GOOD TIMES!!

In Wednesday’s lecture by Colin Tain he discussed many different aspects and characteristics of the TV sitcom.  The TV sitcom is narrative fiction programming, which features reoccurring cycles and patterns. These patterns include reoccurring characters and environments incorporated with humor. They usually have a structure built around ads, reward polysemy, and are hyperbolic. These shows almost always have mini- resolutions, which means a problem or disturbance to the typical situation is usually presented in the beginning, but always resolved at the end. These characteristics make the sitcom a stable part of the viewer’s life. The viewer can watch and almost always know what to expect. This makes the viewer feel like watching the sitcom regularly, just to see if things will finally change.

These characteristics and aspects are very apparent in one of my favorite family sitcoms, Good Times. Good Times almost always centers on the same characters, the Evan’s family (Thelma, J.J., Michael, Flor, James), although sometimes the sitcom involves various guest actors. Of course this changes, as main characters are added and removed from the show, but for the most part the show centers on the family. The setting for the show is always in the “projects” or somewhere near. Something unfair is always happening to the Evan’s family and they seem to always be down on their luck, but through humor and good faith they always make it through their troubles. I even thought it was kind of funny (although I know it is not supposed to be) that every time things are going great for the Evan’s family and they are going to finally make it out of poverty, something awful happens.  This concept is even what causes Flor to debut her famous line, “Daamn, Daamn, Damn!”( lol)Eventually the Evan’s family does make it out of poverty, and the show ends. The reoccurring patterns and cycles are what make me love this show, and I could not imagine it any other way!