Naughty Characters You Just Have to Love

Traditionally, TV characters are divided into two main categories; the goodies and the baddies. We generally empathize with and like the good guys, and hate the ones that cause trouble. Occasionally though, these lines cross over and we find ourselves actually loving the troublemakers. My theory is that this love of the naughty characters stemmed from way back in our childhood when Tom and Jerry scurried across our TV screens. Instinct made us firmly take the side of that little, evil mouse who did more harm to Tom than any bad guy has ever done to a goodie.

Here are my picks (in no particular order) of naughty but loveable characters. I’m sure you can come up with some of your own.

Malcolm in the Middle

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It was difficult to pick just one of the characters in this sitcom because this was the home of television’s most dysfunctional family. The mother, Lois and her sons are equally naughty, but I think that the one we all loved the most was Dewey.  He was a terribly bright boy, but due to a misunderstanding at school, was put in the remedial class for most of his young life. Dewey pretended to be innocent and seemed to thrive on being thought of as the victim of his older brothers’ outbursts.

However, they never got away with anything they did to him. He carefully planned his revenge with the get out clause which invariably left his siblings looking like the guilty party. Dewey had no loyalty to his parents – he embarrassed and told on them every chance he got. He had no love lost for his brothers either. He gave their secrets up even if he had to engineer the ‘situation’ for them to be exposed. He took no prisoners, even with the few people he called his friends. The naughtiest thing about Dewey is that he planned every mischief in such detail that his contrived ‘innocence’ was proven every time. Yet, Dewey still remains the cute, little boy from a dysfunctional family of whom everyone took advantage.

Scrubs

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There are several enjoyable and noble characters in Scrubs. No one comes up totally innocent as the characters are real – based on true human nature. I think this is the beauty of the show (apart from the exquisite writing and unique filming).  ‘The Janitor’ (he doesn’t have a name) is one of my favourite characters even though he has a somewhat minor role.

He scares off staff and patients in the hospital with his constant scheming and evil plotting. His mere existence is to cause misery and anxiety in the lives of everyone he encounters. He has no family ties (even though he pretends he does), and will stoop to the most bizarre and silliest tactics in order to cause trouble and annoyance to the other characters on the sitcom. Yet, the janitor is one of the characters who bring conflict and humour to Scrubs. This character injects a dark mystery to an otherwise funny and entertaining show. He’s the one that makes you go, ‘oh-oh’ when he appears on screen because you know that something mischievous, yet hilarious is about to happen.

Will and Grace

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I suppose both Jack and Karen fit the bill for naughty but lovable characters, but I’ve chosen Jack because he’s more selfish and egotistical than his female counterpart.  Jack will do anything for money. He was able to get his rent paid by both Karen and Will (without each of them knowing about the other). He survives by his wits. He even plans his meals so he’s able to dine at his friends’ homes alternatively.

He has no loyalty whatsoever. He’ll steal anyone’s partner just because he can. He never pays for anyone, nor does he take responsibility for his actions. In short, Jack is a loser and a jerk. However, Jack is one of the best loved characters on the show. This is helped by the amazing talents of the actor who plays him and also the magnificent situations, clever lines and witty responses Jack is able to give to anyone who will listen. Without Jack a lot of the jokes would be flat. He’s one of the characters that signal something awful is about to happen, but with funny consequences. Will and Grace would not be the hit it is without this naughty character.

Ugly Betty

Amanda on Ugly Betty is a girl without scruples. She does no work. She lives for the high life, the clothes, shoes, dinners etc., and will take whatever she can get from whoever is giving it. She has no thought for how anyone else is feeling or what they have to do to get her what she wants. She wants it and she will have it – now. She’ll only make friends with the people from whom she can benefit, and can be very cruel in what she says and does to everyone else.

Yet, the character Amanda is one of my favourites on Ugly Betty. She’s funny in a spiteful way. She brings mischief to the show in a way that only she could, yet her naughtiness is overridden by your acceptance of who she is and all her faults. There is no explanation for this except the way in which the character was brilliantly created – an ill-behaved young woman you can’t help but love.

The Simpsons

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No list like this is complete without Bart, the foul-mouthed, mischievous little boy from a terribly dysfunctional family. Homer would be on this list if Bart wasn’t (I didn’t want to include two characters from the same show). Bart hates Homer and Lisa, and will do everything to let them know about it. It’s not clear what he feels about his mother and baby sister, but whatever it is, it’s not something strong enough for him to put his impish interests below theirs. Bart is all about self preservation, and will sell anyone or anything to this end.

Nevertheless, Bart has been one of the most favourite TV characters for millions of people. His catchphrases can be heard in the most bizarre of places and his image adored in several countries. I suppose there’s a Bart living in all of us just dying to come out. There is a certain attraction living a life governed by no rules and limited by no ties or boundaries. Bart is a free soul and I don’t think that the Simpsons would’ve been so popular without the internationally acclaimed Bart Simpson, the rudest, ‘baddest’ boy on our screens.