Television's Best Characters

Americans love television. Debate it, hate, or berate it, the fact remains that we love television. I agree that it is possible we watch far too much of it and that a lot of the programs that we are subjected to are questionable to say the least. Still, the fact remains that we love it and we are going to watch as much of it as we like.

Many people think that the best television characters have long since come and gone. There may be some truth to that since so many of us are still drawn to reruns of those old shows as much - - if not more than - - we are to ones currently on the air. Who doesn't love Lucy? Who doesn't miss watching Rob Petrie trip over that ottoman? Who doesn't miss Samantha's twitching her cute little nose? These are classic television characters that will forever be cherished memories. However, while it may be easier to identify the best classic TV characters, there are many that grace today's television - - or its recent past - - who are also destined to become the classic characters of tomorrow. Here are just a few:

Xena (Xena) - This character broke new ground, proving once and for all that women were not the weaker sex but could be strong, analytical, cunning, and smart. Lucy Lawless infused her character will so many different layers that the audience was eventually able to forgive even her former acts of cruelty. Of course it didn't hurt that she had the absolute devotion of angelic companion Gabrielle.

Adrian Monk (Monk) - Neurosis never came in a more wonderful package than this highly neurotic and equally talented private investigator. Even though he must daily face some of his deepest fears, Adrian Monk never fails to come through in a pinch. He'll solve the crime and make sure that the bad guy gets exactly what he deserves. It almost seems as though Tony Shaloub was born to play this part which has earned him several Emmys, a Golden Globe, a SAG and many other awards.