People are lazy, it’s a fact. Hey, I’m lazy, I can admit it. That’s why I’m handing in this article really late (sorry, editors!) And that’s not the only kind of writing job where laziness rears its ugly (it’s too lazy to put work into its appearance). Television writers can be guilty of the same thing (segue!) This results in a number of common clichés popping up in television shows and, surprise surprise, I have compiled a list of the 7 Most Common Sit-Com Tropes On TV:
The High School Nobody Who Is Super Hot
Have you seen Suburgatory or Awkward? Both shows are about teenaged girls who are having trouble fitting in at school. Here’s the issue… these girls are IMPOSSIBLY BEAUTIFUL (and both are played by adult actresses, so no one call the cops on me) and would absolutely immediately be pushed to the top of the social pecking order, whether they wanted to be or not.
White People With One Black Friend
Don’t get me wrong, I do not think this is Mississippi in the 1960s, I am aware that all races are allowed to fraternize. What I mean by this trope is that every single group of white friends on television always have one single black friend. Sometimes an Asian will show up and be either 1. Nerdy, or 2. SUPER hot. But in life, groups of friends come in all different colors and backgrounds (well, rich people don’t usually fraternize with us proles). Let us have our mixed group of friend, television!
20 Year Olds Who Only Hang Out In One Business
These shows always take place in a city where there are lots of options for different things to do. So why are the characters always hanging out in the same dumb coffee shop or bar? For budgetary reasons, that’s why.
Will They or Won’t They?
Sam and Diane. Ross and Rachel. Mork And Mindy (I think, I was pre-birth when it was on the air). A lot of sit-coms are built on the question of whether or not two of the main characters will get together… in a romantic fashion. Of course they always do. But in life? In life, no, they won’t get together. Because life is cruel, and romance is hard. And there’s probably a better romantic match for you than your roommate/long time friend/sister’s best friend.
Handsome Actors/Actresses
People don’t look like that.
Talking To The Camera
Why are the characters directly addressing the camera? Is the show’s premise that it’s a documentary? If so, why does the documentary not seem to be about anything other than what all sit-coms about? Or, are they addressing the camera directly because it’s the easiest way to get exposition out? BINGO!
Parents Who Own A Home And Spend Time With Their Kids
Yeah right, as if that happens in this economy LOL!
TV, right guys *Takes a long pull of whiskey*? Let us know in the comments!
