What makes a great ‘Wise Ass’? Or more to the point, why on Earth would any society revere a character so hell bent on sardonicism? Charm and charisma are undoubtedly answers to these questions but, then again, Hitler was said to be charismatic and the emotionally stunted cast of TOWIE continue to propagate relationships based on their ‘charms’ so these two answers lack satisfaction really.
The innate ability to at once, conjure a hilariously worded put down, stupefy the easily confused and crumble a victim’s point/argument to dust with which to make their bread; these are reasons why the ‘Wise Asses’ are most revered. It’s the sheer enjoyment of their presence in life. Failure is delicious and a wise-ass comment is its sublimely humorous condiment.
Over the decades, T.V. has been laden with ‘Wise Asses’ for these reasons and over the next ten clicks we’re going to explore the Top 10 Greatest of the lot! Spanning the expanse of comedy, drama, and all things telly we’re going to take a mini-sojourn into ‘Wise Ass-ery’ and revel in the splendour of some of its finest practitioners. Some will be missed, others will confound but all are undoubtedly excellent. Pucker up, this could get invasive.
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26 Comments
No Gregg House??
Agree there
house should be #1
The “One hell of a parting” comment was actually made by Uncle Albert, not Rodney.
Ach, you’re right there! Well spotted! Apologies, the ‘One hell of a parting’ comment wasn’t made by Rodney – His ‘Wise Ass’ calibre remains untarnished though!
wheres the guy from misfits?
I do think you are wrong about number 1. Greg House would most definitely be number 1 as the whole show hinged on his sarcasm and witty mind.
Greggory House is the king of sarcasm. Definitely deserves to be number one. Nathan, from Misfits, is also a good choice anywhere in the list as Mike pointed out. I’d also say Charlie from TaaHM. Otherwise good list :)
No Hawkeye? I think his brand of wise-assery was king. Actually, I think he was more neurotic than a wise ass lol
Most of them are not as witty as House was. House should definitely be number one
Where was KAren Walker from Will and Grace?
Any list of wise asses without Sawyer is incomplete. From the nicknames to the witty comments he encompasses everything wiseassery.
House would be number 2 after Blackadder, house spends Some of his time seriously, saving people and pursuing romantic relationships, he cries sometimes and has a bromance with wilson. Blackadder is 100% snide, negativity and wiseassedness, the closest he come to serious is a brief fling with ‘Bob’.
Hugh Laurie in himself is a magnificent wise-ass, but Blackadder deserves it for the sheer quality consistency in the show. House would be #3 for me. I’m also surprised I’ve seen nothing of Buffy or Sherlock characters- I know no better that can snark in the face of danger.
Nathan Young ,Misfits
Ah Tyrion Lannister, such a clever wise ass
Chandler Bing should’ve been number one. He’s, like, the poster child of the TV wise-ass.
Decent list.
Spike from the Buffyverse deserved a mention too.
Angel: Spike, I’m in a meeting.
Spike: Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t care.
Tyrion, what a great character!
What about Crowley and Bobby Singer from Supernatural???
Where are Gregory House and Perry Cox??
Where the hell is Archie Bunker??? Lord…
I have one thing to say… Where the F is House? Seriously? I’m sorry.. Andy Scott made this crap? Someone fire him.
Ari Gold? Harvey Specter?
seriously no house? no ari gold?damn even jeff winger from community should be in the list.
Regarding Louis DiPalma seeming a little dated because he doesn’t curse as much as you’d expect a New York cab dispatcher to in real life, that’s your shortcoming, not the character’s, because (1) you’re comparing a fictional character to real life and (2) you’re putting too much stock in the value of profanity. If it’s not used cleverly, it comes off as someone cursing just because they can, which is childish, not mature. In addition to Greg House, this list is missing Lennie Briscoe and Jim Rockford.