Top 10 Needlessly Sexualized TV Characters

Top 10 Needlessly Sexualized TV Characters

Sex sells, that’s for sure. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Needlessly Sexualized TV Characters.

For this list, we’ll be looking at small screen characters who were objectified in their depictions. And while we’ll be including both male and female characters, we’re excluding animated ones, as that’s a list for another time.

#10: Clark Kent
“Smallville” (2001-11)

Despite the brawny physique and skin-tight attire, Superman was never really known for his sex appeal. That goes double for his mild-mannered alter ego Clark Kent. The TV series “Smallville” didn’t seem to care however, as it titillated its audience with a hunky portrayal of the Last Son of Krypton in his adolescent years. The show pretty much did away with the wholesome boy scout persona in the very first episode when they stripped our teenage pre-Supes down to his underwear, tied him to a cross, and had an “S” painted on his bare chest. Seems they really wanted to emphasize his Man of Steel abs from the get-go!

#9: Wonder Woman
“Wonder Woman” (1975-79)

No stranger to sexualization, Wonder Woman’s early comic book days notoriously featured the Amazon warrior bound in some rather suggestive positions. And 1975's “Wonder Woman” TV show put the character’s overt sexual beginnings back at the forefront. Not only was actress Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman costume particularly revealing; the show also often focused on fan service prior to her transformation too - and it’s safe to say we rarely see her male superhero counterparts in outfits quite as skimpy, quite so often. Luckily, the iconic character persevered, evolving into the kickass hero/role model she is today.

#8: Scott McCall
“Teen Wolf” (2011-17)

You’d be forgiven if you forgot that MTV’s “Teen Wolf” series was based on a couple of ‘80s movies of the same name. Because, other than the protagonist being a teen who transforms into a werewolf, the show and its namesake movie franchise share very little in common. The biggest difference, however, might be the character’s sexual nature, as MTV’s version sees the titular teenager appear near naked... a lot! Also, despite the fact that Scott turns into a notoriously furry beast with some regularity, the creature is for some reason a lot less hairy this time around. Yep, gone is the shaggy high school party animal, and in its place is a teen heartthrob with bulging muscles to spare.

#7: Seven of Nine
“Star Trek: Voyager” (1995-2001)

It’s not often the words “Star Trek” and “super sexy” are used in the same sentence. But, there’s no way around it when discussing the character Seven of Nine, a former Borg drone who joined the crew of the starship Voyager - a crew led by the first female central character in a “Star Trek” series. When Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Janeway, refused to let her character be sexualized, the producers found their fan service elsewhere with this series addition, portrayed by actress Jeri Ryan. The ex-Borg is given what appears to be the galaxy’s most form-fitting catsuit to wear, leaving very little to the imagination. In her defense, Seven of Nine’s appearance and outfit were mostly designed by the Holo-Doc, who was pretty much in love with her…

#6: Xena
“Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001)

On a journey to redeem herself from a dark past, Xena is one Warrior Princess you definitely don’t want to mess with! But, amidst all the butt-kicking brutality and character-driven storylines, the show made sure to highlight Xena’s... feminine assets - while for the most part not objectifying male characters to the same degree, especially in later seasons. Xena’s fetching battle attire always seemed to perfectly display her lethal legs. And another thing: for a series about warriors, there are a surprising amount of bathing scenes, showing our heroine stripped down in shower and bath settings.

#5: Oliver Queen / Green Arrow
“Arrow” (2012-20)

Is there such a thing as too many training montages? Apparently not on the CW series “Arrow.” Here, Starling City’s Emerald Archer seems to average at least one sweaty workout scene per episode - whether it’s an intense bout of extreme exercise or a sparring session with his “bodyguard.” Did we mention these instances are almost always sans shirts? Shots of the shirtless star even played a role in the show’s advertising, with promotional material emphasizing actor Stephen Amell’s chiseled physique. Heck, based on the ads alone, one might wonder if he owned a shirt at all!

#4: Sydney Fox
“Relic Hunter” (1999-2002)

She’s a sophisticated professor of Ancient Studies who moonlights as an explorer in pursuit of antique artifacts. She’s also portrayed by former model Tia Carrere. And perhaps therein lies the reason writers of the fantasy/adventure program “Relic Hunter” found as many reasons as possible to have their leading actress strip down to her underwear. As a matter of fact, the show’s initial opening credits even include a shot of Carerre taking her top off! Is this a confident woman fully in charge of her sexuality challenging those around her to see her body as more than a sexual object? Actually, yes. But we doubt most viewers got deep enough into the show’s layers to notice the sex positivity…

#3: Archie Andrews
“Riverdale” (2017-)

Fixtures of the comic book scene for many decades, Archie and the gang have been bringing good natured hijinks to readers for generations. This led to a splashy live action TV adaptation on the CW, but much like the network’s other teen dramas, they toned down the wholesomeness and cranked up the sex appeal. Each character looks like they hit the genetic jackpot, but it’s Archie who changes the most from page to screen. Once a skinny love-struck teen, the affable redhead is now a full-on muscular beefcake, with quite possibly television’s most chiselled six-pack abs. We don’t remember this lovable group looking like a bunch of Calvin Klein models…

#2: Daisy Duke
“The Dukes of Hazzard” (1979-85)

Her heart was always in the right place, but Ms. Duke had a habit of landing in trouble - not unlike her rascal cousins. But, this rogue Southern belle’s mischievous nature isn’t her claim to fame: Daisy Duke will forever be immortalized by the seriously short denim shorts that bear her name - you know the ones! Daisy was rarely seen not wearing a version of this iconic ensemble - and if she was, she was probably in a short skirt or bikini. To be clear, we’re not saying women can’t wear hot pants! But the show DOES tend to treat her more like a pair of hot pants than a person! And believe it or not, when Jessica Simpson took on the role in the 2005 film adaptation, it was even worse!

Before we unveil our final pick, here are some honorable mentions:

Margaery Tyrell
“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

Max Guevara
“Dark Angel” (2000-02)

Evil Queen / Regina Mills
“Once Upon a Time” (2011-18)

Sam Evans
“Glee” (2009-15)

Chrissy Snow
“Three’s Company” (1977-84)

#1: The Female Lifeguards
“Baywatch” (1989-2001)

“Baywatch” is one of the most watched shows in television history, and we can’t help but think the eye candy had something to do with the high ratings. While pretty much everyone who donned one of those iconic red uniforms was objectified to some degree (did the Hoff EVER button a shirt?!), the female characters especially were given the over-sexualized treatment, as they were almost always in swimwear, and almost always wet. But, standing out among the pack is Pamela Anderson - even while surrounded by a cornucopia of supermodel-level hot lifeguards! Of course, what “Baywatch” is really famous for - aside from its attractive cast - are the running shots. Yep, “Baywatch” made “sexy slo-mo” a thing, and for that we thank them!