In the 80s we had the happy families sitcoms (Cosbys, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Valerie etc etc)

in the 90s we had the late20s/early 30s singles sitcoms (Seinfeld, Friends, just about everything else)

what do you think will be the next big sitcom trend ?

we will ever see a return of the happy families sitcoms ?

I think reality type sitcoms like Bernie Mac, Malcolm in the Middle, Titus, 24 and Watching Ellie. Shows that either occur in real time, or shows where the actor is aware of the audience and acknowledges them.

That's easy. Softcore porn, followed 2-3 years later by hardcore porn.

But since that won't be gimmicky enough they'll add a real-time clock to countdown, several guest appearances by "legitimate" celebrities, at least one gay/lesbian cast member, one storyline involving a mix up, one former cast member of a Lorne Michaels produced variety show, one broadwayesque musical number, and that guy who played the butler in "Mr. Belvedere". Plus in order for it to have any credibility whatsoever it'll have to be set in New York and feature an homage to struggling actors everywhere.

Sure, it sounds great now, but just wait until the cast of "The Drew Carey Show" converts to the new format.

I just hope they find a way to be funny.

Oh, and the guy who played Mr. Belvedere died a while back, so I don't see him making any guest appearances anytime soon, except maybe on Six Feet Under, or unless they start making new episodes of Tales from the Crypt.

Talking babies.

I think the trend will be funny shows without a laugh track, like Scrubs, Malcom in the Middle, Andy Richter, Bernie Mac etc.

I'd like that much better than stuff with a laugh track that no one laughs at. (80's show)

Sex in the City type sitcoms. That show on after Friends is a complete knockoff.

Sounds like age regression, so the next trend should be teen comedies.

As someone already alluded to, my first thought of a trend is "being funny". Scrubs is actually growing on me after watching it a few times after Frasier.

Well, according to the 100 or so commercials on Fox last night, shows about rowdy muppets

Or better yet, stupid shows about babies talking according to CBS

Wow, tv is getting so good! Kinda makes me feel all suicidal inside

I pray to J its not talking babies.

I think the next trend should be hidden cameras in peoples homes without their knowledge. Imagine the possibilities: You're flicking through the channels when all of a sudden you come across yourself on tv. Then you try to figure out how you got there. Then when you're running around the house like a dumbass trying to find the cameras the laughs can insue.(sp?)

I won't be happy until the reality shows evolve into a Running Man format where we watch people hunt other people.

That they will actually be entertaining?