Greatest Sitcom Characters Ever…
Now that the U.S. and Iraqi elections are long behind us, I am taking the opportunity to focus on more important topics. The question posed in this post provides a perfect example:
Who are the greatest sitcom characters of all time?
To answer the question, we need some parameters. I am thinking of the three greatest characters from 1/2 hour sitcoms who could make you laugh, and who could also move you on occasion.
Here is a recent list of the top 50 sitcom characters compiled by a writer at the Jacksonville Times-Union. And awhile back, Bravo came out with their list of the top 100 television characters of all time. Bravo’s list included sitcoms and dramas. They also allowed entire cast ensembles to be make the list as a unit.
We’ll allow no such clutter in this list. If Jerry or George can’t make the list on their own, then they’re out.
I show you mine if you show me yours…
You’ll find a link to a comments section at the end of this post. Make your own picks and defend them if you can.
My Picks:
1. Archie Bunker: This one was easy for me. Archie was the greatest. He was one of the most consistently funny characters on television, he could make you cry, and with the help of some solid writers, he often made America think. The Chair. The cocked head. The exasperation. There has never been anyone close to the Arch. Of course he had the advantage of being on perhaps the greatest sitcom ever featuring one of television’s greatest ensemble casts. Edith Bunker could easily have made this list. It’s interesting to note that the character of Archie probably couldn’t play in today’s post-irony media and social climates. Today’s viewers just wouldn’t get that the joke was often on Archie. They’d take him at face value (and many would like him anyway). If Archie Bunker hit the airwaves today, it would probably be as an anchor for Fox News. Hannity and Bunker.
2. Louie De Palma: His name alone places Louie towards the top of any television list. But he was a lot more than a pretty name. Louie’s first big laugh came in Taxi’s pilot episode at the moment he exited his “cage.” Even though you laughed, you had to feel a bit sorry for the character (and the actor) who was being laughed at in large part because of his appearance. And that feeling – laughing at but empathizing with the often hateable character – is what made Louie so unique and so great. Danny Devito’s perfect comic timing didn’t hurt. Louie’s show (while my personal favorite) was a lot more uneven than Archie’s. But like Archie, Louie shared the stage with a few of TV’s top characters including Latka (once they named him after a potato pancake, how could they lose?) and Jim Ignatowski (the guy who paved the way for Kramer and so many others). And no one from my old Sunday school class would forgive me if I forgot to mention Elaine Nardo (attributes need no explaining). And then there was the guy that places number three on my list…
3. Alex Rieger: I know I will be alone in this pick. But it’s a personal choice, not a global one. In a debate, anyone could easily argue that a host of characters were funnier and more important to television’s history than Alex Rieger. Edith, Mary, Hawkeye, Ralph, Lucy, The Fonz, Carrie Bradshaw, Roseanne and others had a bigger impact on the culture. Who knows, maybe the same can be said for Rerun, Horshack, Kid Dynamite, Fish, George Jefferson, Chico and even The Man. But I just love Alex Rieger. Whenever I’ve moved to a new town where I have no friends, I always flip on the television to find a familiar face (a behavior which I’m pretty sure can be found in any guide to serial killer symptomology). Alex felt like home. If Alex Rieger came out of my television and offered me any advice, I’d probably take it. Try saying that about one of the Friends…
All right, those are my top three. Now let’s see yours. Hit the comments link and fire away.
I’ll provide explanations later when I have enough time:
1. Columbo
2. Oscar Goldman
3. Dr. Johnny Fever
Neither Columbo or Goldman were in 1/2 hour sitcoms.
My picks would be:
1. Ted Baxter—Sure Mary and Mr. Grant were great. But they needed the glue of Ted Baxter, news anchorman to drive the plot in insane directions.
2. Edith Bunker—The obvious choice would be Archie, since he was the star. But without Edith you would never get to the opposing viewpoint, and you’d lose much of the laughter and just get bitter.
3. Hawkeye Pierce—You could have tears in your eyes from week to week from laughing or crying. Such a smart, smart show.
Well, I had to throw away some great characters because of the criteria that they need to be able to touch deeper emotions than just laughter. Lucy Ricardo, George Costanza, and many others will have to be discarded. So, that being said, my top three would be:
Archie Bunker – For all the same reasons as stated above.
Ralph Kramden – In addition to being one of the funniest characters of all time, Ralph was a workingman’s hero; a dreamer who never gave up; always on the lookout for that one great opportunity that would make him rich. He kept driving his bus every day, but never stopped trying to do better, inevitably with hilarious results. A fantastic supporting cast didn’t hurt either.
