It's interesting, there are a lot of comedies like this. A portion of the audience are either laughing at, or with the protagonist and both sets can equally enjoy it. For example, The Office: when Brent creates awkward situations some are laughing at him in pity. Some are honestly laughing with him and how he offends others. Curb Your Enthusiasm, Alan Partridge, Blackadder etc.
Warren Mitchell assumed the character would be widely disliked for his small-mindedness and racism, but he became a hero to many for "saying it like it is."
It's interesting, there are a lot of comedies like this. A portion of the audience are either laughing at, or with the protagonist and both sets can equally enjoy it. For example, The Office: when Brent creates awkward situations some are laughing at him in pity. Some are honestly laughing with him and how he offends others. Curb Your Enthusiasm, Alan Partridge, Blackadder etc.