First Law of Tragicomedies: Difference between revisions

* ''[[MASHM*A*S*H (television)|M*A*S*H]]'' is the ultimate example of this trope in American pop culture. Its reputation veered from being among the zaniest of zany sitcoms (by the standards of the time) to [[Tear Jerker]]-a-minute episodes vying with ''[[All Quiet on the Western Front]]'' for the title of "most depressing anti-war screed ever".

** Although there was plenty of serious stuff in ''[[MASH]]M*A*S*H'' early on—take ''Sometimes You Hear The Bullet.'' The main difference is in the (dis)integration of the elements rather than the amount of either: in the early days comedy and tragedy often happened back-to-back in the same situation, whereas in later years episodes would often feature distinct "funny" and "serious" plotlines.