Annoying Applause? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

showfan · 11-23-2005, 10:16 PM

Does it annoy anyone else when watching an episode of Happy Days and a major character enters and they have to take a pause in the action to wait for the clapping to die down? When I watched it as a kid, I don't remember it bothering me, but when I watch it now it gets a little annoying, especially in the ones with Chachi where they applaud every scene he enters. However, this practice must have been encouraged by the producers because some shows with a live audience do not have the applauding when someone enters.

Ireneparalegal · 11-23-2005, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by showfan

Does it annoy anyone else when watching an episode of Happy Days and a major character enters and they have to take a pause in the action to wait for the clapping to die down? When I watched it as a kid, I don't remember it bothering me, but when I watch it now it gets a little annoying, especially in the ones with Chachi where they applaud every scene he enters. However, this practice must have been encouraged by the producers because some shows with a live audience do not have the applauding when someone enters.

Annoying as hell, especially when it was for Chachi, Roger and that stupid guy with the half-shirts...UUUUGGGHHH

that's why I prefer the original Happy Days, before the show became FONZIE'S SHOW.

Dr. Thong · 11-23-2005, 10:56 PM

Many shows had neon "applause" signs in the studios that were flashed to the audience at various points during filming. I wonder if HD had one. Yeah, Irene, my opinion pretty much mirrors yours: the applause didn't bother me as a kid, but when I watch those shows now, it gets annoying.

Besides, it seemed there were times when the audience would applaud anyone who walked onstage or entered a scene. Makes you nostalgic for the first two seasons - then again, that was even worse because it was canned laughter.

That's why I love the option on the M*A*S*H DVD sets that lets you watch the shows without the laugh tracks - the way the producers wanted it to be seen.

And now, back to Irene's thread...

Ireneparalegal · 11-23-2005, 11:59 PM

Dr. Thong, u are so funny...LOL

Chad Michael Murray · 11-24-2005, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

That's why I love the option on the M*A*S*H DVD sets that lets you watch the shows without the laugh tracks - the way the producers wanted it to be seen.

I'd have to watch M*A*S*H with the tracks on, otherwise I'd have no idea at all when something was actually supposed to be funny.

*Ducks from flying tomatoes*

Rich3 · 11-24-2005, 11:44 AM

"Annoying Applause" should have been the name of the show after Happy Days switched to a live format. From that point on, any regular (major or minor) character would practically get a freaking standing ovation the first time they appeared in an episode.

I'm sure the actors loved it. After that, the whole series was about playing to the audience.

Forget about any kind of creativity. Just give the people what they want.

robyrob · 11-24-2005, 12:32 PM

i loved it when they gave the same overwhelming APPLAUSE when the Fonz's dog Spunky came out

Mr. Television · 11-24-2005, 12:35 PM

I loved the applause. It was part of Happy Days.

Dr. Thong · 11-24-2005, 06:36 PM

If Charles Manson walked out on that stage, he would have gotten applause.

TJL · 11-24-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

If Charles Manson walked out on that stage, he would have gotten applause.

I'm sure he would have brought more to the show than Roger or Flip.

Dr. Thong · 11-24-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

I'm sure he would have brought more to the show than Roger or Flip.

Your statement is true. Sad, but very true.

"Tonight on Happy Days, a new band member (Charles Manson) rubs Chachi the wrong way with his far-out lyrics and leering interest in Joanie."

wayne · 11-26-2005, 03:57 PM

Why would they use the applause and the laughter in the serials which were on location? I find it especially annoying in the series "Westward Ho." I can't think of anyplace they could have put an audience in a ranch. Like when Fonzie is all alone with just a chipmonk after saving Joannie's life.

Dr. Thong · 11-26-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne

Why would they use the applause and the laughter in the serials which were on location? I find it especially annoying in the series "Westward Ho." I can't think of anyplace they could have put an audience in a ranch. Like when Fonzie is all alone with just a chipmonk after saving Joannie's life.

For the same reason they put laugh tracks on filmed shows like M*A*S*H, which was not shot in front of a live audience. The theory is that hearing the laughter may induce you to laugh. Personally, if you can't figure out when to laugh during a show, then the producers haven't done their job. Besides, everyone's sense of humor is different and we may not all laugh at the same things.

I like the trend with shows like Arrested Development and My Name Is Earl where they are filmed shows with no intelligence-insulting laugh tracks.

Fonzarelli · 11-26-2005, 08:21 PM

You found that annoying? Ever watched Married with Children then?

11-23-2005, 10:16 PM	#1
showfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 24, 2005 Posts: 163	Annoying Applause? Does it annoy anyone else when watching an episode of Happy Days and a major character enters and they have to take a pause in the action to wait for the clapping to die down? When I watched it as a kid, I don't remember it bothering me, but when I watch it now it gets a little annoying, especially in the ones with Chachi where they applaud every scene he enters. However, this practice must have been encouraged by the producers because some shows with a live audience do not have the applauding when someone enters.

11-23-2005, 10:56 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Many shows had neon "applause" signs in the studios that were flashed to the audience at various points during filming. I wonder if HD had one. Yeah, Irene, my opinion pretty much mirrors yours: the applause didn't bother me as a kid, but when I watch those shows now, it gets annoying. Besides, it seemed there were times when the audience would applaud anyone who walked onstage or entered a scene. Makes you nostalgic for the first two seasons - then again, that was even worse because it was canned laughter. That's why I love the option on the MASH* DVD sets that lets you watch the shows without the laugh tracks - the way the producers wanted it to be seen. And now, back to Irene's thread...
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

11-24-2005, 12:32 PM	#7
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,191	i loved it when they gave the same overwhelming APPLAUSE when the Fonz's dog Spunky came out
	__________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * GeeksToGo * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

11-24-2005, 12:35 PM	#8
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I loved the applause. It was part of Happy Days.
	__________________ Sonny

11-26-2005, 03:57 PM	#12
wayne Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2000 Location: portland Oregon, Inspiration Point Posts: 1,047	Why would they use the applause and the laughter in the serials which were on location? I find it especially annoying in the series "Westward Ho." I can't think of anyplace they could have put an audience in a ranch. Like when Fonzie is all alone with just a chipmonk after saving Joannie's life.
	__________________ wayne's world

11-23-2005, 11:59 PM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Dr. Thong, u are so funny...LOL

11-24-2005, 11:44 AM	#6
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 696	"Annoying Applause" should have been the name of the show after Happy Days switched to a live format. From that point on, any regular (major or minor) character would practically get a freaking standing ovation the first time they appeared in an episode. I'm sure the actors loved it. After that, the whole series was about playing to the audience. Forget about any kind of creativity. Just give the people what they want.

11-24-2005, 06:36 PM	#9
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	If Charles Manson walked out on that stage, he would have gotten applause.

11-26-2005, 08:21 PM	#14
Fonzarelli Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 19, 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,996	You found that annoying? Ever watched Married with Children then?
	__________________ Dennis Kucinich '08!