Did Sesame Street ever have laugh tracks?

[D'Snowth]

The reason I asked is because it seemed like just about EVERY show in the 1960's had laugh tracks...even children series like Flinstones, and H.R. Pufnstuf had laugh tracks. If not laugh tracks, did the show used to have a live audience? I remember reading Caroll Spinney's book that the original sound stage had an area for an audience.

 

[That Announcer]

Hmmm...

Good question, DS! I'm really not sure about that one. You might want to email Thjis over at the SS Encyclopedia.

 

[TotallySpiesFan]

No, "Sesame Street" had no laugh tracks.

 

[mikebennidict]

well seeing the SS reruns my answer would have to be no. in their case. i can't evensee why they would

 

[Ziffel]

Same here. I don't ever remember anytime on SS that there was a laugh track. Nor with "The Electric Company (1971-1977) either. "Sesame Street" was barely a 60's show, of course (debuting September 1969). But it didn't have the live audiences (at least not so we could hear them) that a lot of 70's shows had like "All in the Family", "The Jeffersons", and "The Odd Couple" utilized. That's probably one reason SS used so much closing music of skits to depict and reflect the mood of the muppets.
Interesting to think about the John John sketches. He was SO hilarious but if people were nearby watching and busting out laughing it would have probably distracted him and they obviously wanted John John to be left alone and say as many funny and cute things as Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson could get him to. Wonder if people were watching live nearby in a soundproof area.

 

[Pug Lover]

I think the only time there was a laugh track on SS,was on the 1973 TV special"Julie On Sesame Street".