My recollection is that the excellent '80s show Sledge Hammer! used an intentionally overdone laugh track in order to get the network to remove the goddamn thing, which they did in later seasons. Wikipedia doesn’t back me up, but does say
ABC insisted that the violence be toned down for network television and that a laugh track be included (although some versions – including the DVD release of the show – do not have this track or had it removed; Spencer found it offensive that the audience be told when to laugh and was furious over the decision)
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