e characters evolves only slowly and normally, largely because the children and other characters grow older as the actors grow older, and therefore different life situations must eventually be addressed. However, one can watch episodes of a situation comedy in any sequence, and understand the plot within each episode perfectly well on its own terms.
The other type of show is usually called a ôsoap operaö (if it is broadcast during the daytime) or a ôdramaö (if in the evening hours). It is far more like what was once called a ôserialö in the movie theaters. Each episode ends with a ôcliffhangerö: a dangerous problem, apparently impossible to solve, intended to entice the audience back the next week for the next episode. These shows (e.g., Beverly Hills 90210, E.R., L.A.Law, Hill Street Blues, Party of Five) have extremely complex plots, as the events in the lives of the main characters intertwine and interact with the specific events in any one episode. Hence it is far more difficult to understand an episode of such a show out of its original sequence.
Despite the difference in literary structure, these two kinds of shows shar
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