Lucy Ricardo, 'I Love Lucy'

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The 50 Greatest TV Characters

Who didn't love Lucy?! Lucille Ball broke new ground for female comedians and became an instant legend. (Promotional Photo)

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Lucy Ricardo, 'I... Who didn't love Lucy?! Lucille Ball broke new ground for female comedians and became an instant legend. (Promotional Photo)
Ralph Kramden, '... Though they only made 39 episodes, Jackie Gleason's gruff bus driver Ralph Kramden is a TV classic. (Photo: CBS)
Archie Bunker, '... Archie was a bigot and you loved him anyway. That's saying something. (Photo: CBS)
George and Krame... It was such a tough call between Cosmo Kramer's quirk and George Costanza's neurosis, that we're going with BOTH! (Photo: NBC)
Doug Ross, 'ER' George Clooney's turn as a charming cad on one of TV's best-ever dramas finally made him a superstar. (NBC/Fancast)
Lenny Briscoe, '... The epitome of the New York cop prototype, Jerry Orbach played Det. Briscoe for 12 years and, even though he's sadly gone, still reigns as the show's most popular character. (Photo: Kevin Foley)
J.R. Ewing, 'Dal... That devil from 'Dallas' made being bad so very good. (Photo: Fancast)
'Columbo' Peter Falk's grizzled Lt. Columbo, with his trench coat, the cigar and the classic line, 'Uh, just one more thing'...was brilliant for playing dumb--but he was always one step ahead. (Photo: NBC)
'Magnum P.I.' Being a private eye is pretty cool all by itself, but Thomas Magnum upped the ante by solving crimes in a Hawaiian paradise, driving a hot red Ferrari and being one of those rare breeds of men who actually look good with a mustache. (Photo: Fancast)
Jim Rockford, 'T... Charismatic star James Garner made sure 'The Rockford Files' wasn't just another run-of-the-mill private detective series.(Photo: Fancast)
'The West Wing' ... It's impossible to pick just one of the West Wingers with this outstanding cast of brilliantly written characters. (Photo: NBC)
Arthur Fonzarell... Aaayyyyy! You couldn't get any cooler than 'The Fonz.' (Photo: ABC)
Hawkeye Pierce, ... Alan Alda perfectly played the womanizing, martini-drinking, deep-thinking Army surgeon from the iconic series 'M*A*S*H.' (Photo: MPTV)
Chandler Bing, '... Yes, all of the 'Friends' made for a fantastic ensemble, but Chandler really was the funniest. (Photo: NBC)
Fred Sanford, 'S... Who could forget Redd Foxx's dramatic faux heart attacks: 'This is the big one, Elizabeth! I'm coming to join ya, honey!' (Photo: NBC)
Raymond’s Dad Holy crap! 'Everybody Loves Raymond' but everbody we know loved Frank Barone more. (CBS/Fancast)
Alex P. Keaton, ... The ambitious, young Republican Alex P. Keaton made conservative cool...and Michael J. Fox a mega-star. (Photo: NBC)
Niles Cane, 'Fra... Forget Frasier. His uptight little brother usually stole the show. (Photo: NBC/Fancast)
Karen Walker, 'W... The pill-popping, wealthy lush Karen Walker stood out among a talented cast with her wicked tongue and fabulous delivery. (Photo: NBC)
Tony Soprano, 'T... The tough guy mob boss who entered therapy with some serious mommy issues is one of TV's greatest anti-heroes. (Photo: HBO)
'House' Brilliant, sarcastic and, well, mean, Dr. Gregory House is one the best TV docs we've ever seen. (Photo: Fox)
Gil Grissom, 'CS... Solving crimes in often graphic detail, 'CSI' revolutionized the 'crime procedural,' and it was William Petersen's head honcho Grissom, with his quick wit and supersmarts, who lead the way. (Photo: CBS)
Carrie, 'Sex and... The taboo-breaking series about four New York City best friends became appointment TV, and every girl saw a little bit of herself in Carrie Bradshaw. (Photo: HBO)
Jack Bauer, '24' The unstoppable, indestructable, unflappable CTU agent has saved the world six times now, so, of course, Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer makes the list. (Photo: FOX)
Miranda Bailey, ... Affectionately known as the 'Nazi' by her interns, Dr. Bailey actually has a heart of gold. (Photo: ABC)
