Domestic sitcom, before the word existed
The Comedy of Married Life
Long before the television sitcom had a name, radio had already worked out its shape: a marriage, a misunderstanding, and a laugh track's worth of relatives.
1937 – 1957 · 5 stops · 1h 52m
- 1
A quieter, more observational version of the domestic format.
- 2
The joke built entirely on one partner's logic never quite connecting.
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show · VintageThe Burns and Allen Show 1934-09-26 (2) Leaving for America
26 Sep 1934 · 17 min
- 3
Another comic-strip marriage, adapted for a weekly half hour.
- 4
The format that would be reworked almost directly into television's biggest sitcom.
My Favorite Husband · VintageMFH 1948-07-05 #000 (Audition) (Cooper) George's Old Flame (aka 1948-10-03 George's Old Flame) (aka Cooper's 10th Wed Anniv)
5 Jul 1948 · 24 min
- 5
The same couple's own holiday instalment.
