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TV’s Most Irritating Characters of All Time

TV’s Most Irritating Characters of All Time

Updated: by

Courtesy of CBS

Eddie Haskell

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Barney Fife

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Television

Gilligan

Source: Courtesy of CBS

Dr. Zachary Smith

Source: Courtesy of CBS

Frank Burns

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Arnold Horschak

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

ALF

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Kimmy Gibbler

Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock

Screech

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Steve Urkel

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

Ned Flanders

Source: Courtesy of Fox Network

Hilary Banks

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution

Newman

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Fran Fine

Source: Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television

The Cast of Seinfeld

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

Janice Litman

Source: Courtesy of NBC

Dr. Peter Benton

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Dawn Summers

Source: Courtesy of The WB Television Network

Livia Soprano

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office (HBO)

Susan Mayer-Delfino

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

Sheldon Cooper

Source: Courtesy of CBS

Skyler White

Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics (AMC)

Dean Pelton

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

King Joffrey

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office (HBO)

Jerry Smith

Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim

Eddie Haskell
Barney Fife
Gilligan
Dr. Zachary Smith
Frank Burns
Arnold Horschak
ALF
Kimmy Gibbler
Screech
Steve Urkel
Ned Flanders
Hilary Banks
Newman
Fran Fine
The Cast of Seinfeld
Janice Litman
Dr. Peter Benton
Dawn Summers
Livia Soprano
Susan Mayer-Delfino
Sheldon Cooper
Skyler White
Dean Pelton
King Joffrey
Jerry Smith

Television shows are filled with characters we love – like Lucy Ricardo from "I Love Lucy," Chandler Bing, Joey Tribbiani, or Phoebe Buffay from "Friends". These are the characters that generally keep us returning each week to watch. We enjoy seeing their escapes and mishaps – no matter how ridiculous they might be – because they have become endearing to us.

But not all characters are as beloved. We can't just have a Lucy, or a Chandler, or a Joey, or a Phoebe. For every cherished character, we are given those that are the exact opposite – incredibly irritating characters, who every time they enter the screen bring a certain something that makes them constantly irksome.

We compiled a list of TV's most irritating characters of all time by consulting various pop culture sites. The list spans shows from the late 1950s to today, covering sitcoms, dramas, and fantasy series. These pesky characters range from neighbors, classmates, relatives, ex-girlfriends, co-workers, and buddies. They may have annoying mannerisms, are condescending, or panic easily in a crisis, but these recurring characters possess qualities that television viewers can relate to. (On the big screen, these are the 20 most annoying characters in movie history.)

Here are TV's most irritating characters of all time:

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