Hybrid TV Comedy Genres-The Case of Comedy Panel Shows

Abstract

As a hybrid genre, comedy panel shows satisfy both the audience’s need for continuity and their desire for innovation by combining two established genres – the panel quiz show and comedy – in novel ways. This article investigates the relationship between game and comedy elements in panel shows on British television. Four general types of constellations and some sub-types are identified and discussed: 1) game show without humour, 2 a) a sequential combination of game show and humour patterns, 2 b) game show and comedy patterns running simultaneously, but independently, 3) a blend of game show and comedy, and 4) comedy appropriating the game show patterns.