This is Entertainment Weekly’s 20th anniversary year, so they’re doing a lot of looking back. In this week’s issue, they count down the 100 Greatest Characters of the past 20 years. Now, there are some I feel are missing (No Daria? No Angela Chase? No Camden family from 7th Heaven?! Okay, that last one was a joke), but it’s a really good list overall. And I just wanted to share some thoughts about some charaters who jumped out at me. Next to them is where they fell in the order of the list.
1. Homer Simpson
I love The Simpsons, but that’s probably because I stopped watching it a while ago. When I did watch it, man was I into it. I’ve seen every episode of at least the first half of the series. When it first came out, I put a self-imposed ban on the show (I felt it was inappropriate), but I finally came to my senses in junior high and became a hardcore fan. The Simpsons were a huge part of my introduction to the Internet. I spent my time in the early days of dial-up in Simpsons chatrooms and taking Simpsons trivia tests. While I love every character on the show, I get why Homer was singled out. Way to go, Homie!
2. Harry Potter
Oh, HP, where would I be without you? JK’s amazing world routinely takes me out of the reality of smelly New York subways and into the ever-confusing halls of Hogwarts. At the center of this complex world is a complex character who we get to see grow up before our eyes. A self-proclaimed fangirl, I must address the movie adaptations, which I find to be flawed (as most movie adaptaions are), but extremely well done. If you’re a non-reader and are confused, I have no sympathy for you. There’s an easy and enjoyable remedy if the movies seem to have plot holes. Read the books, and fill them in like the rest of us. You won’t be sorry. One thing though: how hard is it to get Daniel Radcliffe some green contact lenses?!
7. Edward Scissorhands
I have a confession to make: I’ve never seen the end of this movie. Edward Scissorhands scares the shit out of me. When I turned the page and saw his picture, I gasped and proceeded to cover it up so I could read the accompanying story. I understand it’s a beautiful tale about an outsider finding acceptance, but all I see is the creepy guy who made me cry and lock myself in the bathroom at the age of eight. One day I’ll watch this movie, but I’ll be in a safe place, surrounded by those who love me.
18. Sue Sylvester
Not even one season into the show, and Sue’s on the list?! Bravo, I say! Jane Lynch is a genius and deserves to be on this list several times over for memorable characters she’s helped to create. You know whenever Sue comes on screen, she’s going to say something insane, delivered to perfection by Jane Lynch. The occasional glimpse at Sue’s soft side (being romantically rejected, interacting with her sister) add depth to this character, who could come across as just plain bitchy. One word: Outstanding!
34. Cher Horowitz
Clueless was an important movie of my youth. Cher was hilariously ignorant of how ignorant she was. Yet, she really just wanted to make the people around her happy. True, sometimes it was for personal gain, but what teenager wasn’t a little selfish? In the end, it didn’t matter that she ended up with her ex-step-brother (weird) because we wanted to see her happy. Not to mention Paul Rudd’s Josh was super adorable. Cher helped usher in fashion trends, some of which are back (knee socks, babydoll dresses) and slang, most of which I still use. I’m outie!
47. Corky St. Clair
Waiting for Guffman was the movie that made me realize I was a “theatre person.” I had worked with Corky St. Clair. Anyone who has done community theatre has worked with Corky St. Clair. I understood the jokes in this movie as if they were written for me. You know when you get a really good joke, and you just have to say out loud, “Yes! That is true! That’s exactly how it is!” All of Waiting for Guffman is that joke.
65. Lorelai and Rory Gilmore
We all already know how much I love Gilmore Girls. I miss these women. I miss their relationship. I wish I knew what they were up to now. I imagine they’re talking about Heidi and Spencer splitting up and Emily has no idea what they’re saying. I wish I could bring this show back.
75. David Brent
When I first saw the American Office, I, like many others, hated it. Mostly because the pilot was just a rehashing of the British pilot. And the Brits did it better. Now, I love and can appreciate the show that was inspired by the original, but there’s nothing quite like the original. David Brent is indescribably awkward, and the discomfort I get when watching him interact with other people is oddly pleasurable. You know what I would love to see? Extras’ Andy Millman having a conversation with David Brent. Amazing.
77. Mimi Marquez
One of the few characters I disagree with being on this list. I love that Rent is represented here, but if I were to pick a character from the show, it would have to be Angel. Angel is the heart of Rent. His is a character of joy, love, and acceptance. The spirit he embodies is eventually what brings Mimi back from the edge. Oh, it probably doesn’t help that I can’t stand Daphne Rubin-Vega’s voice.
79. Elphaba
If only you could remove the flaws from the musical Wicked and the book Wicked, then I think you’d have the perfect Elphaba. I love the mainstream spotlight that Wicked and Elphaba put on musical theatre, but I feel the Elphaba in the book is a much more complex and well-rounded character. I know a lot of people rag on the book, and I agree, it wasn’t the easiest of reads. However, I think because I know the musical version and the book version of Elphaba, I have a better understanding of the potential character she could be.
86. Karen Walker and Jack McFarland
The apex of a fag/hag duo, Jack and Karen are everything I want to be in life. They’re irreverent (sometimes downright mean) and do what they love for the pure joy of it. While their questionable behavior often gets them in trouble, we can learn a lot from them. If we could all be that free with our friends and ourselves every now and then, it would make those days where we have to be responsible a little easier.
92. Christopher Boone
I don’t read a lot of contemporary literature; I’m not familiar with what’s out there, and I try to only take suggestions from people whose taste I trust. My sister gave me The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time as a present, and luckily I’ve always trusted her taste. Christopher, a fifteen-year-old with Aspergers, narrates this touching and funny mystery novel. I’ve reread it countless times, and never get tired of entering Christopher’s interesting and complex world.
