disenchantedbunny.

        The sitcom has been one of the most popular genres in televisions history. Australia has only produced a handful of lasting sitcoms (Acropolis Now, Kath and Kim), so all the sitcoms that make it down here are either American or British. Europe has a Catholic majority, so it’s no surprise to see shows like Father Ted gaining popularity and Catholicism populating a majority of BBC sitcoms. But what I found odd is that I cannot think of one instance of a Protestant church appearing in an American sitcom. Everyone is Catholic. From Malcolm in the Middle to The Nanny, alters and priests abound. Scrubs, New Adventures of Old Christine, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond – why is it that a largely (fundamentalist) Protestant audience has sitcoms set in a Catholic environment?

         My first thought was to the nature of the genre. A sitcom sets out to ridicule and is often very camp and exaggerated. Physical characteristics such as age, race, gender and deformities are prominent in sketches. Protestantism sought to break with the perceived out-dated traditions and rituals of Catholicism to focus more on the individual’s relationship with their deity. But these traditions make for excellent ridicule: think of all the things that happen to the holy water! Making fun of Catholic rituals has long been a Protestant tradition in itself. And in my personal experience, Catholics are very fond of making fun of Catholic rituals as well.

        My second reason was based more on personal experience. Protestantism seems to take itself and its deity very seriously. Jokes about Jesus getting nailed don’t go down very well with a Protestant audience. Which can make it even funnier to others around - but that’s irrelevant. In the Catholic sitcom setting there is room to mock organised religion without offending any serious Protestants. There is even room to throw in a theistic moral to the story, like the one in the Scrubs episode I looked at last. “Churches are made up of bumbling fallible people, but if we trust in God we’ll be fine!” You get the idea.

 

         I’m waiting out for a sitcom that can poke fun at all religions. If you can think of one don’t hesitate to tell me.