Laughter track

Definition

A laughter track is a pre-recorded audio of audience laughter that is added to a television show, typically sitcoms, to enhance the comedic effect and guide viewers' emotional responses. This technique helps create an atmosphere that suggests the audience is enjoying the jokes, which can encourage viewers to find humor in the scenes as well. The use of laughter tracks has become a defining characteristic of multi-camera productions, especially in live events.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Laughter tracks were first introduced in the 1950s and became widely used in sitcoms to simulate the experience of watching a show with a live audience.
2. Shows like 'Friends' and 'The Big Bang Theory' use laughter tracks not just for comedic moments but also to build a connection between the audience and characters.
3. Some productions use 'live' laughter recorded during actual performances instead of pre-recorded tracks, providing authenticity to the humor.
4. The use of laughter tracks has evolved over time, with some modern shows opting for a more subtle approach or eliminating them altogether to create a different viewing experience.
5. Critics argue that laughter tracks can manipulate viewers’ reactions, leading them to laugh at jokes they might not find funny in silence.

Review Questions

• How does the use of a laughter track influence the viewer's perception of humor in multi-camera sitcoms?
  • A laughter track significantly influences how viewers perceive humor by providing cues that guide their emotional reactions. When audiences hear laughter at certain moments, it suggests that a joke is funny and encourages them to laugh along, even if they might not find the humor spontaneous on their own. This phenomenon creates a shared experience with the unseen audience, enhancing the comedic atmosphere of the show.
• Compare and contrast the effects of using pre-recorded laughter tracks versus live audience reactions in sitcoms.
  • Pre-recorded laughter tracks create a consistent audio backdrop for comedic moments but can sometimes feel artificial or manipulative. In contrast, live audience reactions tend to be more dynamic and spontaneous, capturing genuine responses that can enhance the show's authenticity. However, using live audiences can lead to inconsistencies in timing and volume, potentially affecting the pacing and overall flow of the episode. Both methods aim to elicit laughter but do so in different ways.
• Evaluate the cultural impact of laughter tracks on sitcoms over time and how they reflect societal attitudes toward humor.
  • The cultural impact of laughter tracks has evolved significantly since their inception, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards humor. In earlier decades, they contributed to a shared viewing experience that helped normalize certain types of comedy within family dynamics. However, as audiences became more sophisticated, some shows began to drop laughter tracks altogether, indicating a shift toward more nuanced storytelling and character development. This change signifies an evolving landscape where sitcoms are expected to engage audiences on deeper levels rather than relying solely on manufactured laughs.

Related terms

Multi-Camera Setup: A filming technique where multiple cameras are used simultaneously to capture different angles of a scene, commonly employed in sitcoms to allow for quick transitions and live audience reactions.

Sitcom: A genre of television comedy that focuses on a fixed set of characters and their humorous interactions, often set within a common location or scenario.

Audience Reaction: The real-time response of a live audience during a performance or filming, which can include laughter, applause, or other vocal expressions of enjoyment.