But got a lot nicer as the series progressed:1)"Perry Mason" &,2)"Ironside"-BOTH characters(well-played by the late Raymond Burr)were NOT very nice first season but were a LOT nicer as both series progressed and 3)"Leave it to Beaver"-the Ward Cleaver WASN'T very nice the first two seasons,but when the series moved to Universal,and into the 1960's,the character became a LOT nicer.Know any other TV characters that started out not too-nice when the series began,but became nicer as the series progressed?Feel free to post.

All I can think of right now is Marty Crane on Frasier he seemed hard to get along with then he changed as the series went on. I guess it was due to his hip injury and having to accept that he couldn't live alone anymore and had to depend on someone else.

jr ewing of dallas was not too nice when the show started but he actully mellowed quite a bit as the show aged

Paris on Gilmore Girls.

Nellie Oleson

Two characters that toned it down and became somewhat nicer are Herb Tarlek from WKRP in Cincinnati and Charles Winchester on MASH.

Archie Bunker espically on Archie Bunker's place

Fred sanford on sanford and son

Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke -- he tended to be extremely mean to suspects in particular back when the TV series began. He mellowed later on.

I'm gonna say Bart Simpson from "The Simpsons".

He acted like a Spoiled Brat (Hence his name) in the early years, but when we find out why Bart acted that way (Bart has ADHD and Homer overlooks Bart half the time), he seems to be more mellower than other characters like Eric Cartman and Stewie Griffin. Also, Bart's a mama's boy (or so it seems, why'd you think Marge calls him "his special boy")?

Archie Bunker espically on Archie Bunker's place

Fred sanford on sanford and sonAbout Fred Sanford-In the beginning,Fred was the nice one.Lamont was the one who was mean-especially to Fred at first-Towards the end of the series,the situation was reversed.I heard it was something to the effect that audiences liked Fred mean and grouchy and Lamont nice.

I'm gonna say Bart Simpson from "The Simpsons".

He acted like a Spoiled Brat (Hence his name) in the early years, but when we find out why Bart acted that way (Bart has ADHD and Homer overlooks Bart half the time), he seems to be more mellower than other characters like Eric Cartman and Stewie Griffin. Also, Bart's a mama's boy (or so it seems, why'd you think Marge calls him "his special boy")?


Yes, this is a great information you have shared about Bart, I too love this character, I always used to think that this one is some little different from others, He really ace well all times in his performance. :)

Nellie Oleson

D'OH!!! Nellie totally slipped my mind. You're totally right. We could make a case for her brother, Willie, as well.

I wonder how many soap opera characters would qualify for this thread. :lol:

Rhoda Morgenstern was not very nice on the first episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Ed Brown on Chico and the Man

George Jefferson mellowed as the show went on.

I wonder how many soap opera characters would qualify for this thread. :lol:

Too many to count!! :eek: :eek: :eek: Let's see, there's Erica Kane, Rachel Cory, Luke and Bobbie Spencer, etc.,etc.,etc. :crazy: :lol:

And on "F Troop",Sgt,O'Rourke WASN'T very nice in the early episodes,but the character kind of mellowed out as the series progressed.

Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter from Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. was another tough drill sergeant whose bark was worse than his bite.

uncle phillip banks- fresh prince

richard karinsky- caroline in the city

marc and amanda- ugly betty

Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley) in her very early episodes of Cheers came off as this cold ice queen audiences seemed quiet around. But soon after we saw the neurotic Rebecca and WHAM! all that changed for the better.

Clayton Endicott - Benson

Chief Bill Gillespie on In the Heat of the Night

Dr. alex Karev on Grey's Anatomy was an absolute d-bag when the show first hit the air. Yet nowadays you know he had a crummy childhood which makes you feel sympathy/empathy for him and he's been showing his good side for a few years going.

Lumpy on Leave It To Beaver, in his early appearances he was a bully, later on he was one of Wally's best friends.

Lumpy on Leave It To Beaver, in his early appearances he was a bully, later on he was one of Wally's best friends.and in the new litb in the 80s lumpy and beaver had become good friends too

Archie Bunker ...

I think in a lot of cases, characters who start mean are one-dimensional, and as the show progresses, they become more dynamic.

and in the new litb in the 80s lumpy and beaver had become good friends too

Didn't Beav and Lumpy also become business partners?

Didn't Beav and Lumpy also become business partners?yes they did but i dont think it was ever explained what type of business that they were in

I always thought Edna Babish on Laverne and Shirley was mean during the beginning of her run on the show.

All I can think of right now is Marty Crane on Frasier he seemed hard to get along with then he changed as the series went on. I guess it was due to his hip injury and having to accept that he couldn't live alone anymore and had to depend on someone else.

How funny that I was going to post this same thing! You're right about him being "bitter" about the whole thing. You really can't blame him because I hear that a lot from clients that I work with at work who have to depend on our van services to get around. They miss their independence.

I always thought Edna Babish on Laverne and Shirley was mean during the beginning of her run on the show.
She was but, it was due to her having to manage the building alone with no help.

Jo Polniaczek from The Facts Of Life who was a street tough chick but mellowed as the series progressed.

Blair Warner from the Facts of Life was a Mean snobby girl in the beginning but she became more accepting of Other's differences towards the end of the show.

Nobody has put on this thread Stephanie Vanderkellen from Newhart. She has always been a self-centered snob. Also, John Becker from Becker.

What about Blake Carrington of Dynasty?

Schneider was a mega creep in the One Day at a Time first ep. Married and hitting on Ann (and every other woman in the building).

George Owens on Mr. Belvedere, Larry Appleton on Perfect Strangers, and Jesse Katsopolis on Full House.