The Language of Laughter: A Quantitative/Qualitative Fusion Examining Television Narrative and Humor

This study utilizes multiple methods to analyze the effects of a laugh track on audience response to four episodes of the classic sitcom, "The Andy Griffith Show." An experimental design and a narratological approach are used in concert. One of the four episodes stood out quantitatively in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of broadcasting & electronic media 2009-11, Vol.53 (4), p.497-514
Main Authors: Lieberman, Evan A., Neuendorf, Kimberly A., Denny, James, Skalski, Paul D., Wang, Jia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Comedy programs
Content analysis
Evaluation
Humor
Humorous works
Humourous works
Narratives
Narratology
Social aspects
Studies
Television comedies
Television programs
Television viewers
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Description
Summary:This study utilizes multiple methods to analyze the effects of a laugh track on audience response to four episodes of the classic sitcom, "The Andy Griffith Show." An experimental design and a narratological approach are used in concert. One of the four episodes stood out quantitatively in terms of perceived humor and overall enjoyment, and was the only episode for which the laugh track had a negative impact. Narratological richness might explain the anomalous episode, as it was found to possess a more complex story structure, higher levels of satire, and other distinctive elements found to have high audience appeal.
ISSN:0883-8151
1550-6878
DOI:10.1080/08838150903336141