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The Big [Censored] Theory

(pudding.cool)
1444 points feross | 1 comments | 29 Aug 22 17:34 UTC | HN request time: 0.221s | source
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ascar ◴[29 Aug 22 19:24 UTC] No.32642380[source]▶
Side note: the article mentions canned laughter in TBBT rather early. TBBT actually doesn't use canned laughter but uses laughter from the live audience for its laugh track.

I pity that I didn't have the chance to visit the studios and be part of that laugh track :(

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nindalf ◴[29 Aug 22 19:33 UTC] No.32642496[source]▶
Most shows that use canned laughter (Friends, Seinfeld etc.) were filmed in front of an audience. It’s not worth the hassle to set up audio recoding for the audience, especially because people aren’t reliable. They might not laugh at the right moment, one or two audience members might have a weird laugh, they might be too soft or loud.

The audience reaction is useful feedback for the actors, but the laughter is canned.

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1. ascar ◴[29 Aug 22 19:41 UTC] No.32642580[source]▶
Well, TBBT is especially known for recording and using the audience laughter. That's why I explicitly mentioned it and it creates some interesting moments the producers didn't even intend to be funny. You can find multiple sources for that like point 10 here [1]. There are some YouTube videos giving deeper insight into the process but I don't have them at hand.

[1] https://www.cbr.com/big-bang-theory-annoyed-anger-fans/