Doing a list of the best male characters isn’t as easy as you’d believe. It’s simply not a matter of plugging numbers into a formula. A subjective list like this is prone to revisions as you remember something from early in the year. While shows currently on the air are fresh, there is a lot of great television that has already finished it’s season (like ‘24’ or ‘Rescue Me’). What you’ll find below is a list of male characters that I had a connection with as I watched their respective show. Sure, it’s not based on who’s the best actor or who did the coolest thing, but I feel it’s an honest look at the men who appeared on our televisions this year.
1. Jack Bauer – 24
Played By: Kiefer Sutherland
When compiling a list of the best male characters in television it’s difficult to know where to place each. With Jack Bauer, the position at the top was never a question. Bauer has thwarted terrorists for years, endured torture and the deaths of those he loves. His ability to do the job no matter the cost makes him one of the toughest S.O.B.’s in television history. Rumors that he never gave up any info while being held by the Chinese government just further proves Jack Bauer deserves this spot, and will be back at number one in the years to come.
Best Moment: While trying to get information from his old mentor, Christopher Henderson, Jack shoots the man’s wife in the knee.
2. Admiral William Adama – Battlestar Galactica
Played By: Edward James Olmos
Commander of Battlestar Galactica, and leader of the military arm of the remaining human fleet, Admiral Adama is a great leader. He has made some very tough choices in his career, and some of them have begun to come back and haunt him. Never one for excuses, he recognizes the role he’s had in the current situation and is ready to stand up and face them.
He is able to rally his people and family around him, and inspires others by the actions he takes. Without a doubt, the human race would have a tough time surviving if the “Old Man” weren’t around. Personally, I can’t think of another person I’d willingly follow into battle. Even if he is a fictional character.
Best Moment: The speech to the crew about letting them get too close after his boxing match with Chief Tyrol.
3. Hiro Nakamura - Heroes
Played By: Masi Oka
The man the fans of the new hit NBC show ‘Heroes’ have rallied around is Hiro. There is comic relief in his interactions with his friend Ando, and the other characters, which helps this along. But what really sets him apart from the other heroes is his earnest desire to do the best he can to truly become a hero. Pop culture references to heroes serve to entertain, but watch as he tells Ando of destiny and what it means to be a hero. There’s more than just fanboy gushing.
In fact, his love of great pop culture heroes like Doc Brown belies a deep sense of goodness in his ideals. Hiro is the manifestation of a desire to utilize these newfound powers for the greater good. We’ve glimpsed where he’ll end up when “Future Hiro” delivered the infamous “Save the cheerleader, save the world” message to Peter. He’s the most fascinating of the heroes to watch, and his journey to that sword is something that all viewers are looking forward to.
Best Moment: After taking public transportation back to the diner, Hiro tells Ando that he failed to save Charlie. This scene, where he confronts his inability to save someone he loves, shows Hiro weakened for a moment. But we also see that he realizes that it’s time to stop playing games and get serious.
4. Stephen Colbert – The Colbert Report
Played By: Himself
Colbert has reinvigorated the fake news broadcast. His parody of Bill O’Reilly and other right wing television pundits is spot on, and he rarely breaks character. Sometimes as you watch him you wonder if what he spouts isn’t a dearly held belief because he is so convincing. The high point of ‘The Daily Show’ were the years when Colbert was on staff, and I don’t think its any coincidence that he is able to excel on his own show. While he plays himself, what you see on TV each night at 11:30 is indeed a character. This year Colbert made headlines during the White House Correspondents Dinner, brazenly making fun of President Bush who was up there with him. Whether you thought it was in bad taste or not, one thing is for sure, Stephen Colbert made an impression on the American populace in a big way this year.
Best Moment: Getting a bridge named after himself in Hungary.
5. Dr. Perry Cox – Scrubs
Played By: John C. McGinley
If you’re the funniest character on one of the best comedies in television you probably expect to appear on a top 10 list. If you’re Dr. Cox, you’d be right. The man who’s done more for sarcasm than anyone…well, ever, is one of the best characters to watch. Watching as he labors to deal with his family and the children who call themselves “doctors” is amazing to witness. Whether it’s coming up with another female name for J.D. or spewing out vitriolic diatribes with a subtle message, Dr. Cox is a great character. Fans of ‘Scrubs’ also know that he offers some of the most poignant scenes the medical comedy has to offer. Dr. Cox knows exactly when it’s time to be realistic and let his fellow doctors in on a little self-truth.
Best Moment: After the group makes it through a conference questioning the death of a patient, Dr. Cox enters the bar as they celebrate to toast to the dead man’s widow and fatherless son.
