Five Great & Unsung Supporting Characters on Primetime TV

Some of the really great characters on TV these days are not the big stars of the shows, but rather the supporting characters. While some supporting characters like Locke on Lost or Cristina or even Bailey on Grey's Anatomy, get plenty of credit and recognition, other support TV characters who are likewise great sometimes go unnoticed. Whether "almost leads" in their own right or sidekicks mainly backing up the leads as they do their thing, great supporting characters can add depth to a show in many ways. Here a five lower profile supporting characters and the reasons I think they're cool. There are of course many others that could be added to the list.

ER's Archie Morris (Scott Grimes). I have to say it's hard sometimes to see who the leads are, really, on a show like ER. Even characters like Luka and Abby fade in and out of the spotlight week to week. But Morris isn't really in the running for a leading character title. Instead, he provides comic relief, probably the best and most consistent comic relief this very old show has ever had. Morris started off as a jerk, became a sycophant power-hungry chief resident, and, this year, has emerged as more mature and humane. Grimes gets to do some more acting this season, thanks to the character's forward motion. And all ER fans are glad Morris didn't take that pharmaceutical job, aren't we?

House's Eric Foreman (Omar Epps). One thing I admire about House is that, even though the show is truly focused on the main character - and reliant more or less on his ultimately never being wrong- House, the doctor, always gets called on the carpet for his mean ol' 'tude. Sometimes it's by Cuddy, sometimes it's by best bud Wilson, but best of all is when the calling is done by Dr. Foreman. Foreman is smart and capable, humane but also pragmatic. He always lets House push just so far, then it's time for a comeback. As Foreman, Epps plays it both cool and intense. House may totally be Hugh Laurie's show, but Epps can't be overlooked. And imagine if we had to deal with only Drs. Chase and Cameron every week? Talk about cause of illness...

Brothers & Sister's Uncle Sol (Ron Rifkin). Every time I watch B&S I wish it was a little more surprising, a little more interesting, a little, just, better, I guess. But it is what it is: a very big cast of good actors playing so-so characters in so-so situations. In any case, I do find myself caring about Uncle Sol. The most compelling character so far, I think, Uncle Sol, in his sixties, seems to have devoted a good junk of his life to the happiness of his sister and her kids. We're not sure why he doesn't have a life of his own. Now he's out to get some happiness for himself in the form of a relationship with the woman who cheated with his sister's husband. Whoops. I don't really like this pairing; it's too melodramatic; and I don't find it particularly realistic. But Rifkin makes it interesting, and he's made his character, who's also got a sort of quirky way about him, likable and sympathetic. Sol's the most intriguing game in this crowded town. I hope the material starts to offer better payoffs.

Numb3rs' Megan Reeves (Dianne Farr). No one's ever going to confuse a Numb3rs storyline for The Wire or even CSI, but it's s a fun little Friday crime show with a good cast. Farr makes an impression as Reeves, who, while no genius like Charlie (David Krumholtz) still provides her share of brain power. A profiler, Reeves is both smart and smart alecky, she's also got sort of checkered family past that leaves her a little off center. Farr brings all of these qualities out and even makes it believable that the 30 something Reeves would logically pair off with 50 something Larry (Peter Macnichol). Luckily, the show and the actress let Larry be the really eccentric one while Reeves stays a pretty cool customer.

Monk's Lt. Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine). Like House, Monk is named after its main character for a reason: that character is really the be all and end all of the show. Without Monk (Tony Shaloub) and his OCD detecting, the show that bears his name is just another crime drama..dramedy?...show. But along with Shaloub, the supporting cast makes Monk worth watching. As Lt. Stottlemeyer, Levine is a great straight man to Monk, the oddball but always right sleuth. He's also got his own stuff going on - a divorce, a kid, keeping Disher in line. I didn't really dig the bit with Sharon Lawrence as a potential love interest last summer, but Levine is always fun to watch. He's no just some Commissioner Gordon calling out with the Monk signal. He's a solid part of a good cast.