MISTAKES/GOOFS

TRIVIA

• Tony Randall (I) and Jack Klugman hated the artificial laugh track and asked ABC to ether remove it or start filming in front of a live audience. ABC initially refused, but to keep their stars happy aired this episode "Oscar's New Life" without the laugh track as an experiment. At the end of the original broadcast Randall and Klugman appeared out of character to ask the viewers to write into ABC indicating if they like the show better with or without the laugh track. The results came in roughly 5 - 2 in favor of running the show without it. ABC disputed the results, saying someone against it would be more likely to take the time to write a letter than someone who didn't. Nevertheless, ABC decided to change to a three camera with live audience tape format beginning with the second season. When the show went into syndication in 1975 this episode was still broadcast without a laugh track, however ironically, a laugh track was added around the mid 90s when the episode was shown on cable stations such as Nick at Nite.