Don't read if you're squeamish...

I watch a hell of a whole lot of TV. It's what I do. Lately, I have been noticing how ridiculously annoying it is that nearly everyone is using canned laughter. It makes me sick. I really don't understand why this is so popular, who is it that decided that it's okay to have mediocre jokes in your show, so long as the viewer thinks someone else found it funny? Take a look at this clip from Tyler Perry's "House of Payne," its only 43 seconds long, and yet there are about 5 instances of someone simply playing a clip of canned laughter.



Things like this just make people seem lazy in my eyes. There is something to be said for shows like "The Fresh Prince of Bel- Air" and "I Love Lucy" that took the risk of a live studio audience.
Listen to how genuinely happy the audience is within 4 seconds of this clip.



I wholeheartedly believe that there is something to be said about being genuine. In an age where technology is so prominent, it becomes so easy to fake it. But sooner or later, people are not going to tolerate it anymore. Yes, TiVo presents a problem for those looking to advertise on television, but our bigger threat is the take over of sitcoms by horrible television shows with a hot finger for the "laughter" button. Watch a Disney movie to take the edge off.