I have a question regarding clip shows (ie. shows that are comprised mainly of clips from past episodes):

Are the new segments (the parts that set up the clips) shot live in front of the studio audience? And if that's the case, is the studio audience then shown the clips that we see in the finished episode?

And also: Do the writers write out the old scenes from the clips from previous episodes or do they just leave that section of the script blank?

If you have a multi-camera sitcom which is normally shot in front of an audience--that's a really good question. If they had an audience, I'd think they'd have to place monitors so the audience could see the clips.

On one of the Seinfeld clip shows (after 100 episodes), Seinfeld is on the set introducing clips. I doubt there's an audience present. On the Suite Life of Zack and Cody finale, there are a lot of clips, but also a fair amount of new scripted material--and an audience is definitely present. So I guess it varies.

Clip shows generally feature paper clips as the star performers. :D