Whether laughing with or at them, we hold a special place in our hearts for the TV characters who can find humor in any situation.
From Ted Lasso’s cocky footballers to Ghosts’ undead trailblazers to the working women of The Bear and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this year’s comedies have delighted us with a smorgasbord of smart, silly, and sensational characters.
It is only fitting we pay our respects to 2023’s impressive roster of comedy icons.
In no particular order, here are 15 of the most memorable and hilarious comedy TV characters from 2023:
1. Alberta Haynes (Ghosts)
Choosing a favorite CBS Ghosts character is impossible; however, no ghost has taken to the spotlight like Alberta Haynes.
Danielle Pinnock’s spirited 1920s lounge singer is a scene-stealing delight who hits her stride in Season 2. From comedic capers to haunting ballads, Alberta’s murder investigation becomes the sitcom’s strongest saga as she navigates shocking revelations with the excitability of someone stoked to catch her killer.
Her performances buzz with a star power that lights up every scene, her energy an infectious cocktail of wit and sincerity. We cannot stop singing our praise for everyone’s favorite wisecracking flapper.
2. Dr. Paul Rhoades (Shrinking)
Truly, every character on Shrinking probably belongs on this list. Still, Harrison Ford’s Paul gets the nod for being the single best example of the show’s key charm: it’s rough-edged, often foul-mouthed, but incredibly deep-set vulnerability.
Paul is caustic and gruff but cares deeply about his patients, his daughter, and helping Jimmy and Alice navigate their grief.
His struggles with his Parkinson’s diagnosis and attempts to reconnect with his daughter make for compelling drama, and his no-nonsense assessment of everyone’s problems means he gets some of the series’ best lines.
3. Lance Arroyo (The Other Two)
The Other Two’s Lance is the latest in a history of himbo heartthrobs for Josh Segarra — and he might just be the best.
Whether Lance is dabbing in a Foot Locker uniform or nursing to save lives, the man does it with that thousand-watt smile and heart on his sleeve.
Laughing at Lance’s expense is part of the charm because he is incredibly dense, and every line is delivered with childlike innocence. However, Segarra never lets that dopey comedy define him. He showcases an emotional intelligence and relentless optimism that catches everyone, including long-term fling Brooke, off guard.
No one forces Lance into a box, and that is what makes him a scene-stealer. He can show up to our family events and dab any day.
4. Gregory Eddie (Abbott Elementary)
Gregory Eddie’s time at Abbott Elementary is a lesson in scene-stealing.
In a cast of comedic icons, Tyler James Williams has made us fall hard for Gregory’s no-nonsense professionalism. His scathing side-eye and disarming swagger make it impossible not to come away from an episode smiling.
Gregory’s budding romance with Janine provides many swoon-worthy, wonderfully silly moments this season as the two struggle to acknowledge their feelings.
From revealing he buys his girl Lego flowers to his horrendous poker face when keeping secrets from Jacob, these hilarious moments scratch the surface of Gregory’s memorable Season 2 run.
(And, frankly, we’re still thinking about our discussion with Williams about Gregory’s latest story triumphs at Paleyfest, too.)
5. Sam (Somebody Somewhere)
There is no shortage of endearing characters on Somebody Somewhere, but at the heart of it all is Sam.
Played with touching vulnerability by Bridget Everett, Sam is a beautifully flawed character struggling to navigate grief and find her path forward. She is also a character who always finds humor in life’s small moments.
She will break your heart, offer catharsis, make you laugh, and ultimately leave you feeling more optimistic. That combination of sorrow and joy has made her such a compelling and relatable character for two — going on three — seasons.
6. Captain Stede Bonnet (Our Flag Means Death)
This quirky pirate captain finally starts to get his sea legs and gain confidence as a leader of his team during Season 2 of Our Flag Means Death.
Despite Stede’s hilarious missteps, we can’t help continuing to love him in all his glory. There is just something about his enthusiasm, naïveté, and romanticism of the world around him that keeps us coming back for more.
Stede’s relationship with Ed still has some kinks to work out, but the entire crew is better for having known and worked alongside him.
7. Nadja (What We Do in the Shadows)
Not even an alleged curse could cramp Nadja’s style this season.
Natasia Demetriou attacks every outing with her distinct “bull-in-a-china-shop” persona and scene-chewing whimsy. However, Season 5 of What We Do in the Shadows forces her to bond with Guillermo, and the results are comedy gold.
The “Detective Policeman” rouse is a particular highlight of Nadja’s arc.
As if her showing up to Guillermo’s hotel room in a ridiculous trench coat disguise wasn’t enough, she greets him with “Sup, bitch?” in a different but equally absurd accent.
From teaching classes at the local college to showcasing her hand-to-hand combat skills to a blonde bomb-shell moment, there are few storylines Nadja cannot not transcend with her blunt humor and lack of social awareness.
8. Mabel Mora (Only Murders in the Building)
With Martin Short and Steve Martin headlining Only Murders in the Building, it would be easy to overlook the rest of the star-studded ensemble — but Selena Gomez’s Mabel isn’t easily ignored.
The actress has elevated Mabel’s dark horse persona to outshine the bleakest of storylines with her perseverance and wit.
