Cute, happy couples can be annoying to be around. They constantly call each other pet names, hang on each other, patter on with inane conversation ("I love you, babe." "I love you more, babe."), and do other adorably gross couple things. I might be bitter or cynical, but I'm pretty sure any one who had to spend twenty minutes alone in a room with a "cute" couple would probably want to poke out their eardrums.
When it comes to TV couples, there can definitely be too much of a good thing. Once a couple gets together, if there aren't enough obstacles or tension in the relationship, it can be about as enjoyable as hanging out with a "cute" couple. For instance, I really enjoyed
the Office when Jim and Pam were star-crossed coworkers (though I was Team Karen). Now that they are "soul-mates," I long for more scenes with Dwight. Unsurprisingly, my favorite TV couples tend to be lovelorn, awkwardly mismatched, and more fond of arguing than baby talk.
Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls (Veronica Mars). It's hard to explain the appeal of Logan. He's a rich kid, a bully, and always getting into trouble because of the sometimes terrible things he does. Yet he's also very loving and loyal to Veronica, and no one can roll off a sarcastic whip quite like Logan. He's definitely preferable to Veronica's other love interests- nice but boring jock Duncan and nerdy hipster Piz. Logan and Veronica start off as enemies and their relationship is very rocky; however, they always have amazing chemistry together and wonderfully sardonic banter.
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Seasons:
1,
2,
3
Buffy Summers and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Their relationship was trouble from the start: he's a vampire and she is a vampire slayer. However, its hard not to root for their star-crossed romance. Angel was an abstinence vampire long before Edward Cullen and he is cursed with having a soul (making killing people for food less enjoyable). He's also the only character on the show capable of matching Buffy's strength and courage.
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Seasons:
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7
Keith Charles and David Fisher (Six Feet Under). One of the first realistic gay couples on TV. David and Keith aren't exactly a perfect match. Keith is angry and often takes it out on David. David tends to repress his emotions. However, they probably have the healthiest relationship on the show. Also, its fun to watch tightly-wound David morph into flirty-mode when Keith's around.
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Seasons:
1,
2,
3,
4,
5.
April Ludgate and Andy Dwyer (Parks and Recreation). April and Andy's flirtation adds something to both the characters. April is apathetic and sarcastic, so it's surprising that she would fall for a goofy, lousy musician/ shoe-shiner like Andy. Andy's uncomfortableness with their age difference (she's 21 and he's 29) is thoughtful for someone who is otherwise dim-witted. Still it's hard to think Andy is taking advantage of April because she is so much smarter than he is. In a few years, she'll probably want someone brighter and more accomplished, but right now they are a good match.
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Eric Northman and Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood). Sookie is hard not to like, she's spunky, brave and a genuinely nice person. Her vampire boyfriend Bill is a gentleman, but he's a little bit on the boring side. Eric is a murkier and more exciting character than Bill; he is sarcastic, not above dirty tricks (like getting Sookie to suck his blood under false pretenses), and it's harder to guess whether or not Eric will do the right thing. Also, he is taller and handsomer than Bill and doesn't have a comically thick Southern accent. Sookie disdains Eric, but often begrudgingly needs his help. Eric has a pretty big crush on Sookie.
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Season:
1,
2
Casey Klein and Henry Pollard (Party Down). Casey and Henry are probably more like Dawn and Tim from the original
Office than Jim and Pam are; they hate their jobs and flirt with each other as a way to pass time at work. Casey is an aspiring comedian working as a catering waitress and Henry is a failed actor working as a bartender. When the show starts out, Casey is unhappily married and Henry has just quit acting. Casey later on goes through a divorce and briefly hooks up with Henry, only to leave her job and him for a comedy job. When she returns, she finds Henry has become the new leader of Party Down enterprises and has started dating the uptight leader of a rival catering company. Casey and Henry have undeniable chemistry together.
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George Michael Bluth and Maeby Fünke (Arrested Development). George Michael and Maeby are cousins, but they didn't meet until they were teenagers. When the family business goes through trouble, George Michael and Maeby are forced to share a room together. The living arrangement is especially bad since the cousins are mutually attracted to each other. It's sort of an opposites attract relationship, George Michael is obedient and a good student and Maeby is rebellious and doesn't really try in school. Maeby may or may not be a blood relative of George Michael. It is often suggested on the show that she is a test-tube baby.
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Season:
1,
2,
3
Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker (Modern Family). Cameron and Mitchell have a loving relationship, though they often disagree because they have very different personalities. Mitchell is a lawyer, momma's boy, and not afraid to make a speech in response to (real or imagined) homophobia or other injustices. He's neurotic, slightly uptight, and reserved. Cam on the other hand is outgoing and dramatic. He used to be a music teacher, but quit working to be a stay-at-home dad to the couple's daughter Lily. He well versed in a wide range of hobbies including drumming, playing football, and being a classically trained Auguste clown named
Fizbo.
Fiona Glennane and Michael Westen (Burn Notice). Michael is a burned spy who is always concerned with doing the right thing. Fiona is a former IRA agent who is primarily concerned with blowing stuff up. They have a tumultuous on-again off-again relationship, but she always help him solve cases- including finding out who burned him, especially if it involves make bombs.
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Seasons:
1,
2,
3.
Tracy Jordan and Angie Jordan (30 Rock). TGS star Tracy Jordan is known for his odd behavior and frequent trips to strip clubs, however, he has never actually cheated on his wife. Angie and Tracy have an odd relationship. She bosses him and Liz around. Tracy is always trying to make appear that he is less loyal to his wife than he really is; he even gets a tattoo of her name and face because she asks him to even though it will scare off beautiful ladies at the club.
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Season:
1,
2,
3.
Runner Up:
Liz Lemon and Wesley Snipes (
30 Rock).Wesley and Liz are "settling soul mates," meaning they don't really like each other, but they can't really do any better either. Michael Sheen is great at playing daft, unlikeable characters and he makes Wesley a humorously insufferable character. Wesley is a real winner- he's unemployed and has immigration issues. I love the way he gripes at Liz, "Why is your face like that?" I want Liz to find her true love, astronaut Mike Dexter, as much as anybody, but I enjoy Liz and Wesley's scornful relationship too.
