on two cardinal themes: the relationship between comedy and euphoria; and the relationship between comic texts and reality. |
Contents
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Preface
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1 |
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Introduction
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3 |
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1 Situation Comedy
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21 |
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2 Scrubs
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35 |
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3 The Office
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65 |
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4 The Comeback
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85 |
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5 Ugly Betty
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107 |
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6 Genre Dynamics
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132 |
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7 Comedy Misplaced
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152 |
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8 Comedy and Reality
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167 |
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Glossary
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185 |
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Chapter Notes
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191 |
| 197 | |
| 205 | |
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Common terms and phrases
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