Live from New York, it’s Knicks basketball!
Borrowing a page from network sitcoms, MSG has decided to air Knicks games with a studio audience laugh track.
“Our research showed that most people painfully laugh while watching our guys play anyway,” said MSG’s head of programming, Greg Hollander. “So why not make it seem like the terrible play is intentional?”
Studies have shown that people are far more likely to laugh if they are guided to do so, and Hollander hopes the constant stream of canned laughter will reduce stress levels in Knick fans.
The plan is to use the business model of the “BS” networks – CBS and TBS respectively.
“If millions of people can watch that kind of crappy comedy, they’ll love this team,” Hollander noted. “Two and a Half Men is the top show on TV, which is funny in itself because if you look over our roster, talent-wise, we really only have two and a half men.”
While Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony are the team’s most recognizable stars, the Knicks plan to market point guard Toney Douglas heavily when the new broadcast style goes into effect.
“We believe Toney could be the next big comedy star,” Hollander added. “I see a ‘Big Momma’s House’ franchise in his future after basketball, which, and you didn’t hear this from me, will be very soon.”
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