The Origins and Copyright of Canned Laughter in Sitcoms

Sitcoms, or situation comedies, have been a staple of television entertainment for decades. Many of these shows use a special sound effect known as a 'laugh track' or 'canned laughter' to enhance the comedic effect. However, have you ever wondered where this laughter actually originates from, and whether it is copyrighted?

The Use of Laugh Tracks in Sitcoms

Perhaps intuitive for some, but here are examples of popular sitcoms that frequently use laugh tracks:

Typically, these shows feature laughter recorded in a studio, often in front of a live audience. However, not all sitcoms rely on real audience laughter; some use pre-recorded laughter to amplify the comedic effect.

The Art of Using Laugh Tracks

The timing and selection of the right laugh for a particular scene can make or break a sitcom. For example, a well-timed laugh can enhance a punchline, while an inappropriate laugh can detract from the humor. Here is a clip from The Big Bang Theory without its usual laugh track to emphasize the difference:

Feel the awkward. Feel it.

One can also find examples of inappropriate laugh tracks, such as in the horror classic:

Aaaand for the lovers of horror... The Shining - The Sitcom

The Copyright of Canned Laughter

The recording used for the laugh track is subject to copyright. Similar to other forms of sound recordings, it can be registered as a sound recording copyright with the Copyright Office in the United States.

For more detailed information on registering sound recording copyrights, visit the United States Copyright Office website.

True to the nature of such recordings, it can be challenging to precisely attribute a specific laugh track to a particular sitcom. To learn about the exact laugh tracks used by various shows, you would need to inquire with audio professionals who have worked on the audio production for those shows.