Summary of Narratives for Chosen Sitcoms (Primary product)

Summary of narratives

As a group we all focused on one Sitcom each, and from this we wrote down the narrative of the episode we analysed. We can decode media through the use of a narrative.

Tzetan Todorov realised a structure in a narrative of a story, the narrative is split into five sections:

1. Equilibrium
2. Disruption
3. Recognition
4. Attempt to repair
5. New/return to equilibrium

Through analysing 4 sitcoms, we found patterns in each story line.

We felt it was important to research into the narrative of a Sitcom, as it we help us when creating our own 2 minute clip, which should follow and look the same as other Sitcoms to portray to the audience the genre we have chosen, is a Sitcom.

Equilibrium of each Sitcom:

Might Boosh:   The opening scene begins with the characters in the home , one using a hookah pipe. Two of them in as they have just come back from their own gig. The two characters then drive to a further location, negatively discussing the success of their gig.

Inbetweeners: The programme starts with an introduction to the character of will , and his everyday life as he walks through the school , which then goes to a clip of the four boys in the car on the way to sixth form.

The IT Crowd: Roy, Moss and Jen are all at work having a normal day.

Fresh Meat: The flat mates are sitting around the table eating breakfast and talking.

The pattern we found was each episode starts with everyday life, through people getting ready for work or college, or even the characters at work. Each Sitcom starts of very normal and simple. A state of peace/ normality.

Disruption in each Sitcom:

Mighty Boosh: Following the characters terrible gig, with people throwing rubbish into their house , the two characters head to the black lake. The characters turn up at pub and are told to go fishing. Vince then is very successful when catching the fish, unlike his friend. The friend then tells Vince to go back to the pub and leave him to go fishing by himself. Vince then begins to tell a ghost story and states “Black Lake”. The customers and pub staff then tell Vince that there is ‘ghost’ call ‘old Gregg’ that comes out when the moon is out on the lake. 

Inbetweeners: There is fashion show being held for charity; however there is not enough models for the show. Will does not agree with the concept of a fashion show.

The IT Crowd: After Roy and Moss go for lunch, the way that they have to go to get work is blocked off, so they decide to have the rest of the day off. As well as that a secret party has been planned for the IT department.

Fresh Meat: Vod learns she is going to be kicked out of uni. JP realises his dad’s funeral is on the same day as his DJ spot. Josie starts binge drinking and sleeping around which angers Kingley. Oregon invites Tony to stay, much to Vod’s annoyance it, the two of them argue about it. Howard finds an embarrassing video of Paul, which JP sends to everyone. Kingsley and Josie argue over dinner. JP’s slot is given to someone else, and Ralph claims that he has paid for the whole night himself.

Therefore in the Disruption part it follows the same pattern, as a problem or conflict is introduced to the narrative.

Recognition of Disruption:

 Mighty boosh: Howard is abducted by ‘Old Gregg’ while out fishing on ‘Black Lake’ by himself.

Inbetweeners: Will is asked by the head master Mr Gilberts to take part in the fashion show, will refuses to, therefore creating a conflict as the head master makes him take part. Will and the other characters are also asked to take part in the modelling in the show, Simon is asked, however Jay is not, even though he is the only one that wanted too. Will is asked to model with charlotte, Simon models however has a wardrobe malfunction.

The IT Crowd: Moss gets too excited and starts to glare at strangers and steal the grand design DVD’s from the shop in the shopping centre, Roy realises that it was a bad idea to take Moss out of his usual work environment.

  

Again this follows the same pattern as the disruption has been noticed by the protagonists.

Attempt to Repair:

Mighty Boosh: Vince rings up his friend explaining that Howard has been abducted by a se monster. He therefore gets a submarine into the Lake with Vince and they begin to search for Howard.

Inbetweeners: Will agrees to take part in the fashion show by collecting money, to resolve the conflict. He also models with charlotte; he does this to impress the character of charlotte, in which he is in love with.

The IT Crowd: Roy and Moss head out of the shopping centre, and head back to work.

The characters begin to change, and realise what they need to do to resolve the problem.

New/return to Equilibrium:

Mighty Boosh: Howard is rescued by Vince and his friend in the submarine. They are then seen performing in the pub, which turns into a successful gig. They then drive home discussing their success. However ‘Old Gregg’ is seen on top of the car.

Inbetweeners: Goes back to everyday life, as the four boys go home together, with a voice over of will sum up the days events.

The IT Crowd: The narrative was shown to be resolved at the end of the episode in text.

Fresh Meat: Vod appeals her expulsion from uni. They all accompany JP to his dad’s funeral. Oregon breaks up with Tony. Howard tells everyone the embarrassing video is of him, to save Paul’s feelings, Vod and Tony make up, Vod tells everyone that JP really paid for the DJ night, and JP stands up to Ralph.

Summary

Therefore the same codes happen at the end of each Sitcom, the Narrative comes together as the conflict is resolved. Leaving the audience happy that everything has worked out fine. This happens at the end of every Sitcom so that a new narrative can begin next episode. Our story line must include a Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition of Disruption, Attempt to Repair and New/return to Equilibrium. To show the genre of our programme to be a Sitcom.

