As major television networks announced their fall lineups last month, two things became immediately and glaringly obvious. First (and least surprising) is the fact that production giants Brian Grazer (24) and Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, The Amazing Race) face another season of success and acclaim as their respective projects continue to dominate the upcoming season.

Secondly, as a direct result of such successful programming, network rosters compensated for the increase in drama with a noticeable decline in brain candy. As more stock was placed in theatrics, the sitcom took a major back seat, and I for one couldn’t be happier.

What do I mean when I say “sitcom?” I’ll be honest, at first I wasn’t sure either. Originally I assumed a sitcom was any kind of comedy that was more predictable than funny and had a laugh track cued for all the male-bashing, crotch-kicking, stereotype-brandishing “hilarity.”

As it turns out, a situation comedy is officially defined as “a television comedy series involving a continuing cast of characters in a succession of episodes.” In other words, anything on TV that induces the slightest snicker between commercial breaks. What we’re really waving goodbye to here is all the crap we watch when life is a total toss up between remaining awake or going to sleep.

Well good riddance, sitcoms. Good riddance to the cookie cutter plot lines, one-dimensional characters, canned laughter and recycled jokes. Sure, networks are now relying heavily on some brutal reality shows, but hell, I’d gladly compromise an hour of American Idol if it meant never seeing the words “According to Jim” in my TV Guide again.

Though the brain-numbing likes of Still Standing, George Lopez and My Wife and Kids are diminishing, this is hardly the end for TV laughs. Instead, networks are opting for witty, well-written comedies such as Scrubs, Arrested Development and The Office. Get ready to roll in the aisles this fall, while watching characters develop beyond basic labels such as “lazy dad,” “nagging mom” and “neurotic neighbor.” Be prepared for jokes that require a couple of brain cells; and forget hooks, gimmicks or catch phrases. We’ve glimpsed the future here people, and it is funny.

I’d like to hope this new breed of scheduling ? a mix of witty comedy and exciting, script-driven drama ? is reflective of today’s viewers. Perhaps we’re maturing, demanding higher standards, and (dare I say it?) getting smarter.

Sure, there will always and unfortunately be a soft spot in the heart of the networks for slapstick and drivel, but if ratings, awards and critical acclaim are any indication, it is the meatier, substantive comedies ? the kind of programs once banished to HBO ? that are winning our favour.

With television sitcoms circling the drain, TV comedy may mature into programming I can finally enjoy, without the guilty conscience.






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