What If A Live Audience Were Present?

[Brenton]

As I am sure everyone knows, "The Beverly Hillbillies" was not filmed before a live audience. The show used a laugh track. Out of curiousity, had "The Beverly Hillbillies" been filmed before a live audience, do you think that this would have had any different impact on its lasting success? Do you think it would have been better received by the critics?

[tdr]

I doubt it; but I'm not as sure about the critics as I am as what made the show so funny and attractive, which is the stunts and visual comedy, as well as the characterizations. These just aren't as good filming before a live audience, especially if a lot of animals and totally unbelievable gadgets are used.

[W.J. Griffin]

Actually, I think a live audience would have hindered the story greatly, as "The Beverly Hillbillies" depended on the mobility of locations to get its satirical points across. Besides, the cast being confined to the same sets wouldve seemed, to me, claustaphobic.(Of course, that's just my opinion...)