WHY I MISS A GOOD LAUGH TRACK…
This piece was originally published April 25th, 2011.
The use of laugh tracks for television comedy has been the subject of derision since the early 1950's.So believe me folks, if you are not a fan when you run across a sitcom or animated series that has a laugh track, it's not an original feeling you have there.
I however, not only appreciate a good laugh track and miss its proliferation these days (I'll explain this later). I also am aware of the origin of it and how its fascinating history of this now considered unhip attribute of television, actually connects to The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever," psychedelic music, The Moody Bluesand King Crimson—in other words, here's a history lesson for you young hipsters.
The laugh track came into being during the early days of television because there was a problem.
During radio's golden era many programs were broadcast in front of a live audience. Televised sitcoms however, were shot like movies, using a single camera and different takes from various angles that would then edited together later, instead of the multi-camera format.
During radio's golden era many programs were broadcast in front of a live audience. Televised sitcoms however, were shot like movies, using a single camera and different takes from various angles that would then edited together later, instead of the multi-camera format.
