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

1. 69

   Alecia Murphyposted 12 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?

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2. 86

   Sunshine625posted 12 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

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   1. 69

      Alecia Murphyposted 12 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.

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3. 71

   Glimmer Twin Fanposted 12 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).

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   1. 69

      Alecia Murphyposted 12 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.

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4. 71

   thebiologyofleahposted 12 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.

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   1. 69

      Alecia Murphyposted 12 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.

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5. 69

   teaches12345posted 12 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.

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   1. 69

      Alecia Murphyposted 12 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.

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