And even more, it hits different when you know "this is my life" and not "i just have to do this for a while". The absence of any hope contributes so much to the pain.
It's a great litmus test for good writing. If the show with it's laugh track removed is awkward, it's bad writing. If the opposite is true, it's not a clear test, but at least it's a good indicator.
I bought the Martinis and Medicine DVD box set back in college and ripped them to my NAS many years ago. Every once in awhile I will be visiting my in-laws and catch an episode with the laugh track on television, and it's the most awkward thing ever.
?utm stands for "U the man" right?