3. Hawkeye Pierce – I was tempted to list Fred Flintstone here, but since he was really just a cartoon version of Ralph Kramden, I’m going with Hawkeye. I’m not really happy with this pick, because I think the rest of the cast supplied most of the laughs, while Hawkeye supplied the heart.
I just can’t think of any other characters in the class of Archie and Ralph.
Kramer from “Seinfeld.” I know that obvious, but his unbridled enthusiasm for and belief in attaching a screen door on his apartment, making the “bro” (mansierre?) and other projects made you almost believe you can do anything if you set your mind to it.
Les Nessman because who hasn’t ever taped “walls” around their cube as a joke? Les was the earnest loser we’re all afraid of becoming. Well, at least I’m afraid of becoming.
Can I say Hank Hill from “King of the Hill?” I know it’s animated, but the show is firmly rooted in “reality” and is so well written. Hank has a quasi-backward integrity that renders him a the most intolerant open-minded person on TV.
The first is an easy choice for me: Bill McNeal, played by the late, great Phil Hartman, on my favorite sitcom of all time, NewsRadio.
Next up is Sgt. Schulz, on Hogan’s Heroes. He’s the first character I was aware of who had a catch-phrase: “I see nothing!”
Finally, I pick Samantha Stephens, on Bewitched. Elizabeth Montgomery still makes me feel all tingly down there. :-)
1. Vic Ferrari. Latka was a pretty funny sitcom character but Vic Ferrari was something completely different. And you could see how great he was from his pick-up line alone, “I figure a girl like you has heard all of the phony lines in the book…so one more isn’t going to hurt…Walk with me. Talk with me.”
2. Mr. Kotter. The man could run a classroom, asnwer to Mr. Woodman and had the most entertaining group of uncles, aunts and cousins in sit-com history.
3. George Jefferson. The walk said it all. Also, any man who could handle Weesey, Florence and still run a successful dry-cleaning business deserves some respect.
4. Ted Baxter. Lou. Louuuuuuuu. Unbelievable hair, barritone voice and all vanity. If Ted Baxter was an anchor, I’d return to watching the evening news for the first time since 1993.
5. Fish. Enough said.
i offer praise for the hardworkingest in the primetime world: the straight men with their silly streak
1. jerry seinfeld. the fact that he can just stare while kramer wiles out or george spews neuroses speaks for his control while the blank look on his face makes me laugh further, after i’ve laughed at kramer’s 100th buzzing sound or slapstick klutziness. and then he spouts out something so beautiful in its understated irony. god bless him. brilliant writing.
2. cliff huxtable. again, the blank face. the crotchety grace of the paternal straight man. i can’t explain it. if i could, then i’d be making millions on a major network, and if i had to explain it, you’ve never seen the cosby show.
3. there is no third place…
4…. and a half a dozen tie for fourth, and so i give you the two greatest.
—jess from fl
1. Robert Petrie—Ground breaking character. great physical comedian and suberbly written character for the time.
2. George Costanza—Funniest character ever on tv. hating a schlamiel became acceptable.
3. Norm Peterson- NNOOOOOORM! what else need be said?
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1. Suzanne Sugarbaker.
“Designing Women” had an amazing cast of funny, funny women. Delta Burke, though, could be outrageous and hysterical. Her timing was impeccable. She WAS Suzanne Sugarbaker.
2. Murphy Brown.
Can I get a witness? Candice Bergen KILLED as Murphy Brown. Sarcastic? Oh yeah. But she could play a wide range of comedy, too, including slapstick, and could shut you down or make you wet your pants by lifting one eyebrow. Classic.
3. Al Bundy.
Ed O’Neill was a lovable slob who, despite his bitching and moaning, truly loved his family. No heavy preaching like SOME so-called comedy dads (Cliff Huxtable), but a message occasionally came through the crass, crude, often horrible Bundy clan and its leader.
Honorable mention: Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone (Britain’s AbFab duo, played by Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley). England’s modern Lucy and Ethel, with a bit of drugs, sex and booze added to the mix.
Hawkeye Pierce—From laughter to tears… i think he moved more people from laughter to tears.
Archie Bunker – With his dry humor, he was able to bring out the prejudices that the country was facing.
Mork – Robin Williams was amazing. He had you rolling on the floor with laughter while having a lump in your throat. I find Mork to be one of those forgotten wonders out there.
