# In this TV show, you can bet most peoples' favorite character is probably.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 26, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103 "2016-11-26T23:16:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/1 "2016-11-26T23:16:54Z")
When you think of a specific TV show, who is the character you think that the majority would say is their favorite? _ **Not** who YOUR favorite character is_, but the one you’d predict most viewers of that show would say theirs is. For some shows (actually, I’d say most), this is easy. How I Met Your Mother? Barney. Arrow? Diggle. Seinfeld? Kramer. Weeds? Doug. See how easy this is? I could go on and on all day. Hell, I just watched FIFTEEN MINUTES of a new show the other day–I started Leverage–and I ALREADY could tell “Parker. I bet you that this Parker girl is the one people like the most.” This was immediately after being introduced to her. Of course it’s not always going to be these characters for everyone. I’m betting tons may be reading this and tempted to say “No, my favorite character How I Met Your Mother is Marshall, actually.” But if we were to poll, say, ALL of the viewing audience for these shows, I bet you Barney is the one that wins. What other shows could you speak with a fair amount of surety what the favorite character of most is? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/2 "2016-11-26T23:23:34Z")
Friends? Chandler. Big Bang Theory? Sheldon. Pitch? Mike Lawson. Or Ginny. But probably Mike. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/3 "2016-11-27T00:11:19Z")
_Gilligan’s Island_: Mary Ann Well, at least in the eternal question of Ginger or Mary Ann. 😃 _Star Trek_: Spock _Star Trek: TNG_: Data (trend here…) Some ensemble shows are hard. I defy anyone to say that any one character was the best loved from _Hill Street Blues_. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/4 "2016-11-27T06:18:39Z")
Yeah, some shows are a little harder. Scrubs? I’d say Dr Cox, although I can see the Janitor as being it. Or That 70s Show. I can see either Red, Fez, or Hyde being it. In Breaking Bad, I’d guess Saul to be it…or Mike. But then you take a show like Dexter and it’s easy: Migel. Or Lost? Locke. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/5 "2016-11-27T07:21:35Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > . . . I defy anyone to say that any one character was the best loved from _Hill Street Blues_. I’d guess Sergeant Phil Esterhaus. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/6 "2016-11-27T07:23:07Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Some ensemble shows are hard. I defy anyone to say that any one character was the best loved from _Hill Street Blues_. Howard Hunter, hands down! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/7 "2016-11-27T07:24:28Z")
Jethro on _ **The Beverly Hillbillies** _. Followed by Milburn Drysdale. Ted Baxter on _ **Mary Tyler Moore** _. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/8 "2016-11-27T07:31:43Z")
_One Day at a Time_ = Barbara _Law & Order_ = Briscoe (even for the episodes he wasn’t in) _Masterpiece Theater_ = Alastair Cooke (the show never recovered after he retired) _Sesame Street_, old school = Kermit; new school = Elmo ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/9 "2016-11-27T07:38:34Z")
I would assume Felicity and George for _Arrow_ and _Seinfeld._ _Parks and Recreation:_ Ron ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/10 "2016-11-27T07:53:37Z")
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Tommy. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Sisko. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/11 "2016-11-27T10:51:43Z")
Happy Days? AAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!! Laverne & Shirley? Lenny and Squiggy Good Times? JJ Taxi? Ladka Sanford and Son? Secretly Arnt Esther because she was the foil for Fred’s best insults Brady Bunch? Alice What’s Happening? Rerun ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/12 "2016-11-27T12:45:33Z")
> [@ioioio](#): > > I’d guess Sergeant Phil Esterhaus. You obviously meant Sergeant Mick Belker. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/13 "2016-11-27T14:35:43Z")
Does anyone prefer Ginger over Mary Ann? Even Lovey gets more votes than the movie star. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/14 "2016-11-27T16:07:54Z")
NCIS - Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with Abby a close second ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/15 "2016-11-27T18:24:46Z")
_Family Matters?_ Urkel. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/16 "2016-11-27T19:02:12Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > _Family Matters?_ Urkel. I’ve never seen a single episode of _Family Matters_, as far as I know it was never broadcast in the UK and I haven’y been inclined to seek it out, but virtually the ning I know about it is that everybody _hates_ Urkle, right? This would be like suggesting Scrappy Doo has the most loved Scooby Doo character. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/17 "2016-11-27T19:22:07Z")
Buffy: Spike? I think most people would pick Spike. I’m not totally sure. Lost: Hurley. There is an episode called “Everybody Hates Hugo”, but honestly, fans love him. Not Locke I think. Supernatural: Castiel. He steals the show from the leads in some ways. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/18 "2016-11-27T19:32:01Z")
I was thinking Spike for Buffy too. You know what? You’re totally right about it being Hurley for Lost. I completely forgot about him. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/19 "2016-11-27T19:32:58Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > I’ve never seen a single episode of _Family Matters_, as far as I know it was never broadcast in the UK and I haven’y been inclined to seek it out, but virtually the ning I know about it is that everybody _hates_ Urkle, right? > > This would be like suggesting Scrappy Doo has the most loved Scooby Doo character. Nah, people either love him or hate him. Most tend to love him, thus why he went from being a one or two time character to being the main character. ---
**Author:** ![Merejane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Merejane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merejane)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103/20 "2016-11-27T21:08:54Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > In Breaking Bad, I’d guess Saul to be it…or Mike. Those are good choices, but I would say Jesse. Although maybe that’s because he’s _my_ favorite character. (I realize that’s not what you’re asking, but it’s really difficult to filter that out, at least for this show, for me.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-tv-show-you-can-bet-most-peoples-favorite-character-is-probably/773103.md?page=2)