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Article: New lease on laughter: TV sitcoms begin to put on a fresh face.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- August 7, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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PASADENA, Calif. _What's so funny?
It surely isn't TV sitcoms, which have become a broadcast stepchild in recent years, overshadowed by drama and then by "reality." But this fall, there are some changes in the air.
Seven of the 15 new comedies on the broadcast networks, a higher percentage than ever, have discarded aged TV conventions, especially the traditional "three-camera" format, unchanged since it was popularized by Lucille Ball in the early `50s.
Using flashback and fantasy, computer-generated screen elements and changing perspectives, these shows have a fresh look that could lure viewers back to a decaying form.
There's also ...