Recurring characters are like inside jokes: They exist in part to reward viewers of television series, not just the episodes. They're like drunk uncles or ex-girlfriends who drop by every few months, drink all your beer, dance naked in your living room, puke on the floor and vanish, only to return again six months later looking to crash on your couch. And we let them, goddamnit, because we have an unyielding affection for them, no matter how much they wreck the place.
The best shows use these recurring characters sparingly. They're typically one note, but it's a glorious note, and as long as it's not overplayed, the character can continue to return without ever wearing out his or her welcome (see, e.g., Senor Chang, who was elevated to series regular on "Community" and almost immediately became unbearable).
I've taken the liberty of ranking, without comment, television's best recurring characters. A note about the criteria: To be included on the list, the character must be in an on-going television show; he or she must have been in fewer than 30 percent of the show's episodes; and he or she must have recurred in two or more seasons of the show. Limit one recurring character per series.
15. Daniel Shaw, "Chuck"
14. Sam Weiss, "Fringe"
13. Ted Danson, "Curb Your Enthusiasm'
12. Dewey Crowe, "Justified"
11. Pamela, "Louie"
10. Dr. Leo Spaceman, "30 Rock"
9. Chucky Marstein, "Sons of Anarchy"
8. James Stinson, "How I Met Your Mother"
7. Tom, "Cougar Town"
6. Trudy Campbell, "Mad Men"
5. Rickety Cricket, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"
4. Fat Neil, "Community"
3. Louis Canning, "The Good Wife"
2. Jean Ralpho, "Parks and Recreation"
1. Rafi, "The League"
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yay for Sam Weiss!
Sam Weiss gets bonus points for also being Professor Professorson.
Oh I was ready to rip you for Fat Neil over Magnitude, but Rafi at #1 just made this the greatest list like, evers.
Rafi is the Tits! And the “Murder Boner” now just makes the UFC seem gay.
What about Garrett? CRISIS ALERT!!!
I think we can all agree that Community has several great candidates for this list (Magnitude, Garrett, Leonard with his prescription socks), but putting all of the deserving ones on there would just make this “Community’s Best Recurring Characters and Rafi” and that just wouldn’t be fair.
I nominate, conjunctively, all the fine upstanding women I’ve shared a bed with since 2007.
Especially Bobbie Barrett. Lovely lady.
*lights cigarette, sips scotch, crosses leg and puts arm over back of chair, exhales and stares longingly out window*
fuck you for having Alison Brie at #6 but I can’t disagree at all with Rafi at #1. Also Todd Barry should have gotten a little love for “Louie”.
Yay for Jean-Ralphio, obviously! Also yay for Shaw, Ted Danson, Rafi, and Dr Spaceman!
Great call on Rafi as #1.
Rafi at the top of the list makes me want to put seven dollars worth of Hoobastank in the jukebox
I’d take Jerry over Jean Ralphio because everyone abandoning character to make fun of Jerry is my favorite part of Parks and Rec. And where’s Len Trexler?!
But yeah, Raffi #1. For reals.
Boosh for Len Trexler, but Jerry is a regular character, not a recurring one.
oh yeah.. and I LOVE Community.. but Fat Neil? Really? Leonard is 100x better.
and like a typical internet user I did not read the first page. I just viewed the list and started complaining. (but for reals, Fat Neil??)
Neither Leonard nor Jerry qualify, as they have both been in way more than 30 percent of the episodes (in fact, Leonard has been in nearly half). They’re not recurring; they’re semi-regular.
Hold your tongue wench! Fat Neil is a delightful character with whom all fat nerds can identify.
okay no Jerry but what about Tammy (Megan Mullally)
Tammy over Jean-Ralphio? no chance. Dance up on me Jean-Ralphio!
oh yeah i forgot 1 character per show. no doubt jean-ralphio should be there
As much as I love Marty McFly, he deserves no place ahead of Fat Neil or Rickety Cricket.
Have you seen Marty McFly in “The Good Wife”? He is UNREAL. He’s part evil, part nice guy, and completely awesome, and as self-deprecating as he was in “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” I would not place anyone ahead of Fat Neil lightly.
Michael J. Fox is incredible on TGW, using his illness as a way to gain favour with juries and judges, yet making it clear to us that he is exaggerating it.
He is awesome, but I prefer Elsbeth Tasconi as a recurring Good Wife character. Makes me laugh.
Michael J. Fox is incredible on TGW, using his illness as a way to gain favour with juries and judges, yet making it clear to us that he is exaggerating it.
