Is the Laugh Track in Television Effective Or Just Nostalgic?

Robert Thompson, Trustee Professor of radio, television and film and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture in the Newhouse School, was quoted by The Associated Press, NBC News and CBS This Morning  in coverage of the Jeopardy game host issues, as well as the Wall Street Journal story “The Laugh Track Is Back in Fashion.”

Thompson talks about the changes in television over the years, saying, “Background music is there to build anxiety and fear. The laugh track performs the same role for humor, to trigger an emotional response.”