Summary of "Ha ha,' he said, "ha ha' " by Chuck Klosterman

This article caught my eye in many different ways, ive always been the kind of person that loves watching every kind of comedic show that is on television. To my suprise, i never really thought about the difference between shows with laugh tracks and ones without it. I guess im so used to laugh tracks, i never really distinguised a difference.

I have a really good sense of humor, so if something is funny i most likely will laugh at it. But now thinking back, i guess shows like friends and other ones with a laugh track, i found funny, but not as funny as shows without laugh tracks like the office. I believe what Chuck Klosterman is saying, the fact that laugh tracks are behind so many comedy shows, it really takes away peoples own ability to find their sense of humor, and you end up laughing at anything that has a laugh track.

Also i believe that laughing here in the United States, is a lot different than laughter and humor in other places. In his article he talks about how in Germany they only laugh when they actaully think something is funny, not out of curtiousy or politeness. He also talks about how he felt so dumb in the grocery store laughing about not having exact change. If you think about it, we all do this. I personally laugh at everything. A lot of the time i actually think something is worth laughing at, but in times when i feel awkward i laugh. Not because i want to, but because i think its the necessary think to do to get me feeling less out of place. Also i believe when someone is trying to have a serious conversation you tend to laugh it off or act like its nothing, when in fact you shouldn't be laughing at all.

Even though in some places like Germany, you only laugh at things that are humerous, i think its good to laugh at times other than humor. In my case when something bad happens i feel the need to find humor out of the whole situation. If you take everything seriously youll never be able to get through it. You jsut got to sit back, realize what was wrong, pay the price, then just go with the flow and laugh at something stupid you did in the whole situation. Life goes on.

Overall i really thought this article was a great one. My favorite thing he says is, "The only thing people in New York wont laugh at are unfamous stand-up comedians; we really despise those motherfuckers, for some reason." I think that this quote is so funny, but true. People will sit there are laugh at anything and anyone that comes in front of them, but when someones just trying to crack a joke up on stage, everyone turns into cynical critics that will only laugh if you force them. Its wierd to think about, i guess its just a part of life thats ironic. But in this article Chuck Klosterman really made me think about laugh tracks and society in general and how easily we are entertained.