# Your favorite TV characters of all time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641 "2012-03-03T15:07:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/81 "2012-03-05T13:10:21Z")
Lionel Hutz ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/82 "2012-03-05T13:11:13Z")
Sir Humphrey Appleby (Yes Minister) Basil Fawlty (Fawlty Towers) Edmund Blackadder (Blackadder, series 2-4) John Steed (Avengers/New Avengers) Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock, the modern version) ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/83 "2012-03-05T15:31:26Z")
Jim Rockford Then in no particular order… Several of the various Doctors Greg House Adrian Monk Temperence Brennan\*\*\*\*\* Vincent Nigel Murray (OK he’s a very minor character but he made an impression) Jonathan Creek Brian Topp (Spaced) Dirk Gently/New Sherlock (they’re almost but not quite entirely unlike… or something) Fran Fine (sue me) Servalan Brains (Thunderbirds) Bender B. Rodriguez \*\*\*\*\* There are a lot like her I was going to add but actually they actually work as a partnership or as protagonist and sidekick (Brennan/Booth, Holmes/Watson, Shawn/Gus etc)… new thread coming up? ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/84 "2012-03-05T15:56:58Z")
Les Nessman Jeeves and Wooster Oliver Wendell Douglas, Hank Kimball, Mr. Haney, et al. ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_Motorbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90ced4/32.png) [@DJ\_Motorbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DJ_Motorbike)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/85 "2012-03-05T16:30:39Z")
Dwight K. Schrute Gaius Baltar Bender Bending Rodriguez Basil Fawlty Arnold J. Rimmer ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/86 "2012-03-05T17:13:18Z")
Edmund Blackadder Basil Fawlty Niles Crane Frasier Crane Sir Humphrey Appleby Norman Stanley Fletcher Reginald Perrin David Brent The Doctor Fox Mulder Richard Sharpe ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/87 "2012-03-05T17:16:23Z")
I always vote Rockford in these things. Not to pile on, or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/88 "2012-03-05T17:32:58Z")
Back in the day: Illya Kuryakin Captain Lee Crane Doc, Littlejohn, and Kirby James West More currently: The Doctor (Nine and Ten) Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard Richard Castle John Reese L J Gibbs ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/89 "2012-03-05T20:12:50Z")
Besides Toby Ziegler, who has been mentioned; some of my favorites are: Teal’c (Stargate SG-1) Dr. Jeffrey Geiger (Chicago Hope) Dan Rydell (Sports Night) Susan Ivanova (Babylon 5) ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/90 "2012-03-05T20:17:29Z")
What? No love for Illyria?! Or, come to think of it? For Fred? And let also mention: Willow (both good and bad versions) Anya Drusilla ---
**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:** [March 5, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/91 "2012-03-05T20:20:36Z")
Omar G.O.B. Bluth Les Nessman Ron Swanson George Costanza Veronica Mars Burt Campbell Vic Mackey Walter White Don Draper Mary Richards Benjamin Linus ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/92 "2012-03-08T08:31:41Z")
**1950s:** Sgt. Joe Friday _(Dragnet)_ Danny Thomas Hugh Downs _(Concentration)_ Bob Keeshan _(Captain Kangaroo)_ Huckleberry Hound Red Rowe\* _(Red Rowe’s Get-Together)_ Art Linkletter _(House Party)_ **1960s:** Mr. Favor _(Rawhide)_ The Munsters The Addams Family Alfred Hitchcock\* (Alfred Hitchcock Hour)\* Jed Clampett _(Beverly Hillbillies)_ Hoss Cartwright _(Bonanza)_ Sgt. Joe Friday _(Dragnet)_ Capt.Rufe Butterworth _(Good Guys)_ Agent 86 _(Get Smart)_ **1970s:** Archie Bunker _(All in the Family)_ Fred Sanford _(Sanford and Son)_ Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto _(Emergency!)_ Capt. Hawkeye Pierce\* (M_A_S_H)_ Richie Cunningham and Fonzie _(Happy Days)_ **1980s:** Benson DuBois\* (Benson)\* Bull _(Night Court)_ Judge William Keene _(Divorce Court)_\*\* Sonny Mann _(It’s a Living)_ **1990s:** Benny Hill _(The Benny Hill Show)_ **2000s:** None **2010s:** Abigail Sciutto _(NCIS)_ Horatio Caine _(CSI Miami)_ Dr. Ray Fishburne _(CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)_ Lt. Mac Taylor on _(CSI: NY)_ \*Red Rowe was later convicted in a felony trial. \*\*Daytime television. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2012, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/93 "2012-03-09T04:08:28Z")
regulars: Rob and Laura Petrie. one-off: Vito Giotto (“Give Me Your Walls!”) ---
**Author:** ![mehgs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@mehgs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mehgs)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/94 "2012-03-09T05:21:03Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Some others I have finally thought about: > > – [Kimball Cho](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1085727/) > – [Hank Dolworth](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006610/) > – [Britt Pollack](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535423/) > – [Jack Bauer](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000662/) Thank you for reminding me of Hank and Brit. I would be their office manager or whatever… So pissed off about that cancellation. (Watch Terriers if you can) ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/95 "2012-03-09T05:48:28Z")
Harry O. Mr. Monk, of course. Most of the characters from 6 Feet under Most of Hill Street blues, but especially Mick Belker. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/96 "2012-03-09T06:10:27Z")
I keep thinking of new ones: Warren Moseley from _Dweebs_ Trevor Hale from the original (Jeremy Piven) _Cupid_ Professor Pynchon from _Pearl_ Professor Kingsley from _The Paper Chase_ Roth from _Vega$_ Exidor from _Mork and Mindy_ Dr. Hawkeye Pierce from _M_A_S_H\* Dr. Kelly Brackett from _Emergency_ ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/97 "2012-03-09T07:48:32Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Benson DuBois\* (Benson)\* He was brilliant when he was on _Soap_, and then much watered down when spun off into _Benson_. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/98 "2012-03-09T08:01:19Z")
I guess I’ll have to take your word on that. I didn’t–and wouldn’t–watch _Soap_. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/99 "2012-03-09T14:25:30Z")
It begins and ends with Johnny LaRue. [http://www.sctvguide.ca/programs/larue.htm](http://www.sctvguide.ca/programs/larue.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641/100 "2012-03-09T17:45:56Z")
Alexander Scott and Kelly Robinson (I Spy) Carleton, Your Doorman [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-characters-of-all-time/614641.md?page=6)