This isn't necessarily ratings related, but multi-cam versus single-camera sitcomes comes up in our comments discussions quite a bit. And there is actually a numbers component to it, mainly that multi-cam is cheaper.
The LA Times has a long story featuring what's going on with sitcom development at each of the broadcast networks (and in the case of The CW, what isn't going on with sitcom development since it isn't developing any). Fans of sitcom development and the multi vs. single cam debate should definitely check the full article out.
Of 71 scripted pilots in contention for slots at the five networks, 33 are half-hour comedies and 19 of those are multi-camera formats -- shows taped before a live audience, and sometimes enhanced by laugh tracks. Today, only CBS airs multi-cam sitcoms.
The multi-cam sitcom, such as legendary hits "I Love Lucy" and "Cheers," was once the dominant format in which to televise comedies, as much for conveying a theater-like intimacy to home audiences as for its relatively cheap production costs. But within the last decade, multi-cam sitcoms began to disappear, while single-camera comedies like "30 Rock" and "The Office," with its movie-like freedom, started to rise in prominence.
"The industry had been moving away from multi-cameras out of a sense that other formats offer more creative freedom," said Jamie Erlicht, president of programming at Sony Pictures Television. "But there's room for both and there's a real appetite in these economic times for the tried and true multi-camera format."
[...]
"Multi-cameras are cheaper," said Zack Van Amburg, president of programming at Sony Pictures Television. "But I promise you this: While everyone is being saner and smarter and the economics are more pressured than they ever have been, it's still a hit-driven business. I don't think if they didn't believe and we didn't believe that good multi-cameras can still break out that you'd be seeing this trend."There's no doubt cutting costs is a paramount consideration this season. Cash-strapped networks have taken a number of steps to lower their expenses, including filming outside of Los Angeles to take advantage of tax incentives, reducing license fees, or asking talent to accept lower fees.
Funny because CBS is the only one with “real” non-media generated hit sitcoms.
71 scripted pilots?????? I think that’s too many! out of those 71 pilots I think 1/5 of it will be air this season.
Look at this current tv season there’s only 1 true new hit and that was The Mentalist! Fringe and Lie to Me are close but its not getting 13 million viewers every week.
Thats’s a whole lot of shows! I wonder how many will be on The CW & NBC?
Let me tell you Shem!
CBS- 4 shows (NCIS Legend, 2 sitcoms, 1 series)
ABC- 5 shows (V, No Heroics, 1 reality show, 2 series)
FOX- 3 shows (Virtuality, 1 series, 1 sitcom)
NBC- 4 shows (Legally Mad, Day One, 2 reality show
CW – 3 shows (Lily, Melrose Place Deux, Vampire Diaries)
ABCFanaticGold
All the channels have more pilots in the roster. CBS has around 20, I guess. And even The CW has at least 5. Your list is very far from reality.
Why doesn’t this article mention that multi-cams are also inherintly funnier than single-cams.
You want to go there, the128boy?
Lol, sorry, I couldn’t resist. Besides that’s the issue that brings the multi vs. Single debate to these posts half the time. I don’t know what got into me.
i really prefer the multi camera I mean CBS is really the only network with sitcoms that have a large audience. So you would think that the others would want to follow their footsteps
I find it difficult to even watch a multi-cam now. The laugh track gets on my nerves and the single-cam shows are just funnier. Obviously there are some exceptions (HIMYM is one of the best shows out there) but for the most part I don’t have any interest in any new multi-cam’s.
It would appear as though at least *some* of the nets are investing a little more in multi cams vs. Single cams this season, but just because there are more multi-cams in pilot stage doesn’t mean more of them will be picked up. Upfronts will reveal if there is really going to be a majority of multi cams tried out this season or not.
Tony the problem with that argument is that recently CBS is the only network that’s been able to make a multi-cam hit – NBC gave up the ghost on multi-cam shows because everyone they tried flopped.
ABC airs According to Jim and Surviving Suburbia, both of which are multi-camera. So isnt the article wrong that says only CBS ais multi-camera comedies? (FOX did earlier this year as well with ‘Til Death)
I suspect they probably mean successful multi-cam shows… although if you measure it in number of seasons According to Jim did amazingly well…
71 scripted pilots is a lot and most of them will never see the light of day. The thought of so many sitcoms making it to the air makes me dread next fall. I hate sitcoms. I think the last sitcom I watched was Will & Grace.
Clearly ABCFanatic is making predictions re:which shows will be picked up.
And 70 is not that much. If you actually read the article, you’d know that usually there are over a hundred pilots ordered.
As long as the balance is there for all comedy fans that’s what matter. It just isn’t right when one version of sitcoms overtakes the other like it has in recent years.
SS ratings might’ve just proved that the multi-cams are on their way back.
Writing is what makes a show funny, and to a lesser extent acting. Format doesn’t really matter. Single Cam shows tend to be more interesting visually but it doesn’t make the jokes better. I prefer a good single-cam over a multi-cam for the aforementioned visuals. It makes me feel like I’m watching a short movie instead of a long sketch.
Hot Pocket, Suburbia’s rating were hardly healthy considering (a) they are Dancing-inflated, and (b) this is *most likely* the highest it will go. NCAA was a big factor for the other broadcast nets last night, but i doubt SS will do much better against cbs’ regular comedy block.
And btw, Kath & Kim debuted with a 3.2
Here is what makes a good sitcom.
Do People Find the Show Funny???
Does not matter if its MultiCam/Laugh Track vs. SingleCam/No Laugh Track. Is the show funny. Dramety’s also blur the line with shows like Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Burn Notice etc.
Big Bang Theory, Two and Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, Rules of Engagment= Mult-Cam sitcoms that do well.
The Office, 30 Rock, Scrubs = Single Cam sitcoms that do well…or did in the case of Scrubs
Suburbia is dumb and without DTWS it would BOMB Quick.