laugh tracks

Laugh tracks are pre-recorded laughter sounds added to TV shows or movies to create the illusion of a live audience reacting to the humor. They are used to enhance comedic moments, encouraging viewers to find the humor funnier by mimicking spontaneous audience laughter. Originally developed for sitcoms, laugh tracks can be added during filming or in post-production, and some shows are entirely filmed in front of a live audience, while others rely solely on recorded laughter. Their purpose is to improve the viewer's experience by signaling when a comedic cue occurs.