'Roseanne' Perhaps one of the best TV depictions of a blue-collar family, 'Roseanne' was a riot.(Photo: ABC)
Alan Shore, 'Bos... While he's not as wacky as 'Denny Crane,' the ethically challenged (but always for the right reasons) legal wiz Alan Shore has brought James Spader repeated Emmy recognition. (Photo: ABC)
Mulder & Scully,... 'The Truth Is Out There' and there was no better FBI team to find it than Mulder, the believer, and Scully, the skeptic. (Photo: FOX)
Capt. Kirk & Mr.... Millions of Trekkies can't be wrong, right? (Photo: NBC)
Al Swearengen, '... Ian McShane's corrupt Swearengen sure lived up to his name, ruling over 'Deadwood' with a ruthless fist and a filthy mouth. (Photo: HBO)
Sydney Bristow, ... The college girl's double life as a spy is the closest thing we've seen to a female James Bond yet. (Photo: ABC)
Buffy Summers, '... The 'Chosen One' gave new meaning to the phrase 'girl power' in the surprisingly smart and witty cult phenomenon, 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.' (Photo: Warner Brothers)
The 'Gilmore Gir... The coolest mother-daughter team to ever grace the small screen, Lorelai and Rory were smart, funny and, best of all, best friends. (Photo: WB)
Michael and Geor... The coolest father-son team has to be the outrageously funny duo of Jason Bateman and Michael Cera in the cult hit 'Arrested Development.' (Photo: FOX)
Jack Donaghy, '3... Alec Baldwin's network runner Jack Donaghy is laugh-out-loud funny and manages to have the most memorable scenes, despite being among the very talented Tina Fey and the outrageous Tracy Morgan. (Photo: NBC)
Ari Gold, 'Entou... The pompous, powerful super-agent from 'Entourage' is more watchable and entertaining the his movie star client Vincent Chase. (Photo: HBO)
Sam & Diane, 'Ch... In the bar where everyone knew your name--and your business--Sam and Diane stood out as one of TV's greatest on-and-off love-hate relationships. (Photo: NBC)
Emma Peel, 'The ... Sexy, stylish, strong and sixties-cool, Diana Rigg's secret agent Emma Peel remains one of TV's favorite female characters. (Photo: ABC)
Agent Dale Coope... Agent Dale Cooper from the twisted cult TV series 'Twin Peaks' gets the thumbs-up from us. (Photo: ABC)
Hurley, 'Lost' This almost went to the enigmatic John Locke, but lovable, bad-luck millionaire Hurley stole our hearts. (Photo: ABC)
The Entire Cast ... One of the most consistently funny and equally talented ensembles on TV today. (Photo: NBC)
Sonny Crockett, ... With his effortless cool, Don Johnson turned pastels and stubble into a raging trend. (Photo: NBC)
Barney Fife, 'Th... While we adore Andy and Opie, we've got to go with Mayberry's dopey deputy Barney Fife. (Photo: CBS)
'Ally McBeal' Ally McBeal, with all her quirks and wit, was a refreshing female TV representation: She could wear short skirts and still kick butt in the courtroom.(Photo: FOX)
Bree, 'Desperate... Each of the 'Housewives' is uniquely compelling, but Marcia Cross's prim and proper Bree is like Martha Stewart on steroids. (Photo: ABC)
Amanda Woodward,... Sweet-faced Heather Locklear made playing a bitch an art form. Her tart Sammy Jo gave 'Dynasty' some zing and her wicked Amanda Woodward moved into 'Melrose Place' and turned it into an obsession. (Photo: FOX)
Barney, 'How I M... Neil Patrick Harris grew up from 'Doogie Howser' and reinvented himself with a scene-stealing turn as Barney Stinson on the hilarious-but-underrated sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother.' (Photo: CBS)
Cliff Huxtable, ... Beloved TV dad Bill Cosby was the perfect role model for fathers everywhere and his family friendly sitcom dominated Thursday nights for eight years of NBC's 'Must-See TV' heyday. (Promotional Photo)
Al Bundy, 'Marri... While he certainly wouldn't win any father/husband of the year awards, miserable shoe salesman Al Bundy was hard not to laugh at. (Photo: FOX)
Homer Simpson, '... D'oh! The dim-witted dad of 'The Simpsons' clan is lazy, lovable and always looking for food. Maybe we're so fond of him because he reminds us all of our dads.... (Photo: FOX)