The sitcom accompanies the whole of television history, and it is one of the genres most identified with the medium. In this course we explore the sitcom in a historical perspective, in a double sense of the term. On the one hand we will study the history of the genre, from the formation in the 50s of a relatively rigid aesthetic conventions that initially characterized it, to the emergence of various transgressions from this rigid formation such as the animation sitcoms and documentary style. On the other hand, we will study how the sitcom reflects historical moments and how it articulates political and social tensions. In this context we will watch some American, British and Israeli key series, such as "All in the Family", "M.A.S.H", "Faulty Towers", "Shemesh" and more. We will inquire how the sitcom provides a unique perspective on politics. For that purpose we will also study some important perspectives on humor and laughter.