The 5 most unlikeable "good guys" of classic tv - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

wiseguy182 · 03-14-2013, 05:55 AM

Writers often try to get us to like certain characters and hate others, but many times it ends up being the other way around. Here's a look at some of the most widely despised characters that writers wanted us to like:

Michelle Tanner (Full House) ~ A whiny, spoiled brat to the nth degree, Michelle Tanner often used her "cuteness" (though I have no idea what is so cute about a little child with bags under her eyes) and sucked up to the adults in the house in order to get away with a boatload of stuff over the years. Michelle often used pity parties and guilt trips in order to get off scot-free, or have her sisters take the fall for her bad behavior. Michelle's list of bratty behavior is too long to list here, but she felt entitled to everything because the adults in the house enabled her to feel that way.

Albert & Laura Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie) ~ The Bonnie and Clyde of Walnut Grove frequently lied, stole, cheated, as well as physically assaulted, insulted, threatened and scammed people, as well as disrespecting adults. Albert would go on to burn down the blind school (killing 2 people) and become addicted to drugs. Laura frequently ditched school and showed up late to supper. She would go on to marry Almanzo and become a nag and a shrew. But they were good guys, thank you very much.

Russell Huxtable (The Cosby Show) ~ An obnoxious presence whenever he surfaced, Russell cheated at cards, fell asleep while watching Rudy (which led to her sneaking out of the house in New York City -at night), pressured Denise into choosing his alma matter - Hillman, constantly talked smack about Cliff (including behind his back) and told the kids "the kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing (wasn't his place). When Cliff went to great lengths to give him and his wife a great 49th anniversary (which included a nice supper, entertainment, a special portrait done up especially for them AND a European cruise), all Russell could do was complain that he couldn't get his newspaper and oatmeal in Europe. Russell Huxtable was somebody who needed to be put in his place. Plus his facial expressions and mannerisms were irritating as hell.

Bonnie Sheridan (Roseanne) ~ Bonnie's most notorious moment came when she admitted to robbing a liquor store with her t.v. husband (Played by David Crosby). The incident was glossed over on the show, but the whole lackadaisical attitude from her about it was enough to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth - and warrant her a spot on this list.

MacLeaper · 03-14-2013, 09:27 AM

Interesting list. I personally never had a problem with Michelle Tanner. Of course, I love "Full House" so maybe that's why. For the record, the show did deal with this thing of Michelle always getting her way- see the episode "Crimes and Michelle's Demeanor".
It's been too long since I've seen any of "Little House on the Prairie" to comment much on Albert and Laura Ingalls but I don't recall them being known as troublemakers to that extent. Whoa! I remember them as sweet kids from the show- but then like I said- it's been forever since I've seen it. Maybe I've forgotten some things.
And I can understand some of these criticisms of Russell Huxtable but I always liked both Cliff's and Clair's parents on "The Cosby Show".
Some of these things are written into the character and how the other characters deal with them is part of the story. Though sometimes it does result in characters that the audience doesn't like much.
And I'm not a fan of "Roseanne" so I really can't comment on that one.

JMFabiano524 · 03-14-2013, 06:15 PM

I just started watching through the series of "Rhoda," Joe doesn't seem particularly likeable from what I've seen. Of course that could change...

70s show watcher · 03-15-2013, 04:00 AM

later season dan connor from roseanne he was a warm loving father and husband for the first 5 or 6 years of the show but after that the writers turned him into a selfish jerk who blamed all his problems on everyone else around him while falling to take any responseabillty for things that he brought on himself

mets82 · 03-15-2013, 05:33 PM

Wiseguy182, WOOOOOO!!!!

I agree with Michelle Tanner. Far and away and little brat who stuck her nose in people's business. Laura and Albert from LHOTP. I dont think they acted anyway a kid wouldnt act like. And whatever they did get in trouble, they got caught and punished.

How about Lucy Ricardo? She whines constantly to Ricky and schemes to get what she wants. How can a women complain about having no money to spend etc. when she goes to California, Paris, Switzerland and Florida? Isnt that just a tad selfish? How about the time she said she had no clothes or hats and Ricky pulled out about 5 hat boxes?

wiseguy182 · 03-16-2013, 12:56 AM

I'm sorry mets82, but I'll have to disagree with you. Laura and Albert never got punished. At most, they'd be forced to apologize and they would issue a lame one at that, not looking the person in the eye, taking a long time to get it out and mumbing. Mary, on the other hand, rarely made a mistake and one time that she did -- accidentally setting the barn on fire, Ma told her she couldn't take the test. What a poor punishment: preventing your child from learning?

Nyan · 03-16-2013, 05:01 PM

The Bowers Family from Deception come to mind. For being the main focal point of the show, they certainly are terrible.

tvfreak1987 · 03-17-2013, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

told the kids "the kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing (wasn't his place).

I wouldn't necessarily say it wasn't his place since, if I remember that episode right, Cliff put him in charge.

And when did this happen? I don't remember this at all:

Quote:

fell asleep while watching Rudy (which led to her sneaking out of the house in New York City -at night)

wiseguy182 · 03-17-2013, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvfreak1987

I wouldn't necessarily say it wasn't his place since, if I remember that episode right, Cliff put him in charge.