I also created a table to present my work in a different way:

Summary of Graph:

Patterns and codes. I underlined the key points in each section, firstly in the equilibrium two of the programmes stared with home and two being work or school. This shows the pattern of a sitcom starts at home or work , therefore our would start at work or school/ college or home depending on the style of sitcom we decided to do rather  ‘work’ sitcom or ‘home’ sitcom.  The disruption, the audience are then made aware of the disruption, however the characters may not, such as the inbetweeners and characters do not yet know of the disruption. Therefore in our sitcom the audience could be aware of the problem before the characters notice it. Recognition: the characters are informed of the problem, either through a different character or being part of the problem themselves, such as Howard in the Mighty Boosh as he gives abducted. The most common one is the character realising and then struggling to come up with a solution. The attempt to repair: this is a very clear pattern the ‘hero’ of the show comes up with an idea which will solve the problem and puts it into action. New/return to Equilibrium also follows the same pattern, the characters resolve the problem and go back to everyday life, such as the Inbetweeners and Mighty Boosh as they are seen leaving in car, ready for another episode with a new problem. One thing to think about is the uses of a voice over such as the Inbetweeners were they use Will the ‘ hero’ of the sitcom to sum up the days events this might be a good way to put closure to the episode. The sitcom also ends with a end to the story , so the audience are felt feeling happy about the outcome , as it’s a light-hearted way of dealing will issues giving the audience hope when watching , we need to keep this in mind throughout the whole of our 2 minute video.

Narrative structure	Might Boosh	Inbetweeners	The I.T Crowd	Fresh Meat
Equilibrium	The opening scene begins with the characters in the home , one using a hookah pipe. Two of them in as they have just come back from their own gig. The two characters then drive to a further location, negatively discussing the success of their gig.	The programme starts with an introduction to the character of will , and his everyday life as he walks through the school , which then goes to a clip of the four boys in the car on the way to sixth form.	Moss and Jen are all at work having a normal day.	The flat mates are sitting at home around the table eating breakfast and talking.
Disruption	Following the characters terrible gig, with people throwing rubbish into their house , the two characters head to the black lake. The characters turn up at pub and are told to go fishing. Vince then is very successful when catching the fish, unlike his friend. The friend then tells Vince to go back to the pub and leave him to go fishing by himself. Vince then begins to tell a ghost story and states “Black Lake”. The customers and pub staff then tell Vince that there is ‘ghost’ call ‘old Gregg’ that comes out when the moon is out on the lake.	There is fashion show being held for charity; however there is not enough models for the show. Will does not agree with the concept of a fashion show.	After Roy and Moss go for lunch, the way that they have to go to get work is blocked off, so they decide to have the rest of the day off. As well as that a secret party has been planned for the IT department.	Vod learns she is going to be kicked out of uni. JP realises his dad’s funeral is on the same day as his DJ spot. Josie starts binge drinking and sleeping around which angers Kingley. Oregon invites Tony to stay, much to Vod’s annoyance it, the two of them argue about it. Howard finds an embarrassing video of Paul, which JP sends to everyone. Kingsley and Josie argue over dinner. JP’s slot is given to someone else, and Ralph claims that he has paid for the whole night himself.
Recognition of Disruption	Howard is abducted by ‘Old Gregg’ while out fishing on ‘Black Lake’ by himself.	Will is asked by the head master Mr Gilberts to take part in the fashion show, will refuses to, therefore creating a conflict as the head master makes him take part. Will and the other characters are also asked to take part in the modelling in the show, Simon is asked, however Jay is not, even though he is the only one that wanted too. Will is asked to model with charlotte, Simon models however has a wardrobe malfunction.	Moss gets too excited and starts to glare at strangers and steal the grand design DVD’s from the shop in the shopping centre, Roy realises that it was a bad idea to take Moss out of his usual work environment.
Attempt to repair Disruption	Vince rings up his friend explaining that Howard has been abducted by a se monster. He therefore gets a submarine into the Lake with Vince and they begin to search for Howard.	Will agrees to take part in the fashion show by collecting money, to resolve the conflict. He also models with charlotte; he does this to impress the character of charlotte, in which he is in love with.	Roy and Moss head out of the shopping centre, and head back to work.
New/return to Equilibrium	Howard is rescued by Vince and his friend in the submarine. They are then seen performing in the pub, which turns into a successful gig. They then drive home discussing their success. However ‘Old Gregg’ is seen on top of the car.	Goes back to everyday life, as the four boys go home together, with a voice over of will sum up the days events.	The narrative was shown to be resolved at the end of the episode in text.	Vod appeals her expulsion from uni. They all accompany JP to his dad’s funeral. Oregon breaks up with Tony. Howard tells everyone the embarrassing video is of him, to save Paul’s feelings, Vod and Tony make up, Vod tells everyone that JP really paid for the DJ night.