Line #32 Main/KidCom


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5	[[quoteright:349:[[Series/LifeWithBoys https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lwb_kidcom.png]]]]
6
7	A variety of SitCom in which the main characters are children or teenagers, with adults relegated to supporting or background roles such as mentors or authority figures. Such shows naturally tend to cover more kid-oriented situations and plots, and often make good (and repeated) use of CantGetAwayWithNuthin and the VerySpecialEpisode. StatusQuoIsGod is the rule in most of them (thus falling into level 2 of the SlidingScaleOfContinuity).
8
9	Perhaps the most common setting for a Kid Com is an academic one, with the characters being schoolmates, essentially the junior version of a WorkCom. But it can also follow a group of youngsters who just hang out at the local MaltShop or other "clubhouse"-type location.
10
11	{{Dom Com}}s generally don't qualify for inclusion in this category, since the protagonistic roles tend to be reversed (parents as main characters, children as supporting). However, a DomCom ''can'' double as a Kid Com if the primary focus is on the children rather than the adults or the family as a whole.
12
13	During TheSeventies and TheEighties, the Kid Com was a staple of network television. For most of the 2000s, a large percentage of them were made by either [[Creator/DanSchneider Schneider's Bakery]] for Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} or [[Franchise/DisneyChannelLiveActionUniverse It's A Laugh Productions]] for the Creator/DisneyChannel, much to the chagrin of fans of their more adventurous animated offerings. In any case they're often an end-run around regulations regarding advertising to children. Since most of those set an upper limit of 12 and treat adolescents as a separate category, by creating a [[AnimationAgeGhetto live-action show]] with a mostly-teenage cast they can claim teens as the main demographic while actually aiming an age group or two lower.
14
15	That said, bear in mind that this genre is not limited demographically, and there have been plenty of examples - with some of the most famous being ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle'' and ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' - of Kid Coms aimed at older audiences.
16
17	Often prone to DawsonCasting (though frequently [[{{Subversion}} subverted]] in recent years). Those originating in Canada [[OnlySoManyCanadianActors draw from the same smallish pool of actors]], with many kids appearing in several [[TomHanksSyndrome before going]] DarkerAndEdgier with a turn on ''Series/{{Degrassi\|TheNextGeneration}}''.
18
19	Contrast TweenDrama, a drama program aimed at kids 13 and under. The literary equivalent would be [[MiddleGradeLiterature middle grade]] fiction.
20	----
21	!!Examples:
22
23	[[index]]
24	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'', combined with EdutainmentShow.
25	* ''Series/BestFootForward'', has this and TeenDrama elements.
26	* ''Big Kids'', A British show with only one season.
27	* ''Series/{{Blossom}}''
28	* ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld''
29	** ''Series/GirlMeetsWorld''
30	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Bluey}}'', combined with SliceOfLife and drama. It doesn't feature a laugh track and is also animated.
31	* ''Series/TheBradyBunch''
32	* ''Series/BreakerHigh''
33	* ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'' is a hybrid between this and a DomCom, as the recurring child characters are given more focus and development than most of the recurring adults.
34	* ''Series/CharlesInCharge''
35	* ''Series/ElChavoDelOcho''
36	** ''WesternAnimation/ElChavoAnimado''
37	* Comic strip ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' and its AnimatedAdaptation, ''The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show''. Also doesn't feature a laugh track.
38	* ''Series/TheCosbyShow'' is a borderline example; although it did generally focus on the family rather than the children, many plots were examined from the children's perspective.
39	* ''Series/DanisHouse''
40	* ''Series/DeadGorgeous''
41	* ''Series/{{Debra}}''
42	* ''Series/DiffrentStrokes''
43	* Any number of kid-oriented shows on the Creator/DisneyChannel:
44	** ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'', combined with adventure and drama.
45	** ''Series/AndiMack'', combined with TeenDrama.
