THE SCIENTIFIC COMEDY FORMULA

It may seem unlikely, but scientists have researched sitcom in order to decide which is the funniest sitcom of all time! The research, for digital channel UKTV Gold, was conducted by Dr Helen Pilcher and writer Timandra Harkness. Dr Pilcher is a member of the scientific group The Comedy Research Project. The scientists invented a ‘sitcom formula’ and applied it to a number of well known sitcoms. Their formula for a winning sitcom multiplies

• the recognisable qualities of the main character (r)

• by their delusions of grandeur (d)

• adds that to the verbal wit of the script (v).

• This total is then multiplied by the amount of times someone falls over (f)

• added to the difference in social status between the highest and lowest ranking characters (s)

• and the whole lot is divided by the success of any scheme during the show (a).

When they applied their formula to a variety of the most popular sitcoms, Only Fools and Horses came out as the funniest British sitcom of all time, followed by The Office and

Father Ted.

Calculate the number of points a show scores: R x D + V x F + S ÷ A = the score

Their top 5

OFAH

THE OFFICE

FATHER TED

FAWLTY TOWERS (they gave it 557)

BLACK ADDER (374.5)