Some Are Not Amused by TV Laughter

Re: “What’s So Funny?” by Eve Glicksman (Calendar, April 15), for many years I was one of Glicksman’s “character[s] in a sound room deviously inserting giggles, titters and roars . . .” into TV programs of all sizes, shapes and merit.

Like any other element in television, “sweetening” is most often the victim rather than the perpetrator. When properly executed, “sweetening” is virtually undetectable. Yet, Glicksman is so very correct when she notes that “sweetening” has become an overused crutch attempting to cover up mediocre work.

It should be pointed out that two of the worst “laugh track” offenders of all time are also two of the most honored programs in television history: “MASH” and “The Muppets.” Sporting events on television are regularly “sweetened” (yes, including “Monday Night Football”), as are award shows (yes, including the “Academy Awards”), in addition to the landslide of sitcoms.

Therefore, let me agree with her on all points and only wish that she had been there with me during those awful moments when a writer, producer or director was yelling at me, saying, “Come on, Ralphie, get with it, baby. . . . This stuff is funny.”

RALPH W. EMERSON III

(43 years with ABC-TV)

Ventura

I applaud Eve Glicksman’s article on the overuse of the phony laugh track. It’s about time someone spoke up!

I give a new TV show about six minutes of my time. If I hear a phony laugh track that, to me, is very offensive, I know I will never watch it again.

ANN GOLDENSON

Calabasas

sg

A show without a laugh track would obligate the viewer to listen and to think, something only the very best of television has been able to achieve, and rarely. Apparently, most viewers do not turn on their televisions to do either of these things. Or perhaps we’ve had our expectations systematically lowered by the industry and its priorities. And maybe that’s why more and more people are turning on their computers when they get home and cruising the Internet, instead of being passively “entertained” by the laughing box in the living room.

ALEC JAMES

Santa Monica