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The network television season officially wrapped up last week, and unofficially wrapped up on Tuesday with the hour-long season finale of "Cougar Town." Now that it's over, it's time to assess. As bad as networks are typically with drama -- you can count the number of watchable ones on one hand -- they are still pretty great with sitcoms, even if most of them are low-rated (or at least, the better ones tend to be). All around, it was a solid year with "Parks and Rec," "Community," "Happy Endings," "Cougar Town," the new entry, "New Girl," and the late one, "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23," among the best.
But, if you had to choose -- gun to head -- who would you pick as the funniest character of the season?
Last year, I'd have given it to Ron Swanson, no questions asked. That was the year of Snake Juice and the Dancing Swanson, but other than a few early highlights (Tammy I), it's been a relatively low key year for Ron Swanson, as the show shifted its primary focus on Leslie's city council campaign. Similarly, Jack Donaghy hasn't been as funny as in years past. Likewise, while Abed Nadir was one of my favorite characters of the season, both he and Troy Barnes spent a lot of time navigating the dark timeline. They were emotionally rich characters, but not always terrifically funny. Meanwhile, I could include five of the six characters from "Happy Endings" on this poll (I only included three) and I'd still have a difficult time picking the funniest.
Ultimately, I think my vote would come down to Laurie Keller, who stole nearly every scene she was in on "Cougar Town" this year, or Andy Dwyer, whose Bert Macklin was the funniest thing, among many, going for "Parks and Rec" in the 2011-2012 season. However, I am but one vote among the many. I am curious to see 1) who Warming Glow's consensus vote goes to, and 2) whether you can force yourself to narrow it down to just one character.
Here is the poll.
Here's a TOTALLY OPTIONAL slideshow with various Best of YouTube videos of the characters, if you need a refresher on their talents.
Ron Swanson
Laurie Keller
Max Blum
Schmidt
Troy Barnes
Liz Lemon
Phil Dunphy
Jack Donaghy
Ellie Torres
Brad Williams
Abed Nadir
James Van Der Beek
Andy Dwyer
Jane Kerkovich-Williams
Burt Chance
Sheldon Cooper
Marshall Eriksen
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So Dean Pelton and Chang from Community fall under “Someone Not Listed Above.”
I’d blow a gasket about Jean Ralphio but he was MIA. So Ron it is.
so disappointed by the lack of Jean Ralphio this season which I’m sure it’s because of that show he was on with Don Ched and KBell…which no one mentions on this site… so i’m assuming it was disappointing as well.
Oh it was, it was.
It very much was.
Jean Ralphio was on the season finale. Popped in to offer himself up to Chris and Ron right after Ron turned down Chris’s assistant city manager job.
Max Blum and his under-appreciated Chicago accent…
URLY!
First thought was Penny on Happy Endings, but I think Alex has gotten the best lines this season. She kills me and gets my vote.
If nothing else Alex deserves most improved from prior season.
Yes. Alex is one of the only characters to routinely, actually make me laugh out loud to the point where I would have to rewind the show to see the next joke.
Best joke of the year in my opinion goes to Fat Manny on Modern Family when he was selling Christmas paper to the Jewish lady and when she said she doesn’t need it he says, “I bet you appreciate a good deal.”
alex should win only for her ellen dance
Dean Pelton +1, though I think Dustin just forgot the word “main” before character
The lack of Stannis Baratheon is disappointing.
+1
C’mon, Renly had the line of the year with that Salt & Smoke response.
I liked how Renly told Littlefinger that he didn’t like his face.
Tie between Yoren and the Hound for their battle cries.
I also think “any character from the Office” was included for the expected final tally – zero
Troy Barnes.
Might I suggest another poll for the Female Sitcom Character Responsible For The Most Restraining Orders? There’s only one answer – Jane from Happy Endings.
Write in for Brita Perry.
Britta was solid gold this season and super hot, goth Britta was amazing
Score one for Britta. Someone Britta’d the poll
Ya, they stepped up the Britta funny this past season. She was by far the funniest to me, surprisingly over the Dean and Troy.
Dancing Christmas Britta was delightful.
Also I assume anyone who votes Sheldon Cooper gets their IP Banned from Warming Glow?
Yuuuuuuuuuuup.
BAZINGA
Is “Bazinga” a Big Bang Theory joke? I just saw it on a t-shirt in the window of a Hot Topic store. It all makes sense now.
I love that his clip in the slideshow is “Sheldon’s Top 5 Knocks.” OOH, look how hilariously he knocks on the door!! /laugh track
This is a good rundown, but it’s incredible how much funnier cable comedies are these days. In a comprehensive list I’m not sure anyone outside of Ron Swanson and Troy & Abed make the top 10. Stefon perhaps?
The entire cast of Veep, Adam from Girls, everyone from Archer, Dewey Crowe (shit, half of Justified), Louie CK, Charlie, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Key’s President Obama impression would all come before 90 percent of this group in my mind.
