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RSSI'm running away with Bill Buchanan . . . my favorite characters of 2007
Let's review what we know.
We know Betty Suarez isn't actually dating a man who has a pregnant ex-girlfriend.
We know Landry didn't actually kill anyone.
We know House isn't addicted to vicodin. Warrick isn't addicted to pain killers. And Justin Walker didn't actually need an intervention. Nor is he dating the same woman his brother had an affair with. (All together now . . . ewwwww).
Of course when we watch a TV series we know it's make-believe. But that's precisely what makes TV so much fun -- we care about fictional characters as if we actually know them.
Sometimes great writing fuses with a brilliant performance to form a perfect television character. Ones who we so believe in that we're sad when they're sad, happy when they're happy, root for them to find true love as if they were our best friend, and are heartbroken for them when things don't work out as planned. Or it could be the complete opposite, characters who we fear as if they were a real person.
These characters pops off the screen and command our attention. As I say every year around this time, great characters can make a mediocre show good (Boston Legal would be nothing without Alan Shore and Denny Crane) a good show great (Kyra Sedgwick is The Closer), and a great show exceptional (see GOB on Arrested Development).
You know the rules by now. All characters on my list are at least in their second season and still on the air (so I say a heartfelt goodbye to Logan Echolls. Sniff). Great characters evolve over time so perhaps we'll see Don Draper and Sam Newly next year. I also stuck to the rule of only one character per show. If I didn't, the employees of Dunder Mifflin could easy take up half the list.
And don't forget that Dennis Franz's Andy Sipowicz, John C. McGinley's Dr. Cox and Kelly Bishop's Emily Gilmore are all in the TV Gal Hall of Fame. This year I'm entering the legendary and awesome Barney from How I Met Your Mother into the Hall of Fame. They have all set the standard.
Here (in no particular order) are my favorite characters of 2007
1. Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys) on Brothers & Sisters: Of all the Walkers, Kevin is my favorite. He's unlucky in love, confused, sometimes irritable but always entertaining. Kevin is easily the funniest Walker. Rhys has made Kevin so utterly real. He's a prime time gay character whose sexuality does not define him nor does the show ever allow him to become a stereotype. It is breakthrough that I can only hope inspires other network shows to follow Brothers & Sisters' groundbreaking lead.
2. Jin (Daniel Dae Kim) on Lost: You know I love his back story best of all. Kim conveys in facial expressions what many actors cannot with pages of dialogue. On an island full intriguing characters, I still think Jin is the most fascinating.
3. Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) on Ugly Betty : Whether she's staging a corporate takeover, plotting to impregnate herself with her deceased fiance's sperm (just a typical day at the office), feuding with Betty White or blackmailing the title character, Wilhelmina is so much fun to watch. And yes she's campy and over the top, but what I really appreciate in Williams' nuanced performance is that she lets Wilhelmina be vulnerable and takes her to the brink of being too much but never crosses the line.
4. Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) on Grey's Anatomy: Amid the bed-hopping shenanigans and jaw-dropping lack of judgment, Bailey is the outspoken voice of reason at Seattle Grace. Sometimes a sassy drill sergeant, sometimes a compassionate cheerleader and always an excellent doctor, Bailey is the most fully realized character on Grey's Anatomy. I'm so happy that the show is delving into her personal life and giving Bailey a story line so many can relate to -- how to juggle being a wife and mother with a demanding job you love. On an unrelated note, I have this fantasy crossover episode with Private Practice in my head. Picture this --Bailey arrives at the Oceanside Wellness Center wonders where all the patients are and tells off Dr. Sam Bennett for wearing shirts two sizes too small.
5. Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) on Friday Night Lights: With his shy smile, awkward pauses, and self-conscious stammering, Matt Saracen may be the most charming and believable teen on TV. No wonder all the girls fall for him.
6. Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) on 30 Rock: Well, well, well I've come full circle on Tina Fey. In less than two years, Fey has truly blossomed as an actress and created a delightful every woman character.
7. Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) on House: He often gets the least attention on a show full of outlandish characters and even more outlandish weekly medical cases. But Leonard is the show's calm eye in the center of a very cranky storm. Leonard's rapport with Hugh Laurie is a master class in comedic timing and delivery.
8. Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) on The Office: An actor who can so easily vacillate from the ridiculous to the serious is a true find.
9. Bill Buchanan (James Morrison) on 24: Even when I was ready last season to send 24 on a long walk off a short bridge, I still loved Bill Buchanan. I don't think it's easy for an actor to stand out on 24 where so much of the dialogue is exposition to advance the plot. But you can't hide behind that kind of writing. And last season bad acting abounded. It made me appreciate the show's stellar actors all the more. If one day I'm not here, it may very well be because I've run off with Bill Buchanan.
10. Deputy Chief Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) on The Closer: I've said it before but it's worth repeating. Brenda is full of idiosyncrasies. Her lilting Southern accent can move in for a laser sharp attack in the interrogation room. She insists on addressing all her direct reports by their full title usually followed by an exaggerated "thank yew." Sedgwick's trick is that she makes all these eccentricities, even the exaggerated Southern drawl, work.
Those are my picks for the 10 Best Characters of 2007. What are yours? Post your favorite characters below.
Where Have I Seen Them Before?
