Television's Best Characters

Americans love television. Debate it, hate, or berate it, the fact remains that we love television. I agree that it is possible we watch far too much of it and that a lot of the programs that we are subjected to are questionable to say the least. Still, the fact remains that we love it and we are going to watch as much of it as we like.

Many people think that the best television characters have long since come and gone. There may be some truth to that since so many of us are still drawn to reruns of those old shows as much - - if not more than - - we are to ones currently on the air. Who doesn't love Lucy? Who doesn't miss watching Rob Petrie trip over that ottoman? Who doesn't miss Samantha's twitching her cute little nose? These are classic television characters that will forever be cherished memories. However, while it may be easier to identify the best classic TV characters, there are many that grace today's television - - or its recent past - - who are also destined to become the classic characters of tomorrow. Here are just a few:

Xena (Xena) - This character broke new ground, proving once and for all that women were not the weaker sex but could be strong, analytical, cunning, and smart. Lucy Lawless infused her character will so many different layers that the audience was eventually able to forgive even her former acts of cruelty. Of course it didn't hurt that she had the absolute devotion of angelic companion Gabrielle.

Adrian Monk (Monk) - Neurosis never came in a more wonderful package than this highly neurotic and equally talented private investigator. Even though he must daily face some of his deepest fears, Adrian Monk never fails to come through in a pinch. He'll solve the crime and make sure that the bad guy gets exactly what he deserves. It almost seems as though Tony Shaloub was born to play this part which has earned him several Emmys, a Golden Globe, a SAG and many other awards.

Captain Jean Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation) - Everyone doubted this English actor's ability to exist within the very large shadow cast by former starship captain James T. Kirk. But he did and went on to arguably become an equal to Kirk in many ways. Although this captain was more analytical and handled the crew more like a benevolent patriarch, Patrick Stewart's Picard nonetheless made an indelible mark within this sci-fi hit.

Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Voyager) - It was hard for me not to include Kate Mulgrew here as well because I happen to think her Captain Janeway deserves to be recognized. However, the truth of it is that the real star of this series turned out to be the Borg turned human - - Seven of Nine. Although subsequent series tried to capture the same appeal that Jeri Ryan brought to this role, they were not able to do so. The actress simply had too much going for her to be duplicated. Her looks, her body, her ability to deliver her lines with the flatness of a Borg but the heart of a human; all which makes her one of a kind.

Vick Mackey (The Shield) - Once typecast as the lovable "chubby" guy, Michael Chiklis blasted that image to smithereens as the rogue cop Vick Mackey. It is amazing that a cop who doesn't even bother to skirt the issue of rules and regulations has become such a television hero. Equally appalled by and enamored of his take-no-prisoners attitude, Mackey is bound to go down in history as one of the most interesting characters of all time.

Murphy Brown (Murphy Brown) - Probably her biggest claim to fame, Vice President Dan Quayle once claimed that Murphy Brown was contributing to the delinquency of minors by having a baby out of wedlock. Hopefully, however, that isn't what the character will be remembered for in the long run because she was so much more. In a time when strong women were still an aberration to many, Murphy simply barged her way in and made them change their minds. Candice Bergen took home several Emmys and Golden Globes for this unique and memorable character.

Dana Scully & Fox Muldar* (X Files) - Arguably the biggest sci-fi hit on television - - that wasn't a part of the Star Trek series - - the X Files also gave America two distinctly different but equally unique characters. Dana Scully's belief in science was the perfect counter weight to Muldar's belief in the unknown. They proved to be the perfect Ying Yang and television has never again been quite the same. Gillian Anderson's beautiful, intelligent, and sophisticated Scully seemed ill equipped to deal with the likes of Fox Muldar, the roguish and devilishly handsome dreamer. But eventually the powers that be recognized what the fans knew all along, that those two characters were made for one another.

Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - No one expected a show about a teenage vampire slayer to become such a long-term hit. The movie upon which it was based did poorly at the box office and was panned by critics alike. However, with excellent writing and an equally outstanding actress at the helm, Buffy Summers kicked and punched her way into television history. Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy was layered with nuance after nuance. She was lovely and charming with a somewhat acerbic wit. She was funny and heartbreaking all at the same time. She was a heroine for the 90's and beyond.

