any show that uses laugh tracks does it because they want to create the appeal of a live audience so if there's something that's a bad joke you laugh along because you feel like you belong. wikipedia quotes.
The laugh track was a big debate, they (the Kroffts) said they didn't want to do it, but with my experience with night-timers, night-time started using laugh tracks, and it becomes a staple, because the viewer watches the program and there's a big laugh every time because of the laugh track, and then when you see a show that's funny and there's no laugh because of no laugh track, it becomes a handicap, so I convinced them of that. Good or bad.
"Why a laugh track?" Scheimer asked. "Because you feel that you are watching the program with a group of people instead of being alone"
this is really not up for debate man. laugh tracks are used to tell you someone else is laughing so its ACTUALLY FUNNY and you chuckle. it allows show writers to relax and write this bit I saw once:
Steve: it smells like subway in here.
Christine: yeah I got some.
Steve: did you get your club card punched?
Christine: he was so cute, I'd let him punch MY card anyday *laughtrack*
*five minutes later another character enters, sniffs hard, looks puzzled*
Chet: has that subway guy been punching your card again? *laughtrack*
COMEDY!