Why did they use a laugh track? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 05-15-2001, 11:42 PM

I finally got around to watching some of the episodes from the 80's marathon and the laugh track seems so out of place - maybe because it was filmed and not taped like a traditional sitcom, why do you think they used it? Freaks and Geeks never used one and I think that was a wise decision.

Jack's Beatle Poster · 05-22-2001, 12:54 AM

I saw about 2 episodes on the N@N 80's thing and the 2 I saw, didn't have a laugh track!

------------------
When you gotta gun
in your hand, your
free to make any speech
you want!!-Archie Bunker

STANLEY: The car was overheated,
Helen!
HELEN: So was I!!

MARGE: Kids can be so
cruel!
BART: We can? Thanks, Mom!
(Bart socks Lisa)
LISA: Oww!!

HELEN: Stanley, you got
2 choices. You either
put your pants on and take
me to that resturant...
Or leave them off and we
could stay here and
have fun!

KIMBERLY: Willis, you gotta
do something about that
bathroom.
WILLIS: Like what?
KIMBERLY: Like not leaving
the seat up.
WILLIS: That's Arnold.
ARNOLD: No way, I stand
on the seat!

Impressions · 08-04-2002, 01:38 PM

I agree, I don't see why they used it, it just dosen't fit in, I didn't really know why they used it, but I can see the similar characteristics between Freaks and Geeks and Square Pegs I think It's just a cult-classic but not as situation comedy.

TVJunkie101 · 09-21-2002, 09:38 AM

I absolutely HATE canned laughter, it takes away so much from any show, IMO, especially on the Love Boat. I mean, laugh tracks are stupid, LOL, and I end up laughing LESS when that canned laughter shows up, a real audience reaction is much better, because it really gets you "in the mood"? I guess, LOL!

ruggerbugger_us · 05-14-2005, 12:48 PM

Filmed on location so they couldn't use a live audience. Filmed sitcoms at the time. e.g. M*A*S*H*, had to have laugh tracks otherwise people wouldn't know it was comedy. It sounds so completely fake it strangely adds to it.

88survivor · 04-24-2006, 02:22 PM

You think they will take away the canned laughter like they did for Sledge Hammer? It would be much better without, you know. But probably not...

80sTrivia · 05-05-2006, 05:06 PM

A lot of comedy shows filmed on location used laugh tracks, which I never liked. It always sounded so phony. It's like cartoons that use laugh tracks... what's the purpose?

Schmoopie · 07-17-2008, 03:27 AM

The laugh track bothered me in the beginning but then I got used to it. I used to hate the laugh track on MASH because the stuff they thought was "funny" wasn't and vice-versa!

It's kind of the same way with Square Pegs. I'm not really sure why they used a laugh track. Like Ruggerbugger said, maybe it's because they wanted to make sure people knew it was a comedy?

That's why I love MONK on USA, because it is a hilarious show (aside from the dramatic murder investigations) but it doesn't have a laugh track. That would totally ruin it.

Andrea

rcbrad · 10-07-2009, 04:16 PM

Most sitcoms traditionally used a laugh track in either circumstance whether it was with an audience or not. Being filmed or taped made no difference on it's use. It was just a part of what was used with sitcoms. I guess I really like the laughs and it seems like something is missing when they are not there or have been taken out.

Mr. Television · 10-07-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcbrad

Most sitcoms traditionally used a laugh track in either circumstance whether it was with an audience or not. Being filmed or taped made no difference on it's use. It was just a part of what was used with sitcoms. I guess I really like the laughs and it seems like something is missing when they are not there or have been taken out.

I agree. I love laugh tracks.

Schmoopie · 10-07-2009, 11:17 PM

I think at the very beginning of the series (meaning the first few episodes) they didn't have a laugh track at all. For some reason, some shows are funnier without them.

05-15-2001, 11:42 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,656	Why did they use a laugh track? I finally got around to watching some of the episodes from the 80's marathon and the laugh track seems so out of place - maybe because it was filmed and not taped like a traditional sitcom, why do you think they used it? Freaks and Geeks never used one and I think that was a wise decision.

09-21-2002, 09:38 AM	#4
TVJunkie101 Member...you 'member? Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,838	I absolutely HATE canned laughter, it takes away so much from any show, IMO, especially on the Love Boat. I mean, laugh tracks are stupid, LOL, and I end up laughing LESS when that canned laughter shows up, a real audience reaction is much better, because it really gets you "in the mood"? I guess, LOL!
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05-05-2006, 05:06 PM	#7
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	A lot of comedy shows filmed on location used laugh tracks, which I never liked. It always sounded so phony. It's like cartoons that use laugh tracks... what's the purpose?
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07-17-2008, 03:27 AM	#8
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	The laugh track bothered me in the beginning but then I got used to it. I used to hate the laugh track on MASH because the stuff they thought was "funny" wasn't and vice-versa! It's kind of the same way with Square Pegs. I'm not really sure why they used a laugh track. Like Ruggerbugger said, maybe it's because they wanted to make sure people knew it was a comedy? That's why I love MONK on USA, because it is a hilarious show (aside from the dramatic murder investigations) but it doesn't have a laugh track. That would totally ruin it. Andrea
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05-22-2001, 12:54 AM	#2
Jack's Beatle Poster Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Location: California Posts: 128	I saw about 2 episodes on the N@N 80's thing and the 2 I saw, didn't have a laugh track! ------------------ When you gotta gun in your hand, your free to make any speech you want!!-Archie Bunker STANLEY: The car was overheated, Helen! HELEN: So was I!! MARGE: Kids can be so cruel! BART: We can? Thanks, Mom! (Bart socks Lisa) LISA: Oww!! HELEN: Stanley, you got 2 choices. You either put your pants on and take me to that resturant... Or leave them off and we could stay here and have fun! KIMBERLY: Willis, you gotta do something about that bathroom. WILLIS: Like what? KIMBERLY: Like not leaving the seat up. WILLIS: That's Arnold. ARNOLD: No way, I stand on the seat!

08-04-2002, 01:38 PM	#3
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	I agree, I don't see why they used it, it just dosen't fit in, I didn't really know why they used it, but I can see the similar characteristics between Freaks and Geeks and Square Pegs I think It's just a cult-classic but not as situation comedy.

05-14-2005, 12:48 PM	#5
ruggerbugger_us Member Forum Hawk Join Date: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3	Filmed on location so they couldn't use a live audience. Filmed sitcoms at the time. e.g. MASH, had to have laugh tracks otherwise people wouldn't know it was comedy. It sounds so completely fake it strangely adds to it.

04-24-2006, 02:22 PM	#6
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,848	You think they will take away the canned laughter like they did for Sledge Hammer? It would be much better without, you know. But probably not...

10-07-2009, 04:16 PM	#9
rcbrad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Posts: 479	Most sitcoms traditionally used a laugh track in either circumstance whether it was with an audience or not. Being filmed or taped made no difference on it's use. It was just a part of what was used with sitcoms. I guess I really like the laughs and it seems like something is missing when they are not there or have been taken out.

10-07-2009, 11:17 PM	#11
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I think at the very beginning of the series (meaning the first few episodes) they didn't have a laugh track at all. For some reason, some shows are funnier without them.