  We investigate the angle-resolved photoelectron spectra from laser-assisted
photoionization for helium and neon atoms using an \textit{ab initio} method
based on time-dependent surface flux and configuration interaction singles. We
find that the shape of the distributions can be interpreted using a propensity
rule, an intrinsic difference in the absorption and emission processes, as well
as interference effects between multiple paths to the final angular momentum
state. In neon we find that the difference between absorption and emission is
hidden in the first sideband due to the multiple competing $m$ channels.
Together, this aids the understanding of the formation of minima in the angular
distributions, which can be transferred to an improved understanding on
photoionization time delays in attosecond science.
