What was the first ever sitcom?
“Merry Wives of Windsor”, by William Shakespeare. 
I saw a production of this in DC years ago. Through the Elizabethan English, I could easily see an “I Love Lucy” or “Three’s Company” episode, full of misunderstandings, innuendo, and mistaken identities.
If I were Bill, I’d sue. Oh, wait, he’s dead. Nevermind.
Didn’t A Comedy of Errors come before Merry Wives of Windsor?
Almost every sitcom in the Universe has had an episode or two that can be traced back to the ol’ mistaken-identity gag in A Comedy of Errors.
Probably; MWOW is the only Shakespearean comedy I’ve seen.
Othello had its funny moments, but was definately a drama.
(I’d see more Shakespeare, but at $50+ a ticket it’s not a impulse thing to do on a Saturday night.)
I think this can go in Cafe Society.
bibliophage
moderator GQ