Friends

Sitcoms have long been a staple in American TV. These thirty-minute comedies have kept viewers watching for decades. Two important characteristics that have helped with the success of sitcoms is their ability to employ both mini resolutions and character growth. With mini resolutions, almost every episode, with the some exceptions, ends with a solution to the problems presented in the episode. Simply, every thirty minutes wraps up nicely. In addition, sitcoms also have character growth. This means that over time, usually seasons, the characters will take on new personality traits or experience some change that makes their character different continuing on with the series. These two aspects working together can create a show that is rewarding for the viewer once a week in an episodic format, and also yearly in a seasonal format.

These two traits of sitcoms can be seen very well in the once hugely popular NBC show Friends. Almost every episode ends with a resolution to the events of that episode. For example, the series premier concludes with a resolution to Rachel’s problem of leaving her fiancé at the altar. She moves in with Monica and is taught how to survive in the real world. It is essentially a mini resolution to her immediate problem. Almost every episode is like this with a resolution to whatever crazy antics occurred in the episode. Of course, over multiple seasons, the mini resolutions become less important as character development changes serious aspects of the show. For example, a viewer watching the first season would never be able to guess that Monica and Chandler, through character development, would end up married trying to adopt a kid. Character development allowed all six characters of the main cast to grow and change over Friends ten season run. With out character development the show most likely would not have lasted for as long as it did.

Overall, through mini resolutions and character development, every episode of friends concluded nicely yet let to a bigger plot line down the road. It was this that led to Friends having the 4^th most watched series finale ever.