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NFT: Is there a better sitcom character?

SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/15/2021 7:12 pm
The 0:54 mark 'Because I'm sick' has me howling.

'But I'm disturbed. I'm depressed. I'm inadequate. I got it all!'
Link - ( New Window )
Opened this thinking  
j_rud : 4/15/2021 7:16 pm : link
"If this is anyone other than George Constanza Im going to war"
Ha ha  
eric2425ny : 4/15/2021 7:17 pm : link
“You’re killing independent George!”
Georgie is definitely up there  
Greg from LI : 4/15/2021 7:27 pm : link
I'd put David Brent and Gob Bluth up there too
I don't know if George is 1A or 1B  
Bear vs Shark : 4/15/2021 7:28 pm : link
but whichever he is, the other spot goes to Charlie Kelly from Always Sunny.

Always Sunny is the only sitcom I think is better than Seinfeld (maybe Curb? but they are sort of a package deal). And I LOVE Seinfeld.
RE: Opened this thinking  
Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 4/15/2021 7:28 pm : link
In comment 15222343 j_rud said:
Quote:
"If this is anyone other than George Constanza Im going to war"


George is iconic, but Frank Costanza might be my favorite character on that show.
The only other character close is  
Big Al : 4/15/2021 7:34 pm : link
Jim Ignatowski. Louie DePalma is also top five. No I am not that big a Taxi fan other than those two characters.
Not sure if it counts  
Bricktop : 4/15/2021 7:36 pm : link
But Homer Simpson was Fucking hilarious.
...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/15/2021 7:39 pm : link
Estelle: So, I'm getting an eye job.

George: An eye job? Ma, you don't need an eye job.

Estelle: Georgie, I'm a divorcee.

George: No, you're not a divorcee. You're just separated. You're---you're a separatee.

Estelle: Well, I'm out there, George.

George: No, you're not out there.

Estelle: I am, too!

George: You're not out there! You can't be, because *I* am out there. And, if I see *you* out there, there's not enough voltage in this world to, electroshock me back into coherence!
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Felix  
Gmanfandan : 4/15/2021 7:39 pm : link
Unger - Look it up youngsters
Does Randy Marsh count?  
LeonBright45 : 4/15/2021 7:39 pm : link
He is my favorite
Archie Bunker  
Professor Falken : 4/15/2021 7:40 pm : link
GOAT
RE: RE: Opened this thinking  
eric2425ny : 4/15/2021 7:45 pm : link
In comment 15222367 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:
Quote:
In comment 15222343 j_rud said:


Quote:


"If this is anyone other than George Constanza Im going to war"



George is iconic, but Frank Costanza might be my favorite character on that show.


Good call. The one where he was explaining the bra cup sizes to George was hilarious
George Costanza and Elaine Benes  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 4/15/2021 7:46 pm : link
Is Black Adder a sitcom? No idea but Rowan Atkinson was ruthless.
RE: RE: RE: Opened this thinking  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/15/2021 7:53 pm : link
In comment 15222395 eric2425ny said:
Quote:
In comment 15222367 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:


Quote:


In comment 15222343 j_rud said:


Quote:


"If this is anyone other than George Constanza Im going to war"



George is iconic, but Frank Costanza might be my favorite character on that show.



Good call. The one where he was explaining the bra cup sizes to George was hilarious


'WHAT THE HELL DID YOU TRADE JAY BUHNER FOR?'
No one better  
pjcas18 : 4/15/2021 7:59 pm : link
George is the best.

And IMO Jerry Stiller was better as Arthur Spooner than Frank Costanza.

the only sitcom characters IMO that are close to George Costanza are:

Ron Swanson (Parks and rec)
Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman from Newsradio)
It's so funny that you can just hear Larry David voice  
sb from NYT Forum : 4/15/2021 8:02 pm : link
...in every single George line.
Who can top Art Carney  
KeoweeFan : 4/15/2021 8:04 pm : link
in the Jackie Gleason "Honeymooners" cast?

or how 'bout Bruce Willis backing up Cybill Shepherd in "Moonlighting"? (BTW, what ever happened to him?)
Ted Baxter is in the conversation.  
Beezer : 4/15/2021 8:15 pm : link

Archie was mentioned. George Jefferson was pretty great.

