Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy)[1] [2] is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and drama.[3] In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc.) are dealt with realism and subtlety, while preserving a humorous tenor.[4] [5]
The term "dramedy" began to be used in the television industry in the 1980s.[6] [7] [8] Modern television comedy dramas tend to have more humour integrated into the story than the comic relief common in drama series, but usually contain a lower joke rate than sitcoms.
In Greek theatre, plays were considered comedies or tragedies (i.e. drama). The former being light stories with a happy ending, and the latter serious stories with a sad ending. This concept even influenced Roman theatre and theatre of the Hellenistic period. Theatre of that era is thought to have long-lasting influence, even in modern narrative works.[9]
Even today, works are often classified into two broad categories: dramas and comedies. For instance, many awards that recognize achievements in film and television, such as the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards,[10] [11] segregate several awards into these two classifications.
The term "dramedy" is a translation from the French "comédie dramatique".
The 20th century saw a rise in film and television works that could be described as comedy-dramas. In American cinema, The Kid (1921) by Charlie Chaplin is acknowledged as the first feature length film to blend comedy and drama.[12] [13] [14]
In January 2022, Rafael Abreu, writing for the StudioBinder filmmaking blog, defined this genre as follows:[15] Abreu also adds that dramedies often deal with relatable and serious topics such as divorce, illness, hardship, and heartache.
Examples of comedy dramas in film include:
| Name | Year | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8½ | 1963 | Italy | |
| Annie Hall | 1977 | United States | |
| Asteroid City | 2023 | United States | |
| Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths | 2022 | Mexico | |
| The Celebration | 1998 | Denmark | |
| Forrest Gump | 1994 | United States | |
| Garden State | 2004 | United States | |
| The Grand Budapest Hotel | 2014 | United States, Germany | |
| It's Such a Beautiful Day | 2012 | United States | |
| Lady Bird | 2017 | United States | |
| Little Miss Sunshine | 2006 | United States | also considered a tragicomedy |
| Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood | 2019 | United States, United Kingdom | |
| Punch-Drunk Love | 2002 | United States | |
| The Royal Tenenbaums | 2001 | United States | |
| A Serious Man | 2009 | United States, United Kingdom | |
| Trainspotting | 1996 | United Kingdom | |
| You, the Living | 2007 | Sweden | |
Examples of television comedy dramas include:
| Name | Year | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ally McBeal | 1997–2002 | United States | |
| M*A*S*H | 1972–83 | United States | |
| Desperate Housewives | 2004–12 | United States | [16] |
| Doogie Howser, M.D. | 1989–93 | United States | |
| Due South | 1994–99 | Canada | |
| Fleabag | 2016–19 | United Kingdom | |
| Hazbin Hotel | 2024–present | United States | |
| Hooperman | 1987–89 | United States | |
| The Love Boat | 1977–86 | United States | |
| Moonlighting | 1985–89 | United States | |
| Northern Exposure | 1990–95 | United States | |
| Scrubs | 2001–10 | United States | |
| Sex and the City | 1998–2004 | United States | |
| The Wonder Years | 1988–93 | United States | |
| You’re the Worst | 2014–19 | United States | |