The Ultimate Countdown: The Most Deplorable TV Characters You'd Definitely Steer Clear Of!

Summary

Engaging in the onscreen world of television characters can certainly bring us joy, but it's important to acknowledge that interacting with these individuals in the real world would present a contrasting experience. While we may hold a strong affection for certain characters, the truth is that quite a few of them would actually prove to be toxic or downright irritating if we had to spend time with them in person.

Toxic characters are inescapable on television, infusing shows with self-centeredness, impulsiveness, and impoliteness. These characters can destroy friendships, relationships, and even jeopardize lives.

Characters such as Ross Geller, Chuck Bass, and Alex Vause possess toxic attributes that would deem them unfit as friends or partners, exhibiting jealousy, controlling tendencies, betrayal, and manipulation.

Watching a TV show can make characters feel like close friends, but there's a vast difference between observing them on-screen and actually dealing with them in real life. A charming escapade, such as devising a plan to dodge work or playing a prank, can become immature, irritating, or downright infuriating when it's a friend doing it instead of a character from a TV series. What makes a character captivating, engaging, or humorous in a sitcom or drama simply doesn't translate to real life; in other words, many of them would actually be unpleasant to be around.

Just like in real life, toxic characters are unfortunately inevitable on television, appearing in everything from gritty crime thrillers to light-hearted workplace comedies. These toxic figures inject these shows with a destructive personality, whether it's their selfishness, recklessness, or just their sheer rudeness. While some toxic characters might ruin a friend's date, others may even put the lives of those around them at risk. Regardless of the scale, it's best to steer clear of these TV personalities if you want to prevent your life—or at the very least, your day—from being thrown off course.

13 Ross Geller In Friends

Friends chronicles Ross's on-and-off relationship with Rachel, but when it comes to this romance, he exhibits insecurities and hypocritical behavior. Notorious for his cry of "we were on a break!" when referring to his infidelity, he fails to extend the same understanding to Rachel, often becoming jealous of her past partners and male coworkers. This jealousy further manifests in his controlling demeanor, as seen when he continuously sends extravagant gifts to Rachel's workplace, which not only compromises her professionalism but also portrays their relationship in a negative light. Additionally, Ross deceitfully conceals the termination of their drunken marriage. These toxic traits displayed by Ross as a romantic partner ultimately transform his pursuit of Rachel in the Friends finale into a sinister and troubling turn of events.

12 Chuck Bass In Gossip Girl

Chuck, portrayed by Ed Westwick, was a controversial character on the show Gossip Girl. Initially known for his bad-boy persona and mistreatment of women, as the series progressed, Chuck's demeanor softened. However, it is undeniable that Chuck is not someone one would typically want as a friend. He exhibits manipulative, privileged, and cruel behavior throughout his storyline, leaving a trail of betrayals and even instances of attempted assault in his wake. Notably, after becoming involved with Blair, their toxic relationship becomes a focal point. Chuck manipulates her for his own gain, treating her like a commodity to barter with his uncle in order to regain control of the hotel.

11 Alex Vause In Orange Is The New Black

Alex is portrayed as the more captivating romantic interest for Piper in comparison to the much less risky Larry. Nonetheless, once Piper becomes entangled with Alex in prison, it becomes evident that the termination of their previous relationship was indeed beneficial. Alex's influence disrupts the new life that Piper has established before it is uncovered that Alex is the root cause of Piper's incarceration. This act of betrayal is repeated in season 2 of Orange Is the New Black, as Alex convinces Piper not to testify against a leader of a cartel, only to betray her by doing so anyway. Alex's self-centered motivations take priority, leaving Piper to frequently suffer the consequences of her arrogance.

10 Sherlock Holmes In Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes closely mirrors the character created by Arthur Conan-Doyle. Not only does he possess remarkable deductive abilities, but he also embodies the enigmatic and superior demeanor of the iconic detective. Despite his tendency to dismissively interact with others, Sherlock oftentimes jests about being a "high-functioning sociopath," a label that contradicts his true nature. Consequently, it becomes challenging to comprehend why John would willingly associate with someone who consistently disregards their friendship.

9 Tom Haverford In Parks And Recreation

Tom, an employee at the Parks department, is notorious for being a poor performer in his role. His boss, Ron Swanson, openly acknowledges this and expresses his satisfaction, stating, "He lacks initiative, fails to contribute significantly, and lacks enthusiasm to go above and beyond. Tom embodies my ideal government employee." While Ron's libertarian perspective approves of Tom's behavior, his coworkers find it challenging to cope with the consequences.

Being around Tom also entails dealing with his frequent discontentment. He tends to make situations all about himself and relies on others to clean up his messes. This becomes evident when he brings electronic gadgets on a camping trip and then complains about the difficulties of camping after causing a power outage that leaves everyone stranded. His immaturity and sexist attitudes are especially notable when Ann Perkins inexplicably decides to date him, a choice she soon regrets.

