Sitcoms have always been a cornerstone of broadcast channels, anchoring entire nights on fall television lineups. However, with the recent string of comedy cancellations and Abbott Elementary becoming the only sitcom on ABC’s 2024 fall TV schedule , I’m starting to worry that the days of comedy blocks are long behind us. This is a scary thought, especially at a time when we need comedy more than ever.
It seems the studio executives don’t feel the same way, though, as they continue to scale back broadcasting shows seemingly in favor of streaming services. It also doesn’t help that award shows, like the Emmys and the Golden Globes, continue to award dramedies comedy awards over traditional sitcoms. Perhaps this is just a moment in time, but I really can’t help but worry that sitcoms are becoming a thing of the past instead of the future.
In the late ‘80s into the ‘90s, ABC dedicated Friday nights to comedies , branding the day as “TGIF” or “Thank Goodness It’s Funny.” Over time, the broadcast network shifted its comedy day from Friday to Wednesday , where it’s held down the fort for over a decade with shows like Modern Family and The Goldbergs . However, when new shows return this fall, Abbott Elementary will be the only comedy airing on the channel.
The Emmy-winning sitcom will be sandwiched between the premiere of The Golden Bachelorette and a new docu-series called Scamanda . While fans of the teacher-themed sitcom are happy that the series is getti.
