So here’s what happened: Slither director (and Jenna "Pam from The Office" Fischer husband) James Gunn wrote a list of his 25 favorite TV characters ever. (Yes, Pam was on it.) Now, Gunn is on the radar of Joss Whedon fans because he cast good old Nathan Fillion (Capt. Malcolm Reynolds of Firefly and Serenity) in Slither. So naturally, they took note of the list… and were shocked to find Captain Mal scandalously omitted.
This kicked up some dust on Whedonesque, and eventually resulted in Joss himself lightheartedly weighing in with a rival list. (He wisely disqualifies his own shows from consideration, but oddly includes General Hospital’s Anna Devane, played by Finola Hughes, pictured.) And from there? A full-fledged outbreak of list-eria.
I’d like to note that The Wire’s Stringer Bell (Idris Elba) does not appear on either list. (Though Gunn gets my love for including Omar Little (Michael K. Williams), hands down the most magnetic black gay gangsta gunslinger privateer on TV ever.)
I’d also like to start a rival list. (Because I’m a scamp that way, and I hope to spark a bloody Internet civil war, then loot the dead avatars of their e-jewels.) I’ll get things going, and y’all keep ‘em going:
1. Stringer frickin’ Bell, obviously.
2. Yeah, Spike. Gotta give it up for James Marsters’ Spike. (And not to get in a Buffy rut, but I’d have to agree with the Whedon posters who’d vote for Harry Groener’s Mayor Wilkins.)
3. Kyle Secor’s quietly ambiguous Tim Bayliss on Homicide
4. Brisco County, Jr. (Bruce Campbell) You try saving the old west from aliens sometime.
5. Data. Next Generation. Forget the movies. Remember ol’ Yellow Eyes as he was in his prime.
6. I’d argue Johnny Carson, for the role of Johnny Carson.
Okay, that’s six. Who hates me so far?
Keep it going: Who’s on your list of the 25 best TV characters of all time?
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Vinnie Terranova from “Wiseguy” and Kyle Chandler’s Jeff from “Homefront”
Eric Cartman from Southpark is the best character on television. He consistently offers many laugh out loud moments which are rare on tv today.
It’s awesome that you included Stringer on your list. I loved how he incorporated his business school know-how into running the drug gang.
I’d add just about everyone from Arrested Development, because it’s one of the best ensemble casts ever.
Lastly, Bill from Freaks and Geeks is simply priceless.
OK- I love Stringer Bell! I mean who doesn’t want an educated thug on your team. So lotsa votes for him. And my two favorite female heroines Olivia Benson from L&O SVU and Veronica Mars, of course.
Maryann Thorpe from Cybill! Christine Baranski has so much sass and I love her
I would have to go with (in no particular order)…
Homer from the Simpsons
1) Loreali from the Gilmore Girls
2) Stringer Bell from the Wire
3) Starbuck from Battlestar Gallactica
4) Willow from Buffy and the Vampire Slayer
5) Elaine from Seinfeld
6) Coach from Cheers
7) Gob from Arrested Development
9) Bender from Futurama
10) Jayne from Serenity
11) Data from Star Trek the Next Generation
12) Carmella from the Sopranos
T.R. Knight’s George O’Malley on “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Dule Hill’s Charlie on “The West Wing.”
LOVE the references to Arrested Development, Veronica Mars, and Freaks and Geeks!
I am so happy with the inclusion of Anna Devane and the fact that she was the one selected to headline this article. She is hands down the best soap opera character ever (and that includes Erica Kane)!
Karen Walker (from Will and Grace) is hands down the best sitcom character ever created. No contest.
1) Gareth Keenan
2) Lucille Bluth
3) George Costanza
4) Angelica Deveraux
5) Audrey Horne
Vincent from “Beauty and the Beast”
Claire and David from “Six Feet Under”
Carmela Soprano “Sopranos”
Most of the cast from “Freaks and Geeks”, but will give extra praise for Bill, Sam Weir, and Nick.
Alex Keaton in “Family Ties”
Most of “Arrested Development”, but Gob ranks the highest in creepy factor
David Brent in “The Office” (BBC)
Jim in “The Office (American)
Willow on “Buffy” or Spike!
Mattie and David on “Moonlighting”
Sam on “Cheers”
Lisa on “Simpsons”
Bender on “Futurama”
Several of the “Degrassi” characters…but particularly Craig, Paige, and Ashley. And Joey Jermiah and Caitlin from the old episodes!
