Sitcom

[situation comedy]
a funny television programme in which the same characters appear in different situations each week (LONGMAN)
a regular programme on television that shows the same characters in different amusing situations (OXFOAD)

The term sitcom was coined in 1951 according to the hit of "I Love Lucy". Hmm, I wanna check that someday. Oh, I've got an idea. If I can pass the Eiken test, I'd like to buy the complete seasons of Full House!

Links:
Sitcoms Online
The British Sitcom Guide
Britain's Best Sitcom (BBC)
Sitcom: What It Is, How It Works
So You Wanna Be a Sitcom Writer