# Who is the smarter, stronger, or more clever character? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516 "2025-04-02T12:54:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**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:** [April 6, 2025, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/181 "2025-04-06T20:12:29Z")
I’ve always wondered if Mariette Hartley got away with being an accomplice-after-the-fact. If so, why? Did Columbo take a special liking to her, the way he did with Claudia Christian? ---
**Author:** ![ewomack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ewomack/32/19149_2.png) [@ewomack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ewomack)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/182 "2025-04-06T20:14:05Z")
I would be interested in seeing Dr. Strangelove matched up against Red Cloak from “Eyes Wide Shut.” I would probably pay admission to see that. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/183 "2025-04-06T20:17:59Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Bugs would make a prison break and then get his revenge. Unless he makes a wrong turn in Albuquerque and ends up in Sing-Sing. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/184 "2025-04-06T20:21:06Z")
Oscar the Grouch vs Danny DeVito in a [Grouch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1uIIY2glaY)[Off?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3JS3_QQeb8) ---
**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:** [April 6, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/185 "2025-04-06T20:25:19Z")
The Cisco Kid and Pancho might be as good as The Lone Ranger and Tonto in bringing down bad guys, but they seem to have a lot more fun doing it! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/186 "2025-04-06T20:26:52Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Oscar the Grouch vs Danny DeVito in a [Grouch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1uIIY2glaY)[Off?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3JS3_QQeb8) Jack Sparrow vs Jack Skellington in a Jack off… ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/187 "2025-04-06T20:33:37Z")
Newton from _The Mighty Hercules_ vs. the Shark from _Jaws_ Sure, Hercules versus the shark would be a more evenly matched fight—but, as a kid, I didn’t just dislike [Newton](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBsyGummPfI&t=30s)… I despised that double-talking centaur know-it-all. _“Herc, Herc!”_—yeah, yeah, we heard you the first time, ya cloven-hoofed idiot! He’d make a nice snack for Bruce the shark. In fact, I’d chop up his annoying tiny flute-playing centaur buddy, Zeus, and scoop him overboard as chum to attract the shark. ---
**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:** [April 6, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/188 "2025-04-06T20:34:40Z")
**Fun Fact:** “Gidget” is a contraction of “Girl Midget,” which is what his father called her. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/189 "2025-04-06T20:34:54Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > > [@What\_Exit](#): > > > > Oscar the Grouch vs Danny DeVito in a [Grouch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1uIIY2glaY)[Off?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3JS3_QQeb8) > > Jack Sparrow vs Jack Skellington in a Jack off… 🤣😂🤣😂 ---
**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:** [April 6, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/190 "2025-04-06T20:44:40Z")
You might get seven years in the slammer for corrupting a minor, but you’d spend eternity in Hell for doing a nun! 😖 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/191 "2025-04-06T20:49:40Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Jack Sparrow vs Jack Skellington in a Jack off… I hope you performed a fist pump when you typed that. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/192 "2025-04-06T20:51:07Z")
No exceptions, no exemptions. ---
**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:** [April 6, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/193 "2025-04-06T21:00:03Z")
Someone should do a count of how many times Tara slept through, fucked up, or was endangered, kidnapped, or simply not seen in an episode. ---
**Author:** ![HotDogWater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@HotDogWater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotDogWater)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/194 "2025-04-06T21:05:54Z")
Roland Deschain of Gilead vs The Stanger (High Plains Drifter). Both pretty good with the shooting irons, and both kind of supernatural. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/195 "2025-04-07T17:23:50Z")
Several comparisons have been made between the Munsters and the Addams Family, but how about vamp vs. vamp – Grandpa Munster vs. any one of the ‘What We Do in the Shodows’ vampires? I’ll nominate Lazlo, since he and Grandpa are both amateur scientists, so are probably about equal in the cleverness department. Both can turn into bats at will. I’d give the edge to Lazlo, because although both characters’ personas are generally goofy, Lazlo and the other WWDitS vampires have on occasion shown flashes of terrifying powers and casual violence-- against humans and fellow vampires alike. I don’t think Grandpa would stand a chance. ---
**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:** [April 7, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/196 "2025-04-07T17:31:54Z")
Wallace B Binghampton and Elroy Carpenter might have been as bumbling as Wilhelm Klink and Hans Schultz, but the Captain was a lot more ill-tempered than the Colonel. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/197 "2025-04-07T17:32:21Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’d give the edge to Lazlo Not if it was a drag race. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/198 "2025-04-07T19:09:26Z")
Got me there. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/199 "2025-04-07T19:24:05Z")
I believe the fan theory that Columbo is psychic and knows with 100% certainty from the very start who is the killer - the rest of the show is just a game in which he wears them down and gets them to confess. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/200 "2025-04-07T19:30:21Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Bugs is indestructible and _always_ wins once you’ve pissed him off enough and he comes for you. One way or another, Bugs will outsmart his opponent and humiliate them. Every time. AI says not always- and the vid confirms it- _In Looney Tunes cartoons, Bugs Bunny has been outsmarted and lost to characters like Cecil Turtle, Elmer Fudd, and even a race against a tortoise._ _Here’s a more detailed look at some of those instances:_ \*\* **Cecil Turtle:** \* _Cecil Turtle is known for outsmarting Bugs Bunny three times in a row, and at the rabbit’s own game._ \*\* **Elmer Fudd:** \* _Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny’s archenemy, has also managed to outsmart the rabbit in various cartoons._ \*\* **Tortoise:** \* _In the cartoon “Tortoise Wins by a Hair”, Bugs Bunny loses a race to a tortoise._ \*\* **Other instances:** \* _Bugs Bunny has also been shown to lose in other situations, such as being tricked or outwitted._ _This video highlights 5 instances where Bugs Bunny actually lost in Looney Tunes cartoons:_ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/p_bA3fzveCs/hqdefault.jpg "Looney Tunes | 5 Times Bugs Bunny Actually Lost") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_bA3fzveCs) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516.md?page=11)