I think adding a laugh track shows the lack of confidence the creators have of the show. If a shows funny then we, the viewers, would provide the laugh track would we not?
I think adding a laugh track shows the lack of confidence the creators have of the show. If a shows funny then we, the viewers, would provide the laugh track would we not?
Apparently if the Pythons didn't get a good laugh out of a sketch, they left it on the cutting room floor. That's a pretty solid dedication to getting it right, but in general I agree with what you say.Originally Posted by Dreddz
I think the laugh track influences more than just the audio aspect of a show, it influences how they shoot the show and how they edit it as well. I think it influences the acting too. Generally sitcoms with laugh tracks are also multi-camera set ups with obviously artificial sets.
Shows like Arrested Development, Modern Family, The Office, 30 Rock, all without laugh tracks, all are single camera shows. The acting on shows with laugh tracks tend to be more exaggerated and prolonged, probably because there needs to be some sort of canvas on which the laugh track has to be played over. The laugh track shows also don't have the benefit of interesting camera angles, cuts, and edits since that would disrupt the laugh track as well. It's very streamlined. Camera is facing the actors, actors say something funny, they hold their facial expressions as the laugh track plays, and then continue. And there's not much chance for subtle in humor.
One of the things I really enjoy about shows like The Office, AD, & Modern Family are the scenes where the camera is "hidden" or quietly taking in someone's reaction or juxtaposing what someone is saying with a scene that is playing out somewhere else. Laugh track shows never do this. They can't play around as much, there's not much room for fluidity or different story telling techniques. And there's not much of a chance that there will be subtlety in the humor. I love the quick as lightening play on words that happens on shows like Glee that you just might miss if you don't pay attention or the humor has depth to it where it's funny at first and then funnier even more when you think about it. On laugh track shows, there is a joke, and then there is laughter. Nothing more and nothing less.
That doesn't make the jokes any less funny, just much MUCH less subtle.
Fun fact: Scooby Doo had a laugh track.
I don't like laugh tracks. It's part of the reason why I don't watch many television shows. The writing, editing, and acting should be good enough to manipulate a person's emotions without the need of a laugh track.
30 Rock isn't a single camera show. They were shooting with two cameras when I was on set. One was a Steadicam and the other was some stationary camera. I doubt most shows like that are shot with just one camera due to the fact that they have shorter deadlines to meet.
I dont mind laugh tracks but I dont get why the Flintstones had one. How can an animated tv show have a studio audience!?
Kefka's coming, look intimidating!
Have a nice day!!
I think maybe once they were established as the norm they were worried that people wouldn't think the show was funny without them
There was the idea that if other people are laughing then other people will join in. "Infectious laughter." Problem is, most people aren't that easily impressionable. It's almost insulting that big television companies actually think that's the reason why people find their shows funny. Not only do they not trust the audience, but they don't even trust their own shows.
Community doesn't have a laugh track and is a lot better than most of the shows that have been listed here so far.
Honestly I'm pretty indifferent about laugh tracks... But I do find shows without laugh tracks more interesting.....Why I even laugh when something horrible has happened onscreen....What you know its absurd anyhow!!
*Laughter and claps in the background*
Ummm...What was that
*more laughter*
Omg....*giggles*.... I'm hallucinating!! ...*more loud laughters* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *big applauses*
HOTROD
"Lets go for a spin you and I"
Wiki says it is. :o So does this interview with the executive producer of the show: '30 Rock' Shares Details of Its Live Episode - NYTimes.com
Single camera shows can sometimes use multiple cameras but primarily it's typically one camera doing the work.
House MD doesn't have a laugh track, and it's not even listed as a comedy, yet I find myself laughing at it more often than with most other sitcoms.
everything is wrapped in gray
i'm focusing on your image
can you hear me in the void?
House is smurfing witty.
Frasier, one of my favourite comedy shows ever has a laugh track. I also like Peep Show and Scrubs though, and they don't have a laugh track. I like Friends and that has a laugh track.
Basically I don't care eitherway, you can get good and bad shows with and without it.
The only time I really ever noticed a laugh track on a show is with the terrible and unfunny show Everybody Loves Raymond. The laughter on that comes at every single second and lasts for about 20 seconds each joke.
I can't even imagine Six Feet Under with a laugh track. It's definitely better of without
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