Everyone loves to laugh, but there’s also something to be said for a good cry. Because humans regularly experience such a broad range of emotions, it’s fitting that many people enjoy a television show or an Internet show that encompasses both elements of drama and comedy. Here’s a bit about why audiences are drawn to TV dramas, comedies, and dramedies. 

Guide to Comedies, Dramas & Dramedies 

Why Viewers Like Comedies 

From rom-coms to sit-coms and slapstick, there’s a broad array of comedy subgenres to suit just about any audience. Whatever the subject matter, comedies are typically amusing, designed to evoke laughter or at least a smile. Even if the characters grapple with some serious or semi-serious situations, the outcome is almost always positive. The main appeal of comedy is the ability to escape, if only for a few moments. While comedies don’t necessarily deal with the same serious subject matters as dramas, they’re an essential part of entertainment. As the saying goes, “laughter is the best medicine,” and great comedians and writers repeatedly prove this. 

Why Viewers Like Dramas 

Dramas, like comedies, encompass a range of subgenres. They can be brutal and heartwrenching, non-fictional and hard-hitting, or subtle and artistic. Most dramas share a common trait of delving into more serious subject matters, whether it be betrayal, trauma, illness, death, or the darker side of life and love. Though it may seem counterintuitive, viewers often turn to dramas for the same reason as comedies. Dramas provide a chance to escape reality and immerse oneself in someone else’s story. Dramas can also provide catharsis, the opportunity for an emotional outlet. While comedy can provide catharsis, dramas tend to do this more often, allowing viewers to express challenging, repressed emotions such as fear or sadness. 

Why Dramedies Are a Perfect Hybrid 

Dramedies provide the best of both worlds. While some people lean heavily toward dramas or comedies, almost everyone can enjoy a dramedy. This kind of television show is sometimes referred to as a “dark comedy,” and the genre encompasses some beloved favorites, such as Fleabag, Orange is the New Black, Shameless, The Big Lebowski, Pulp Fiction, Fargo, and In Bruges. With dramedies, characters typically tackle challenging, emotional, and sometimes tragic situations. Viewers can enjoy the catharsis of these emotional experiences without getting overwhelmed. This is because dramedies also provide plenty of “comic relief.”

There’s nothing like tuning in to your favorite television show to unwind at the end of the day. If you’re looking for a new television show that has a bit of drama, plenty of action, and lots of laughs, you’ll love 85 Central. Filmed in High Point, NC, this crime drama Internet show has everything you could want from a TV drama and comedy series. Call (336) 517-7945 to talk with a staff member about the show, or visit the website to watch the first two episodes.