1. Sgt. Yomata from Barney Miller
2. Fred Sanford
3. Jim Ignatowski – Iggy
I should mention that my earlier post should not take anything away from Louie De Palma or Archie Bunker. Those guys are in the Hall of Fame.
Also, I agree that Mork from Ork was rock solid. The only catch is that he jumped the shark before he ever left Happy Days.
Let me add that I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the Big Ragu yet.
Ed O’Neill and Katy Sagal in “Married with Children” were the perfect dysfunctional married couple. I spent many an evening rolling on the floor with laughter, tears spilling out of my eyes, while my wife in the other room was rolling her eyes in disgust… Al and Peg Bundy! There’ll never be another couple like that!
1. Slap Maxwell – Dabney Coleman
2. Archie Bunker
3. Red Foxx
To me, the mark of the greatest comedians is to be able to make you laugh and then, in a moment, reduce you to tears. The very best at that for me:
1. Jackie Gleason
2. Red Skelton
3. Robin Williams (Don’t like him personally)
1. Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Larry just wants to be liked, but can’t quite overcome the character flaws of pettiness and selfishness.
2. George Costanza, “Seinfeld”. Maybe this just counts as one, since George is based on Larry David.
3. Archie Bunker, “All in the Family.” I’ll go with you on this one, Dave.
4. Kent Brockman, “The Simpsons”. A dead-on parody of everything that is wrong and evil in “anything-for-a-rating” corporate news.
—Warren Fwy
WhereTruthLies.com
1. Barney Fife – from “nip it”, to singing to Juanita, to his farewell to Mayberry – he is the king!
2. Chandler Bing – classic late 20th century smart-ass who learned to love & then grew up.
3. Radar O’Reilly – he was probably the most easy to identify with of the MASH gang; think about him reading the telex about Henry’s plane…and he once got “slaked”, too.
1. ERNIE BILKO
2. CHESTER A RILEY
3. NORM PETERSON
My god, did someone just include Chandler in this list? I’m feeling lonely and alienated again…
There are some good suggestions above (with the exception of Chandler – Could he be any more annoying?), but my number one hasn’t yet made the list:
Dr. Robert Hartley. Sure, Bob Newhart has only ever played himself, but that should be enough to secure his place at the top. Funny, compassionate, and smart. The Bob Newhart Show is an example of the best of the sit-com genre.
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1. Daisey
2. Boss Hogg
3. Luke, ‘cause he always drove
1. Mary Richards..because she was every young woman’s role model in the 70s
2. Barbarino..because he wrote history papers about the Irish famine from the point of view of the potato
3. Granny Clampett..because she reminds me of my mother’s family
1. Horseshack.
2. Jo from The Facts of Life.
3. Les Nessman
4. Dr. Johnny Fever.
5. Coach from Cheers.
6. Shirley Feeney.
7. Murphy Brown.
8. Chief Wiggam.
9. Ralphie Wiggam.
10. Dick Newhart.
This is to a name a few—- they are in no particular order.
I’d have to agree that Archie Bunker is probably the most highly regarded blend of comedy, humanity, and social commentary, but I personally have not watched a lot of All in the Family.
I have watched a lot of Cheers and so my favorite of all time would probably be Norm.
There’s a lot of names from the 70’s and early 80’s coming up. Maybe because that is Televisions golden age or becuase we have hindsight in which to see them in all their realized glory. However I’d like to throw out some names more in the “classics to be” category.
Master Shake
Ralph Wiggum
Jimmy James
Dr. Perry Cox
Weezy.
Costanza.
Horschack.
Without a doubt.
Runners up:
Sanford (Redd Foxx).
Archie Bunker.
Danny Partridge.
1. Artie (from the Larry Sanders Show), even though everyone says Hank “Hay Now” was better, I disagree. The man loved him some Ann Margaret.
2. Bill McNeal from NewsRadio. The last two minutes of “The Cane” episode should go in a museum.
3. Benson. ‘Nuff Said.
When considering the greatest characters, I think you have to take into account range and how those characters tapped into the world. I think they had to make you laugh and occasioanlly make you cry.
1.) Cliff Huxtable
The ultimate TV Dad. Wise and funny.
2.) Alex P. Keaton
HIs parents were hippies, he was a republican. But they still loved each other. If you don’t this pick, I ask you, what other republican is so likable?
3.)Lisa Simpson
A Buddhist vegetarian forward thinking girl and future president. A true role model.
