And the Best Buds Award Goes To....

All throughout the history of television there have been the best friends that helped catapult a show into syndication. So here I go, trying to remember the memorable best buds of television and yes I'm gonna get some flack from people that I didn't remember their favorite duo, but it's my blog and the pairs that I mostly remembered by myself, mostly.



#20- Franklin & Bash

One of my new favorite shows, they make lawyer shows fun. Isn't that enough? I don't need the nitty-gritty, that's for pseudo television watchers. It's the real couch potatoes like myself that want escapism. Reality TV? No thank you, although I do like my SYTYCD show. 

#19-  Joey & Chandler

Apartment 19, J&C, Chick and the Duck, Joey and Chans. This lovable duo made us laugh at innuendo of them being a married couple (those were my favorite) and the many hugs shared by two best buds. 

#18- Leonard and Sheldon

Anyone who could live with Sheldon is a Saint in my book! The crap (excuse my french) that Sheldon puts Leonard through is not only cruel, but hysterical (gotta love TV huh?). Sheldon doesn't know how lucky he is to have a friend like Leonard or Howard or Raj for that matter. 

#17- Shawn and Gus

Shawn and Ovaltine Jenkins, Shawn and Methuselah Honeysuckle, Shawn and Gurton Buster, these two solve crimes like Laurel and Hardy hit punchlines. I love how Gus has stood by Shawn and his albeit lie, but best friends don't tell. Personally, I think Gus wishes he were solving crimes full-time instead of being a pharmaceutical rep.

#16- Alfalfa and Spanky

        

I think these two made my list because the recent adaptation came on cable not too long ago. Alfalfa and Spanky learned it's better to be supportive even among differences of opinion. 

#15- Buddy and Sally

What can I say about Buddy and Sally! If you haven't seen "The Dick Van Dyke Show" catch it on Netflix! These two will bust your stitches. When I first saw this show I was younger and thought Buddy and Sally were a married couple, but they were better: a comedy writing duo!

#14- Pat and Vanna

Since letters appearing on a board was popular television we've had Pat Sajak and Vanna White. I also thought these two were a married couple, but that just proves my point that I'm a hopeless romantic and the producers picked a good pair to help us solve the puzzle every weekday night.

#13- Regis and Kathie Lee

I knew these two weren't married, but they did make a great pair. I remember my mom watching them when I stayed home from school due to illness. That was the only time I got to watch them, but when I did, I thought they had great chemistry and was a bit upset that Kathie Lee was leaving the show because I thought no one could complement Regis like she did.

#12- Batman and Robin 

Holy dynamic duo, Batman! What else is there to say really? It's Batman and Robin. I might as well post on the wonder that is peanut butter and jelly or eggs and bacon.

#11- The Doctor and Donna

I love these two companions! Later I found out that Catherine Tate (Donna) was a very popular British comedienne. I appreciate her humor so much more in the seasons she was with David Tennant (The Doctor). If you're not willing to watch Dr. Who (SHAME!) check out this skit. You won't be disappointed, although it could use some subtitles.

#10- Donny and Marie

She's a little bit country, he's a little bit Rock 'n' Roll and together they make great music...for a brother and sister. My mom bought videos of some of their best moments of the Donny and Marie show back in the 70s. They are very talented and let's just say I wish I was an Osmond.

#9- The Skipper and Gilligan

For all the shenanigans Gilligan put Skipper through, they still stayed best buds. There were times I wanted to strangle Gilligan myself, but Skipper taught me not to do that.

#8- Cliff and Norm

The duo that made drinking funny and completely normal. Sometimes I wonder what my parents were thinking when they watched this show, it's no different than the Friends sitting around drinking caffeine (both equally addicting).

#7- Laverne and Shirley

I used to watch Laverne and Shirley reruns before going to afternoon kindergarten. Yes, I had no idea what the episodes were about but I loved the show so much that when monograms on your clothes were the "in" thing (about ten years ago) I wanted an L. My name begins with a C actually. But when the Nanny paid tribute to the show I understood the reference. How many 29 year olds can say that? (Although, is that something to be proud of?)

