As in many situations, both TV and real life, things are sometimes only funny if you're already familiar with the characters/people involved. For example, just in the first clip, if you didn't already know what kind of person (barely) that Sheldon (barely) is, it would seem more like "what a jerk."
Never watched without a laugh track; but, when it comes to what's funny and what isn't: Sometimes the track has laughed at things when I didn't...and sometimes I've laughed at things when the track didn't...and sometimes both our "funny bones" were tickled.
Also, when re-watching, sometime I even start in anticipation of what is about to come; BEFORE the scene, OR the laugh track shows up.
As for whether the show is funny…
Over the years, many, many, many shows with laugh tracks have bitten the dust—some after only a few airings. So, if something isn't funny, I don’t think there are enough laugh tracks on the planet to keep it on the air for 12 seasons.
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Reply by Knixon
on January 13, 2020 at 9:49 PM
As in many situations, both TV and real life, things are sometimes only funny if you're already familiar with the characters/people involved. For example, just in the first clip, if you didn't already know what kind of person (barely) that Sheldon (barely) is, it would seem more like "what a jerk."
Reply by bratface
on January 14, 2020 at 10:39 PM
Sometimes.
Reply by wonder2wonder
on January 15, 2020 at 2:11 AM
The next time when I rewatch the show, I'll have to try to 'cut out' the laugh track.
Reply by Knixon
on January 15, 2020 at 2:24 AM
Even when I think a show is hilarious, I'm not LOLing all the time, because I'm paying attention to the show so I don't miss anything!
Reply by FormerlyKnownAs
on July 18, 2022 at 11:37 AM
Never watched without a laugh track; but, when it comes to what's funny and what isn't: Sometimes the track has laughed at things when I didn't...and sometimes I've laughed at things when the track didn't...and sometimes both our "funny bones" were tickled.
Also, when re-watching, sometime I even start in anticipation of what is about to come; BEFORE the scene, OR the laugh track shows up.
As for whether the show is funny…
Over the years, many, many, many shows with laugh tracks have bitten the dust—some after only a few airings. So, if something isn't funny, I don’t think there are enough laugh tracks on the planet to keep it on the air for 12 seasons.