Det. Ron Harris (Barney Miller)
Rhoda Morgenstern (MTM)
DJ Johnny Fever (WKRP)
1. Roseanne
2. Dorothy
3. Major Charles Emerson Winchester III
:)
1. George Costanza: He is definitely “master of this domain”!
2. Stewie from “Family Guy”: I know its animated but you can’t beat him.
3. Dan Fielding: “Night Court”
Alright, I have to revise my original list (first post above) after our host pointed out that two out of my three picks violated the show criteria (plus I don’t think Oscar Goldman ever made anyone laugh). Both my lists draw from the 70’s and early 80’s, like many others here (as Disco E noted). I think this was indeed a golden age for TV and American film. I don’t think it’s just hindsight; I think that on average the people making these shows displayed more respect for the audience’s intelligence, imagination and taste than we usually see today.
1. Archie Bunker – I agree with everything that’s been said above.
2. Detective Arthur Dietrich – the best deadpan delivery on a show full of characters with great deadpan deliveries (and an unforgettable opening bassline).
3. Dr. Johnny Fever – again, a great deadpan, and a master of subtle comedy (I know it might sound weird, but check out an episode of WKRP and see for yourself).
Archie
Louie
Hawkeye
in that order
I think, first of all, there should be criteria for choosing these characters. First, if that character was NOT on that show would you still watch it. For example, take away any one of the seinfeld characters (I think) and I would still probably watch it. Granted, it wouldn’t be as funny, but still it would be worth it and a worthy show. Remove Archie Bunker, Hawkeye, or PHil Hartman (a perfect example, the show collapsed after he unfortunately died)and the show is nothing. The other criteria, the ability to make us look at ourselves, look at humanity and most of all make us think (if you can find a sitcom in this bible thumping, FCC domineering USA then I haven’t seen it). And I highly doubt we’ll see it again. The golden age of TV is over, my friends, and with it went creativity.
Maynard G. Krebbs
Homer Simpson
Reverend Jim
I listed Maynard first because in those repressive times he was the only reference in the public media to the Beat Generation and the collection of characters drawn from the real Neal Cassidy (like PJ Moriarty). Dobie Gillis represented the confused deluded future we were being sold. Maynard offered some realistic sense and hope.
Homer Simpson is the messiah of our Corrupt self destructive present.
It’s really a tie between Reverend Jim, Detective Arthur Dietrich and Howard Borden as the supporting funny guy for the straightmen Alex, Barney and Bob Newhart.
1.How about BOB NEWHART from the Bob Newhart show..
2.I agree with ARCHIE BUNKER watched every week with my father when I was a kid.
3. tie for third REDD FOX “Elizabeth I’m coming to join you” and LUCILLE BALL what a talent!!
my choices:
1. Cl. Potter—MASH leader
2. Dr. Johnny Fever—WKRP
3. TIE—Father Mulcahey—MASH or
Les Nessman—WKRP
I dunno. If somebody wants to pick Chandler, I think that’s as legitimate as any other pick. It’s all subjective after all. And while I’m sure we’re all way too hip and smart and cool to think Friends was any good, clearly there was the odd person who felt it might have had as much to say about life in the 90’s as some of the old sitcoms from back in the days of gas-fired TVs. Let’s not fire from our hip(ness).
That said, my picks would be:
1. Basil Fawlty – still the benchmark for outrageous rudeness and lovable, cringeworthy loserhood.
2. Archie Bunker – there’s a reason why icons become icons.
3. David Brent (!) – If you haven’t seen “The Office”, you might be as baffled by this choice as you were when that BBC sitcom and Ricky Gervais (who plays Brent) won Golden Globes over all the best-known American shows and actors. If you love sitcoms, it’s as cripplingly funny as any sitcom ever in the history of television. I’m dreading the soon-to-be piloted American take on it. But who knows? “All in the Family” wasn’t a bad rip-off of a British series, so maybe this one will come close.
1. Moe Szyslak – Simpsons
2. Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane – Dukes
3. The Balladeer (Waylon Jennings) – Dukes – a different twist, but was a defining character none the less.
1. Hawkeye Pierce
2. Arthur ‘Fonzie’ Fonzarelli
3. Al Bundy
Honorable Mention: Norm Peterson, Archie Bunker, Homer Simpson and Ralph Kramden
1. George Costanza
2. George Jefferson
3. Dr. Chris Turk (Scrubs)
Honorable Mentions: Kosmo Kramer, Carlton Banks, Samantha Stevens, Fred G Sanford.
