Dramedy: why is this a thing? (TV shows)

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

In the medium of scripted television, why is dramedy a thing? I'm not talking about a sci-fi show like Stargate that has a lot of comedy mixed in. I'm talking about shows that are basically a mix of one-hour drama and half-hour sitcom just squished together. I love Monk, I feel like dramedy works very well for the story they are telling each episode. I'm 3 seasons into the show. I'm not sure if I'll continue without Sharona, but we'll see. Then there's The Orville which people say is on par with 90's Star Trek. I gave it two episodes, but across both episodes, everyone looks like they're trying not to laugh, everything looks like a straight parody of Star Trek. It looks like it as almost a Trek show, but everything had to change last minute. I dunno if I'm supposed to take it serious or laugh.

I like dramas to be dramatic, leave the comedy to the sitcoms.

 

[Rowdy Roddy McDowall]

Dramedy is two things. They're appreciations of the way life can often be.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Why does it matter what term or label is put on a tv show? Either you enjoy it or you don’t.

Ps The IMHO The Orville works way better as a TNG pastiche or knock off than as a spoof. I’ve rarely done more than raise a smile at its humour but it does the sort of issue-based sci-fi that TNG or DS9 used to do and it does it so well and so thoughtfully.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Why does it matter what term or label is put on a tv show? Either you enjoy it or you don’t.

Genres are important. In the context of scripted TV shows, I like dramas, sitcoms, and animated shows (including anime). I generally do not like dramedy, the blending of drama and sitcom. I also mostly do not care for "award humor" sitcoms that dominate these days. Genre matters, it helps you find what you want to see and scroll past what you don't like.

Ps The IMHO The Orville works way better as a TNG pastiche or knock off than as a spoof. I’ve rarely done more than raise a smile at its humour but it does the sort of issue-based sci-fi that TNG or DS9 used to do and it does it so well and so thoughtfully.

I'm watching TNG S4-7 for the first time since I was a kid, so it's hard for me to watch The Orville. I'm asking myself, why watch the parody when I can watch the real thing? If you can answer this, I would love to read your answer.

 

[Rowdy Roddy McDowall]

I also mostly do not care for "award humor" sitcoms that dominate these days.

If they're nominated or awarded for merit, as at least some must be, what's the issue here? Do you either think they're not as funny as they should be, or is non-Emmy-nominated humor superior in your view?

 

[Captaindemotion]

Genres are important. In the context of scripted TV shows, I like dramas, sitcoms, and animated shows (including anime). I generally do not like dramedy, the blending of drama and sitcom. I also mostly do not care for "award humor" sitcoms that dominate these days. Genre matters, it helps you find what you want to see and scroll past what you don't like.

I'm watching TNG S4-7 for the first time since I was a kid, so it's hard for me to watch The Orville. I'm asking myself, why watch the parody when I can watch the real thing? If you can answer this, I would love to read your answer.

Genres aren’t as important to me as the issue of whether or not the show entertains me. I generally like legal dramas but found Better Called Saul a drag. I don’t read much fantasy fiction but was hooked by the first few pages of ASOIAF (at a time when I was struggling to get into Game of Thrones on tv).

As to why I’d watch the parody when you can watch the real thing, well, I’ve seen the real thing. Several times, in fact. Now I can watch a new show or the same vein and not know what’s going to happen. I’d much rather watch new things than stuff I’ve already seen. Novelty over familiarity.

We would appear to have very different outlooks on these issues and that’s fair enough; infinite diversity in infinite combinations and all that.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Genres aren’t as important to me as the issue of whether or not the show entertains me. I generally like legal dramas but found Better Called Saul a drag. I don’t read much fantasy fiction but was hooked by the first few pages of ASOIAF (at a time when I was struggling to get into Game of Thrones on tv).

As to why I’d watch the parody when you can watch the real thing, well, I’ve seen the real thing. Several times, in fact. Now I can watch a new show or the same vein and not know what’s going to happen. I’d much rather watch new things than stuff I’ve already seen. Novelty over familiarity.

We would appear to have very different outlooks on these issues and that’s fair enough; infinite diversity in infinite combinations and all that.

