1. To enhance humor:
* Subconscious influence: The sound of laughter can be contagious, prompting viewers to laugh along even if they wouldn't find the joke funny on its own.
* Social cue: Laughter can signal to the audience that something is intended to be funny, even if the joke itself is not particularly clever.
2. To mask awkward silence:
* Filler: It can cover up gaps in dialogue or scenes that might otherwise feel uncomfortable.
* Time management: It can help maintain a consistent pace and rhythm for the show.
3. To create a sense of intimacy and connection:
* Shared experience: Laughter can foster a sense of community and shared amusement between the audience and the characters on screen.
* Emotional response: The sound of laughter can elicit a positive emotional response in viewers, making them feel more engaged and connected to the show.
4. To provide a sense of reassurance:
* Guiding viewer response: It can provide a guide for the viewer's reaction, especially for sitcoms that rely on comedic timing and exaggerated reactions.
* Confidence in humor: The presence of canned laughter can create a sense of assurance that the show is funny, even if the viewer doesn't personally find it amusing.
Criticisms of Canned Laughter:
* Artificiality: Many people find canned laughter insincere and distracting, as it doesn't reflect genuine reactions to humor.
* Manipulation: It can be seen as a manipulative tactic used to force viewers to laugh, even if the material isn't particularly funny.
* Diminished humor: The reliance on canned laughter can lead to a decline in the quality of the writing and jokes, as writers may rely on the track to carry the humor.
While canned laughter is a controversial practice, its use has become a common practice in television, particularly in sitcoms. It continues to be a subject of debate and discussion, with both supporters and detractors.