Comments on: 10 Misuses of the Laugh Track

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:39:15 +0000

I agree that laugh tracks are generally a poor idea, so too is filming in front of a live audience. While it has worked well in the past, it usually only works when the show has an abundance of physical comedy. Just an opinion, of course. I just remember a professor once showed my class a reel of great comedies without the laugh track, and I found it much more enjoyable.

That said, you’re examples of adding laugh tracks doesn’t make any sense. Shouldn’t the examples have something to do with comedy? Of course The Shining, and The Wire wouldn’t work with an ‘audience’. Maybe showing examples of Arrested Development, or Scrubs, or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with a laugh track would better demonstrate how they detract from the actual jokes. And of course, MASH is a great example of how a laugh track can change a show.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:09:24 +0000

“The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men” are filmed in front of live audiences, hipsters.

By: Kora

Kora — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 23:03:18 +0000

You’re defining laugh track incorrectly.
It only applies when the laughter is prerecorded. Both BBT and Friends are actually filmed before live studio audiences.

By: ianman

ianman — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:21:57 +0000

What’s worse is using a “fake” laugh track, when they only play about 6 laughs. (Refer to Hanna-Barbera’s 70s shows of the day). It is like pointing a gun at someone if they don’t laugh.

By: lurker #267

lurker #267 — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:10:56 +0000

Are you sure Friends used a laugh track? I know on the final show of the series, in the behind the scenes video I think, you saw the actors take a bow in front of the studio audience. I just assumed they had an audience every time.

You want to hear a stupid audience track, try watching the old I Love Lucy shows (hey, late at night, nothing to watch, I hate silence! Gotta turn on the tv or winamp). You’ll always hear the exact same “Uh oh” when Lucy starts doing something stupid.

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Man Up! The Best Links on the Internet for 1/25/10 | Heavy.com — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:09:57 +0000

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By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:54:27 +0000

How I Met Your Mother actually DOESN’T use a laugh track. The show uses alot of cuts between scenes (episodes are often told in the form of flashbacks as 1 member of the group tells a story at the bar). They finished episode is then shown to an audience, whose reaction is recorded.

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By: 10 Funny Misuses of the Laugh Track | Attuworld.com

10 Funny Misuses of the Laugh Track | Attuworld.com — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:48:59 +0000

[...] track, even if it once was a staple of everything from Happy Days to Seinfeld. Bu what if you put in a laugh track where it wasn’t supposed to go? Similar Posts:None Found You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. [...]

By: Grebo

Grebo — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:05:03 +0000

Regarding the opening paragraph, I’m quite certain that “HAPPY DAYS” was, in fact, filmed before a live audience.
In fact, they said as much at the beginning of every show (as many sitcoms of the 70′s did).