In a different way, you’ve got your pick from MASH or WKRP.

Costanza is great. Don’t think you can put one of these characters on the top spot.

Because that, my friends? Belongs to Lucille Ball.
RE: It's so funny that you can just hear Larry David voice  
Beezer : 4/15/2021 8:17 pm : link
In comment 15222416 sb from NYT Forum said:
Quote:
...in every single George line.


Working my way through Curb Your Enthusiasm. It’s the same in reverse. You hear George in much of David’s stuff.
...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/15/2021 8:22 pm : link
I loved Norm in 'Cheers' too. So many great one liners.
Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince  
Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 4/15/2021 8:25 pm : link
deserves some love. He was an amazing actor who had a combination of both classic serious and funny moments. One of the best TV dads ever.
no  
Producer : 4/15/2021 8:27 pm : link
there's no better character in tv sitcom history than George Costanza.
Honey?!...  
BamaBlue : 4/15/2021 8:27 pm : link
Wake up. You won't believe the dream I had.

Bob Newhart... a man a comedy legend.
Bob Newhart - ( New Window )
RE: Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/15/2021 8:33 pm : link
In comment 15222445 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:
Quote:
deserves some love. He was an amazing actor who had a combination of both classic serious and funny moments. One of the best TV dads ever.


That scene where Will's old man leaves...that was 'I'm chopping onions' moment for me.
RE: Opened this thinking  
Mike from SI : 4/15/2021 8:33 pm : link
In comment 15222343 j_rud said:
Quote:
"If this is anyone other than George Constanza Im going to war"


Same.
Fun fact about frank costanza  
oghwga : 4/15/2021 8:35 pm : link
He was originally written as quiet and whipped by his wife. He asked if he could try a different take and maybe yell back at her and the rest is history.
Man the algorithm  
Mark from Jersey : 4/15/2021 8:35 pm : link
is strong on YouTube. Check out what was just recommended
A few scenes earlier... - ( New Window )
Ted Baxter  
SomeFan : 4/15/2021 8:37 pm : link
Frank Burns have to be top 10
Wow  
BigBlueShock : 4/15/2021 8:39 pm : link
This thread is as close to unanimous as any thread in the history of BBI
I'm with Big Al  
River Mike : 4/15/2021 8:40 pm : link
on this ..... Jim Ignatowski. Louie DePalma! Although Costanza would definitely round out the top 3.
RE: No one better  
Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 4/15/2021 8:44 pm : link
In comment 15222411 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
George is the best.

And IMO Jerry Stiller was better as Arthur Spooner than Frank Costanza.

the only sitcom characters IMO that are close to George Costanza are:

Ron Swanson (Parks and rec)
Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman from Newsradio)


I just think Jerry Stiller was awesome, he was great it both shows. Feels like he had a bigger role in King of Queens but it's hard to top his interactions on Seinfeld with George, Kramer, and his wife.
It's hard to top George Costanza, but......  
RickJames : 4/15/2021 8:46 pm : link
Al Bundy comes close.

Not nearly as mainstream, Rafi from the league is one of the funniest characters of more recent times.
George couldn't carry Archie Bunker's jock let's get real here  
gtt350 : 4/15/2021 8:47 pm : link
.
RE: RE: Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince  
Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 4/15/2021 8:48 pm : link
In comment 15222454 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
In comment 15222445 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:


Quote:


deserves some love. He was an amazing actor who had a combination of both classic serious and funny moments. One of the best TV dads ever.



That scene where Will's old man leaves...that was 'I'm chopping onions' moment for me.


Yep, that was classic. There's also the scene where he goes to the police station to pick up Will and Carlton, another classic.

