Why are fake laughs added to sitcoms? - eviltoast

Is lack of trust in their comedy or they really think the public is that dumb they need to know when to laugh?

Or is a by product of its former format, the live laughs with a crowd while filming?

  • Optional
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    fedilink
    14 days ago

    Well, in the case of BBT that’s specifically what the article says - the sound of laughter on set is the audience. But yes historically laugh tracks were used to replicate that. And for a long time most people didn’t know it was a laugh track.

    • @III@lemmy.world
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      23 days ago

      It wasn’t “just” the audience. Sweetening enhances the laughing - it doesn’t replace it.

      I always thought of it this way. You see fun videos of sitcom outtakes, everyone is having fun on set. This means multiple takes. How hard would you imagine it is for an audience member, on the 15th take, to laugh? Sweetening.