Meanwhile, Rush Limbaugh screams “I knew it!” at his television.
I was going to post how excited I was to see Michael J. Fox on this list. When he showed up a few episodes ago again on The Good Wife it was a total surprise and I had a “Sheeeeeeeeeit” moment.
The Good Wife has some of the best recurring characters. Couldn’t agree more about Elsbeth Tasconi too. Plus all the rotating judges.
Does Odenkirk on Breaking Bad count? Because Odenkirk on Breaking Bad if he does.
No. 27 of 46 episodes.
What’s that, like 9%? I’m not so good at math.
Cmon…James Stinson over Dr. Spaceman?
“When is modern science going to find the cure for a woman’s mouth?”
Great list here. Awesome to see Rafi getting some love. Mantzoukas’ work on the League always leaves me laughing.
The McPoyles > Rickety Cricket
NO ONE DENIES THIS!!
I would add the rotating cast of interns from Bones, but a) they may not qualify mathematically and b) I recognize I have questionable taste.
Right now Bones is starting to feel like those seasons of Cheers when Sam and Rebecca were sleeping together.
I like the inclusion of Pamela, because she perfectly encapsulates that hot friend some of us have that is frustratingly promiscuous with everyone except for you – but is cool enough that you can’t quite quit her. I’d also probably have included Crowley from Supernatural.
Oh hey would you look at this: another lazy list! and Alison Brie in the banner picture for barely any reason? A bold strategy.
God dammit, this site is getting wrecked on just like when Punte took over With Leather and shitted all over everything with his horrible jokes and random moral rants.
EVERY REASON IS A REASON TO INCLUDE ALISON BRIE IN THE BANNER PICTURE. Mention “Community”: Boom! Alison Brie. Mention “Mad Men”: Boom. Alison Brie. Eating Cheese: Boom! Alison Brie. Discussing Dream Television Lesbian Sequences: Boom! Alison Brie.
Yeah, Dustin, how dare you sully the reputation of WG that Matt built by including pictures of Alison Brie?
I love Alison Brie as much as the next UPROXX junkie, but her character in Mad Men is terrible. What does she add to the show? She doesn’t do anything except over-annunciate everything she says and dote on the show’s biggest dipshit.
I believe she adds tits.
guitarjustin just dropped the mic and walked off stage.
On Mad Men? I guess if you close your eyes while she’s talking and imagine her character from Community then maybe, but there’s a reason no one makes slideshows of Trudy Campbell .gifs
If it weren’t for Dr. Spaceman, who is genius, I’d say that this list is missing Colleen Donaghy.
“Tell Jack that his mother is here and she loves him very much! … But not in a gay way!”
Rafi at #1, like the consensus says, is perfect.
But when it comes to a “Sunny” recurring character, I’ve always been a big fan of Charlie’s Uncle Jack.
Artemis is up there too, she’s always ridiculous
Bionic Barry Dillon from Archer or GTFO.
Two for three off the roof, bitch!
Good list, though Jean Ralphio would be in my top spot. I’ll add:
Saffron (Christina Hendricks) – Firefly : Okay, so the show only went one season…you all know she woulda been back.
Barry – Archer
Devon Banks – 30 Rock
Franklin – Arrested Development
Sen. Clay Davis – The Wire
Glen Allen Walken – The West Wing
And I totally failed reading. *Current* TV Shows. Ugh. My bad.
Barry and Devon still count, though, I guess.
I’d do J. Walter Weatherman from AD
Some things you can’t unsee, bro.
I’m going to have to go with Garrett.
Every line Garrett has ever had has been hilarious.
“I forgot what I am again”
He’s like if God spilled a person
This list makes me miss Troy Maclure, who you may remember from such films as “Dial M for Murderousness” and “The Unbearable Moistness of Sweating.”
WHERE IS DENNIS FEINSTEIN?!?!
Good Wife appreciation? In MY Warming Glow?
Seriously, might be the best show on TV that you’re not watching.
And let’s keep it that way!
The Crazy Cat Lady in the Simpsons.
A guy from The League at the top in a WG 2.0 post?
(“I’m day drunk. Get ready to see my dick.”)
Rafi is my hero.
When Jean-Ralphio wasn’t number one I was a little pissed, but I then I clicked and saw it was Rafi and nodded in approval.
Also, whoever it was that said Todd Barry should get some love, THAT.
Oh yeah, I forgot Greased-Up Deaf Guy.
how the hell is Dennis from 30 Rock not on this list, ya Dummy!
SOME THINGS YOU CAN’T UNSEE BRO!!