Television shows often incorporate a dim-witted character for comedic relief, resulting in various TV roles that embody the concept of "no thoughts, head empty." This phrase gained popularity in 2020 as a means of supporting and validating each other's desire to escape deep thinking during the pandemic. Recently, it has experienced a resurgence on TikTok and is used to describe individuals who seem somewhat absent-minded.
Although the phrase is relatively new, individuals who perfectly embody the concept of "no thoughts, head empty" have always existed. TV shows frequently portray these individuals as exaggerated caricatures, emphasizing their lack of intellect to generate laughter from audiences. As the mantra "no thoughts, head empty" continues to dominate social media, it is worth reflecting on the numerous TV characters who are undeniably endearing but also quite airheaded.
11 Joey Tribbiani (Friends)
Joey's intentions are definitely good, but he is quite simple-minded. His antics on Friends often leave viewers laughing and questioning his level of intelligence. For instance, he comically refers to his Adam's apple as a "Joey's apple," mistakes potpourri for chips, and even unintentionally leaves a baby on a bus. While Joey was always somewhat dim, his character progressively became less intelligent as the show progressed. This left fans wondering why the producers felt the need to "dumb" Joey down, until a revelation from a director on the show explained that it was to differentiate him from the initially similar personality of Chandler.
10 Haley Dunphy (Modern Family)
Haley Dunphy, the eldest child in her family, is often depicted as lacking intelligence. She frequently engages in perplexing actions that leave the audience puzzled, such as rubbing her phone battery against her head in an attempt to recharge it. Even her own family acknowledges her intellectual limitations, with her sister, Alex, jokingly suggesting that Haley's proximity was causing her to become "dumb through osmosis." However, throughout the duration of the show, Haley experiences a noteworthy transformation. She gradually becomes less preoccupied with her appearance, strengthening her bond with her sister, and embracing her role as a competent mother to her twin children.
9 Eric Matthews (Boy Meets World)
Eric's character in earlier seasons was truly commendable, showcasing his athleticism and impressive people skills. However, as the show progressed, he seemed to become increasingly clueless. Interestingly, there is a theory circulating that Boy Meets World subtly hinted at what may have happened to Eric. It suggests that he may have sustained a brain injury after resorting to an unconventional method of breaking a car window with his head. This could plausibly explain his irrational behavior in the later seasons. Delightfully poking fun at Eric's personality, Boy Meets World playfully portrays him in season 7, episode 16, "Seven the Hard Way," envisioning a future where he lives as a reclusive individual who goes to extraordinary lengths such as purifying his own urine and consuming it for sustenance.
8 Jason Mendoza (The Good Place)
Jason from The Good Place is a character who elicits ambivalent reactions from viewers. Some find his lack of intelligence annoying, while others are drawn to his endearing sweetness. He is fiercely loyal to his loved ones, exudes natural positivity, and never intends to cause harm. However, it is impossible to ignore his lack of intellect. He often blurts out statements that elicit eye-rolls, like asking, "Who would ever be afraid of Santa Claus?" or expressing excitement about the possibility of obtaining mythical animals by saying, "Maybe I'll get a penguin, dude!"
7 Georgie Cooper (Young Sheldon)
Young Sheldon's Georgie possesses several admirable qualities, including his readiness to assume the role of a father and his entrepreneurial drive. However, Georgie may not be the most astute individual — even when not compared to his incredibly intelligent younger brother. Although he has good intentions, much often goes over his head, like when his father mentioned something about setting a negative example and Georgie mistakenly associated it with Nixon, a former president associated with controversy. Moreover, he sometimes lacks basic common sense, evident when he forgets to secure the cash register at his workplace, resulting in the theft of all the money.
6 Rogelio De La Vega (Jane The Virgin)
Rogelio from Jane the Virgin brought much-needed humor to a show filled with unexpected plot twists. Despite his comedic nature, he often displays a lack of self-awareness and engages in actions that are far from ordinary. For instance, he secretly follows his oblivious daughter, names his child "Baby," and mistakenly believes that his son-in-law is his best friend, affectionately dubbing him "brogelio." While these quirks endear him to audiences, they sometimes result in unintended consequences for his family. This was evident when his son was kidnapped, and Rogelio irresponsibly tweeted about it, inadvertently attracting paparazzi to their home.
5 Kimmy Gibbler (Full House)
Kimmy Gibbler is the quintessential girl-next-door, with a touch of quirkiness. However, her slightly airheaded nature sets her apart. In the world of Full House, she is frequently caught copying DJ's homework and enticing her to partake in mischievous activities, such as attempting to transport the family TV, which ultimately tumbles off the banister, shattering into pieces. While much of her behavior can be dismissed as peculiar, there are also instances where her profound lack of social awareness becomes apparent. She fails to comprehend the comfort levels of those surrounding her. Take, for instance, her constant habit of removing her shoes and subjecting others to the revolting odor emitted.
4 Tariq Temple (Abbott Elementary)
Tariq from Abbot Elementary embodies the popular notion of "no thoughts, just vibes." His main goal is to chill and create his amateur rap music, oblivious to the reality that he won't become the next Drake. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Janine strives to establish her life as a young adult while Tariq remains blissfully ignorant of adult responsibilities. While his lack of intelligence provides amusement to spectators, deep down, he's also a bit of a freeloader without any clear direction.
3 Sam Evans (Glee)
2 Kelly Bundy (Married... With Children)
Despite his generally pleasant and laid-back demeanor, Sam from Glee often overlooks the importance of considering his words before speaking. This lack of awareness often leads him to make inappropriate remarks, which unfortunately gives off the impression of him being unintelligent. Moreover, his disregard for others' feelings is evident, as he thoughtlessly referred to an expectant mother as overweight during a baby shower. Additionally, Sam's gullibility is evident when he unquestioningly believed Brittany's tale about the impending end of the world.
Kelly Bundy, a character in the show Married... with Children, epitomized the stereotype of the "dumb blonde." Her lack of intelligence was widely acknowledged, with the other characters often mocking her for it. She constantly fell into their traps, revealing her gullibility in various situations. For instance, she once mistakenly believed that Moby Dick was actually the TV show Mr. Ed. Another time, she attended a party only to be ridiculed by individuals of high intellect.
1 Andy Dwyer (Parks And Recreation)
Andy, a character on Parks and Recreation, is not known for his intelligence. Initially introduced as Ann's boyfriend, he was an unemployed musician who suffered from a leg injury after falling into a pit. Andy often displayed a lack of common sense and often played the role of the "dumb sidekick." Some speculate that his foolish behavior may be an act, as evidence suggests he possesses intelligence. Despite his onscreen persona, Andy achieved a respectable score of 1500 on his SATs, passed his written police exam on his first attempt, and possesses the ability to recite movie quotes flawlessly.