8 Michael Bluth In Arrested Development

Arrested Development revolves around a group of morally questionable individuals, yet the show's protagonist, Michael, is portrayed as the "good one" in the Bluth family. Despite his attempts to be the voice of reason, he is just as self-centered as his more openly flawed relatives.

On one hand, Michael delivers lectures on the topic of stealing, but then proceeds to take a chair and TV from his own office. He criticizes his brother Gob for his womanizing ways, only to later attempt to have an affair with Gob's girlfriend. Furthermore, Michael condemns his family for selling their shares of the company, all the while engaging in the same behavior himself. His hypocrisy and inability to recognize it, combined with his unwavering belief that he is a martyr for his family, serve to amplify Michael's unlikeable qualities.

7 The Waitress In It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

The Waitress in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is often harassed and stalked by Charlie, which can lead to sympathy. However, despite this, she also engages in twisted schemes, such as stalking Dennis and sleeping with Frank for revenge. She tends to be irritable and lacks self-awareness, often complaining about her inability to use the internet or her boss not understanding her.

6 Maxine In Russian Doll

5 Eve Polastri from Killing Eve

Maxine, the best friend character in the smart and witty time loop show called Russian Doll, remains a consistent presence in Nadia's never-ending horror of repeatedly dying and waking up at her own birthday celebration. Irrespective of the manner in which Nadia meets her demise, Maxine consistently conveys an air of pretentiousness and shallowness. In the second season, Maxine displays a greater interest in pursuing romantic encounters with individuals she and Nadia encounter at a party, rather than offering assistance to her friend. On the whole, Maxine gives off the impression that she will only maintain her friendship with Nadia as long as she doesn't become boring.

Eve personifies toxicity as she destructively impacts the lives of those in her vicinity. Her relentless fixation on Villanelle, the infamous hitwoman played by Jodie Comer, supersedes everything else. Although Eve might justify her actions as fulfilling her professional duties, the truth is that she derives pleasure from the adrenaline-fueled pursuit and is both intrigued and drawn to the murderous Villanelle. As a result, Eve exhibits a reckless disregard for the safety of others, willingly subjecting them to harm. Her decision to continue the dangerous game of cat and mouse with Villanelle directly results in the tragic death of her husband Niko's girlfriend, his need for psychiatric treatment, and even his being impaled by a pitchfork.

4 Beth Harmon In The Queen's Gambit

Chess prodigy Beth feels the weight of proving herself, having grown up in an orphanage. However, her unwavering ambition often leads her to exploit and dismiss those around her. Beth finds solace in Mr. Shaibel, a janitor at the orphanage (played by Bill Camp), who becomes her mentor and introduces her to the world of chess. He even financially supports her in her first tournament. Unfortunately, Beth never repays him, despite owing a significant part of her successful career to his guidance. In stark contrast, Mr. Shaibel never forgets about Beth and proudly follows her journey. This callousness is later mirrored when Beth encounters a woman she has inspired but fails to find any words to say to her.

3 Fumi Nakai In Beef

The realm of Beef is inhabited by individuals tainted with toxicity, imperfections, and past traumas. While the noticeable array of issues lies predominantly within the turbulent lives of Amy and Danny, peripheral characters often escape scrutiny. Among these is Fumi, the mother of Amy's husband, George, who possesses a knack for exacerbating an already venomous situation. George, burdened by insecurities pertaining to his artistic abilities and his role as the primary caregiver, finds himself subjected to Fumi's passive-aggressive and intimidating behavior. She unapologetically conveys her disappointment in George's perceived shortcomings.

2 Jay Pritchett in Modern Family

Jay, the patriarch of Modern Family's titular family, wields a significant influence in the show due to his prominent role. However, his overwhelming presence can cross into overbearing territory, and his actions do not always prioritize his family's best interests. Both Mitch and Claire face pressure to meet their father's expectations, and Jay often exhibits dismissiveness and condescension towards his wife, Gloria. He frequently corrects her speech and even subjects her to jokes centered around her accent. This tension reaches its peak during an emotionally charged scene, where Gloria confronts him by asking, "Do you know how intelligent I am in Spanish?"

1 Jim Halpert In The Office

Viewers of the U.S. version of The Office were captivated by the sweet relationship between Jim and Pam, and it's impossible not to root for Jim when he plays pranks on his annoying coworker, Dwight. However, actually working alongside Jim would be a completely different experience. Pulling off a prank like replacing Dwight's desk with a cardboard version covered in gift wrap would require a significant amount of furniture moving and construction. While it might be mildly annoying for the coworkers the first time, after witnessing the fifth or sixth elaborate prank, some in The Office may start to wish that Jim had chosen a different career path.