Best Way To Watch - Laugh Track or No Laugh Track? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dlemond · 06-26-2003, 09:17 PM

For those of you who have the DVDs, I was wondering which way you have found that you prefer to watch the episodes.

I always assumed it would be better without the laugh track.

But since the only way I ever knew MASH was with the laugh track, I don't know if removing it will take something away from my experience/nostalgia or add to it.

What are your thoughts?

vhshunter · 06-27-2003, 12:39 AM

I can`t watch it on tv any more, with the the extra_scenes you get on dvd & no laugh track, its the only way to watch.

I don`t think anyone will watch it on tv after seeing the dvd.

Adamantium · 06-27-2003, 06:34 PM

I watch it Without the laugh track. I know when to laugh, and it makes it seem more realistic if there's not an annoying laughter whenever someone talks. Besides the actors don't hear the laughter when they perform the episodes.

TJL · 06-27-2003, 07:58 PM

I watch with the laugh track. Like dlemond said, it was the way I have always watched the series, so I guess I'm just used to it.
Still, a filmed sitcom with a laughtrack nowadays seems silly.
I don't think a show like "Scrubs" would be better served with a laugh track.

Heidi Dawn · 07-01-2003, 09:55 AM

I just leave the laugh track on because I'm used to watching the episodes on Prime that way! Can't wait for season 4 DVD's on July 15th and season 5 DVD's on December 9th!

Skywalker · 07-01-2003, 02:41 PM

I never really watched the show until I bought the First Season DVD. I watched the first episode with the laugh track on cause that is how I'm used to watching sitcoms. I watched the next episode without the laugh track. MASH is alot better without the laugh track. I don't mind laughs on shows that have audience reaction, but I'm sure they didn't have an studio audience for MASH.

Dr. Thong · 09-23-2003, 01:17 PM

I tried it without the laugh track and have never gone back. When I see the early episodes on TV now, I find them irritating - with the laugh track going off at the weakest jokes.

The laugh track is an insult to your intelligence...try it without and see what you think.

Dr. Thong · 09-23-2003, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpnoyes
I never really watched the show until I bought the First Season DVD. I watched the first episode with the laugh track on cause that is how I'm used to watching sitcoms. I watched the next episode without the laugh track. MASH is alot better without the laugh track. I don't mind laughs on shows that have audience reaction, but I'm sure they didn't have an studio audience for MASH.

You are correct, sir! It was filmed like a movie, the same way that Happy Days was its first two seasons.

06-26-2003, 09:17 PM	#1
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Best Way To Watch - Laugh Track or No Laugh Track? For those of you who have the DVDs, I was wondering which way you have found that you prefer to watch the episodes. I always assumed it would be better without the laugh track. But since the only way I ever knew MASH was with the laugh track, I don't know if removing it will take something away from my experience/nostalgia or add to it. What are your thoughts?

06-27-2003, 12:39 AM	#2
vhshunter Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 04, 2002 Posts: 742	NO laugh track I can`t watch it on tv any more, with the the extra_scenes you get on dvd & no laugh track, its the only way to watch. I don`t think anyone will watch it on tv after seeing the dvd.

06-27-2003, 07:58 PM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I watch with the laugh track. Like dlemond said, it was the way I have always watched the series, so I guess I'm just used to it. Still, a filmed sitcom with a laughtrack nowadays seems silly. I don't think a show like "Scrubs" would be better served with a laugh track.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

07-01-2003, 09:55 AM	#5
Heidi Dawn Muppets Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 883	I just leave the laugh track on because I'm used to watching the episodes on Prime that way! Can't wait for season 4 DVD's on July 15th and season 5 DVD's on December 9th!
	__________________ Complete Series Box Sets I own: MASH, Three's Company, Gilligan's Island, The Dukes Of Hazzard, The Golden Girls, The Monkees, The Brady Bunch, Full House, I Dream Of Jeannie, Bewitched, Taxi, Gimme A Break, Dallas, Charlie's Angels, Joanie Loves Chachi, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, The Cosby Show, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Diff'rent Strokes, Green Acres.

06-27-2003, 06:34 PM	#3
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	I watch it Without the laugh track. I know when to laugh, and it makes it seem more realistic if there's not an annoying laughter whenever someone talks. Besides the actors don't hear the laughter when they perform the episodes.

07-01-2003, 02:41 PM	#6
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	I never really watched the show until I bought the First Season DVD. I watched the first episode with the laugh track on cause that is how I'm used to watching sitcoms. I watched the next episode without the laugh track. MASH is alot better without the laugh track. I don't mind laughs on shows that have audience reaction, but I'm sure they didn't have an studio audience for MASH.

09-23-2003, 01:17 PM	#7
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I tried it without the laugh track and have never gone back. When I see the early episodes on TV now, I find them irritating - with the laugh track going off at the weakest jokes. The laugh track is an insult to your intelligence...try it without and see what you think.