46	** ''Series/ANTFarm''
47	** ''Series/AustinAndAlly''
48	** ''Series/BestFriendsWhenever''
49	** ''Series/{{Bizaardvark}}''
50	** ''Series/CoopAndCamiAskTheWorld''
51	** ''Series/DogWithABlog''
52	** ''Series/EvenStevens''
53	** ''Series/FastLayne''
54	** ''Series/GabbyDuranAndTheUnsittables''
55	** ''Series/GirlMeetsWorld''
56	** ''Series/GoodLuckCharlie''
57	** ''Series/HannahMontana''
58	** ''Series/IDidntDoIt''
59	** ''Series/{{Jessie}}''
60	*** ''Series/{{Bunkd}}''
61	** ''Series/{{Jonas}}''
62	** ''Series/JustRollWithIt''
63	** ''Series/KCUndercover''
64	** ''Series/LivAndMaddie''
65	** ''Series/LizzieMcGuire''
66	** ''Series/PhilOfTheFuture''
67	** ''Series/PrettyFreekinScary''
68	** ''Series/{{Saturdays}}''
69	** ''Series/ShakeItUp''
70	** ''Series/SonnyWithAChance''
71	** ''Series/StuckInTheMiddle''
72	** ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'' and ''The Suite Life on Deck''
73	** ''Series/SydneyToTheMax''
74	** ''Series/ThatsSoRaven''
75	*** ''Series/CoryInTheHouse''
76	*** ''Series/RavensHome''
77	** ''Series/UltraVioletAndBlackScorpion''
78	** ''Series/TheVillainsOfValleyView''
79	** ''Series/WizardsOfWaverlyPlace''
80	* Any number of kid-oriented shows from Disney Channel’s male-targeted offshoot, Creator/DisneyXD:
81	** ''Series/CrashAndBernstein''
82	** ''Series/GamersGuideToPrettyMuchEverything''
83	** ''Series/ImInTheBand''
84	** ''Series/KickinIt''
85	** ''Series/KirbyBuckets''
86	** ''Series/LabRats''
87	*** ''Series/LabRatsEliteForce''
88	** ''Series/MightyMed''
89	** ''Series/PairOfKings''
90	** ''Series/ZekeAndLuther''
91	* ''Series/EverybodyHatesChris''
92	* ''Series/TheFactsOfLife''
93	* ''Series/TheFairlyOddParentsFairlyOdder''
94	* ''Series/FamilyMatters''
95	* ''Series/FamilyTies''
96	* ''Series/GameOn2015''
97	* ''Series/TheGenieFromDownUnder''
98	* ''Series/GenieInTheHouse''
99	* ''Film/{{Gidget}}''
100	* ''Series/GrowingPains''
101	** ''Series/JustTheTenOfUs''
102	* ''Series/HankZipzer''
103	* ''Series/HappyDays'' (earlier seasons only)
104	* ''Series/HowToBeIndie''
105	* ''Series/{{The InBESTigators}}''
106	* ''Series/JuliaJekyllAndHarrietHyde''
107	* ''Series/LeaveItToBeaver''
108	* ''Series/LifeWithBoys''
109	* ''Series/LifeWithDerek''
110	* ''Series/LittleLunch''
111	* ''Series/MaggieAndBiancaFashionFriends''
112	* ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle''
113	* Brazilian show ''Series/{{Malhacao}}'' alternates between this and TeenDrama.
114	* ''Series/{{Miguelito}}''
115	* ''WesternAnimation/WorkItOutWombats'': Another rare ''Creator/PBSKids'' sitcom that doesn't have a laugh track and contains educational elements, also animated, and also has kid com hallmarks.
116	* ''WesternAnimation/MollyOfDenali'': Another rare ''Creator/PBSKids'' sitcom that doesn't have a laugh track and contains educational elements, also animated, and also has kid com hallmarks.
117	* ''WesternAnimation/MarthaSpeaks'': A rare ''Creator/PBSKids'' sitcom that doesn't have a laugh track and contains educational elements, also animated, and also has kid com hallmarks.
118	* ''WesternAnimation/LylaInTheLoop'': Another rare ''Creator/PBSKids'' sitcom that doesn't have a laugh track and contains educational elements, also animated, and also has kid com hallmarks.
119	* ''Series/MIHigh''
120	* ''Series/{{Microsoap}}''
121	* ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'', which was (particularly in the first season) pretty much one of these with ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' taped over the middle of it.
122	* ''Series/{{Mortified}}''
123	* ''Series/MrYoung''
124	* Canadian series ''Series/MySecretIdentity''.
125	* Any number of kid-oriented shows on Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}, including the Series/NickVerse series:
126	** ''Series/OneHundredThingsToDoBeforeHighSchool''
127	** ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete''
128	** ''Series/BellaAndTheBulldogs''
129	** ''Series/BigTimeRush''
130	** ''Series/TheBrothersGarcia''
131	** ''Series/BucketAndSkinnersEpicAdventures''
132	** ''Series/ClarissaExplainsItAll''
133	** ''Series/CousinSkeeter''
134	** ''Series/CousinsForLife''
135	** ''Series/DrakeAndJosh''
136	** ''Series/{{Drama Club\|2021}}''
137	** ''Series/ErinAndAaron''
138	** ''Series/TheFreshBeatBand'', an extremely rare preschool sitcom that aired on Creator/NickJr. It doesn't have a laugh track and it does contain educational elements, but it still has a lot of kid com hallmarks.