#6- The Fonz and Richie

I just know that The Fonz was fly and that Richie Cunningham was the kind of boy you wanted your parents to meet and they hung out together. I never really knew why?

#5- Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fife

Sheriff and his Deputy, it's built right in.

#4- Laurel and Hardy

The best buds of slapstick comedy there ever was. I am particularly fond of slapstick comedy and that's why Laurel and Hardy come in at number 4.



#3- Bert & Ernie

Were they brothers? Or just roommates? But either way, Bert and Ernie have been buds since 1969. They constitute a great pair because one is the dreamer the other practical, there's bound to be confusion and frustration. Mix in a little comedy and you've got a pair that's timeless.


#2- Oscar & Felix

The slob meets the OCD (before it was OCD) man. My guess, hijinks ensued. (This contribution was brought to us by my sister Stacy, she's about a decade and a little older than me, she made me put them in.)

AND THE BEST BUDS AWARD GOES TO......

#1 Lucy and Ethel 

What can we say about the pair that started it all, the pickles they got themselves into, the squabbles and reconciling. Lucy and Ethel are the quintessential best buds of all time! I think most of their shenanigans started with phrases like, "If we could just..."

Well, there you have it folks, a list of my (well, most of them) favorite television duos.

And honorable mention goes to Warner & Eli from the new TV series starting this fall, Dads. If you haven't seen a commercial for it yet, do yourself a favor and watch one. Hilarious!!! They are gonna be the next Joey and Chandler, I just know it. 

Until next time,

Lady Jane

Looking for Love Stories Part Deux

As I was conversing with a friend about my recent love stories post, I unknowingly forgot to mention other famous couples from television. So here I go, trying to remember...

TELEVISION HUSBANDS AND WIVES 

The Buchmans

I loved watching Mad About You. I especially loved watching reruns on TV. This is one series I would love to have in my DVD collection. When I was younger and watching it every week, I wanted to marry a guy just like Paul. Turns out, I did (kinda). He's a great guy, supports our little family and is a little eccentric in his INTJ-ness. 

The Huxtables

The Huxtables' marriage is one I aspire to. They made time for each other in their very busy lives as doctor and lawyer, they taught their children morals and raised them with their feet on the ground. Even though they made a decent living, they balked at extravagant toy prices and when their kids assumed they were rich. 

The Bunkers

All I know about the Bunkers, is the stories my older family members have mentioned. Edith would do anything Archie said and he was kind of a grouch. I couldn't make a post on television couples again without including the Bunkers, it'd just be wrong! They were Frank and Marie Barone of the 70s, except Marie spoke her mind and often.

The Ricardos

As much as I dislike how Ricky talked down to her, they had their good times. But I suppose this was just a comedic version of the way life was back in the 50s. The man worked, the wife shopped for the house with her allowance. 

The Petries

I think they are my other favorite TV couple. What can I say about the Petries? I think Laura had an incredible amount of humor to live with a comedy writer, that sometimes used their lives for inspiration. My favorite episodes are when either of them freak out. "Oh Rob!"

FRIENDS THAT BECAME HUSBAND AND WIFE

Cory and Topanga

I think we all saw this coming when Topanga became a fixture on the show "Boy Meets World". This was the couple that all the teenagers I knew in high school (I believe) wanted to have. They complemented each other perfectly. Near the end of the series though, Cory became more eccentric. But I'm so happy that they gave kids a healthy (if somewhat exaggerated) ideal of a good relationship. They worked out their problems!!

Zack and Kelly

If you kept up with the whole franchise like I did, after the "Saved by the Bell: College Years" you were satisfied that Zack and Kelly made it to the altar. I love this picture! It's like a foreshadowing of what's to come. At that point in time, we all hoped this would someday be the case. 

Monica and Chandler

I think I like their love story more as I watch the series. (I have it all 10 seasons on DVD) They fall in love over the course of a couple of seasons. They finally get married and a trial tests this couple. They can't conceive. It's a problem many couples face and I'm glad Monica and Chandler grew closer together instead of placing blame on the other for the problems they were facing.

