Comedy drama (also known by theportmanteaudramedy)[1][2] is ahybrid genre of works that combine elements ofcomedy anddrama.[3] In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc.) are handled 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 thecomic relief common in drama series, but usually contain a lower joke rate thansitcoms.[citation needed][not verified in body]
InGreek 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.[8] This concept even influencedRoman theatre and theatre of theHellenistic 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 thePrimetime Emmy Awards and theGolden Globe Awards,[10][11] segregate several awards into these two classifications.
The 20th century saw a rise in film and television works that could be described as comedy-dramas. In American cinema,The Kid (1921) byCharlie Chaplin is acknowledged as the firstfeature 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]
A dramedy is a movie or program that balances the elements of a drama and a comedy. Also known as a comedy drama, this hybrid genre often deals with real life situations, grounded characters, and believable situations. The ratio between the drama and comedy can vary, but most of the time there is an equal measure of both, with neither side dominating.
Abreu also adds that dramedies often deal with relatable and serious topics such as divorce, illness, hardship, and heartache.[15]
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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 atragicomedy |
| 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 | |
| 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 | [6] |
| The Love Boat | 1977–86 | United States | |
| Ludwig | 2024 | United Kingdom | |
| M*A*S*H | 1972–83 | 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 |
a TV show or movie that is a mixture of drama (= telling serious stories) and comedy (= jokes and situations intended to make you laugh)