Top 3 are
1. Sam Malone
2. Arthur Fonzarelli
3. Niles Crane
But let’s have some love for Marie Barone (who to me has supplanted George Costanza as the most reliably detestable sitcom character ever) and Montgomery Burns.
1. Doctor Perry Cox – Scrubs. [Clearly one of the most underrated characters on TV.]
2. Jack McFarlane – Will & Grace [Yeah, it’s an obvious one, but hot damn that boy never fails to produce.]
3. Any members of the cast of ‘Arrested Development’ – most notably Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter, and Michael Cera.
Okay, okay, so they’re all recent picks. What did you expect from a 21 year old? A Danny Tanner reference? [shudder]
For their ability to reflect the ethos of their times without taking themselves too seriously-
1. Archie Bunker
2. Hawkeye Pierce
3. Maynard G. Krebs
and the Women’s candidates
1. Edith Bunker
2. Rhoda Morgenstern
3. Zelda from Dobie Gillis
(really portrayed the confusion, conflict and absurdity in women’s roles during the late 50s- bobby soxer or beat)
Kosmo Kramer – the best second banana since Ed Norton.
Reverend Jim Ignotowski – the best second banana since Ed Norton.
Alice Kramden – The best dead pan second banana ever.
Good comics are good. Great comics have outstanding supporting casts.
I’d have to go with
1. Fred Sanford: “Shut Up, dummy.”
2. Herman Munster: his physical comedy was classic.
3. Cosmo Kramer: Who can ever forget those wacky entrances or just his oddball take on the insignificant everyday things in life.
Hawkeye Pierce through the first f seasons…this is a show that would be canned immediately today because Americans are not allowed to have an ironic or subversive attitude about the military…Hawkeye used comedy for the higher purpose of social satire.
Roseanne: because she undermined the whole notion of a sit com and at the same time used all of its conventions to her own deveices. The show gave a voice to the invisible working lower middle class…again humor and social satire.
Frank from Frank’s Place…the most underrated show in television history. The show is almost not a sit com because of its serious aspects…brilliant…
1. Kramer
2. Fred Sanford
3. Homer
My favorite that has not been mentioned yet: Dan Rydell from “Sports Night.” (I watch it on DVD to feel better about humanity.) It’s a great cast, but Danny was the heart of that show, I think.
Basil Fawlty, Norman Stanley Fletcher and Edmund Blackadder; the best of the moderns is Bernard Black. The best supporting character would be Brian from Spaced.
John Lithgow as Dick on Third Rock from the Sun. He’s the most funny, versatile and outrageous. The cast was a great ensemble, for the most part.
Jason Alexander as George Constanza. I know this is two modern shows in a row, but George Costanza lives out the loser in all of us, much to our relief.
Corporal Agarn on F-Troop (don’t know the actor’s name). Forgot about that one, didn’t you. He, Don Knotts (Barney Fife) and Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker) physically inhabited their characters better than anyone.
It’s hard to pick out single characters when it comes to sitcoms, which are so ensemble-based. The sum of the whole, thing, y’know?
Stewie Griffin (“Family Guy”)
Homer Simpson (“The Simpsons”)
Dave Barry (“Dave’s World”)
Ray Barrone (“Everybody Loves Raymond”)
1. Homer Simpson…far and away the greatest sitcom character ever, he has it all…All other characters pale by comparison…The man ate his own head for crying out loud, lets see Hawkeye do that.
2. Archie Bunker…Caroll O’Connor played this guy with genius.
3. George Costanza…nuff said
I thought I was going out on a limb with a couple of my picks but found after reading through the responses that others agreed with my out side the box picks.
Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dick) had a way with the camera. His physical comedy along with the way he changed your focus when he entered the room definitely calls for a top three finish. Stewie Grifith (The Family Guy) always plotting some scheme. We all now a person like this but very rarely are they infants. Phil Hartman (News Radio) takes the cake in my oppinion. His whit and timing was knee slapping but there were times he showed a warmth and compation (even if it was self serving).
There are so many to pick from, we really need to define some criteria.
In my view, there are three of types of sitcom characters: the central characters, the supporting characters and the outliers.
The core characters define the heart and soul of the show, they are why we turn the show on every week. If they aren’t in the episode, there is no show at all. They are recognizable by first name alone. Examples: Ralph (and Alice), Lucy, Archie, Mary, Homer, Mork (well he only had one name I think), et al.