Once again it was a familiar faceapoolza on CSI. Zack Ward, who played Dave on Titus, was the animal rescue owner involved in dog fighting. Ward was a child actor as well -- his first role was as Scut in A Christmas Story. (By the way, don't forget TBS airs a 24 hour A Christmas Story marathon beginning at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve). Jamie Luner was murder victim Elizabeth Rodriguez. Luner was Lexi on Melrose Place, Peyton on Savannah and Rachel on Profiler. Jesse Borrego, the doomed Gael during the third season of 24 and Javier this season on ER, was Elizabeth's husband. Rebecca Budig is Candy, the stripper Warrick is accused of murdering. She's Greenlee on All My Children, a role she'll reprise on the daytime soap beginning January 16 (in fact the reason Angie returns to Pine Valley is to help Greenlee).
Victoria recognized Dennis Christopher as the homeless man involved in Warrick's murder case on CSI. Christopher is best known for playing Dave in the movie Breaking Away (a must see if you've never seen it). He was also Jack of All Trades on Profiler and Bellegarde on Deadwood.
Dedee Pfeiffer was the woman who had a thing for Santas on Without a Trace. She was Sheri on For Your Love and Rachel on Cybill. Meredith Eaton-Gilden was the mall manager. She plays Bethany on Boston Legal.
Michelle recognized a ton of familiar faces on Ghost Whisperer. In addition to Gordon Clapp (Detective Medavoy on NYPD Blue) as Alan Silver, Michael Reilly Burke, who plays Kevin on Lincoln Heights, was Alan's biological son. Melinda Page Hamilton was his estranged wife. She was Sister Mary Bernard on Desperate Housewives last season. Remember Gabby got into a catfight with her?
And everyone was beside themselves to see Merrilyn Gann, our beloved Rose Abbot on Everwood, as the pagan god who terrorized Sam and Dean on Supernatural.
That's all for today. I'm back on Friday with the best quotes of 2007. If you have a quote that you think should me on the list, write me and let me know. Talk to you on Friday.
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
I'm surprised you over looked Michael C. Hall as Dexter. I think he was amazing in his role.
I know you're not including freshman series, but I think the entire cast of Damages and Burn Notice deserve some props. It's Bruce Campbell for crying out loud!
For me, it's gotta be, and sticking with the rules, (in order):
1) John Locke on Lost
2) Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock
3) Jack Bauer on 24
4) Dexter Morgan on Dexter
5) Coach Eric Taylor on Friday Night Lights
6) Arthur Frobisher on Damages
7) Doug Wilson on Weeds
8)Vic Mackey on The Shield
9) Admiral Adama on Battlestar Galactica
10) Michael Scott on The Office
Amy, I am thrilled you included Kevin Walker from B&S. I love how one minute I am so frustrated with him that I can't stand him and then the next he makes me absolutely split my sides laughing out loud! It's like having a real brother (yes, my name is Andrea, and I want to be a Walker...).
As seems to be the case this year, I am not watching much of what you seem to love, Amy, but I always enjoy your ability to put into words why we fall in love with a show or character! Thanks for the article!
Here's my top 10. It was harder with no Veronica Mars this year.
1. Dean Winchester on Supernatural
2. Barney Stinson on HIMYM
3. Tim Riggins on Friday Night Lights
4. Dwight Schrute on The Office
5. Dr. Bailey on Grey's Anatomy
6. Dexter Mogan on Dexter
7. Nancy Botwin on Weeds
8. Sawyer Ford on Lost
9. The Devil On Reaper
10. Chuck B*** on Gossip Girl
Tony on NCIS and Booth on Bones - handsome men who are also goofy and vulnerable.
Joe's picks get my vote!
So my list may have a little love for the little guy/gal. But without these characters, I probably wouldn't watch half of these shows.
1) Kenneth the Page (30 Rock) 2) Dexter Morgan (Dexter)
3) The Janitor (Scrubs)
4) Toby Flenderson (The Office)
5) Shawn Spencer (Psych)
6) Miranda Bailey (Grey's Anatomy)
7) Karen McCluskey (Desperate Housewives)
8) Noah Bennet (Heroes)
9) Ranjit (How I Met Your Mother)
10) Dr. James Wilson (House)
MY top 10 is
-lincoln=Prison Break (can u say HOT)
-marin=Men in Trees
-lana=Smallville (dont hate me)
-bailey=Greys Anatomy
-sawyer=Lost
-margene=Big Love
-deputy Cheif Johnson=The Closer(she rocks)
-Amanda=Ugly Betty
Cant think of 10
Id nominate Arthir Frobisher from Damages but hasnt been on more than one season YET
I will never understand your undying love for Kevin Walker. I love B&S, but he is by far my least favorite character. There is a reason he is "unlucky in love"..he's an a--hole. His character is arrogant and he's a jerk. I have actually liked all of his boyfriends on the show much more than I have liked him. Loved Scotty the best. I don't buy all of these really hot guys going for him. Who would put up with his crap? I was so happy that there was a gay character, but I have been sorely disappointed. I don't see him as a postive role model for gay men. I just don't see what you see.
My faves:
- Dutch on "The Shield"
- Lloyd on "Entourage"
- Buddy on "Friday Night Lights"
- Brenda on "The Closer"
- Joy on "My Name is Earl" (she's awesome, even when the show isn't)
- Debra on "Dexter"
- Lou on "Rescue Me" (again, great, even when the show is shaky)
- Omar on "The Wire"
- Jack on "30 Rock"
- Margene on "Big Love"