7 Hilariously Flawed Characters from TV Shows
Some of my favorite characters have all the flaws…
Flaws are what make us human. They’re what make us relatable to other humans.
And they make for a lot of great laughs.
The following shows feature characters with a wide range of flaws, from social awkwardness and obliviousness to selfishness and bad decision-making skills.
Despite these flaws, though, the characters are often lovable, relatable, and hilarious, making for some of the most memorable and entertaining TV shows of the past few decades.
Take a look.
1. Michael Scott — The Office (2005–2013)
The bumbling regional manager of Dunder-Mifflin who is often oblivious to social cues and frequently puts his foot in his mouth.
He has a tendency to be clueless and inappropriate, often saying or doing things that are cringe-worthy or offensive.
Additionally, he’s often completely unaware of how his actions are perceived by others, leading to awkward and hilariously uncomfortable situations.
Michael is also notoriously bad at his job, despite his delusions of grandeur and his insistence that he’s a great boss.
Remember when he gave a diversity training seminar that only made things worse by showcasing his own prejudices?
He’s a chronic attention-seeker and usually says or does things to try and be the center of attention in annoying ways.
Despite his many flaws, however, Michael is a lovable character due to his childlike innocence, his genuine desire to be liked, and his hilarious antics.
2. Eleanor Shellstrop — The Good Place (2016–2020)
Eleanor Shellstrop, played by actress Kristen Bell, is a flawed and selfish person who initially finds herself in the afterlife due to a clerical error.
She quickly realizes that she doesn’t belong in “the good place” and sets out to improve herself in order to avoid being sent to “the bad place”.
Despite her initial reluctance to change, Eleanor gradually becomes a more empathetic and caring person as she learns about ethics and morality from her friend and fellow “Good Place” resident, Chidi.
Eleanor’s also known for her witty sense of humor and sarcastic comments, which provide a lot of the show’s comedic moments.
In spite of her flaws, Eleanor is a relatable and endearing character thanks to her vulnerability and her desire to do better.
3. Charlie Kelly — It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–2022)
Charlie Kelly from Always Sunny in Philadelphia is hilariously flawed in a multitude of ways.
First off, he’s known for his bizarre and often nonsensical ideas, such as his “milk steak” dish and his obsession with ghouls.
He also has a tendency to become obsessed with women, often stalking or harassing them in misguided attempts to win their affection.
Not to mention, Charlie is illiterate, despite his age, and struggles with basic tasks such as reading and writing.
He’s also known for his poor hygiene and lack of personal boundaries, often engaging in gross or inappropriate behavior.
Despite his many flaws, however, Charlie is a lovable character because of his childlike innocence, his unwavering loyalty to his friends, and his hilarious antics.
4. Leslie Knope — Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
Leslie Knope, played by actress Amy Poehler, is a dedicated and passionate public servant who works for the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana.
Leslie is known for her boundless energy, relentless enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to her job. She has a love for local government (sometimes a bit too much love) and a deep desire to improve her community.
Leslie is also extremely organized and is often seen color-coding binders and making detailed plans for her projects.
While Leslie is a beloved character, she’s not without her flaws. Her relentless enthusiasm and ambition can sometimes lead her to become overbearing and pushy, causing tension in her relationships with coworkers and friends.
She’s also prone to taking on too much and spreading herself thin, leading to burnout and exhaustion.
Leslie’s unwavering dedication to her job and community can sometimes cause her to neglect her personal life, including her own health and well-being.
Additionally, Leslie can sometimes be overly idealistic and naive, leading to disappointment and frustration when things don’t go as planned. These flaws, however, only make Leslie a more relatable and human character, endearing her to viewers even more.
5. Barney Stinson — How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014)
Haaaaaaaaave you met Barney?
The womanizing, suit-wearing, catchphrase-spouting bro who lives by his own ridiculous set of rules is none other than Barney Stinson.
He’s a hilariously flawed character for several reasons. Firstly, he’s a notorious womanizer, constantly pursuing and objectifying women while hiding his fear of commitment behind his “playboy” persona.
He’s also known for his extravagant and often ridiculous schemes, such as “The Playbook”, which contains a list of tactics for seducing women.
Moreover, Barney has a tendency to lie and manipulate his friends in order to get what he wants, and often puts his own desires above their needs.
He’s also obsessed with suits and often wears over-the-top outfits that draw attention to himself. Not to mention, he marries the woman his best friend, Ted, was madly in love with for most of the show’s eight-season run, only to divorce her later.
Despite his many flaws, however, Barney is a lovable character because of his charm, wit, and his hilarious catchphrases, such as “Suit up!” and “Legendary!”
Over the course of the show, he also experiences growth and development, showing that even flawed characters can learn and grow over time.
6. Jake Peralta — Brookyln Nine-Nine (2013–2021)
Jake is the immature, goofy, and overconfident detective who often gets himself and his team into trouble with his antics.
He’s the main character, played by actor Andy Samberg. He’s a talented but immature detective who often bends the rules to get what he wants.
Jake is known for his quick wit, sarcastic humor, and love of pop culture references. And he has a tendency to be competitive and can become obsessed with winning, but he also deeply cares for his colleagues and friends.
Throughout the series, Jake develops into a more responsible and mature detective, but he still retains his quirky personality and sense of humor.
He’s a fan favorite probably due in part to his lovable flaws and his ability to always find a way to make viewers laugh.
7. Andy Botwin — Weeds (2005–2012)
Andy
Andy Botwin from the TV show “Weeds” is hilariously flawed for a couple of reasons.
First, there’s the fact that he’s a perpetual slacker who lives off his sister-in-law, Nancy’s, illegal drug dealing profits, despite being capable of holding down a job.
Then, there’s the fact that he has a habit of being impulsive and reckless, often getting himself and his family into dangerous situations.
He’s also constantly pursuing the wrong women — ones way out of his league — and often with little success and plenty of awkwardness.
Not only does he have a penchant for dressing up in costume, including a hilarious stint as a clown, but he’s usually high, leading to hilariously nonsensical and inappropriate behavior. Andy often serves as the comedic relief of the show probably because of his glaring flaws and odd logic.
But his willingness to do anything to help his family is one of his redeeming qualities.
But Andy remains a lovable character thanks to his quirky personality, humorous one-liners, and genuine loyalty to his family.
Together, these flaws make Andy an endearing and amusing character in the show.
Doug Wilson
Doug is Nancy’s friend and accountant, and later becomes her business partner in the drug trade.
But Doug’s known for being incredibly lazy and unreliable, often showing up late or not at all to important meetings.
He’s also known for his bizarre and often inappropriate behavior, such as his tendency to make inappropriate sexual comments.
Additionally, Doug is a chronic liar and often gets himself into trouble by making up elaborate stories to cover his tracks. He cheats on his wife and leaves his children behind when he’s on the run.
Despite his many flaws, however, Doug is a fan favorite due to his quirky personality and comedic moments throughout the show.
His flaws provide tons of humorous situations, making him a memorable and entertaining character.
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