Top 20 Realistic TV Portrayals of Relationships

There are lots of different relationships with a variety of dynamics on this show, from Lorelai and Luke to Rory and Logan. But the most relatable one is that of Lorelai’s parents. Of course, Emily and Richard have their problems. They navigate their strained relationship with their daughter, sometimes struggle to communicate their real thoughts and feelings, and deal with power imbalances when it comes to decision-making. But, like all good long-lasting partnerships, they also balance out their issues with love and compassion. They even go through a separation and a vow renewal as they fight to stay together until his passing.

It’s not every day we see a show about a family with an LGBTQIA+ couple at the forefront. Thankfully, this series does a great job of portraying them authentically. Stef and Lena are the heads of a complex family unit, complete with biological, adopted, and foster children. In addition to taking that responsibility very seriously, they try to prioritize their relationship while also balancing their demanding careers. That’s something many real-life couples experience. We see them stand by each other through health scares, career crises, and relationship struggles that test them in all ways. The way they tackle those ups and downs, always emerging stronger on the other side, is nothing short of admirable. Talk about an authentic couple we can look up to.

Tom and Lynette prove that opposites attract, and in some cases, even bring out the best in each other. Although they’re both headstrong, Lynette is the driving force, while Tom takes a more easygoing approach. They are parents to many children, and as anyone with kids will tell you, it’s hard to figure out who should handle what in the household. These two fight on multiple occasions, and try out a few different approaches. For a while there, we’re not sure if their love for each other will be enough — after all, real life is messy, and their story proves that. Thankfully, they eventually find their way, supporting each other and living happily ever after together by the end.

The Johnsons make us laugh throughout “Black-ish,” sometimes butting heads on their approaches to parenting and life in their predominantly-white neighborhood. But they also make us cry, as they deal with a rough break-up that gives them a chance to re-evaluate and rebuild their relationship. That’s what you need sometimes! Through it all, Bow and Dre keep their love for each other and their family at the center of their focus. After watching this relationship for eight seasons, we’re convinced that humor and keeping things light — even when times are tough — is the key to a long-lasting marriage. Needless to say, we’re taking notes.

While we love watching Alexis and Ted’s relationship mature and admiring Moira and Johnny’s enduring love, seeing David and Patrick together is simply the best. As their partnership grows, so do they individually. David learns to be less selfish and more vulnerable, while Patrick comes into himself, embracing his identity and opening up his heart. They aren’t afraid to call each other out and tease one another, which keeps things fun. But they’re also always there for each other, whether they’re wetting the bed or loopy from dental surgery. In moments big and small, these two model a realistic, supportive relationship, proving fairytales don’t just exist in movies.

They started out as friends, and became an iconic, loveable married couple. Their trajectory was equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and relatable. Although they are nothing alike, these two balance each other out perfectly. Monica is a stubborn perfectionist who helps Chandler see the important things in life. Meanwhile, Chandler’s more easy-going nature helps her relax. They go through their fair share of issues, dealing with fertility, exes, and figuring out how to commit. With the help of loved ones and each other, though, they can tackle any obstacle that comes their way. After all, isn’t that what real life marital bliss is also all about?

While some shows are about glitz and glamour, others offer brutally real depictions of what many deal with in real life. “The Middle” fits more into the latter category, as this middle-class family navigates problems that ring true for a lot of viewers. Not only do Frankie and Mike deal with making ends meet, they also raise three very different children in sometimes funny and unconventional ways. Their day-to-day lives are humdrum, and they’re just trying to keep their heads above water — as most of us are. Of course, with their senses of humor, mutual respect, and open communication, the duo manages to survive anything. That’s how you have to do it whether you’re a TV couple or a real one!

Some couples are relatable because they struggle, or because they take time apart only to come back together again. Some, however, are relatable because they’re madly in love and supportive of one another through everything, which is exactly what we see with Mr. and Mrs. Burke. They both deal with a lot of chaos in their professional and personal lives. So to see them as each other’s anchors when everything else feels out of control is refreshing. They encounter unsafe situations, opportunities for infidelity, and trouble managing work-life balance. However, it’s clear that their commitment to one another trumps all of that, as is the case in the best real life relationships.

These college sweethearts turned married couple have their ups and downs, but they’re an example of what a healthy partnership looks like. Although they’re clearly soul mates, with classic opposing personalities and unwavering support for one another, they aren’t immune to struggles that so many couples face. Lily leaves Marshall to go to San Francisco and chase her dreams, and Marshall initially ruins their plan to move to Rome by accepting a job without consulting her. They don’t always get along with their in-laws, either. Yet they can practically read each other’s minds, and we never really doubt them because they always take the time and effort to figure things out and compromise — together. They’re undoubtedly the most steadfast, convincing couple of the series.

Leslie Knope is undeniably motivated and determined, and she meets her match in Ben Wyatt, the colleague who eventually becomes her husband. While they don’t exactly hit it off at first, their feelings grow so intense that they’re forced to choose between work and each other. This is a real-life issue that viewers can identify with, as so many struggle to balance their romantic relationships with their career aspirations. Ben and Leslie are always there for one another, and they handle conflict and disagreements in a way that we should all be envious of. They mature together, raise kids together, and accomplish their goals together. We we should all be as lucky as them.