Mal and Inara

We only had 1 season! Just one! So who's to say that they didn't get married eventually? I say they did!

 Marshall and Lily

I'm not a die-hard HIMYM fan, but Marshall and Lily are the only married couple that we actually see on the show (of the friends) that they made my list. I like that they met in college, became friends and eventually got married. They make married life look funny and real. 

Amy and Rory

The Ponds! I love them! I think we can all agree that Amy wears the pants in that relationship, but regardless, Rory has never showed love like any other character I know! He waited 2000 years for Amy, he got upset that she grew old without him, that he followed her into the TARDIS to share incredible adventures with her and The Doctor. 

I realize this post would make so much more sense around Valentine's Day, but mine and the husband's  anniversary (10 years!) is coming up so that's why. 

~Lady Jane

Looking for Love...Stories

What is our obsession with love?

My husband and I were watching Warehouse 13 (Yeah! It's back on television again) and noticed in the most recent episode a little bit of admiration on both parts. It was my husband who observed the spark between the two and it made me wonder...Are we as humans obsessed with love? In shows where there are male and female counterparts, are we automatically drawn to find the possible love story?

Here are some of my favorites in no particular order:

I would be lying if I never thought about Pete and Micah getting together. They make an excellent team at snagging and bagging and in the most recent episode it appears to be more obvious that it could be heading the way of other crime-fighting partners before them. They've done it before on the show.

Another couple I was hoping to get together was Shawn Spencer and Juliet O'Hara. And boy was I deliriously happy that the writers took them on the journey.

I was more bummed than ever when the truth finally came out to Juliet. I hate to admit it, but my friend was right about TV work partner relationships, they just mess up the show. Psych was fine up until Juliet knew the truth about Shawn.

For the past four seasons I have been waiting for this very moment...

 If you haven't unloaded the weight off your DVR, SHAME ON YOU!

And last but not least, my favorite crime-fighting duo. The couple that started out as an assignment became a testament of true love.

Does anyone else cry that the show is over?

No onto a slightly different category, but not really. Here are another two couples that found love working with each other.

Over the past couple of years, I have become ensconced into all things Whovian. However, I'm ashamed to admit, that Rose Tyler was not my favorite companion for the Doctor, but there is a love story there. That's why I'm acknowledging it.

As far as companions go, I thought Donna Noble was pretty hilarious. But that's not the point.

Jim and Pam captured our hearts! They are the everyday couple that we all are with our significant others, and that's what I love about them. They are understated romantics and that's how I think most couples operate.

In the beginning

Even though these photos were for Entertainment Weekly, I would imagine Jim and Pam's wedding photos in real life would look something like this.

Now onto the love stories that developed in a matter of minutes...

Who doesn't love a scoundrel? The love story of Han and Leia is the kind I like to capture in my writing, the heated, not wanting to admit it kind of love. This scene alone, is where it all began.

A love story for the ages, I know.

The marriage that every couple wants to aspire to...

Do I really need to say more than that?

And a list isn't complete without the roommate/apartment building/friend relationships

I don't know about you, but I love Nick and Jess! They are so quirky, weird and stupid for each other. Despite what others may say, these two have Ellie and Carl written all over 'em.

The revelation during the dare was all I needed!

The most unlikeliest of romances, but Leonard and Penny manage to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when they act like a real couple. Let's just say based on my last post, this is me and the husband.

If you're thinking I'm talking about Monica and Chandler, keep on walking. Although, they are another love story for another time.

I'm a Friends Fanatic! I have the 10 seasons on DVD and have probably watched all seasons about three or four times. Even starting over, I am in agony over Ross and Rachel's relationship. Are they going to get together? And when they break up, will they get back together? They manage to keep me in suspense even though I practically know each episode if you give me the title. 

I guess if there is potential for a love story, the hopeless-romantics will find it. 

Until next time,

Lady Jane