How do dramas differ from sitcoms?

How do dramas differ from sitcoms?

Pamela Douglas (Screenwriter) gives expert video advice on: What is a TV 'drama'?; What are the various types of dramas?; What is a 'season' for a drama? and more...

TV dramas are generally categorized by the time. They're an hour long, whereas sitcoms are a half hour long. In itself, that doesn't describe the difference. There are different intentions for drama and comedy. The intention of drama is storytelling based on deep character revelations, a quest or relationships. The intention at the end of the process for comedy is a laugh. So there's a different goal in each. That said, there's a melding. There are dramedies; there are dramas with comedy and there are comedies that have strong dramatic underpinnings.