6. Tommy Gavin – Rescue Me
Played By: Dennis Leary
Here’s a man who is a drunken bastard. However, if it were that simple Tommy never would make the list. What is so intriguing about his character is that he is repeatedly kicked in the balls (sometimes literally) and he keeps getting back up. Things don’t just happen to him, he does make some bad decisions like raping his ex-wife. But at his base he is a good man trying to get through each day. From holding his dying son, his brother sleeping with his ex-wife, and his partners at the firehouse planning on leaving, Tommy has had a lot to deal with in the last year or so of his life. But each time he walks into a fire with his brothers, he is there to support and lead. No matter the crap that’s thrown his way (whether by the crappy hand he’s often dealt, or of his own making) Tommy remains standing. He makes the list simply because it’s engaging to watch a man fail so miserably at life and still continue trying.
Best Moment: His speech at the bar when he starts drinking again.
7. Johnny “Drama” Chase – Entourage
Played By: Kevin Dillon
Let’s be honest, no one watches ‘Entourage’ for Vince. He’s the driving force that allows the interesting people around him to deliver. Drama has had an especially great run this past season. He’s coming into his own with the Ed Burns project. For years he’s been in the shadow of Vince, but there’s definite momentum to move independently of his younger brother. The pompous blowhard may finally be raising his hand in “Victory!”
Best Moment: While at a theater watching Aquaman, a gentleman stands up in front of Drama. A deep, and threatening, “Sit down,” is all that’s needed.
8. Michael Bluth – Arrested Development
Played By: Jason Bateman
The Bluth’s are about as dysfunctional a family as anyone could possibly imagine. Michael’s attempts to control them provide quite a few laughs. But that alone wouldn’t earn him a place on this list. What’s interesting as you watch his character develop is you realize he is no different than the other Bluths. He appears normal because he recognizes the ridiculous nature of what’s happening, including his own problems. While not as oblivious to what he says as Tobias is, Michael constantly recognizes his shortcomings with his family and his son. Yet he continues to be selfish, even though he knows he shouldn’t. That’s what sets him apart from the rest of the family, not his normalcy but instead his cognizance of the incredulous nature of everything that involves his family.
Best Moment: The final speech on the yacht.
9. Dwight Schrute – The Office
Played By: Rainn Wilson
Sure, Jim is the cute guy. The one all the girls like and hope to see him get together with Pam. Michael Scott is pure brilliance as the leader of his branch of Dunder Mifflin. But it’s Dwight who I always find myself intrigued by. Dwight is not as out front in the show as he was at the beginning. But when he does have a moment, it’s often the highlight of an episode. From taking Ryan to the Schrute farm for some training, or instructing an unwitting waitress on proper goose butchering technique, Dwight is the man. Watching as Dwight quarrels with Andy for the #3 spot in the office is hilarious. Who will win the non-existent position? I don’t care, I just enjoy the ride.
Best Moment: There are at least 15 that would tie for the top spot, so I give you the following. “Reject a woman and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind – also, weak arms.”
10. Barney Stinson – How I Met Your Mother
Played By: Neil Patrick Harris
While a large part of the television audience is vocal about “traditional sit-coms” not being that good, it’s strange that the quirky shows get lower ratings. Barney is the epitome of a great sit-com character in the vein of Woody (‘Cheers’) or Kramer (‘Seinfeld’). No matter what cliché tact the episode takes we can always rely on Barney to exude awesome. I’m not saying ‘How I Met Your Mother’ isn’t a solid show, it is a prime example of a sit-com that does most things right. Barney just adds that extra bit that is often missing in these shows. As long as he’s around you can bet the show may attain legen-wait for it-dary status.
Best Moment: Barney loses the Slap Bet.
And now, the subcategories:
Close But No Cigar:
James “Sawyer” Ford - Sawyer has easily become one of the best of the original characters to watch in 2006. It was heartbreaking to watch as he yelled for Kate to not look as he knelt, ready to be shot.
Dexter Morgan– I’m positive Dexter would have made the list if I’d had a chance to watch this Showtime series. I caught a bit of an episode a while ago, and everything I’ve looked at involving the show looks fantastic. Hopefully next year.
Keith Mars– The best dad on television is always great to watch. But other than a few minor moments here and there, since Veronica’s move to college he hasn’t had truly great moments like in season 1.
Useless and/or Annoying Male Characters of 2006
Paulo - Lost - Hey, where did that dude come from? I don’t know, but his uselessness is annoying.
