Erin’s Top 10 TV Comedy Characters of 2020

Laughs and levity were very much needed this year, especially with all the chaos 2020 has continually thrown our way.

The TV world has had an interesting year but still managed to provide us with top-notch comedy from a wide range of stories and perspectives. I found myself watching and rewatching favorites for comfort as well as discovering new shows and characters that warmed my heart and made me laugh ’til I cried.

It’s really been a memorable and unique year for comedic television.

You’ll notice my personal list is all women save for one trans man. It’s never been a doubt in my mind that women can be funny, and I often gravitate to female characters in works of fiction. That is certainly the case for the comedies I watched and enjoyed this year. 

While these characters have supplied essential comic relief over these long, tough months, there was plenty of heart and humanity in their performances, too. This combination and the fine-tuned balance of comedy and emotion these actors were able to achieve was exactly what I needed to get me through this doozy of a year.

In no particular order, here are 10 TV comedy characters that brought light and laughter to me in 2020:

1. Jean Milburn (Sex Education)

There are many characters to love on Sex Education, but it’s a no-brainer for me when one of them is played by my favorite actor. Gillian Anderson as Jean Milburn was a top performance for me last year on Sex Education Season 1, and she maintains that status with her turn on Season 2.

I was thrilled to see more of her this sophomore season. She’s right there in the thick of it with the kids, providing sex education to the students of Moordale Secondary. This sets up her storylines to be rife with conflict and comedy.

But there’s so much more to it than that, and the show really didn’t hold back. Jean’s got romance troubles, a teenager who is acting out, the return of her ex-husband, a new friend, professional ups and downs, and a surprise pregnancy!

It’s a tall order to throw all this at an actor, but Anderson is more than up to the challenge and knocks it out of the park.

She handles comedy and drama with equal aplomb and adds fascinating nuance to every scene she is in. The way she portrays emotion can shatter your heart into a million pieces, but she is just as adept at making audiences laugh, be it through broad, physical comedy or subtle humor.

Jean Milburn really is the whole package and then some.

2. Robyn “Rob” Brooks (High Fidelity)

High Fidelity is a new show I was really excited to check out this year. I am a fan of both the book and the movie. Gender-swapping the main character is a fresh and inspired choice, and I can see no one else in the role of Robyn “Rob” Brooks other than the endlessly cool Zoë Kravitz.

This casting is perfection.

Rob’s vibe is effortlessly chill and charming, but it’s accompanied by a dose of vulnerability and awkwardness. This makes her relatable yet somewhat intimidating, and I find this specific combo of qualities absolutely irresistible. 

Her love and knowledge of music is very attractive, as is her tendency to be adorably awkward in some social situations. Rob does make bad decisions from time to time, but she makes you feel like you’re on the journey with her, experiencing all the feelings and complicated thought processes. 

Her fun sense of humor is wrapped up in all of it, and she is constantly making me laugh, whether it be through jokes or comedic timing or simply a reaction to something. Kravitz makes Rob a fully fleshed-out character that honors the original character in the book, as well as the movie, but is utterly and uniquely her own. 

I’d be remiss not to point out on my top 10 list that she loves to make similar lists and puts so much thought into them — just another reason to treasure the indelible Miss Brooks.

3. Moira Rose (Schitt’s Creek)

Legendary actor Catherine O’Hara has made her character on Schitt’s Creek legendary as well.

Moira Rose is truly an icon.

With a vast array of wigs, an extravagant wardrobe, and an impressive vocabulary, Moira has charmed more than just the residents of the small rural town. Her dialogue is now embedded in pop culture vernacular. Admit it, you’ve said “bébé” instead of “baby” and probably more than once.

She is unconventional, fanciful, and not even the slightest bit down-to-earth, yet she is so engaging and lovable. O’Hara’s unique comedic prowess has brought to life this, frankly, unbelievable character and made her so convincingly realized.

It is beyond impressive to take this role that could easily have veered into absurd caricature and turn her into such a celebrated spectacle.

4. Grace Hansen (Grace and Frankie)

Grace and Frankie is one of my comfort shows that I can watch and rewatch over and over. I never tire of the shenanigans of the spirited Frankie and the reluctant Grace, nor of witnessing their bond that has been built, strengthened, and tested over six seasons.

Grace is the no-nonsense, practical businesswoman of the duo. She doesn’t have time for bullshit or pesky things like feelings, and I appreciate this about her. Slinging sarcasm and clever barbs, she navigates through big life changes with style and class and a lot of alcohol.

Grace deals with her problems in a realistic way. Sometimes she is strong and undaunted, and other times she avoids conflict and builds up walls. She expresses fearfulness, apprehension, and vulnerability, but can also confidently take on challenges and overcome obstacles.

She prides herself on being self-reliant, but her personal growth has a lot to do with her relationship with Frankie over the years.

It’s especially apparent on this year’s penultimate Season 6. As she navigates the bumpy road of her second marriage, she finds herself turning to Frankie frequently and finding solace and support in her company.

It’s never too late to take down those walls and let someone in. 

And it doesn’t hurt to have the fabulous feminist icon, Jane Fonda, behind the wheel of this complex female character. 

5. Frankie Bergstein (Grace and Frankie)

Frankie Bergstein played by the inimitable Lily Tomlin on Grace and Frankie will always be on all my top TV characters lists. Heck, just earlier this year I put her on my 15 Most Influential Female TV Characters list.

There is a certain charm that Tomlin has that delights me to no end, and so much of that charm is in the character of Frankie.