The supporting characters come and go, making the show work. They are the glue, what makes the core characters work. Examples Ed Norton, Ricky Ricardo, Marge, and so on. The supporting characters make the show work to, and when they aren’t there, you notice but the show can usually go on.
The outliers are the totally wacky characters that add spice to the cast, and drive plot lines for a week at a time. As funny as they can be, if the character isn’t in the show, it’s just not their turn this week. Examples include Granny Clampett, the Howells, Ted Baxter, and so on.
When an outlier hits it really big, they get their own show, which sometimes can catapult them into core territory. (And note that supporting characters usually can’t get their own shows because the show can’t affort to spin them off.) Barney Fyfe, Lou Grant, Laverne and Shirley, and a long list of others all started on one show to go on to their own core roles.
As much as an outlier can be an outrageous character, they really can’t be said to drive the show. (In ensemble shows, like WKRP, MASH, Barney Miller, Taxi, etc., there is a perhaps a bit of gray area between core and peripheral characters.)
Now, as far as the greatest of all time, it seems that our candidates must be truly core characters. So, Granny Clampett, Lurch, the Soup Nazi, et al, were great characters (supporting or peripheral), but you can’t say that they drove the show every week. Such characters have dedicated fan clubs, especially if they were really outrageous.
More than being a core character, the greatest ones need to have expanded or defined the territory in a radical way. While Fred Flintstone was a great character, he was really just Ralph Kramden in a tiger skin. By “the territory” I mean not only the show itself, but the medium: they not only drove the show, but made new options available to those who followed. (In science and the arts, fundamental changes are made by a few pioneers (Newton, Einstein, Beethoven), and their successors fill in the missing territory afterward. I believe this was Thomas Kuhn’s thesis… but I digress)
So, to my list:
1. Ralph and Alice Kramden. I cannot separate the two – they worked as a unit, (along with Ed Norton and Trixie) created the original TV model for family sitcoms for generations, down to Homer and Marge. They started as a kind of vaudeville act, but really they defined the entire TV sitcom medium.
2. Lucy Ricardo. The earliest shows defined the television slapstick medium. While Lucy in 60’s color was often embarrassing, it does not reduce her original achievement. Not only did Lucy bring slapstick from radio and movies into the TV era, she also became a major player in television through the 50s and 60s.
3. Archie and Edith Bunker. Same deal as Ralph and Alice – they are an integrated unit. By 1970, the family situation comedy had become tired and was nearly dead. All in the Family transformed the family sitcom medium from wholesome to subversive, from playing it safe to playing with fire. While some tried to parody the wholesomeness shtick before (Gomez and Morticia), these shows remained somewhat bland. Archie and Edith enabled many dysfunctional families, not just the immediate imitators, but also the Bundys and the Simpsons.
4. Mary Richards. One of the early ensemble cast shows, MTM defined the professional and friends model for sitcom. While Dick van Dyke and some others pointed the way (and Mary was Laura first, after all), MTM brought together great core team, great ensemble, great writing and great consistency. MTM enabled shows like Newhart (a favorite of mine, but not the groundbreaker), Taxi, WKRP, Barney Miller, and to a degree Seinfeld, Friends, Sex in the City etc.. Like Lucille Ball, MTM also became a major factor in the business as well.
So, my list is weighted toward the early days, but I think to be called great, you need to see the influence that a show has had.
Probably need to add a fifth,
5. Theodore (the Beaver) Cleaver. Again, Beav was not the first, but he brought the child’s view of things in a sitcom world to early perfection. He enabled Opie, to the Bradies to the Bundys to Bart. He was a sweet kid, and not the butt of jokes but still very funny.
I thought of adding Patty/Cathy Duke (leading to My Three Sons, Family Ties, etc. etc.) but I really need to stop somewhere.
I like this discussion thread. Nothing so great as listing pop culture icons. By my unofficial count I think Archie is still in the lead alhouth Hawkeye has come on strong.
I’m glad to see a few people have backed me up with the Scrubs picks and noted Perry Cox and Chris Turk.
I’m also glad to see someone pick Dan Rydell from Sports Night. To keep in mind Dave’s cirteria of blending the humanity and comedy or finding the humanity in comedy, I think no show did it as well as Sports Night. Honestly the only reason I did not include someone from Sports Night was I couldn’t the characters full names.
