Difference between revisions of "Laugh track"
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| − | + | [File:Applause sign.jpeg|thumb|right| Praise be entertainment! Laugh track coincides with the applause request observed by studio audiences.]] | |
A '''laugh track''' is pre-recorded laughter played in a repetitive manner to create the false illusion of other people laughing at jokes during a television show. It is designed to have a [[Pavlovian]] effect on viewers, particularly dimwitted ones. | A '''laugh track''' is pre-recorded laughter played in a repetitive manner to create the false illusion of other people laughing at jokes during a television show. It is designed to have a [[Pavlovian]] effect on viewers, particularly dimwitted ones. | ||
Over time, a laugh track has a deadening effect on the intelligence of the real audience. [[Liberals]] rarely object to it, although it is not used in many sitcoms created by established liberals, including [[Tina Fey]] (''30 Rock''), Larry David (''Curb Your Enthusiasm''), [[atheist]] Ricky Gervais (''The Office''), Mitchell Hurwitz (''Arrested Development''), Greg Daniels and Michael Schur (''Parks and Recreation''), and Dennis Leary (''The Job''). Sitcoms which mostly portray non-family topics such as ''The Big Bang Theory'', the highly sexualized ''How I Met Your Mother'' and ''Rules of Engagement'' use them - they all run on [[CBS]]. Likewise M*A*S*H creator (and former Huffington Post blogger) Larry Gelbart famously wanted the series to run without a laugh track, but was overruled by the network (a compromise was reached in which most O.R. scenes omitted the track). The notably pro-homosexuality show ''Modern Family'' does not use a laugh track either. | Over time, a laugh track has a deadening effect on the intelligence of the real audience. [[Liberals]] rarely object to it, although it is not used in many sitcoms created by established liberals, including [[Tina Fey]] (''30 Rock''), Larry David (''Curb Your Enthusiasm''), [[atheist]] Ricky Gervais (''The Office''), Mitchell Hurwitz (''Arrested Development''), Greg Daniels and Michael Schur (''Parks and Recreation''), and Dennis Leary (''The Job''). Sitcoms which mostly portray non-family topics such as ''The Big Bang Theory'', the highly sexualized ''How I Met Your Mother'' and ''Rules of Engagement'' use them - they all run on [[CBS]]. Likewise M*A*S*H creator (and former Huffington Post blogger) Larry Gelbart famously wanted the series to run without a laugh track, but was overruled by the network (a compromise was reached in which most O.R. scenes omitted the track). The notably pro-homosexuality show ''Modern Family'' does not use a laugh track either. | ||
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| + | == History == | ||
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| + | Canned laughter was originally used in radio during the late 1940s. Most radio shows were produced in front of live audiences, but as TV gained viewers and radio lost its popularity, laugh tracks were added to the broadcasts.<ref>[http://www.tvparty.com/laugh.html A Short History of the laugh track]</ref> | ||
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| + | The "Laff Box" for television was invented by Charles Rolland Douglass, a World War II veteran who, upon his return to the United States, worked as a broadcast engineer for CBS.<ref>[http://www.andheresthekicker.com/ex_ben_glenn.php Canned Laughter: A History Reconstructed]</ref> Canned laughter was first used for a NBC show called ''The Hank McCune Show'' in 1950.<ref>[http://www.tvparty.com/laugh.html A Short History of the laugh track]</ref> Its appearance was noted in the show's review in ''Variety'' magazine. | ||
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| + | The earliest laughter is thought to have come from a Los Angeles performance by the mime Marcel Marceau, and various ''Red Skelton'' shows.<ref>[http://www.andheresthekicker.com/ex_ben_glenn.php Canned Laughter: A History Reconstructed]</ref> | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
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| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Entertainment]] | [[Category:Entertainment]] | ||
[[Category:Deceit]] | [[Category:Deceit]] | ||
Revision as of 20:09, July 9, 2011
[File:Applause sign.jpeg|thumb|right| Praise be entertainment! Laugh track coincides with the applause request observed by studio audiences.]]
A laugh track is pre-recorded laughter played in a repetitive manner to create the false illusion of other people laughing at jokes during a television show. It is designed to have a Pavlovian effect on viewers, particularly dimwitted ones.
Over time, a laugh track has a deadening effect on the intelligence of the real audience. Liberals rarely object to it, although it is not used in many sitcoms created by established liberals, including Tina Fey (30 Rock), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), atheist Ricky Gervais (The Office), Mitchell Hurwitz (Arrested Development), Greg Daniels and Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation), and Dennis Leary (The Job). Sitcoms which mostly portray non-family topics such as The Big Bang Theory, the highly sexualized How I Met Your Mother and Rules of Engagement use them - they all run on CBS. Likewise M*A*S*H creator (and former Huffington Post blogger) Larry Gelbart famously wanted the series to run without a laugh track, but was overruled by the network (a compromise was reached in which most O.R. scenes omitted the track). The notably pro-homosexuality show Modern Family does not use a laugh track either.
History
Canned laughter was originally used in radio during the late 1940s. Most radio shows were produced in front of live audiences, but as TV gained viewers and radio lost its popularity, laugh tracks were added to the broadcasts.[1]
The "Laff Box" for television was invented by Charles Rolland Douglass, a World War II veteran who, upon his return to the United States, worked as a broadcast engineer for CBS.[2] Canned laughter was first used for a NBC show called The Hank McCune Show in 1950.[3] Its appearance was noted in the show's review in Variety magazine.
The earliest laughter is thought to have come from a Los Angeles performance by the mime Marcel Marceau, and various Red Skelton shows.[4]