situationshow

Situationshow is a television format used particularly in Dutch-language broadcasting to describe programs that center on a specific situation or dilemma and develop it through dialogue, actions and interactions among participants, usually within a studio setting. The term is used to categorize formats that focus on the exploration of a premise rather than a fully scripted narrative.

Unlike a traditional sitcom, which is a scripted narrative about fictional characters, a situationshow often combines documentary or improvised elements with staged scenarios. The approach can vary widely, from semi-improvised scenes to reality-inflected discussions, and may include participant-driven problem solving or demonstration of outcomes.

Common variants include improvisational scenes based on prompts, reality-inflected re-enactments of real events, and interactive formats in which guests or audience members influence the progression of the situation. The emphasis is typically on how people respond to a defined circumstance, rather than on delivering a conventional scripted story.

Structure: a host or moderator introduces the premise, a set of participants explores the situation through discussions, demonstrations, or challenges, and the results are presented in episodic segments. Production and distribution: usually filmed in a studio with audience seating; can be broadcast as a one-off special or as a regular series; tone ranges from humorous to informative.

Regional usage: The term is most commonly used in the Netherlands and Flanders and may overlap with labels like panel show, improv show, or reality-based formats in English-language markets.