Why are US series obsessed with canned laughter?

[chriscubed]

I thought Big Bang Theory was canned laughter because, who would laugh at those 'jokes'?

Hmm, people with a working knowledge of physics and science fiction?

It amazes me that people will sit and watch it, not laugh once but keep watching the next episode. At least Friends had some good moments and is watchable.

What people are these that watch comedies without laughing? Your friends?

I laugh. I've seen other people laughing too.

 

[SixTwoSix]

I thought Big Bang Theory was canned laughter because, who would laugh at those 'jokes'?

I'm not especially intelligent or scientifically minded but I get 90% of the references and find it very funny.

 

[nydryl]

???

All bar Series 7 and the BtE specials were filmed in front of studio audiences.

Series 7 was shown to audiences once recorded and the laughter recorded and used for the broadcast.

Ah I was always under the impression it was canned! Anyway the lack of laughter in the newer episodes seriously detracted from the show, which still gives an idea of why live laughter or canned laughter can be important.

 

[ShortWarning]

I remember something I saw years ago in a documentary about Friends.

They explained why they used canned laughter instead of the actual audiences laughter.

Basically the audiences laughter caused clipping and distortion on the mics which would have sounded rubbish on TV so they use pre recorded laughter instead.

 

[oweneades]

I'm not especially intelligent or scientifically minded but I get 90% of the references and find it very funny.

Indeed, especially Jim Parson's as Sheldon.

Bazinga!

 

[robgmun]

The only time they really used Canned Laughter (as in pre-recorded) is when Hanna-Barbera used in their Cartoons in the 70's. 90% of the time it was completely at inappropriate places and used every other line. Bad times

 

[Flibster]

Ah I was always under the impression it was canned! Anyway the lack of laughter in the newer episodes seriously detracted from the show, which still gives an idea of why live laughter or canned laughter can be important.

I did forget about this, the DVD releases of Series 7 and 8 have extended episodes with no laugh track as they were completed post broadcast.

They contemplated using canned laughter, but decided against it.