My thoughts, you just illustrated them perefectly. I actually started out really liking DiNozzo but as he became more and more unpleasant, it actually began to put me right off the show altogether. I don't tolerate that behaviour from people in my workplace, why would I enjoy watching it.

I think the gold star example of this trope would have to be Snape, however. I loathe the character to the point of insanity, because I can't stand people in positions of power who treat those under them so badly. One or two teachers like him are the reason I went from a happy, successful student who loved going to school to someone who used to spend Sunday afternoons in tears because she didn't want to go in. It took me years to claw my self esteem back after high school chased it out of me. Why he's the fandom darling, I truly haven't a bloody clue.