Serial vs. Episodic

            TV sitcoms can come in a variety of forms, two of them being episodic and serial. In a serial sitcom, plots are developed over time. If you miss one episode, you are most likely going to be out of the loop if you tune in to the next one. The plot patterns can sometimes be hard to predict, and characters tend to develop in a much more complicated way. These types of sitcoms are not as lesson centered such as in an episodic sitcom. In an episodic sitcom, the story usually ends where it begins in each episode and the main character usually learns a lesson of some sort at the end. These plots are more familiar than serial ones. Also, episodic sitcoms are much easier to follow if one happens to jump in mid-season unlike the serial format. This fact leads to a much easier syndication value in episodic sitcoms where re-runs will play again and again on television. 
           
          Lost is a great example of a serial sitcom that I am fairly obsessed with :) Each episode raises a new question and the next few episodes will simultaneously answer the questions that arose in the past episodes and also invent new questions to be answered. This strategy keeps viewers watching the weekly premieres because they are so hooked on the plot of Lost, 24, or whichever serial show is their obsession at the moment. One of my favorite episodic shows is Two and a Half Men. I could easily jump into the middle of the season and begin watching without any doubts as to what is going on. The characters rarely develop, as Charlie (Charlie Sheen) is always a promiscuous lady lover, and Alan (Jon Cryer) is a nerdy, single father who constantly has problems reeling in the ladies. My favorite type of show would definitely be the serial sitcom, because I seem to develop a greater love for these type of shows as I watch each character develop and the plot thicken each episode.