GCSE media studies exam Revision from LouiseDownie

Compare two different genres of Comedy TV

Use two different examples of comedy television programmes to explain the differences and similarities of genre. Refer closely to examples from your research.

Use the information on your blog to help you talk about two different genres of comedy television. To plan your answer create a table to list the similarities and differences between your choice of shows before you write anything.

• Remember to explain the codes and conventions. What makes a Sketch Show and a Situation Comedy show different? How are they similar in terms of length of episode or audience pleasures?
• Comment on the Institution. Who broadcasts the programme? Explore the commercial pressures of scheduling TV Comedy to mainstream audiences. Do Public Service Broadcasters have more freedom to explore new comedy ideas? Remember how reliant companies are on income from advertising.

Audience Pleasures

The type of audience pleasures you need to write about in the exam include:

• narrative pleasures such as those of narrative resolution, 
• character identification, snowballing narrative, suspense, comedy, and so on
• pleasures of recognition, familiarity and anticipation
• pleasures of difference-within-repetition
• performance unpredictability and spontaneity
• transgressive pleasures
• specific pleasures associated with performers or personalities.

British Comedy Genres

Situation Comedies (aka Sitcoms)

A humorous series featuring the reactions of a regular cast of characters to unusual situations, such as misunderstandings or embarrassing coincidences. These comedies are usually centred around a common environment, for example a family home or workplace.

Sketch Shows

Sketch shows are made up from a series of un-connected short comedy scenes (aka 'sketches' / 'skits'). These shows are normally performed by a small group of actors who play multiple roles. The emphasis is very much on a punchline or character trait.

Stand-Up Shows

In this section we list the broadcast shows that feature the brave souls who are prepared to stand in front of a microphone and tell a succession of stories, jokes and one-liners to make a studio audience laugh.

Panel Shows

This genre of comedy is particularly popular in the UK. Also known as 'Panel Games', 'Parlour Games' or 'Quizcoms', these shows pit teams against each other via quiz questions - but getting the right answers is not normally the real aim, it's just an excuse to be funny.

Comedy Programmes: Carshare Research Task

Find out about the show Carshare.
1. Writer
2. Scheduled broadcast
3. Codes and Conventions of Situation Comedy
4. Viewing Figures
5. Critic opinions.
6. Episodes


Use this British Comedy Guide to help you work out the different genres of comedy. Remember, we have looked at a Sketchshow already. How is Carshare different?

Walliams and Friends Research

You need to know the following information: the day, time and channel of the programme (in this case Walliams and Friend).
Research the following:

• Who commissioned the programme?
• Who produced it?
• What audience is it aimed at? Why?
• Why is it on at that time and on that channel? Link to 'type' of comedy and target audience. 
• Is it on after the watershed? Why?
• Know the audience demographic