Is the videotaped sitcom dead in prime-time TV?

[SF4Ever]

Lately, I've noticed something in prime-time television, namely the lack of videotaped sitcoms. It seems like all TV prime-time sitcoms are all filmed. Does that seem kind of strange? I'm not going to buy this argument that the videotaped sitcom is obsolete, because that argument makes no sense. I would like to know why we aren't seeing anymore videotaped sitcoms in prime-time TV, nowadays? There has to be an explanation as to why. Personally, I would like to see the videotaped sitcom return to prime-time TV. I haven't seen many, nowadays, so there has got to be an explanation as to why. I have nothing against filmed sitcoms, but I would like to see that, which is videotaped, return. Please chime in, because this isn't a difficult subject to discuss.

[Zorak Masaki]

Most of the videotaped sitcoms were pretty much taped on a set, and never really left the set. With a filmed sitcom you can go outside, you can show characters driving, they can go to different places, etc.

[Lord Dalek]

Pretty much what Masaki said. Also many sitcoms actually still are shot on videotape. Its just that they're in 24fps progressive instead of 30fps interlaced.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Lately, I've noticed something in prime-time television, namely the lack of videotaped sitcoms. It seems like all TV prime-time sitcoms are all filmed. Does that seem kind of strange? I'm not going to buy this argument that the videotaped sitcom is obsolete, because that argument makes no sense. I would like to know why we aren't seeing anymore videotaped sitcoms in prime-time TV, nowadays? There has to be an explanation as to why. Personally, I would like to see the videotaped sitcom return to prime-time TV. I haven't seen many, nowadays, so there has got to be an explanation as to why. I have nothing against filmed sitcoms, but I would like to see that, which is videotaped, return. Please chime in, because this isn't a difficult subject to discuss.

Sitcoms shot on videotape are obsolete, at least the old SD videotape formats. Things should be shot on film or on HD video formats to accommodate HD televisions and most are now.

I think what you actually mean is that you're seeing a lot of single-camera sitcoms like "Worst Week" or "30 Rock" and you're wondering where the shot in front of an audience multiple-camera shows like "Friends" are going. I don't know about other networks but CBS still has several of them. Oh, and many of the shows you might have thought were shot on videotape were actually shot on film and just composited on video, including Seinfeld, Frasier and Friends. It's more about the multi-camera format than the image medium.

Anyway, if that is what you mean, I do agree that I like those and would hate to see them fade away. They feel a little more like plays and a little more artificial than single-camera shows, but that just aids in heightening the sitcom unreality of it and helps put the focus on the comedy.