Who is this character in Friends? Loveable Loser Always in trouble. Usually in the wrong place at the wrong time. The audience must feel for this character or the show will not work.

Joey (Friends, Joey)

Sitcom Interest

Learning Intentions Demonstrate an understanding of why audiences watch television shows Show an understanding of what techniques companies use to appeal to there target audience

Achievement Standard 2.1 Relationship between a media product and its Audience External 3 Credits Sitcom We are going to look at the effects of Advertising on Television and Why the audience watched Television and in particular sitcoms

Why do we watch television? T.V is a reflection of culture or social reality like music, it is a ‘social ritual’ in which we all share It is produced for a mass audience which makes it part of ‘popular culture’ It transmits cultural values or dominant ideology It is capable of satisfying the cultural needs of a diverse group of viewers T.V is an ‘agent’ of socialisation - we construct our identities based on different representations and role models

Why do we watch sitcoms/television?

What audiences get out of watching sitcoms Sitcoms provide relief and humour They reflect social issues that we deal with in everyday life They are safe we know how they are going to end Means of addressing the anxieties/fears in peoples lives

Sitcom Characters Identifiable and Realistic Characters Characters are relatable and seem like the people we come across in daily life Contain traits that we want to have ourselves Likeable characters who seem just like our friends We build a relationship with these characters We connect with the characters and when they succeed and do well we feel good about ourselves

Sitcom Storylines Often set in locations that we are familiar with such as an office or apartment Story is realistic and allows us to connect and understand what happens Reflects different scenarios and groups that we are familiar with. Use exaggerated forms of reality to connect to the audience

What are some unrealistic sitcoms? 3rd Rock From the Sun

What are some realistic sitcoms? Friends The Middle

Sitcom Formula Length: Half an hour Setting: indoors, intimate, safe, personal, warm and cozy space Characters: Same people each week who form a loving “family” whether it be biological, with mom, dad, and the kids, or surrogate, as in the friendship or peer groupings on Friends and Seinfeld. The characters are usually good looking and financially comfortable. Why are the characters good looking and comfortable?

Why was season 8 of Friends so successful? Season premier was September 27th 2001 What events had just happened in America? How could this explain a spike from 18 million viewers to 25 million Does this support the idea of sitcom as a tool for escapism for society? What other cultural impacts did Friends have

Friends (Homework) What does the previous discussed points tell us about the impact that sitcoms and in particular friends have on society Now that you have seen the season 8 premier talk about why this show was so successful post 9/11 what story and character traits would have connected with the audience