Punky from “Punky Brewster”
I can’t believe that we all forgot about Agent Dale Cooper from “Twin Peaks”!!! Gasp!!!
So neither of them mentioned Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell)? WTF? Ok, so Joss Wheadon (possibly my favorite person-i’ve-never-met of all time) did include Logan from VM, and he is definately my favorite supporting character, and is totall amazing in every way, but still, without Veronia herself, what have you got? She’s inherited the Buffy mantle for self-sufficient, quipy, pro-active teen TV blondes, and I for one, couldn’t imagine a favorite television-anything list with out her!
Zach Morris. Nuff said.
Why isn’t Emma Peel from the Avengers on any list? I know the Avengers reruns are running on a semiregular basis on BBCAmerica, but it’s worth checking the combination of beauty, brains and leather fighting gear.
Lucille Bluth
Lenny Briscoe
Jack Bristow
Dana Scully
Still on the air:
Dr. Melinda Warner – “Law and Order: SVU”
Dr. Miranda Bailey – “Grey’s Anatomy”
Off the Air (they don’t make ‘em like they used to):
Edina Monsoon – “Absolutely Fabulous”
Karen Walker – “Will & Grace”
Paco Ortiz – “Nurses”
Bradley Grist – “The Powers That Be”
Fallon Carrington – “Dynasty”
Peyton Massick – “Savannah”
Tobias Fünke – “Arrested Development”
Principal Blackman – “Strangers With Candy”
Chelsea – “Significant Others”
Dianna Brock – “Central Park West”
(thank you imdb.com for helping with some names)
Excluding all things Whedon, I can think of one character that should make *somebody’s* list -
Daisy, from Dead Like Me (In fact, that entire cast was amazing)
Bayliss?!?!? OMFG he was the absolute worst thing about that show.
1. Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson SG1)
2. Sam Tyler (Jon Simm – Life on Mars)
3. Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary – Rescue Me)
4. Sayid Jarrah (Naveen Andrews – Lost)
5. All the great guest stars on Wiseguy;
Sonny Steelgrave – Ray Sharkey
Mel Profit – Kevin Spacey
Suzie Profit – Joan Severance
Roger Lococo – William Russ
It was these guys that made Wiseguy a great show which was killed by the horrible Ken Wahl and his drug addictions.
Mr. Bean
Stuart
Stewie Griffin
Peter Griffin
Chicken Lady
Norm MacDonald as Burt Reynolds (SNL Jeopardy parody)
Reverend Jim
Jake and Elwood Blues
Dave Nelson
Bill McNeal
Eddie Murphy as Gumby
How about some love for Sydney Bristow and Al Swearengen??
Can’t believe nobody’s mentioned WKRP, probably the best ensemble ever. My favourite was Venus Flytrap (aka Gordon Simms).
http://ktbuffy.blogspot.com/2006/08/lists-lists-lists-lists.html
I got 15! My top five:
Xander
Keith Mars
Eddie van Blundht from X-Files
Lorelei
and the chick from Wonderfalls
Angela Chase anyone?
Dr. Christian Freaking Troy on Nip/Tuck. So despicable! Gotta love him!
Dan:
You are so right. Jennifer had the best one liners on the show. Plus,the flying frozen turkey episode was hilarious!
LOVE LOVE LOVE Tim Bayliss!
Actually that entire cast (with the exeception of any new cast member after Mike Kellerman) was phenomenal.
1. Valerie Cherish
2. Karen Walker
3. Miranda Hobbs
4. Carrie Bradshaw
5. Samantha Jones
6. Charlette York McDogal Goldenblatt
7. Lucille Ball
8. Lexi Featherton (SATC Season 6 Part II Splat)
9. Amalita (SATC Season 1)
10.WOnder Woman
I was ecstatic to see Brisco County, Jr played by the wonderful Bruce Campbell on the list. I loved that show and I love him; he’s so funny. One of those great shows that FOX cancelled too early to give it a chance.
Also, Norm and Cliff from Cheers. I know that’s two characters but they went together, know what I mean?
the education and evolution (and eventual unravelling) of tim bayliss was the crux of homicide. and i agree that the entire cast, excluding any new character after kellerman (well, the ME played by austin pendleton near the end was a welcome surprise), was the greatest cast ever on television. period. point. end of discussion.