My Favorite Television BFF's

11.

Karen Mackenzie and Valene Ewing, Knots Landing





There were a lot of tight friendships on the cul-de-sac but this one was definitely the tightest. Valene (Joan Van Ark) saw Karen (Michele Lee) through the death of her first husband, Sid (Don Murray) and Karen saw Valene through the kidnapping of her twin babies. The only serious tension between them occurred when mutual friend Laura (Constance McCashin) found out she was dying and confided in Karen but not Valene.

Carla and Sam is a great pick, i wouldn't have though of that. I watched the first episode of The Andy Griffith Show last week, i enjoyed it Barney was only in two short scenes though.

10.

Denny Crane and Alan Shore, Boston Legal



Somehow Alan (James Spader) found time every week not only to win an unwinnable case but to get his BFF Denny (William Shatner) out of some ridiculous situation he has gotten himself or the firm into. The bond between these two was SO tight that when Denny finally faced the onslaught of Alzheimer's disease, Alan actually agreed to marry him to protect Denny's interests. Every episode of this show ended with these two sitting on the balcony outside of Denny's office smoking cigars and sipping scotch.

I highly recommend that you watch as much of The Andy Griffith Show as you can...classic television comedy.

9.

Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang, Grey's Anatomy



Despite a deep-rooted competition as to who was the better doctor, these two have been instant BFF's since the show premiered...whenever they have a problem they are frustrated about, they usually "dance it out" and they have always referred to each other as their "person." Sandra Oh left the show as Cristina last season and the void in Meredith's life is palpable.

Yeah i really liked the first episode, i've heard that the show is at its best when Andy and Barney are together and this was a Opie (Ron Howard) heavy episode, Barney was only in two brief scenes. Definitely interested in checking out more though.

8.

Nick Miller and Schmidt, New Girl



Probably my favorite current bromance...Nick (Jake Johnson) and Schmidt (Max Greenfield) have been BFFs since they were college roommates when Nick was a long-haired law school dropout and Schmidt was fat. They now live with Jess (Zoey Deschanel) and Schmidt was instrumental in helping Nick get over his one-season romance with Jess.

7.

Richie Cunningham and Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli, Happy Days



This friendship wasn't really part of the original "bible" for Happy Days. When the show premiered, Richie's best friend was Potsie Webber (Anson Williams), but a secondary character, a dropout in a blue cloth jacket on a motorcycle who barely spoke named Fonzie (Henry Winkler) went from blue cloth to leather and went center stage as the star of the show, but what made Fonzie work was his relationship with Richie (Ron Howard). Richie constantly encouraged Fonzie to finish his education and be more of a part of polite society and Fonzie taught Richie how to stand up for himself. I'll never forget the episode where Richie got in a very bad motorcycle accident and Fonzie arrived at his bedside...Winkler did Emmy-worthy work in that episode.

6.

Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, The Flinstones



I don't think any explanation for this choice is required...if it is, you need to watch the show.

5.

Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton, The Honeymooners



The inspiration for Flintstone and Rubble, Ralph loved to call Norton an idiot and Norton never let Ralph forget that he was fat, but Ralph (Jackie Gleason) and Norton (Art Carney) would walk through fire for each other.

4.

Olivia Benson and Elliott Stabler, Law & Order: SVU



My favorite example of co-workers who became BFF's without even knowing it. Olivia (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliott (Christopher Meloni) were partners but they were so tight that many people (including Elliott's wife Kathleen) thought there was something more going on between them, but there wasn't...but there was no doubt that, given their profession, Elliott and Olivia would die for each other.

3.

Will Truman and Grace Adler, Will & Grace



For my money, these BFF's probably know each other better than any other BFF's on this list...they met in college and fell in love instantly...well, at least Grace did. With the aid of his friend Jack (Sean Hayes), Will finally came out of the closet and he and Grace went from lovers to BFF's...they know instantly when they are troubled about something but most important, every time either of them started a relationship, they always sought each other's approval and when they didn't get that approval, the end of that relationship wasn't far behind.

2.

Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy



I have to confess that when I started this list, these two were going to be #1 and I'm still not sure if I've made the right decision, but there's no turning back now and I'm ready for tomatoes to be hurled because I know a lot of you probably thought these two were going to be # 1 as well, but # 2 is pretty damn good. Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) started out as tenant and landlords wife, but over the years, they became BFF's who got into some outrageous trouble together over the years, usually stemming from Lucy's get-rich quick schemes or her attempts to get into show business.

There will be no runner-ups as I think I've covered all the BFFs I wanted to mention...and now...drum roll please...my # 1 favorite television BFFs:

1.

Mary Richards and Rhoda Morganstern, The Mary Tyler Moore Show



What can I say? I loved these two together...they briefly started out as enemies as they wanted to move into the same apartment, but this friendship grew into something really special...when Valerie Harper was spun off into her own show Rhoda and the character was finally getting married, Mary Tyler Moore didn't hesitate to make a guest appearance on the show so that Rhoda's BFF could be her maid of honor.




Hope you enjoyed the list.

This was one of my favorites of your lists. Some of these BFFs were obvious, but you also had quite a few great choices that I never would have thought of.

Congratulations on finishing another great list.

Congrats on finishing your list, Gideon. I've not watched many/most of the shows you've mentioned and I still have no idea how Joey and Chandler aren't higher, but it ain't my list.

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5-time MoFo Award winner.

Great list Gideon! I love your number one choice! I just finished watching MTM and Rhoda. Mary and Rhoda were BFF
I even watched Mary and Rhoda (2000) TV movie, they still had it.

I really didn't care for that TV movie, but it was nice to see Mary and Valerie together.