So You Want To/Write a Dom Com: Difference between revisions

{{tropeHow-To Guide}}

First of all, what kind of family do you want? The standard [[Dom Com]] family is, of course, the [[Nuclear Family]] with 2.4 children (usually a [[A Boy, a Girl, Andand a Baby Family|a boy, a girl, and a baby of either sex)]] a stay-at-home mom, a [[Bumbling Dad]], and [[Team Pet|a dog.]]

Now that you've created your characters, how do they relate to one another?

That said, however, don't rush out and turn your [[Dysfunctional Family]] [[Up to Eleven]] by making them into a [[Big Screwed-Up Family]]. The [[Big Screwed-Up Family]] is ''not'' the same as the [[Dysfunctional Family]], at least not in TV-Trope-Land. The [[Big Screwed-Up Family]] tends to lose sympathy with the audience, because ''most'' people can't relate to it. Such families are common enough that they're not unheard of (unfortunately), but not as common as you might think. Further, if [[Played for Laughs]], a lot of times you'll be delving into [[Dead Baby Comedy]], which does tend to put people off, even in this [[Darker and Edgier]] age. This too makes the show vapid and eventually unenjoyable. The [[Big Screwed-Up Family]] should be reserved for when it's [[Played for Drama]].

Therefore, for purposes of the [[Dom Com]], the best type of family, regardless of who or what composes it, is generally a [[Quirky Household]] or a ''slightly'' [[Dysfunctional Family]]. What's the difference? Well, the [[Quirky Household]] is just that: quirky. (For example, a [[Nuclear Family]] of [[Otaku]] that's ''always'' in cosplay, but otherwise, a relatively normal, loving family. They have their day-to-day foibles, but nothing too "out there.") The [[Dysfunctional Family]], on the other hand, consists of characters that frequently come into conflict with one another (though not necessarily violently), offset with the occasional [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]]. It could be argued that (at least in TV-Trope-Land), all [[Dysfunctional Family|dysfunctional families]] are [[Quirky Household|quirky households]] when [[Played for Laughs]], but not all quirky households are dysfunctional families. It works because you can write plotlines easily; just think of the day-to-day foibles, conflicts, and bloopers that happen in your own life, or the lives of your own family members. Because of that relatability, the humor is easier to find.

As mentioned before, most [[Dom Com]] families are white, middle-class Americans. They usually live in a [[Big Fancy House]] (which usually follows [[Standardized Sitcom Housing]] construction a la [[The Simpsons (animation)|742 Evergreen Terrace]]. It is almost always located in [[Suburbia]]. But there's no rule that says it ''has'' to. You might have a family of [[Trailer Trash]] living in a trailer park. You might have an urban family. You might have a family that lives on a [[Far Side Island]] with [[Bamboo Technology]]. Or a family that lives on the moon. You might have a family that is blatantly not of the [[Eagle Land]] variety. They might live in [[Stepford Suburbia]], or a [[Crap Saccharine World]], particularly if it's a [[Jade-Colored Glasses|very cynical show.]]

Generally, people have neighbors, unless they really do live out in the middle of nowhere. So it stands to reason that your [[Dom Com]] family will have neighbors, too. What about them? Are they [[Cranky Neighbors]]? Or nice neighbors you only ''wished'' you lived next to. Do they [[Feuding Families|compete over who has the nicer lawn?]] Are they [[Obnoxious In-Laws]]? Are they just like your main family, or do they exist as a [[Foil]] (i.e. The Smiths are a [[Dysfunctional Family]] and the Joneses are so perfect it hurts.) Is your neighbor a [[Funny Foreigner]] or a [[Cloudcuckoolander]]? Or is someone going to fall for the [[Girl Next Door]]? Endless plotlines can be derived from neighbors and houseguests.

The basic distinction between the aforementioned [[Big Screwed-Up Family]] and the [[Dysfunctional Family]] is the level of violence and drama. If your family has members offing one another (usually for power), [[Honor -Related Abuse]], [[Incest Is Relative|incestuous relationships]], alcoholism (and not usually of the [[Functional Addict]] variety), [[Abusive Parents]], and habitual drug use, you're dealing with the former. If your family has a son that experiments with pot during a [[Very Special Episode]] (and only that once), or a [[Lady Drunk]] mom who is a [[Functional Addict]] and does not harm herself or her family via her drinking, or the family just argues frequently, you're dealing with the latter.

Obviously, there is a time and a place for everything. If your show is leaning heavily towards the cynical end of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]], it may be very appropriate to have a [[Big Screwed-Up Family]]. If your show is a [[Deconstructive Parody]] of a more typical TV [[Dysfunctional Family]], it may be appropriate to have that, too. On the other hand, if you wish to avoid [[Played for Drama]] and/or [[Dead Baby Comedy]], it may be more appropriate to have a family that's just screwed up enough for a [[Screwball Comedy]], but not violent or nasty. This can be very tricky.

Since the [[Nuclear Family]] is the norm in [[Eagle Land]] (where much television originates), [[Captain Obvious|the focus will probably be on the main family]]. (Unless you do have extended family living with them, such as if they're from a culture where this is the norm, or taking care of a sick or disabled relative.) But, the extended family makes for good houseguests...and plotlines. For example, think of all that could happen during Thanksgiving dinner that might not happen during a "normal" dinner. Are there crazy cousins? [[Obnoxious In-Laws]]? Uncles prone to [[Lampshade -Wearing]]? Aunts who qualify as [[Christmas Cake]] types, to the disappointment of other family members? A gay wedding being planned for Cousin Bob that Alice is uncomfortable with? Such a large extended family being invited to a family barbecue that the relatives qualify mostly as [[Twenty-Four-Hour Party People]]? Holiday and other special occasion episodes are a good time to work with this.

* Remember that a [[Dom Com]] is [[Exactly What It Says Onon the Tin|a ''domestic'' comedy.]] Meaning that most plotlines should be close to home. There might be plotlines surrounding Bob at work, or [[Punny Name|Pastor Offeran]] at church, or Annie and Billy at school. It's OK to have a [[Vacation Episode]], but do they ''really'' have to go on one [[Once an Episode]]?