美国情景喜剧电视剧概要.doc

Introduction of SitcomA Genre of the US TV SeriesApplicant:Benjamin YouSupervisor:Li HuiFaculty:Communication Engineering December 10, 2015East China Normal UniversityContentsAbstractii1. Comedy11.1 Definition11.2 History11.2.1 Dionysiac origins, Aristophanes and Aristotle11.2.2 In ancient Sanskrit drama21.2.3 Shakespearean and Elizabethan comedy21.2.4 19th to early 20th century31.2.5 20th century film and television32. Situation Comedy42.1 Definition43. Three Typical American Sitcoms53.1 Friends53.2 How I Met Your Mother63.3 Modern Family74. Comparison between the American and the Chinese Comedy7Bibliography9AbstractWith the extensive global communication, people in each nation learn something new, mostly from other countries, much more easily. As a part of the culture exchange, TV series, especially the situation comedy, is just a case in point. A successful TV industry always has its vast influence. Take the US TV industry as an example, the situation comedy is one of the major genre of the US TV series, and its wide recognition and acknowledgement has made the entire industry so influential, not only in the mainland America, but even in some other countries and regions as well, like China. This essay is a brief introduction of the situation comedy of the US, and it will present three well-known sitcoms to illustrate the idea.Key words: US TV series, comedy, situation comedy, daily life, cultural influence ii1.Comedy1.1 DefinitionIn a modern sense,comedy(from theGreek:,kmida) refers to any discourse or work generally intended to behumorousor to amuse by inducinglaughter, especially intheatre,television,filmandstand-up comedy. The origins of the term are found inAncient Greece. In theAthenian democracy, thepublic opinionof voters was influenced by thepolitical satireperformed by thecomic poetsat thetheaters. The theatrical genre of Greek comedy can be described as a dramatic performance which pits two groups or societies against each other in an amusingagonor conflict.Northrop Fryedepicted these two opposing sides as a Society of Youth and a Society of the Old.A revised view characterizes the essential agon of comedy as a struggle between a relatively powerless youth and the societal conventions that pose obstacles to his hopes. In this struggle, the youth is understood to be constrained by his lack of social authority, and is left with little choice but to take recourse in ruses which engender very dramaticironywhich provokeslaughter. Satireandpolitical satireuse comedy to portray persons or social institutions as ridiculous or corrupt, thus alienating their audience from the object of their humor.Parodysubverts popular genres and forms, critiquing those forms without necessarily condemning them.Other forms of comedy includescrewball comedy, which derives its humor largely from bizarre, surprising (and improbable) situations or characters, andblack comedy, which is characterized by a form of humor that includes darker aspects of human behavior or human nature. Similarlyscatological humor, sexual humor, andrace humorcreate comedy by violatingsocial conventionsortaboosin comic ways. Acomedy of mannerstypically takes as its subject a particular part of society (usually upper class society) and uses humor to parody or satirize the behavior and mannerisms of its members.Romantic comedyis a popular genre that depicts burgeoning romance in humorous terms and focuses on the foibles of those who are falling in love.1.2 History1.2.1 Dionysiac origins, Aristophanes and AristotleStarting from 425 BCE,Aristophanes, a comic playwright and satirical author of theAncient Greek Theaterwrote 40 comedies, 11 of which survive. Aristophanes developed his type of comedy from the earliersatyr plays, which were often highlyobscene.Of the satyr plays the only surviving examples are byEuripideswhich are much later examples and not representative of the genre. In ancient Greece, comedy originated in bawdy andribaldsongs or recitations apropos ofphallic processionsand fertility festivals or gatherings. Around 335 BCE,Aristotle, in his workPoetics, stated that comedy originated inPhallic processionsand the light treatment of the otherwise base and ugly. He also adds that the origins of comedy are obscure because it was not treated seriously from its inception. However, comedy had its ownMuse:Thalia.Aristotletaught that comedy was generally a positive for society, since it brings forth happiness, which forAristotlewas the ideal state, the final goal in any activity. For Aristotle, a comedy did not need to involve sexual humor. A comedy is about the fortunate arise of a sympathetic character. Aristotle divides comedy into three categories or subgenres:farce, romantic comedy, andsatire. On the contrary,Platotaught that comedy is a destruction to the self. He believed that it produces an emotion that overrides rational self-control and learning. InThe Republic, he says that the Guardians of the state should avoid laughter, for ordinarily when one abandons himself to violent laughter, his condition provokes a violent reaction. Plato says comedy should be tightly controlled if one wants to achieve the ideal state.Also inPoetics, Aristotle defined Comedy as one of the original four genres ofliterature. The other three genres aretragedy,epic poetry, andlyric poetry. Literature in general is defined by Aristotle as amimesis, or imitation of life. Comedy is the third form of literature, being the most divorced from a true mimesis. Tragedy is the truest mimesis, followed