I don't hyper focus on genre, but I do find knowing the genre to be helpful. I love Star Trek, but that doesn't mean I will watch something just because it's a space show. In fact, I'd rather watch something entirely different. It's why I got bored with The Orville after two episodes. It's got a lot of money thrown at it, but I prefer Real Trek over Not Trek, if that makes sense. When not watching other shows, gimme Stargate, Monk, Frasier, or Primal. I like watching shows that are wildly different from each other, not more of the same. I love Monk, because it's like nothing else I watch except maybe House? I don't mind parodies when it's just one or a few movies, but I just don't have the patience when it's an ongoing series.

Maybe I just don't like parodies and satire in "TV series" form, though I do appreciate both in movie format. I tried watching Futurama, but the parody and satire was so non-stop, I turned it off after 2 episodes as well. I tried.

 

[Firebird]

So... the whole point of this thread is to explain something to you that you don't like and clearly won't be dissuaded on?

Why bother starting the thread?

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

So... the whole point of this thread is to explain something to you that you don't like and clearly won't be dissuaded on?

Why bother starting the thread?

Go back and read the thread. If you don't understand, I can't help you.

 

[Rowdy Roddy McDowall]

Admiral, please compute the entire complete value of Pi without questioning why we might desire you to. Or just get an hour of sleep. I'm doing that right now.

 

[Firebird]

Go back and read the thread. If you don't understand, I can't help you.

I'll do that when you read just one primer yourself on Schrodinger's cat and/or the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle without asking someone to explain it to you.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

I'll do that when you read just one primer yourself on Schrodinger's cat and/or the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle without asking someone to explain it to you.

What does this have to do with Monk, The Orville, and dramedy in general?

 

[Tosk]

In the medium of scripted television, why is dramedy a thing?

Why does a drama/comedy hybrid exist?

As a way of telling stories that aren't confined to one or the other of course.
And because many people enjoy stories told in that space.

From the meat of your OP, you're not really asking why it is a thing. You seem to understand just fine why it's a thing. You just wanted to say that you don't care for it. Which is valid, but hardly worthy of a thread.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Why does a drama/comedy hybrid exist?
As a way of telling stories that aren't confined to one or the other of course.
And because many people enjoy stories told in that space.

No shit, this much is obvious. I am asking what the appeal is.

From the meat of your OP, you're not really asking why it is a thing. You seem to understand just fine why it's a thing. You just wanted to say that you don't care for it. Which is valid, but hardly worthy of a thread.

My OP is genuine. I genuinely think dramedy is a horrible artform, granted with some exceptions. I don't get why it sells as a genre.

 

[Tosk]

I genuinely think dramedy is a horrible artform

Okay, cool. Thanks for the info.

No shit, this much is obvious.

With any due respect, it's hard to tell sometimes what is obvious and what is not.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Okay, cool. Thanks for the info.


With any due respect, it's hard to tell sometimes what is obvious and what is not.

What do you think of dramedy? Is it fair to say The Orville is dramedy? Have you seen Monk?

 

[Kor]

I enjoy dramedy, If It Is Done Well (tm). Much of M*A*S*H, for example, but on DVD with the laugh track turned off. Sometimes absurdity helps us to cope with and process tragic stuff. There's a reason why gallows humor is frequently heard amongst hospital staff, for instance.

Kor

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

I enjoy dramedy, If It Is Done Well (tm). Much of M*A*S*H, for example, but on DVD with the laugh track turned off. Sometimes absurdity helps us to cope with and process tragic stuff. There's a reason why gallows humor is frequently heard amongst hospital staff, for instance.

Kor

I always thought MASH was a sitcom? What makes it a dramedy? I've never watched more than a few minutes of the show. Have you seen House?

 

[Tosk]

What do you think of dramedy? Is it fair to say The Orville is dramedy? Have you seen Monk?

I think it's fine. I don't know if it's fair or not, I think of it as a sci-fi show. Yes I have.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

I think it's fine. I don't know if it's fair or not, I think of it as a sci-fi show. Yes I have.

I tried to watch The Orville, but everyone looking like they're about to burst out laughing kept pulling me out of the story. The overly bright lighting felt more sitcom than drama. I do like the sets, costumes, props, makeup, and the CGI, and stuff. It's a very cinematic production, top notch. It just feels like Galaxy Quest: The Series. While I loved the movie, I don't see the appeal of it as a series.