My Favorite Unsung Sitcom Characters...
"Pearl" was such a charming character because we all know a woman like her: Old, sassy, and always ready to say something.
“Reverend Reuben Gregory” (played by Clifton Davis) from Amen
Davis made Gregory funny when that character could have easily been mechanical. As the relative straight-man in a cast of outrageous characters, led by Sherman Helmsley’s Deacon Frye, Rev. Rueben was more than just the sober-core of the show, he personified the great balance of wit and heart that made Amen so successful.
“Mother Jefferson” (played by Zara Cully Brown) from The Jeffersons
"Mother Jefferson" made the first two seasons of this show! The way she always rode Louise, doted on George, drank (Bloody Mary’s) like a fish, and (sometimes transparently) manipulated situations really (in my opinion) gave life to The Jeffersons. Only Marla Gibbs could make the same claim. Sadly, Zara Brown became ill during the third season, and died during season four. The writers just wrote Mother Jefferson out of the show, faintly referencing her death and offering no tribute to Brown. In the words of the character herself, “Shame on you!”
“Fred Mertz” (played by William Frawley) from I Love Lucy
The old Vaudeville pro was the king of wisecracks. Fred was Ricky Ricardo’s craggy best friend. Everything about him screamed “old man”: That bald head, the trousers that nearly swallowed his chest, and nostalgic attempts at reenacting his Vaudevillian glory days. Where Fred always killed me however was when he’d lay into his wife, Ethel. The zingers between those two were nothing short of classic. The fact that real-life actors Frawley and Vivian Vance (who played Ethel) couldn’t stand each other could’ve only served to inspire those on-screen wars!
Real fans of the show know “Bad-Boy” Bubba, “Lucky” Leroy, and “Slick” Skillet, but casual folks may not. These characters were friends of Fred Sanford, usually as fellow rabble-rousers and the butt of Fred’s jokes. Nonetheless, they were hilarious! “Bubba” had a prominent role throughout the series (one notch below “Grady”), but Leroy and Skillet only lasted for two seasons (2 & 3). “Melvin” (played by Slappy White) should be added to this list of unsung friends of Fred too.
"Gladys Kravitz" (played by Alice Pearce) from Bewitched
They all thought she was crazy, but it wasn’t true! Gladys, the nosy neighbor of Samantha and Darrin Stephens, knew what she saw, and they were strange things. She could never prove them though, and that was her dilemma! Aside from Endora, Gladys was my favorite character from the show. Her facial expressions, voice, and antics were stuff of legend. And I don’t doubt I’d be much the same way if I had a witch living in my neighborhood too.
They all thought she was crazy, but it wasn’t true! Gladys, the nosy neighbor of Samantha and Darrin Stephens, knew what she saw, and they were strange things. She could never prove them though, and that was her dilemma! Aside from Endora, Gladys was my favorite character from the show. Her facial expressions, voice, and antics were stuff of legend. And I don’t doubt I’d be much the same way if I had a witch living in my neighborhood too.
"Geoffrey Butler" (played by Joseph Marcell) from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
He was a butler with a high-suddity accent, dismissive personality, and razor sharp tongue. He was also hilarious. Marcell was an excellent actor, giving Geoffrey a stuff-shirted, uptight wit that wasn’t anything but endearing. Perhaps it was because those subject to this treatment were deserving, rich snobs; Or because despite his demeanor, he was the resident truth-teller. The fact that Marcell made it through the entire run of that show without any Emmy recognition is inexcusable.
"Iola Boylan" (played by Beverly Archer) from Mama’s Family
This goofy, sweet, old maid character was perfectly played opposite the acerbic and brash Thelma Harper. Boylan (knock knock!) wasn’t an original cast member, but when the first bunch were given the boot after the show was restructured, she was a welcome addition. Usually she was Thelma’s sidekick. The “straight-woman” (if you will), who spent a lot of the show as Harper’s friend or foe.
"Stanley Zbornak" (played by Herbert Edelman) from The Golden Girls
If it were anything but a sitcom, Stan would’ve been a villain. He left his wife Dorothy for a younger woman after repeatedly cheating on her during their 28 years of marriage. But The Golden Girls was a sitcom, and Stanley was an integral supporting character. He gave Dorothy (played by the brilliant Bea Arthur) history and depth. He was a target for some of Sophia’s best one-liners; and provided a wonderful series-long arc between he and Dorothy.
If it were anything but a sitcom, Stan would’ve been a villain. He left his wife Dorothy for a younger woman after repeatedly cheating on her during their 28 years of marriage. But The Golden Girls was a sitcom, and Stanley was an integral supporting character. He gave Dorothy (played by the brilliant Bea Arthur) history and depth. He was a target for some of Sophia’s best one-liners; and provided a wonderful series-long arc between he and Dorothy.
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