Top 100 Female TV Characters of All Time

13 years ago

And every single one of them from American TV shows.

Where was Emma Peel from the Avengers?

Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous?

Dorrie Evans from Number 96?

"Vinegar Tits" from Prisoner?

And since it is an American list why wasn't Donna Moss (The West Wing) also on there?

Hot Lips Houlihan should've been a lot higher up the list

Some of the shows on the list were complete crap as well, but i guess any "Top 100..." list is always going to be subjective.

Thanks

Signature

Why do garden gnomes smell so bad?

So that blind people can hate them as well.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3466521].message }}

Michael Oksa

13 years ago

Lucy Ricardo could have been in the bottom half of the list. While I appreciate her blazing the way for situation comedies, and strong female leads...she just rubs me the wrong way.

I wonder if the slant toward newer charcters is because that's what sells better?

I didn't read the whole list, but I would probably put a lot of actresses from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Anybody from Gilligan's Island make the list.

Also, as far as Irene Ryan goes, I used to not like her when I was younger, but now when I watch the Beverly Hillbillies I am blown away by her talent. The same could be said about my feelings of Thurston Howell, III, but he's a male and wouldn't be on this list.

Lists are always so subjective, that's probably what makes them so popular. People will argue the merits of the list, defend their favorites, and often tell the list's author how dumb they are for forgetting obvious choices. On that latter point, I wonder if that isn't by design.

All the best,
Michael

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

"Ich bin en fuego!"

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467385].message }}

Kurt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Lucy Ricardo could have been in the bottom half of the list. While I appreciate her blazing the way for situation comedies, and strong female leads...she just rubs me the wrong way.

I've never been a Lucy fan either. But just the fact that we're discussing her 50 years after her show was first aired I think proves she was "memorable".

I wonder how many on the list now that are fairly new anyone will remember in 50 years?

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467475].message }}

Steven Wagenheim

13 years ago

This is an interesting topic.

Off the top of my head, going with my gut, I'd offer this as my top 10.

10. Lois Lane

9. Gloria Stivic

8. Laura Petrie

7. Major Margaret Houlihan

6. Sydney Bristow

5. Gabrielle Solis

4. Monica

3. Sophia Petrillo

2. Mary Richards

1. Edith Bunker

Wow...that was hard.

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467616].message }}

Steven Wagenheim 13 years ago

Let me just add that the people that didn't make my top 10 would fill up
a room the size of the Waldorf.

I can't believe some of the characters I left off that list, including half
the cast from West Wing and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

It's impossible to make a list like this that really does justice to some of
the incredible talent that's out there.

Soaps...have had some of the greatest female characters ever including
Maeve Ryan from Ryan's Hope and Riva Shayne from Guiding Light.

Too much talent...too little space.
- Thanks
Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467638].message }}

Kurt

13 years ago

6. Sydney Bristow - Who"

5. Gabrielle Solis - Who?

4. Monica - Who?

3. Sophia Petrillo - Who?

Hey Steven...I don't even know who these gals are?

And here's one I'm not sure made the list or not, but should: Rosanne Rosanadana (sp).

I'd also add Katherine Hellman as Jessica on Soap somewhere near the top of my list.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467654].message }}

Steven Wagenheim

13 years ago

6. Sydney Bristow - Who"

From Alias.

5. Gabrielle Solis - Who?

Desperate Housewives. Has amazing range for comedy and drama

4. Monica - Who?

From "Touched By An Angel" She was just amazing and quite honestly,
was the star of the show even though Dela Reese was the "star".

3. Sophia Petrillo - Who?

Golden Girls, played by Estelle Geddy. Absolutely hysterical character.
Makes me laugh more than just about anybody.

And here's one I'm not sure made the list or not, but should: Rosanne Rosanadana (sp).

She was very funny.

I'd also add Katherine Hellman as Jessica on Soap somewhere near the top of my list.

Of course. How could I forget Jessica and and Mary? Both were great
but Jessica was one of a kind.

Like I said...impossible to make a list that does the industry any real
justice.

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467724].message }}

Steven Wagenheim

13 years ago

And you know, as tough as this list is, the male characters list is even
harder as male characters, at least through the early years of TV, dominated
the medium.

Off the top of my head, this would be my top 10, though this is a joke even
trying to come up with a top 10.

10. Chuck & Bob

9. Bert Campbell

8. Jack Bauer

7. Reverend Jim Ignatowski

6. Louie De Palma

5. President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet

4. Batman

3. Superman

2. Columbo

1. Archie Bunker

Now go and remind me of how many incredible people aren't in this list.

That was off the top of my head without doing any research other than
to look up spellings.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467768].message }}

Kurt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

And you know, as tough as this list is, the male characters list is even
harder as male characters, at least through the early years of TV, dominated
the medium.

Off the top of my head, this would be my top 10, though this is a joke even
trying to come up with a top 10.

