Irritating but Iconic: The Most Obnoxious Detectives on Screen

Whether on the small or big screen, audiences love to watch a good detective show. Anything involving true crime is one of the more popular genres in the United States. In a survey conducted by YouGov, 57% of Americans enjoy true crime content, and it's popular across all demographics. Many serious TV shows, like "Criminal Minds" often depict real-life scenarios, allowing viewers to look more closely into the minds of criminals and detectives.

Many of these detectives are beloved, like Jessica Fletcher ("Murder She Wrote") and Hercule Poirot ("Death on the Nile"). Known for their perhaps quirky habits, they are endearing to viewers for their innate ability to solve crimes while appearing just like us. However, some Hollywood detectives are downright obnoxious, with characteristics that may work well for the role but are downright obnoxious, and often inept. At times, it works but it can also make a show hard to watch.

To create a list of the most obnoxious detectives on screen, 24/7 Tempo consulted multiple entertainment sites and online forums to understand who most fans think is annoying. Read below for these irritating but iconic, obnoxious detectives, of which the majority of viewers seem to concur. (Read our list of classic TV shows that probably wouldn't be made today.)

• Show/Movie: "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"
• Played By: Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey is one of those actors who is excellent at playing the annoying characters. Therefore, it's no surprise that Ace Ventura is super obnoxious. He is a pet detective who specializes in searching for missing animals. Ventura is supposed to be zany and goofy, and Carrey plays the character to a tee.

Complete with drawn-out words, exaggerated facial expressions, and unrealistic scenarios, those who love Jim Carrey's humor can't get enough of this film. At the same time, those who aren't fans may find Ace Ventura hard to watch.

• Show/Movie: "The Big Lebowski"
• Played By: Jeff Bridges

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski becomes an accidental detective when he finds himself in a sticky situation through no fault of his own. Some feel for "The Dude." After all, he didn't cause the mess he finds himself in. He is a pacifist and prefers to live his life simply without trouble.

Yet others believe his lazy, do-nothing attitude is the opposite of endearing.

• Show/Movie: "The Heat"
• Played By: Melissa McCarthy

Technically, Shannon Mullins is a Boston cop, but when she teams up with Sandra Bullock in "The Heat," she has to help stop a mobster. While McCarthy plays obnoxious characters exceptionally well, the character of Mullins is still not highly likable.

For starters, she's constantly sprouting profanity. Additionally, she uses threats of physical violence too often. Everyone she works with is scared of her and for good reasons. Mullins is crude, mean, and very foul. While some find this combination hilarious, most find the character more offensive than funny.

• Show/Movie: "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
• Played By: Andy Samberg

Sometimes, in a good television show, a main character is written to be annoying, like Michael Scott from "The Office." True, the obnoxious behavior may be grating, but it keeps the show moving forward.

This is the same case with Jake Peralta from "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Yes, he's obnoxious, and yes, that's the point. Peralta is childish and pretty immature. Yet, he still wants to be a great detective, which counts for something.

• Show/Movie: The Pink Panther Franchise
• Played By: Peter Sellers

In the original "Pink Panther" movies, Peter Sellers plays Inspector Clouseau. The character is touted to be brilliant, but it is hard to overlook his inept behavior as a detective. Yet, Inspector Clouseau has a way of solving the cases despite being highly clumsy and not all that smart.

• Show/Movie: "Scooby Doo"
• Played By: Matthew Lillard

Another detective who is not all that smart is part of the group Mystery Incorporated, who solves crimes. More importantly, he is part of the duo: Shaggy and Scooby Doo. Shaggy is very kind and gentle, yet he also spooks easily, which makes his position as a detective all the more unbelievable.

He also possesses some characteristics that could be considered obnoxious (besides his fear). Shaggy says the word "like" way too often in his sentences. Couple this mannerism with a cracking voice and his goofiness, and Shaggy is one of the more obnoxious members of the group.

• Show/Movie: "Scooby Doo"
• Played By: Neil Fanning

While Scooby Doo is very fun, lovable, and cute, much like his counterpart, he is still somewhat of an obnoxious character. This is because, like Shaggy, he is scared of everything. This attribute makes his job as a detective funny and unbelievable. (Which is kind of the point).

• Show/Movie: "Inspector Gadget" Cartoon (1983)
• Played By: Don Adams

Inspector Gadget is a cyborg police inspector. While he is kind-hearted and gentle, he is also incompetent. His lack of smarts means he relies more on his niece, Penny, to solve the mysteries. Throw in a bit of luck, and unbelievably, Inspector Gadget saves the day every time.

• Show/Movie: "Michael Richards Show"
• Played By: Michael Richards

After the success of "Seinfeld," the network wanted to capitalize and keep the success going. So, they created a character, Vic Nardozza, and a show called "Michael Richards Show." Although the goal was to take Kramer's similar characteristics and produce an equally funny character that the audience couldn't get enough of, the network ultimately failed.

Vic Nardozza was technically a detective. However, the attempted physical comedy and lack of humor were met with many people feeling as though Michael Richards was given the shorthand of the stick and the character he played was more annoying than funny.

• Show/Movie: "Sherlock Holmes"
• Played By: Robert Downey Jr.

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most popular detectives around. Ever since he was brought to life by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, the intense detective has entertained readers for over a century; after all, he is an intelligent detective. Yet Sherlock Holmes is also pretentious and vain.

Sometimes, his tell-it-like-it-is demeanor comes off as rude. Additionally, in the books, he comes across as misogynistic. So, when the 2009 movie with Robert Downey Jr. was released, even though it was disappointing, there was little surprise that the titular character was still obnoxious and rude. (Read our list of tv characters audiences love to despise.)