MovieChat Forums > The Dean Martin Show (1965) Discussion > ''Live'' audience?

''Live'' audience?

posted 13 years ago by Sandoz
3 replies | jump to latest

I've watched a couple of the "best of" dvds now (the first time I've seen this show since I used to watch it as a little kid with my mom back in the day), and I'm wondering about the supposed audience that is ostensibly in front of the stage watching the show...is it really there?

It's obvious the laugh-track is turned up to 11 and perfectly understandable; all TV shows of this era, hell, even ones today use augmented reactions to beef-up the comedy quotient of the show.

But if there really was a live studio audience for this show, I'd expect more "thank you's" and bowing to the audience after musical numbers or other performances. Even though the show is designed ultimately to be viewed on televisions, if there really were people sitting out there and watching, Dean and the rest of his professional guests, used to performing for live audiences, would definitely say "thank you" and/or bow when they receive applause after concluding a performance, and I didn't see that happen once in two hours of show bits on the 2 dvds I watched, so it makes me wonder.

Is a dream a lie if it don't come true...or is it something worse?

[–] Sandoz 13 years ago

Well, from watching a few more "best of" DVDs, I can now answer my own question...

On the very first volume (this is what happens when you jump into watching the volumes in the middle), Lucille Ball is the guest, and during Dean's opening, there's a very annoying laugh coming from the audience that makes Dean stop the show, climb down off the stage, and takes Lucy from her seat in the audience section and brings her back up on stage with him for a comedy bit.

The audience is very small, looks like no more than 150 people, tops, divided by an aisle, but it is really there, with actual people. Obviously they still use an overdubbed laugh track because that's not enough people for the huge laughs or thunderous applause that's heard during much of the show, but at least it answers the question that Dean is playing to actual people in front of himself.

Is a dream a lie if it don't come true...or is it something worse?

[–] Sandoz 13 years ago

Well, I'm having so much fun asking myself questions (and answering them!), I might as well keep on going..!

Another thing I'm wondering about is whether or not there is a live orchestra accompanying the musical numbers. I've watched 5 volumes now and have seen no evidence of them, not to mention the backup singers that are also heard. Many variety shows with musical guests frequently used instrumental playback for "live" guests, with only the lead singer's vocal track removed so the guest could sing along to the same musical arrangement for their current hit. I believe this is what was done on Dean's show, too. Unless someone can enlighten me otherwise...?

All IMDb users are equal...but IMDb Pro users are more equal than others.

[–] Maximinion 12 years ago

A few more 'best of' DVDs? What do you mean? There are only two 'best of' Dean Martin Roast DVDs.