Remember the days when you could tune into a random episode of Friends, How I Met Your Mother, or The Office, laugh for 20 minutes, and move on with your day? These sitcoms had an iconic structure: long-running, episodic, and packed with random side plots, festive Halloween specials, and even the occasional crossover with another popular show. They were designed to be easy, casual viewing—you could dip in and out without needing to remember complex storylines.
But where are these shows today? In today’s TV landscape, that easy-going, low-commitment format feels like a relic of the past.
The traditional sitcom format is fading fast, and in its place, a new TV landscape has emerged—one that’s serious and intricate. Modern shows demand more attention, leaving viewers with less freedom to watch on a whim. Instead of the breezy sitcom format that dominated for years, TV is now dominated by high-concept, often shorter, limited-run series that are anything but casual. Unlike the old-school sitcoms where you could dip in and out, these newer series ask for investment—they build on each episode, requiring a level of concentration that makes casual viewing difficult.
So, what happened to the classic sitcom structure? A few key factors are driving the change:
Changing viewer habits
Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have shifted how we watch TV. Binge-watching has become the new norm, pushing series creators toward more focused, tightly woven storytelling. Gone are the days of 22-episode seasons designed to fill a year-long network slot. Instead, shorter seasons (often 8-10 episodes) allow for a more intense, plot-driven experience that keeps viewers hooked—especially when people can consume entire seasons in a single weekend. This trend has made the lighter, episodic nature of classic sitcoms feel disconnected and outdated.
The Rise of Limited Series
The limited series format has exploded in popularity, with shows like Big Little Lies, The Queen’s Gambit, and Mare of Easttown becoming major hits. These series tell a complete story in just one season, which means viewers don’t have to commit to a show for years. They’re designed to keep you invested from start to finish, offering tightly crafted narratives that reach a natural conclusion in just a handful of episodes. Limited series leave little room for filler, and they definitely don’t have the same relaxed, episodic structure that allowed you to casually pop in and out of a classic sitcom.
Demand for Complex Storytelling
Audiences have grown more sophisticated in their tastes, and they expect more from their TV. Today’s comedies often blur the line between humour and serious drama, with shows like Fleabag and Ted Lasso mixing emotional depth with comedy. Even lighter shows that still follow a semi-sitcom structure, such as Abbott Elementary or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, often tackle social issues or build deeper, evolving character arcs that require a level of attention. You can’t just dip into an episode without missing important details or character growth.
Less Casual Viewing
With the focus on serialised, story-driven narratives, many modern shows require intense concentration. Whether it’s following Succession’s intricate power struggles or The White Lotus’s slow-burn drama, TV today demands full immersion. This makes it harder to treat shows as background noise or occasional entertainment. Sitcoms of the past were designed for casual viewing—you didn’t need to see last week’s episode to enjoy this week’s. Now, shows expect you to be fully engaged, and watching a single episode out of context can leave you confused.
The Streaming Model
Networks used to rely on syndication to keep sitcoms alive, but streaming services have disrupted this model. These platforms don’t need endless reruns; they want fresh, binge-worthy content to attract subscribers. Shorter, more intense shows that can make a big splash in a crowded market are far more valuable than long-running sitcoms. Limited series, with their condensed narratives, fit this demand perfectly. They create a sense of urgency—watch it now, before spoilers flood social media—and they maintain high quality throughout their shorter runs, avoiding the narrative fatigue that can come with multiple seasons of a traditional sitcom.
All of this leads to the question: is the classic sitcom dead? Not entirely, but it’s certainly evolved. We may no longer see as many shows with 9 seasons of 20-minute episodes where every week is a fresh, stand-alone adventure, but the comedy genre is finding new life in more ambitious, creatively diverse formats. It’s more about making you think, feel, and stay engaged, rather than just laugh and move on.
While the days of carefree, episodic sitcoms may be fading, the shift in television reflects a deeper demand for meaningful storytelling. Limited series and more complex, serialized shows offer viewers tighter, character-driven narratives that demand attention. The classic sitcom structure hasn’t died completely, but it has evolved to fit modern tastes. Though you can’t dip in and out of today’s shows quite like before, the trade-off is a richer, more immersive TV experience.
So, while you might miss the days of side quests, holiday episodes, and light-hearted crossovers, there’s plenty to be excited about in today’s TV. And when nostalgia strikes, the classics will always be there to stream.