But then he balances those scenes with hilarious moments. RIP James Avery.
I know Im a little younger than most  
chopperhatch : 4/15/2021 8:50 pm : link
and Seinfeld was in my wheelhouse, but Ari Gold was always my favorite sitcom character. Not sure it qualifies because of vulgarity. But Ari was fucking great
Best temper loser ever - ( New Window )
No Red Foreman  
Mark from Jersey : 4/15/2021 8:52 pm : link
fans? Im going to put my foot up all your asses! haha
RE: RE: RE: RE: Opened this thinking  
eric2425ny : 4/15/2021 8:54 pm : link
In comment 15222407 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
In comment 15222395 eric2425ny said:


Quote:


In comment 15222367 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:


Quote:


In comment 15222343 j_rud said:


Quote:


"If this is anyone other than George Constanza Im going to war"



George is iconic, but Frank Costanza might be my favorite character on that show.



Good call. The one where he was explaining the bra cup sizes to George was hilarious



'WHAT THE HELL DID YOU TRADE JAY BUHNER FOR?'


Lol, classic. Or the one where George said he heard a mouse in the attic. Frank: “That’s it, we’re moving. I will not tolerate infestation!”
Remember, Jerry...  
Producer : 4/15/2021 8:56 pm : link
it's not a lie, if you believe it..
It’s George but Frank is great  
glowrider : 4/15/2021 8:59 pm : link
Quote:
This is Frank Costanza. You think you can keep us out of Florida? We're moving in lock, stock and barrel. We're gonna be in the pool. We're gonna be in the clubhouse. We're gonna be all over that shuffleboard court. And I dare you to keep me out!


Or

Quote:
I worked out with a dumbbell yesterday. I feel vigorous.
Great character  
Bigislandfan : 4/15/2021 9:01 pm : link
Sweringer (sp) from Deadwood. Fuck yeah
RE: Great character  
chopperhatch : 4/15/2021 9:03 pm : link
In comment 15222487 Bigislandfan said:
Quote:
Sweringer (sp) from Deadwood. Fuck yeah


I love the character, but Deadwood was not the same category of show. Entourage was at least largely a comedy.
RE: RE: No one better  
pjcas18 : 4/15/2021 9:05 pm : link
In comment 15222469 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:
Quote:
In comment 15222411 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


George is the best.

And IMO Jerry Stiller was better as Arthur Spooner than Frank Costanza.

the only sitcom characters IMO that are close to George Costanza are:

Ron Swanson (Parks and rec)
Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman from Newsradio)



I just think Jerry Stiller was awesome, he was great it both shows. Feels like he had a bigger role in King of Queens but it's hard to top his interactions on Seinfeld with George, Kramer, and his wife.


I thought so too, but I didn't watch King of Queens when it was on, so I catch it now in syndication and Arthur Spooner makes the whole show, he's hilarious and IMO more funny than Frank Costanza who is is great,but very one dimensional

just my opinion, probably splitting hairs
Frank Costanza  
Mark from Jersey : 4/15/2021 9:08 pm : link
You want a piece of me?
Blooper reel link  
Mark from Jersey : 4/15/2021 9:11 pm : link
to you want a piece of me...classic
Link - ( New Window )
Jim  
Matt M. : 4/15/2021 9:13 pm : link
from Taxi.
Latka from Taxi was a hoot and way better than George  
gtt350 : 4/15/2021 9:40 pm : link
a dibby dibby dah
TOP 3:  
Anakim : 4/15/2021 9:44 pm : link
George Costanza
Al Bundy
ZACK MORRIS


Don't even start!
.  
smshmth8690 : 4/15/2021 9:45 pm : link
Archie Bunker  
Pete in MD : 4/15/2021 9:50 pm : link
was so ahead of his time because of the many people didn't get the parody of an old racist white guy.

I always loved Cliff, Norm, and Woody on Cheers.

Pete everyone got the parody  
gtt350 : 4/15/2021 9:57 pm : link
that's why the show was huge groundbreaking success
RE: Remember, Jerry...  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 4/15/2021 9:58 pm : link
In comment 15222485 Producer said:
Quote:
it's not a lie, if you believe it..


