Current comedy favorites

As I've stated, I so love sitcoms. I currently watch 18 sitcoms and have watched them throughout my life. There have always been classic characters such as Louie DePalma on Taxi or Norm on Cheers or Chandler Bing on Friends that will make me laugh no matter what they do. In these days, are no exception. Here are my favorite funny dudes on current shows:

• 15 - Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan)/30 Rock (NBC)

• Tracy Jordan, an actor on a Saturday Night Live-esque show on 30 Rock. He is a clueless actor who thinks the world revolves around him. Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is constantly trying to keep him happy as unfortunately, he's one of the biggest stars on the show. His two sidekicks Griz and Dot Com are highly underrated as well.
• 14 - Dean Pelton (Jim Rash)/Community (NBC)

• The Dean of Greendale Community College, Dean Pelton is a Rip Taylor-esque, dramatic persona who just wants to be part of the cool kids group. His unspoken but often obvious crush on Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) and his desire to exert his power as the Dean often results in some genius comedic moments.
• 13 - Andy Botwin (Justin Kirk)/Weeds (SHO)

• The brother-in-law of the pot dealer Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker), Andy always finds himself in crazy situations while hiding his festering affection for his sister-in-law. Despite his antics, he most often winds up being the glue that keeps the family together.
• 12 - Creed Bratton (William Charles Schneider)/The Office (NBC)

• Quiet, soft-spoken and creepy, Creed sits in the corner of the office often in his own world but inserting great one-liners at the most unexpected of times. In a solid ensemble cast, Creed is often in the background but watch closely, he's usually doing something hilarious.
• 11 - Warwick Davis (as himself)/Life's Too Short (HBO)

• In a mockumentary on his life, Warwick Davis is an expert at self-deprication and making fun of the show biz lifestyle which he so desires to be a part of but is faltering. He thinks he is WAY  more famous than he is and is constantly pestering Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant for work and advice. The comedy pair can't stand him. Fantastic new show.
• 10 - Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill)/Modern Family (ABC)

• The patriarch of the Modern Family itself, Ed O'Neill sheds the Al Bundy image once and for all. He's married to a gorgeous younger woman with a young son and deals with raising him as well as his two adult children with passive aggressive comedy and those rare heartwarming moments.
• 9 - Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwarztman)/Bored to Death (HBO)

• An out-of-work writer/stoner gets bored and decides to become a Private Detective through Craigs List. In a modern film noire style show with his two stoner pals (Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson), Jonathan solves petty crimes and often finds himself in a lot of trouble.
• 8 - Burt Chance (Garret Dillahunt)/Raising Hope (FOX)

• The clueless pool cleaner whose crazy family keeps every day interesting, Burt often is still the 19 year old kid who knocked up his girlfriend (now wife) and is still learning how to navigate the world. 
• 7 - Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day)/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)

• 1/4 of the magic that makes up It's Always Sunny, Charlie is fearless...and a little clueless. But he will do anything and he will try anything, except maybe traveling out of Philadelphia. Just don't make him angry...or his voice gets really, really high.
• 6 - Cam & Mitchell (Eric Stonestreet & Jesse Tyler Ferguson)/Modern Family (ABC)

• A gay couple with an adopted Asian daughter, Lily, they are anything but stereotypical. Okay they are a little, but at the core, they are just a couple trying to make things work. They play off each other like a true couple and make hilarious discoveries to delight the audience. 
• 5 - Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons)/Big Bang Theory (CBS)

• The naive self-proclaimed genius physicist, Sheldon's IQ is through the roof. His street smarts are that of a 4 year old. But boy can he spout out facts and theories to diagnose the simplest of human transactions. Is he a robot? Now that he has a girlfriend, (See Amy Farrah Fowler, below) we'll see...
• 4 - Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris)/How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

• The ladies man for ladies men. Ladies and suits are the most important things in his life but powder with a few genuine, tear inducing moments, Barney Stinson is a well-rounded guy. You know you wish he was your friend. He's legen-wait for it-dary!
• 3 - Troy & Abed (Donald Glover & Danni Pudi)/Community (NBC)

• The brilliant comedy pairing of borderline Aspberger patient, Abed and former football great, Troy eventually evolved into 'Troy and Abed in the Morning.' A fictional morning talk show featuring the obsessions of pop culture driven guys. Their chemistry is undeniable and they realistically portray the family you form when you are forced to be in classes together day in and day out.
• 2 - Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell)/Modern Family (ABC)

• "I'm the cool Dad..." Oh Phil Dunphy. He is anything but cool but don't tell him that. Between physical comedy and his poker face when delivering pure silliness, Ty Burrell earned every second of his Emmy. I challenge you to not laugh at his antics.
• 1 - The Men of Parks and Recreation (Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Jim O'Heir, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe & Ben Schwartz) (NBC)



Not pictured  - Jim O'Heir, Rob Lowe & Ben Schwartz

• Maybe it's a copout to pick an entire cast of guys, but this one is just so solid, they would've taken up the whole list. 
• Jim O'Heir plays Jerry. The office hates him for NO reason and all he wants to do is do his work and get his pension. 
• Ben Schwarts as the ridiculous but lovable Jean-Ralphio. He thinks he is the smoothest but he is the furthest from that. 
• Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer; the lovable but not the sharpest local shoe-shiner. You may also know him as the lead singer of Mouse Rat or the husband of April Ludgate. 
• Rob Lowe plays city manager Chris Traeger, the happiest, most positive and in shape person LITERALLY in the world.
• Adam Scott plays Ben Wyatt, the love interest of Leslie Knope and self-proclaimed nerd.
• Aziz Ansari play Tom Haverford who is much bigger than the Pawnee Parks and Rec department but unfortunately that's where he is right now. So why not make it as 'fly' as possible? With the help of his best pal, Jean Ralphio, he will make Pawnee what he wants it to be.
• Ron Swanson. He hates government, he hates people and he especially hates his ex-wives, Tammy 1 and Tammy 2. He is my idol.

