Sitcoms are meant to be light-hearted and funny, giving viewers a break from the seriousness of everyday life. While some of the best sitcoms of all time have complex characters and unpredictable storylines, the nature of sitcoms also breeds some of the most annoying characters on TV.
Some of the most annoying characters make us laugh while others are just plain unbearable. From the sound of their voice (we’re looking at you, Janice) to their lack of self-awareness, we can laugh at the irritating nature of these sitcom characters because at least we don’t have to deal with them in real life.
What makes our favorite sitcoms and TV shows enjoyable isn’t just the funny jokes. As viewers, when we feel we can relate to the characters and identify with them, it gives us a different perspective on our own lives and makes us feel like we’re not alone.
Although most of us haven’t had to deal with people quite as annoying as the characters on this list, we’ve all had to grin and bear it at one point or another when we were around someone we didn’t particularly like. In a way, we can all relate to those dealing with the most disliked sitcom characters.
To create this list of the most annoying sitcom characters, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous entertainment sources, including Entertainment Weekly and IMDb.
Here are the 10 most annoying sitcom characters on TV. (Check out The Very Best Sitcoms of All Time.)
Kenny Bania, “Seinfeld”
- Played by Steve Hytner
Technically, we’re not supposed to like Kenny Bania from “Seinfeld,” considering he’s the bane of Jerry’s existence. However, we’re likely as annoyed by Kenny as Jerry is. With his signature catchphrase, “It’s the best, Jerry! The best!” and unnecessary enthusiasm, his personality is enough to drive anyone crazy.
Roland Schitt, “Schitt’s Creek”
- Played by Chris Elliott
After the Rose family relocates to Schitt’s Creek, the only asset they have left, they meet Roland Schitt. Roland is the mayor of the town, although he doesn’t come across as competent enough for any leadership role. His inappropriate jokes, lack of self-awareness, and laziness make him one of the most irritating characters on the show.
Jackie Burkhart, “That ‘70s Show”
- Played by Mila Kunis
“That ‘70s Show” had many beloved characters, but Jackie Burkhart is one of the most irritating. Kelso’s friends accept Jackie in the beginning because she’s his girlfriend, but her selfish and spoiled attitude makes her less than popular with the rest of the group. Although she does continue hanging out with them after her breakup with Kelso, she remains an annoying character throughout the show.
Bob Briscoe, “Frasier”
- Played by Dan Butler
Bob Briscoe, also known as Bulldog, is the kind of person you wouldn’t want to work with. Although it becomes evident throughout the show that his tough guy persona and mistreatment of women are just him overcompensating for his insecurities, he still seems unbearable to be around.
Pierce Hawthorne, “Community”
- Played by Chevy Chase
Pierce Hawthorne is another character who’s not really meant to be liked. His upbringing led Pierce to be offensive and aggravating, lacking any kind of social skills. He often makes inappropriate comments and even though it’s portrayed as comedy, it crosses the line for many viewers.
Doug Murphy, “Scrubs”
- Played by Johnny Kastl
When watching “Scrubs,” you’re often left wondering, how does Doug still have a job? He ends up working as a pathologist after completing his internship at the hospital, but his severe incompetence makes his character one of the most unlikeable on the show.
Gabe Lewis, “The Office”
- Played by Zach Woods
Gabe Lewis appears on “The Office” after Dunder Mifflin becomes a part of Sabre in season 6. While there are certainly many annoying characters in this sitcom, Gabe is one of the few without any redeeming qualities. He doesn’t become more unbearable over time and his brief relationship with Erin is even more difficult to watch.
Janice Hosenstein, “Friends”
- Played by Maggie Wheeler
You can hear her laugh from miles away, and she always makes her appearance by loudly proclaiming her famous catchphrase. Whether Janice happens to be Chandler’s blind date or she’s sharing a hospital room with Rachel while they’re both in labor, she always appears at the most inconvenient times, even if it’s not intentional.
Jean-Ralphio Saperstein, “Parks and Recreation”
- Played by Ben Schwartz
We first meet Jean-Ralphio in Season 2 of “Parks and Rec” when Tom tries to have Ron hire Jean-Ralphio as his assistant. When you understand Tom’s personality, it’s unsurprising that he’s friends with Jean-Ralphio. However, most of the other characters on the show also can’t stand being around him.
Mona-Lisa Saperstein, “Parks and Recreation”
- Played by Jenny Slate
It wasn’t enough to list Jean-Ralphio as one of the most annoying sitcom characters without also mentioning his sister, Mona-Lisa. We don’t see Mona-Lisa as frequently, but she’s likely even more annoying than her brother. Not only is her entitled and spoiled attitude obnoxious, but anytime we hear her say, “Money please” in the most obnoxious tone of voice, it’s like nails on a chalkboard. (Don’t miss the Annoying Sitcom Neighbors That Would Make You Want to Move.)