by Angeliki Coconi

Created on: November 09, 2010

The characters make the sitcom. We all know that. From crazy hair to awkward smile, these sitcom characters have managed to keep us entertained for a long time.

 5. David Brent (Ricky Gervais), 'The Office'

The middle-aged manager of the Slough branch of the Wernham-Hogg paper merchants. The man who thinks of himself as his staff's best friend as well as their boss. The man who believes to be the ultimate mentor, funny, kind and generous. The man who thinks his employees look up to him, respect him, but wouldn't also mind to enjoy his company outside work. David Brent's obliviousness to how his staff really sees him, which is as an annoying, ignorant and irritating man they would very much like to avoid when possible, is what makes him funny. We smile awkwardly while watching him. We laugh, but it hurts, really.

4. Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill), 'Married... With Children'

The simple man who always regrets the way his life has turned out. Married to Peggy, who he proposed to while drunk and can't remember it, and father of Kelly and Bud, two teenagers hating each other, Al loves his family but would gladly trade them for some cash. With a passion for football, nude magazines, beer and bowling, and hatred towards his neighbours and the French, he spends most of his life on his couch in front of the TV, giving his family money in order to avoid sex with his wife. What makes him funny? His bored, sick-of-life face.

3. Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), 'Friends'

The naive, innocent, too honest at times, child at heart friend, who manages to other times surprise with her wisdom, maturity and braveness. From begging for money out on the street, to becoming a surrogate mother for her brother's triplets, she has pretty much done it all. And why we love her? Because aside of being a trusted and warm friend, she is the writer-performer of 'Smelly Cat', among other great hit songs.

2. Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), 'Seinfeld'

The crazy man with the ridiculous hairstyle and his out-of-date outfits. The man who is unable to control his arms and legs, the man who stumbles and falls over when least expected. The neighbour who never knocks on Jerry's door, and always violently bursts in, interrupting a somewhat sensible discussion only to give an inexplicable response. The man who does nothing for living but somehow always manages to find the means to live comfortably. The eccentric Kramer who we can't help but love. For his take on marriage, for setting his hair on fire with a Cuban cigar, for making a great honoured guest at a mentally challenged people's event.

1. Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), 'Fawlty Towers'

The miserable, snobbish hotel owner, who knows nothing on how to run a business, especially a hotel. Unable to be polite and pleasant to his guests, he always manages to get in trouble, especially with his wife, Sybil, who he is terrified of. Desperate to climb his way up to a higher class, he tries to be as nice as possible to his wealthy or of some status guests, but as it is never his true face, he then ends up messing up. What makes Basil Fawlty the best sitcom character of all times is his ability to be highly inappropriate when it's the least needed. His ability to bring disaster when it's nowhere near. That's why we love him.

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