An article on Backstage.com (“Where Can Comics Go Without Sitcoms?”) by Andrew Salomon tells of the changing landscape in Hollywood. The lack of sitcoms is creating a slow panic among agents, managers and comics. The argument is made that it is now somehow more difficult for a comedian to get a sitcom built around him. Of course it is, but only marginally so.

According to an October report in Entertainment Weekly, there were 62 comedies on the fall schedule in 1997; last season, there were 20. Earlier this month, at the upfront presentations in New York, the five broadcast networks announced there will be only 17 comedies during the 2007-08 season (21 if you count the four animated shows on Fox on Sunday nights). For the first time in 30 years, NBC — the network of Cheers, Seinfeld, Frasier, and Friends — picked up no new comedies.

To review: A decade ago, there were 62; This season, there will be 17.

Veteran comedy publicist and manager Glenn Schwartz bemoans the paucity of sitcoms:

“Economically, television has changed, so there are less scripted shows in favor of reality shows and game shows, and that’s simply because they’re profitable,” said Schwartz, whose clients have ranged from Milton Berle to Lewis Black. “No network feels an obligation to its audience to say, ‘Well, gee, it would be better to create the next Seinfeld… as opposed to [showing] bingo in prime time.'”

This should not come as a shock to anyone– Networks behaving in a pack, pursuing only that which is profitable. And, as fewer sitcoms are developed, fewer pilots are shot. As fewer pilots are shot, fewer sacks of cash (or “development deals”) are pushed across the table to comics and their agents and managers.

But, like we said, the odds were always thin. Now they’re razor-like.

Then, there’s this from comic Eric Lyden:

“The hardest thing about comedy is being where you’re at and not focusing on the brass ring,” he said. “The trouble is, in this business the brass ring is very, very attractive. It’s TV, it’s fame, it’s money, and there’s a very, very good chance you’re not going to be the next Seinfeld… Are you okay with just being a comedian? I wrestle with that. Some days it’s yes, some days it’s absolutely not.”

Are you okay with just being a comedian? A lot of comedians have been conditioned to answer “no.” A decade ago, agents and managers were telling their clients (and anyone else within earshot) that “there’s no money in personal appearances.” This caused considerable discontent among many comics who felt that honing the act was a giant waste of time. Pity.

It would seem a good and smart move to hone the act, though. How many comics have made the jump to television and movies and then resumed the personal appearances? Even Seinfeld himself– the comic by which most comics measure their lives, their careers, their worth– returned to personal appearance. How many comics are filling theaters right now? How many have done so without benefit of a sitcom or a major motion picture role? Are we seeing a reappraisal of the “no money in personal appearances” mantra? It seems that it has always been a good idea to be the best comic one could be.

If you’re a comedian, being a good comedian and making your living via standup should always be your Plan A.