Can the Laugh Track

My wife and I are moderate TV viewers and have watched “Frasier,” “Seinfeld,” “NYPD Blue” and “Law & Order.” We often avoid the half-hour sitcoms because of the dubbed-in laughter. It wouldn’t be so bad if they laughed at something especially funny. But to laugh at every facial expression is ridiculous. Our friends are also turned off by the heavy-handed background laughter. I don’t know why the sitcoms require this. Are we considered too stupid to recognize a humorous remark?

SIDNEY KASH

Manhattan Beach