The Greatest Character in Sitcom History

Well check Alf out:

Jesus was English
Alf on The Empire
Alf on Ireland

And I doubt stuff like this made it to US network TV.

Warning to those in work: Words like coon, wog and sambo are used.
Good ol’ Derek Griffiths, good to see him again.

As to the OP.

I have to go with Basil.

Although I can’t see a thread about great sitcom characters go without mention of Fathers Ted Crilly and Dougal McGuire. Both works of genius.

Another amazingly awesome character from MAS*H…

Col. Flagg.

I’m going with Larry David/Curb Your Enthusiasm.

I came in to say Basil Fawlty.

I would give the female nod to Sally from Third Rock From the Sun.

How can you pick between Gob, Buster, Lucille, George, George Michael, and Maebe?

And don’t get me started on Tobias P. Funke, Analrapist.

Not neccessarily the greatest of all time, but he did make me laugh my arse off would be this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysCNXBbLC-U and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHiEhTaiaHQ . Not so remarkable in and of itself but when you consider that he also did this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZDcSrODALQ it just feels supernatural. (it’s Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer and then in Phantom)

Ronnie Barker as

Arkwright in Open All Hours

Fletcher in Porridge

Although the show didn’t run that long (three seasons), I don’t think ANYONE was able to be as consistently funny, convincing in her performance, and varied in what she had to do as Jessica Tate. The whole darn sitcom was hilarious, but she was the one who left you in stitches more often than not.

If greatest=awesomest, I think I’ll have to go with Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) from How I Met Your Mother.

Mr Gormsby.

I have to go with Barney Fife. As they found out when he left, the show was nothing without him.

Ralph Kramden isn’t far behind. The show seems as fresh today as it did when we first saw it.

Underappreciated: Felix and Oscar, Sergeant Carter, Ted Baxter.

Honorable mention for an intermittent role: Ernest T Bass.

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.

Naw, there are only two characters worthy of watching on that show- Kelly’s left leg and Kelly’s right leg.

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.

Archie Bunker tops the list for me. That character was completely flawed, and he still managed to make it relatable and human. The episode where he loses Edith crushes me, the Sammy Davis kiss is hysterical because you can see the dilemma written all over his face, and his treatment of his family and his views on society are alarming and saddening, yet you never lose hope that he might see the error of his ways.

Now if we were to rate best ensemble, no one can top the cast of Cheers.

I think the ensemble cast of Barney Miller beats Cheers. To me, Barney Miller and Taxi were the ultimate in ensemble shows.

StG

For ensemble casts, Wings is underrated. Roy was one of the greatest sitcom ensemble members ever.

Ooh - Al Bundy’s a good one (even though I don’t really care for the show).

Archie Bunker I can’t relate to - I didn’t watch the show (although my mother loved it) and when I have seen it, I can’t stand him. As in visceral loathing. I know that he’s a character that’s supposed to grow on you, but I can’t get past it.

I’d give Hawkeye Pierce the nod, I think.