Comedy drama

Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau dramedy,^[1][2][3] is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and drama. In films, serious dramatic themes (such as death, illness, etc.) are dealt with realism and subtlety, while preserving a humorous tenor.^[4] In television, modern scripted 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.^{[citation needed][not verified in body]}

In the very influential Greek theatre, plays were considered comedies or tragedies. 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.^[5] Even today, works are often classified into two broad buckets, dramas and comedies. For instance, many awards that recognize achievements in film and television today, such as the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards segregate several award categories into these two classifications.

The 20th century saw a rise in film and television works that could be described as comedy-dramas. The term is a translation from the French "comédie dramatique". The portmanteau "dramedy" came to be in the 1980s.^[3][6]

In January 2022, Rafael Abreu, writing for the StudioBinder filmmaking blog, defined this genre as follows:^[7]

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.

The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this section, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new section, as appropriate. (November 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Examples of comedy dramas in film include:

Examples of television comedy dramas include:

• List of comedy drama television series
• Black comedy
• Dramatic structure
• Melodrama
• Seriousness
• Tragicomedy
• Psychological drama

• Mather, Nigel (2006). Tears of laughter: Comedy-drama in 1990s British Cinema (1st ed.). Manchester, England: Manchester University Press. ISBN 978-0719070761.
• Ortega, Oscar (10 April 2024). "Drama Or Dramedy: Defining The Voice Of Socially Relevant Comedy". A Hot Set. A.N. Publishing.