Gaius Baltar & Number Six* (Battlestar Galactica) - Much like Scully and Muldar were the Ying and Yang of heroes; Baltar and Six are the same for villains. They go together like apple pie and vanilla ice cream. It's hard to know which is more evil; the Cylon who helped to plan the extermination of all mankind or the human who, however inadvertently, helped her almost achieve her goal. Patricia Hefler's Six is sexy, smart, and oh so seductive while James Callis's Baltar is smarmyiness personified. It makes one wonder what she sees in him.

Laura Roslin (Battlestar Galactica) - I just couldn't lump the president of the colonies in with the show's two villains. That would be unpatriotic. A heroine for the new century, this schoolteacher turned president proves she is willing to do whatever it takes to save her people. Trust me when I say that some of those decisions have been shocking to say the least. Mary McDonnell is perfect for this role, as she is equally adept at comedy and drama; both of which she infuses into her character.

Niles & Frasier Crane* (Frasier) - You just cannot separate these two brothers. They go together like cookies and milk. Equally neurotic and funny, Niles and Frasier Crane made people laugh from 1993 until 2004. The brothers even managed to stay pretty much neck and neck in awards. Maybe that's because the two talented actors playing the roles were masters of their trade. Kelsey Grammar's Frasier was smart, charming, and oddly sexy but David Hyde Pierce's Niles brought out the mothering instinct in women who just wanted to protect him. Guess there is just no denying that these brothers possessed that undeniable "it" quality.

Dick Solomon (Third Rock from the Sun) - A ground breaking character for television, Dick Solomon led a group of aliens to Earth and nearly took over the planet with enchanting laughter. Try as I might, I just could not help but like this totally outlandish character. Maybe that's because John Lithgow played him with such unabashed gusto. That might also explain why he took home enough Emmys, Golden Globes, and other awards to finance a trip back to wherever he supposedly came from. Long live the Big Giant Head!

Allison Du'Bois (Medium) - Okay, she is an unlikely choice for a lot of people's top television characters list but she is definitely making mine. Allison personifies the mother of this generation; the woman who does it all. She has a career but still finds times to take care of her family (with the help of a very cute and loving husband, may I add) and help other people in need. She reminds me of my daughter in that respect. She never shuts down and remains ready, willing, and able to go the extra mile. Plus, you just have to love those quirky dreams she has and the way she handles them. Patricia Arquette plays the part with such heart and soul that it is actually hard not to like her.

Ally McBeal (Ally McBeal) - This is a character that most people either loved or hated and the camps were pretty much equally divided. Her short short skirts and "Oh, I have to find a man" attitude angered women all of the country who were trying valiantly to do away with that kind of stereotypical woman. But there was something sweet and innocent about Ally that was hard to deny and even harder to ignore. She was young and foolish, that's true, but she was also a dreamer and she had blind faith that was ever so endearing. Calista Flockhart's Ally was definitely a contradiction in terms, but that was what made her a hit.

The Cast of Will & Grace* (Will & Grace) - I just couldn't decide between this cast of characters. They all had unique qualities that deserved to be recognized. So I threw them all in because, after all, this is what an ensemble cast should represent. Eric McCormack's Will was handsome and funny. It was easy to see why Grace just couldn't let go of him. Debra Messing's Grace was self-absorbed and neurotic but in such a funny way, that you loved her in spite of herself. Megan Mullally's Karen Walker was just too funny for words, at least most of the time. She crossed the line a few times but I won't go there. And Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland, although not one of my favorite characters, was nonetheless hard not to find amusing. The show took home a lot of awards but actors Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally won far more kudos than their leading counterparts.

The Cast of Friends* (Friends) - Another ensemble cast that was so inextricably linked together that it was impossible to separate them was Monica, Ross, Rachel, Joey, Phoebe, and Chandler. This remarkable cast of actors made every Thursday night something to look forward to. Courtney Cox's Monica, the obsessive clean freak with a serious case of the "me, me, me's", was delightful to watch. And who didn't root for David Schwimmer's Ross to win over his lady fair, Rachel? Then there is the haircut by the same name - - the Rachel - - that caused even more stir than Farah Fawcett's "wings." Matt LaBlanc's Joey was the little brother that everyone wanted and Phoebe the innocent, albeit quirky, child that everyone wanted to protect. And then there was Chandler, master of the one liners and awkward charm. It is easy to see why this show lasted as long as it did. After all, we all love our Friends.

