10 best neighbors in sitcoms

 



I love reading about neighboring and I also love funny television shows. When the show includes a fascinating neighbor, I really perk up! Over the last several months, I've taken some time to create a a top 10 list of my favorite sitcom neighbors, along with an impressive list of Honorable Mentions.

Here is my list in ranked order.

10. Mr. Bentley (The Jeffersons): Paul Benedict was the simpleminded British neighbor to George and Louise. Mr. Bentley always meant well, even if he showed up at the most inopportune times. His humor was not on everybody's radar, but he dealt with often irate George, who had no problem throwing barbs his neighbor's way. 

9. Winnie Cooper (The Wonder Years): In the early seasons of this ABC hit, Winnie (Danica McKellar) lived on the same block as series protagonist Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage). Eventually, Winnie and her family moved across town, but she remained an important part of Kevin's life. 

8. The Jeffersons (All In The Family): George (Sherman Hemsley), Louise (Isabel Sanford), and son Lionel (Mike Evans) were so good as the Bunkers' neighbors that they earned a spinoff show. Most of the laughs were generated from Archie's (Carroll O'Connor) combative relationship with George. Louise and Edith (Jean Stapleton) were often the voices of reason.

7. Lenny and Squiggy (Laverne & Shirley): Greaser buddies Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David Lander) were neighbors and friends of the show's female co-stars. They weren't too bright but kept us laughing with their fashion sense, goofiness, and their antics that went wrong or crazy ideas and schemes they wanted the girls to be part of performing. 

6. Fred and Ethel Mertz (I Love Lucy): Ethel (Vivian Vance) was the true star of this neighborly best friend tandem to Lucy and Ricky. When Lucy (Lucille Ball) found herself in a classic comedy caper, Ethel was usually dragged along after her attempt to voice reason had failed. 

5. Marie Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond): Doris Roberts as Ray's mother, Marie, who lived across the street from her son and his family. Controlling, overbearing, and intrusive, Marie doted on Ray while subtly putting down daughter-in-law Debra's cooking, homemaking, and everything else.

4 Ned Flanders (The Simpsons): Ned Flanders might be the most dependable and good-hearted neighbor on this list. Even if he is a goody-good and friendly ("Hi-Diddly-Ho," "Okily Dokily"), Ned is the pillar of the Springfield community. Though he's a little square, Ned gets along with Homer. 

3. Steve Urkel (Family Matters): Was there a sitcom neighbor more annoying and lovable at the same time than Steve Urkel (Jaleel White)? The nasally ("Did I do that?), in-your-face approach, and obsession with his neighbor were all traits owned by Urkel.

2. Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld): From his energetic, memorable entrances into Jerry's apartment to those faulty schemes, there is no wackier, more entertaining neighbor than Kramer (Michael Richards). Some might consider Kramer annoying, but he's far from it. He's eccentric and goofy. A hipster doofus who somehow attracts women and often falls backward into money.

1. Wilson (Home Improvement): When it comes to lovable and memorable neighbors, Wilson (Earl Hindman) stands front and center — even if we never saw his whole face during the eight-season run of the popular comedy. The bottom half of his face was covered by the fence separating his house from the Taylor residence, or by a beard or even some paint, but the advice and wisdom that the knowledgeable Wilson offered to Tim and his family were valued. "Hi-dee-ho, neighbor."

Honorable Mentions:

Kimmy Gibbler (Full House)

Rhoda Morgenstern (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)

Barney and Betty Rubble (The Flintstones)

Penny (The Big Bang Theory)

Mr. Heckles (Friends): 

Phyllis Lindstrom (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)

Mrs. Poole (Valerie)

Ed and Trixie Norton (The Honeymooners)

Gladys Kravitz (Bewitched)

Willona Woods (Good Times)

Mr. Wilson (Dennis the Menace)

Chuck Larabee (Last Man Standing)

Larry Dallas and Ralph Furley (Three's Company)

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Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.

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