# Who are the funniest sit-com characters on this list? (Multiple Choice) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 14, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675 "2010-09-14T01:58:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/21 "2010-09-14T22:39:15Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > go ahead and tell me who you would have put on your top 25 list that I did not. I think George was funnier on Seinfeld than Kramer. Nothing on that show was funnier than George getting pissed off about something and being powerless to do anything besides make things worse. Sure, Kramer had some physical comedy going, but angry George is funny George. ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/22 "2010-09-14T22:55:39Z")
George (Seinfeld) and Gob (Arrested Development) are funnier than anyone on this list IMO. edit: So is Bill McNeal (NewsRadio) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/23 "2010-09-15T01:02:47Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > Again: _Susie Greene_ from **Curb Your Enthusiasm**. Funniest female character I’ve probably ever seen in any sitcom, and one of the funniest characters, period. Hey, good call. How about Sue Ann Nivens from MTM? I know she’s overexposed right now, but it was good then. I’d like to say Mama, but she wasn’t real funny in the sitcom, just on the Carol Burnett Show. Also Berta on Two and a Half Men. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/24 "2010-09-15T01:07:50Z")
As for women…there’s Lucille Ball. Ellen DeGeneres was quite funny on her sitcom. Everyone loves Tina Fey and Amy Poehler both from SNL and their own shows. Roseanne was funny on her sitcom. Penny Marshall was quite good on Laverne & Shirley. All of the Golden Girls were top-notch. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/25 "2010-09-15T01:08:29Z")
Christopher Lloyd, no question. The Jim Ignatowski character was so unusual (and unused, to great comic effect), that he outshines all the rest on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/26 "2010-09-15T01:30:47Z")
One name I’d want to see on there: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Charlie Kelly ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/27 "2010-09-15T01:45:14Z")
Dietrich on Barney Miller is a great character, but funny in a quirky way. I think Fish was funnier. Or possibly Yamana. Lucy DEFINITELY belongs on a list of all-time funniest sitcom characters. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/28 "2010-09-15T09:47:40Z")
Of the women mentioned, Ellen came closest to making the list. Sue Ann Nivens? Not at all. Any of the Golden Girls? They were OK, but I think they were helped immensely by outstanding writing (which, I know contributes to the Funny of the character, but is just one part of the equation). As for Lucille Ball, I’ve never understood her appeal. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/29 "2010-09-15T11:15:52Z")
Basil Fawlty from Fawlty Towers George from Blackadder III Baldrick in Blackadders II, III, Blackadder Goes Forth are all as funny, if not funnier, than anyone on your list. Another big second for Lucille Ball. If [this one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wp3m1vg06Q) or [this one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHRzyOttJS0) don’t make you laugh, our definitions of ‘funny’ are probably irreconcilable. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/30 "2010-09-15T15:30:17Z")
You didn’t say how many we could vote for, so I chose five: Sheldon Cooper Maxwell Smart Ed Norton Dwight Schrute Cosmo Kramer Many of your other choices are good characters on funny shows, but I picked these five because the characters _themselves_ are funny, if that makes any sense. A little extra something in the actors’ portrayal that makes them unique. Larry David, Frank Burns, and Niles Crane were on the fence, but I decided to go with no more than five. Geoge Costanza would have been a worthy choice, and I heartily second the Basil Fawlty mention. I think I’m in the minority in that, though I really liked _Taxi_, I never was a big fan of Jim Ignatowski. He was OK in small doses, but wore out his welcome by the end of the show’s run, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/31 "2010-09-15T17:40:50Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > One name I’d want to see on there: > > It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Charlie Kelly Yes - funnier than anybody on the current list. Also agree that George was funnier than Kramer. “Hold on. Back it up. Beep, beep, beep.” “Believe it or not, George isn’t at home…” ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/32 "2010-09-15T17:49:35Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](#): > > > > Why no females at all, for that matter??:dubious: > > A legitimate question. > > Honestly, I could not think of a single female character that I thought was funny enough to be included. > > Close but no cigar: Diane from Cheers, Laura from Dick Van Dyke, Phoebe from Friends, Edith from All in the Family. You got a lotta splainin to do. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/33 "2010-09-15T18:01:03Z")
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy in _30 Rock_ would have gotten my vote, but not on the list, so I vote for Hawkeye Pierce. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/34 "2010-09-15T20:31:38Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy in _30 Rock_ would have gotten my vote, but not on the list, so I vote for Hawkeye Pierce. Good one. I honestly didn’t think of him. mmm ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/35 "2010-09-15T20:46:15Z")
Well I’m pleased to see that my two choices, Niles Crane and Jim Ignatowski, are currently the top two in the poll. But in my opinion, the funniest sitcom character ever was George Jefferson. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/36 "2010-09-15T21:18:43Z")
Surprised at the lack of love for Louie DePalma. Two characters who are missing in my opinion are Al Bundy and Dick Solomon. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/37 "2010-09-15T21:28:01Z")
Hawkeye and Burns weren’t even the funniest characters on MASH. That would be Henry Blake. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/38 "2010-09-15T21:31:56Z")
IMO, some under-rated talent was Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies (B/W episodes) and Roseanne’s sister Jackie. I bust a gut every time Jackie gets on the phone to tell her hearing impaired relative that her Jackie’s father is dead. Jim Ignatowski has the funniest scene (SLOW DOWN) ever in sitcom history. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/39 "2010-09-15T21:59:44Z")
Okay, MY top 25 funny sit-com characters (in no particular order): 1 Archie Bunker from All in the Family 2 Edith Bunker from All in the Family 3 George Costanza from Seinfeld 4 Bull from Night Court 5 Dan Fielding from Night Court 6 Roz Russell from Night Court 7 Burt Campbell from Soap 8 Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies 9 Milburne Drysdale from The Beverly Hillbillies 10 Fred Sanford from Sanford and Son 11 Cpl Agarn from F Troop 12 Chief Wild Eagle from F Troop 13 Sgt Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes 14 Colonel Klink from Hogan’s Heroes 15 Al Bundy from Married with Children 16 Peggy Bundy from Married with Children 17 Inspector Luger from Barney Miller 18 Arthur Dietrich from Barney Miller 19 Nick Yemana from Barney Miller 20 Thurston Howell III from Gilligan’s Island 21 Herman Munster from The Munsters 22 Sgt Ernie Bilko from You’ll Never Get Rich 23 Ralph Kramden from The Honeymooners 24 Alice Kramden from The Honeymooners 25 Ed Norton from The Honeymooners ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675/40 "2010-09-16T00:26:00Z")
> [@](#): > > 17 Inspector Luger from Barney Miller I was happy to see the 'Ol Inspector get a mention. He’s in my top three, at least. Thought he was too minor to include in the poll, though. [inspector] “Your office, Barney?” [/inspector] mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-funniest-sit-com-characters-on-this-list-multiple-choice/553675.md?page=1)