And when did this happen? I don't remember this at all:

you're not too far from me right now: I'm in Okemos.

I thought it was a dumb thing for Russell to say. He gave the kids 2 options: do their homework or scrub the kitchen floor. Of course the kids chose homework because they have to do it anyways. Plus, it insulted Claire, suggesting she can't keep the house clean.

I don't remember the episode title or anything. Cliff and Claire were coming back from dinner out I think. Rudy greeted them outside. Russell was supposed to be watching her, but fell asleep on the couch.

03-14-2013, 05:55 AM	#1
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	The 5 most unlikeable "good guys" of classic tv Writers often try to get us to like certain characters and hate others, but many times it ends up being the other way around. Here's a look at some of the most widely despised characters that writers wanted us to like: Michelle Tanner (Full House) ~ A whiny, spoiled brat to the nth degree, Michelle Tanner often used her "cuteness" (though I have no idea what is so cute about a little child with bags under her eyes) and sucked up to the adults in the house in order to get away with a boatload of stuff over the years. Michelle often used pity parties and guilt trips in order to get off scot-free, or have her sisters take the fall for her bad behavior. Michelle's list of bratty behavior is too long to list here, but she felt entitled to everything because the adults in the house enabled her to feel that way. Albert & Laura Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie) ~ The Bonnie and Clyde of Walnut Grove frequently lied, stole, cheated, as well as physically assaulted, insulted, threatened and scammed people, as well as disrespecting adults. Albert would go on to burn down the blind school (killing 2 people) and become addicted to drugs. Laura frequently ditched school and showed up late to supper. She would go on to marry Almanzo and become a nag and a shrew. But they were good guys, thank you very much. Russell Huxtable (The Cosby Show) ~ An obnoxious presence whenever he surfaced, Russell cheated at cards, fell asleep while watching Rudy (which led to her sneaking out of the house in New York City -at night), pressured Denise into choosing his alma matter - Hillman, constantly talked smack about Cliff (including behind his back) and told the kids "the kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing (wasn't his place). When Cliff went to great lengths to give him and his wife a great 49th anniversary (which included a nice supper, entertainment, a special portrait done up especially for them AND a European cruise), all Russell could do was complain that he couldn't get his newspaper and oatmeal in Europe. Russell Huxtable was somebody who needed to be put in his place. Plus his facial expressions and mannerisms were irritating as hell. Bonnie Sheridan (Roseanne) ~ Bonnie's most notorious moment came when she admitted to robbing a liquor store with her t.v. husband (Played by David Crosby). The incident was glossed over on the show, but the whole lackadaisical attitude from her about it was enough to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth - and warrant her a spot on this list. Attached Images
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03-14-2013, 09:27 AM	#2
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	Interesting list. I personally never had a problem with Michelle Tanner. Of course, I love "Full House" so maybe that's why. For the record, the show did deal with this thing of Michelle always getting her way- see the episode "Crimes and Michelle's Demeanor". It's been too long since I've seen any of "Little House on the Prairie" to comment much on Albert and Laura Ingalls but I don't recall them being known as troublemakers to that extent. Whoa! I remember them as sweet kids from the show- but then like I said- it's been forever since I've seen it. Maybe I've forgotten some things. And I can understand some of these criticisms of Russell Huxtable but I always liked both Cliff's and Clair's parents on "The Cosby Show". Some of these things are written into the character and how the other characters deal with them is part of the story. Though sometimes it does result in characters that the audience doesn't like much. And I'm not a fan of "Roseanne" so I really can't comment on that one.
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03-15-2013, 05:33 PM	#5
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	Wiseguy182, WOOOOOO!!!! I agree with Michelle Tanner. Far and away and little brat who stuck her nose in people's business. Laura and Albert from LHOTP. I dont think they acted anyway a kid wouldnt act like. And whatever they did get in trouble, they got caught and punished. How about Lucy Ricardo? She whines constantly to Ricky and schemes to get what she wants. How can a women complain about having no money to spend etc. when she goes to California, Paris, Switzerland and Florida? Isnt that just a tad selfish? How about the time she said she had no clothes or hats and Ricky pulled out about 5 hat boxes?
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03-14-2013, 06:15 PM	#3
JMFabiano524 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 525	I just started watching through the series of "Rhoda," Joe doesn't seem particularly likeable from what I've seen. Of course that could change...

03-15-2013, 04:00 AM	#4
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	later season dan connor from roseanne he was a warm loving father and husband for the first 5 or 6 years of the show but after that the writers turned him into a selfish jerk who blamed all his problems on everyone else around him while falling to take any responseabillty for things that he brought on himself

03-16-2013, 12:56 AM	#6
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	I'm sorry mets82, but I'll have to disagree with you. Laura and Albert never got punished. At most, they'd be forced to apologize and they would issue a lame one at that, not looking the person in the eye, taking a long time to get it out and mumbing. Mary, on the other hand, rarely made a mistake and one time that she did -- accidentally setting the barn on fire, Ma told her she couldn't take the test. What a poor punishment: preventing your child from learning?

03-16-2013, 05:01 PM	#7
Nyan Be The Rainbow! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2011 Location: Land of Pop Tarts Posts: 141	The Bowers Family from Deception come to mind. For being the main focal point of the show, they certainly are terrible.