One of the greatest lines, along with the whole rant when Jerry says he's not going through with the threesome.
George in The Opposite  
Jimmy Googs : 4/15/2021 10:29 pm : link
may be the single greatest sitcom episode in TV history...
Just because I loved the show  
UGADawgs7 : 4/15/2021 10:59 pm : link
Al “touchdown” Bundy...
Btw he just turned 75 this week.
Pick anyone in Always Sunny.  
Zeke's Alibi : 4/15/2021 11:27 pm : link
.
RE: George in The Opposite  
eric2425ny : 4/15/2021 11:53 pm : link
In comment 15222605 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
may be the single greatest sitcom episode in TV history...


Completely agree. And honestly, sometimes that strategy actually works.
RE: TOP 3:  
eric2425ny : 4/15/2021 11:55 pm : link
In comment 15222549 Anakim said:
Quote:
George Costanza
Al Bundy
ZACK MORRIS


Don't even start!


Zack Morris! AC Slater all the way!
RE: TOP 3:  
eric2425ny : 4/15/2021 11:55 pm : link
In comment 15222549 Anakim said:
Quote:
George Costanza
Al Bundy
ZACK MORRIS


Don't even start!


Zack Morris? AC Slater all the way!
RE: Pete everyone got the parody  
Pete in MD : 4/16/2021 12:09 am : link
In comment 15222568 gtt350 said:
Quote:
that's why the show was huge groundbreaking success

Fair enough. It was before my time.
Peter Griffin  
TXRabbit : 4/16/2021 12:56 am : link
/end thread
George was amazing  
JoeMoney19 : 4/16/2021 1:22 am : link
until David left. After that Kramer really carried the show in my opinion, so I have to ding George the character for that somewhat.

Lucille Bluth might be my favorite. RIP JW.
Arthur  
mitch300 : 4/16/2021 2:41 am : link
Spooner was hilarious.
Athurs  
mitch300 : 4/16/2021 2:43 am : link
Socks.
Link - ( New Window )
George is getting upset!  
NoGainDayne : 4/16/2021 4:39 am : link
#1 for me too.

Others named I agree with two, Gob and Lucille. Charlie Kelly.

If we are doing cartoons, Rick is a strong choice. As is Cartman for me.

As an ensemble cast Brooklyn 99 I think is amazing. The way they play off each other is really special. The cut scenes they do at the beginning of the shows are fantastic.
Redd Foxx - Sanford and Son  
jcp56 : 4/16/2021 6:10 am : link
was great.
You can mix and match a little bit  
AnnapolisMike : 4/16/2021 6:43 am : link
But George is a top 5 lock in anyones list.
Not enough love for Always Sunny  
Bear vs Shark : 4/16/2021 10:18 am : link
But since we're talking Seinfeld and that's my other favorite sitcom, I think it's worth mentioning that the things that makes them so great (to me) is the tiny, little exchanges between the characters.

Two examples in Seineld are Jerry and Kramer talking about the write offs, and George telling Jerry to "back it up, back it up, beep beep beep". Little interactions between the characters are what make these two shows so great.
George and Kramer.....Kramer was just ZANY!  
Dinger : 4/16/2021 10:59 am : link
but there are a lot Gob Buster AND Tobias! Michael Scott, Dwight Schrutte. Cliff Claven and Woody. Charlie Day. I'm probably in the minority, but 30 Rock had some great characters From Jack Donaghy and Tracy Jordan to more of a bit player in Dennis Duffy.
This guy was pretty funny too.  
Jimmy Googs : 4/16/2021 11:43 am : link
And he knew how to order a martini better than anyone...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq0IChJXJ14
RE: George in The Opposite  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/16/2021 11:52 am : link
In comment 15222605 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
may be the single greatest sitcom episode in TV history...


Jerry's 'Speaking of having it all' line when George enters coffee shop never fails to crack me up.
...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/16/2021 11:54 am : link
And the whole initial Steinbrenner scene is classic. 'HIRE THIS MAN!'
Basil Fawlty  
Big Al : 4/16/2021 11:58 am : link
needs a mention on this thread.
RE: ...  
Jimmy Googs : 4/16/2021 11:59 am : link
In comment 15223038 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
And the whole initial Steinbrenner scene is classic. 'HIRE THIS MAN!'


SFG - you can find seinfeld reruns on any day of the week, but my DVR always has The Opposite on the recorded list.

