TV’s Top 10 Manliest Men of All-Time

TV’s Top 10 Manly Men of All Time (Part 1)

With the history of television spanning well over 50 years, we’ve certainly had a chance to experience some interesting characters on sitcoms ranging from Married with Children to Home Improvement.  Some of the Men (or Dad’s) were handy with tools, while others were hip and stylish.  While watching some of these iconic guys in action, we’ve had a chance to learn about family values, how to pick-up chics, gamble and avoid the wife all at the same time.

From Ari Gold to Doug Heffernan, the below are what we consider to be Television’s Top 10 Manliest Men of All Time.  Care to disagree?  We encourage your comments!

Part 1:

# 10 Frank Barone (Played by Peter Boyle)

In Everyone Loves Raymond, which by the way, if you haven’t watched an episode, be sure to catch a re-run next time you’re channel surfing, Peter Boyle plays Francis “Frank” Oscar Barone.  Frank is a retired bookkeeper with a stubborn masculine personality.  A war veteran, Frank served in the Korean War, which he frequently brings up, to the annoyance of his sons.  He is a member of the Elks, and was named Man of the Year by his Lodge.

Peter Boyle passed away on December 12, 2006.

# 9 Doug Heffernan (Played by Kevin James)

Kevin James is down right hilarious.  He’s starred in a handful of movies over the past three years that will definitely turn into cult classics in the years to come.

In King of Queens, James plays Doug Heffernan, an average parcel delivery man who exerts a rather light-hearted and sometimes immature mentality. His misadventures are often fuelled by his immature mannerisms and his love of food.

Doug is usually bossed around by his wife Carrie, and his disobedience in eating fatty foods after she has told him not to is another common reason why the two have disagreements. He generally enjoys the simple pleasures of watching sports and playing poker with his friends. Unlike many married protagonists of sitcoms, Doug has rarely been attracted to other women.

# 8 Earl Jehosophat Hickey (Played by Jason Lee)

 

My Name Is Earl is set in Camden County, and stars Earl, a petty crook who has occasional run-ins with the law.  Earl lost his newly won $100,000 lottery ticket when he is hit by a car.

Although Earl lacks a good education (he believes déjà vu is a ‘french disease’ that has the same effect as déjà vu) and frequently demonstrates poor judgment, he has a clouded grasp of right and wrong which he tries to impart to his friends. His conversion to an understanding of Karma now drives his life, as he seeks to make up for his past wrongdoing.

Earl is afraid of flying and needles and drives a 1973 red El Camino.  Like the majority of men over the age of 35 on this planet, Earl has gotten married and divorced on three separate occasions.

# 7 Red Forman (Played by Kurtwood Smith)

Red Forman plays Eric’s father in the hit sitcom That 70s Show.  Red’s hobbies include working with his power tools, drinking beer, watching television (especially sports events involving Wisconsin teams), reading the newspaper, hunting, and fishing.

What makes Red a choice for our TV’s Manliest Men list is that he has very specific ideas about what men can and cannot do, believing that they should keep their emotions bottled up and be skilled at physical sports like hunting and football. He does not think they should hug or express “love” for each other.

# 6 Ari Gold (Played by Jeremy Piven)

Although the show Entourage is only in it’s infancy stages compared to shows already in full-blow syndication, we think Ari Gold (played by Jeremy Piven) will be a “Man’s Man” people will be talking about and quoting for a long time.

Despite his position as one of the most powerful agents in Hollywood, Ari is a husband to a wife who seems to able to keep him in check.  Despite frequent sexual innuendoes, Ari says he “has never cheated on his wife” and “loves liars, but hates cheaters.”

There are an abundance of memorable quotes from the Ari Gold archive, so we thought we would share our Top 3 with you:

1. Ari: “Let’s hug it out bitch.”

2. Ari to his assistant (prior to finding out he was getting let go by his firm):

 

“Listen, Lloyd, I want you to put all my files, folders, binders, *everything* into a box! If you find a used condom, an executioner’s mask, and a fucking spike paddle, don’t think, just pack that bitch! Chop suey!”

 

3. [Ari is about to leave his kid's birthday party for business reasons]

Ari’s wife: Where are you going?
Ari: They flew in the liver, and I gotta’ do the transplant.

Stay tuned for Part 2 when we count down to TV’s Top 10 Manliest Men of all-time!