[jcbrand]

> 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.