Final answer:
Sitcoms follow the principle of "first you make the audience laugh, then you learn the characters." This means that the primary goal is to entertain the audience through humor while gradually revealing more about the characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
In sitcoms, the saying "first you make the audience laugh, then you learn the characters" means that the primary focus of sitcoms is to engage and entertain the audience by generating laughter. This is achieved by creating relatable and humorous situations through the characters' actions and interactions. The audience's understanding and familiarity with the characters develop as they continue to watch the show.