TV kudos rarely deserved

[Insert applause here] “Everywhere that freedom arrives, humanity rejoices; and everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear” (30 seconds of obnoxious applause). This amount of applause is typical after presidential speeches, like George W. Bush’s 2003 speech ‘Mission Accomplished.’ Obnoxious responses don’t just resonate in prominent speeches but popular sitcoms and comedy shows as well. There’s a fine line between exaggerated applause and exaggerated laughter. The two responses are interchangeable. Instead of applause, the appropriate response is laughter, specifically automated, unnatural laughter [Insert laughter sound bite here].

In President Obama’s 2010 State of the Union address for example, he talks about the deficit after every thought and the applause starts and perpetuates throughout the rest of the speech. The audience becomes rowdy and persists with obnoxious standing ovations that take away from the speech. If you subtract the applause the speech would probably be ten minutes shorter. Honestly, as viewers we don’t have the time to listen, let alone applaud.

Oftentimes, during plays and other performances, the crew asks the audience to hold their applause until the end. The same goes for movie screenings. This rule is enforced because the applause detracts from the performance and often becomes distracting. Clearly it’s not needed in these situations, so it shouldn’t be necessary during prominent speeches either. Yes, the president puts a solid, inspiring speech together, but the call for excessive applause throughout the speech is just ridiculous. It’s almost as if the audience serves as cheerleaders. And, in regard to the broadcasting of national speeches, I’m sure people sitting at home in front of their television screens aren’t applauding constantly. 
Granted, applause is essential during performances, speeches and in presentations, but 50 seconds of it is never necessary. It’s good to encourage and reassure someone if the timing is appropriate, but not everything’s a circus act. There’s a time and a place for everything.

On the other hand, there’s obnoxious, automated comedy show laughter created by in-studio audiences.  It’s Friday night, people attend a stand-up comedy show and laugh after every line. Although slightly obnoxious, it’s deemed completely appropriate if the jokes are funny. For example, it’s hard not to laugh at brightly colored, deformed ventriloquist dummies. The individual staying in on a Saturday night watching Seinfeld re-runs while devouring spoon-full’s of peanut butter isn’t laughing at every line out of Jerry’s mouth.

However, the fake automated laughter sound bites are.  Sure, there are many laugh-out-loud moments in a comedy show but not as many as the producers depict. If you think about it, all the automated laughter gets annoying after awhile. I think it takes away from the content of the show. It does not hypnotize viewers into believing the show is funnier than it actually is. Sorry.

The Disney Channel show “That’s So Raven” (along with most of the other tween shows) are naive comedy shows, based on shenanigans. Not everything Raven or the other characters do or don’t do is that hilarious. For example, when Raven says something like “Oh snap,” the automated laughter emerges for a few seconds before the other character speaks. I’m pretty sure the people watching it through the TV screen aren’t laughing along with the sound bite.

Notice how there’s no automated laughter in comedic films. This is because the producers are aware that the obnoxious laughter takes away from the film. This way, the audience can laugh at what they please, at their own discretion.
Lately, talk shows are the only programs filmed in front of a live audience, rather than the traditional sitcom show. Even though the laughter in some talk shows is a bit ridiculous, it is at least natural.

Forced laughter sounds foolish and does not enhance anything. It’s an annoying distraction and waste of time. Please people; stop feeding into ego and save your applause until the very end or wait until the person finishes a witty thought before you begin the prolonged applause. 

And hold the phony laughter as well, because it’s not funny [Insert applause here].

Danielle Rivard can be contacted at drivard@ksc.mailcruiser.com.