Laugh Track

Definition

A laugh track is an audio recording of laughter added to a television show, primarily sitcoms, to enhance the comedic effect and guide the audience's response. It serves as a tool to create a communal viewing experience, giving viewers cues on when to laugh and helping to establish a comedic rhythm that can shape how jokes are perceived. This technique has played a significant role in defining the sitcom format and influencing how comedy is produced and consumed on television.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The use of laugh tracks became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, with shows like 'I Love Lucy' utilizing this technique to engage audiences more effectively.
2. Some critics argue that laugh tracks can diminish the authenticity of a show by forcing laughter at moments that may not naturally elicit it.
3. The laugh track is usually edited into a show during post-production, allowing creators to control when laughter occurs in relation to the jokes being delivered.
4. Shows like 'The Office' and 'Parks and Recreation' have opted out of using laugh tracks to create a more realistic and relatable comedic environment, relying instead on character reactions and situational humor.
5. Research suggests that audiences may have different reactions to shows with laugh tracks compared to those without, indicating that the presence of laughter can significantly influence viewer enjoyment.

Review Questions

• How does the use of a laugh track influence the viewer's experience and perception of comedy in sitcoms?
  • The laugh track significantly shapes how viewers experience comedy by providing audible cues on when to laugh, which can enhance the enjoyment of jokes. It creates a shared experience, mimicking the atmosphere of a live audience. This technique can also impact pacing, making certain jokes seem funnier due to the immediate laughter that follows them. By guiding audience reactions, laugh tracks help maintain a comedic rhythm that contributes to the overall success of sitcoms.
• What are some criticisms regarding the use of laugh tracks in television comedies, particularly concerning authenticity?
  • Critics often argue that laugh tracks can undermine the authenticity of comedic moments by forcing laughter where it may not naturally occur. This artificial enhancement can lead to an experience that feels contrived rather than genuine. Some viewers may feel manipulated by the addition of canned laughter, questioning whether the humor is truly effective or simply manufactured. This has led some modern shows to reject laugh tracks in favor of more organic comedic styles.
• Evaluate how technological advancements have transformed the production and effectiveness of laugh tracks in television comedy over time.
  • Technological advancements have greatly influenced how laugh tracks are produced and integrated into television comedies. Originally recorded live with an audience, the process has evolved to allow for more sophisticated sound editing techniques that enable producers to place laughter precisely where needed for maximum effect. With digital technology, creators can also mix various types of laughter for different comedic contexts. As audiences' tastes change, these innovations have made it possible for shows to adapt their approach to humor, leading to more nuanced applications of laugh tracks or even their complete absence in contemporary comedies.

Related terms

Multi-Camera Setup: A filming technique commonly used in sitcoms where multiple cameras capture scenes simultaneously, allowing for real-time editing and the inclusion of a live audience or laugh track.

Audience Reaction: The response from viewers during a live taping of a show, which can be either natural or augmented through laugh tracks to enhance comedic moments.

Canned Laughter: Another term for laugh track, referring to pre-recorded laughter used in television shows that may not have been filmed in front of a live audience.