Top 10 Obnoxious Characters in Live Action TV

Think of a man in his late twenties who behaves like a thirteen-year-old boy, is completely delusional, and never stops talking. You’re probably thinking of someone like Jean-Ralphio. This man-child torments our favorite “Parks and Rec” characters with his insufferable antics and inane approach to social interactions. He incessantly hits on everything with a pulse, assigns ridiculously childish nicknames to people, obsesses over his image, and – this might be the worst part - he lives on his daddy’s money. Or the money from the people he sues. One redeeming quality, though, is that he regularly sings about his mundane life, and it is hilarious.

Sit down and listen up, newbie. The world’s most sarcastic doctor is here to simultaneously save your life and ruin it in the same breath. Dr. Cox is an undeniably brilliant doctor who truly cares about both his patients and unwanted protégé, JD, but he is also a Grade A jerk. Arguably the most sarcastic man on television, he brutally berates his interns with overly enunciated, colorful insults and metaphors. Fans of the show love his long, rage-filled rants, complete with downright mean metaphors, comparisons, and his creative use of the English language. We’re just happy we’re not on the receiving end of any of them.

Hello Newman! Jerry’s sworn enemy and Kramer’s occasional partner in crime, this chubby schemer has it out for everybody. Even the way Newman speaks is obnoxious. He’s mastered a sinister tone for the emphatic delivery of the insults and accusations he carefully crafts and dishes out. This, of course, opposes the reality of his life. He is really just a lowly postal worker, and is so rotund he usually exhausts himself before he reaches the end of his rants. Newman is definitely a man worth avoiding. Thankfully, though, a Drake’s coffee cake will send him packing.

We have no idea how this neurotic, selfish, fantasy football obsessed lawyer ever scored his beautiful wife, seeing as how he has no sense of right and wrong and takes that as permission to do horrible things. Ruxin’s emasculating put-downs are equally dispersed among his fellow league opponents, leaving each of them stunned at his complete disregard for decency. Ruxin is squirmy, and kids are justifiably scared of him. Their parents should be too. To him, winning is everything. If the Shiva is at stake – the trophy awarded to the winner of the league - we’re not sure there’s a limit to what he’d do. His soul is forever unclean.

George Costanza is one of television’s most delightfully selfish jerks, but the man who inspired and co-created the character is even more of a curmudgeon, if you can believe it. Basically, Larry is what Costanza would be with the added bitterness of old age, as he finds a problem with everything and is incapable of biting his tongue, blurting out whatever’s on his mind. This leads Larry into horribly uncomfortable situations, and ensures that pretty much nobody wants to be around him. Audiences, however, love his obnoxious persona, because he points out all the problems with life that the rest of us are just too nice to complain about. This makes him the definition of a character we love to hate.

There is a certain ruthlessness one must have if one hopes to reach the upper echelons of Hollywood. In Ari’s case, he definitely has the ruthlessness, but with an added dab of insanity. He is the king of verbal smack downs, designing well crafted and extremely offensive rants which range from racist to homophobic - mostly directed at his faithful assistant Lloyd. However, nobody is safe from his rage. Ari fires people at will, and regularly neglects his family. So while the rest of the “Entourage” crew could probably stake a claim for this list, Ari clearly rises above, or rather, sinks below, them.

From the very first episode of this FX show, Dennis is proven to be a complete and utter narcissist. He openly admits he cares for no one but himself, is obsessed with status, and holds no convictions, instead choosing whatever best serves his interests. Probably the smartest of the Paddy’s gang – which isn’t saying much - he believes he is better than his friends and constantly reminds them of it. Worst of all, Dennis prides himself on his manipulation skills, particularly towards women. He walks a tight rope between asshole and sociopath, usually leaning towards the latter. But you don’t have to take our word for it, just consult the D.E.N.N.I.S. System.

Differing from the rest of our list, Schmidt is a lovable and charming guy who’s a good friend to the people he cares about – but despite his redeeming qualities, he’s still a big-time douche. Schmidt is obsessed with his image and status, and he reminds you of that with every word he speaks. His interests include his driving moccasins, cardigans, Kanye West, kimonos, liberal tweets, lap dance pants, and his own penis – among other things, all of which make us cringe and laugh at the same time. Thankfully, Schmidt’s roommates keep his personality in check by making him pay money to the designated douchebag jar. Needless to say, he’s lost a lot of money.

There’s no room for loyalty on Madison Avenue, but Pete sends this notion to new heights. He takes his ruthlessness beyond the corporate world and treats even those he’s meant to truly care for horribly. He cheats on his soon-to-be wife at his bachelor party, and outs Don as a fraud. Traitor status aside, he’s also just downright scummy. Pete is particularly horrible to women, disrespecting and degrading them, and the way he talks to his colleagues at work would turn anyone off of the corporate world. There are plenty of obnoxious Sterling Cooper employees to chose from, including the scummy Duck Phillips, but Pete is truly the cream of the jerk crop.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable, or in this case, dishonorable mentions:
- Barry Kripke
“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-)

- Gob Bluth
“Arrested Development” (2003-06, 2013-)

- Nathan Young
“Misfits” (2009-13)

What can we say about Kenny Powers? This ex-professional baseball player turned gym teacher once tasted power and celebrity and the world will never stop hearing about it. His unbelievably inflated ego leads him to believe he is far better than every person he comes into contact with, and his complete lack of self-awareness or understanding of decency basically all but guarantees that the worst thing that can come out of his mouth, will come out of his mouth. Whether it’s sports or sex, he finds a way to ruin it for the rest of us. Worse yet, this man never redeems himself. The worst of humanity shines through Kenny Powers.

Do you agree with our list? Who do you think is the most obnoxious live-action TV character? For more hilarious Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.