British Situation Comedy and the Consciousness of New Class Differences in Slovakia

Abstract

Popular genres of television are, amongst others, able to play a significant role in conveying social aspects of the public sphere into the private sphere. The social or class system appears to be a frequently occurring issue in British television situation comedies. This genre is about decorum, social norms and manners that are mostly class based. Thus television ‘sitcoms’ provide many examples of characters and their ideas that portray certain social types, social categories and a social order. Economic, political and cultural changes after 1989 in Slovakia have transformed the opportunities and freedoms for individuals and social groups within society. The former basic social class structure has been completely overturned and new perceptions have reflected rapid social and cultural processes. At this juncture, the extensive programming of British situation comedies on Slovak TV channels has undoubtedly played a part in reshaping social attitudes. What lessons in class understanding have Slovak audiences read into British situation comedies? How have they pictured British society? How have they reinterpreted it to suit their own needs? Such are some of the issues this paper tries to address.