There were a few Bill McNeils in there as well but no one thinks Jimmy James. Hmmm…
I think to work with what Dean was saying about the core characters I must acknowledge that I have chosen more supporting or outlier characters for my last. Ralph Wiggum truly is more of a gimmick than a character. All the Aqua Teen Charactes are gimmicks. All of Family Guy is a gimmick (for you fans of the show I don’t mean that disparagingly. I don’t think it was ever Seth Green’s intention to create a show dealing with the issues of humanity, but rather give us funny and loosely related incidences.) So with that in mind
I will revise my list (again modern as I am not that familiar with the 70’s TV)
1) Dan Rydell – Gotta agree with Ken. He was the best at a show that was the best.
2) Dr. Perry Cox – On another show that does a great job at being funny yet empathic to our emotional life he is the funniest and has the best shtick.
3)Micheal Bluth – he is the lone “human character” on a show full of funny gimmick characters
4)Ross Gellar – I know you can’t pick from Friends but thanks to Nils I now have the courage to say I watched and enjoyed the show. I also didn’t like the way NBC overhyped it particularly at its end, but there was so much in Ross that I identified with. The nerd pining for the beautiful girl. Personal favorite really.
Some others that were mentioned that I thought people did a good job in bringing up
Beaver Cleaver – a classic
Maynard Krebs – another classic
Blackadder – way to pick outside the mainstream
Lisa Simpson – probably the most heartful of the Simpsons and that’s why least featured
Lots of Stewie picks. I’ve always like Brian better.
Forgot one.
Hyde from That 70’s Show
I would definitely say..
homer (he is the universal inside joke)
kitty foreman (that 70s show)
Karen (from Will & Grace. The most cynical character on sitcoms.)
1. Barney Fife
2. Mr. Peepers
3. Felix Unger
It’s interesting when you extend the debate – ujsing the same parameters – to shows instead of just characters. For example, I don’t think any individual character from Good Times qualifies for this list. On the other hand, I do think the show was one of the top five ever.
Holy crapola on a hockey stick. 65 comments and no love for Mr. Carlin from the Bob Newhart Show? It’s enough to make a guy need therapy.
Murphy Brown – brilliant in her sarcasm
Julia on Designing Women – great lines and great timing and delivery
Marie on Everyone Loves Raymond – love her, hate her…she’s a classic
Lots of great characters listed here. But I’d add my support to the few who have said,
Rob & Laura Petrie
Lucie Ricardo
Oops.
Lucy
Archie seems to be a popular choice. I’m sorry to say that I have never watched All in the Family. Here’s my picks. I’m sure a lot of you will disagree with me on the last one.
1. Hawkeye
2. Bill McNeil
3. Xander Harris
1. Felix Unger – a fantastically drawn character, brilliantly acted. How come he isn’t frequently mentioned?
2. Archie Bunker – well covered already
3. Lou Grant – Mary was the heart of the show, and a wonderful ensemble, but Lou dominated every scene he was in.
after reading all the posts, i will add 3 more….not so much main characters, but the reason i would put down my book and actually watch the dad-gummed tv programs….
1. oscar’s secretary(played by penny marshall) on the odd couple
2. vera on “alice”—some shows have only a heart she was this ones…
3. charlene from designing women—a taller much prettier version, but still would ask the questions and say the things i would (and do say)...
1. Archie Bunker
What can I say, he made us not only think, but laugh and think again.
2. Fred Sanford
The other side.
3. Al Bundy
Salt of the earth, a working mans working man.
Here’s a second for Jimmy James from Newsradio. Lord, how I miss that show.
1. Frasier Crane: At the center of an amazing ensemble, Frasier elevated daily life to farcical levels. The combination of his uber-ego and passion for Freudian psychology and the arts makes him the perfect comic tool.
2. Homer Simpson: Is there a better spokesperson for a scathing social satire? (Well, maybe Archie Bunker!) Like Archie, he just doesn’t get what all the fuss is about. But we do and it’s frighteningly hilarious. (It’s no wonder Conan O’Brien evolved as a writer from this show.)
3. George Costanza: I think Costanza held this show together in much the same way other tv “fools” do. He’s bald, politically incorrect, tempermental, scheming, and once tried to “work” under his desk.
I’ll probably add three women later, despite what your instructions requested.
