I got super duper excited when I saw @whosmurry Twitter that the ‘Colbert Christmas’ special was on Hulu! Huzzah! But I realized about five minutes into watching it that I prefer to watch the DVD, without the audio track. I think it’s because it’s the way I watched the show the first time I saw it, and it always felt right.
However, I know for a fact that a whole lot of that audience noise was made by Zoners who heard about the preview performances where they recorded the audio track right here on No Fact Zone.
So here’s my question to you: When you watch your “Colbert Christmas” DVD, do you watch it with our without the laugh track?
Oh, and did I mention? THE ‘COLBERT CHRISTMAS’ SPECIAL IS ON FRIGGIN’ HULU BABY!!! In its entirety! Thank you Baby Jesus!
When I first watched it, it was the night it premiered on Comedy Central, so I always watch with the laugh track included. I actually have never watched it without the laugh track….I’m gonna have to now, just for funsies. :)
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I like the laugh track! I’ve never watched without it actually – I think the silence would be deafening! A part of TCR and the whole “Stephen” character is the audience interaction that happens. So, yeah – definitely with the laugh track. :)
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“I think the silence would be deafening” – that’s exactly why I haven’t watched it without the laugh track. Hearing the audience laugh at the very same things I’m laughing at throughout the show is oddly comforting. I will have to watch it without though – I’m sure it’s kind of like watching a movie with the sound off, ha.
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Yeah, precisely!! I’m that way with other TV shows too…you’re right, it’s oddly comforting for people to be laughing at the same things you’re laughing at. :P
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I am probably biased towards the laugh track because I was one of said Zoners who found out about it here, and made it to a screening. I went to the last of the original three September screenings, which I’m 95% sure was the laugh track they used on the DVD (if I remember correctly, they had one or two October screenings that were obviously too late to press the audio to the DVD’s, but I assume was the laugh track used for the slightly different TV cut of the special).
But really, it’s just as good either way. The laugh track is comforting like a laugh track on the regular show or any sitcom, while I also see the argument of, say, The A.V. Club, who in their review of the DVD last year said that the laugh track-less version was better because it made the timing seem awkward and stilted, making the special an even better parody of old Christmas specials.
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I don’t think it really needed a laugh track, and I am so used to watching things like SWC without one that is sometimes weird to hear it when watching Stephen outside of TCR.
But, either way, it is nice having Stephen doing something Christmasy. I imagine I’ll be watching this special every year from now on, long after the show is over:)
I noticed that the TCR set wasn’t decorated for Christmas this year, and he didn’t really do anything Christmasy (like the life-size nativity set from previous year) so I am happy to have the special on my computer for a quick pick me up.
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With! really surprised so many people prefer it without. Might have to try that later :-) damn hulu doesn’t work in the UK!
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this is a great question. i actually go half & half. i start out without the laugh track but then i turn it on just before jon starts singing – i like the audience reaction. then i turn it off just before feist sings and leave it off.
i think i prefer it without the laugh track. during the initial broadcast i was like, “oh, i get it. an actual laugh track overdubbed like a terrible laugh track.” but without it i can study/appreciate everyone’s delivery. also, i don’t have the soundtrack so it’s the only way i listen to the songs.
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I always watch it without the laugh track. I sure love the cheesy laugh track though, when each guest comes in haha. I don’t think I’ve watched it with the laugh track since it was first aired on TV.
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I always watch it with the laugh track, because I am on that freakin’ laugh track, baby! I went to one of the first preview screenings, and it was so early in the production process that Willie Nelson hadn’t taped his part yet.
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I’ve been playing the soundtrack every morning when I take my 4-year-old to school, and now he’s obsessed with it. He always says, “Mommy! I wanna hear THEY ARE CANDLES!”
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HA! What a riot! Start them early :D
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I watch with the laugh track. I share in the reaction of the audience to the mistletoe and bear scene – one of my absolute favourite scenes. I howled, I had TEARS in my eyes!
I imagine when they shot the actors reaction to the fake applause, there was no actual applause to be heard. So, watching them nod their head in appreciation is pretty funny.
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Without the laugh track I actually feel a little uncomfortable. XD I have been too indoctrinated in corporations and their laugh tracks to make it easier to laugh ’cause it feel like you’re supposed to. XDDD
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