I tried to watch an episode but I couldn't get past the laugh track and paused "dialog" that goes on and on about absolutely nothing. But the show apparently has millions of appreciative viewers. What is it that they like?
shareI don't see how it's so hard to ignore a laugh track, but then again I'm used to them since I grew up watching all those 90s shows that has the laugh tracks. It's not that big a deal to me because I'm too busy focusing on the dialog.
As for this show I like it. I think the cast is funny and Penny is nice to look at. I enjoy watching the group of thems story progress throughout the seasons also. It's not the best show I've ever seen but it's decent enough imo for a laugh whenever I need one.
WELL SAID...I SHARE THAT EXACT OPINION.
share👍👍
shareI don't get the laugh track complaints either. 100s of shows have done it.
shareThe laugh track..
I have a lot to say about that.
First of all, it has been a common thing in many TV sitcoms for decades, so whatever you think about it, it's basically the 'norm', if you want to watch almost any older sitcom or comedy show. You have to just learn to live with it.
Secondly, it does come off as 'fake', no matter how 'real' it is. It's hard to take it seriously, or think that people are actually finding EVERYTHING Leonard or Sheldon says absolutely hilarious (I was thinking about this while watching an episode, and the audience seems insane and drugged to laugh at such unfunny lines constantly - there's NO line that fails to get a huge response. Completely unrealistic and really fake, but what can you do)
Thirdly, although I can somewhat see why they would add such a thing, it is unnecessary and pretty tiresome. The decision is clearly made by someone who doesn't understand comedy, but understand money and business, and wants to play it safe. Good comedy doesn't need laugh track, if a joke is good, you either laugh or not, but at least you can appreciate it. Using a laugh track is like trying to force you to laugh, it's like someone yelling at you after every joke: "Laugh, damnit, LAUGH!! THIS IS FUNNY STUFF!!"
Instead of lettting the joke work and make you laugh because it's funny, laugh track tries to undermine the humor and make you laugh anyway - listen, other people are laughing, why aren't you?
I never liked laugh tracks, but it didn't really bother me -that- much until relatively recently, when I started paying more attention to it. When you just watch a show, focus on the stories, humor, jokes, characters and such, you don't always consciously notice the laugh track, and it doesn't bother you.
However, if you pay attention to it, it starts to feel grating really quickly; it's like what the F are they laughing for, he didn't say anything funny or even remotely interesting!
I do hate laugh tracks, but I tolerate them.
Using a laugh track comes off as insecurity, not trusting the jokes or the audience to get the jokes. Not trusting your show is funny. Not trusting the audience will laugh.
I think they should at least give us an option or try without laugh track, first.
This show does over-utilize the laugh track, and when you notice it, it really becomes annoying and tiresome. Even in the second season, it's already too much.
I love watching the versions without the laugh track, it shows how what they're saying really isn't that funny, and those unnatural pauses become more noticeable and underlined.
It's not a big deal, but it IS a mild annoyance.
This guy on YouTube has a funny take on the show.
The Big Bang Theory Pitch Meeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c84ANSiVBAg
I like the show.
It's hilariously funny, plus I spent many years immersed in nerd culture. So I get every single one of the jokes.
shareFilmed before a live audience.
http://www.mydreamcametrue.com/TheBigBangTheory.html#:~:text=The%20Big%20Bang%20Theory%20is,are%20hard%20to%20come%20by.
You beat me to it. Great program.
shareIt was filmed in front of a studio audience, but there can still be a laugh track edited in, even if they use the "studio audience" as the samples. Chuck Lorre was always very defensive about the use of a laugh track, but it was quite obvious at times whenever the editing was done in a heavy handed manner, and the UK broadcast even had a toned down laugh track during some of the earlier seasons.
shareDoesn't matter wrt. the OP's point.
shareI've watched 'em all, but I'm a sitcom fanatic. It's like junk food entertainment for me.
shareYou might prefer these...
Ricky Gervais laughing as the laugh track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p4TkRnvNco&t=7s
No laugh track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKS3MGriZcs