At The Alternative Sitcom We Laughed

Since the 1990s, Britcoms have not only inherited the traditional formula of sitcom. but alsohave created on both the contents and the forms. Gradually, their bold taunt, absurd style anddistinctive British humor have been a special existence which stands up to American sitcoms as anequal across the world. British sitcom has won the attentions of both British and worldwideaudiences. Taking britcoms that are made since the 1990s as objects of study, supported by John GGaweiti's Formula Theory, this dissertation will comprehensively analyze britcoms after the 1990sfrom four aspects: the formation reasons of the genre and the national features, the socio-culturalfunctions of sitcoms, the cultural value and the enlightenments.Chapter One illustrates the genre features of britcoms after the 1990s. Since the 1990s, Britishsitcom has been changing on the genre formulation. While inheriting the shaping of "loser"characters and manifesting the British humor, they are changing with the culture and presenting thetrend of turning towards documentary audio-visual language and dark and absurd comedy tone.Chapter Two analyzes the reasons behind the changes of the national features of britcoms after1990s from socio-cultural context, creating context and industrial context. Tolerant and creative social context provided a liber and open environment and positive policies for the developments ofbritcoms in the 1990s. Relatively independent creating context endowed the britcorms a distinctivestyle of "auteur",and promoted the professionalization of britcoms production. Fierce competitionamong channels and the flourish of independent producing companies significantly promoted theprosperity of sitcoms in Britain.Chapter Three that backed by Gaweiti's Formula Theory and combing with the formulachanges of britcoms after the 1990s, analyzes the two main social functions of britcoms. The followof traditional conventions and the innovation of genre formula reflects the positive responses of britcoms to the mainstream values of British society and the transitions of social culture. Thecontent focus on modern life and the linear narrative shifts to adjust to the audiences' watchinghabits offer the recreation and escape for the audiences.Chapter Four discusses the values and enlightenments of britcoms based on the formal context.britcoms after the 1990s not only broadened the boundary of comedy, but also positively influencedthe comedy industry and cinema. Meanwhile, they spread the British culture all over the world.Whereas, the phenomenon that britcoms have gradually become minor comedy is worthy warning.Only when the comprehensive considerations of the careful social observation, the keen innovationof arts and the attention of mainstream audiences are taken can successful mass sitcoms beproduced hopefully.