laugh track - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 03-28-2010, 03:22 AM

when you watch it on DVD do you watch it with the laugh track on or off?

I watch it with it off.

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-28-2010, 04:02 AM

...when Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart originally produced the pilot episode for CBS, they insisted the show didn't need a laugh track. The network insisted that one be used. Finally, they reached a compromise- instead of a full laugh track, a "chuckle track" (usually a small patter of laughter) would be employed. And Gelbart and Reynolds insisted that NO laughter would be heard during operating room scenes. After the series became a success, they were given the freedom to experiment with several episodes where the "chuckle track" was eliminated completely, under certain circumstances [i.e. Clete Roberts' interviews with the staff in black and white, a session in the O.R., et. al.]. Today, of course, virtually all "one-camera" comedies dispense with "laugh tracks" completely. Those of you who get the chance to watch the early episodes without the "chuckle track" on the DVD's are in for a treat.....

treky · 03-29-2010, 01:48 AM

yea, I watch the shows (I only have the 1st 3 seasons on DVD and that's all I intend to get, since they're the best-before they ruined it by making it "THE ALAN ALDA SHOW") without the laugh track, like I said and it's almost like a whole different show! I wish all sitcoms on DVD had that option. But I heard that most sitcoms would have an uncomfortable pause after all the funny lines, if there was no laughter.

steevo · 04-01-2010, 05:47 PM

I have watched it both with and without the laugh track. Even though there was supposed to be no laugh track in the OR, I found a couple of instances where that "rule" was broken, in the early years.

Miss Lisa · 04-02-2010, 08:58 PM

I have had the chance to see some of the early episodes without the laughtracks and it was sooo much better. lol, I'd much rather chose when I want to laugh than have some sound track tell me when to.

03-28-2010, 03:22 AM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	laugh track when you watch it on DVD do you watch it with the laugh track on or off? I watch it with it off.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

03-28-2010, 04:02 AM	#2
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I wasn't even aware of an laugh track "option" on the DVD's... ...when Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart originally produced the pilot episode for CBS, they insisted the show didn't need a laugh track. The network insisted that one be used. Finally, they reached a compromise- instead of a full laugh track, a "chuckle track" (usually a small patter of laughter) would be employed. And Gelbart and Reynolds insisted that NO laughter would be heard during operating room scenes. After the series became a success, they were given the freedom to experiment with several episodes where the "chuckle track" was eliminated completely, under certain circumstances [i.e. Clete Roberts' interviews with the staff in black and white, a session in the O.R., et. al.]. Today, of course, virtually all "one-camera" comedies dispense with "laugh tracks" completely. Those of you who get the chance to watch the early episodes without the "chuckle track" on the DVD's are in for a treat.....

04-01-2010, 05:47 PM	#4
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,476	I have watched it both with and without the laugh track. Even though there was supposed to be no laugh track in the OR, I found a couple of instances where that "rule" was broken, in the early years.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

04-02-2010, 08:58 PM	#5
Miss Lisa Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: My very own Green Acres Posts: 1,113	I have had the chance to see some of the early episodes without the laughtracks and it was sooo much better. lol, I'd much rather chose when I want to laugh than have some sound track tell me when to.
	__________________ TEAM COCO ~♥~"No matter how big or soft or warm your bed is, you still have to get out of it."~♥~ - Grace Slick http://deviantrose112.posterous.com/

03-29-2010, 01:48 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	yea, I watch the shows (I only have the 1st 3 seasons on DVD and that's all I intend to get, since they're the best-before they ruined it by making it "THE ALAN ALDA SHOW") without the laugh track, like I said and it's almost like a whole different show! I wish all sitcoms on DVD had that option. But I heard that most sitcoms would have an uncomfortable pause after all the funny lines, if there was no laughter.