Celeb-o-metre: From annoying to cringeworthy
We listed some of our favourite annoying characters on TV and those we can easily live without.
KARACHI:
While playing a character on a popular TV show, it takes very little to go from annoyingly adorable to annoyingly cringeworthy. Balancing the character’s level of peskiness is an absolute art. Some play annoying with ease while others make us want to throw our remotes on the television screen.
All-Time Favourite Annoying Characters
Carlton Banks — “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”
Ask any kid who grew up in the 90s, and he’d definitely know Carlton’s famous “It’s Not Unusual” dance moves. The video of which is still YouTubed by people today. Played by Alfonso Ribeiro, rich kid Carlton Banks was the butt of all of Will’s jokes. He effortlessly played an elite white teen stuck in an African-American body who hates his cooler, charismatic cousin.
Janice Litman — “F.R.I.E.N.D.S”
Who would believe that Chandler’s nasally on-again and off-again girlfriend Janice has a normal speaking voice in real life? Even if Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, made a very serious appearance on “CSI”, we’ll still expect her to suddenly launch into “OHHH MY GOD!!!!!!”
Dwight — “The Office”
Dwight, the owner of Shrute beet farms, a volunteer sherrif deputy and the assistant manager, scratch that, assistant to the manager has been played by Rainn Wilson to perfection. One of his best lines, “The eyes are the groin of the head” are spoken with such seriousness and sincerity that one can’t help but laugh out loud.
Barney — “How I Met Your Mother”
No one thought Neil Patrick Harris could take his boy genius persona from “Doogie Howser, M D” and change it into Barney’s Casanova image. But he did, and he did it pretty well. His theories on women, the art of seduction are, wait for it, legendary!
All-Time Least Favourite Annoying Characters
Tyra Banks — “ANTM”
Yes, yes, we know she’s not really a character on TV! However, as scripted and dramatic “America’s Next Top Model” is — it might as well be called a sitcom. Although we have to hand it to Tyra Banks for her larger-than-life Oprah-like image and business endeavours, each time she starts her dramatic stone-faced speech before elimination, or when she acts all ghetto all of a sudden, you want to smack her face.
Hilda Suarez- “Ugly Betty”
You’re probably thinking why such a non-character on a show has been given this much importance. But that’s the thing! “Ugly Betty” could’ve easily survived without the hair stylist Hilda with her plunging necklines and overstated jewellery as she contributed no value to the show whatsoever.
Newman — “Seinfeld”
Newman does what no comedian should ever, never do — he overacts! Plus, Seinfeld and Newman’s hatred for each other is completely inexplicableat best. Each time we hear, “HELLO Jerry!” in Newman’s supposedly evil voice, we’re forced to change the channel.
Steve Urkel — “Family Ties”
Any child named Urkel in the 90s must’ve begged his parents to change his name after Urkel became famous on “Family Matters”. Epitomising the geek/nerd image with his thick glasses and high-pitched voice, we could totally relate to Lisa Winslow’s disdain for him.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2011.
While playing a character on a popular TV show, it takes very little to go from annoyingly adorable to annoyingly cringeworthy. Balancing the character’s level of peskiness is an absolute art. Some play annoying with ease while others make us want to throw our remotes on the television screen.
All-Time Favourite Annoying Characters
Carlton Banks — “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”
Ask any kid who grew up in the 90s, and he’d definitely know Carlton’s famous “It’s Not Unusual” dance moves. The video of which is still YouTubed by people today. Played by Alfonso Ribeiro, rich kid Carlton Banks was the butt of all of Will’s jokes. He effortlessly played an elite white teen stuck in an African-American body who hates his cooler, charismatic cousin.
Janice Litman — “F.R.I.E.N.D.S”
Who would believe that Chandler’s nasally on-again and off-again girlfriend Janice has a normal speaking voice in real life? Even if Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, made a very serious appearance on “CSI”, we’ll still expect her to suddenly launch into “OHHH MY GOD!!!!!!”
Dwight — “The Office”
Dwight, the owner of Shrute beet farms, a volunteer sherrif deputy and the assistant manager, scratch that, assistant to the manager has been played by Rainn Wilson to perfection. One of his best lines, “The eyes are the groin of the head” are spoken with such seriousness and sincerity that one can’t help but laugh out loud.
Barney — “How I Met Your Mother”
No one thought Neil Patrick Harris could take his boy genius persona from “Doogie Howser, M D” and change it into Barney’s Casanova image. But he did, and he did it pretty well. His theories on women, the art of seduction are, wait for it, legendary!
All-Time Least Favourite Annoying Characters
Tyra Banks — “ANTM”
Yes, yes, we know she’s not really a character on TV! However, as scripted and dramatic “America’s Next Top Model” is — it might as well be called a sitcom. Although we have to hand it to Tyra Banks for her larger-than-life Oprah-like image and business endeavours, each time she starts her dramatic stone-faced speech before elimination, or when she acts all ghetto all of a sudden, you want to smack her face.
Hilda Suarez- “Ugly Betty”
You’re probably thinking why such a non-character on a show has been given this much importance. But that’s the thing! “Ugly Betty” could’ve easily survived without the hair stylist Hilda with her plunging necklines and overstated jewellery as she contributed no value to the show whatsoever.
Newman — “Seinfeld”
Newman does what no comedian should ever, never do — he overacts! Plus, Seinfeld and Newman’s hatred for each other is completely inexplicableat best. Each time we hear, “HELLO Jerry!” in Newman’s supposedly evil voice, we’re forced to change the channel.
Steve Urkel — “Family Ties”
Any child named Urkel in the 90s must’ve begged his parents to change his name after Urkel became famous on “Family Matters”. Epitomising the geek/nerd image with his thick glasses and high-pitched voice, we could totally relate to Lisa Winslow’s disdain for him.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2011.