Top 10 Television Characters

-

The recent death of Matthew Perry got people thinking about how great he was as Chandler Bing on ‘Friends’.

He’s certainly in the conversation of top ten television characters of all-time.

Here’s my list. For what it’s worth!

10). Gregory House from ‘House’. 

A terrific show and a wonderful character - played great by Hugh Laurie. He was so brilliant. So funny and so sarcastic. 

9). Hawkeye Pierce - ‘M*A*S*H - hysterical - especially when he was pranking Frank Burns, or cracking wise with B.J. - he was also well-developed. He was in a war and life and death was at the forefront.

8). Michael Scott - Steve Carrell was the perfect choice and played the hell out of the role in ‘The Office’. When he burns his foot, or drives the car into the lake. He was so sad and so dumb and so like so many suck ups I’ve met in my life. Awesome character.

7). Fonzie - I spent a couple of hours signing books next to Henry Winkler in NYC - he has a reputation as the nicest guy in Hollywood. He is! Great guy!! He was also the biggest star in the country when ‘Happy Days’ was at the top of the heap. We all wanted to be that cool.

As an aside, I whispered a question in Henry’s ear:

“Did you DO Pinky Tuscadero?”

He laughed and hugged me. He also blushed, and whispered:

“I can’t say anything about her!”

6). Harry Bosch - we love, love, love the Bosch series and Titus Welliver is terrific in the lead role. The series is well-written. Bosch explains that ‘Everyone Counts’.

His character lives it.

5). Jeff Daniels - ‘Newsroom’ - Will McAvoy was one of the best written characters in television history - from his speech about why America isn’t the greatest country in the world - in episode one - through every single scene he’s in - Daniels is amazing.

4). Carmela Soprano - My all-time favorite show and there were so many amazing characters, but Edie Falco was so great. She sold it all to me each week - a loving mother, a woman who tried to reconcile God and her love of the money she was being handed. She deserved every award she ever received.

3). Oscar Madison - I have so many memories of watching ‘The Odd Couple’ with my Mom. I wanted to be a writer like Oscar. In fact, I was interviewed by the ‘Buffalo News’ when ‘Waldorf & Juli’ came out - I mentioned to the reporter that ‘I wanted to be Oscar Madison. I wanted to eat like a pig, dress like a slob, and write things people like to read. I’ve done two of three and my writing career is picking up steam.’

The ‘News’ printed that quote under my photo - such a proud moment. 

Loved Oscar.

2). Walter White - Bryan Cranston is my favorite living actor and he absolutely destroyed in the role of the teacher, dying of cancer, who becomes a drug kingpin. I would also put Aaron Paul way up on a list of great television characters as Jessie Pinkman.

A nearly perfect show.

Cranston should be number one and would be if…

1). Tony Soprano - James Gandolfini - Walter White would be #1 but there was just no way I could place him above Gandolfini on this list.

Perfect television.

A superb actor who had expressions and language that I recognized from members of my own family.

Tony Soprano was a flawed man. He was a killer, a cheater. He lied, stole and murdered and I rooted for him every stop of the way.

I was so sad when the series ended.

I’m still not over Gandolfini’s death.

I’m not sure there will ever be a better show or character.

So, there you have it!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more