Top 10 Underrated Sitcom Characters

Top 10 Underrated Sitcom Characters

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most hilarious personas on sitcoms who deserve way more attention! We’ll be excluding animated characters, like Gene Belcher from “Bob’s Burgers”, since they should have a list of their own.

#10: Geoffrey Butler
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96)

Sarcastic isn’t a strong enough word to describe this sassy servant! Working for a chaotic rich family in California definitely requires a certain professionalism, yet Geoffrey never lets their wealth stop him from being brutally honest. From his blunt commentary to his dramatic flair, fans can’t help but love him, even if he’s not the most appreciated character. We could all probably benefit from being a little more direct. Although his remarks may come across as harsh at times, his love for the Banks family is clear as ever. Given everything he does for the household, this hard-worker deserves more than just a raise.

#9: Stanley Roper
“Three's Company” (1977-84)

A super strict landlord is the last thing a tenant wants when they take over a new lease, especially when they’re technically not supposed to be living there. Stanley may care a smidge too much about the personal lives of his residents but at the end of the day it’s mostly in good faith. The apartment building simply wouldn’t be the same without his old-school beliefs adding a unique element to the group dynamic. It’s hard for any character to compete with John Ritter’s comedic chops, but we think Norman Fell did a brilliant job with Mr. Roper.

#8: Shirley Bennett
“Community” (2009-15)

Only a tough cookie could raise a family while pursuing a higher education, especially among a study group of eclectic students. She may be a kindred soul to those around her, but don’t be fooled! Anyone who dares to cross Shirley or her loved ones will feel her rage. We adore how she always stands up for what she believes in and her drive to get her business off the ground inspires fellow entrepreneurs all around! We could all take some notes on how this studious star manages her work life balance.

#7: Sue Heck
“The Middle” (2009-18)

It may be hard to stand out as the middle child of a family but we sure as Heck notice this ray of sunshine! If positivity and hope had a child it would be known as Sue. While Axl is always causing trouble and Brick is overachieving left, right and center, this sometimes means that there isn’t a lot of room for recognition for Sue. But, as we saw during her graduation, the impact she has on others is felt far and wide, even if she doesn’t always see it. There’s so much light in her that she’s just impossible to dim. Awkward, sunny, and oh-so unique, Sue never fails to make others (and us!) smile.

#6: Winston Bishop
“New Girl” (2011-18)

Living with three strangers after a difficult breakup may not seem ideal, but lucky for this new tenant, there’s Prank Sinatra to save the day. While the other flatmates may not take him too seriously, he always steals the show with his amusing behavior. Whether it’s his obsession with his cat or his epic one liners, it’s easy to see how he immediately became a fan favorite. His inability to properly perform pranks aside, Winnie the Bish has a heart of gold and always loves deeply. Despite the circumstances, he makes even the most mundane moments exciting.

#5: Jessica Huang
“Fresh Off The Boat” (2015-20)

Moving from Chinatown of Washington DC to Florida in the 1990s definitely comes with its challenges. But as the mother of three boys, Jessica will stop at nothing to ensure that her family is set up for success, despite any protests, circumstances, or even social norms. We admire how dedicated she is to being the best of the best, and never settling for less than what she wants! She also never compromises her beliefs and morals, which is super admirable. Although she can sometimes go too far with her relentless passion, she always means well at the end of the day, and we know her family appreciates everything she does!

#4: Phyllis Vance
“The Office” (2005-13)

Being a quiet employee among the over-the-top characters at everyone’s favorite paper sales company means sometimes being a little invisible. Yet as her confidence grows with time, Phyllis eventually makes a name for herself through the duality of her personality. One moment she’ll handle Michael’s weird comments calmly and the next she’ll deliver her own not-so-nice comment to a coworker. (We’re looking at you, Angela.) What a transformation! To those unaware, she may come across nurturing and sweet, but we know she’s got a little acerbity to her too! You never know which version of Phyllis you’ll get which keeps us on our toes but also thoroughly entertained.

#3: Morgan Tookers
“The Mindy Project” (2012-17)

Turning your life around as an ex-convict is one grand feat! Tookers channels his freedom into being a stellar nurse at an NYC office. His methods of finding romance are quirky, to say the least, but he has the biggest heart on the show and that’s something he deserves more credit for. While romantic love may not always manifest so easily for him, friendship certainly does! He goes above and beyond for his friends, especially Mindy, and shows he cares in odd but meaningful ways. At the end of the day, he’s just trying his best like the rest of us!

#2: Carl Winslow
“Family Matters” (1989-98)

Being a police officer requires a level of authority that this Chicago father certainly has when dealing with his family’s shenanigans. Carl frequently gets mad at the drop of a hat, especially when his eccentric neighbor Steve Urkel is involved. While his fiery rage is ineffective in his personal life, when it’s channeled into catching criminals, it makes him one of the best cops on the force. Despite all of his yelling and grievances, it’s obvious he cherishes those around him. Plus, his dramatic reactions make him the perfect comedic relief, even when the show covers more serious topics!

#1: Jerry Gergich
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15; 2020)

The best straight man character we know! Through the chaos of it all, Jerry maintains his title as one of the most relatable characters due to his priorities. Unlike most of the others on the team, especially Leslie, Jerry puts his personal life above his job. It’s even funnier when everyone discovers the rather incredible and extravagant life he has outside his mundane job. He truly is the most mysterious open-book we’ve ever seen! Despite jokes often made at his expense, Jerry never reciprocates – and we just love him for it. After all, he really is winning in the end. As one of the more “normal” characters on the show, he’s the glue that holds the whole team together.

Which character do you think should get more love from fans? Let’s hype them up in the comments down below!