Sitcom vs. Series — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 6, 2023
Difference Between Sitcom and Series
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A sitcom, or situational comedy, is a television genre focused on humor derived from a fixed set of characters in a consistent environment. Commonly, the humor in a sitcom is driven by the characters' relationships and the scenarios they find themselves in.
A series is a broader term that encompasses any television show with episodes that follow one after another. It can be serialized with a continuous narrative or episodic with standalone stories. Series can belong to any genre, from drama to sci-fi.
The sitcom is a subset of a series specifically categorized by its comedic elements. Each episode typically resolves its storylines by the end, providing a sense of closure, whereas a series may have long-running plots.
Series often develop characters and story arcs over time, which might require viewers to watch the episodes in sequence. In contrast, sitcoms usually allow viewers to jump in at any episode without feeling lost because of their self-contained stories.
Both sitcoms and series aim to create engaging content, but the former emphasizes comedy and the latter storytelling, which may or may not include humor.
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Comparison Chart
Genre
Comedy
Any genre
Narrative Style
Usually episodic
Can be episodic or serialized
Character Development
Often limited
Often extensive
Setting Consistency
Typically the same
Can vary widely
Episode Dependency
Standalone episodes
Episodes may be interdependent
Compare with Definitions
Sitcom
Sitcom humor often arises from misunderstandings, quirky characters, or social faux pas.
The sitcom's latest episode poked fun at awkward family dinners.
Series
A series is a television show produced in a sequence of episodes.
The new drama series has become an overnight sensation.
Sitcom
A sitcom is a genre of comedy television series with a recurring set of characters.
The new sitcom on the network has quickly gained a devoted audience.
Series
Series can be ongoing with multiple seasons, or limited with a planned conclusion.
The limited series wrapped up the story in just six episodes.
Sitcom
Sitcoms often feature laugh tracks and are filmed in front of live audiences.
Last night's sitcom had the studio audience laughing non-stop.
Series
Series storytelling ranges from complex narratives to simple plots.
The series is known for its intricate plotlines and character development.
Sitcom
Sitcom episodes typically reset, with characters and settings unchanged by the end.
The sitcom's formula ensures that each episode wraps up neatly.
Series
A number of objects or events arranged or coming one after the other in succession.
Sitcom
Sitcoms have a long tradition on television, originating from radio comedy.
Classic sitcoms like 'I Love Lucy' set the standard for the genre.
Series
A set of stamps, coins, or currency issued in a particular period.
Sitcom
A sitcom, clipping for situational comedy (situation comedy in the U.S.), is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use new characters in each sketch, and stand-up comedy, where a comedian tells jokes and stories to an audience.
Series
Physics & Chemistry A group of objects related by linearly varying successive differences in form or configuration
A radioactive decay series.
The paraffin alkane series.
Sitcom
See situation comedy.
Series
(Mathematics) The sum of a sequentially ordered finite or infinite set of terms.
Sitcom
Situation comedy.
Series
(Geology) A group of rock formations closely related in time of origin and distinct as a group from other formations.
Sitcom
A situation comedy
Series
(Grammar) A succession of coordinate elements in a sentence.
Series
A succession of publications that present an extended narrative, such as a comic book series, or that have similar subjects or similar formats, such as a series of cookbooks.
Series
A succession of individual programs presented as parts of a unified whole, such as the set of episodes of a television show or a podcast.
Series
(Sports) A number of games played by the same two teams, often in succession.
Series
(Baseball) The World Series.
Series
(Linguistics) A set of vowels or diphthongs related by ablaut, as in sing, sang, sung, and song.
Series
A number of things that follow on one after the other or are connected one after the other.
A series of seemingly inconsequential events led cumulatively to the fall of the company.
Series
(broadcasting) A television or radio program which consists of several episodes that are broadcast in regular intervals
“Friends” was one of the most successful television series in recent years.
Series
(mathematics) The sequence of partial sums of a given sequence ai.
The harmonic series has been much studied.
Series
A group of matches between two sides, with the aim being to win more matches than the opposition.
The Blue Jays are playing the Yankees in a four-game series.
Series
(zoology) An unranked taxon.
Series
(botany) A subdivision of a genus, a taxonomic rank below that of section (and subsection) but above that of species.
Series
(commerce) A parcel of rough diamonds of assorted qualities.
Series
(phonology) A set of consonants that share a particular phonetic or phonological feature.
Series
(electronics) Connected one after the other in a circuit, in series.
You have to connect the lights in series for them to work properly.
Series
A number of things or events standing or succeeding in order, and connected by a like relation; sequence; order; course; a succession of things; as, a continuous series of calamitous events.
During some years his life a series of triumphs.
Series
Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.
Series
In Engler's system of plant classification, a group of families showing certain structural or morphological relationships. It corresponds to the cohort of some writers, and to the order of many modern systematists.
Series
An indefinite number of terms succeeding one another, each of which is derived from one or more of the preceding by a fixed law, called the law of the series; as, an arithmetical series; a geometrical series.
Series
A mode of arranging the separate parts of a circuit by connecting them successively end to end to form a single path for the current; - opposed to parallel. The parts so arranged are said to be in series.
Series
A parcel of rough diamonds of assorted qualities.
Series
Similar things placed in order or happening one after another;
They were investigating a series of bank robberies
Series
A serialized set of programs;
A comedy series
The Masterworks concert series
Series
A periodical that appears at scheduled times
Series
(sports) several contests played successively by the same teams;
The visiting team swept the series
Series
A group of postage stamps having a common theme or a group of coins or currency selected as a group for study or collection;
The Post Office issued a series commemorating famous American entertainers
His coin collection included the complete series of Indian-head pennies
Series
(mathematics) the sum of a finite or infinite sequence of expressions
Series
(electronics) connection of components in such a manner that current flows first through one and then through the other;
The voltage divider consisted of a series of fixed resistors
Series
A television series can adapt various formats, including miniseries and web series.
The miniseries is an interesting departure from the typical hour-long series format.
Series
Series often build upon the previous episodes, developing characters and plot over time.
By season three, the series had fully fleshed out its cast of characters.
Common Curiosities
What does sitcom stand for?
Sitcom stands for situational comedy.
Can a series be a sitcom?
Yes, a sitcom is a specific type of series.
Do sitcoms have to be funny?
Yes, humor is a defining characteristic of sitcoms.
Do all sitcoms use laugh tracks?
No, not all sitcoms use laugh tracks; some are filmed without them.
Can a series have dramatic elements?
Absolutely, a series can span various genres, including drama.
Are sitcoms filmed live?
Some are filmed before a live audience, while others are not.
Do sitcoms have recurring characters?
Yes, recurring characters are typical in sitcoms.
Are sitcoms always half-hour shows?
Traditionally, yes, but there are exceptions.
Is a series the same as a season?
No, a series refers to the entire show, while a season is a set of episodes within a series.
Can a series be based on true events?
Yes, some series are based on or inspired by true events.
How long does a series run?
A series can run from a single season to many over several years.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.