In Season 3, Gomez continues to hone that straight-male charm with her deadpan delivery and slicing comedic timing. Additionally, we see Mabel interact with the star of her favorite childhood show, a sweet nod to those who grew up watching Gomez as Alex Russo.
Mabel is never the loudest person in the room, but her fierce loyalty and bluntness are a force in any scene.
9. Jamie Tartt (Ted Lasso)
Ted Lasso really said this season is for the Jamie Tartt girlies, and boy, was it ever!
The footballer won us over long ago with his capacity for growth and baby-girl humor, but Season 3 gifts Jamie space to be his sweet, egotistical self.
His pronunciation of “poopey” is life-changing. His attempt to hug Roy, followed by “I forgot how skittish elderly people could be,” must be studied. Throw in blonde highlights, that ridiculous headband, and a love for 2010 teen rom-coms, and that about does us in.
However, his friendship with Roy Kent steals the show. Watching them learn to be vulnerable with each other is hysterical as Jamie forces his way past Roy’s tough exterior, attending his birthday party and teaching him how to ride a bike.
Jamie is one of the greatest character accolades on television, and Phil Dunster deserves his flowers come award season.
10. Sydney Adamu (The Bear)
She hasn’t driven a car through a house or sang Taylor Swift at the top of her lungs, but Ayo Edebiri’s Sydney has undoubtedly been the glue of this comedy since day one.
The ambitious sous-chef has endured the kitchen’s intensity, serving Carmy’s attitude right back at him and savoring the easy-going banter she has earned from Tina.
The Bear has a mundane tranquility to it that is reflected in Sydney’s nuanced humor. She isn’t about over-the-top displays of hilarity, as she is a sharp poke of sarcasm. And she is not afraid to stand her ground with a temper that can rival her male co-workers.
Sydney has earned her chef coat and our respect ten times over with her sincere approach to a cutthroat industry.
11. Saskia Van Der Beek (Class of ’07)
The popular girl determined to save the classmates she once tormented, Saskia, is a fascinating take on the reformed mean girl trope.
Like the titular mean girl, she has no problem gutting others with verbal insults, and her social intellect makes her comebacks deadly. She can hone in on the other’s flaws and craft them into the perfect punchline. But Saskia doesn’t want to be that girl ever again.
When Saskia is asked to shed her better qualities to lead her classmates to safety in an apocalypse, she processes unresolved trauma in hilariously relatable ways as she turns to a mop dressed as a therapist for help.
Class of ’07 also uses gossip and trauma dumps to hint at Saskia’s alter-ego, instilling a comical paranoia amongst the all-female ensemble.
12. Dave Johnson (The Neighborhood)
Max Greenfield’s Dave Johnson from The Neighborhood is a character who is just the right amount of quirky without going overboard. He’s a fun, endearing character whose zesty dad jokes and well-timed puns are what help make the CBS series so down-to-earth.
Even in the most serious situations, Dave’s clueless reactions give us a chuckle without being in bad taste.
13. Midge Maisel (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Every character on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is too funny and charming for their own good. However, we must pay our respects to the monarch of its success — Midge Maisel.
The cornerstone of the series, this stand-up concept would not have worked if Rachel Brosnahan wasn’t so damn funny. She nails the punchline repeatedly on and off the stage, with a quippy wit to rival the fast-talking Gilmore Girls.
Midge defies her limitations, facing a divorce and a male-dominated career field with tenacity and an insufferable drive. With Susie by her side, the two women torment their way onto the biggest comedy stages and late-night gigs.
She never sacrifices her style or busy love life. Instead, Midge learns to celebrate the humor of her job and dysfunctional family.
14. Elora Danan (Reservation Dogs)
Elora is an under-appreciated comedic voice of Reservation Dogs, with undoubtedly the best character arc in the final season.
When dealing with grief, it isn’t easy to be the wisecracking comedic relief. Elora is a listener, reacting to and setting up the jokes. She lets others speak before coming in with a pointed observation that turns the humor on its head.
Even when confronting her estranged father, she meets his uncomfortable, self-deprecating pity with a knowing smile and weightlessness, transforming their heavy scene into a breezy, dynamic moment of accountability.
We couldn’t be happier to see her go off to college after all the work Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs has done to transcend Elora’s grief.
15. NoHo Hank (Barry)
Anthony Carrigan’s NoHo Hank is a snazzy dresser, a misunderstood mobster, and an all-around nice guy.
We didn’t expect his goofy antics to steal the spotlight in Barry’s cutthroat comedy world, but the Chechen’s entertainment value is undeniable. His enthusiastic, well-manured approach to the mob lifestyle has created an impressive highlight reel.
Indeed, no one can chew up dialogue comedically like NoHo.
Perhaps what is most compelling about NoHo Hank is his love for Bill Hader’s Barry. He is devoted to keeping their one-sided friendship alive. His admiration for the assassin’s murderous skillset always makes for a good chuckle.
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Who were your favorite characters from this year’s TV comedies? Let us know in the comments below!
*Additional contributions by Mads Misasi, Lacy Baugher, Sarah Fields, and Charles E. Henning.
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The post 15 Favorite Characters from TV Comedies in 2023 first appeared on Tell-Tale TV.