1. Mr. ED
2. homer simpson
3. ALF
1.Hawkeye Pierce
2.Al Bundy
3.Barney Fife
When I read Dave’s list, I felt I couldn’t disagree with Archie & Louie. But I felt Dave was probably the only person in America who would choose Alex Rieger. So far, the comments I’ve read support my initial reaction. So many great names thrown out. I completely support Rob Petrie, Edith Bunker, Ralph Kramden, Alex Keaton, Ed Norton, Ted Baxter, Lou Grant, Dr. Perry Cox, Lucy, Basil Fawlty & Felix Unger. More needs to be said about Reverend Jim, Latka, & Horseshak. They didn’t necessarily move you, but watching these shows in my teens & early twentys, I just remember laughing as soon as these characters opened their mouths. Mork stands on his own, because “Mork & Mindy” was really a weak, sappy show. But Robin Williams carried it on his back & made it successful. As soon as he was out of a scene, the show was horrible. As long as he on the screen, the show was funny. It wasn’t the writing. Jason Alexander was given great material to work with. Robin Williams created the comedy with his talent.
That being said, there was only one casual reference to my favorite sitcom of all time, “Soap.” And my favorite character of all time, Burt. Doesn’t anyone remember Burt from Soap? Making himself invisible? Classic stuff.
Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm. Self-Absorbed and hilarious.
Rachael: Jennifer Aniston is so hot I don’t care what she says.
Frank Costanza: Seinfeld character of characters.
1. Basil Fawlty (Fawlty Towers). The ne plus ultra of sitcom characters. The violence, the pathos, the wit, the madness…
2. Father Jack (Father Ted). Feck! Drenk! Gerls!
3. The crazed artist in the cellar in Spaced. Sorry, don’t remember the character’s name.
avorite comedic characters of all time? My list:
10-Lowell the aircraft mechanic on the show Wings. AND Mr. Church recently has proven that he CAN act. It is also difficult to not mention Tony Shaloub who played the taxi driver on the same show.
9-Steve Urkel on Family Ties. The character was introduced as a secondary character and was developed into the central point of the series. Thereby extending the life of a rather run of the mill show.
8-Rev. Jim Ignatowski on Taxi. Also a secondary character that has proven himself more than a character actor. Christopher Lloyd has played the bad guy to the Lone Ranger, a Klingon and Dr. Emmett Brown on the Back to the Future trilogy.
7-Kramer on Seinfeld. A looser with indomitable will that you can’t wait to see how he will fail. He always had a new idea or angle.
6-Larry, his brother Darryl and his other brother Darryl on Newhart. Yes I know they are three characters but two of them never spoke.
5- Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. The prototype of the loveable neurotic played intelligently by a man capable of acting if they had ever given him a chance.
4-Norm Peterson on Cheers. Not every bar fly is this witty and urbane. Trust me.
3-Chandler Bing on Friends. Yes he had his hang-ups and he still was able to get a girl out of his league all while wise cracking his way into America’s Thursday night consciousness.
2- Dr. Niles Crane on Frasier. Shear genius to take sibling rivalry and a mountain of neuroses and combine with energy to turn them into something so entertaining.
1-The entire cast of The Barney Miller Show. Okay, I know, this is not a single character, but it would be a disservice to separate this herd. An actual three dimensional geometry of interpersonal relationships. BESIDES-if you accepted Larry-Darryl-Darryl you can accept this too.
No one mentioned my favorite…
Dharma from Dharma & Greg
I also like:
Raymond from Everybody Loves Raymond
Tim “The Toolman” Taylor
Niles Crane
The Janitor on Scrubs
Evelyn from 2 1/2 Men
I had forgotten Felix Unger – he was a masterful and lasting creation. I like Adrian Monk today, but he is a pale copy of Felix. Strictly speaking though, he and Oscar were created on stage, then a movie, before the sitcom, but I agree he belongs on the list.
Homer Simpson absolutely deserves to be on the list… While Al Bundy (along with Kramer & many others) was just a loser we loved, Homer is truly everyman: part Ralph Kramden, part HC Earwicker/Ignatius Reilly. A dolt, a slobbering bundle of human failings, but still reaching for genius.
I forgot about Soap – Richard Mulligan was great. And wasn’t Jodie Dallas the first gay character on TV? Not sure. In these “Queer Eye” times, it seems so humdrum, but in 1978 it was a shock to the system.
Okay, I may be too young to have a good historical perspectiv on some of the classics, only a few of which I watched in reruns years later, but I gotta weigh in.
1. Cosmo Kramer -Laugh out loud funny all the time.
2. Basil Faulty
3. Maxwell Smart – I know it was a dumb show, but I loved it as a kid in the 80s when it seemed so 60s.
1. Raymond Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
2. Norm Peterson (Cheers)
3. Adrian Monk (I know, it’s not strictly a half-hour sitcom.)
Jimmy James
Latka Gravas
Arthur Dietrich