Laugh tracks or Live studio audience or neither - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PhoenixAcres · 08-17-2018, 05:25 PM

Which do you prefer

Steve_uk · 08-17-2018, 06:09 PM

Live studio audience is more authentic. Canned laughter never works if the viewer twigs that's what it is.

bgva · 08-17-2018, 09:43 PM

I'm okay with either, although generic canned applause on current sitcoms annoys me. I think it's more because the laugh always sounds the same no matter how funny the punchline was.

I dunno why, but I'm partial to the canned laugh track a lot of shows used in the 60s-80s. Think shows like Bewitched or The Brady Bunch.

stevea · 08-18-2018, 06:47 PM

The laugh track is a little less annoying than the normally-bonehead studio audience.

The worst part of the studio audience is the woooo every time there's a kiss, and the worst part of the laugh track is the fake uh-oh.

MA · 08-18-2018, 07:55 PM

A live studio audience.

Steve_uk · 08-21-2018, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikaelaArsenault

A live studio audience.

The British show Yes Prime Minister was filmed in front of a live studio audience, which really made the programme something. Strangely enough the actors later said they wished it had been filmed behind closed doors. https://youtu.be/ESIJ_C9mUBI

PhoenixAcres · 08-24-2018, 04:33 PM

Laugh tracks can be annoying but in the aggregate I find live studio audiences infinitely more irritating. Specifically I dislike when they start participating in the show and distracting from the main content. Extended clapping, cheering, vocalizations, etc. serve no purpose and give the show something of a cheesy feel.

Laugh tracks are inherently less authentic but owing to their monotony they are much easier to tune out and ignore.

Impressions · 08-24-2018, 08:13 PM

I honestly don't know anyone that likes laugh tracks. The only thing I think it works for is on game shows, but even then, it's pretty irritable. Game shows without an audience just feels weird to me.

I prefer live audience on sitcoms, because well, I'm just used to it and neither on dramas for obvious reasons.

RetroGuy2000 · 08-24-2018, 09:08 PM

Live studio audience is the only acceptable solution. Yes, the live audience on Married With Children was bad, but typically, live audiences don't interrupt the show to that extent.

I hate canned laughter. It actually takes me out of the show.

08-17-2018, 05:25 PM	#1
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Laugh tracks or Live studio audience or neither Which do you prefer

08-18-2018, 07:55 PM	#5
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,353	A live studio audience.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

08-24-2018, 09:08 PM	#9
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Live studio audience is the only acceptable solution. Yes, the live audience on Married With Children was bad, but typically, live audiences don't interrupt the show to that extent. I hate canned laughter. It actually takes me out of the show.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

08-17-2018, 06:09 PM	#2
Steve_uk Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 29, 2012 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 5,803	Live studio audience is more authentic. Canned laughter never works if the viewer twigs that's what it is.

08-17-2018, 09:43 PM	#3
bgva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 10, 2015 Location: VA Posts: 413	I'm okay with either, although generic canned applause on current sitcoms annoys me. I think it's more because the laugh always sounds the same no matter how funny the punchline was. I dunno why, but I'm partial to the canned laugh track a lot of shows used in the 60s-80s. Think shows like Bewitched or The Brady Bunch.

08-18-2018, 06:47 PM	#4
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,496	The laugh track is a little less annoying than the normally-bonehead studio audience. The worst part of the studio audience is the woooo every time there's a kiss, and the worst part of the laugh track is the fake uh-oh.

08-24-2018, 04:33 PM	#7
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Laugh tracks can be annoying but in the aggregate I find live studio audiences infinitely more irritating. Specifically I dislike when they start participating in the show and distracting from the main content. Extended clapping, cheering, vocalizations, etc. serve no purpose and give the show something of a cheesy feel. Laugh tracks are inherently less authentic but owing to their monotony they are much easier to tune out and ignore.

08-24-2018, 08:13 PM	#8
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	I honestly don't know anyone that likes laugh tracks. The only thing I think it works for is on game shows, but even then, it's pretty irritable. Game shows without an audience just feels weird to me. I prefer live audience on sitcoms, because well, I'm just used to it and neither on dramas for obvious reasons.