HD TVs Ruined Sitcoms

For the most part, the move to HD TVs has been a positive one, but in this video I make the case that maybe it wasn't the best for EVERY type of show. In this video I go over live-action sitcoms and how they were hurt by the move.

[machinemade]

There is actually a joke in Friends that is ruined by the 16:9 format. In S01E14 Chandler wakes up in bed, seemingly alone, but then they pan to the side and you see Janice laying next to him. In 16:9 you can see Janice from the start, ruining the gag.

[bageltoo]

I definitely feel like the new seasons of Sunny are way too “clean” visually. The grit of the old resolution really fit the scumbag personalities.

[radishpie]

Watching wandavision, I barely even noticed the “black bars on the side”. It was portrayed as a sitcom in the beginning so it just felt right. It was only in later episodes where it got to a more modern sitcom that I actually noticed. I don’t think people would be as distracted by it as Hollywood thinks. And even if you do notice in the beginning, it’s pretty easy to get used to

[Lenak_]

It also changes the composition. For Sunny, I feel like most shots feel empty now that it's in 16:9. With a sitcom, most of the time it's people talking. And in 4:3 it works but in 16:9 you have so much useless space, and it definitely didn't need it before

[guyr]

"Let TV be TV" is a lesson that modern streaming shows need to learn in general, in so many aspects.

[buttscarlton]

My dad has Netflix and still watches Seinfeld reruns on networks tv because when it has commercials and the correct aspect ratio, in his own words; "it just feels right"

[jimtrue]

What is worse than cropping to fit the wider screen is when they decide to simply stretch the picture, making everyone and everything seem very squat.

[SeansShowStudios]

One thing that really, really bugs me about this obsession with looking "more cinematic" is how SO many tv shows have the 1.85:1 aspect ratio now. So my 16:9 television often has black bars at the top and bottom, for no reason except to be more "cinematic". 🙄

[jeffnicholas]

I worked at a video store in late 90’s-2000’s era. Trying to explain VHS ‘widescreen presentations’ to folk was always a challenge. They felt the black bars at the top and bottom meant they were missing something.
And here we are years later talking about the same issue with TV aspect ratios…! I love it!! Great video

[CBMX_GAMING]

Hearing this honest discussion about creative differences on the podcast was fascinating.

[SkulShurtugalTCG]

WandaVision is a prime example of how well aspect ratios can be used in TV shows. It practically uses every kind that exists, and each of them to great effect in their respective episodes.

[benm]

I noticed that it became popular in recent years to use 4:3 in music videos. On top of the retro aesthetic, I think it works well because it keeps focus on the singer. Widescreen actually makes some music videos feel more hacky... Like you have to fill up all the extra space for it to make sense. I think they love 4:3 in Kpop cause they always want focus on the idols and this aspect ratio is perfect for that

[Powerman]

For Always sunny, it would be funny if they just switched back to 4:3 but still filmed in HD/UHD.

[Virtuazilla]

Trailer Park Boys also really suffered from 16:9 if you ask me, the early seasons always felt so chaotic and low quality but it really added to the show in the same way it did for It's Always Sunny. In the later seasons of TPB I think they try to compensate for more screen space by making the things on screen crazier and more out there but it really just doesn't hit the same

[fangsabre]

If anyone wants a deep dive into exactly how ruined the Buffy remaster was, Passion of the Nerd did a fantastic video on it, including specific gripes about the aspect ratio change like how in the original edit there's a scene in a gym where we see the gang in a mirror wall walking, only to see Angel was with them as they walk by because he doesn't have a reflection. In the new aspect ratio, you can see him reflected standing off to the side and ruining not only the shot but the continuity of the universe.

[Prahlis]

I can understand new shows no matter the genre uses the 16:9 format, but why i can't get a HD remaster in 4:3 if the original was in 4:3 is beyond me

[DoctorZorders]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Malcolm in the Middle remaster which showed empty desks in a “full” classroom and film equipment when they converted the 4:3 episodes to 16:9.

[rustytoyota]

Biggest thing I like about HBO Max is that they offer a lot of shows in 4:3

[pcssfc]

I think that the season 1 - 4 look really added a lot of personality to the show, it felt like the show had really changed when they changed it

[MatthewGClarke]

I didn't know that "The Whale" was in 4:3 before I saw it in the cinema, and that was also a perfect choice for the subject matter and style of the film.