From I Love Lucy to Black-ish, sitcoms have often paved the way for social change. Television comedy has long been on the frontline in how America evolves on social issues. There is something about comedy that makes difficult issues more palatable—with humor an effective device for presenting ideas that lead to social change. From I Love Lucy which introduced the first television pregnancy to Will & Grace, which normalized gay characters, the situation comedy has challenged the public to revisit social mores and reshape how we think about the world in which we live. In Sitcommentary: Television Comedies That Changed America, Mark A. Robinson looks at more than three dozen programs that have tackled social issues, from the 1940s to the present. The author examines shows that frequently addressed hot-button topics throughout their runs—such as All in the Family, Maude, and Black-ish—as well as programs with special episodes that grappled with a societal concern like ageism, class, gender, race, or sexual orientation. Among the important sitcoms discussed in this volume are such beloved shows as The Brady Bunch, A Different World, The Facts of Life, The Golden Girls, Good Times, The Jeffersons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, M*A*S*H, Modern Family, Murphy Brown, One Day at a Time, Roseanne, and Soap. Each has broken down barriers and facilitated discussion, debate, and social evolution in America. Arranged in chronological order, these TV shows have influenced the masses by tackling tough topics or shining a spotlight on taboo subjects. With discussions of some of the most popular shows of all time, Sitcommentary will appeal to fans of these shows as well as anyone interested in the cultural history of America and American television.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Mary Kay and Johnny Amos ’n’ Andy I Love Lucy The Dick Van Dyke Show That Girl Julia The Courtship of Eddie’s Father The Brady Bunch The Mary Tyler Moore Show All in the Family Sanford and Son Maude Bridget Loves Bernie M*A*S*H Good Times The Jeffersons Welcome Back, Kotter One Day at a Time Laverne & Shirley Three’s Company Soap Diff’rent Strokes The Facts of Life Kate & Allie The Cosby Show Who’s the Boss? The Golden Girls Valerie / Valerie’s Family / The Hogan Family Head of the Class Designing Women Full House Roseanne Murphy Brown Ellen All-American Girl Will & Grace Modern Family Mom Black-ish One Day at a Time Conclusion Appendix: The Series That Tried and the Series That Might Notes Bibliography Index About the Author