Tuesday, March 22

Pilot Season

USA Today comes up with what they call "trends." I would probably call it "the history of the sitcom."

Other comedy trends:

•Familiar faces. TV often depends on well-known names to launch shows, although stars are no guarantee of success. This year, the comedy-star quotient seems even larger and includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Heather Graham, Freddie Prinze Jr., Geena Davis, Donald Sutherland, Melissa Joan Hart, Kristen Johnston and Brooke Shields.

•Drama crossovers. Serious actors are crossing over. James van der Beek (Dawson's Creek), Kyle Chandler (Early Edition), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Julie Bowen (Ed) and Alicia Silverstone (Miss/Match) lead sitcom pilots.

•Singles are everywhere. Call it the anti-Raymond. Many pilots abandon nuclear families in favor of blended clans, single moms, singles looking for love and single co-workers. It also reflects a greater interest in workplace series, which have been scarce in recent seasons.

First off, since when are James van der Beek and Kevin Sorbo "serious actors?"

Second, almost every sitcom ever was based on someone that is at least relatively well-known. Give me a break. This is not something new in 2005.

Oh yeah, watch The Office. You'll pee yourself. Promise.

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