Cast laughs during scenes - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 12-31-2001, 12:49 AM

Has anyone noticed that the cast often laughs during a particulary humorous scene? It's more as if you can tell that they're doing their best to hold in their laughter. Michael J. Fox and Justine Bateman do it the most. It makes me laugh watching them trying to contain themselves.
This happens of most shows, especially on Seinfeld--Jerry would actually crack up sometimes.

Curtis3331 · 12-31-2001, 01:35 AM

I've noticed that too. In Diff'rent Strokes, when something funny is said or happens, Dana Plato often looks at the audience and smiles and sort of rolls her eyes.

I think it's really funny when that sort of thing happens. It just makes the show a lot funnier. And also as part of the audience, well at least for me, you really find out how funny it can be for those actors to say and rehearse their lines. Watching so many sitcoms on t.v., I sometimes forget these people are actors. But I love watching them crack up and goof up. I love it!

Mcfly · 01-01-2002, 08:57 PM

I noticed Fox doing it most of all. One time they were all singing a song, and he stared to smile so he turned his face into Birney's shoulder.

And in the final episode when Steven and Elyse are argueing at he table, Steven goes into a "dumb voice" and Birney's face contorts as she tries to hide a smirk.

I agree that it is a good thing to be left in, cuz it shows the actors are human and is interesting to break that "fourth wall" sometimes.

~Tropical Punch 19~ · 01-02-2002, 05:01 PM

I have noticed that with Justine Bateman. The scene where Jen, Elyse, Steve, and Mal, are in the kitchen and Steve is teaching Jen how to drive, Justine is in the back sitting next to meredith and starts cracking up. It is sooo funny. Meredith looks at her like "be quite you are not supposed to be laughing!"
I have also noticed that when Justine and Michael Gross don't have a scene, you can hear them laughing with the audoience in hte background. has anyone else noticed that?

hofverberg · 01-11-2002, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JanLady617
Has anyone noticed that the cast often laughs during a particulary humorous scene? It's more as if you can tell that they're doing their best to hold in their laughter. Michael J. Fox and Justine Bateman do it the most. It makes me laugh watching them trying to contain themselves.

I haven't noticed that myself, but you're probably right. With "regular" shows, such things would probably be cut out. But since Family Ties (as well as many other sitcoms) were filmed in front of a studio audience, they will probably avoid re-taking scenes if it isn't absolutely necessary.

/Daniel Hofverberg
Webmaster, Family Ties Home Page
http://www.familyties.f2s.com

MJFfan · 01-11-2002, 06:50 PM

I think it's good, because it does make them seem more human. Not as actors, but like people in a family that know when somethings funny.

SpinCT · 01-12-2002, 03:54 PM

Yes i've noticed it too! Especially in that episode where Mallory wanted to be a model and Elyse had more success and did a advertising in their kitchen: at the end of the episode, Mallory is supposed to cry but you can actually see that she's laughing under her hands! Michael J. fox and his wife usually did it too.

I love to see it!!

~Tropical Punch 19~ · 01-12-2002, 03:57 PM

Yeah, on last nights episode (the one where Elyse gambled all that money) well the money was laying on the bed, and Mallory picked up right after taht Alex says something funny ( i forget what) and mallory puts the money up to her mouth to hide her lauhging.

ftfan · 01-12-2002, 04:11 PM

Yeah, I think that is one of the most funny things about FT and some of the other comedies too! It is sooo funny when they start laughing where they arn't supost to! I notice too, that Fox does it the most. He has such a cute smile too. It is so funny!!!!!!!!

Hey, u saw that one with her gambling? I didn't see it. I wanted to so bad, but my Mom forgot to tape it. Oh well, maybe I will see it when it comes on again in sevral months.

ttyl!
Katie

12-31-2001, 12:49 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Cast laughs during scenes Has anyone noticed that the cast often laughs during a particulary humorous scene? It's more as if you can tell that they're doing their best to hold in their laughter. Michael J. Fox and Justine Bateman do it the most. It makes me laugh watching them trying to contain themselves. This happens of most shows, especially on Seinfeld--Jerry would actually crack up sometimes.

01-12-2002, 04:11 PM	#9
ftfan A young Republican!! Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 04, 2002 Location: DE Posts: 69	Yeah, I think that is one of the most funny things about FT and some of the other comedies too! It is sooo funny when they start laughing where they arn't supost to! I notice too, that Fox does it the most. He has such a cute smile too. It is so funny!!!!!!!! Hey, u saw that one with her gambling? I didn't see it. I wanted to so bad, but my Mom forgot to tape it. Oh well, maybe I will see it when it comes on again in sevral months. ttyl! Katie
	__________________ A big fan of Alex P. Keaton!

12-31-2001, 01:35 AM	#2
Curtis3331 Kimberly Rules! Frequent Poster Join Date: May 13, 2001 Location: TX Posts: 428	I've noticed that too. In Diff'rent Strokes, when something funny is said or happens, Dana Plato often looks at the audience and smiles and sort of rolls her eyes. I think it's really funny when that sort of thing happens. It just makes the show a lot funnier. And also as part of the audience, well at least for me, you really find out how funny it can be for those actors to say and rehearse their lines. Watching so many sitcoms on t.v., I sometimes forget these people are actors. But I love watching them crack up and goof up. I love it!

01-01-2002, 08:57 PM	#3
Mcfly Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 06, 2001 Location: ca Posts: 374	I noticed Fox doing it most of all. One time they were all singing a song, and he stared to smile so he turned his face into Birney's shoulder. And in the final episode when Steven and Elyse are argueing at he table, Steven goes into a "dumb voice" and Birney's face contorts as she tries to hide a smirk. I agree that it is a good thing to be left in, cuz it shows the actors are human and is interesting to break that "fourth wall" sometimes.

01-02-2002, 05:01 PM	#4
~Tropical Punch 19~ Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: I'm a fly on Clay's wall Posts: 1,961	I have noticed that with Justine Bateman. The scene where Jen, Elyse, Steve, and Mal, are in the kitchen and Steve is teaching Jen how to drive, Justine is in the back sitting next to meredith and starts cracking up. It is sooo funny. Meredith looks at her like "be quite you are not supposed to be laughing!" I have also noticed that when Justine and Michael Gross don't have a scene, you can hear them laughing with the audoience in hte background. has anyone else noticed that?

01-11-2002, 06:50 PM	#6
MJFfan I love Family Ties! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 01, 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 324	I think it's good, because it does make them seem more human. Not as actors, but like people in a family that know when somethings funny.

01-12-2002, 03:54 PM	#7
SpinCT MICHAEL J. FOX ROCKS Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Posts: 296	Yes i've noticed it too! Especially in that episode where Mallory wanted to be a model and Elyse had more success and did a advertising in their kitchen: at the end of the episode, Mallory is supposed to cry but you can actually see that she's laughing under her hands! Michael J. fox and his wife usually did it too. I love to see it!!

01-12-2002, 03:57 PM	#8
~Tropical Punch 19~ Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: I'm a fly on Clay's wall Posts: 1,961	Yeah, on last nights episode (the one where Elyse gambled all that money) well the money was laying on the bed, and Mallory picked up right after taht Alex says something funny ( i forget what) and mallory puts the money up to her mouth to hide her lauhging.