Best Fictional News People on TV

There have been some classic television shows that feature a character whose career is in news reporting. With newspapers all over the country declining, it is doubtful whether any future series will include news reporters, especially those who work with print.

Here is a list of my favorite ten fictional television news people.

10. Miranda Veracruz de la Hoya Cardinal from "Married with Children" - This feisty young TV reporter (played by Teresa Parente) appeared in numerous episodes, providing on the spot coverage of the Bundy family's mishaps.

9. Bill McNeal from "Newsradio" - The newscaster (played by Phil Hartman) for WNYX had a voice much more pleasant than his arrogant personality.

8. Vicki James from "Please Stand By" - This show about a lawyer who quits his firm to buy a TV station was short-lived, but it had an excellent cast. Elinor Donahue and Richard Schaal were the stars, but Marcie Barkin did a great portrayal as the station's newscaster.

7. Ted Baxter from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" - The dense newscaster (played by Ted Knight) for WJM-TV in Minneapolis atoned for his ignorance with a strong clear voice.

6. Carl Kolchak from "The Night Stalker" - Darren McGavin was lovable in this role as monster chaser and police irritant.

5. Martin Lane from "The Patty Duke Show" - Patty's father (played William Hassert) was Mike Brady working as the editor of a New York newspaper.

4. Les Nesman from "WKRP in Cincinnati" - The small radio station's newsman (played by Richard Sanders) seemed a bit of pest but often received pity from his co-workers in the Queen City.

3. Kent Brockman from "The Simpsons" - The biggest celebrity in Springfield is this egotistical, gutless TV reporter (voiced by Harry Shearer) who has interviewed each member of the Simpson family except for baby Maggie.

2. Joe Rossi from "Lou Grant" - The best newsman at the LA Trib led a messy personal life, but he had the journalistic integrity that all young cubs used to aspire to.

1.Oscar Madison from "The Odd Couple" - The messy sports writer (played by Jack Klugman) somehow managed to type stories about the top athletes in the Big Apple while all the time enduring his obnoxious neat freak roommate Felix.