My top ten: (In arbitrary order)

Jack Bauer, 24. Possibly the best action character on TV of all time. He's the guy who's called on to put his morals and ethics aside so he can prevent catastrophe. He tries to limit his personal sacrifices but always winds up sacrificing everything. Also probably the most tragic character on television.

Eric Cartman, South Park. What would South Park be without our favorite sociopath?

Michael Scott, The Office. The biggest asshole possible, but still manages to be sympathetic, largely thanks to Steve Carell's spot on performance.

Cara Thrace (Starbuck), Battlestar Galactica. It's not the badass attitude she always carries that makes her a great character, but more the subtle recessive parts of her personality. Her spiritual side, her victimzed side, her repressed femininity. The parts of her that surface occasionally despite her best efforts.

Egan Foote, The Nine. I know there've only been two episodes so far, but his story is already compelling. The depressed, self hating geek who gains a new sense of living from the events of the bank robbery. I only wish it wasn't on against South Park.

Adrian Monk, Monk. Singlehandedly turns what would be a lame show into a great show.

Gregory House, House. I originally avoided this show because it looked like a self-loving vigilante medicine show. Then when I actually watched it, I realized the show wasn't self loving; only the character was. And once again, it's the subtleties beneath his abrasive perosnaity that make him compelling. The hint of self-loathing and wishing that he wasn't the way he was.

Dexter Lastnameidontknow, Dexter. Gives Eric Cartman and Tony Soprano a run for 'best murdering sociopath'. His practiced, predatory demeanor makes the premise about five times as intriguing. I wish I got Showtime. I saw the first two episodes, but now I'll have to wait for the DVD.

Tony Soprano, The Sopranos. ...I don't feel like saying anything about him. Gandolfini is just great. Though I'm not sure Sopranos has qualifed for being 'On TV' for a few years.

Stephen Colbert, the Colbert Report. I love satire. I really love political satire. And this man delivers it perfectly, making fun of just about everybody in the world who deserves to be made fun of.

quote:

Michael Scott, The Office. The biggest asshole possible, but still manages to be sympathetic, largely thanks to Steve Carell's spot on performance.

I agree with this one, but I'd also throw in Dwight Schrute, who is probably one of the most endearingly bizarre characters ever on TV.


Other additions of my own:

Veronica Mars, Veronica Mars. It's nice to see a female character on TV who's strong, smart, genuinely funny, and also incredibly sexy.

Lex Luthor, Smallville. IMHO, Smallville is the best telling of the Superman saga ever. But what makes it truly excellent is the way they handle the Lex Luthor character - a nice guy with a dark side that rears it's head from time to time. We the audience know it's only a matter of time before that side takes over completely.

Homer Simpson is still awesome.
In addition to Cartman, on South Park I also like Butters and Randy Marsh.
Pam from the Office is by far the sexiest girl on TV.
Stan and Roger from American Dad.
Stephen Colbert rules.

The greatest character on TV right now is definitely Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Whoever does his voice is one of the funniest voice actors of all time. The crazy shit he spouts effortlessly is better than the best written joke ever.

Butters would probably make my list if I extended it to 20 or 30, as well as a Simpson or two. Maybe Brian Griffin. He can balance out any other character in the show. Definetely Dwight, Jim, and Pam from the Office.

[You've been around long enough to know better than to post spoilers, pax. Don't do it again. -- LT]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LinnTate,

Omar Wilson and Snoop the Assassin, on HBO's The Wire.

quote:

Originally posted by paxsoprano:
[Inappropriate and inconsiderate spoiler deleted. The guidelines are clear on this matter, pax. --LT]

If this is a spoiler, I'm going to haunt you for the rest of your days.

I'm not kidding.

[Haunt away, m.l. That was a really stupid and inconsiderate thing for pax to do. -- LT]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LinnTate,

Any show that can be "spoiled" isn't worth watching.

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Originally posted by Buck "Sweetie" McGuck:
Any show that can be "spoiled" isn't worth watching.

Yeah, why do films and TV shows feel the need to have plots? Life is so much simpler when you don't have to worry about what's going to happen next.

I know there have only been two episodes and it might end up being canceled, but Tracy Morgan's character Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock is absolutely HIlarious. I end up laughing at almost everything he says.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PRG,

Hiro Nakamura from Heroes is a pretty great character. I like how present-day Hiro is a neurotic Tokyo businessman who can barely speak English, but the Hiro of the future is a badass who dresses in all black, carries a samurai sword, and speaks perfect English. Plus, being able to manipulate time and space is a pretty cool power.

quote:

Originally posted by PRG:
I know there have only been two episodes and it might end up being canceled, but Tracy Morgan's character Tracy Jarvis on 30 Rock is absolutely HIlarious. I end up laughing at almost everything he says.

He's hilarious. "They're puttin' AIDS in our cornflakes."

Alec Baldwin's funny on that show, too. But that's about it.

quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:

quote:

Originally posted by PRG:
I know there have only been two episodes and it might end up being canceled, but Tracy Morgan's character Tracy Jarvis on 30 Rock is absolutely HIlarious. I end up laughing at almost everything he says.

He's hilarious. "They're puttin' AIDS in our cornflakes."

Alec Baldwin's funny on that show, too. But that's about it.

I agree. Before it aired, I was excited for Baldwin's character and he hasn't disappointed. Tonight's episode with the poker game looks to be funny.

quote:

Originally posted by PRG:
Tonight's episode with the poker game looks to be funny.

Face cards are wild, 3s are jinxes, and 5s are 2s.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:

quote:

Originally posted by PRG:
Tonight's episode with the poker game looks to be funny.

Face cards are wild, 3s are jinxes, and 5s are 2s.

I swear I was going to type the exact same quote!

In my opinion Detective Robert Goren from "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" is by far the best character currently on television.

Vincent D'Onofrio is such a great actor. He seems to always play the eccentric character. From the serial killer in "The Cell" to the bug alien in "Men in Black", he always steals the show.

Detective Robert Goren is the only reason I watch Criminal Intent.

Bender from Futurama has gotta be one of my all time favorites. If a robot that drinks beer, smokes cigars, and loots isn't a genius idea, I don't know what is.

Plus, the robot jokes they make are pretty funny ("But those girls don't have cases on, you can see their bare circuits!")


Gregory House is another good one. I havent seen the show for about the last season, but back when I watched it I liked his sarcasm and the complexity of his character.

Female Characters:
Emily Gilmore and Lorelai Gilmore not only make the best mother-daughter team on TV, but perhaps the best that such a relationship has been portrayed ever with the help of the great Lauren Graham and Kelly Bishop. Also love Joy from MNIE.

Male Characters:
Gregory House and Al Swearengen are easily the best and any reasonable Best Actor race should be between McShane & Laurie. Britishers rule.

In complete agreement about Omar in The Wire. Great character from a great show.

Swearengen's fantastic too. Who'd have thought old Lovejoy had it in him!

After Jack Bauer (my hero), Vic Mackey is the best character on TV. Vicious, corrupt, and occasionally murderous, but his heart's in the right place!

I got the 3rd season of Without A Trace for Xmas. Jack Malone's great. Very subtle performance from Anthony LaPaglia, but you always feel he's on the edge.

I'd like to give an honourable mention to Sipowicz. Gone, but not forgotten.

top ten are as follow (in no order as that would be insane hard)
jim-office
michael-office
dwight-office
jack-24
eric-south park
butters-south park
earl-my name is earl
chris-family guy
t-bag-prison break
bender-futurama

note: favourite either butters, dwight, or t-bag