Who's the single greatest American television character ever?

[J_Dee]

Based on:

* The character's overall popularity
* The quality of the character's performer(s) and writer(s)
* The influence the character's had on the medium

Exclude characters who debuted primarily in other mediums, like Batman.

Animated characters have several advantages over live-action ones, but I'd probably still go with Homer Simpson. Aside from being well-written and universally recognizable, The Simpsons was integral in getting Fox off the ground as well as in launching a huge era of very popular shows that copied its formula.

I'd place Bugs Bunny second. Maybe Lucy Ricardo third.

 

[812scottj]

Tony Soprano
Kramer
Barney Fife

 

[bkingUK]

 

[TortElvisII]

Darryl

 

[Kaizer Sosay]

 

[Bigtyrone]

It's the big one!

I'm going with Spock.

Ruth Langmore may be my favorite though.

 

[TortElvisII]

Larry
Barney.
Andy.
Schultz
Klink
Ernest T.
Floyd.
Jonny Fever.
Jackie Chiles.
Dwight Schrute
Michael Scott
Pam Beesley.
Kevin Malone.
Jim Halpert.
Oliver Wendell Douglas.
Mr Haney.
Creed.
Mr Kimble.
Stanley Hudson
Dick Loudon.
Michael Harris

 

[funKYcat75]

Andy Taylor is probably the answer.

Some others.
Johnny Fever
Captain Stubing
Not my favorite, but Rosanne.
Al Bundy

 

[bigsmoothie]

Larry David
Don Draper

 

[KYHasATimeoutIfTheyWannaUseIt]

Debbie Gallagher from Shameless. Iconic and will go down as one of the best characters of all-time.

 

[Strokin_Bandit]

Kramer is the first character that came to mind.

 

[rick64]

Peter Falk as Columbo. Won 4 Emmys. He was absolutely brilliant.

 

[bluthruandthru]

 

[rbs]

From some of those listed above … of the non-lead characters

Floyd
Kramer
Newman
Norm

 

[sefus12]

Ari Gold from Entourage is the single greatest TV character I can think of.

 

[bigsmoothie]

Ari Gold from Entourage is the single greatest TV character I can think of.

Llooooooooooyd

 

[jameslee32]

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

Andy Taylor is probably the answer.

He was great in Duran Duran.

 

[Spica Orbit]

Krusty

 

[LineSkiCat14]

.

Just got done with BB the other day. And while I loved it, I can't put WW in my top5. And I don't really have a reason, other than He's just not quite at THAT level for me. Now.. Saul Goodman.. he might make that list. (2 episodes into BCS and I liked Saul the moment he was introduced in BB).

 

[LineSkiCat14]

 

[J_Dee]

 

[BBUK_anon]

...Pick any of these...

 

[willyclyde]

 

[BMoore2]

Based on:

* The character's overall popularity
* The quality of the character's performer(s) and writer(s)
* The influence the character's had on the medium

Exclude characters who debuted primarily in other mediums, like Batman.

Animated characters have several advantages over live-action ones, but I'd probably still go with Homer Simpson. Aside from being well-written and universally recognizable, The Simpsons was integral in getting Fox off the ground as well as in launching a huge era of very popular shows that copied its formula.

I'd place Bugs Bunny second. Maybe Lucy Ricardo third.

Can’t really disagree with any of this.
-Politics aside, ornery baby boomers really like themselves some Archie Bunker. Sitcom Bobby Knight.
-Dick Van Dyke/Mary Richards
-Betty White’s character in anything
-Sam Malone
-Tony Danza’s character in numerous shows
-Jerry Seinfeld
-Frasier Crane..?
-Alf..?

 

[Lexie's Dad]

Debbie Gallagher from Shameless. Iconic and will go down as one of the best characters of all-time.

Debbie?

Lip is better than Debbie.

Angelus the vampire who was cursed by Gypsies was a great character.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

WTF is iconic about Debbie?

 

[AustinTXCat]

Mr. Spock

Honorable mentions:

J. R. Ewing
Dr. Gregory House
Hawkeye Pierce
Archie Bunker

 

[kyeric]

Kramer

 

[Hank Camacho_rivals115797]

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

Walter White / Heisenberg, in my opinion, is the correct answer.

And, I'd pick two runners up which have not yet been mentioned. Big Bird and Kermit The Frog. Both have been on TV for many decades, and recognized by everyone from ages 1 to 99.

 

[TortElvisII]

jfc leave some for the rest of us..

You aren't wise enough to list Sergeant Schultz.

 

[vhcat70]

Ralph Kramden
Mr. Ed

 

[JDHoss]

Al Swearengen

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Imo it's probably Andy Taylor. Not that I'm a huge fan, but I don't think it can be understated how impactful it was to have all of America limited to 3 network choices. If you were the popular show of the era, everyone wit a tv was watching you.

I think another good choice would be the entire Brady bunch; for much the same reason

 

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

Balki taught us about valuing other cultures.

 

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

Most lovable child in TV history: Cousin Oliver

 

[mash_24]

1. Kramer
2. Barney Fife
3. George Costanza
4. Norm
5. Kenny Powers

 

[JHannibalSmith]

Based on the criteria, I can’t believe there has been no mention of Arthur Fonzarelli. Growing up in the late 70s-80s, it seemed like EVERYONE loved The Fonz. He was HUGE. And, his storylines always included messages of morality & lessons for kids to do the right thing.

 

[ukcatz12]

For me it's Larry David for a comedy character. Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene is coming on strong for a drama with how Better Call Saul is turning out.