I found this article extremely interesting because I am actually learning about laugh tracks in my COMM 351-Advanced Video Production Class. We have been watching parts of the sitcom "Friends" in our class and stopping to discuss the insert points of the laugh tracks. The author of the article brings up many interesting points as he discusses his opinions about laugh tracks. One thing I found interesting was how he feels laugh tracks are put into a sitcom to cover poor writing. When he discussed specific examples, I found myself more apt to agree with his opinion. It made sense when I compared two shows I have watched: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", and "Friends." I really enjoy "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and I always thought it was because of the interaction among the characters, but now I feel it could be because of the lack of laugh tracks.
Agreeing with the author, I think that the lack of laugh track allows the viewer to come up with their own opinions as to whether something is actually funny or if it has a deeper meaning or both. When an audience is essentially "told" that they should be laughing through the use of a laugh track, it almost makes you feel something you are not actually feeling. I personally have not watched the sitcom "Friends" prior to our discussion of laugh tracks in my COMM 351 class. I did not find many of the situations funny in the way the laugh track made it seem it should be. Rather, I found many of the situations the cast experienced to over the top or almost obnoxious to the point where I wanted to stop watching. It seems as though the writers of "Friends" write in pauses after jokes just to edit in a laugh track in order to portray humor across to the viewers.
I think the "mystery" that comes with the lack of a laugh track enhances the overall production for it allows audiences to pay more attention to the delivery of jokes and the entire scenario in order to take in the whole story.
Another part of the article I found interesting was when the author talked about his stay in Germany and the different worlds of humor between the two countries. He said that none of the television shows in Germany have laugh tracks and therefore come across as smarter and less predictable. He then went on to talk about the fact that when Germans laugh, they actually think something is funny whereas Americans feel they must laugh out of politeness or out of obligation. He characterizes American's laughs in three ways: A real laugh, a fake laugh, and a "filler" laugh. I can see how all three laughs are present in American culture and I personally have used each in my life. It is true that Americans tend to have a "nervous" laugh in some situations, or laugh to make someone feel better for telling a joke in a social setting even if it is not funny.
Below I put in two examples of sitcoms, the two previously mentioned: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Friend's ." In the first example from "Friend's," it is clear a laugh track has been added and to me, this is an apparent stretched attempt at humor. Rather than just showing a funny scenario, they add a laugh track to almost guide the audience through the scene. The next example is from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and it contrasts from "Friend's" because there is not a laugh track which to me, is more funny. I think by really paying attention to what the characters are saying and how they are interacting, it always for more comedic to see how the situation unfolds on your own rather than being hinted to laugh. I invite you to watch these two clips and see which you think is more funny!
"Friends" Clip
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Clip
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