Mad About You Broke the Unspoken Rule of Romantic Comedy

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Mad About You, a popular 90s sitcom, broke the traditional conventions of romantic comedy by jeopardizing the happily ever after of its central couple, Paul and Jamie Buchman. Unlike other sitcoms where the will-they-or-won't-they tension is resolved by the finale, Mad About You allowed its beloved couple to separate, creating a more emotionally grounded and artistically bold approach to its love story.

Why it matters

Mad About You's willingness to disrupt the typical romantic comedy narrative and create genuine tension and conflict between its central couple was a bold and unconventional move that set it apart from other popular 90s sitcoms. This approach allowed the show to explore the day-to-day realities of marriage in a more authentic way.

The details

Mad About You used its protagonist Paul's career as a documentarian to incorporate meta, self-aware elements, such as the episode "Our Fifteen Minutes" where the Buchmans attempt to film a slice of their own life. The show also experimented with form, like the one-shot episode "The Conversation" that takes place entirely in the hallway of their apartment. But Mad About You's most daring move was in its treatment of the core love story between Paul and Jamie. Unlike other sitcoms where the central couple's 'happily ever after' is withheld until the finale, Mad About You opens with the Buchmans already married, only to separate them for a significant stretch in season 4, creating genuine emotional discomfort for the audience.

• Mad About You aired for 7 seasons from 1992 to 1999.
• The show's season 4 finale featured a three-part storyline where Paul and Jamie separated, with their relationship hanging in the balance.