Michael B. Jordan had a brief stint on “Parenthood” just before his break into mega stardom, but what really surprised us about the actor’s time on the show was just how believable the relationship was between his character, Alex, and series regular Haddie, played by Sarah Ramos. The two young lovers had a passionate but tumultuous and ultimately brief relationship; one that came to a close with Alex telling Haddie the two were just at different points in their lives and it wasn’t going to work out. The storyline was disappointing, but isn’t that kind of the point? Young love doesn’t usually turn out the way we hope it does.

Those early relationships don’t always turn out so bad, though. From the very first episode of “The Wonder Years,” it seemed like Kevin and Winnie were destined to wind up together. Over the course of the series, as their relationship slowly developed, we saw Kevin and Winnie go through so many of the same awkward issues we remember from growing up. Through their ups and downs, and ons-and-offs, it seemed like it was still inevitable the couple would end up together, only for the finale to reveal it wasn’t meant to be for the two. Theirs wasn’t a story about eternal love, but about first love, and how valuable that can really be.

Despite the slapstick humor and utter absurdity of “Malcolm in the Middle,” the real heart of the series always shined through when it came to Hal and Lois. No matter how stressed and wound up Lois would get, how completely distracted Hal would become, or how chaotic Francis, Reese, Malcolm, Dewey and eventually Jamie could make things around the house, the loving marriage between the two was what held everything together. Of course, the show was a comedy, and fittingly never missed a chance to playfully poke fun at some common marriage and parenting issues, especially concerning husbands who may be a little more on the playfully immature side.

Whether through personal experience or by watching it happen, we all know that the workplace can foster memorable and lasting romantic relationships. Combine that with a couple whose love is built upon constantly messing with one another, and you’ve got the perfect pair in Detective Jake Peralta and Sergeant Amy Santiago. As the show has gone on, the couple has moved from mutual attraction, through a budding relationship, all the way to their marriage! The show has given a realistic portrayal of a workplace romance that has progressed in a mostly appropriate way, keeping audiences laughing all the while.

A bumpy road that leads these two together, but their trials and tribulations make them both genuine and stronger as a couple. Their timing is initially off, with Pam being engaged to someone else in the beginning and Jim dating a coworker later on. But their chemistry is always on point. When they finally get together, they are thrown some curveballs that they ultimately conquer thanks to mutual love and respect. Jim’s career ambitions grow, as does Pam’s desire to pursue art. Plus, they’re forming a family and trying to keep the spark alive. They always find their way as a unit in the end, though. It’s a realistic romance that isn’t perfect or tinted with rose-colored lenses — it’s also beyond worth it.

One of the many fascinating things about the genre-defying FX series “Atlanta” is the way the show manages to blur the line between harsh reality and surreal fantasy. When it comes to the relationship between Earn and Van, however, the series definitely skews towards the real. “Atlanta” uses the relationship between Donald Glover’s Earn and Zazie Beetz’ Vanessa to portray some of the day-to-day complications of modern dating, life as a single mother, poverty and more. While many TV series feel the need to nail down and define all the relationships between characters, “Atlanta” has shown the relationship between Earn and Vanessa to be fluid and complicated, a refreshing change from the norm.

“Modern Family” is a show built entirely on the relationships between its characters, and as much as we love Claire and Phil, none is as heartwarming as Mitchell and Cameron’s. Though at first they may seem like polar opposites (and they do still clash from time to time), eventually it became clear that their two personalities complement one another perfectly, with Cameron’s outgoing exuberance tempered by Mitchell’s more reserved and uptight demeanor. From their adoption of Lily all the way through their lovely wedding and beyond, Mitchell and Cam have helped raise the bar for positive portrayals of LGBT relationships on TV.

Few shows have tackled the topics of mental health, addiction and modern dating as well as Netflix’s “Love.” The series told a funny but dark love story over three seasons; one where the main characters didn’t always make good decisions or even seem very likable. That understandably turned some people off from the show, but those who stuck around got to see a light at the end of the tunnel as Gus and Mickey eventually worked through their issues and, maybe unexpectedly, found a happy ending together. The stark and upfront way “Love” tackled serious relationship topics wasn’t always easy to watch, but without a doubt it had a strong basis in reality.

Another show heavily built around familial relationships, “This Is Us” features several couples we absolutely love, but if we’re talking about realism, it’s hard to argue against Randall and Beth. Through the show, we see Randall and Beth support each other through financial and workplace troubles, family drama and eventually communication problems. Despite their best efforts, it all takes a toll on their marriage. No matter what they’re going through as a couple, though, parenting remains their first priority. And of course, in the end, they find their way as husband and wife too, supporting each other’s individual dreams while prioritizing the relationship.

No couple on TV has been able to bring to life the small, day-to-day moments of living as a married couple the way Eric and Tami Taylor did on NBC’s critically acclaimed high school football drama “Friday Night Lights.” Tami and Coach Taylor, as he’s commonly known, are the perfect example of what a partnership should look like: full of love, mutual respect, open communication and understanding. The series never resorted to injecting cheap drama into the relationship to grab viewers, instead focusing on more minor disagreements and conflict. The result is a down-to-Earth portrayal of a happy married couple; something that’s surprisingly rare on TV.

Which TV couple makes you feel like you’re watching a reality show? Let us know in the comments.