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situation comedy
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Also called:
sitcom
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situation comedy

broadcasting genre
Also known as: sitcom
Written and fact-checked by
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•History

situation comedy, radio or television comedy series that involves a continuing cast of characters in a succession of episodes. Often the characters are markedly different types thrown together by circumstance and occupying a shared environment such as an apartment building or workplace. Sitcoms are typically half an hour in length; they are either taped in front of a studio audience or employ canned applause, and they are marked by verbal sparring and rapidly resolved conflicts.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.