Jean-Ralphio Saperstein Parks and Recreation
Jean-Ralphio, Tom Haverfords best pal, is smooth, sharp and bursting with bullshit. You dont know why you like him, you just do. Hes served up in the tiniest doses and always leaves me wanting more. Played by Ben Schwartz and reputedly written into the show because the producers liked the actor so much, Jean-Ralphios best moment is at the end of episode 4 of season 10; a single continuous hand-held camera shot follows him entering an office to start a temporary job, blowing his chances within seconds, attempting to hit on one of the staff and walking out of the door without breaking stride. So I just go out the same way I came in? look it up on YouTube, it should have won an Emmy. While were talking about Parks and Rec, it would be remiss of me not to mention Ron Swanson as another example of when its absolutely right to develop a smaller character into something much bigger. Parks and Rec started poorly, with the first few episodes coming off as a sub-standard Office. It wasnt until season 2 that it really hit its stride, and part of the improved and now hugely successful recipe was to make an awful lot more of the Swanson, the local government official who as a libertarian, resents all forms of government. Hes not officially in this list but lets give him a good moment anyway, although this isnt a moment, its a recurring plotline: His secret life as sax playing smoothie, Duke Silver.