139	** ''Series/GameShakers''
140	** ''Series/TheHauntedHathaways''
141	** ''Series/HenryDanger''
142	*** ''Series/DangerForce''
143	** ''Series/HeyDude''
144	** ''Series/HowToRock''
145	** ''Series/HunterStreet''
146	** ''Series/IAmFrankie'', like ''Andi Mack'' above, combined with TweenDrama.
147	** ''Series/ICarly''
148	** ''Series/JustForKicks''
149	** ''Series/JustJordan''
150	** ''Series/KallysMashup''
151	** ''Series/KenanAndKel''
152	** ''Series/KnightSquad''
153	** ''Series/TheLatestBuzz''
154	** ''Series/LegendaryDudas''
155	** ''Series/MarvinMarvin''
156	** ''Series/MakeItPop''
157	** ''Series/MaxAndShred''
158	** ''Series/MyBrotherAndMe''
159	** ''Series/TheNakedBrothersBand''
160	** ''Series/NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide''
161	** ''Series/NickyRickyDickyAndDawn''
162	** ''Series/NoahKnowsBest''
163	** ''Series/TheOtherKingdom''
164	** ''Series/{{Romeo}}''
165	** ''Series/SaluteYourShorts''
166	** ''Series/SamAndCat''
167	** ''Series/SchoolOfRock''
168	** ''Series/SideHustle''
169	** ''Series/StarFalls''
170	** ''Series/{{Taina}}''
171	** ''Series/ThatGirlLayLay''
172	** ''Series/TheThundermans''
173	** ''Series/TrueJacksonVP''
174	** ''Series/{{Unfabulous}}''
175	** ''Series/{{Victorious}}''
176	** ''Series/{{Warped}}''
177	** ''Series/YoungDylan''
178	** ''Series/{{Zoey 101}}'', also a hybrid TeenDrama and doesn't have a laugh track.
179	* ''Literature/MaxAndRuby'', another extremely rare preschool sitcom that aired on Creator/NickJr. It doesn't have a laugh track and it does contain educational elements and it's also animated, but it still has a lot of kid com hallmarks.
180	* ''Series/TheNoddyShop''
181	* The ''[[Film/TheLittleRascals Our Gang]]'' shorts
182	* ''Series/OutOfThisWorld1987''
183	* ''Series/ParkerLewisCantLose''
184	* ''Series/PunkyBrewster''
185	* ''Series/RadioFreeRoscoe''
186	* ''Series/RichieRich''
187	* ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch''
188	* ''Series/SadieJ''
189	* Many Saturday Morning Cartoons also follow this format:
190	** ''WesternAnimation/BobbysWorld''
191	** ''WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}''
192	** ''WesternAnimation/TheGaryColemanShow''
193	** ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold''
194	** ''[[WesternAnimation/PunkyBrewster It's Punky Brewster]]''
195	** ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}''
196	* ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' is likely the pioneer of the genre.
197	* ''Series/SavedByTheBell2020'', the sequel to the 90's series. Doesn't have a laugh track to make the mood of the show more intense.
198	* ''Series/SeriouslyWeird''
199	* '' WebAnimation/ShapeBuddies''
200	* The Creator/{{PBS}} series ''Series/ShiningTimeStation''.
201	* ''Series/ShipToShore''
202	* ''Series/SilverSpoons''
203	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' was this early on, as [[BrattyHalfPint Bart]] was generally marketed and treated as the main character. However, [[BumblingDad Homer]] eventually took over the main character role somewhere around halfway through the second season, edging it away from this.
204	* ''Series/SisterSister''
205	* ''Series/SmartGuy''
206	* ''Series/SoAwkward''
207	* ''Series/SomeAssemblyRequired''
208	* ''Series/SonOfACritch''
209	* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'', at least in the earlier seasons. Can be considered a parody of this type of show.
210	* ''Series/StudentBodies''
211	* ''Series/TeamKaylie''
212	* ''Series/TeenAngel''
213	* ''Theatre/{{Thirteen}}'' is a theatre example of this with an entirely teenage cast.
214	* ''Series/TylerPerrysYoungDylan''
215	* ''Series/UnderTheUmbrellaTree'' - While Holly was an adult, the other characters were puppets with the minds of children.
216	* ''Series/WelcomeFreshmen''
217	* ''Series/WhatsHappening''
218	* ''What's Up Warthogs''
219	* ''Series/TheWonderYears''
220	* ''Series/YoungSheldon''
221	[[/index]]

Context Main / KidCom