Lead Blog Response: Mockumentaries

Although the sitcom format will always be a classic and beloved part of American television history, it has inevitably become outdated. The mockumentary format has eclipsed the sitcom as the supreme form of episodic comedy on television. The Office, Modern Family, and Parks and Recreation all have one thing in common: they deal with ordinary circumstances, and amplify the quirks of ordinary people. Sitcoms essentially do the same thing, but there is a difference. In the early days, sitcoms were filmed in front of a live audience, which made it very clear that the characters in the show were fictional. Maybe we got attached to the character's personalities and stories, but the laughter from the audience - or the laugh track in newer sitcoms - constantly reminded us that these characters were just reflections of ourselves. Again, the same could be said about a mockumentary, but for some reason, the characters in mockumentaries just seem to have to have more depth. There is no element of outside laughter to remind us that these characters aren't real. The element of getting to hear the character's opinions outside of the situational comedy adds a new layer of realness which is why I think mockumentaries are so appealing. However, with the rise of so many different mediums of entertainment, it becomes increasingly difficult to hold an audience's attention. The mockumentary is already being left behind as other forms of comedy are on the rise. Regardless of what happens in the future, the mockumentary will always be an admirable form of comedy in television and film.