Sitcoms are most people's favorite comfort shows, which is why they remained one of the most-watched TV shows in history. These series always contain memorable characters and iconic situations that make people laugh and even sometimes cry.
However, although most of these shows tend to be light, they are also some of the shows that include the most political commentary. Sometimes, they manage this by having an uncomfortable or controversial character representing a more conservative side of most discourses. However, in other situations, sitcoms fail to be on the good side of history, including a terrible and irredeemable character that no one likes.
10 Ross Geller's Sexism Aged Poorly
Friends
In the 90s and 2000s, Ross Geller was one of television's six most beloved characters. Most viewers rooted for him and Rachel to end up together, which they did at the show's end. However, in recent years, Ross has become a contentious character.
In the last two decades, it has become more and more evident how sexist and homophobic Ross really was. His constant fighting with Susan, his aversion towards Ben playing with dolls, and his insistence on not hiring a male nanny have made Ross a sitcom character that aged poorly.
9 Pierce Hawthorne Is The Worst Character In Community
Community
Pierce Brosnan was the misogynist, homophobic, racist character in Community. The whole joke about his character was supposed to be that Pierce was horribly offensive toward most people, and other characters constantly called him out on it.
However, even though the show portrays him in a negative light, people never really liked most of the running gags involving him. On top of that, the actor who played him, Chevy Chase, had several issues with Dan Harmon and was eventually fired when he used a racial slur on set (via ScreenRant). The only thing left to wonder is what will happen to this character in the already-announced movie for this show.
8 Barney Stinson Is An Unapologetic Playboy
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother was the most popular TV show when it aired. Even though most of the characters are fallible, most people fall in love with them, even with the irredeemable character of Barney. However, it's become obvious that the jokes surrounding Barney were downright offensive, especially toward women.
This has led people to hate this character, who is constantly objectifying women in the most disgusting of ways. The main problem with Barney is that the sitcom takes his very abusive behavior as if it were laughable and not incredibly despicable.
7 Karen Walker's Classism Made Her A Terrible Character
Will & Grace
One of the main characters in Will & Grace, Karen, starts working as a secretary to Grace, but she eventually becomes a part of the gang. However, Karen is wealthy and a terrible person. Her jokes are always classist, racist, and, all in all, very cruel.
All characters in the show are aware of Karen's terrible personality, and many of the running gags in Will & Grace revolve around this fact. Still, as of 2023, Karen's comments, particularly how she treats her staff, are hard to digest for the audience.
6 Archie Bunker Is One Of The Biggest Bigots On TV
All In The Family
One of the most popular sitcoms from the '70s, All in the Family, revolved around Archie Bunker, a stereotypical family man from the time and a bigot and conservative who's also a World War II veteran. While the show is still beloved, Archie was highly controversial.
All in the Family was one of the first shows to deal with sensitive but relevant topics, such as racism, feminism, and homosexuality. However, Archie was always against these "progressive" ideas, constantly fighting with his liberalist son-in-law, Mike.
5 Fez Was A Terrible Portrayal Of A Minority
That 70s Show
Fez is part of the group of friends in That '70s Show; however, this isn't his real name, but an acronym for Foreign Exchange Student. Fez's real name and country of origin are never actually revealed, and he's constantly reduced to an immigrant stereotype.
In later years, people realized how offensive this character was, mostly considering the current political environment in the United States. Fez was a terrible portrayal of an immigrant and the butt of jokes throughout the show, which made him very controversial.
4 Todd Packer Constantly Says Something Offensive
The Office
One of the worst guest characters in The Office, Todd Packer, is a former Michael colleague who works as a Dunder Mifflin Traveling Salesman at the time of his first appearance. Packer, portrayed by David Koechner, is a full-on bigot with crass humor. He rarely opens his mouth without offending someone.
Packer is often homophobic and misogynistic. Besides, he's always vulgar. Among the many things he has done is leaving a bag with feces in Michael's office as a prank, calling Jim "queer" for not being a ladies' man, and often talking about his sex life. The worst part is that his frat-boy attitude quickly rubs on Michael, who only wants "to belong." This always puts him in trouble.
3 George Costanza Did Nothing But Complain All The Time
Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld's best friend, George Costanza, jokes in Seinfeld revolve around his inability to create a good life for himself. This character constantly complains about everything, but he refuses to make any effort to turn his life around, either in the love department or the financial one.
However, what truly made George controversial is the fact that his character is incredibly misogynistic. He constantly reduces women to sexual objects and complains that most don't want to date him. On top of that, he treats the women he dates throughout the show horribly.
2 Rachel Berry Is One Of The Worst Main Characters On TV
Glee
Although Rachel Berry is supposedly the main character in Glee, most people agree she's a terrible person. While Glee is mostly a satire, Rachel's jokes are taken too far, and most people see her as the real antagonist in the series, mainly because she's very self-centered and selfish.
Rachel believes she's more talented than any of her peers and doesn't care who she has to hurt to get a solo. On top of that, Lea Michele has also been at the center of a good deal of controversial commentary, especially from the rest of the show's cast.
1 Charlie Harper Is Awful To Everyone, Especially His Family
Two and a Half Men
Charlie Harper is of the main characters in Two and a Half Men, Alan's alcoholic and selfish brother. Most of the show revolves around the fact that Charlie is a playboy who doesn't respect women but supposedly cares about Alan and Jake in his own way.
There's no doubt the whole show has aged incredibly poorly, but Charlie is definitely the worst part. Most of the jokes involving this character are incredibly controversial, from his drinking problem to how he treats women to the fact that he's very abusive with Alan.