Do you think comedies on TV should get rid of the laugh track?

1. 84

   Alecia Murphyposted 7 years ago

   Do you think comedies on TV should get rid of the laugh track?
   
   Do you think television comedies should abandon the laugh track or is it a necessary tool to guide audiences through an episode?

   replyreport
2. 91

   Sunshine625posted 7 years ago

   I think they should ban the laugh track. I don't need a "track" to tell me if the scene was funny or not. I can't laugh on command. Good question...my family was just discussing this the other day...we like to laugh at the laugh track, not with it

   replyreport
   1. 84

      Alecia Murphyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah I agree. Some parts where the track comes in, I don't laugh. Not everyone thinks the designated funny part  of a show is as funny as the writers and actors do. Besides, it gets distracting after a while.

      replyreport
3. 98

   Glimmer Twin Fanposted 7 years ago

   Great question!  The other day my daughter and I were watching an old sitcom that she normally does not see.  I think it was the Brady Bunch, and I wanted her to see what it was like.  It had a laugh track and every time the laughing started she wanted to know why everyone was laughing (the show was not very funny). 
   
   If it's done well, I don't mind it.  I think some shows have live audiences so maybe it's real laughing (I don't really know how it's done).

   replyreport
   1. 84

      Alecia Murphyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That's interesting you bring up live audiences because I remember older shows used to say at the end they were filmed in front of a live audience which is why you'd hear laughs and other responses.
      But your daughter's right- Brady Bunch isn't funny.

      replyreport
4. 86

   thebiologyofleahposted 7 years ago

   Interesting question- I have found it annoying on certain occasions but for the most part I don't notice it but maybe that's because the comedies I watch don't have it. I know Big Bang Theory has a live studio audience which I can see the value of since the actors probably feed off of the audience interaction to some extent. But yes I agree if it's just a laugh track they should get rid of it, if something is funny I'll laugh regardless of a prompt indicating I should find a line or situation humorous.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      Alecia Murphyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't know Big Bang had a live audience but usually when I hear laughter on that show it's funny. However, you're right some shows simply have it just to make us try and laugh with the audience.

      replyreport
5. 92

   teaches12345posted 7 years ago

   Some shows, especially the older ones, have annoying laugh tracks.  Some I hardly notice as I am interested in the show.  Good question, I am going to have to pay attention to some of the shows I watch this week.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      Alecia Murphyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for teaches12345! I think it is annoying sometimes especially if the show's not that funny. But newer shows don't use it as much which is good so hopefully it's losing steam.

      replyreport