MST3K: a lightbulb goes off for the Mike vs Joel debate

I think I finally understand what divides the Mike and Joel factions of Mystery Science Theater 3000

People who lean towards Joel already enjoy "so bad it's good" movies and might have watched the underlying movie anyway. Joel & the bots' jokes are just icing on the cake. These sorts of people think of the MST3K gang as an extension of their own living rooms to laugh and gag with.

People who lean towards Mike wouldn't have watched the underlying movie anyway, but appreciate the mathematical precision of their comedic timing, the artfulness in how they'd turn a phrase, or the way their humor would sometimes have more sophisticated allusions / references in it.