> they all seem somewhat casually cruel to one another

So you're saying it's the same as just about any other sitcom?

Besides joking at one another's expense, a super common trope in US sitcoms is the lie to avoid embarrassment which builds up tension throughout the show, inevitably leads to exposure/confrontation and then resolution (forgiveness) near the end.

So many situations would be resolved quickly if the characters just 'fessed up immediately instead of trying to deceive the others to save face.

But then, there'd be no show with cheap laughs.

The first and only episode I watched revolved around one of the male leads training the female lead like a dog, by giving her food treats when she completed tasks for him.

I don't know if that was representative but I decided it was not for me.

Pop Culture Detective did a short set of videos on it that matched my first impressions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3-hOigoxHs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L7NRONADJ4

I don't know how to mesh that with Wil Wheaton speaking so fondly of his time on the show in his book. Even the updated one where he talks about his past views and behavior with exceptional self-awareness.