...says Victoria Wood

Victoria Wood says The Office has killed off the traditional British sitcom.

The Dinnerladies creator said she would not be doing any more sitcoms because audiences now regard them as too contrived.

And she ruled out doing sketches, too.

‘I don't think I'll be back on the telly any time soon unless it's on adverts for stairlifts or walk-in baths,’ she said.

Speaking after winning the outstanding achievement honour atthe British Comedy Awards with Julie Walters, she said: ‘Sadly, I think the sitcom is dead.

‘I think it died when The Royle Family and The Office came on with their ironic, self-aware comedy. Everything is naturalistic now, where before it was contrived.

‘People can no longer relate to the kind of sitcom that's filmed in front of a studio audience and has very obvious jokes. I think Dinnerladies was probably the last sitcom of that type that will ever be a success.

‘Tastes change and that's the way it should be. Those days have gone. I've moved into sitcoms and I've moved out.’

She added: ‘They use sketch shows to break new talent [now] and then they move on to other things We're not writing sketches any more.’

Last year, the obituaries were written for the sitcom were written in the States, where the end of such long-running shows as Frasier and Friends coincided with a glut of reality TV shows. However, newer shows such as The Office and My Name Is Earl convinced pundits there was still life in the old genre.

 

Published: 15 Dec 2005