Lessons Learned

The aspect about television programs and sitcoms in general that intrigued me the most was the idea of episodic vs. serial structure. Both structures are used quite often on television, in fact almost every show is one of the two, and as obvious as it is I'm surprised that I have yet to stop and think about the difference between the
two. Sitcoms are generally known to be episodic programs in which the television show ends where it begins and the main character or characters learns a lesson. You would think that using the same format every week would get repetitive or boring, but most good t.v. sitcoms have such intelligent dialouge or outrageous situations that the lessons learned or "morals" are very subtle. This is very much the case on one of my favorite shows called The Big Bang Theory.

The show is like all other sitcoms in that it is a half hour comedy that for the most part ends where the episode began. The main characters Sheldon and Leonard are often faced with a problem, usually individually, that sometimes involves their scientific profession or their social awkwardness. When they are having social problems there neighbor from across the hall, Penny, is there to assist them and their two other friends from work. Regardless, at the end of the episode one of the five main cast members learns a lesson of some sort. There are some aspects of the show that interconnect the episodes, such as Leonard and Penny's relationship that develops over the course of the seasons, but other than that the plot of each episode is only relevant to said episode. Being one of the highest rated comedies on television now, it is apparent that the writing is very clever and the acting is top notch (Jim Parsons recieved the Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Comedy this year) and because that is this case, the episodic platform will continue to be successful.

One of my favorite clips from the first season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MUY3hLC8JQ