One of Kermode's catchphrases is "everything will be okay in the end" and people call in to give examples of that, not to say the show was the sole reason of their recovery.
And I agree with him, American comedies are on the whole crass and naff. As I said, he's opinionated, and you're not...
+1. They have a good dynamic. I also think they're pretty self-deprecating at times, never got a smug vibe from them whatsoever. Kermode can be pretty opinionated but he's a critic, for crying out loud.