Watch History of the Sitcom

The show "History of the Sitcom" is a documentary series produced by CNN that explores the evolution of television sitcoms, from their early days in the 1950s to the present day. The show, which premiered in July 2021, is hosted by actor Jason Alexander, best known for his role as George Costanza in the hit sitcom "Seinfeld."

In each episode, Alexander and other celebrity guests, including Tracy Morgan and Lorraine Ali, explore a different theme or aspect of the sitcom genre, such as the role of the family sitcom in shaping cultural attitudes, the impact of shows like "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" in breaking down racial barriers on TV, or the rise of the workplace comedy in the 1990s.

The show utilizes a mix of archival footage, interviews with writers, producers, and actors, and expert analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of the sitcom. Viewers will learn about the cultural and social context in which different sitcoms were created, as well as the creative and business decisions that went into their production and eventual success or failure.

One of the strengths of the show is its range of perspectives and voices. In addition to Alexander and the celebrity guests, the show features interviews with a diverse range of scholars, journalists, and industry insiders, offering a multi-faceted look at the history of the sitcom.

The show also does an excellent job of highlighting the impact of sitcoms on broader social and political issues. For example, the episode on the family sitcom discusses how shows like "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" reflected changing gender roles and family dynamics in the post-World War II era. Similarly, the episode on race in sitcoms explores how shows like "The Cosby Show" and "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" challenged stereotypes and helped launch the careers of black actors and writers in Hollywood.

Overall, "History of the Sitcom" is an engaging and informative look at the history of a genre that has become a dominant force in American popular culture. Whether viewers are lifelong sitcom fans or just curious about the evolution of TV comedy, they are sure to learn something new and fascinating from this documentary series.

History of the Sitcom is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (8 episodes). The series first aired on July 11, 2021.