Most sitcoms tend to be episodic in nature. Various shows, ranging from animated to real-life, will attempt to wrap up everything within the alloted time of the show and rarely borrow references from previous episodes. Many of the characters in these types of sitcoms will stay static in personality as opposed to dynamic. This is important to the formula of the show because people like to either identify with certain characters or the characters have become too iconic to risk changing.
"The Simpsons" is a prime example of what an episodic series is. None of the characters age...EVER. The majority of the time they forget the morals they've learned in the previous episodes. It seems as if someone has set a "reset" button in their brains. Also, very rarely is a problem not solved by the end of the episode. Most things are wrapped up by the end of the show and any conflict with the characters or plot is resolved. Not to mention, the characters in the show do not change in nature. For example, Homer Simpson has been, and always will be, an overweight, unintelligent, inarticulate, irresponsible father figure because he is the comical relief in the show. On the other hand, characters like Lisa Simpson are the voice of reason and they need to remain so to help establish a sort of balance in the show. It would be unimaginable, and quite bland, if every single character represented the "comedian" or the "philosopher". These kinds of shows need variety.
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