Don’t forget Vince the evidence tech from Dexter. Funnier than all these people put together. Of course, so is Dexter.
Also: Marcy from Californication (the voice of Bobby Hill too!).
Yes, I pay for Showtime. It’s worth it.
Oh, and Roger Sterling. FTMFW.
“Don’t forget all the people from those shows that aren’t on Network TV and are thus not relevant based on the title of the poll I just voted in and presumably read, guys! HEY PAY ATTENTION TO ME!”
Jim Rash actually does an in-house Q&A for uproxx and you don’t even include Dean Pelton in the poll? That’s a slap in the face (and not the kind the Dean would like). -1, Dustin.
If it’s not obvious already, Dean Pelton gets my vote.
Yes, yes. The Dean Pelton was an egregious oversight. Dustin is the worst.
I had to vote for Schmidt on “New Girl”, that was a show I rrrreeeeeaaally wanted to hate but instead I watched (and enjoyed) the entire season.
I’m getting into New Girl now after an initial three episode watch that ruled in favor of dumping it. But that Nick does a good drunk.
I used to like Schmidt but I’m ready to lead the backlash on him. He’s wandered off too far into Jewish writer wish-fulfillment territory.
Nick is fantastic, but Schmidt is just ridiculously funny.
Some of the post episode rants Nick had were hilarious.
Happy Endings made me laugh the most this year out of all of those shows. Max won season 1, but season 2 goes to Brad and Jane who almost should have been paired in this poll. Ultimately I had to Wayans up.
Completely agree- I voted Max but in retrospect I’m probably lumping in his Season 1 work. Brad and Jane combined might be my favorite thing on TV right now.
Elisha Cuthbert made such a drastic improvement from season 1 to season 2 she’s basically the Britta of that show.
Three way tie between Max Blum, Troy Barnes and Ron Swanson.
While I love Marshall and feel like Jason Segel and I could be best friends, the question dealt with television “this year”, and HIMYM is not in the same fighting form it used to be. I’ll watch it until it’s finale, regardless.
I used to be in the same HIMYM boat. After this season, I’m taking the first life raft away from that sinking ship. At this point, I don’t give a sh*t who the mother is, and hope she and Ted burn in hell.
Where’s Manny from “Modern Family” on that list?
How did no one from Walking Dead or The Killing make this list? I nearly shit myself laughing at those shows.
I’d have voted for Dean Pelton, or Britta, but I think the breakout funny character was definitely Schmidt from new girl.
I’m torn between Andy Dwyer and Phil Dunphy. Apparently, I love big-hearted dummies.
Also, how about Primetime Female Cartoon Characters That Led To The Most Unhealthy Crushes? Because Carol/Cheryl would get a vote or two.
Carol/Cheryl is hot, but compared to Lana? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooope.
YES.
Either way, we’re the three biggest pervs, yay!
Duplicate blow-up trophies will be awarded.
Pam, guys. Pam is the hottest. Or, at least in bed she is.
Ok, who’s the asshole who voted for the office? Wait…nobody? I guess Catherine Tate doesn’t read warming glow.
I was forced to choose Max over Brad, Jane (Happy Endings is awesome), and of course Burt Maclin’s twin brother Kip….Hackman.
As she would say, Britta For The Win!
That was a test and you all penised!
It ain’t a sitcom, but damn if Roger Sterling hasn’t cracked me up more this season than any other character.
+1
i thought about switching it up, but ron swanson is still the king. and you come at the king, you best not miss.
sorry, still excited about that marlo/omar/bourdain picture from last night.
The clip ostensibly showing off Jane from Happy Endings actually does a really good job of characterizing all six of them. I’m going to use it to introduce people to the show I think. Dave explaining the mortgage crisis is hilarious.
So I guess no one’s watching Veep.
Surprised Andy has so much of the vote. – I’m sure there’s a more eloquent way to put this but I think here is a distinction between comedic characters that are smart-stupid (Woody from Cheers) and stupid-stupid (Joey from Friends).
For me, Andy kind of borders between the two, but Troy Barnes and Alex Kurkovich are two characters that I think are brilliantly written as ‘dumb,’ so I find both of their characters much more enjoyable than Andy.
Anyway, my point is that anyone who voted for Sheldon should probably go fist themselves mercilessly.
Chazz, you nailed it with that last line.
Wynn Duffy from Justified
This. Half the cast of Justified is funnier than half this list.
Dewey Crowe
“I have four kidneys” for the win.
Wait, I’m going with a last minute write-in: STEFAN.
Run this same poll with cable networks and Fat Betty wins in a landslide.
Max from Happy Endings, if only because when he kissed that dude I was all like, “WHOA WHA…oh yeah.”
And I thought Bert Macklin got really stale. Pushing a pie into Jerry’s face was awesome, but as a character, meh.
Andy Dywer hands down. The drinking fountain scene in the office is an all timer.
