# The Greatest Character in Sitcom History **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 7, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821 "2009-02-07T18:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/121 "2009-02-11T23:07:29Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > I’m going with Larry David/_Curb Your Enthusiasm_. Say what??? ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/122 "2009-02-11T23:27:53Z")
For my definition of “greatest” I am going to insist that the character transcend both geopolitical boundaries and eras. Therefore, my nomination for greatest character in sitcom history would have to be Basil Fawlty or Homer Simpson. The only reason I do not nominate **Mr. Bean** is that his show isn’t properly a sitcom. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/123 "2009-02-11T23:30:47Z")
Archie Bunker Niles Crane (Frasier was good, but Niles was funnier) Hawkeye Pierce Jim Ignatowski ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/124 "2009-02-11T23:31:46Z")
I vote Gilligan/Maynard G. Krebs.😃 ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/125 "2009-02-12T01:18:54Z")
I believe I got most (if not all) of the characters listed here. If someone wants to organize a tournament. I’m not familiar with a few of the shows but I tried to get every name. Archie Bunker Frazier Crane Homer Simpson Lucy Ricardo Bob Hartley Hawkeye Pierce. Cosmo Kramer Louie De Palma. Eric Cartman. Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, Harold & Albert Steptoe Basil Fawlty Dick Loudon. Les Nessman Jim Ignatowski Dr. Zoidberg Glenn Quagmire Dr. Perry Cox Barney P. Fife Frasier Crane Liz Lemon Maynard G. Krebs Eddie Haskell Mary Tyler Richards Laura Petrie Jerry Seinfeld Darryl and Darryl Arthur Fonzarelli Sue Ann Nivens Niles Crane George Constanza Dwight Schrute David Brent Edmund Black Adder Jackie Harris Rhoda Morgenstern Edith Bunker. Ralph Kramden Fred Sanford Dick Solomon Sophia Petrillo Bill McNeal Alf Garnett, Jack Tripper George Jefferson Maxwell Smart Sgt Bilko Norm Petersen Cliff Clavin. Frink. Moyven. Jack Benny. Frank Barone Marie Barone Dan Conner Cliff Huxtable Sir Humphrey Appleby Gob Bluth Nora Batty Colonel Flagg Homer Simpson Ned Flanders Quagmire Nelson Felix Unger Dr. Perry Cox Al Bundy Dwight Shrute Maude Findley Chef Leopold “Butters” Stotch Timmy Martin Crane Elaine Benes Ed Norton Sir Humphrey Arthur Lt. Colonel Henry Blake Ted Baxter Col. Wilhelm Klink Oliver Wendell Douglas Ted Crilly Dougal McGuire Larry David Sally Solomen Barney Stinson Mr Gormsby. Sergeant (Vince) Carter Ernest T Bass. Rick and Eddie in Bottom. Robert Petrie Daisey ‘Granny’ Moses Bill O’ Neal in “News Radio.” Frog in “Best of the West.” Howard Borden in “The Bob Newhart Show.” Johnny Fever in “WKRP in Cincinatti.” Bowler in “The Adventures of Brisco County.” Sgt Schultz Patsy and Edina of AbFab. Lisa Simpson Mork Carlton the Doorman. Cliff Huxtable. Gracie Allen Alex P. Keaton Gilligan ---
**Author:** ![oliversarmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@oliversarmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oliversarmy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/126 "2009-02-12T04:27:55Z")
I made a mistake: It’s Bill McNeil (still not sure of the spelling). Sorry about that. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/127 "2009-02-12T04:45:55Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > I’ve notice several people nominating George Burns, I always think of Gracie Allen first. Her version of logic almost worked in the real world, and I see enough of her in everyone’s actions that the exaggeration holds for me. May have missed it, but I think I was the only one to nominate George Burns – there was a vote for Mr. Burns on _The Simpsons_ – but ya know what? I think George would have nominated Gracie, too. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/128 "2009-02-12T05:37:43Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Al Bundy for playing the completely beat down, middle aged man who still clings to his one moment of glory. A touchdown he scored for Polk High. > [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Four touchdowns. In one game. > [@YogSosoth](#): > > Al Bundy > George Costanza > Homer Simpson > [@Svejk\_1](#): > > No love for Al Bundy? > > ETA: well, not a whole lot. but next time, read the entire thread before you post about Al Bundy, fool. > [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Ed O’Neill ruled as Al Bundy. He made that show much better than it had any right to be. He had this expression which suggested disgust, defeat, and yet also the determination to just keep going no matter what his horrible life threw at him. Al reminded me of a much cruder (and way less successful) version of Updike’s Rabbit Angstrom, another man who peaked in high school. > [@Snickers](#): > > Ooh - Al Bundy’s a good one (even though I don’t really care for the show). > [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Two others I have been surprised to not see mentioned yet are Mork and the immortal Al Bundy. Is this a woosh **Thing Fish** , or did you not read page 2? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![fuzzy1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58956e/32.png) [@fuzzy1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzy1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/129 "2009-02-12T13:49:11Z")
No one has mentioned Cap’n Kirk or Spock Whattabout Chris Stevens from Northern Exposure ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/130 "2009-02-12T14:06:51Z")
