Yep, doesn't look like something the Comedy Examiner would enjoy.
"The Big Bang Theory" is one of the more successful sitcoms on TV, and sooner or later this writer may get around to giving it a chance (likelihood: slim to none; sitcoms suck). In the meantime, the "Big Bang"-related video below brings up that age-old debate: is it still funny without a laugh track? Startling new evidence suggests that, no, it isn't. Check it out, my gentle Examiner readers...
We can't be sure why someone went to the trouble to remove the laughtrack from CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" (ed. note-- apparently, it started with a request for the edit by "Tim and Eric Awesome Show" creator Tim Heidecker on Twitter, and then went from there), and that's OK: the awkward hilarity that results eliminates the need for a laughtrack. Check it out, folks:
As you know by now if sitcoms are your thing, "The Big Bang Theory" airs at some time on some channel and you're really not interested, are you? If "The Big Bang Theory" is your sort of thing, then you already know when it's on. And if it isn't, it just doesn't matter. The video above, though, does remind this writer how creepy laughtracks really are. Furthermore, the clip also reveals how dependent weak comedy is upon laughtracks. Which reminds me: starting this coming week, all Comedy Examiner articles will come with a built-in laughtrack. Make sure your speakers are on full-blast and stay tuned, folks.
While you're waiting on the next bit of hilarity from the Comedy Examiner's Office, please take the time to check out some of these other recent Comedy Examiner articles:
FUNNY VIDEO: SNL DOES "AVATAR", AND-- SURPRISINGLY-- HILARITY ENSUES (WITH VIDEO)-- in which "Saturday Night Live" produces a funny sketch. I know, we were surprised, too.
"GHOSTBUSTERS 3" HAS A DIRECTOR, AND YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHO IT IS. OK, MAYBE YOU'LL GUESS-- in which we find out-- for realz this time-- who's directing the third "Ghostbusters", set to go before cameras this year. Click the link, "Ghostbusters" fans.
JIMMY KIMMEL AS JAY LENO INTERVIEWS CHEVY CHASE AS CONAN O'BRIEN (WITH VIDEO)-- in which Jimmy Kimmel lays into Jay Leno with a very satisfying impression, and Chevy Chase is along for the ride.
FUNNY VIDEO: JAY LENO GETS ONBOARD THE "SCREW NBC" TRAIN, BITES THE HAND THAT FEEDS (WITH VIDEO)-- in which Jay Leno tries to make it appear like he's not the bad guy. Riiiight, Jay. Whatever you say, funnyman.
(photo: myspace.com)
Comments
It's filmed in front of an audience so there's naturally laughter; they're pausing for audience reaction. Whether it's sweetened or not is another question, but this version has all non-dialogue artificially removed (no lunchroom sounds, etc.) You can hear some of the audience reaction on Jim Parsons' (Sheldon's) final line of the clip.
"Is it funny without laughter" may be a valid question, but you're implying the laughs are artificially added, when the truth is that in this version, the laughs are artificially removed. Your hypothesis is invalid.
(Go Sheldon. Hit that.)
Funny, I thought laughter was automatically removed from every episode of "Big Bang" through its stunning lack of funniness. Agreed: sitcoms blooooow.
All sitcoms that have studio audiences also have laugh tracks. All of them. No matter what. Also, the audience is TOLD when to laugh.
Those are dead people laughing by the way, the laugh tracks are all very old.
Haha...yes. I still laughed.
How about using a better example of the comedic value within the show by using a REAL joke, not some lameass homo-erotic oblivion! The show would be MUCH better presented sans laugh track.
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