14 Jul 2018

Decoder Ring: The laugh track

From TPH - old version - find current one under National programmes

Decoder Ring is a new monthly podcast hosted by Slate's TV critic Willa Paskin that tries to crack all kinds of cultural mysteries.

So far, it's deciphered clowns and when and why they got so scary, and also unpicked a fan theory about the BBC TV series 'Sherlock' and a possible homosexual relationship between Holmes and Watson.

This episode looks at the history of the laugh track, the canned laughter you'll have heard on many TV comedy shows that was once a big thing but has now fallen out of favour. 
 

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