> [@fuzzy1](#): > > No one has mentioned Cap’n Kirk or Spock > > Whattabout Chris Stevens from Northern Exposure Star Trek wasn’t a sitcom. It was a drama. Chris Stevens was a great character and Northern Exposure was a great show but many people consider it more of a dramedy than a sitcom. I’d put him on the great sitcom character list. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzy1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58956e/32.png) [@fuzzy1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzy1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/131 "2009-02-12T14:14:14Z")
Okay Star Trek wasn’t a comedy, but Shatner’s Kirk was certainly comical. ---
**Author:** ![ljbiii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a587f6/32.png) [@ljbiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ljbiii)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/132 "2009-02-12T18:11:25Z")
I would say Fraser or Niles, but I think the characters were great due mostly to incredible writing - probably the best writing ever in a sitcom. I agree with a previous poster for best ensamble casts being Taxi & Barney Miller, but I’d add Cheers and WKRP. Archie Bunker gets my vote mostly because his character was more complex than some of the others mentioned, but Dick Soloman and Basil Fawlty have to be in the top 10 also. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/133 "2009-02-12T22:29:32Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > For my definition of “greatest” I am going to insist that the character transcend both geopolitical boundaries and eras. > > Therefore, my nomination for greatest character in sitcom history would have to be Basil Fawlty or Homer Simpson. > > The only reason I do not nominate **Mr. Bean** is that his show isn’t properly a sitcom. But Archie did! He was popular in all corners of the U.S. Ahhhh…you are talking about furriners. What do they have to do with anything? When was the last time a team from England won the World Series..huh huh!!! I rest my case. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/134 "2009-02-12T22:36:58Z")
Kingfish from Amos and Andy. ---
**Author:** ![Daffyd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daffyd/32/8923_2.png) [@Daffyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daffyd)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/135 "2009-02-13T04:51:42Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > George Burns? George was the straight man to the amazing [Gracie Allen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW6GWEi3g3U)… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/136 "2009-02-13T04:56:46Z")
> [@Daffyd](#): > > George was the straight man to the amazing [Gracie Allen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW6GWEi3g3U)… As George Burns himself said, “I did have a talent - and I was married to her for 38 years.” ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/137 "2009-02-13T11:43:22Z")
Les Nessman. (Turkeys, the humanity …) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/138 "2009-02-13T13:16:24Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Les Nessman. (Turkeys, the humanity …) It wasn’t funny but one of the Great Sitcom Moments was Mr Carlson (Gordon Jump) saying “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.” I find it fascinating how _Until Death Us Do Part_ and _Steptoe and Son_ made such successful transitions to the US (as _All in the Family_ and _Sanford and Son_ respectively). Archie Bunker wasn’t a clone of Alf Garnett nor was Redd Foxx imitating Wilfrid Brambell. Instead, what was imitated was their role in society - Archie and Alf are both reactionary working-class jingoists but not bad men at heart. Sanford and Steptoe both represented life at the bottom of the economic foodchains in their respective countries. That so many other shows have tried and failed to make the transatlantic jump merely highlights how good the copycat shows were - I can remember at least two fairly dire US Ab Fab clones and a Fawlty Towers remake with John Larroquette, as well as a UK Married With Children attempt (starring Russ Abbot) and a few others. The only other successful pairing that I know of - and which is a pretty tenuous pairing at that - is _Friends_ / _Cold Feet_. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/139 "2009-02-13T14:05:00Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > The only other successful pairing that I know of - and which is a pretty tenuous pairing at that - is _Friends_ / _Cold Feet_. There’s also Three’s Company / Man About The House. Semi-interestingly, both the former’s spin-off shows were based on the spin-off shows of the latter (Robin’s Nest / Three’s a Crowd, George & Mildred / The Ropers). In those cases, though, the US remakes were not exactly a success. Also, though it was a (kinda) spin-off from The Golden Girls, Empty Nest was based on Father, Dear Father. ---
**Author:** ![zenith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zenith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zenith)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821/140 "2009-02-13T16:59:26Z")
Another vote for Victor Meldrew. As Victor’s wife Margaret put it, “You say Victor doesn’t care. You’re wrong! Victor cares too much! It’s what makes me love him, and what makes me want to strangle him to death.” Another British character I’m fond of is Onslow, in _Keeping up Apperances_. “Here I sit COMPLETELY surrounded by NO BEER!” is a classic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-character-in-sitcom-history/484821.md?page=8)