why even have a laugh track?

I Think you nailed it, laugh tracks were the norm on these types of sitcoms and they didn't want to take any more chances. The show did start off relatively normal, at least compared to how far out it would get. I think they didn't really know what kind of audience it would attract and wanted it to seem more normal, maybe. Just guessing.

I like the laugh track. Like you said they inserted it at awkward moments and to me that added to the insanity and dark humor. Picturing a studio audience all laughing in unison at the horrible things being said and done. That's funny. I really like that no matter how twisted, dark, daring, and unhinged this show got, it still existed within the confines of a sitcom of its time.

I know this show only used a laugh track because Fox forced them to; Mirkin says in an interview he hates the laugh track, it's his 'only regret', etc.. and i KNOW they used the laugh track in weird places to make it feel awkward, forced, creepy, weird, and obvious... my question is, why did Fox even feel a sitcom was necessary on this show? I mean, this WAS 23 years ago, I guess laugh tracks were the norm and on a show that was costing them a couple hundred-thousand an episode, they probably didn't want to take any more chances than they were already taking.... but still.. you'd think as subversive and groundbrreaking and DARK as the show was, FOX would've been like, "you know what, let's not add a track for this show."

Maybe this is a question that has no answer, but does anyone have an idea?

Laugh tracks are still the norm on today's network sitcoms.