Need GIF now.
April and Sheldon in a cage match to the death, and fuck you Ted Mosby!
Schmidt was excellent this year and a great surprise but agreed that Burt Macklin is a great recurring character on Pars and Rec. But Andy creating various action movies was pretty good!
his rambo impression was fantastic as well. and his whole reenactment of roadhouse.
Somebody actually voted for the office
If this poll were “TV Characters with the Best Facial Expressions”, Troy would juuust beat out Gus from Psych.
But Andy was my vote for this particular poll.
“You know what? I’m going to have that third steak after all.”
SWANSON!
Dammit, its either Max Blum or Andy Dwyer for me. So difficult…. ugh…
I gotta go with Max.
I couldn’t figure out who I loved more, Buttsoup or Andy, so I went with Ron Swanson.
Ron Swanson. Hands down.
“Don’t Trust the B….” is a show I don’t want to like but enjoy watching mostly because of the Beek. And if the poll was for new shows he would win. I cannot in good faith vote for Troy alone he is at his best when it is Troy and Abed. Now as for Andy… while his antics are funny he seems to be falling into that Homer Simpson trap where they just make him dumber and dumber with every episode. So I’d have to say it is a toss up between either Ron Swanson or Max. Ron Swanson because he can carry his own and own any scene, and Max because he is just awesome in that show. (Britta and Alex get most improved nods).
Come on, Ei-Dean. Seriously. At this moment, I am stapling.
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Wouldn’t have thought of Raising Hope’s Burt Chance at first but he’s a very qualified finalist. Very funny, versatile and deserving. Thanks for thinking outside the end-zone on that one. He’s exceptional with what he’s given. Maybe not the funniest on TV, but funniest on Fox for sure.
My vote, choosing from your list, Jack Donaghy.
I’d have voted for Burt last season
i’m pretty disappointed that you didn’t choose a video with Max from Happy Endings in the episode where he is acting like a bear … quality Adam Pally IMO
It’s ANDY DWYER, you fools!
The lack of Bronn is a gross oversight! GROSS!
First character to come to mind…
WHERE THE FUCK IS BRONN?????
Andy Dwyer had me laughing out loud more than any other sitcom character mentioned in the slideshow.
Also, I thought Britta might have been a wildcard entry here…
It is pretty clear who the real winners are… Max is playing the spoiler to Ron Swanson allowing for Andy to pull away. This is why I am not a fan of “First Past the Post” voting. It does a disservice to 3rd party candidates let alone 18th party. WE NEED THE ALTERNATIVE VOTE HERE!… Or allow the folks to create coalitions.
These comments are making me miss Happy Endings. Supposedly there was an unaired episode from Season 2? Is there an easy way to find that online?
Some black and white flag themed website might just have what you’re looking for..
Pretty good episode actually, I’m surprised they didn’t air it. It’s a great quick shot of Happy Endings, but all you’ll want are more episodes after youre done.
What, no characters from the “Animation Domination” block?
I’m shocked.
I voted Someone Not Listed Above, for Roger.
This is impossible to answer. I threw my hands up and picked Andy, but there were about half a dozen good choices there, and probably a dozen more that weren’t on the list.
Sterling Archer
And yes I know Archer was on FX… but the H. Jon Benjamin was on lots of other shows. But I just close my eyes and pretend its Archer saying thgose lines on Family Guy or Bobs Burger or whatever
I had to go Schmidt. I can’t make it through a single line of his dialogue without a chuckle or a guffaw. I love me some Troy Barnes, but had to give kudos to the Schmidt character.
Happy to see some Burt from Raising Hope. I love that character. Sad Garret Dillahunt doesn’t get a bit more credit for the great job he does on that show.
Honestly Ben Wyatt makes me laugh A LOT. I would have voted for him, prbly. It was a toss up between brad and Andy I voted for the underdog. dwj is so freaking funny as brad
There are so many good ones here… Ron, Andy, Phil, Jack, Dean (even though he isnt in the list) etc
But Troy was easily the single most funniest character on tv this season.
Baby Wayans FTW
“Bitch, it is 5:30!!!”
DON’T PATRONIZE ME, MONICA!
Max or die bitches
Though not his strongest year I’m shocked Barney Stinson didn’t even get a slot in the poll.
I voted for Troy, but was glad that Andy was currently in the lead, because he would be a very close second in my opinion.
Britta’d it!
I WOULD APPARENTLY LIKE TO KILL 1.37% OF THE CURRENT VOTERS!
I would have voted for Nick from New Girl over Andy.
+1 for Dean… Where’s Archer? + No from MF or BBT should be on this list…
Wow. This is the lamest posting/comment thread I’ve ever read.
There’s no punchline, you filthy animals.
Schmitty. Honorable mention to Dean Pelton and Dewey Crowe (and his four kidneys).
I was going to vote but funny enough I didn’t see Ted Mosby’s name on the poll.
Abed Nadir. Period.