Clap-o-meter
Encyclopedia
A clap-o-meter, clapometer or applause meter is a measurement instrument that purports to measure and display the volume of clapping
or applause
made by a studio audience
or an audience
at some other event. It is used to decide the result of competition
s based on the popularity
of the contestants, or at least give an indication of their popularity. It may or may not be based on an actual sound level meter
. Clap-o-meters were a popular element in talent show
s and television
game show
s in the 1950s and 1960s, most notably Opportunity Knocks, but have been since been supplanted by other, more sophisticated, methods of measuring audience response.
. The clap-o-meter itself was a wooden box labelled "Audience Reaction Indicator". This is now part of the collection of the National Media Museum. Clap-o-meters were used in many other TV shows and at live events.
In 1989, Green unsuccessfully attempted to sue the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation
for copyright infringement
over a similar programme. The clap-o-meter was one of the distinctive features of the format by which Green sought to define it as copyrightable. The courts found that a loose format defined by catchphrases and accessories, such as the clap-o-meter, was not copyrightable.
Clap-o-meters continue to be used. They are often regarded as a novelty or item of amusement rather than an accurate method to measure popularity. Even so, they are sometimes used to judge winners in fairly serious competitions including battle of the bands
.
In politics, a politician's popularity is sometimes gauged by the applause they achieve when giving speeches and news organisations sometimes use the concept of a clap-o-meter to describe this.
Clap-o-meter software is also available for computers and mobile devices which uses the device's microphone
or audio input to determine the level of applause.
with the phrase "Remember, folks! The clap-o-meter is just for fun!".
, which can be given more visual impact by having them hold up different coloured cards indicating their preferred winner. They can also be polled by electronic means using individual voting devices with buttons for each option. These options are more accurate than a clap-o-meter but lack the element of excitement generated by frenzied applause.
In recent years, phone voting has become the main method of deciding popularity in talent shows. This has the advantage of allowing the TV audience to participate in the vote, not just the audience in the studio. It can also be used in programmes which do not have a studio audience and provides a significant source of additional revenue for the broadcasters from the use of premium rate phone number
s.
Clapping
A clap is the sound made by striking together two flat surfaces, as in the body parts of humans or animals. Humans clap with the palms of their hands, often in a constant drone to express appreciation or approval , but also in rhythm to match sounds in music and dance...
or applause
Applause
Applause is primarily the expression of approval by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play...
made by a studio audience
Studio audience
A studio audience is an audience present for the taping of all or part of a television program. The primary purpose of the studio audience is to provide applause and/or laughter to the program's soundtrack . A studio audience can also provide volunteers, a visual backdrop and discussion participants...
or an audience
Audience
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...
at some other event. It is used to decide the result of competition
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
s based on the popularity
Popularity
Popularity is the quality of being well-liked or common, or having a high social status. Popularity figures are an important part of many people's personal value systems and form a vital component of success in people-oriented fields such as management, politics, and entertainment, among...
of the contestants, or at least give an indication of their popularity. It may or may not be based on an actual sound level meter
Sound level meter
Sound level meters measure sound pressure level and are commonly used in noise pollution studies for the quantification of almost any noise, but especially for industrial, environmental and aircraft noise. However, the reading given by a sound level meter does not correlate well to...
. Clap-o-meters were a popular element in talent show
Talent show
A talent show is an event where participants perform their talent or talents of acting, singing, dancing, acrobatics, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, and other activities to showcase a unique form of talent, sometimes for a reward, trophy or prize...
s and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
s in the 1950s and 1960s, most notably Opportunity Knocks, but have been since been supplanted by other, more sophisticated, methods of measuring audience response.
History
The clap-o-meter made an early appearance in 1956 on the British TV game show Opportunity Knocks. The show format was the work of its presenter, Hughie GreenHughie Green
Hughie Green was the host of numerous British television shows.-Early life:Hugh H. Green was born in London; his Scottish father was a former British Army Major who made his fortune supplying tinned fish to the Allied forces in World War I, while his mother Violet was the Surrey-born daughter of...
