I
hate almost all sitcoms, and Sean Hayes embodies a lot of what I
hate most about sitcoms, but I love Sean Hayes’ new reality
show “Situation: Comedy,” which is essentially “Project
Greenlight” for sitcoms.
“Situation” turns out to be one of the most compelling
unscripted series ever. There’s a platoon of interesting characters
among the writers and execs, it’s fascinating to see what sells
behind closed doors, and there is much stormy creative conflict.
(In an eerie echo of the third “Greenlight,” one of the
“Situation” contestants will precipitate much ugliness
when he champions a family member for a key on-screen role.)
NBC ultimately did not greenlight the work of any of the “Situation”
contestants beyond a pilot presentation. In fact, judging by the
coming autumn schedule, NBC almost seems to be getting out of the
sitcom business - and for good reason. I don’t think there’s
a network sitcom on the air as entertaining as “Situation:
Comedy,” which probably explains why there are more and more
reality shows each year, and fewer and fewer sitcoms.
TV Guide says:
Debut: Sean Hayes co-executive produced this 10-part unscripted
show, which follows amateur writers hoping to sell their sitcom
scripts. First up: nine scripts are chsoed from more than 10,000
entries. Then, the writers pitch their ideas to the show’s
brass and network execs. Among the scripts in contention: “Retailers,”
about two slackers working in a clothing store; and “Stephen’s
Life,” the story of an ambitious 11-year-old.
USA
Today says:
… a behind-the-scenes look at television production that adds
a clever competitive twist to Project Greenlight. … If you
can look past the artificiality of the situation, Situation provides
an interesting and sometimes amusing look at how the business of
TV operates. …
The
Hollywood Reporter says:
… While occasionally forced in its execution and awkward in
its pacing, "Situation: Comedy" is generally absorbing
in that "inside baseball" kind of way. Those who don't
work in the business will find the fly-on-the-wall aspect itself
fascinating, while those who do can take solace in the fact it isn't
their own butts on the line here. Is this any way to uncover television's
next great comedy series at a time when the genre is struggling
and ripe for reinvention -- which is the stated goal? Of course
not. But we are reminded while watching of a key point: Train wrecks
and masterpieces are all more or less made the same.
Outplanet.com
says:
… "Situation: Comedy" will prove interesting to anyone
who's even a little curious about how and why a sitcom pilot makes
it on the air. Between choosing the right script, pitching, casting,
revising, finding a director, et cetera, it's fascinating to see
what a meticulous, tedious, political and creatively controlled
process it is to get a pilot launched. It also makes for great television.
… It's such peeks into the inner workings of "the network"
that make "Situation: Comedy" so tantalizing. By peeling
back the layers of the so-called creative process, the show exposes
the formulaic and somewhat stifling environment in which new ideas
and exciting approaches to entertainment are watered down until
they are merely shells of themselves. The kicker is that we all
happily tune in, and the network machine keeps giving us what we
want - which we in turn complain about. …
