Sitcoms are famous for producing a whole host of lovable characters, but there are a few that come out as clear favorites among wider audiences. The sitcom is one of the most endearing formats on TV, providing audiences with comfort watches that they can revisit time and time again, and a cast of characters who largely remain familiar throughout the show.
With that said, every sitcom character typically needs a set of flaws that make them more interesting and serve as a building block to create narratives around these individuals. And while some flaws are innocuous, there are others that can make a sitcom character insufferable.
On the flip side, there are a handful of sitcom legends who have cemented their place in audiences’ hearts thanks to pretty flimsy flaws, or their charming and quirky personalities, or simply being a figure who often sees the best in others, and thus ends up having their best shine through.
Ted Lasso – Ted Lasso
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With that said, the first person on this list is, of course, Ted Lasso. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Ted is a charming American man who moves to the UK to coach a football team, and while he has little to no knowledge about the sport or English customs, his endless positivity, warmth, and ability to draw out people’s best serves him well in his new position.
Ted is also incredibly bright, with a high degree of emotional intelligence that allows him to tap into what his peers are feeling and connect on a level that many others struggle to replicate. Ted’s charm and optimism earns him a spot as one of the most beloved characters on TV.
Phil Dunphy – Modern Family
Next up, Phil Dunphy is remarkably similar to Ted Lasso in some ways, due to his incredible positive outlook and his warmth, but he does also possess a great deal more naïveté than Ted. Phil is clumsy, corny, and desperate to get approval from others, whether that be his wife, kids, father-in-law, or clients.
However, despite his surprising lack of self-awareness, Phil’s depth of love and support for his family is the thing that makes him an undeniably endearing character that people can’t help but fall in love with. Ty Burrell plays the part with incredible confidence and energy, and it all comes together in perfect harmony on the show season after season.
Chandler Bing – Friends
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Matthew Perry may have been a more colorful character in life whose choices didn’t always lead him down the healthiest paths, but his time as Chandler Bing on Friends will forever keep his memory alive in the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere. The interesting thing about Chandler is the fact that he is such a guarded character, always hiding behind humor and sarcasm.
However, despite his tendency to try and keep his emotions at a distance, Chandler becomes one of the most vulnerable and real characters on the show, especially in the moments he shares with Monica, or as his friendship with Joey evolves. Chandler is a beautiful soul in a bristly package, and it makes him all the more lovable.
Ron Swanson – Parks and Recreation
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Another character who likes to keep his emotions buried deep, Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, is the Director of his local Parks and Recreation department of government, which makes his unabashed contempt for all forms of politics and red tape all the more intriguing.
Ron Swanson is a simple man who enjoys simple things, and he has no respect for how government bodies are supposed to run, instead holding onto the job because he finds it to be an easy and low-effort role where almost nothing ever happens, that is until Leslie Knope sets her mind to opening a new park in Pawnee.
Nick Offerman is absolutely fantastic as Swanson, and the character remains a wonderful contradiction whose desire to not work is rivaled only by his intense loyalty to his friends and his commitment to supporting their dreams.
Moira Rose – Schitt’s Creek
The late and great Catherine O’Hara left her mark on the TV landscape with her spectacular turn as Moira Rose, the matriarch of Schitt’s Creek. While Moira is initially a hard woman to love or respect, and her self-absorbed and theatrical nature make her a bit of a pain, Moira’s growth throughout the series is something to behold.
As the character begins to warm up to small-town living, and become someone that fans could engage with on a deeper level, it’s hard to look back at those earlier moments without a tenderness and admiration for this character, who is ultimately on a journey of growth and understanding.
Lucy Ricardo – I Love Lucy
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The 1950s sitcom, I Love Lucy, was a foundational entry in the genre that set the tone from which many other TV comedy shows would draw inspiration. Lucille Ball plays the titular lead, and brings a tremendous physical comedy that, when paired with Lucy’s wacky schemes and overtly expressive face, makes her a character that is impossible not to fall in love with.
With that, the show earned its title, and the series continued to prove just how popular it was over six seasons. Today, I Love Lucy may not be the most familiar show for younger viewers, but anyone who picks up the series will ultimately find themselves captivated by the charm of Lucy Ricardo.
Rose Nylund – The Golden Girls
A few decades later, in 1985, The Golden Girls launched on TV and became an instant classic. And in no small part, that was thanks to the incredible ensemble cast that brought together four strong and vocal personalities who all had their own distinctive voice, and explored their wonderful maturing friendship.
Still, among these four charming women, Betty White’s Rose Nylund stands out as one of the most lovable, thanks to her innocence, naïveté, and her ability to balance out the rest of the girls when things got heated. Rose is a literal treasure who remains one of the most beloved characters from TV, even all these decades later.
Mr. Bean – Mr. Bean
Rowan Atkinson struck gold in developing this silent character, Mr. Bean, who became a global sensation without ever saying a word. Employing a great deal of slapstick humor, intense facial expressions, and a certain innocence, Mr. Bean is a character that seems to transcend time and other barriers to engage with fanbases the world over.
He is a simple man, who sets out to complete simple tasks. However, due to his lack of awareness, and his clumsy nature, Mr. Bean often gets caught up in trouble that would never impact on typical people. But all of that simply makes him more engaging and adorable.
Jake Peralta – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
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Andy Samberg’s Jake Peralta is the embodiment of golden retriever energy in the form of an immature New York City detective. Jake is an eternally youthful and playful character who wants to get the best out of life, and is always ready to gamify his situation.
Jake also experiences profound personal growth over the course of the series, as he becomes more vulnerable and forms closer relationships with people like Captain Raymon Holt and Amy Santiago.
Abed Nadir – Community
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Community is a show that is brimming with colorful characters, but while the flaws for many of these individuals are initially overwhelming, Abed’s (Danny Pudi) quirk is that he views everything through a meta lens and constantly references pop culture.
While everyone else around him embarks on a journey to become the best version of themselves, Abed is often the anchor that helps others to recognize where they are making mistakes, and course correct. He is intensely loyal, curious about human connection and boldly honest. All of which adds up to make him one of the best characters on TV.
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