. The clap-o-meter itself was a wooden box labelled "Audience Reaction Indicator". This is now part of the collection of the National Media Museum. Clap-o-meters were used in many other TV shows and at live events.
In 1989, Green unsuccessfully attempted to sue the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation
New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation
The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation was established by the New Zealand government in 1962. It was dissolved on 1 April 1975, and replaced by three separate organisations: Radio New Zealand, Television One, and Television Two, later known as South Pacific Television....
for copyright infringement
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright, infringing the copyright holder's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.- "Piracy" :...
over a similar programme. The clap-o-meter was one of the distinctive features of the format by which Green sought to define it as copyrightable. The courts found that a loose format defined by catchphrases and accessories, such as the clap-o-meter, was not copyrightable.
Clap-o-meters continue to be used. They are often regarded as a novelty or item of amusement rather than an accurate method to measure popularity. Even so, they are sometimes used to judge winners in fairly serious competitions including battle of the bands
Battle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
.
In politics, a politician's popularity is sometimes gauged by the applause they achieve when giving speeches and news organisations sometimes use the concept of a clap-o-meter to describe this.
Clap-o-meter software is also available for computers and mobile devices which uses the device's microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
or audio input to determine the level of applause.
Authenticity
Quite often a clap-o-meter is a complete sham, having no real sound measuring equipment at all, and is manipulated by a person based on their estimation of the audience reaction. This is normally done semi-openly, with the audience under little or no illusion that the clap-o-meter is genuine. This was apparently the case on Opportunity Knocks, where the clap-o-meter was not used to actually determine the winners and was disclaimedDisclaimer
A disclaimer is generally any statement intended to specify or delimit the scope of rights and obligations that may be exercised and enforced by parties in a legally recognized relationship...
with the phrase "Remember, folks! The clap-o-meter is just for fun!".
Alternatives
A number of alternatives to the clap-o-meter exist. A studio audience can be polled by a simple show of handsShow of hands
A show of hands is a common voting method used in committees and other informal or small gatherings for voting. It is more precise than a voice vote but does not require members to leave their seats. However, it does not count as a division of the assembly, and is not always as effective as a...
, which can be given more visual impact by having them hold up different coloured cards indicating their preferred winner. They can also be polled by electronic means using individual voting devices with buttons for each option. These options are more accurate than a clap-o-meter but lack the element of excitement generated by frenzied applause.
In recent years, phone voting has become the main method of deciding popularity in talent shows. This has the advantage of allowing the TV audience to participate in the vote, not just the audience in the studio. It can also be used in programmes which do not have a studio audience and provides a significant source of additional revenue for the broadcasters from the use of premium rate phone number
Premium-rate telephone number
Premium-rate telephone numbers are telephone numbers for telephone calls during which certain services are provided, and for which prices higher than normal are charged. Unlike a normal call, part of the call charge is paid to the service provider, thus enabling businesses to be funded via the calls...
s.
List of TV shows using a clap-o-meter
- Arthur Godfrey's Talent ScoutsArthur Godfrey's Talent ScoutsArthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts is an American radio and television variety show which ran on CBS from 1946 until 1958...
(USA) (1948–1958) - Queen for a DayQueen for a DayQueen for a Day is an American radio and television game show that helped to usher in American listeners' and viewers' fascination with big-prize giveaway shows. Queen for a Day originated on the Mutual Radio Network on April 30, 1945 in New York City before moving to Los Angeles a few months...
(USA) (1956–1970) - Opportunity Knocks (UK) (1956–1990)
- The SlammerThe SlammerThe Slammer is a Children's Talent show that has been broadcasting on BBC One since 22 September 2006.Set in a fictional prison called HM Slammer, this programme follows a variety show format where “prisoners” compete, by performing to an audience, who decide which act should be released.The show...
(UK) (2006–present)