Arrested Development, which aired on Fox for only 3 seasons, is one of the greatest comedy television shows ever produced. It is well known for its hillarious running gags, masterful punnery, and delightfully obnoxious cast. In the show's short tenure, the producers mastered the art of subtle comedy. In this course, we will study each of the show's hallmarks to understand why it worked so well and why it continues to be refreshing and brilliant on each rewatch.

Seinfeld and the Office were undoubtedly the television comedies of their respective generations, and their legacies continue to live on in popular culture. What made these shows work so well? Television is reflective of the people watching it—what is revealed about generational differences when we analyze the evolution from observational to absurdist humor? These topics and more will be discussed in this class. Be prepared to read scripts, watch clips, discuss them, and maybe even write a scene of your own.

Seinfeld and the Office were undoubtedly the television comedies of their respective generations, and their legacies continue to live on in popular culture. What made these shows work so well? Television is reflective of the people watching it—what is revealed about generational differences when we analyze the evolution from observational to absurdist humor? These topics and more will be discussed in this class. Be prepared to read scripts, watch clips, discuss them, and maybe even write a scene of your own.