Hey guys, did you know that “bromance” has its own Wikipedia entry? While I’m not too surprised, I still think its pretty funny. In fact, the word itself always makes me chuckle a little bit. I can’t help it!
The bromance has long been a staple of TV comedy, whether we had the word for it yet or not. Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, Gilligan and the Skipper, all had their own special kind of relationship.
Now, I’m a young’n, so my favor lies with more recent series for the most part. Here are just a few of the greatest bromances to grace the small screen:
Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza (Seinfeld)
Oh, Jerry and George, how I miss your bickering like an old married couple. Here’s a clip from the classic episode “The Outing”, where an eavesdropping reporter thinks they’re a gay couple (not that there’s anything WRONG with that). It goes on a little long, but the good stuff is right at the start.
Joey Tribiani and Chandler Bing (Friends)
Say what you want about Friends, but it really was — and is still — kind of an icon of its time. For me the heart and soul of the show was not Rachel and Ross’s never-ending “will they or won’t they” romance, but best buddies Joey and Chandler. Chandler’s sarcasm played so well off of Joey’s lovable dim-wittedness, but when they were having a tiff it was always Joey who had the better hand. Check out the video below and you’ll see what I mean.
Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster (Psych)
Shawn and Gus have been friends since they were little kids, and it shows. They couldn’t be more opposite, but at the same time, more alike. I think the reason Gus puts up with Shawn’s antics is because, behind his practicality, he really loves the adventure it brings into his life, being Shawn’s partner at their detective agency. Otherwise, he’d never get to go undercover as a male fashion model, or sing a duet of Shout dressed up as Michael Jackson on an American Idol-type competition. Why else would he put up with the ridiculous names Shawn makes up for him?
J.D. and Chris Turk (Scrubs)
Really, J.D. and Turk have the epitomal bromantic relationship, even going so far as to call each other Chocolate Bear and Vanilla Bear. They’re unabashed about the fact that they really, really love each other. They even sang a song about it in “My Musical”, which sums it up much better than I ever could. It’s Guy Love, between two guys.
What’s your favorite TV bromance?
Clacked by Cate Cropp
on Jan 10, 2009 @ 10:04 EST5EDT
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Other great bromances include John Sheppard and Rodney McKay on Stargate Atlantis and Sam and Dean Winchester (who in Supernatural are actually brothers as well as each other’s primary emotional connection). Earlier bromances include Starsky and Hutch, and Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuriakin from Man from Uncle.
One of the most iconic bromances of our time has to be Alan Shore (James Spader) and Denny Crane (William Shatner) on Boston Legal. They ended this show so beautifully, celebrating that bromance in such a great manner, that it’s difficult for me to compare it to any of the above.
Denny & Alan… how i miss them… great bromance!
I would say Matt Albie and Danny Tripp from Studio 60 because CC wasn’t around when it was on, so I’m not sure if all the site readers are S60 haters like over at TVS :)
And Casey and Dan from Sports Night.
I’m so predictable.
I notice all your bromances are comedy duos. Interesting.
When and if NBC ever does decide to air the BBC’s Merlin, you’ll find that Merlin and Arthur are probably one of the greatest bromances ever. In fact, some people think it might be more than bromance. The two young actors, Bradley James and Colin Morgan, have some serious chemistry going on. They remind me a lot of the Winchester bromance ala Supernatural.
Much less well known, but most beloved to me was Julian Subotai Bashir and Miles Edward O’Brien on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Yes, even more than Kirk and Spock.
Greg House and James Wilson from House would be right up there.
I’d also echo three which have already been mentioned:
Alan Shore and Denny Crane (Boston Legal)
J.D. and Turk (Scrubs)
John Sheppard and Rodney McKay (Stargate Atlantis) – check out season 5 episode 6, The Shrine, for a stunning example
I’d also add Jack O’Neill and Daniel Jackson and Jack O’Neill and Teal’c from Stargate SG-1. Two very different types of bromances but bromances all the same. Hank Moody and Charlie Runkle from Californication are getting there as well.
Christian Troy & Sean McNamara of Nip/Tuck.
I’ll also second real-bros Sam and Dean Winchester; it’s what i thougt of first.
I’ll second SN’s Casey and Dan and DS9’s Bashir and O’Brien, too.