TV

A flowchart explaining the differences between 27 broadcast network sitcom pilots in 2016

Modern Family remains a hit for ABC in its seventh season, and that network has successfully expanded that family sitcom template in the past couple of seasons to include blackish, Fresh Off The Boat, The Goldbergs, and coming next week, they hope to do likewise with The Real O’Neals.

CBS has rookie hit Life In Pieces, to go along with dramedy Mom. NBC returns The Carmichael Show for its second season in March. FOX is having fun this season with new sitcoms The Grinder and Grandfathered.

And what do the TV broadcast networks always do when they have a good thing?

That’s right. Make as many of them as they can to cash in while they can! History repeating itself once more.

As The Hollywood Reporter explains in this handy new flowchart, 27 of the 44 sitcom pilots ordered by ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC feature similar family situations for their comedies.

TV Pilot Season's Family Affair

Click here for full-size image of the THR 2016 Family Sitcom Pilot Flowchart

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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