The Evolution of Laughter in Sitcoms: How and Why They Came to Be

Sitcoms, or situation comedies, have been a staple of television entertainment for decades. One of the most distinct elements of sitcoms is the use of laughing sound effects, often referred to as a laugh track or canned laughter. This phenomenon is deeply rooted in the history of television and radio, and its inclusion serves several key purposes. Let's delve into the reasons why sitcoms use laughing sound effects and the early pioneers that introduced this technique.

Understanding the Purpose of Canned Laughter

Canned laughter, or laugh track, is a recording of laughter added to a show after it has been filmed. Its primary purpose is twofold: Social Cue and Pacing. Laughter acts as a social signal, guiding the audience's reaction and encouraging them to laugh in sync with the characters. This creates a shared viewing experience, enhancing the entertainment value of the show. Additionally, laughter serves as a Pacing Tool, helping establish the rhythm of a scene and providing timing cues for actors and the flow of dialogue.

The Introduction of Canned Laughter to Sitcoms

The use of canned laughter became more prominent with the rise of multi-camera sitcoms in the 1950s. One of the earliest shows to incorporate this technique was The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which aired in 1952. However, it was I Love Lucy, which premiered in 1951, that truly popularized the use of a live studio audience for laughter, setting the standard for future sitcoms.

The Origin of Canned Laughter in Radio

Laugh tracks are not a product of television alone. They began in the world of radio, where they were used to simulate a live audience. A notable example is the radio comedian, who in the 1930s and 1940s, initially resisted the idea of using recorded laughter. This comedian convinced the producers to play recorded laughter alongside the real audience's laughter. This practice was so convincing that listeners never noticed the difference.

When television came around, some early sitcoms did the same, utilizing recorded laughter to enhance the show's entertainment value. However, there were notable exceptions. Three of the early television icons, Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball, and Danny Thomas, publicly frowned on the use of a laugh track. For instance, The Honeymooners and I Love Lucy did not use a laugh track despite its popularity. Even when I Love Lucy became The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour and moved to filming outdoors, a laugh track was still used for the last few episodes.

The widespread use of Laugh Tracks in the 1960s and 1970s

By the 1960s, almost all sitcoms on the air had a laugh track mandated by order of NBC, CBS, and ABC. This became a standard practice, with very few shows filming or recording without a live audience. In the 1970s, with shows like The Love Boat and MASH, laugh tracks were still prevalent, as live audiences might disrupt the show's continuity. However, many 1970s sitcoms did feature a live audience, providing a more organic feel to the show.

Today's Perspective on Laugh Tracks

While the use of laugh tracks is still present in some old TV shows, they are virtually non-existent in today's productions. Sometimes, a little laugh track is used to fill in where the live audience might not have fully conveyed the hilarity. As time has passed, audiences have become accustomed to the presence of a laugh track or the absence of one.

Those who get upset about the presence of a laugh track in old programs can simply let it go. These practices existed long before most of us were born, and it's best to enjoy the shows for what they are: entertainment crafted with specific methods of the time.