TV offers viewers comfort, laughter, or even escapism, and when it comes to fictional TV shows, viewers have been known to become emotionally attached to characters or resonate with them in ways they didn't expect. They almost become onscreen friends with them and perhaps they even help the viewer navigate the ever-changing realms of life and adulthood.
Reddit _JackStraw_ sought the help of other Reddit s to find out which TV character is the best of all time and exactly why they occupy such a prominent role in people's lives. These are the characters who stand out.
Leslie Knope (Parks And Recreation)
Leslie Knope was sadly the only female character mentioned in the thread, which was noticed by BlueWinterRose, who stated they "had to scroll this far down to find the first female character mentioned" before congratulating "Parks & Rec for writing interesting female characters."
Leslie was hilarious, endearing, and charming, but the main thing that won fans over was her ability to hold strong opinions whilst being mindful that not everyone will agree with her views. Leslie did everything in her power to make things better for the rest of the community, and her character proved that a strong female character can be funny and motivated without being made to be thoroughly unlikeable, something that is still somewhat rare on TV.
Dwight Schrute (The Office)
Dwight continuously seems like the smartest person in the room on The Office and whilst his brain is a hive of activity, it's not always for the right reasons. His eccentric personality is what fans found to be a particularly lovable trait, as he represented a character that didn't care about airs and graces but instead adopted a straight-talking approach that resulted in many questionable situations.
His character soon became one of the greatest of all time on TV due to his bizarre personality being turned into some hilarious memes and many unforgettable quotes. Reddit flyingplatypus1 was just one fan that proceeded to quote, "Dwight, you ignorant s***" to highlight just how iconic the character really is.
Walter White (Breaking Bad)
The character of Walter White is very different from Leslie Knope and Dwight Schrute, but he is definitely one that deserves a place in the hall of fame. Walter White is particularly well-written and continuously develops and engages fans due to the show's brilliant casting of Bryan Cranston.
Besides being highly intelligent, Walter battles cancer whilst simultaneously becoming a drug mastermind and remains thoroughly interesting throughout it all. NiceSasquatch shared the opinion of many fans, suggesting that, "His growths/character change throughout that series [were] brilliant," which is just one reason why Walter remains a fan favorite.
Chandler Bing (Friends)
Chandler Bing was the most sarcastic member of the Friends gang, but Chandler also had a kind heart, which he proved more than once. He won the hearts of viewers through his personality that mainly consisted of sarcastic remarks and self-deprecating jokes. The combination of this humor and his ability to show his deepest vulnerabilities made him a highly relatable character.
Fans were quick to label Chandler as their favorite, with many like Drunk_DoctoringFTW sharing references from the show, such as "MY NAME IS CLINT. CLINT." Chandler may have been sarcastic, but he also proved himself to be both a good husband and friend.
Ron Swanson (Parks And Recreation)
Parks And Recreation was made famous through its incredible cast and amazing characters. Ron Swanson is just one character that viewers wish they could meet in real life, with Reddit MacAny claiming him as their all-time favorite character in just three simple words: "Easy. Ron Swanson."
Ron might look like a stern, unapproachable man but viewers loved his character as soon as he opened his mouth and confirmed that he was, in fact, the complete opposite. He is a self-proclaimed feminist whose calm nature represented a refreshing male character for many viewers, especially in his open displays of emotion.
Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
Homer Simpson continues to be a favorite for many fans due to him being a very raw and real representation of suburban life. He balances a job, his kids, his marriage, and his other love affair: Moe's Tavern. His love for beer and questionable parenting skills make viewers feel less guilty about their own lives and they find comfort in him for that very reason.
Reddit tiger9910 claimed that they didn't "think anyone could hate Homer," and his ability to remain a staple TV character for 31 years proves how popular he continues to be with fans. He paved the way for more refreshing onscreen portrayals that represent the nitty-gritty of real life.
Michael Scott (The Office)
In of eccentric bosses, Michael Scott would win the title of the most chaotic boss of all time. From fake firing his employees to tearing the office apart pretending he could do parkour, Michael simultaneously gave viewers bad business advice on The Office whilst also making them cry-laugh.
12INCHVOICES shared that Michael is the "perfect combination of ineptitude, cringe, and insensitivity, yet he also has a heart of gold." He is able to create a fun work environment that may stray from the norm but offers a unique working experience where it is less like work and more like a family. He may label himself as the world's best boss but he is also one of Reddit's favorite characters.
George Costanza (Seinfeld)
George Costanza looks like your typical middle-aged man, however, he is an opinionated, short-tempered, angry man that viewers can't help but love. He represents what viewers really want to say through gritted teeth and shouting, and he has no problems with asserting his dominance or his opinions, which is what leads to him being something of a fan favorite.
Reddit stierc was quick to explain that "there is just so much gold in everything he does," something that viewers resonate with. Whether it's people chewing loudly in the cinema or road rage, George Costanza represents the inner workings of viewers' brains through his confrontational manner that fans just adore.
Randy Marsh (South Park)
Despite having some of the weirdest jobs ever on South Park, Randy Marsh continues to be a favorite character due to his inability to have or follow boundaries. Randy is an intelligent man that lacks common sense and often engages in chaotic and reckless behavior, usually fitting with the whole brand of the show.
He is an impulsive individual that enjoys danger and makes for a hilarious viewing experience, therefore, he ranks quite high in of viewers' favorite characters. His character is so unique that many Reddit s, including justin_w95 , explain how "there are so many moments in the show that make you laugh and go 'classic randy,'" making his character unforgettable.
Charlie Kelly (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)
Charlie Kelly is just another character that favors impulsive behavior and shouting, but that doesn't make him any less watchable. His wacky ways often see him get into trouble or recruit Frank into another one of his schemes that often end in disaster. Like all of the characters in It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Charlie has his faults, however, he also has many pros: he is innovative, creative, and even empathetic.
His character tends to take the moral high ground despite being completely clueless, but fans have a feeling that Charlie is a lot smarter than everyone thinks. He is a master of research, especially when it comes to plotting, so much so that Reddit Wheelersam suggested that "his research could revolutionize the field!" and fans tend to agree. Charlie's need to research things in depth is just one of his many redeeming features, which are perhaps why he is this Reddit 's favorite character of all time.