Earlier quoted context omitted.
In fairness, often “laugh tracks” are actually live studio audiences (eg Big Bang Theory) and much like how live concert recordings (where you can hear the crowd) are sometimes great when it’s a good concert, hearing the studio audience can improve you’re experience of a genuinely funny TV show. The problem is when it’s artificially added or you hear it on a show you don’t find funny; then it goes from being a subtle…
My understanding of the live studio audiences is that they prompt the laughter. Is that correct? If so, the audience laughing at the jokes is just an illusion, even if genuine.
Depends on the show. Some do but some don't. However even ones without a laughter prompt will usually have a compere / warm up acts who will whip the audience up so they're already laughing at jokes before the main show begins recording.