Guest Author - Amy Ralston Young

In continuation of last week's article, here are the Top 5 sitcom duos in history.

Best Sitcom Duos

1. Ralph Cramden & Ed Norton, “The Honeymooners”

The Bensonhurst bus driver and his New York-sewer-worker-neighbor top the list of duos. Although their sitcom only made it 39 episodes, it is still one of the best shows in history.

Ralph (Jackie Gleason) always had a plan to help him get rich and leave his job driving a bus. Ed (Art Carney, who won five Emmy’s for his performance) always knew the plan wouldn’t work, but went along with his friend anyway. That’s devotion.

Add in Ralph’s classic lines - "Bang, zoom, straight to the moon!" and "One of these days … one of these days … POW, right in the kisser!" – and you’ve got a first place finish. All that’s left to say is, "Baby, you're the greatest."


2. Lucy Ricardo & Ethel Mertz, “I Love Lucy”

“I Love Lucy” was the most-watched show in the United States in four of its six seasons, and was the first to end its run at the top of the ratings. With qualifications like that, it’s no wonder Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) made this list.

Lucy wanted to break into showbiz and be famous, like her husband Ricky and neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. Her ambitions usually got the best of her, and Lucy failed miserably in her attempts at stardom. Her misfortunes, however, led to great comedy. Ball was, after all, the queen of slapstick comedy, and she has two Emmys to prove it.

Always the supportive friend, Ethel was right there beside Lucy in her many misadventures. Who can forget the episode where Lucy and Ethel get a job packaging candy? They do okay, until the pace picks up on the conveyor belt. They try to keep things under control, shoving pieces into their mouths and hats and every thing else they can find.

In the end, Lucy and Ethel never made it big, but they made us laugh, and that’s all that matters here.


3. Laverne & Shirley, “Laverne and Shirley”

“Schlemiel! Schlemazl! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!"

Laverne DeFazio (Penny Marshall) and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams) were best friends and roommates, who worked as bottle cappers for Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee.

The show first aired in 1976 as a spin-off of “Happy Days,” and ran until 1983; making it the longest running show with all female leads (“Charmed” tied it in 2006). Although the series aired for 8 seasons, the first four (when they were still in Milwaukee) are the best.

Laverne was a tomboy and a cynic, but loved chasing the fellas too. Her favorite drink was milk and Pepsi (which I don’t recommend), and she always had a monogrammed “L” on her shirt. Shirley was pretty much the opposite of her pal; she’s positive and “girly.” Together they make the perfect pair.


4. Balki Bartokomous & Cousin Larry Appleton, “Perfect Strangers”

Are you noticing a pattern yet? This duo could match just about anyone when it comes to physical comedy. Larry (Mark Linn-Baker) always had a plan, and Balki (Bronson Pinchot) was always right there to fail with him. Sometimes they failed because the idea was terrible, other times because Balki’s ignorance of American culture, but we always laughed.

A shepherd from the island of Mypos (which doesn’t really exist) decides to head to America and find his distant cousin Larry in Chicago. Larry tries to help Balki fit in and chaos ensues. What else do you expect from a man whose favorite dish isn’t ready until it gets that “little green fur?”

Was there any doubt that Balki and Cousin Larry would make the list, "of course not, don't be ridiculous!"


5. Andy Taylor & Barney Fife, “The Andy Griffith Show”

It doesn’t get any better than life in Mayberry, thanks to Sherriff Taylor (Andy Griffith) and his Deputy Fife (Don Knotts). Andy was a laid back, for-the-good-of-the-people kind of man, and Barney was a by-the-book law enforcer, together they were one heck of a team.

Andy rarely carried a gun, and Barney rarely went without his, although he was only given one bullet, and it had to stay in his shirt pocket. A little high-strung, and overzealous, Barney was always getting into trouble while trying to enforce the law, but you could always count on Andy to help him out of the mess.

Don Knotts won five Emmys for his portrayal of the dim-witted deputy, and the show was only the second of three shows to go out in the No. 1 ratings spot.

Check in next week for the best animated sitcom characters.