1. Background of Bill Cosby Assignment Rubric https://www. youtube

2. How are people represented in sitcoms?
To know what sitcoms are.
To understand the conventions of sitcoms
To be able to analyze the narrative, target audience and representation based on the conventions of a sitcom.
After watching the youtube clip, I want you to discuss the following:
What do you think sitcoms are?
What do you think the conventions of sitcoms are?
What does representation mean?
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

3. The ‘sit’ and the ‘com’ of sitcom
To know what sitcoms are. To understand the conventions of sitcoms
The ‘sit’ and the ‘com’ of sitcom
Most sitcoms feature a group of characters trapped in a particular situation or in a dysfunctional relationship. The situation could include being part of a family; being married to a grumpy old man; or working with annoying people.
This is the situation.
Sitcoms are also supposed to be funny. We laugh at, or along with the characters, recognising and understanding their situation.
This is the comedy.
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

4. To know what sitcoms are. To understand the conventions of sitcoms
Sitcoms have identifiable, simple locations:
A pub
A living room
A café
A workplace
The location usually sets the tone of the
sitcom. For example, Scrubs is set in a hospital
therefore the plot revolves around medical
incidents.
Name sitcoms that have locations in
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

5. To know what sitcoms are. To understand the conventions of sitcoms
A house or apartment
A school
An office
In fact, you should notice that most
sitcoms contain similar location
formats.
Can you name a few sitcom in the locations listed above?
Why do you think that sicoms only have a limited number of locations in an episode?
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

6. To know what sitcoms are. To understand the conventions of sitcoms
Sitcoms are usually based in a limited location. This makes it cheap for producers. They can use the same main set for most of the episodes.
The sets usually reflect either the domestic setting - the home (My Family, Malcolm In the Middle), or the workplace (The Office, Red Dwarf, The IT Crowd).
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

7. To know what sitcoms are. To understand the conventions of sitcoms
Sitcoms usually focus on a small group of main characters, eg Ross, Rachel, Joey in Friends
There are also usually some supporting characters who have regular minor parts, e.g. Gunter, Ross’s wife.
There can also be transient characters, who have small or very occasional roles, including guest stars, and walk on parts ( e.g. George Clooney playing a doctor in one or two episodes, the newspaper seller).
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

8. To know what sitcoms are. To understand the conventions of sitcoms
Now for 5 minutes, what are the convention of a sitcom?
In other words, what are the main ingredients of sitcoms?
REVIEW LEARNING GOALS
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

9. We are going to watch two sitcoms.
To understand the conventions of sitcoms
To be able to analyze the narrative, target audience and representation based on the conventions of a sitcom.
We are going to watch two sitcoms.
You will choose one to write your essay on. Yes, you’re going to be writing an essay!
First, we are going to watch an Episode of Bill Cosby.
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

10. Reviewing Representation
The world has been destroyed. The entire human population has been extinct. You are all alien explorers and scientists. You are here on earth to find out what the humans were like and how humans lived their lives.
You land on Earth and you come across all of these different advertisements and magazines. What would be your first impression of humans? What would you think humans were like?

11. You find these images...

12. How are people represented in sitcoms?
To know what sitcoms are and representation is.
To understand the conventions of sitcoms and how they relate to representations.
To be able to analyze the narrative, target audience and representation based on the conventions of a sitcom.
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

13. Quiz 1 What are sitcoms? Situational comedies Sitting Comedies
Satellite Communities

14. Quiz 2 What are the typical locations of sitcoms?
There are a variety of locations, especially locations in different countries.
b) There is not a variety of locations, and the stories revolve around one main location.
c) All sitcoms take place in a living and house.

15. Quiz 3 Which one is not a convention of a sitcom? Humour
Usually 30 minutes in length
Car chase scenes
Both a and b

16. Quiz 4 Which one is not a convention of sitcoms?
Dysfunctional Relationships
Getting through difficult times in a funny way.
Death

17. Quiz 5 What are main characters?
The characters that the sitcom focuses on the most.
The protagonists of the show
Characters that come into an episode that comes on the once in awhile
Both a and b.

18. Quiz 6 Transient characters are...
The characters that the sitcom focuses on the most.
The protagonists of the show
Characters that come into an episode that comes on the once in awhile (e.g., a crazy aunt visiting the family, etc.)
The characters that are in the shows, but do not have that many lines.

19. Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
To understand the conventions of sitcoms and how they relate to representations. To be able to analyze the narrative, target audience and representation based on the conventions of a sitcom.
Now, we are going to read some backgound information about “All in the Family”.
It was a funny, but controversial show.
Then we will fill in our brainstorms and finish off the ones from last class.
Sitcom; Conventions; Humour; Location;
Narrative; Theme; Representation; Stereotypes

20. A criticism of situation comedy is that it often provides simplified and unfair representations of ___________________people in our society. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
White
Black
Females
Males
Muslims

21. Consolidation Use the post-it to write the following:
Is there anything that you are unsure about?
Write one thing that you learned in today’s lesson.
Write one thing that you would like to know more about?