The Government's intention to limit the use of nitrous oxide will have a serious impact on studio audiences, who are unable to laugh without artificial stimulus. 45% of all audience reactions are under the influence of drugs and 99.9% of the writing output relies on it.
Recreationally it is used by 16 to 24-year-olds, but for BBC audiences the demographic is primarily 70+ and deaf. Supplies of canned laughter are at an all time low, with BBC are having to import its giggles from sweat shops such as James Corden's fan base.
The last genuinely funny line was broadcast on the BBC in 1973, since then they have been faking it, with the aid of drugs and trombones that go Wah Wah Waaaaah. Explained the Head of Light Entertainment: 'Dentists would traditionally use it as pain relief, and so do we.'