by Bill Georato

Created on: April 14, 2010

Top Ten Television Characters

 Ever since television started, there have been thousands of shows, and probably a million characters. To pick the top ten is not an easy task.

What makes a top character?  It comes down to precise combination of writing and acting.  The writers create the concept of the character and the words they say, but the actor brings the physicality of the character: the movement, the body language, and tone of voice.  These two concepts come together to make a top character.

With this in mind, here is my list, in no particular order, of the top ten television characters.

Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce (M*A*S*H): Alan Alda’s best known TV role, Captain Pierce is a sarcastic doctor who was drafted into the Korean war from his hometown of Crabapple Cove, Maine.  He hates the Army, hates Korea, and hates politics. But he is also patriotic to his fellow draftees, and takes his duties as a doctor seriously. With his partner in crime Trapper John (and later BJ Hunnicut), he is the master of the joke and prank. Alda really gives a lot of himself to the role, as his personal politics mirror that of Pierce.

Archie Bunker (All In The Family): This over the top, controversial role is Carroll O’Connor’s finest, particularly because Archie is perfect opposite of O’Connor.  Today, the character would be called politically incorrect, would never make it to air, and was controversial even in its time. Archie was loud, obnoxious, and had his own special view of conservatism, often misquoting the bible. His debates with his son-in-law, Mike Stivic, were the debates taking place in real life in homes all around the US.

Kermit the Frog (Muppets): The only Muppet to appear on all the Muppet projects (Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, various movies) is a must have for this list. Originally voiced by the Muppets creator, Jim Henson, and now voiced by his son, Kermit has been a reporter, singer/songwriter, MC, and even plays the banjo. He and his merry band of Muppet and human friends have helped each other out of all kinds of situations. He is kind, smart, friendly, and his girlfriend is literally a pig—Miss Piggy.

Lorelei and Rory Gilmore (The Gilmore Girls):  As the title characters of the show, this mother-daughter team from Stars Hollow, Connecticut are the masters of the non-Aaron Sorkin-written walk and talk.  Lauren Graham’s Lorelei grew up as a teenage mother and

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