Betty Suarez(Ugly Betty) - Never as ugly been so cute or so cool. Doing something for the self-esteem of young girls all over the nation, Betty has proven that you don't have to be beautiful if you're talented and smart. America Ferrera's Betty is all of that and so much more. She not only deserves all the hype she has gotten but a whole lot more. This talented actress blows away all the stereotypes about what a woman should be and she's building all new ones for the twenty-first century, just like her character Betty.

Clark Kent (Smallville) - When I first heard about this television series, I thought the idea was lame. I honestly didn't see how anyone would be interested in Superman before he became, well, Superman. But I was wrong. Smallville's Clark is every American girl's dream. He's smart. He's modest. He's good looking. Plus he's willing to be his life on the line for the woman of his dreams time after time after time. Tom Welling's Clark has heart, soul, and incredibly entrancing eyes. Guess he always was a super man.

Doug Ross (E.R.) - It took George Clooney a long time to catch his big break and actually get noticed for his considerable acting chops. And this wasn't even his first E.R. gig. However, the character of Doug Ross proved to be the winning combination of good looks, smarts, and bad boy charm that would propel Clooney into the limelight he so richly deserved from the start. Besides, who can resist a man who devotes his life to the health and well being of children? It may have taken longer than it should have, but Clooney now reigns as one of America's sexiest men and most sought after actors.

Sawyer (Lost) - I'll go on record from the beginning saying that I don't care for this character. If I had just my way, I would have gone for Terry O'Quinn's Locke. However, I know that a lot of women go for bad boy Sawyer and he is, unfortunately, unique and memorable. Even I have to admit that recently, Josh Holloway has managed to breathe some soul into his once totally devious character. His obvious love for his Kate shows in his eyes even when he denies it with his words. I have to give him kudos for attempting to redeem the once unredeemable.

Dr. McDreamy (Grey's Anatomy) - It seems that this handsome doctor not only has the heart of his ladylove, Meredith Grey, but those of half the women in America. McDreamy fever is a phenomenon that rarely happens but, when it does, can propel an actor's career into the stratosphere (a la George Clooney). It remains to be seen if that happens with McDreamy's alter ego Patrick Dempsey, who has actually already had a big screen career. But, in truth, it really matters not because he's burned into the hearts and minds of women everywhere, who are mcdreaming every Thursday night.

The Nazi (Grey's Anatomy) - Otherwise known as Miranda Bailey, this character deserves to stand on her own and not be lumped together with Dr. Shepherd. Chandra Wilson's Bailey is a breath of fresh air. She's sarcastic and funny and intelligent and strong; the perfect role model for her band of wayward interns who just can't seem to stay out of trouble. She's hard on them, like a mother would be, but also there for support whenever they need it. She's a woman for this century and worthy of emulation.

Brenda Johnson (The Closer) - This is a woman who defies categorization. She a little bit southern belle and a whole lot of street smart detective all rolled into one. She is not your typical television heroine. She doesn't need a man, although she's not opposed to one. She isn't out for glory or to prove her value. She knows of what she is capable. And she's not about to take guff from any of her smart aleck male team members either. She is fun and funny, witty and charming, and a whole lot of fun to watch.

Hiro (Heroes) - One of the most delightful characters to hit the small screen in years, Hiro is definitely a hero for the ages in that all he really wants out of life is to help mankind. He is pure of heart and of a spirit. He is hopeful for the future and has enough faith for 100 people. He is the light that blazes in the center of this magical series. Masi Oka is perfectly cast in this role because the audience utterly believes that he is Hiro.

Detective Andy Sipowicz (NYPD Blue) - Another controversial cop who got into as much trouble as humanly possible was Detective Andy Sipowicz. Try as he did to get his act together, he constantly strayed from the straight and narrow. But that is what made him human and why so many people fell in love with his character. Dennis Franz could make you want to throw your shoe through the TV at him one moment, and gather him in your arms and comfort him the next. Guess that's why he took home multiple awards for this role.

There are many more memorable characters, past and present, and many more likely to yet to come.