10. Chuck & Bob

9. Bert Campbell

8. Jack Bauer

7. Reverend Jim Ignatowski

6. Louie De Palma

5. President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet

4. Batman

3. Superman

2. Columbo

1. Archie Bunker

Now go and remind me of how many incredible people aren't in this list.

That was off the top of my head without doing any research other than
to look up spellings.

10. Bob
11. Chuck

Steven...You act like they are the same character.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467805].message }}

Steven Wagenheim

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

10. Bob
11. Chuck

Steven...You act like they are the same character.

Actually, Bob was the whole show. Problem is, without Chuck, he's just
a hunk of wood. So yeah, they are kinda like the same.

Man did he crack me up. And him and Bert were priceless.

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467815].message }}

Kurt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Actually, Bob was the whole show. Problem is, without Chuck, he's just
a hunk of wood. So yeah, they are kinda like the same.

Man did he crack me up. And him and Bert were priceless.

Bert may well be my favorite TV comedy character of all time.

Thanks

Signature

Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467830].message }}

Kurt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Actually, Bob was the whole show. Problem is, without Chuck, he's just
a hunk of wood. So yeah, they are kinda like the same.

Man did he crack me up. And him and Bert were priceless.

Jokes never work if they need explaining, but here goes anyway: When I posted that Bob and Chuck should have their own individual rankings, I was insinuating that Bob was real.

YouTube - Soap - Chuck and Bob Mindreading

YouTube - Soap - Bob in the fridge

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3477385].message }}

Steven Wagenheim

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

Jokes never work if they need explaining, but here goes anyway: When I posted that Bob and Chuck should have their own individual rankings, I was insinuating that Bob was real.

YouTube - Soap - Chuck and Bob Mindreading

YouTube - Soap - Bob in the fridge

Ah...I get it. See, that's what happens when you're slow.

Thanks

Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3477982].message }}

Paul Myers

13 years ago

What? No "Rommie" from Andromeda? No Ginger and Maryanne? And what about Nell Fenwick or Penelope Pitstop? Or Penelope Garcia? Or Six? Or 7 of 9? Or Captain Janeway? (That last one is serious. Kate Mulgrew did a hell of a job with that character, given the run-of-the-mill scripts she was working with.)

I definitely agree with Laura Roslin being near the top. The new version of BG was, for my money, easily the best written and one of the best acted TV shows I've ever seen.

Paul

PS: I'd definitely have included Emma Peel.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

.
Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467824].message }}

Steven Wagenheim

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

What? No "Rommie" from Andromeda? No Ginger and Maryanne? And what about Nell Fenwick or Penelope Pitstop? Or Penelope Garcia? Or Six? Or 7 of 9? Or Captain Janeway? (That last one is serious. Kate Mulgrew did a hell of a job with that character, given the run-of-the-mill scripts she was working with.)

I definitely agree with Laura Roslin being near the top. The new version of BG was, for my money, easily the best written and one of the best acted TV shows I've ever seen.

Paul

PS: I'd definitely have included Emma Peel.

Paul, great choices. Captain Janeway made that show watchable. She
was also great as Mary Ryan on Ryan's Hope. Kate is just one hell of a
great actress.

Garcia from Criminal Minds is also great and one of my favorite shows on
TV today.

Ginger and Maryanne? What can I say? I grew up fantasizing about them,
Barbara Eden as the bottle babe and Emma Peel.

They don't make 'em like them anymore.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

My Soundcloud Music Channel

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467880].message }}

Nookie 13 years ago

How about Xena Warrior Princess

Let me add, that's the strangest first post I've ever made on a forum!!!
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3470299].message }}

Kurt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Luc
Also, as far as Irene Ryan goes, I used to not like her when I was younger, but now when I watch the Beverly Hillbillies I am blown away by her talent. The same could be said about my feelings of Thurston Howell, III, but he's a male and wouldn't be on this list.

It's funny how time changes us...I didn't like Granny as a kid either. But watching her (Irene Ryan) as an adult, she really was a great actress.

Something similar...As a kid, I used to watch Dennis the Menace and couldn't stand Mr. Wilson.

I caught an episode as an adult a while back and I started thinking "If I was Mr. Wilson I'd strangle that little brat!!!"...Interesting how persepctive changes.

Thanks

Signature

Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467689].message }}

dezchamps

13 years ago

Don't forget Roseann Barr, and Hazel.
I don't know who a few of them are in the top 10 either.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3467421].message }}

sarahberra

13 years ago

Cool! I still think Betty Boop should make the list.

Thanks

Signature

Affordable Health Insurance

Click here for a: Fast Cure for Any Type of Flu Virus!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3472475].message }}

Daonlydude

13 years ago

I don't know if she is too young or the show is too new for this thread, but Lily (Alyson Hannigan) from How I Met Your Mother - my number 1!

