Ep. 112: ‘The Young Pope,’ ‘Taboo,’ and ‘One Day at a Time’

Sitcom Revival

The resurgence of multicam sitcoms brings a nostalgic yet modern twist to television. Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald discuss how shows like "One Day at a Time" capture the naturalistic performances reminiscent of classic sitcoms, while incorporating contemporary themes 1. Andy notes that despite the prestige of modern TV, the traditional multicam format still resonates with a large audience, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of shows like "The Big Bang Theory" 1. Chris adds that the new "One Day at a Time" series, with its Cuban-American family setting, offers a fresh perspective while maintaining the familiar staged comedy feel 2.

   

Emotional Depth

Modern sitcoms are exploring deeper emotional and thematic content, as seen in "One Day at a Time." Andy Greenwald highlights how the showrunner, Gloria Calderon Kellett, skillfully navigates from broad comedy to darker, more profound themes, reflecting real-life complexities 3. He praises Justina Machado's performance for its authenticity, capturing the balance between humor and emotional turmoil 3. Chris and Andy appreciate the show's ability to blend traditional sitcom elements with a modern edge, avoiding clichéd character tropes and instead offering a heartfelt narrative 4.