The Cold Open: Why Comedy Starts Before It Starts

The Cold Open: Why Comedy Starts Before It Starts

The Cold Open: Why Comedy Starts Before It StartsJacquie J Sarah
Published on: 24/05/2026

Cold opens are one of comedy’s smartest tools. From Cheers to Gavin & Stacey, here’s how sitcoms hook audiences before the episode even begins.

TV ComedyComedy StructureComedySitcom Analysis, Spotlights, & Deep Dives
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Nearly Not Funny: The Sitcoms That Were Rescued at the Last Minute

Nearly Not Funny: The Sitcoms That Were Rescued at the Last Minute

Nearly Not Funny: The Sitcoms That Were Rescued at the Last MinuteJacquie J Sarah
Published on: 10/05/2026

From failed pilots to major rewrites, this explores how iconic sitcoms like Seinfeld and The Office were rescued, and what writers can learn from it.

TV ComedyComedy StructureComedySitcom Analysis, Spotlights, & Deep Dives
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Back to the Future

Back to the Future

Back to the FutureJacquie J Sarah
Published on: 03/11/2025

Back to the Future turns 40 — and it’s still the funniest lesson in story structure ever written. Here’s why the film (and the musical) still works.

Comedy StructureFilms ComedyComedy
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