Top 5 television characters

ADA Abbie Carmichael
Det. Lennie Briscoe (whose first appearance on L&O, btw, was as an attorney for a suspect ... he turned into the ultimate "repeat offender" on that series)
Det. Frank Pembleton
Perry Cox (Scrubs)
Jade West (Victorious)

 

No joke. His ability to almost destroy the 4077th from within was impressive. Masterful work by Larry Linville. Bowed out after five seasons because he felt like he had taken Frank Burns as far as he would go.

Charles Emerson Winchester III was another master stroke. No point in trying to re-create Frank Burns. Largely the antithesis of Burns, yet the ability to disclose some redeeming qualities without looking too benevolent was well done.

Not sure I agree about BJ Hunnicutt. Hawkeye and Trapper were both goofballs and similar. By the time Wayne Rogers left and Mike Farrell got there, Alan Alda's character had the goofball market cornered. Might as well introduce a calmer, more family-oriented voice of reason to provide some welcome contrast.

 

Already agreed per my list upthread.

The grossly underrated character? Jonathan Quail Higgins. John Hillerman was stupendous. The overly long anecdotes, the evolution of his relationship with Magnum, the alternative characters Hillerman played in a handful of episodes, the lads ... and the fact that a native Texan pulled off a British character that impressed the British. (Not easy. See also: the number of thespians who slaughter their weak attempts at Southern accents and mannerisms.)

The "Magnum P.I." series running now has re-created all the major characters with the exception of Jonathan Higgins. It's now Juliet Higgins. I'd like to think that's largely a tribute to Hillerman's work.

Might re-think my list of five ...

 

I agree that Trapper 2.0 wouldn't have worked, I just thought BJ was a bit of a drip.

 

Ron Swanson
Michael Scott
The Doctor
Jack Donaghy
Homer Simpson

 

Lennie Briscoe
Omar Little
Rick Sanchez
Lucille Bluth
Cosmo Kramer (duh)

 

Raylan Givens
Saga Norén
Kari Sorjonen
Frank Pembleton
Walter White
Stringer Bell

Apologies for going international on a few choices but if you've seen "The Bridge" or "Bordertown" I think you'll agree that they belong in the running.

And yes ... I know I listed six.

 

One hundred percent on Raylan Givens. My favorite moment: while looking for Waldo Truth, he meets his mother (Beth Grant). She tells him something like "do you wanna know the secret to raising kids?"

Givens: "Do tell."

 

To go British on you, give me Gareth Blackstock.

 

I was a big fan of Karppi on Deadwind.

 

Phil Esterhaus is another good one.

 

Haven't gotten to that one yet. Adding it my list!!