I could go on and on about Frankie’s good qualities, but for the sake of this list, I’ll focus on the comedic ones. Tomlin has been a comedian since the 1960s, so she is no stranger to making audiences laugh. She has used her sharply-honed comic chops to create a well-rounded character that is a bit screwball and silly yet steeped in pure authenticity. 

She cracks me up in every episode, and oftentimes in ways that surprise me.

It could be with a look or a gesture or a line of dialogue delivered with a particular panache that only Tomlin could convey. Frankie may be an old hippie, but to be honest, she is more fresh and full of life than I’ve ever been.

I would gladly smoke some weed and hit up a Del Taco with her. 

6. Beverly Goldberg (The Goldbergs)

I love the ’80s and funny ladies, so Wendi McLendon-Covey as Beverly Goldberg on The Goldbergs is an obvious choice for my list. McLendon-Covey is a powerhouse of comedy, and I always enjoy what she brings to every character she plays.

As the matriarch and “Smother” of the titular family, Beverly is the heart and comedic core of the show. She may be the stereotypical yenta who goes overboard in everything she does, but it’s clear that there is nothing but love, passion, and good intentions behind all of her actions. 

When she’s not attempting to control her children’s lives or scheming to get things to go her way, she is looking for projects and interests to keep her busy, especially as she and Murray get closer to being empty-nesters. 

On Season 8 Episode 3, “It’s All About Comptrol,” Beverly runs for city comptroller despite not knowing what the job entails. Even though the idea is ridiculous and, like Murray, we know she won’t win, it’s an entertaining ride with political puns and a Janet Jackson inspired campaign video.

Beverly may not have found her calling yet, but it’s not for a lack of trying new things. I, for one, applaud her chutzpah.

7. Chris (Work in Progress)

Work in Progress was a new show that was a sleeper hit for me this year, and Chris played by Theo Germaine was a sleeper hit for me within the show. 

I relate to Abby (Abby McEnany), the lead, much more than I do Chris. That might be why I have chosen him as my top character — sometimes we are drawn to the opposite of ourselves. A big difference I have with him is that he is incredibly open and patient, and I struggle in those areas. 

It is great to see this trait in a really cool character and even more so in the context of a queer romance. 

Chris inhabits some trope-y roles on Work in Progress, like a Prince Charming-type love interest on his first date with Abby and the trans person that has to continuously provide teachable moments to those around him.

However, the show is so atypical and the character of Chris is so chill that the tropes, when they’re represented, feel fresh.

Germaine, a non-binary actor who uses they/he pronouns, has crafted a deeply compassionate character with Chris. We get to see him in moments of joy as well as heartache which serves this unconventional rom-com well. 

Their performance in the final scene of the finale, Work in Progress Season 1 Episode 8, “3,2,1,” is powerful and poignant, full of truth and love, which makes the ending all the more devastating. It’s kind of a nice change of pace to have your heart ripped out and stomped on when watching a comedy.

At least it is for me. 

8. Cherise (High Fidelity)

Cherise is another gender-swapped role from the film version.

Jack Black’s portrayal of Barry is a thing of beauty, but so is Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Cherise. The self-designated, opinionated authority on all things musical is a fun character, and I love Randolph’s interpretation on High Fidelity.

She’s not just a sidekick or comic relief — she has her own story. Despite her confident bravado, there are insecurities under the surface, and it’s interesting to watch her work through them and sometimes succumb to them.  

Cherise is a vibrant, intellectual soul who is also hilarious — often the source of my laugh-out-loud moments. The convictions she has behind her opinions are strong, and whether you agree or not, you can’t help but admire her. 

9. Jen Harding (Dead to Me)

Jen Harding of Dead to Me has a hardened outlook on life. She’s been through some difficult times, and she can’t always keep it together. I have to say it’s nice to see this viewpoint on screen. 

And it serves as a great foil to the much more sentimental approach of Judy Hale. 

I often bristle at sentimentality, so it’s refreshing for me to see Jen handle frustration, grief, and trauma in her astringent way. And because of that, her development throughout Dead to Me Season 2 is quite impactful. To watch her begin to let Judy in and accept friendship and kindness is beautiful.

Jen softens but remains true to her personality that we were introduced to at the beginning of the series. I love the abrasive Jen from Season 1, and I really appreciate her growth in the second season while still keeping her sharp, acerbic wit intact.

It’s a welcome glimmer of optimism for those of us that are hard-hearted. 

10. Judge (The Good Place)

Judge Gen (short for Hydrogen, the only element in existence when she was “born” at the beginning of time) is an immortal being that presides over the Neutral Place. The concept of this character, as well as the entire concept of the series The Good Place, is beyond fascinating to me. 

Ever since her introduction back on The Good Place Season 2 Episode 12, “The Burrito,” I have looked forward to her appearances with giddy delight. Judge is always the standout for me in every scene that she graces us with her otherworldly presence. 

You wouldn’t think this all-knowing, non-human entity could be relatable but, funny enough, she is!

She binge-watches earthly television shows and has a thing for Timothy Olyphant. She dislikes IHOP and thinks “Earth is a mess” and wants to cancel it. I mean, you can’t really blame her, though, right? Actually, you literally can’t — her existence is wholly neutral. 

So when she does attempt to cancel Earth, she’s not really seen as the bad guy, but merely an obstacle for our scrappy gang of afterlife misfits. And an entertaining one at that! Maya Rudolph has created an extraordinary character with her perfect comedic timing, tone, and physicality.

I would love to binge-watch some television, discuss the father figures that she is attracted to on her favorite shows, and eat burritos with her. She can judge me all she wants.

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Who were your top characters from TV comedies this year? Let us know in the comments below!

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