by epic poetry, comedy and lyric poetry. The genre of comedy is defined by a certain pattern according to Aristotles definition. Comedies begin with low or base characters seeking insignificant aims, and end with some accomplishment of the aims which either lightens the initial baseness or reveals the insignificance of the aims.1.2.2 In ancient Sanskrit dramaAfter 200 BCE, in ancientSanskrit drama,Bharata MunisNatya Shastradefined humor (hsyam) as one of the ninenava rasas, or principlerasas(emotional responses), which can be inspired in the audience bybhavas, the imitations of emotions that the actors perform. Eachrasawas associated with a specificbhavas portrayed on stage. In the case of humor, it was associated with mirth (hasya).1.2.3 Shakespearean and Elizabethan comedyComedy, in itsElizabethanusage, had a very different meaning from modern comedy. A Shakespearean comedy is one that has a happy ending, usually involving marriages between the unmarried characters, and a tone and style that is more light-hearted than Shakespeares other plays. ThePunch and Judyshow has roots in the 16th-century Italiancommedia dellarte. The figure of Punch derives from the Neapolitan stock character ofPulcinella. The figure who later became Mr. Punch made his first recorded appearance in England in 1662. Punch and Judy are performed in the spirit of outrageous comedy often provoking shocked laughter and are dominated by the anarchic clowning of Mr. Punch. Appearing at a significant period in British history, professor Glyn Edwards states: Pulcinella went down particularly well with Restoration British audiences, fun-starved after years ofPuritanism. We soon changed Punchs name, transformed him from a marionette to a hand puppet, and he became, really, a spirit of Britain - a subversive maverick who defies authority, a kind of puppet equivalent to ourpolitical cartoons. 1.2.4 19th to early 20th centuryIn early 19th century England,pantomimeacquired its present form which includes slapstick comedy and featured the first mainstream clownJoseph Grimaldi, while comedy routines also featured heavily in Britishmusic halltheatre which became popular in the 1850s. British comedians who honed their skills in music hall sketches includeCharlie Chaplin,Stan LaurelandDan Leno. English music hall comedian and theatre impresarioFred Karnodeveloped a form of sketch comedy without dialogue in the 1890s, and Chaplin and Laurel were among the comedians who worked for him.American film producerHal Roachstated: Fred Karno is not only a genius, he is the man who originated slapstick comedy. We in Hollywood owe much to him.Americanvaudevilleemerged in the 1880s and remained popular until the 1930s, and featured comedians such asW. C. Fields,Buster Keatonand theMarx Brothers.1.2.5 20th century film and televisionThe advent of cinema in the late 19th century, and later radio and television in the 20th century broadened the access of comedians to the general public. Charlie Chaplin, through silent film, became one of the best known faces on earth. The silent tradition lived on well in to the 20th century through mime artists likeMarcel Marceau, and the physical comedy of artists likeRowan Atkinsonas Mr. Bean. The tradition of the circus clown also continued, with such asBozo the Clownin the United States andOleg Popovin Russia. Radio provided new possibilities - with Britain producing the influentialGoon Showafter the Second World War.American cinemahas produced a great number of globally renowned comedy artists, fromLaurel and Hardy, theThree Stooges,Abbott and Costello,Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, as well asBob Hopeduring the mid-20th century, to performers likeGeorge Carlin,Robin Williams, andEddie Murphyat the end of the century.Hollywoodattracted many international talents like the British comicsPeter Sellers,Dudley MooreandSacha Baron Cohen, Canadian comicsDan Aykroyd,Jim Carrey, andMike Myers, and theAustralian comedianPaul Hogan, famous forCrocodile Dundee. Other centers of creative comic activity have been thecinema of Hong Kong,Bollywood, and Frenchfarce.American television has also been an influential force in world comedy: with American series likeM*A*S*H,SeinfeldandThe Simpsonsachieving large followings around the world. British television comedy also remains influential, with quintessential works including Fawlty Towers,Monty Python,Dads Army,Blackadder, andThe Office. Australian satiristBarry Humphries, whose comic creations include the housewife and gigastar DameEdna Everage, For his delivery of Dadaist andabsurdisthumor to millions, was described by biographer Anne Pender in 2010 as not only the most significant theatrical figure of our time . but the most significant comedian to emerge since Charlie Chaplin.2. Situation Comedy1.1 DefinitionAsituation comedy, often shortened to theportmanteausitcom, is agenreofcomedythat features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, with often humorous dialogue. Such programs originated inradio, but today, sitcoms are found mostly ontelevisionas one of its dominant narrativeforms. This form also includes mockumentaries such asThe OfficeandParks and Recreation.A situation comedytelevision programmay be recorded in front of astudio audience, depending on the programs production format. The effect of a live studio audience can be imitated by the use of alaugh track.3. Three Typical American Sitcoms3.1 FriendsThe show starts as Rachel Greenflees her wedding day and seeks out childhood