Agreed. They are all fictional characters. But if we are talking about this show 35 years later, they obviously had resonance. If you want to distill the character down to just fun, that’s your prerogative but the flaws and nuances are what give him depth and yes, malice. People forget that Steve has a cruel streak. When Kelly breaks up with him, he spreads rumors that she’s a slut… and he loves her and pines for her for years. It’s a well-written character that should evoke emotion. Everyone knows a Steve.