I alwayswondered why the 60's produced so many sitcoms without a live studio audience.Were they just not funny enough on their own merit OR was it better to just have a laugh track generate laughter?

http://www.autographsmovieposters.com/Addams_Family_Astin_image.jpg

A lot of '60's sitcoms like 'The Addams Family' and 'Bewitched' relied heavily on special effects which would have been difficult to shoot in front of a studio audience.