Sitcoms are, obviously, the most self-indulgent comfort media of all time. They offer a sense of reliability and escapism that I find is sorely needed in my day-to-day life. When I start an episode, I always know how it’ll end, and guess what: that’s not a bad thing. Sitcoms don’t constantly demand my attention and engagement, and if I drift to the kitchen for a cookie and some ice cream, it’s no big deal. Whenever I come back, the characters will still be there for me with a laugh and a lighthearted cry.
Sitcoms are no big adventure saga or great tragedy — they are about everyday life. We all live continuously. Our lives aren’t big events broken up by daily nonsense; the daily nonsense is our lives. I am defined by the afternoons I spend with friends studying, the music I listen to in the shower, and my go-to order from the Cage. A sitcom will never forget that about me. They are designed to capture the annoying day I had at the DMV or the horrible boss I had at my first job, and by doing that, they end up capturing something big.
Sitcoms, just like eras of our lives, end eventually — though “The Simpsons” is giving me a run for my money on that. The characters get older, form new relationships, learn, grow, and change just like we do. Sitcoms are comfortable and nostalgic, certainly, but they are also just a little bit heartbreaking because they are marked by an unknowable and unwatchable future.
We’ll never know what happened to Jim and Pam of “The Office” after moving to Texas, or if Ross and Rachel from “Friends” had finally stayed together when the show ended. We’ll never know if our favorite sitcom friend groups were still close, met up every couple of months for a drink or two, or never saw each other again — but again, that’s okay. We are allowed to love and miss the past and not know the future, as long as we keep moving forward. Sitcoms are the perfect method of delivery for this idea.
Besides, even if you’re not looking for a lesson, sitcoms are also great for a simple dopamine hit, and there’s nothing wrong with being a fan of that.
