Why do several TV shows have the announcement "[Show Name] is filmed in front of a live studio audience"?
Michael Albert
15th Mar 2017
General questions
12th Feb 2016
General questions
Many, many TV series have episodes in which a pregnant woman goes into labor at an awkward time, and a main character(s) must deliver the baby. Is there some reason why?
Answer: This unusually common, perhaps overused convention can be used for a variety of reasons. It can create dramatic tension for a drama, when babies are delivered amidst a crisis (example: "E.R." - "Love's Labor Lost," 1995). It can create an opportunity for comedy, usually resulting from some comedic mishap (example: "All in the Family" - Elevator Story," 1972 - Archie Bunker doesn't actually deliver the baby, but is stuck in the elevator while the delivery is taking place). It can add humanity to a gruff or seemingly emotionless character who must exhibit some tenderness and support during the delivery (example, Worf delivering Keiko's baby in "Star Trek: TNG" - "Disaster," 1991). It can also bring about some macabre or supernatural result (example: "Resurrection" - "Loved in Return," 2015). There are probably other reasons or better examples that aren't coming to my mind.
2nd Aug 2015
General questions
There was a movie starring John Cusack. In the movie, John is driving home when a black bag from an armored truck falls into the backseat of his car. When he gets home and opens it, he discovers that there is a lot of money in it. Later in the movie, he is reading a newspaper and is shocked to discover the front page news is about how the money was stolen from the armored truck.
Answer: That film is titled "Money for Nothing" (1993).
20th Dec 2013
General questions
I am looking for a movie or mini series where a man was in Auschwitz, and after some time he managed to go to America (somewhere) and got married and had kids. He also built a house in a forest - mountain, and in the end his home caught fire - he told his family to run in the opposite direction from the fire but the wind changed and they all died. I think that the last scene was the man holding a shotgun pointed to his head, but in the end he just fired in the air. I think it was in the late eighties or early nineties. If you know the movie and tell me the name that would be awesome! Thank you.
Answer: Though the plot points are slightly different than the precise details you describe, this sounds like it must be the 1983 mini-series "For Those I Loved" starring Michael York. It is based on the writings of Holocaust survivor Martin Gray. I hope this is the awesome answer you are looking for.
Answer: This kind of announcement was a common practice, particularly during the 1970's and 1980's, to inform the home viewing audience that the reactions (laughter, gasps, hoots of approval, etc.) they hear were produced live by human beings, rather than added on a canned laugh/response track in post-production. It can be a bit misleading, however. Often, during the filming of a show, several takes are required to capture a scene to the satisfaction of the director and actors. It would be impossible for audiences to respond with the same ebullience for several takes in a row. So, many times, the audience reaction from a prior take is used for the final take we see on television.
Michael Albert