friendMonica Geller, a New York City chef. They become roommates, and Rachel joins Monicas social circle of single people in their mid-20s: struggling actorJoey Tribbiani, business professionalChandler Bing, masseuse and musicianPhoebe Buffay, and newly divorcedpaleontologistRoss Geller, Monicas older brother. To support herself, Rachel becomes a waitress at Central Perk, a Manhattan coffeehouse where the group often hangs out; when not there, the six are usually at Monica and Rachels nearbyWest Villageapartment, or Joey and Chandlers across the hall.Episodes typically depict the friends comedic and romantic adventures and career issues, such as Joey auditioning for roles or Rachel seeking jobs in the fashion industry. The six characters each have many dates and serious relationships, such as Monica with Richard Burke and Ross with Emily Waltham. Ross and Rachels intermittent relationship is the most often-recurring storyline; during the ten seasons of the show they repeatedly date and break up, even while Ross briefly marries Emily, he and Rachel have a child, Chandler and Monica date and marry each other, and Phoebe marries Mike Hannigan. Other frequently recurring characters include Ross and Monicas parents in Long Island, Rosss ex-wife and their son, Central Perk barista Gunther, Chandlers ex-girlfriend Janice, and Phoebes twin sisterUrsula.Friendsreceived acclaim throughout its run, becoming one of the most popular television shows of all time. The series was nominated for 62Primetime Emmy Awards, winning theOutstanding Comedy Seriesaward in 2002 for its eighth season. The show ranked no. 21 onTV Guides 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Timeand no. 7 onEmpiremagazines The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.In 1997, the episode The One with the Prom Video was ranked no. 100 onTV Guides 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time.In 2013,Friendsranked no. 24 on theWriters Guild of Americas 101 Best Written TV Series of All Time and no. 28 on TV Guides 60 Best TV Series of All Time.In 2014, the series was ranked by Mundo Estranhothe Best TV Series of All Time. 3.2 How I Met Your MotherHow I Met Your Mother(often abbreviated toHIMYM) is an Americansitcomthat originally aired onCBSfrom September 19, 2005, to March 31, 2014. The series follows the main character,Ted Mosby, and his group of friends inManhattan. As aframing device, Ted, in the year 2030, recounts to his son and daughter the events that led him to meeting their mother.The series concerns the adventures ofTed Mosby(played byJosh Radnor) and how he met the mother of his children. The story starts with the younger Mosby living in New York City and working as an architect; the narrative deals primarily with his best friends, including the long-lasting coupleMarshall Eriksen(Jason Segel) andLily Aldrin(Alyson Hannigan); the eccentric, womanizing-playboyBarney Stinson(Neil Patrick Harris); and news anchorRobin Scherbatsky(Cobie Smulders). The series explores many storylines, including a will they or wont they relationship between Robin and each of the two single male characters, Marshall and Lilys relationship, and the ups and downs of the characters careers.The showsframe storydepicts Ted (voice ofBob Saget, uncredited) verbally retelling the story to his son Luke (David Henrie) and daughter Penny (Lyndsy Fonseca) as they sit on the couch in the year 2030. This future-set frame is officially the shows present day andHow I Met Your Motherexploits this framing device in numerous ways: to depict and re-depict events from multiple points of view; to set up jokes using quick and sometimes multipleflashbacksnested within the oral retelling; to substitute visual, verbal or aural euphemisms for activities Ted doesnt want to talk about with his children (sexual practices, use of illicit substances, vulgar language, etc.); and even to add some elements of humor: in the episode How I Met Everyone Else, Ted describes his dates with a girlfriend whose name he has forgotten, leading all characters to act as though her given name were Blah-Blah.While the traditional love-story structure begins when the romantic leads first encounter each other,How I Met Your Motherdoes not introduce Teds wife (Cristin Milioti) until the eighth season finale, and only announces her name (Tracy McConnell) during the series finale. The show instead focuses on Teds prior relationships and his dissatisfaction with those women, thus setting the stage for his eventual happiness with Tracy.3.3 Modern FamilyModern Familyrevolves around three families living in the Los Angeles area who are interrelated through Jay Pritchett and his children, Claire Dunphy (ne Pritchett) and Mitchell Pritchett.PatriarchJay is remarried to a much younger woman, Gloria Pritchett (formerly Delgado and ne Ramirez), a passionate Colombian with whom he has a baby son, Fulgencio (Joe) Pritchett; and a son from Glorias previous marriage,Manny Delgado. Jays daughter Claire is a homemakermarried to Phil Dunphy, a real-estate agent and self-professed cool dad. They have three children: Haley Dunphy the stereotypical ditzy teenage girl;Alex Dunphy, a nerdy, smart middle child;and Luke Dunphy, the offbeat only son.Jays lawyer son Mitchell and hishusbandCameron Tucker have an adoptedVietnamesedaughter, Lily Tucker-Pritchett. As the name suggests, this family represents a modern-day family and episodes are comically based on situations which many families encounter in real life. Modern Familyis an American televisio