I'm currently in the midst of a book and Marianella and I are in the midst of a few different TV series, so I'm going a different route with this post.
The other night I was flipping through the channels and landed on "Parks & Recreation" and an episode where John Larroquette was guest-starring. Seeing Larroquette reminded me of his brilliantly sleazy character Dan Fielding on Night Court from the mid-'80s and got my mind thinking as to my favorite supporting characters on TV sitcoms throughout the years.
As the title of this post states, these are my favorite roles from TV sitcoms, not any official, TV Land-type list. And I've decided to pick just one character from each show, so you won't see a list dominated by Seinfeld or Cheers. And I'm making it a Top 10 list cause I just love Top 10 lists.
Onto the list. . .
10. Chris Stevens, Northern Exposure
Alright, so this isn't technically a sitcom, but it's my list, my rules (and this is the only exception). I'm not sure if there are any other Northern Exposure fans reading this, but I fell in love with this show after graduating college. My initial job out of college required that we take an hour-long lunch and my workplace was about a five minute drive from my apartment. So, I'd go home and try to find something worth watching at noon during the weekdays. It didn't take me long to settle upon NE and I became attached to the quirky characters and intelligent writing and themes of the show. Among several characters who I found wonderful on the show was Stevens, the ex-felon disc jockey of Chris in the Morning. Played by John Corbett, who went onto significant roles on Sex and the City and as the husband in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Stevens broadcast a radio show that could unfortunately only be fiction-an incredibly eclectic mix of songs sprinkled with bits of interesting wisdom and book readings in between the songs.
9. Mr. Roper, Three's Company
Looking back on this show, the premise seems even more contrived than the frequent scenes where one of the girls overheard the other girl and Jack talking in the kitchen or living room and the double-entendres lead them to think shenanigans were occurring on the other side of the door. Really, in the late '70s in anything goes California was there a landlord who would not allow platonic roommates living together? Into that ridiculous premise stepped Mr. Roper, the old-fashioned, leering fuddy-duddy who was always asking seeking the rent (didn't it seem they were short on rent on a weekly basis?) and making mincing mockery of Jack's supposed homosexuality. Norman Fell played Mr. Roper perfectly; the facial expressions in reaction to Mrs. Roper's suggestions and the sly smile he emitted when he made a joke only he would laugh at elevated this silly show's overall comedy.
8. Dan Fielding, Night Court
The inspiration for this post, John Larroquette was so funny as the ultra-sleazy attorney Dan Fielding, who seemed in constant pursuit of illicit relations with a calvacade of bimbos who somehow crossed his path. Amidst the zany do-gooders that comprised the rest of Night Court, Fielding delivered the laughs consistently and looking back, I doubt the show would have lasted six episodes without his presence.
7. Johnny Fever, WKRP in Cincinnati
Another disc jockey, this one from the inept radio station that barely stayed afloat in the Queen City. During my youth and until first semester of college I was planning on becoming a radio DJ and as best as I can recall, my inspiration for choosing this career path was Dr. Fever. I don't know why I was struck to follow a career path of an itinerant, frequently blacked-out character played by Howard Hesseman, but he played the role so well, I was hooked.
6. Dwight Schrute, The Office
Hey, an entry from a show still on the air! I never thought I would fall in line with the U.S. version of The Office after first becoming obsessed with the British version, but over the years I have become a big fan, in large part due to Dwight, the beet-farming, borderline psychotic top paper salesman for Dunder Mifflin. A show with a great cast, but Dwight certainly stands out.
5. Reverend Jim, Taxi
I've already expressed my admiration for Christopher Lloyd's comedic skills in the Back to the Future post, but on a show with a stellar cast (perhaps the best in TV ever? Hmm, perhaps an idea for another entry down the road), Reverend Jim was a standout.
4. Sideshow Bob, The Simpsons
Never has there been a larger, unique, and funny supporting cast than on The Simpsons. Technically, I think you would have to consider Sideshow Bob a guest star; after all, he doesn't appear as often as Mr. Burns, Milhouse, Comic Book Guy, etc. However, if you ask me to pick my favorite episodes from the golden days of The Simpsons, the episodes with Sideshow Bob stand out. To stand out amidst all those other supporting characters in a show that was so consistently excellent in its prime deserves an exception.
3. Ernie "Coach" Pantusso-Cheers
How do you pick amongst the best supporting cast in TV history? I could have easily chosen Norm, Woody, Cliff Clavin, Frasier, or Carla and had them on this list, but my heart goes out to Coach. He was a part of those early years when the Sam-Diane love/hate dynamic was at its peak and his lovable befuddlement always delivered the laughs. Woody was a worthy replacement (a much better transition than from Diane to Rebecca, in my mind), but there's just something upon stumbling an old Cheers episode when Coach is behind the bar.
2. George Costanza, Seinfeld
Surprised he's not #1 on my list? I am a little bit too. I used to often say that Constanza was like my Id-when I re-watch the episodes now, I continue to marvel at his character over all others. The rest of Seinfeld is zany and funny, but without Costanza I doubt it would have lasted and certainly wouldn't have become the classic it became. It's so difficult to pick a favorite episode or scene with Costanza, but the one shown below is near the top of the list:
1. Barney Fife, The Andy Griffith Show
You ever see the Andy Griffith episodes in color? I figured out quickly these episodes weren't worth spending a moment on, because they were the episodes after Don Knotts left the show (but I am thankful that the producers of the show decided to go to color once he left; it has saved me so much time in my TV surfing days). Barney Fife was truly irreplaceable, one of the funniest characters ever to grace the small screen. Knotts could have also been considered for this list as Mr. Furley on Three's Company after replacing Mr. Roper; no doubt he will go down as one of TV's most memorable actors.
So how did Fife beat out Costanza? It simply came down to this-I could and can watch Barney Fife with any one, of any age and enjoy the show with them. I've watched Andy Griffith with my parents, nieces and nephews, and friends and enjoy it greatly no matter who I'm with. It speaks to the brilliance of Barney Fife that such a character can be enjoyed by such a wide range of ages and tastes.
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