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3472906].message }}

Alexa Smith Banned 13 years ago

Wow, I've only ever heard of 2 of that top 10 list. I really must stay in more ...
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3473107].message }}
- DireStraits 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Alexa Smith
  
  Wow, I've only ever heard of 2 of that top 10 list. I really must stay in more ...
  
  Let me guess: you know Buffy Summers and Carmela Soprano?
  
  (I've heard of Veronica Mars, too - if she wasn't one of yours).
  
  Either way, I beat you by 1.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3473251].message }}
  
  Alexa Smith Banned 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by DireStraits
  
  Let me guess: you know Buffy Summers and Carmela Soprano?
  
  Yes, those were my two (and that was guessing that Buffy Summers is "Buffy the vampire slayer" ... I mean, there couldn't be two of them who might be on a list like that, right?). I think Jennifer Melfi is perhaps a better-drawn and more interesting character than Carmela Soprano, anyway, to be honest.
  
  Originally Posted by DireStraits
  
  (I've heard of Veronica Mars, too - if she wasn't one of yours).
  
  Noooooo ... I've vaguely heard of someone called "Laura Mars" (I think) ... any relation?
  
  Thanks
  
  2 replies
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3473700].message }}
  
  DireStraits 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Alexa Smith
  
  Noooooo ... I've vaguely heard of someone called "Laura Mars" (I think) ... any relation?
  
  Hah - beats me! I don't think so. :confused:
  
  I just remember my Latvian mate trying to "tempt me" with an endless stream of Veronica Mars photos, apparently disgusted at the fact I didn't find her attractive (more of an admirer of brunette/dark-haired women, really).
  
  Was always partial to a bit of Buffy, as a wee laddy, though. :p
  
  Thanks
  
  2 replies
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3473832].message }}
  
  Frank Donovan 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by DireStraits
  
  Was always partial to a bit of Buffy, as a wee laddy, though. :p
  
  Great show, of course. But true aficionados recognize that Faith was the real Slayer.
  
  And I've waxed lyrical (if you'll excuse the euphemism) enough over Emma Peel before, that I'd best not labour that particular point.
  
  Frank
  
  Thanks
  
  2 replies
  
  Signature
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3473977].message }}
  
  DireStraits 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Frank Donovan
  
  Great show, of course. But true aficionados recognize that Faith was the real Slayer.
  
  Wow, it's been so many years since I've seen any episodes of Buffy that I'd totally forgotten about Faith! Actually, I think you're absolutely right. Faith was far hotter, too, followed closely by Cordelia, I think (actually, I think Cordelia was my favourite, looks-wise, but she wasn't badass enough - and was far too stupid and irritating).
  
  Originally Posted by Frank Donovan
  
  And I've waxed lyrical (if you'll excuse the euphemism) enough over Emma Peel before, that I'd best not labour that particular point.
  
  Haha. Oh deary deary - just as I'm eating, too! :p
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3474036].message }}
  
  Steven Wagenheim 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Frank Donovan
  
  Great show, of course. But true aficionados recognize that Faith was the real Slayer.
  
  Faith? Are you kidding? Faith was a two bit slayer at best.
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  My Soundcloud Music Channel
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3477267].message }}
  
  Alexa Smith Banned 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by DireStraits
  
  Was always partial to a bit of Buffy, as a wee laddy, though.
  
  Buffy was originally a wee laddy? This I hadn't realised. Better not start asking to which bit of him/her you were partial, then, I guess.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3477048].message }}
  
  DireStraits 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Alexa Smith
  
  Buffy was originally a wee laddy? This I hadn't realised. Better not start asking to which bit of him/her you were partial, then, I guess.
  
  I suppose it could've been his/her confused, erratic and occasionally vulnerable nature; not unlike my own, perhaps, where punctuation is concerned.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3477255].message }}
  
  Paul Myers 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Alexa Smith
  
  I've vaguely heard of someone called "Laura Mars" (I think) ... any relation?
  
  Nope. Laura Mars was a movie character who found herself seeing through the eyes of a serial killer. Not a bad flick, all things considered.
  
  Paul
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  .
  Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478498].message }}

bravo75

13 years ago

Prunella Scales would have to make it into my top ten for her role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3473150].message }}

KimW

13 years ago

I have to say I lost interest in The Avengers when Emma wasn't there anymore.

Thanks

Signature

Read A Post.
Subscribe to a Newsletter
KimWinfrey.Com

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3474022].message }}

kindsvater

13 years ago

I got #10. After thinking about it figured out #9.

Not good. I mostly watch NFL football and Star Wars. The girls watch TV. I watch the computer screen.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Use Elf Links to Stop Google's Affiliate Bans - Brian Kindsvater IM Help

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478578].message }}

Kurt

13 years ago

Originally Posted by kindsvater

I got #10. After thinking about it figured out #9.

Not good. I have a huge 66 inch plasma HD hogging a wall and mostly watch NFL football and Star Wars. The girls watch TV. I watch the computer screen.

Then your list may include:

Phylis George
Jane Kennedy
The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.