Even though sitcoms have been around for decades, they still do their part in making audiences laugh. They’ve undergone a lot of transformation since the 1950s, and the evolution in how plotlines, filming styles, and genres have changed gave us what we have today. Here’s a look at the development of sitcoms as outlined per decade from 1950 to 2010.
Decade: 1950s
Milestones: This time period marks the birth of the sitcom.
Noteworthy shows: I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Leave it to Beaver
“He’s put his foot down so many times, I feel like I’m married to a Cuban centipede!”
The 1950s began the sitcom legacy. Of some of the first situation comedies to ever hit television programming, many of them were “domestic comedies,” or Domcoms, like Father Knows Best, for example. The Laff Box was also a staple for many comedies from this decade, and the laugh track was used for shows like I Love Lucy.
Decade: 1960s
Milestones: Sitcoms with sci-fi elements are introduced.
Noteworthy shows: The Beverly Hillbillies, I Dream of Jeannie, The Addams Family, The Dick Van Dyke Show
“You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again!”
The ‘60s marked the beginning of the transition into storylines that weren’t based on what used to be considered “typical” families; as society changed, so did plotlines. Entire communities would be featured, or a single-parent household would be the center of the show (like in The Andy Griffith Show). Aside from these changes, sci-fi elements were introduced, as shown in I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched.
Decade: 1970s
Milestones: Shows start addressing serious issues.
Noteworthy shows: The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, M*A*S*H, The Brady Bunch
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happy hour.”
If the 1960s brought the first step toward changes in script for sitcoms, the 1970s showed the biggest strides. Important issues were addressed, such as racial and gender equality. M*A*S*H tackled the topic of war’s atrocities, The Mary Tyler Moore Show was basically the first to take women from the home and put them in the workplace, and All in the Family used Archie Bunker’s bigotry to segue into topics like women’s rights and racism.
Decade: 1980s
Milestones: Sitcoms surrounding a comedian gain popularity.
Noteworthy shows: Cheers, The Cosby Show, The Wonder Years, Growing Pains
“It’s a dog eat dog world, and I’m wearing Milkbone underwear.”
Many great shows aired in the 1980s that had a big impact on its viewers. The Cosby Show made a big impact on American audiences — in fact, The New York Times even ran an article in 2008 about the “Huxtable effect” and how the show could have played a part in changing attitudes about race enough to allow Obama a chance at the presidency. Other shows had influence, too, like The Wonder Years, which had a coming-of-age feel and taught life lessons in a relatable way.
Decade: 1990s
Milestones: Animated sitcoms are reborn.
Noteworthy shows: Seinfeld, Friends, The Simpsons, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
“Olive oil? Asparagus? If your mother wasn’t so fancy, we could just shop at the gas station like normal people.”
The 1990s produced some of the best sitcoms that are still on television as re-runs today (like Seinfeld). Aside from that, though, the cartoon sitcom boomed in popularity, especially after the creation of The Simpsons (which is the longest running sitcom in American TV history). Well-known shows like South Park and Family Guy followed, ushering in a new age for animated comedy shows.
Decade: 2000s
Milestones: Single-camera formats become popular.
Noteworthy shows: Two and a Half Men, The Office, 30 Rock, Arrested Development
“Would I rather be feared or loved? Um, easy: both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”
The 2000s were not the best decade for sitcoms; in 1999, there were 44 included in the prime-time network lineup, but there were only 22 included in 2009, according to the NY Daily News. The article mentions the possibility of reality shows being a reason for this, as they’re cheap and generally popular. While the end of the decade shows a big decline from 1999, it’s an uptick from previous years, and many great shows like Big Bang Theory and Parks and Recreation have been aired to entertain viewers.
Conclusion
From I Love Lucy to Everybody Loves Raymond, sitcoms have undergone many changes over the last several decades. There are so many different types, as well, whether you’re talking about single- or multi-camera formats; laugh tracks, silence, or live studio audiences; or even just the subject matter discussed, sitcoms employ different methods, production styles, and plotlines to entertain audiences and provoke laughter.
