Comedy drama
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Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is a hybrid genre that combines elements of comedy and drama.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc.) are handled with realism and subtlety, while preserving a light or humorous tone.<ref name="Greco">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Thorpe">Template:Cite news</ref>
The term "dramedy" began to be used in the television industry in the 1980s.<ref name="Kelley">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Press">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Cathcart">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Modern television comedy dramas tend to have more humour integrated into the story than the comic relief common in drama series, but usually contain a lower joke rate than sitcoms.Template:Citation neededTemplate:Not verified in body
History
In Greek theatre, plays were considered comedies or tragedies (i.e. drama): the former being light stories with a happy ending, and the latter serious stories with a sad ending.<ref name="Cathcart" /> This concept even influenced Roman theatre and theatre of the Hellenistic period. Theatre of that era is thought to have long-lasting influence, even in modern narrative works.<ref name="Cartwright">Template:Cite web</ref>
Even today, works are often classified into two broad categories: dramas and comedies. For instance, many awards that recognize achievements in film and television, such as the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> segregate several awards into these two classifications.
The 20th century saw a rise in film and television works that could be described as comedy-dramas. In American cinema, The Kid (1921) by Charlie Chaplin is acknowledged as the first feature length film to blend comedy and drama.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Characteristics
In January 2022, Rafael Abreu, writing for the StudioBinder filmmaking blog, defined this genre as follows:<ref name="Abreu">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Blockquote Abreu also adds that dramedies often deal with relatable and serious topics such as divorce, illness, hardship, and heartache.<ref name="Abreu" />
Notable examples
Film
Examples of comedy dramas in film include:
| Name | Year | Country | Notes | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Idiots | 2009 | India | ||
| 8½ | 1963 | Italy | ||
| American Fiction | 2023 | United States | ||
| As Good as It Gets | 1997 | United States | ||
| Asteroid City | 2023 | United States | ||
| Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths | 2022 | Mexico | ||
| Birdman | 2014 | United States | ||
| Eighth Grade | 2018 | United States | ||
| Fallen Angels | 1995 | Hong Kong | ||
| Forrest Gump | 1994 | United States | ||
| God Is Brazilian | 2003 | Brazil | ||
| Goodbye, Dragon Inn | 2003 | Taiwan | ||
| Inside Llewyn Davis | 2013 | United Kingdom United States France |
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| It's Such a Beautiful Day | 2012 | United States | ||
| Jerry Maguire | 1996 | United States | ||
| Juno | 2007 | United States | ||
| Lady Bird | 2017 | United States | ||
| Little Miss Sunshine | 2006 | United States | also considered a tragicomedy | <ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Love Exposure | 2008 | Japan | ||
| Manhattan | 1979 | United States | ||
| Moonrise Kingdom | 2012 | United States | ||
| Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood | 2019 | United Kingdom United States China |
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| That Obscure Object of Desire | 1977 | France, Spain | ||
| The Banshees of Inisherin | 2022 | United States | ||
| The Big Short | 2015 | United States | ||
| The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros | 2005 | Philippines | ||
| The Celebration | 1998 | Denmark | ||
| The Darjeeling Limited | 2007 | United States | ||
| The Edge of Seventeen | 2016 | United States | ||
| The Grand Budapest Hotel | 2014 | United States, Germany | ||
| The Holdovers | 2023 | United States | ||
| The Illusionist | 2010 | United Kingdom France |
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| The Kid | 1921 | United States | ||
| The Kids Are All Right | 2010 | United States | ||
| The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou | 2004 | United States | ||
| The Man Without a Past | 2002 | Finland | ||
| The Royal Tenenbaums | 2001 | United States | <ref name=":0" /> | |
| The Rules of the Game | 1939 | France | ||
| Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | 2017 | United States | ||
| Trainspotting | 1996 | United Kingdom | ||
| Triangle of Sadness | 2022 | United States | ||
| Up in the Air | 2009 | United States | ||
| You, the Living | 2007 | Sweden |
Television
Examples of television comedy dramas include:
| Name | Year | Country | Notes | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ally McBeal | 1997–2002 | United States | ||
| Andi Mack | 2017–2019 | United States | ||
| Barry | 2018–2023 | United States | ||
| Desperate Housewives | 2004–12 | United States | <ref name='Weiner">Template:Cite magazine</ref> | |
| Doogie Howser, M.D. | 1989–93 | United States | ||
| Due South | 1994–99 | Canada | ||
| Eight Is Enough | 1977–81 | United States | ||
| Elsbeth | 2024–present | United States | ||
| Emily in Paris | 2020–present | United States | ||
| Entourage | 2004–2011 | United States | ||
| Fleabag | 2016–19 | United Kingdom | ||
| Gilmore Girls | 2000-2007 | United States | ||
| Hacks | 2021-present | United States | ||
| Hooperman | 1987–89 | United States | <ref name="Kelley" /> | |
| Ludwig | 2024 | United Kingdom | ||
| Monk | 2002-09 | United States | ||
| Moonlighting | 1985–89 | United States | ||
| Northern Exposure | 1990–95 | United States | ||
| Only Murders in the Building | 2021-present | United States | ||
| M*A*S*H | 1972–1983 | United States | ||
| Sex and the City | 1998–2004 | United States | ||
| Shrinking | 2023-present | United States | ||
| Succession | 2018–2023 | United States | ||
| Ted Lasso | 2020-present | United States | ||
| The Bear | 2022-present | United States | ||
| The Big C | 2010–2013 | United States | ||
| The Love Boat | 1977–86 | United States | ||
| The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | 2017–2023 | United States | ||
| The White Lotus | 2021-present | United States | ||
| The Wonder Years | 1988–93 | United States | ||
| You’re the Worst | 2014–19 | United States |
See also
References
Further reading
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