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The Formula for a Successful Sitcom

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the everything-is-just-math dept.

indylaw writes "A team of scientists commissioned by British satellite channel UKTV Gold has developed a mathematical expression to predict the success of TV sitcoms. Using the formula [((R x D + V) x F) + S]/A, they determined that "Only Fools and Horses" and "The Office" are the best of British comedy, while "According to Bex" (which is being adapted for CBS in the fall and will star Jenna Elfman) scored in the bottom five."

6 of 291 comments (clear)

  1. Now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now make a formula that can tell if a Slashdot-article is a dupe.

    1. Re:Now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Now make a formula that can tell if a Slashdot-article is a dupe.

      1

  2. I hate these news-grabbing formulae by P-Nuts · · Score: 5, Funny
    How on earth do you go about measuring any of the variables in their formula. For example, D, deluesions of grandeur. Do they just order a delusionometer from a scientific supplies catalogue?

    I've come up with my own formula: L=(nP+sqrt(C)/i). It calulates lameness of formulae (L) according to number of terms in arbitrary units (n), popularity of subject matter (P), column inches devoted to the formula in mainstream news (C), and intelligence of the researchers who came up with it (i). My formula has a lameness of only 4.7, but their is much lamer at 205.3.

    So there.

  3. For American audiences by LoraxLorax · · Score: 3, Funny

    They forgot the following bit of the equation: ^T+A

  4. Re:What's the cost of a formula? by MutantHamster · · Score: 5, Funny
    Wait, I haven an even better forumalr. Where "R" stands for ratings, it goes like this:

    R.

    --
    My Greatest Heist - Muisc partly inspired by the unbeatable Qwantz
  5. Formula for getting high-mod points: by pegr · · Score: 5, Funny

    (F x (R x D + V)) + S) / A

    Where:

    F = Likelihood of remaining on the first page of comments
    R = Recognizability rating (editors=9, Taco=10, ACs=0)
    D = User ID numerical ranking, 3 or fewer digits=10
    V = Actual intelligence score of post
    S = Number of "Me too" replies generated
    A = General interest of story commenting on