Codes and conventions:
- Usually on the topic of current affairs:
- Satirical humour (making fun of serious topics). Audience can laugh at taboo subjects. Can be controversial.
- The contestants are seated around a panel, facing the audience. the panel is clearly separated into two teams, with the host sat in the middle.
- The host is the same in each episode, and there are usually one or two comedians who are featured in every episode, often as team captains.
- The audience can be heard clapping and cheering at the end of the opening credits and before you see the contestants.
- There are usually recurring segments that the audience will be familiar with (eg. 'Here is the answer, what is the question?' in Mock the Week)
Episodes are typically 30 minutes long, in order to keep a lot happening without any segments dragging. this keeps the audience engaged, whilst having enough time to fit a lot of content in. The format of the shows and even the set layout are every similar to each other. This is because, when the audience sees this format before the show starts, they will know what to expect because there are so many other shows with extremely similar formats. Channels that broadcast panel shows are major commercial channels such as BBC, ITV and Chanel 4. The shows are broadcast after the watershed, which allows the comedians to say whatever they want, no matter how vulgar or transgressive. This helps with the fact that the show is completely unrehearsed: it doesn't hold the comedians back at all. The shows are cheap and easy to make - all that needs to be done is pay for the set and the comedians. There are no screenwriters that need to be paid as it's all unscripted. They are easy for the company to produce as they are so cheap and are so popular. The shows are aimed towards young - middle-aged adults, as they will be aware of current affairs and will be able to appreciate and laugh with the satirical comedy style.
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