And we can't forget the ladies:

• 15 - Dallas Royce (Cheryl Hines)/Suburgatory (ABC)

• Suburban wife extraordinaire, she's the one you'd love to hate but she's just so damn sweet. Here's hoping her extra flirty affection for George pays off in the future.
• 14 - Cathy Jamison (Laura Linney)/The Big C (SHO)

• Stricken with cancer and only a year to live, Cathy decides to live each day to the fullest. A different approach to a death sentence, there are plenty of heavy moments but Laura Linney is just so damn adorable you can't help but root for her and her family.
• 13 - Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders)/How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

• Poor Robin. Always unlucky in love. Will she end up with Barney? God, I hope so. But I'd like to see more of her 80's pop career in Canada. Who's with me, eh?
• 12 - Virginia Chance (Martha Plimpton)/Raising Hope (FOX)

• The wife of Burt Chance, but let's face it, the leader of the household. She sometimes drops a Malapropism but does it so genuinely you wouldn't dare correct her. She's confident and strong and a great role model for her granddaughter, Hope.
• 11 - Annie Edison (Alison Brie)/Community (NBC)

• The neurotic 18 year old trying desperately for once in her life to fit in with the popular crowd, Alison Brie shows her acting chops as Annie Edison is a complete 180 from Trudy Campbell on Mad Men. Her on again off again flirtations with Jeff Winger are endearing but personally? I'm rooting for her and Abed.
• 10 - Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik)/The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

• Finally, a girl who can claim Sheldon Cooper as a boyfriend. She is nearly a carbon copy except she actually possesses (or I should say acknolwedges) a libido. So nice to see Mayim Bialik back on TV. It's been too long, Blossom.
• 9 - Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kahling)/The Office (NBC)

• Another peripheral Office gal but she inserts the right amount of Mean Girl into the workplace. She's desperate to be married and have babies but she is definitely one to have on your side. If you need her to be mean to that guy you like's new girlfriend? Oh she'll do it. And she'll do it HARD!
• 8 - Jules Cobb (Courtney Cox)/Cougar Town (ABC)

• Real Estate agent, Jules is trying to survive after her son goes off to college. Sure she has her cul-de-sac crew, Ellie and Andy (Her next door neighbors), Bobby (her ex-husband), Laurie (her slutty employee/friend) and Grayson (her boyfriend from across the street) and they all drink wine to forget their problems. The show found it's footing way after they named it. I hope it's not the curse that brings it down, this crew is way too funny!
• 7 - April Ludgate Dwyer (Aubrey Plaza)/Parks and Recreation (NBC)

• She hates people and government so naturally she's Ron Swanson's assistant. But what kept her employed at the Parks department after her internship ended? Her love of Andy Dwyer. Now married, they make for one of the cutest couples on TV.
• 6 - Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen)/Modern Family (ABC)

• Being married to Phil Dunphy can't be easy but she has a goofy side all her own. She keeps the family together and has control over her 4 children (including Phil). She fights with her brother, Mitchell and lives for her Dad's approval...it is a Modern Family indeed.
• 5 - Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler)/Parks and Recreation (NBC)

• Supremely positive and pro-government, all she's ever wanted was to be the first female president. Running the Parks Department is just a stepping stone but she loves every second of it. Her goals are clear and focused...until she meets Ben Wyatt. It's always nice to see a control-freak let go of the reigns.
• 4 - Liz Lemon (Tina Fey)/30 Rock (NBC)

• Running a TV show and trying to keep actors happy can make anyone crazy. Liz doesn't have a perfect track record in dating, not liking sex probably has something to do with it, but she manages to successfully produce the show. A great testament to what women have to go through to be in a power position, a job that usually involves babysitting grown men.
• 3 - Gloria Pritchett (Sofia Vargara)/Modern Family (ABC)

• The wife of Jay Pritchett, drop dead gorgeous and a thick Columbian accent makes everything funnier...or is it just me? It would be easy to get lost in such a solid ensemble as Modern Family but Gloria holds her own and steals plenty of moments.
• 2 - Dee Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson)/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)

• Hanging around with 4 obnoxious guys can really take it toll on a gal, but not this one. She gets brow beaten daily but always manages to survive. She's not afraid to not be the 'pretty girl' and is fearless for comedy.
• 1 - Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch)/Glee (FOX)

• Sue Sylvester's one liners will probably go down in history as some of the greatest comedy ever written. But it takes a genius character actor, such as Jane Lynch, to deliver them with such confidence. And that's how Sue C's it.