One of the most common stock characters I've noticed in the sitcoms I watch is the jerk with a (hidden) moral compass.
The other characters hate this guy, and you want to hate him, too, but you can't, because he turns out to be a pretty good person in the end. He makes inappropriate comments and says things that anger everyone else, but in the end he has other people's best interests at heart.
Here are some examples:
The other characters hate this guy, and you want to hate him, too, but you can't, because he turns out to be a pretty good person in the end. He makes inappropriate comments and says things that anger everyone else, but in the end he has other people's best interests at heart.
Here are some examples:
Mac, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
If you watch the first few episodes of the first season, you wonder why the writers created a character that was so utterly unlikable. Mac never wants to do the dirty work that comes with co-owning a bar, and openly treats Charlie and Dee with contempt.
If you watch the first few episodes of the first season, you wonder why the writers created a character that was so utterly unlikable. Mac never wants to do the dirty work that comes with co-owning a bar, and openly treats Charlie and Dee with contempt.
But as the show develops, Mac frequently shows concern for justice and equality, even if he's sometimes misguided.
When Dennis and Dee decide to take illegal drugs so they'll qualify for welfare, Mac is overwhelmingly upset at their decision, saying repeatedly that welfare is reserved for people who need it. When Mac's mom burns her house down and Dennis wants to send her to a nursing home, Mac is horrified at the suggestion, inviting her to live with them.
And most notably in season six, when Dennis suggests that they invite women onto their boat since they can't refuse because of the "implications," Mac is the one who's horrified at Dennis's allusion to rape, even though he is the one who pretended to be pro-life in order to sleep with a girl in an earlier season.
When Dennis and Dee decide to take illegal drugs so they'll qualify for welfare, Mac is overwhelmingly upset at their decision, saying repeatedly that welfare is reserved for people who need it. When Mac's mom burns her house down and Dennis wants to send her to a nursing home, Mac is horrified at the suggestion, inviting her to live with them.
And most notably in season six, when Dennis suggests that they invite women onto their boat since they can't refuse because of the "implications," Mac is the one who's horrified at Dennis's allusion to rape, even though he is the one who pretended to be pro-life in order to sleep with a girl in an earlier season.
Mark, Whitney.
A lot of crime dramas make policemen look like the bad guy, and Whitney definitely plays on this with Mark's character.
With memorable quotes like "If there's one thing I've learned from being a cop: Do not get involved!," it's easy to peg Mark as another corrupt cop. But it's not that simple -- Mark gives Roxanne her shot when everyone else backs away, and admits he's wrong about recycling. In the Christmas episode, Mark admits that he keeps a personal journal.
Since Whitney is in its first season and the characters are still being developed, there's not too much more to stay here, but it's safe to expect that Mark will have some shining moments of compassion in future episodes.
A lot of crime dramas make policemen look like the bad guy, and Whitney definitely plays on this with Mark's character.
With memorable quotes like "If there's one thing I've learned from being a cop: Do not get involved!," it's easy to peg Mark as another corrupt cop. But it's not that simple -- Mark gives Roxanne her shot when everyone else backs away, and admits he's wrong about recycling. In the Christmas episode, Mark admits that he keeps a personal journal.
Since Whitney is in its first season and the characters are still being developed, there's not too much more to stay here, but it's safe to expect that Mark will have some shining moments of compassion in future episodes.
Tom Haverford, Parks and Recreation.
Tom left the Parks and Rec department to start his own company and made Leslie read a speech and provide champagne on the day he re-accepted his old job when his company failed. But Tom also made an endearing campaign video for Leslie as she ran for city council, and invited Ben to join him on "Treat Yourself Day" when he knew he was feeling down.
He also sat through a number of Ron's interviews for his replacement even though he wasn't paid to offer suggestions, and refused to let Ron hire someone who wasn't right for the job.
Tom left the Parks and Rec department to start his own company and made Leslie read a speech and provide champagne on the day he re-accepted his old job when his company failed. But Tom also made an endearing campaign video for Leslie as she ran for city council, and invited Ben to join him on "Treat Yourself Day" when he knew he was feeling down.
He also sat through a number of Ron's interviews for his replacement even though he wasn't paid to offer suggestions, and refused to let Ron hire someone who wasn't right for the job.
Schmidt, New Girl.
Like Whitney, New Girl is a pretty novice show, so there's not a ton to say here, though you know from the pilot that Schmidt is going to be this character. He's obsessed with his physique and gets angry when Nick borrows his conditioner, but he makes CeCe her own perfume as a Christmas gift and skips one of the biggest parties of the year to cheer Jess up when she's stood up by a date.
Like Whitney, New Girl is a pretty novice show, so there's not a ton to say here, though you know from the pilot that Schmidt is going to be this character. He's obsessed with his physique and gets angry when Nick borrows his conditioner, but he makes CeCe her own perfume as a Christmas gift and skips one of the biggest parties of the year to cheer Jess up when she's stood up by a date.
I'm sure there are many more examples, so if there's a character who fits into this category, I'd love to hear more suggestions!
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