Why don't we hate Kelso in Season 1?

I'm rewatching for the first time in many years, and I find myself really liking Kelso even though he's the worst. And I'm talking about before we see any glimpse of humanity. He actively takes joy in shitting on everyone around him, but I don't hate him. I know I am not alone in this.

I'm guessing it's because he's hilarious and at the end of the day he's the hospital boss and not some evil overlord. I mean, he certainly seems evil in some instances, but you can kind of see he's just doing what needs to be done, even if you don't personally agree with him or like it.