# Who's your "Mary Ann?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 20, 2002, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905 "2002-05-20T04:22:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linus_Van_Pelt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/1 "2002-05-20T04:22:44Z")
In a recent discussion of an episode of _Enterprise_, several posters (myself included) noted how hot Hoshi was with her hair down and wearing civies. That got me to thinking - it doesn’t seem all that uncommon for movies and TV shows to present two women, one a “classic beauty”, another that is often considered cute, but is obviously intended to be the “lesser beauty”, or even un-attractive. Yet, the common consensus often is that the “lesser beauty” is the one that many, if not the majority of men, find more attractive. The classic example of this, of course, is Ginger vs. Mary Ann from _Gilligan’s Island_. In every (admittedly informal) poll I’ve ever seen, when they ask “Ginger or Mary Ann?” there is a great cry of “Mary Ann!” This may become the case for _Enterprise_. The producers obviously intended T’Pol to be the eye-candy, but if people were to ask “T’Pol or Hoshi”, why do I get the feeling that there would be a loud “Hoshi!” in reply? So what do you think? Is this as common in the world of Hollywood as I’m beginning to believe? Which “lesser beauty” would you take in a heartbeat over the other? (there are a couple I have in mind, but I want to see how long they take to come up) And there’s no need to just include the women - if there are guys who fit this category, feel free to share! ---
**Author:** ![Nacho4Sara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Nacho4Sara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nacho4Sara)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/2 "2002-05-20T04:38:25Z")
The only show that comes to mind is _Friends_. I’ve been watching from the first episode, and I think it was very clear at the beginning that Rachel and Joey were the eye-candy, supposedly the foxy, hot babes that everyone desires. Monica and Chandler just aren’t attractive in the same way - Monica is too neurotic to be sultry, and Chandler’s always been the funny, goofy dude. Yet I’d take either of them over Rachel or Joey any day. ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/3 "2002-05-20T04:54:37Z")
Definitely Monica Definitely T’Pol ---
**Author:** ![Natural-J-Bankie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/59ef9b/32.png) [@Natural-J-Bankie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Natural-J-Bankie)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/4 "2002-05-20T04:57:41Z")
“Hoshi!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/5 "2002-05-20T04:57:54Z")
Charlies Angels. “Everyone” was drooling over Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith, but I much preferred Kate Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/6 "2002-05-20T06:25:23Z")
Kate Jackson is my favourite Angel, though I always thought Jaclyn Smith was the most beautiful. Jan Smithers was WAY more attractive than Loni Anderson on _WKRP in Cincinatti_. Especially now in reruns when the “big-hair” look of the eighties looks so goofy. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/7 "2002-05-20T10:46:23Z")
I second Bailey Quarters from _WKRP_. I even developed a crush on a girl at school because I thought she looked like Bailey. Then she broke my heart by moving away…(sniff). And I’ll add Janet from _Three’s Company_. I always liked her better than any of the blondes on the show. Especially when she straightened her hair. Hotcha! ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/8 "2002-05-20T11:42:44Z")
Molly from _Ed._ ---
**Author:** ![milquetoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@milquetoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milquetoast)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/9 "2002-05-20T12:58:23Z")
I agree with Kate Jackson, Jan Smithers, and Joyce Dewitt. But how about Velma over Daphne? (I’m talking about the cartoon, not the upcoming movie.) Personally, I’m sticking with Daphne. I like the bookish type, but Velma is annoying. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/10 "2002-05-20T13:35:29Z")
In the film, _Sirens_, much is made of Elle McPherson (probably because of her nude scene). And if not her, then Portia De Rossi (ditto). However, for my money, the best looking of them all is the wonderful [Tara Fitzgerald](http://web.ukonline.co.uk/fitzgerald.jsrpages/scans/fitzsirens/ta-fitzg.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/11 "2002-05-20T13:38:17Z")
I’m going out on a limb here, but definitely Hildy over Genevieve. or maybe Lyta over Ivanova. or maybe Kyra over Dax. ---
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/12 "2002-05-20T13:49:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by widdershins \* > **I second Bailey Quarters from _WKRP_.** Oh yeah - Bailey was way hotter! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/13 "2002-05-20T14:22:15Z")
Bailey yes Willow Oh yeah whats her name on Will and Grace. (the woman who is not Grace) I would have gone for Nurse Chappel or Uhura over Rand any day. Jan ---
**Author:** ![MachV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MachV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachV)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/14 "2002-05-20T14:36:14Z")
Chloe over Lana on Smallville. Lana is certainly a hottie, but Allison Mack just _does_ somthing to me! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/15 "2002-05-20T15:28:14Z")
The female blacksmith over the female lead in [it]The Knight’s Tale[/it] Dr Crusher over Troi (tho the latter looked a LOT better once she started wearing the standard uniform IMHO) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/16 "2002-05-20T16:59:48Z")
On the old show Duet, I thought the other male, Chris Lemmon, was ten times better looking than the male lead, Matthew Lawrence. He was the cutest thing going, but they gave him a tiny part and I haven’t seen him since. I suppose he has bigger and better things to do, really. Just wanted to inject a man into this thread. ---
**Author:** ![TN\_hippie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TN\_hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TN_hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/17 "2002-05-20T17:20:17Z")
_Ally McBeal_… **Elaine** (the secretary) over all of 'em. (and I consider **Ally** to be the \*least interesting \* character on the show) * * * bygones, TN\*hippie ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/18 "2002-05-20T19:10:20Z")
Mmmmm… Bailey… Sigh… Bailey… ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/19 "2002-05-20T19:11:16Z")
Yea for Molly from _Ed_! Ed needs to open his eyes. As for men, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork were WAY hotter than Davey Jones. Mickey Dolenz? _Puhleez!_ And of course, Parker Stevenson over Shawn Cassidy any day of the week. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905/20 "2002-05-20T20:23:06Z")
Haven’t seen too many episodes of either British or American versions, but I have the same opinion of BOTH series: Brian, the “stud” character can’t appear for more than 30 seconds onscreen without someone remarking how he is “unbelievably hot”. His hopelessly smitten “friend” Michael can’t seem to ever get laid. Here’s a typical, endlessly repeated QAF scene: Michael and the usual bunch of overaged clubbers sitting on the sidelines of the dance club. Michael: I wish I could get laid, but I’m too much of a loser to ever find anyone. (any character): Here comes Brian! Oh man, he is so fucking gorgeous!! But not only do I think that Michael (in BOTH versions) is better looking and more interesting than both Brians, pretty much just about ANY character on EITHER show is better looking, more charismatic and more attractive than either of the Brians! Even Sharon Gless’ character looks better than Brian! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-your-mary-ann/109905.md?page=2)