Quote: Frankie Rage @ August 21 2010, 9:33 PM BSTThe only thing that makes most of the current crop of panel games work is the canned laughter!
Take that away and they'd die afore your very eyes!
I don't think the laughter is canned - I'm pretty sure most have studio audiences.
They do, but when they refilm bits, the audience have to simulate their previous laughter- which is maybe why it doesn't sound right some time.
I think part of the reason they work is due to the audience (both live and ourselves), it feels a lot more like we are peeking in on something normal like a test or a pub quiz that these comedians are turning into an excuse to lark about and be naughty. There is something of a 'mucking about on the back row' appeal to these shows (Perfect example is Alan Davies on QI or Paul Merton on HIGNFY)
I used to love They Think its All Over, they were so incredibly nasty to each other and had a perfect mix of comedians and non comedians.