What was the first situation comedy to be edited?

It's difficult to definitively say which situation comedy was the *first* to be edited in the modern sense. Early forms of comedy, like vaudeville and early radio shows, involved editing and rehearsal, but it's hard to pin down the exact first instance of editing in a sitcom.

Here's why:

* Early Sitcoms: Early television sitcoms, starting in the 1950s, were often live productions, with minimal editing.

* Evolution of Editing: As technology advanced, editing techniques became more sophisticated and commonplace. The move from live to taped and then to filmed sitcoms allowed for more extensive editing.

* No Central Record: There isn't a central database tracking the exact editing practices of every early sitcom.

Possible contenders for early edited sitcoms:

* "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957): While initially live, the show later transitioned to filmed episodes, which allowed for more extensive editing.

* "The Honeymooners" (1955-1956): This show was filmed, though editing practices were still evolving at the time.

* "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966): This show was filmed and showcased more elaborate editing techniques, which are still considered influential today.

In conclusion, it's tough to pinpoint the *absolute first* edited sitcom, as the evolution of editing was gradual. However, "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" are good examples of early sitcoms that utilized significant editing techniques.