Why did they use a laugh track?

[TJ]

I finally got around to watching some of the episodes from the 80's marathon and the laugh track seems so out of place - maybe because it was filmed and not taped like a traditional sitcom, why do you think they used it? Freaks and Geeks never used one and I think that was a wise decision.

[Jack's Beatle Poster]

I saw about 2 episodes on the N@N 80's thing and the 2 I saw, didn't have a laugh track!

------------------
When you gotta gun
in your hand, your
free to make any speech
you want!!-Archie Bunker

STANLEY: The car was overheated,
Helen!
HELEN: So was I!!

MARGE: Kids can be so
cruel!
BART: We can? Thanks, Mom!
(Bart socks Lisa)
LISA: Oww!!

HELEN: Stanley, you got
2 choices. You either
put your pants on and take
me to that resturant...
Or leave them off and we
could stay here and
have fun!

KIMBERLY: Willis, you gotta
do something about that
bathroom.
WILLIS: Like what?
KIMBERLY: Like not leaving
the seat up.
WILLIS: That's Arnold.
ARNOLD: No way, I stand
on the seat!

[Impressions]

I agree, I don't see why they used it, it just dosen't fit in, I didn't really know why they used it, but I can see the similar characteristics between Freaks and Geeks and Square Pegs I think It's just a cult-classic but not as situation comedy.

[TVJunkie101]

I absolutely HATE canned laughter, it takes away so much from any show, IMO, especially on the Love Boat. I mean, laugh tracks are stupid, LOL, and I end up laughing LESS when that canned laughter shows up, a real audience reaction is much better, because it really gets you "in the mood"? I guess, LOL!

[ruggerbugger_us]

Filmed on location so they couldn't use a live audience. Filmed sitcoms at the time. e.g. M*A*S*H*, had to have laugh tracks otherwise people wouldn't know it was comedy. It sounds so completely fake it strangely adds to it.

[88survivor]

You think they will take away the canned laughter like they did for Sledge Hammer? It would be much better without, you know. But probably not...

[80sTrivia]

A lot of comedy shows filmed on location used laugh tracks, which I never liked. It always sounded so phony. It's like cartoons that use laugh tracks... what's the purpose? :confused: :lol:

[Schmoopie]

The laugh track bothered me in the beginning but then I got used to it. I used to hate the laugh track on MASH because the stuff they thought was "funny" wasn't and vice-versa!

It's kind of the same way with Square Pegs. I'm not really sure why they used a laugh track. Like Ruggerbugger said, maybe it's because they wanted to make sure people knew it was a comedy? :cuckoo

That's why I love MONK on USA, because it is a hilarious show (aside from the dramatic murder investigations) but it doesn't have a laugh track. That would totally ruin it.

Andrea

[rcbrad]

Most sitcoms traditionally used a laugh track in either circumstance whether it was with an audience or not. Being filmed or taped made no difference on it's use. It was just a part of what was used with sitcoms. I guess I really like the laughs and it seems like something is missing when they are not there or have been taken out.

[Clint Eastwood Fan]

Most sitcoms traditionally used a laugh track in either circumstance whether it was with an audience or not. Being filmed or taped made no difference on it's use. It was just a part of what was used with sitcoms. I guess I really like the laughs and it seems like something is missing when they are not there or have been taken out.
I agree. I love laugh tracks. :D

[Schmoopie]

I think at the very beginning of the series (meaning the first few episodes) they didn't have a laugh track at all. For some reason, some shows are funnier without them.