Study On The American Sitcom In The Context Of A Consumer Society

With a history of around 50 years, Situation Comedy ( sitcom for short ) has grown to be one of the dominant TV products in American's evening shows owning to its huge demand and high audience rating.This essay targets the research and analysis of sitcoms both in China and USA. As the natural media product of TV culture that prevails in television, Sitcom is the best representative of entertainment era. Therefore, to offer solutions on social issues and TV media production, it is far more instructive and meaningful to analyze sitcoms.By means of data collection and content analysis, this essay tries to research and analyze large quantities of material on sitcoms, and comb through detailed cases so as to reach a clearer picture of the sitcoms in China and America.This essay made an overall description on the produce and growth of American sitcoms in the consumer society. In way of use and gratification theory, the essay analyzes the reasons why the sitcom < Friend> achieved so much popularity. Meanwhile, through comparing < Friends> and < My Own Swordsman>, the essay tries to find some specialties and problems in China's sitcom system and offer some feasible suggestions.