Death of the Laughter Track: Do you prefer sitcoms with or without Pre-Recorded laughs?

I’m a big fan of comedies. I watch them all the time, both with and without pre-recorded laughs, but sometimes the laugh tracks affect how much I enjoy the show.

When going through the comedies I enjoy and re-watch the most, the majority of them do not have laugh tracks. I find that when a show doesn’t have any added laughs to it, it feels more authentic. The comedic moments are more well integrated in the story and it doesn’t feel as though I am being forced to find it funny.

One of my favourite shows of all time is The Big Bang Theory, which is filmed in front of a live studio audience. While I do find the show genuinely funny, I have to admit, hearing people laugh does make you feel as though you should find something funny, even if you don’t.

Similarly, in the sitcom Friends, there are times when the laughs appear and I don’t find the moment or scene too funny. It somewhat sours the show and makes it less enjoyable to watch. I think I preferred laugh tracks in shows like iCarly and Victorious because they fit better with the format of the show and who the shows were targeted towards – they work better in shows for children.

It might be a bit controversial to say but if a show is good and well-written enough, it doesn’t need a laugh track. Brooklyn Nine-Nine for example, is an extremely popular comedy that has the format for a laugh track to be included, but it doesn’t have one. Instead of needing a laugh track to prompt the audience to recognise when the show is being funny, it relies on the script and talent of the actors. Other shows like Gavin and Stacey, Motherland and episodes are not shows that need a laugh and have not been written in a way that would allow for one to be added in.

The question of shows having or needing laugh track really depends on the show itself. For some, it works really well and adds to the show but for others it doesn’t. For me, I don’t really mind or have a preference. I have thoroughly enjoyed shows without laugh tracks, one with and ones filmed in front of a live studio audience. What’s more important is the quality of the writing and the acting.