It's simply makes me laugh out loud...

RE: RE: ...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/16/2021 12:08 pm : link
In comment 15223047 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
In comment 15223038 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:


Quote:


And the whole initial Steinbrenner scene is classic. 'HIRE THIS MAN!'



SFG - you can find seinfeld reruns on any day of the week, but my DVR always has The Opposite on the recorded list.

It's simply makes me laugh out loud...



Love it. Haha.

'You see that? He almost cut you off!'

'Take it easy...take it easy. It isn't the end of the world.'
...  
Jimmy Googs : 4/16/2021 12:21 pm : link

Jim Ignatowski  
Big Al : 4/16/2021 12:21 pm : link
takes driver’s test.
Link - ( New Window )
RE: Fun fact about frank costanza  
Section331 : 4/16/2021 12:36 pm : link
In comment 15222458 oghwga said:
Quote:
He was originally written as quiet and whipped by his wife. He asked if he could try a different take and maybe yell back at her and the rest is history.


Jerry Stiller wasn't the original Frank Costanza, John Randolph was. IIRC, Jerry Stiller asked if they could refilm those scenes with him rather than Randolph, whose Frank was exceedingly dull.
Funny, Jerry Stiller appeared in less than 30 episodes....  
MOOPS : 4/16/2021 12:59 pm : link
of Seinfeld. He sure made the best of them.

But to the original question, George Costanza hands down.

Hard to say one character is THE best...  
John In CO : 4/16/2021 1:17 pm : link
My candidates would include Ralph and Ed, Barney Fife, Maxwell Smart, Felix Unger, Archie Bunker, Frank Burns, Jim from Taxi, George, Frank Barone, Larry David (could really just combine him with George), Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute....enjoyed all of them, and I know im missing others.
Need to Break It Down By Generation  
HMunster : 4/16/2021 1:19 pm : link
I mean add in Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) and Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke).

Agree on Reverend Jim. Frasier in both Cheers and Frasier.

Love George but way too many sitcoms over the years.
RE: Archie Bunker  
Mike from Ohio : 4/16/2021 6:12 pm : link
In comment 15222554 Pete in MD said:
Quote:
was so ahead of his time because of the many people didn't get the parody of an old racist white guy.

I always loved Cliff, Norm, and Woody on Cheers.


Wait, what? Nobody got the parody? Is there really even a single person who didn’t?

Please elaborate?
Art Carney  
CT Charlie : 4/17/2021 12:41 am : link
The Honeymooners.
RE: RE: Archie Bunker  
Pete in MD : 4/17/2021 2:38 am : link
In comment 15223482 Mike from Ohio said:
Quote:
In comment 15222554 Pete in MD said:


Quote:


was so ahead of his time because of the many people didn't get the parody of an old racist white guy.

I always loved Cliff, Norm, and Woody on Cheers.




Wait, what? Nobody got the parody? Is there really even a single person who didn’t?

Please elaborate?


Really?! I also never said nobody got the parody.

Quote:
Archie was relatable to audience members who felt stuck in dead end jobs with little hope of upward mobility, and who were similarly bewildered by the new rules of political correctness. To these white conservative viewers, he represented something of a folk hero. They purchased “Archie for President” memorabilia unironically and sympathized with his longing for the good old days. Archie was both the emotional center of “All in the Family” and the clear target of its ridicule.

Link - ( New Window )
George pretends to be a marine biologist  
Ira : 4/17/2021 7:58 am : link
Hilarious - especially the end
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Frank Barrone  
aimrocky : 4/17/2021 8:07 am : link
My top 3, not in order (excluding animation):

1.) Al Bundy
2.) Frank Barrone
3.) Ron Swanson

Honorable Mention - Michael Scott

Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin are up there as well.
RE: George pretends to be a marine biologist  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 4/17/2021 9:03 am : link
In comment 15223871 Ira said:
Quote:
Hilarious - especially the end Link - ( New Window )


Like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli. What a line.
I knew this was george  
mattlawson : 4/17/2021 2:16 pm : link
Just by the title
Curb  
liteamorn : 8:35 am : link
Larry David , and the entire cast
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